Leighton B. Smith, M.D.
Senior Advisor
Chicago
303-646-1709
leighton.smith@bdcadvisors.com
Dr. Smith is a Senior Advisor at BDC Advisors, LLC. He has over twenty five years of experience as a physician leader and has successfully managed large, multi-specialty, multi-site physician practices dealing with all aspects of practice management as well as serving as an executive for a large integrated system. His proven track record spans private medical groups, academic practice plans, and community-based and academic medical centers. He has successfully worked with physicians to implement electronic solutions to scheduling, billing, collections, and medical records. Dr. Smith applies the principles of quality improvement in his data-driven approach of medical process redesign that enhances the quality of work life for all involved in ambulatory care. Specific areas of specialization include:
- Physician Revenue and Cash Flow Enhancement
- Practice Operations Improvement
- Physician Coding and Documentation
- Managed Care Contracting for Physicians
- Physician Compensation and Productivity
- Medical Staff Development
- Facilities Planning and Development
- Inventory Management
Dr. Smith most recently grew a multi-specialty, multi-site medical group from 140 to 240 physicians, and negotiated a new expanded role for the group during the merger of two large integrated health systems. Dr. Smith also tightly managed the revenue cycle in an academic setting by achieving 34 days in accounts receivable, a net collection ratio of 97%, and maintaining the aging of the accounts consistent with industry best practices. This was achieved through a “clean claims” initiative. In addition, he negotiated significantly enhanced managed care contracts for the faculty physicians at Weill Cornell Medical College and conducted payer compliance activities to ensure that negotiated rates are paid at contracted levels. Dr. Smith also led a benchmarking initiative that created a dash board of practice performance indicators that are used to evaluate each Departments’ financial effectiveness. Improvement strategies were implemented in many departments, as well as developing 36 medical facilities housing all specialties by working with architects and physicians to ensure optimal patient flow and processes that are conducive to efficient practice. These facilities range in size from 2,000 to 85,000 square feet. Dr. Smith has implemented an electronic medical record in an ambulatory setting and developed automated processes to achieve a fully electronic medical office.
Dr. Smith is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan in Canada and has served as a Family Practice Residency Director and Department Head at the University of Illinois in Chicago before serving as the President of Lutheran General Medical Group, a large multi-specialty medical group (240 physicians) located in the Chicago suburbs. He also served as Senior and Executive Vice President within the Lutheran and Advocate Health Systems. Most recently, he was the Director of Practice Operations and Primary Care Medical Director for the Physician Organization at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York City. His consulting career was launched there when he began as an internal consultant and was asked to continue his results-oriented work with various departments.