Mahesh Mulumudi, MD, a cardiologist, recently spearheaded the launch of Lynwood, Wash.-based CardioNow, an independent cardiovascular practice, in an effort to address inefficiencies in care delivery in the Pacific Northwest.
Dr. Mulumudi recently joined Becker’s to discuss the practice’s successful launch as well as what he encountered as the most difficult aspects of getting it off the ground.
Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What have been the most challenging aspects of getting CardioNow up and running?
Mahesh Mulumudi: One of the most challenging things, if somebody wants to do it on their own or even with somebody’s help, is real estate. Finding the real estate and doing the tenant improvements that you need to do to accommodate all the things that you need, including the permits and licenses and all that, is quite laborious. And if somebody needs to outsource the service within the entire thing, that’s one piece I would strongly recommend outsourcing.
Q: What have been some other things that surprised you about this process?
MM: It’s different for different geographies, but I thought it was going to be very hard to hire staff. But all of the good will we have built in the community, that’s helped us a lot. A lot of people came to us on their own and asked to work with us. That’s been our experience, and we were lucky. I’m not saying that that applies to every place, but that’s one thing that’s pleasantly surprised me, because I thought that was going to be the hardest thing.
Q: What’s one caution you would share with physicians looking to do the same thing?
MM: It’s a capital intensive process. And most cardiologists are busy and — whether they like it or not — getting paid a reasonable amount of money. And they’re kind of comfortable in that palace. Giving that up and taking on a capital intensive adventure can be taxing, both personally and at home, at the family level. You have to convince your home partners [and help them] understand that this is something that is worthwhile doing … make sure that the home is on the same page.
