In this year’s edition of the CEO Today USA Awards, we sit down with Dr Michael Skolnick the CEO of Abra Health Group, a leading integrated medical and dental support organization. Dr. Skolnick’s journey from an orthodontics specialist to the helm of Abra Health showcases his deep understanding of the healthcare industry and his commitment to making a difference in underserved communities.
With a unique perspective gained from years of experience serving patients, Dr. Skolnick has directed Abra Health Group to focus on comprehensive care for children and their families, emphasizing accessibility and innovation. Our discussion will cover the challenges of providing care in diverse communities, the impact of technology on healthcare, and Dr. Skolnick’s vision for the future of Abra Health Group.
Michael, can you share your journey to becoming the CEO of ABRA Health Group and highlight some pivotal moments that shaped your path to this role?
My journey to becoming the CEO of Abra Health Group began with a personal passion for orthodontics, sparked by my experience wearing braces. Following this interest, I pursued a career in dentistry and met my wife during dental school, where she specialized in pediatric dentistry. Together, we envisioned creating a pediatric orthodontic practice, driven by our shared desire to serve underserved communities. This vision led us to establish our first location in Newark, New Jersey. As our practice grew, we found that parents of our young patients were also seeking our services, prompting us to expand our focus to include adults. This evolution resulted in our current status as a large, multilocation practice. Our unique model and the needs of the communities we serve propelled our rapid growth, enabling us to open additional locations and broaden our impact.
What is the core vision behind ABRA Health Group, and how do you work to realize this vision in your daily operations? Can you share how you help underserved communities?
Our primary vision is to become a leading provider of integrated medical and dental care for underserved communities in the areas we serve. We focus our dental and medical practices on serving patients from low income demographics. We are proud to accept most, if not all, State Insurance (Medicaid) plans available in our communities.
To better serve working families, our practices offer extended hours, including evenings and Saturdays. Our large, state-of-the-art facilities often accommodate same-day or next-day appointments. For those without insurance, we provide financial assistance and offer no credit/low credit financial plans. For instance, we have a no credit check, zero-interest option with low down payments and affordable monthly installments for braces. Everything we do is centered around the patient’s needs and ensuring they receive the care they require.
The healthcare sector is constantly evolving. How does ABRA Health Group adapt and respond to new developments and challenges in the industry?
We maintain a highly optimistic view of the industry despite its inherent challenges. The healthcare sector presents a multitude of obstacles such as staffing shortages, evolving regulations, and shifting legal frameworks, among others. However, we have discovered that tackling these challenges head-on, collaborating with partners in our field, advocating for our patients, and investing in our staff have yielded tremendous results.
Remaining proactive, we continuously seek out top talent to join our team. Our emphasis on innovation enables us to enhance our processes. Despite experiencing significant growth in recent years, we have maintained our agility, allowing us to swiftly adapt to industry changes.
How has ABRA Health Group integrated technology to enhance patient care and operational efficiency, and are there any recent technological advancements that you find particularly exciting?
We are dedicated to continuously enhancing our patient care through advanced technology and cost-effective solutions. For instance, we have recently integrated AI software to enhance diagnostic accuracy, enable early detection, and increase the likelihood of services being covered by our patients’ insurance plans.
Additionally, we have implemented patient engagement software to improve communication with our patients and ensure they adhere to recommended preventative dental care routines. This commitment to leveraging innovative tools allows us to provide superior care while minimizing costs for our patients.
Can you discuss ABRA Health Group’s patient-centric approaches and how you ensure high standards of patient care and satisfaction?
Our foremost and fundamental core value is maintaining a patients-first mentality. We prioritize closely monitoring patient feedback and sentiment. After each appointment, our patients receive a comprehensive survey. This survey assesses not only their satisfaction with the visit but also whether they would recommend our services to their family, friends, or colleagues. We utilize metrics such as Net Promoter Scores (NPS) to gauge this feedback.
Furthermore, we diligently read and respond to every review or complaint submitted through platforms like Google and Meta. In addition, we have a rigorous process in place to investigate any deficiencies highlighted in reviews, survey responses, or formal complaints. This commitment ensures that we continuously improve our services and address any concerns raised by our patients.
Looking forward, what are your primary goals for ABRA Health Group? Are there new markets or services you aim to explore, and how can you expand your current reach with underserved communities?
Building upon our successful platform, we are thrilled to announce our plans for continued expansion. Over the past few years, we have not only added locations in existing markets but also ventured into new markets. This includes branching out into different geographical areas and expanding our portfolio to include additional specialties.
Looking ahead, we are exploring further expansion into new geographies. Additionally, we are committed to integrating new specialties into our services to better serve our patients. This strategic growth plan reflects our ongoing dedication to providing comprehensive and exceptional care to the communities we serve.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted ABRA Health Group, and what key lessons have you learned from navigating through these unprecedented times?
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted Abra Health Group, reshaping the way we deliver care and interact with our patients. Initially, we faced significant challenges, including adapting to rapidly changing safety protocols, ensuring the well-being of our staff and patients, and managing the strain on healthcare resources.
However, through this challenging period, we have learned invaluable lessons that have strengthened our organization. Firstly, we swiftly put plans in place and found safe ways to serve our patients, all while minimizing the riskiest in-person interactions. This approach not only improved accessibility for our patients but also highlighted the importance of innovation and adaptability in healthcare delivery.
Secondly, the pandemic emphasized the critical need for robust emergency preparedness plans. We have since implemented comprehensive protocols to swiftly respond to any future health crises, ensuring continuity of care for our patients.
Moreover, we have deepened our commitment to patientcentric care. The pandemic underscored the significance of clear communication, empathy, and understanding of our patients’ unique needs during times of uncertainty.
In essence, navigating through these unprecedented times has reinforced our resilience as an organization and our dedication to providing high-quality care. We are now better equipped to face challenges, embrace innovation, and remain steadfast in our mission to serve our communities.
