Interview with Dr. Alfred Atanda

This week on the podcast, Dr. Alfred Atanda, Jr. describes how he developed a side hustle that brings balance to his clinical practice. We explore his experiences developing expertise in telehealth, and helping others to bring similar passions into their professional lives.

Alfred provides an illuminating look into the growing world of telemedicine. And he makes a strong case for its role in providing quality care, freeing up resources, and preventing physician burnout.

A Natural Interest in Sports Medicine

Alfred was an avid soccer player growing up. His passion for sports and his skill in orthopedic surgery made sports medicine a natural choice. As a result, Dr. Atanda decided to pursue pediatric sports medicine and orthopedic surgery.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, he completed an internship and an orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Alfred also completed fellowships in pediatric orthopedic surgery, at Alfred I DuPont Hospital for Children, and in sports medicine surgery, at the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University.

Alfred now practices at the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware, where he is the director of the Center for Sports Medicine. He performs arthroscopic surgery as well as general orthopedic and trauma surgical procedures.

Our Sponsor

We're proud to have the University of Tennessee Physician Executive MBA Program, offered by the Haslam College of Business, as the sponsor of this podcast.

The UT PEMBA is the longest-running, and most highly respected physician-only MBA in the country, with over 650 graduates. Unlike other programs, which typically run 1 – 1/2 to 2 years, this program only takes a year to complete. And Economist Magazine recently ranked the business school #1 in the world for the Most Relevant Executive MBA.

University of Tennessee PEMBA students bring exceptional value to their organizations. While in the program, you'll participate in a company project, thereby contributing to your organization.

Graduates have taken leadership positions at major healthcare organizations. And they've become entrepreneurs and business owners.

By joining the University of Tennessee physician executive MBA, you will develop the business and management skills you need to advance your career. To find out more, contact Dr. Kate Atchley’s office by calling (865) 974-6526 or go to vitalpe.net/physicianmba.

alfred atanda side hustle

Why Telehealth?

While on a phone call with a patient experiencing an issue with his brace, the patient suggested using FaceTime. Once able to see the brace, Alfred quickly corrected the issue. Afterward, he realized that the FaceTime interaction precluded the need for a follow-up visit scheduled for later that week.

The patient lived in the Delaware Beaches, so this meant saving him and his parents a 100-mile drive. All for a five minute post-operative visit. This experience led Alfred to explore how to offer remote consultations.

Benefits for patients and providers

In discussing the benefits of telehealth offerings, Dr. Atanda notes that they are not limited to patients. Providers and hospitals also have much to gain from the technology. Most patients are simply looking for information, guidance, or reassurance, particularly in the post-operative stage.

The first 90 days after surgery are not billable. This means that by connecting with post-operative patients remotely, telehealth physicians are saving their patients’ time and energy, the hospital or clinic’s resources, and freeing up space for patients that need in-person care.

An unexpected benefit that Dr. Atanda discovered was an improvement in his own wellbeing. Clinical practice can be grueling. By offering telehealth consultations, Dr. Atanda found that he was able to spend more time with his family and to travel without feeling like he was neglecting his patients.

 

Passing it on

After finding his own path to a more fulfilling balance of life and work, Alfred began to consult and speak on the subject. He feels that telehealth can be a useful tool for a wide range of physicians. However, he recognizes that it is not a fix-all.

“My goal is to help other docs find that joy again”

Alfred Atanda

His journey has not only given him a wealth of expertise in telehealth programs. It has also given him a unique perspective on finding joy and meaning in work as a physician. He believes it's important to explore one's passions and find ways to integrate them into one's life to bring more balance and enjoyment.

Summary

Alfred wants to share what he has learned through this experience. By pursuing this new interest, he found himself organically growing a fulfilling side hustle in telehealth and consulting that enhances his clinical work. He believes he can help other physicians find similar ways to strike a healthy work-life balance in their lives.

Finding new work that reignites joy and passion can ease the burden of an intense medical practice. By doing just that, Dr. Atanda was able to improve his own life and restore his passion for clinical medicine.

Links for today's episode:

Thanks to our sponsor…

Thanks to the UT Physician Executive MBA program for sponsoring the show. It’s an outstanding, highly rated, MBA program designed for working physicians. It might be just what you need to prepare for that joyful, well-paying career. You can find out more at vitalpe.net/physicianmba.

I hope to see you next time on the PNC Podcast.

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Podcast Editing & Production Services are provided by Oscar Hamilton.

Disclaimers:

The opinions expressed here are mine and my guest’s. While the information provided on the podcast is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge, there is no express or implied guarantee that using the methods discussed here will lead to success in your career, life or business. 

Many of the links that I refer you to, and that you’ll find in the show notes, are affiliate links. That means that I receive a payment from the seller if you purchase the affiliate item using my link. Doing so has no effect on the price you are charged. And I only promote products and services that I believe are of high quality and will be useful to you, that I have personally used or am very familiar with.

The information presented on this blog and related podcast is for entertainment and/or informational purposes only. It should not be construed as medical, legal, tax, or emotional advice. If you take action on the information provided on the blog or podcast, it is at your own risk. Always consult an attorney, accountant, career counsellor, or other professional before making any major decisions about your career. 

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