An Uncommon Alliance

Dem Dry Bones + Commons Clinic

Where have you been? Where do you want to go? 

At some point in a career, past experiences converge with future goals to reveal the way forward.  My way forward is becoming clearer, and today I have a big announcement to share.  But first, a bit about how I got here.

One of the cool things about having a small following is that people often offer unsolicited words of encouragement or approach to discuss something I’ve written or posted. It happens at meetings, in clinical settings, and even in my local community. Thanks to those who have done so. For me, it’s validation that many others are contemplating these same issues on a deep level. Very minor celebrity aside, there isn’t necessarily anything earth-shattering about the ideas I put forth or opinions I share.  A lot of it is synthesizing stuff I've heard or read with other stuff I've experienced or done.  Much of it is common sense, pragmatism, authenticity, and practicality — concepts frustratingly lacking in healthcare. 

Modesty aside, I will give myself credit for leveraging a unique vantage point from within the thick of traditional medicine and on the fringes of the healthcare innovation ecosystem. (With today’s announcement, I leave those fringes).  Many on the frontlines are oblivious or inured to what's going on around them.  Many outsiders building in healthcare underestimate the complexities and paradoxes of the problems they're trying to solve.  By seeing both sides, I aim to offer a measure of clarity.  I don't have all the answers, and there are very few easy ones.  That said, one thing consistently comes through in my myriad interactions: there are a lot of people thinking about this stuff. Many of them are actively seeking a way forward.  It's exciting, encouraging, and inspiring.

Why does an Orthopedic Surgeon start a blog and share his thoughts on a business-focused social media platform?  To curate a network, find a community, open doors, and create opportunities.  For me, this has been an unmitigated success.  The "hey, I follow you on LinkedIn and…" moments are icing on the cake.

Writing and posting has been incredibly rewarding in so many ways. But, as they say, talk is cheap.  To have impact, thoughts and ideas must eventually translate into actions.  I'm a big thinker and believer in being bold — taking full bites instead of nibbling at the edges.  Driving real change in healthcare demands it.  At the same time, boldness must be balanced with intent, thoughtfulness, and a willingness to play the long game.  Yes, it’s a nearly $5 trillion industry. But it has humbled some of the mightiest, wealthiest, and most resource-rich companies in history.

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When I began this journey, I wasn’t entirely certain where it would take me.  I figured I’d jump in and see what happened.  Over the past few years, my North Star has taken shape – I intend to be at the confluence of care delivery innovation, technology, and value creation.  Bonus points if it involves elevating the doctor-patient relationship and restoring physician autonomy/ownership with a flair for improved patient experience.  Double bonus points if it involves MSK.  This has been my itch, and today I’m thrilled to announce I finally found my scratch.  I’m beyond excited to officially become part of the Commons Clinic team as Editor-in-Chief and Senior Clinical Fellow.

My itch is developing tech-enabled, advanced specialty care models with an eye towards physician autonomy, patient experience, and value creation. I finally found my scratch — Commons Clinic.

As part of this collaboration, I’m also excited to announce the launch of “The Surgeon’s Record” presented by Commons Clinic which will incorporate the Dem Dry Bones blog as a flagship feature.  Our goal with this publication is to foster thoughtful discourse and highlight innovation by:

• Putting physician voices at the center of value-based care advocacy  

• Collaborating nationwide with top physician leaders

• Spotlighting progress and innovation across new procedures, interventions, payment models, care pathways, and outcomes

• Fostering advocacy for advanced program design and intelligent regulatory pathways with CMS, health plans, and physicians across the country

• Providing a forum to amplify leading voices, opinions, and approaches

The mission of “The Record” is simple:  lead the tough conversations necessary to drive the next frontier of value-based specialty care.  I’m proud to lead the effort and can’t wait to bring together some of the brightest minds and deepest thinkers in the realm of evolved, sustainable VBC. Commons Clinic is already aligned with leading, high-caliber surgeons, and I look forward to collaborating with Drs. Hyun Bae, Eric Millstein, Sanjay Khurana, and others.  I’ll be helped along the way by the incomparable Derek Flanzraich, an accomplished marketing, content, commercialization, growth, & GTM strategy leader. We’re intent on building a robust community as a key component of affecting change. If any of this sounds interesting or appealing, please reach out. The first edition of the “The Surgeon’s Record” is scheduled to launch next week, so stay tuned.

Our mission:  lead the tough conversations necessary to drive the next frontier of value-based specialty care.

As part of the collaboration with Commons Clinic, I’ll be taking on the role of Senior Clinical Fellow, driving bigger initiatives around value-based specialty care, novel care delivery models, and the confluence of healthcare and innovation.  The position represents the perfect opportunity to leverage my extensive frontline clinical experience in support of Commons’ mission: making sustainable VBC specialty care a reality. I couldn’t be more excited – nor could I think of a better opportunity to put big thoughts into meaningful action.

I’ve gotten to know Commons Clinic co-founder and CEO Nick Aubin over the past couple of years and was inspired to make an angel investment in Commons’ seed round.  Smart minds think alike, and Nick’s vision for Commons Clinic very much aligns with my years of experience as an MSK specialist whose focus has become healthcare transformation. Commons recently launched a $100 million Center for Spine Economics and Research, a perfect example of putting big, bold thought into transformative action. For me, transformation means it’s time to move from the fringes of innovation in pursuit of my North Star. I can’t think of a better way to foster conversation, grow a community, and contribute to change than serving as Commons Clinic’s Editor-in-Chief/Senior Clinical Fellow.  Thanks to Nick, Derek, and the Commons Clinic team for the opportunity. Game on.