This summer, join host David Mandell as he revisits and highlights episodes from Season 3 of The Wealth Planning for the Modern Physician podcast, in our 2025 Summer Rewind Series.

"I genuinely believe there is a lot of information to gain from all of our episodes deliver, but for the summer, I've handpicked a few that offer intriguing ideas and a unique perspective for physicians in 2025," says David. "I hope you enjoy this Season encore series. Have a great summer!"

Listen in as David chats with Trisha Talbot, real estate advisor and entrepreneur behind DocProperties.

Trisha begins by explaining what her training, certifications, and experience in real estate were before launching her own firm. She then relates her motivation to launch DocProperties and delves into the unique aspects of healthcare real estate and the challenges for physicians looking to own it.

Trisha then shares her answers to a few common questions she hears from physicians and discusses a typical first step for a doctor considering a new office or piece of real estate. Finally, Trisha explains when a practice might consider selling a property, and important factors affecting that decision.

You can find show notes and more information by visiting www.physicianswealthpodcast.com.

In this final episode of Season 5, host David Mandell recaps the season’s key themes and previews the upcoming Summer Rewind series, which will highlight standout episodes from Seasons 3 and 4. The podcast will continue on a biweekly schedule over the summer, with new introductions to previously released episodes, allowing listeners to revisit valuable content over the Summer.

David reviews each of the 18 episodes of Season 5, including a quick recap and highlights.

The goal of this episode is to help listeners catch up on missed episodes or revisit important insights they may have forgotten. He invites feedback and topic suggestions for future episodes as the podcast continues to grow its audience.

EPISODE SNAPSHOTS:

5.1 & 5.2 – Dr. Jay Foley: After a life-altering snowboarding accident, Dr. Foley transitioned from surgery to medico-legal consulting, highlighting the importance of disability insurance and leveraging a medical license in new ways.

5.3 – Andy Taylor: Explored how election cycles influence market behavior and how physicians can remain calm and strategic with their portfolios.

5.4 – Nolan Bradbury, CPA: Covered KPIs, practice delegation, legal/tax structure for side hustles, and exit planning from a CPA’s perspective.

5.5 – Dr. Ben Ostrander: Applied hospitality industry lessons to healthcare to enhance patient experience, employee satisfaction, and operational efficiency.

5.6 – Jessica Jones, Consultant: Shared insights on aligning practice models with physician passion, wellness trends, and diversification within practices—especially cash-based models.

5.7 & 5.8 – Dr. Sue Keller: An unflinching look at financial mismanagement, the emotional toll of bankruptcy, and finding meaning in a reinvented career after decades in dentistry.

5.9 – Dr. Jay Zigmont: Introduced “child-free wealth” as a growing financial niche, challenging traditional planning assumptions and offering guidance tailored to child-free individuals.

5.10 – Dr. Jude Pierre (Pt. 1): Talked about geographic and specialty shifts, mentorship, and the creation of a physician coaching practice to fight burnout and debt.

5.11 – Carole Foos & Greg Heimkreiter, CPAs: Discussed looming tax law expirations, industry-wide challenges in accounting services, and what physicians should know about finding quality tax advisors.

5.12 – Kristy LaGourgue & Rachel Varga: Focused on brand building and marketing strategy for all doctors, not just those in aesthetics—emphasizing the importance of digital presence and patient communication.

5.13 – Dr. Pat St. Pierre: Reflected on a military-to-medicine career, financial planning, industry involvement, and proactive retirement through wine education to avoid post-retirement difficulty.

5.14 – Attorneys Byrd & Adatto: Covered major legal trends including compounding pharmacy scrutiny, the evolving legal landscape around non-competes, and internal practice exits.

5.15 – Dr. Jude Pierre (Pt. 2): Discussed optimizing workflow through scribes, practice innovation via Medicare Advantage, and financial/lifestyle balance to avoid physician burnout.

5.16 & 5.17 – Cory Kleinschmidt: Provided a comprehensive look at locum tenens work for physicians—ideal for both early-career flexibility and late-career freedom—including licensing, contract tips, what to look for in an agency, forming LLCs for tax purpose and more.

5.18 – Drs. Mark Figgie & Joel Press: Shared a mentorship model from HSS that helps young physicians with career planning, finances, wellness, and leadership development.

5.19 – Bob Goettling: Introduced ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans) as an innovative, tax-efficient practice exit strategy increasingly relevant in the medical space.

Learn more, including additional show notes, links, and detailed key takeaways, by visiting physicianswealthpodcast.com.

Click here to get your FREE copy of our latest book, Wealth Strategies for Today's Physician!

In this episode, host David Mandell welcomes Bob Goettling, a seasoned investment banker and legal expert with over 30 years of experience in healthcare transactions, to discuss the emerging relevance of ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans) for physician practices. Goettling shares his professional journey, from early M&A work to helping physician groups explore monetization options, including ESOPs as a potentially powerful but underutilized tool.

Bob breaks down the core structure and history of ESOPs, describing them as trust-based leveraged buyouts that allow physicians and employees to own their practice while benefiting from significant tax advantages. He explains how the Bloom Organization itself became an ESOP nearly a decade ago, and how his team has since developed a tailored hybrid ESOP model for medical practices, especially as interest in private equity has cooled due to rising interest rates and negative post-deal experiences.

While ESOPs offer clear advantages—like retaining control and optimizing tax outcomes—they also come with complexity. Goettling stresses the importance of choosing the right advisors and ensuring a strong internal management structure. Not every practice is a good fit; size, structure, and strategic alignment are critical factors. The episode offers high-level insight into how ESOPs work, who they benefit, and what red flags to watch for in considering this alternative to traditional M&A routes.

KEY INSIGHTS

1. ESOP stands for Employee Stock Ownership Plan and enables employees to become beneficial owners through a trust structure.
   
   
2. Originally introduced in the 1950s, ESOPs gained traction in the 1970s due to government incentives.
   
   
3. Goettling and his team at Bloom implemented an ESOP for their own firm nearly 10 years ago and now advise physician groups on doing the same.
   
   
4. Tax benefits are significant: ESOP sellers can defer or eliminate capital gains, and the entity itself becomes tax-exempt.
   
   
5. ESOPs allow physicians to monetize their practice without surrendering control, unlike private equity deals.
   
   
6. The model is ideal for larger practices (15–20+ physicians) with existing governance (boards, CEOs, CFOs).
   
   
7. Complexity is a key barrier—ESOPs involve oversight from both the IRS and Department of Labor.
   
   
8. Hybrid ESOP models can account for partners, junior doctors, staff, and even future hires.
   
   
9. Mistakes often stem from poor advisory choices; experience with ESOPs is essential to avoid pitfalls.
   
   
10. ESOPs can be a game-changer for practices looking to stay independent while scaling strategically.

Learn more, including additional show notes, links, and detailed key takeaways, by visiting physicianswealthpodcast.com.

Click here to get your FREE copy of our latest book, Wealth Strategies for Today's Physician!