Meet Dr. Hillary Redlin, Physician Advisor for Emergence Healthcare Group

Dr. Hillary Redlin loves being in private practice.

“I’m so happy with the business that I’ve created,” she says. “I’ve always wanted to be my own boss and enjoy the independence of setting my own schedule and priorities.”

Like many of her medical compatriots, though, that was not always the case. Dr. Redlin is a veteran of many different medicals. She started as an employee at a large hospital group, moved to a smaller subspecialty orthopaedic practice, then a larger multidisciplinary group before opening a private practice as a solo practitioner.

Dr. Redlin’s work experience and successful private practice make her an ideal voice to have at Emergence Healthcare Group as a Doctor Advisor, a team of thought leaders who provide guidance and insights that shape the Emergence practice management model.

We had an opportunity to speak with Dr. Redlin to learn more about who she is and what inspired her to pursue a career as an orthopaedic surgeon with a specialty in hand and upper extremity surgery.

What got you into medicine in the first place?

My grandfather and my father were orthopedic surgeons, so this was an option I’ve known about since I was just a kid. The field of medicine has always been appealing because it was a good answer to the question, “What do I want to spend my life’s work doing without getting bored?”

Medicine was really the only thing that fit the bill for me because I’m constantly learning new things and applying novel technologies in the operating room. I continue to be challenged every single day. Add in that I get to apply this knowledge to heal people is another aspect of the work that I enjoy.

How did you end up pursuing a specialty in hand and upper extremity surgery?

This type of surgery requires extreme precision and incorporates many different specialties. There is the orthopaedic surgery element, which involves bone and joint work, and the neurosurgery and microsurgery elements necessary for nerve and tendon repair. You also get to work with people of all ages, whether it's addressing a congenital defect in a newborn, a sports injury in a professional athlete, or arthritis in older adults.

Why did you decide to open a private practice?

There were several reasons. First and foremost, I wanted to be my own boss so that I could enjoy the flexibility and independence that comes with that. As a specialty within a specialty, it’s also really important that I get to set my own priorities, rather than having to follow those which are set by others in a large group. And as a woman in a male-dominated field, I was happy to leave behind many of the challenges I had faced in the practices and large medical groups where I had previously worked.

What do you like most about running your own practice?

I’ve created something I’m happy to go to every day. I don’t have to do any middle-of-the-night surgeries, I get to set my own schedule, and I rent out my space to another doctor who uses my office when I’m in the operating room to minimize expenses. Even though there are trade-offs — having less financial stability, not having a safety net, and being responsible for back-office management — it’s worth it to me. I get to pursue swimming, spend time with my husband and two boys, and find a balance between my life, family, and work.

What made you want to become an Advisor with Emergence?

Emergence provides something that nearly every physician practitioner wants: a trustworthy source to handle the administrative side of practicing medicine, an entity that can shoulder some of the financial burdens that come with running a solo practice, and the ability to maintain independence. I am a big believer that Emergence can create an environment that can inspire doctors, if they love the way they practice right now, to leave the business side to Emergence and continue to practice independently. And If I can help create a practice model that I would use, I’ll know I’ve done my job.

What are some of the essential offerings that Emergence needs to provide doctors?

For Emergence to be successful, doctors need to remain completely independent so that they can practice medicine exactly the way they want to. It’s also important to note that “being in control” of a practice means very different things to different doctors. Some may be particularly interested in the financial component, some are more interested in staffing, and others are more focused on the workload. But whatever the area of focus, doctors need to remain in charge.

Finally, at the end of the day, Emergence should enable doctors to maintain an incredibly high standard of excellence when it comes to providing medical care. And I have every faith that Emergence can provide that.