Co-founder of MAPS Centers For Pain Control, Thomas Pontinen is a double-board certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain medicine specialist. Despite initially majoring in business management during college, Thomas found his true calling in directly helping people, prompting a switch to medicine. His journey led him through trauma surgery, anesthesia, and eventually to a pain management fellowship.
Thomas’ passion for adventure sports shines through as an avid mountaineer, having conquered three of the Seven Summits, a dedicated snowboarder with a penchant for backcountry and heliboarding worldwide, a certified scuba diver with a love for shark diving, and a Class A skydiver. His diverse experiences include motorcycle riding, volunteering in conflict zones, and even performing as Goofy and Captain Hook in Disney World.
A true enthusiast for pushing boundaries, Thomas embraces challenges, whether physical or personal. His commitment to self-improvement extends to conquering fears, like overcoming stage fright through improv acting classes at Second City. Thomas’ zest for life also encompasses unique experiences, such as living with Sherpas in the Nepali Himalayas and studying in Ghana.
Balancing his adventurous spirit, Thomas values physical activity, maintaining a daily exercise routine. Currently residing in downtown Chicago with his wife Sylwia, who is also part of MAPS, and their two dogs Archie and Daisy, Thomas lives by the mantra of being the person your dog believes you are.
Redefining Pain Management
Thomas shares that MAPS is the largest anesthesia/interventional pain management/vein treatment center in Chicago. Despite offering a diverse range of services, the team primarily concentrates on interventional pain management. The patient demographic is extensive, encompassing Medicare beneficiaries, individuals with regular insurance, personal injury cases, workers’ compensation recipients, and cash-paying patients.
The core focus of MAPS lies in interventional pain practices, spanning from small injections to minor surgeries. Their objective is to alleviate both acute and chronic pain or injuries, facilitating patients’ return to a normal life without resorting to major surgeries. The practice employs various treatments, including durable medical equipment such as braces and TENS machines, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and diagnostic imaging like MRIs and X-rays. Additionally, they incorporate cutting-edge regenerative medicine treatments such as platelet-rich plasma or amniotic tissue injections to promote tissue healing and regeneration.
Uniqueness defines MAPS on multiple fronts, starting with its size. While smaller than a hospital, this characteristic allows for a more personalized and convenient experience for patients, avoiding a number-centric approach. With a team of 15 providers, the practice strikes a balance, offering a collective perspective and leveraging decades of combined experience to tailor treatments to each patient. The team also excels in the legal medical arena, handling numerous depositions and assisting patients navigating the complexities of the legal landscape associated with their injuries.
Internally managing all billing processes sets MAPS apart, enabling them to efficiently address any financial or insurance-related concerns that patients may encounter. Founded just nine years ago by Thomas and a friend from residency, the practice maintains a youthful vigor, ensuring that all techniques employed are the latest and most up-to-date. The absence of individuals entrenched in traditional methods contributes to a dynamic and innovative environment.
A notable achievement is MAPS’ rapid ascent from its humble beginnings to becoming the largest pain practice in Chicago within just five years. This success is attributed to their unwavering commitment to patient care and the singular focus on getting patients better. The result is a multitude of predominantly 5-star online reviews for both the practice and its providers, along with a stream of patient referrals from satisfied individuals, marking a source of pride for MAPS above all other accomplishments.
A Physician, Business Owner, Legal Expert, and Adventurer
Thomas prides himself on being a devoted husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend, recognizing the paramount importance of family, personal connections, and his impact on the community. Amidst his diverse roles as a physician, business owner, employer, life care planner, legal expert, and volunteer, Thomas holds his clinical work in highest regard.
For him, nothing surpasses the fulfillment derived from connecting with long-term patients whom he considers friends rather than merely patients. The blessing of performing procedures that significantly enhance their lives fills his clinic days with purpose. Thomas’s familiarity with patients runs so deep that he often doesn’t need to consult their charts; these interactions transcend the professional realm, resembling conversations between close friends who share intimate aspects of their lives.
In addition to his clinical work, Thomas takes great pride in leading a business that provides meaningful employment to over 50 individuals. Knowing that his team finds fulfillment in their work and can support their families brings him immense satisfaction. Beyond the medical field, Thomas engages in legal expert work, driven by the desire to help individuals secure the settlements they rightfully deserve. He views these settlements not as mere financial compensation but as a means to continue necessary medical treatment and rebuild their lives after significant setbacks.
Similarly, as a life care planner, Thomas has undertaken over 100 cases in a year, driven by the same compassion and dedication to assisting individuals in need. His volunteer work takes him to extreme situations abroad, combining his passion for helping others with a love for travel and adventure. Notably, he thrives in challenging environments, such as war zones, showcasing his adventurous spirit.
Outside of his professional life, Thomas’s interests reveal a multifaceted personality. An adventure enthusiast, avid snowboarder and heli-boarder, scuba shark and rescue diver, skydiver, motorcycle rider, and mountaineer with a life goal to climb all seven summits, Thomas’s hobbies paint a vivid picture of who he is. While these pursuits may not define him in the same way as his medical career, they contribute to the rich tapestry of his identity, showcasing a passion for life and a commitment to diverse experiences.
Insights on Adaptability and Business Acumen
Thomas identifies challenges for healthcare leaders, navigating regulations and grappling with issues like insurance rules, financial strains, and overhead costs. Success hinges on adaptability and openness to change, steering away from rigid practices. He also highlights the need for healthcare leaders to view private practices not only as medically necessary services but also as customer-focused businesses.
Recognizing the choice patients have in certain specialties, Thomas urges leaders to implement business protocols akin to service-oriented industries to prevent failure. The absence of business education in medical training poses hurdles for new doctors entering the business side. Thomas advises humility, self-awareness, and continuous learning. Open-mindedness and humility, coupled with learning from failures, are vital for success.
Thomas warns against pitfalls, particularly greed, which can lead to practices outside guidelines, jeopardizing relationships with insurers, Medicare, and damaging professional reputations. In interconnected markets like Chicago, a tarnished reputation can swiftly impede success in healthcare.
Balancing Success with Compassionate Care
Thomas stresses the importance of prioritizing patients and staying true to the initial motivation for entering medicine. Despite business success, it’s crucial not to lose focus on patient care amid financial and operational aspects. At MAPS, decisions prioritize patient well-being, and financial considerations place owners last. Thomas sees all staff as equals, essential for different functions. Any provider displaying superiority or disrespect is promptly let go, reinforcing a collaborative and respectful team dynamic.
Dynamic Leadership
In his leadership role, Thomas handles various tasks daily, finding fulfillment in the diversity of responsibilities. While he tries to limit weekend work, Sunday afternoons are often dedicated to catching up on tasks. On weekdays, Thomas engages in clinical work, primarily conducting procedures in clinic or surgery centers three to four days a week. He has expanded his activities to include legal-medical work as an expert witness and life care planning on separate days, serving as additional income sources in relevant specialties.
Thomas dedicates the remaining time to virtual meetings, calls, emails, and texts, overseeing the business comprehensively. Despite a busy schedule, he enjoys the variety and deliberately stays engaged in different activities to prevent monotony. Maintaining anesthesia skills, he continues to take weekend call shifts. Notwithstanding the demanding nature of his routine, the most fulfilling aspect for Thomas is helping patients. Conducting procedures, especially those offering immediate relief, brings him immense satisfaction. Building long-term relationships with patients, some spanning years, adds a personal touch. The gratitude expressed by patients after experiencing improvement in their lives remains the driving force, making it essential for Thomas that his work directly contributes to enhancing the well-being of others.
Team-Centric Approach
According to Thomas, the traditional model of placing doctors on high pedestals has evolved, and there’s now a more favorable shift towards a team approach. This transformation aligns with MAPS’ operational philosophy, as highlighted in previous responses. Thomas emphasizes the superiority of a well-run, multi-specialty team over individual efforts. The benefits of such teamwork are evident in improved patient care and more efficient business operations.
In the hiring process, Thomas values specific attributes that contribute to a positive team dynamic. He seeks individuals with a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, humility (disdaining arrogance), good teamwork skills, genuine concern for patients, adaptability to change, confidence, effective communication skills, and a fundamentally good-hearted nature. While acknowledging that many individuals pursuing a medical career possess these qualities, Thomas notes that not everyone does. Consequently, the hiring process involves careful consideration to ensure the selection of individuals who align with the team’s values. Over the years, MAPS has honed its hiring process, becoming adept at identifying and bringing on board individuals who contribute positively to the team.
Healthcare Challenges
Thomas highlights the significant impact of insurance plans and regulations on healthcare, emphasizing that determining a patient’s insurance is a crucial initial inquiry. While it is possible to effectively treat nearly every patient with practice and diligence, various factors such as coding, diagnosis ordering, note wording, preauthorization processes, responses to denials, and service locations can pose obstacles to providing care. Technology has played a vital role in overcoming these challenges. The implementation of an electronic medical record (EMR) system accessible via applications on iPads or smartphones, as well as cloud-based storage, has proven beneficial. Automation programs and collaborations with streamlined process companies help minimize labor-intensive tasks, allowing the staff to efficiently manage patient care.
Moreover, Thomas notes the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various processes, contributing to further efficiency. While acknowledging that success in private practice is achievable without embracing technology, he emphasizes that doing so makes the journey less difficult, more efficient, and less labor-intensive, ultimately reducing risks associated with non-adoption of technological advancements.
Embracing Risks
Starting any business inherently involves risks, and the uncertainty persists, as unforeseen events or regulatory changes can lead to sudden setbacks. Thomas acknowledges that MAPS could face challenges, such as a regulatory shift or a catastrophe, potentially causing the business to falter. Despite the risks, Thomas chose entrepreneurship over a secure hospital job, driven by a deep understanding of his self-motivation and preference for acting as his own boss. The inherent challenge and the possibility of failure, which might deter many, were precisely what motivated him, aligning with his propensity for thriving in adversity and avoiding monotony.
Looking ahead five years, Thomas aspires to continue running MAPS, aspiring for even greater success. He defines success not merely in financial terms but in continuous improvement of processes, enhancing patient experiences, and refining treatment. Success, for Thomas, also involves improving the work environment for the staff, ensuring their fulfillment in their daily roles. Expansion of MAPS is envisioned not just for financial gains but to extend quality care to more individuals.
Thomas challenges the conventional notion of success solely equating to financial prosperity, emphasizing the importance of making a positive impact on patients, staff, and the community. While he initially contemplated growing the business for a potential sale, he now realizes that the intrinsic satisfaction derived from patient care, collaboration with staff, the dynamic challenges of business management, and the day-to-day tasks make leaving this path less appealing. Thomas finds fulfillment in the meaningful connections with patients, the clinical work, the diverse schedule, and the ongoing challenges that running a business entails.
Leadership Wisdom from Thomas
Thomas advises those stepping into a leadership role for the first time to adopt key principles. He emphasizes the importance of being open-minded, willing to embrace change, and maintaining humility. Acknowledging the inevitability of failure, Thomas encourages leaders to be resilient and to prioritize the needs of those they lead over their own.
Thomas echoes Steve Jobs’ sentiment that leaders cannot please everyone and should be prepared for some individuals not liking them. He cautions against greed, emphasizing the need to avoid considering oneself superior to others. Furthermore, Thomas underscores the significance of kindness, emphasizing that building positive relationships is fundamental in business. By prioritizing others’ needs, caring about their desires, and cultivating a likable personality, leaders can establish trust and foster collaboration.
