In this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, host Daniel Williams, Senior Editor at MGMA, sits down with Michelle Mainord, Practice Administrator at Cookeville Gynecology in Tennessee and winner of the 2025 ACMPE Forum Representative of the Year Award. Michelle shares her remarkable journey from nurse to administrator, the lessons learned in leadership, and how mentorship and certification programs like ACMPE strengthen the future of healthcare management.

Listeners will gain insights into how medical practice leaders can balance professional development, mentorship, and the day-to-day demands of running a practice — all while building community and advancing excellence in healthcare management.

Episode Takeaways

[02:09] — Connecting in Person: Why MGMA Conferences Matter
Daniel and Michelle chat about the excitement of attending the MGMA Leaders Conference in Orlando (held Sept. 28-Oct. 1), the energy of being surrounded by peers, and the difference between virtual connections and face-to-face learning. Michelle reflects on attending the MGMA Private Practice Conference in Minnesota earlier this year.
[05:14] — Cookeville, Tennessee: A Regional Hub for Women’s Health
Michelle introduces listeners to Cookeville. At Cookeville Gynecology, her team provides specialized care for patients who often travel an hour or more for services. She describes the pride of working in a regional practice that blends small-town connection with big-city standards of care.

[6:19] — From Nurse to Administrator: Bridging the Clinical and Business Sides of Healthcare
Michelle shares her transition story from clinical nurse to administrator, explaining how cross-training and empathy between front- and back-office teams foster stronger, more efficient practices.

[7:34] — Launching and Growing a Physician-Owned Practice
Hear how Michelle helped build Cookeville Gynecology from a single-physician practice to a thriving six-provider clinic serving more than 20,000 patients across a 14-county region.
[8:08] — Bridging the Front and Back Office Divide
Michelle reflects on the transition from nurse to administrator, noting that tension often exists between clinical and front-office teams. She explains how her clinical background helped her bridge that gap, foster collaboration through cross-training, and guide change with empathy and understanding.
[09:48] — Seeing Both Sides of the Practice
Michelle explains how working on both the clinical and administrative sides has strengthened her communication and leadership. She shares how understanding each team’s perspective helps staff connect their daily work to the practice’s financial health and overall success.

[11:15] — The Power of ACMPE: What Certification and Fellowship Really Mean
Michelle breaks down the ACMPE process — from certification to fellowship — and how it builds confidence, financial literacy, and leadership among practice managers.

[14:30] — Paying It Forward Through Mentorship
Michelle shares how earning her ACMPE certification inspired her to mentor others. Now leading study groups and boot camps, she helps peers navigate the process, celebrating their successes and emphasizing how mentorship keeps the spirit of professional growth alive in healthcare leadership.

[18:56] — Overcoming Barriers and Building Confidence
Michelle notes that time is the biggest challenge for most practice leaders pursuing ACMPE certification. She emphasizes how study groups and the (MGMA) Principles of Practice Management Certificate help build confidence and community, offering encouragement, shared learning, and a sense of camaraderie among peers on the same journey.

[20:50] — Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders
Michelle shares what drives her passion for ACMPE: helping practice leaders grow and adapt in a fast-changing healthcare landscape. She finds the greatest reward in mentoring others—supporting them as they build confidence, pursue certification or fellowship, and connect the dots between where they are and where they want to be.

About the Guest:
Michelle Mainord is Practice Administrator at Cookeville Gynecology in Tennessee and the 2025 ACMPE Forum Representative of the Year. She has been instrumental in guiding members through certification and fellowship, fostering mentorship networks, and advancing the professional development of healthcare leaders.

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