Growth Unbound: Featuring Dr. Stephanie Shults & Mary Thompson, MBA - Baker Marketing Laboratory: Marketing for the Healthcare Industry

Growth Unbound with

Dr. Stephanie Shults & Mary Thompson, MBA

Shults Pediatrics

Episode Description

In this episode of Growth Unbound, our host, Gavin Baker, talks to Dr. Stephanie Shults, Founder and Owner of Shults Pediatrics, and Mary Thompson, MBA, who is the Practice Administrator and Dr. Shults’ daughter. The mother-daughter duo discusses how a family dynamic fits into owning one’s practice and how they have distinguished themselves from other pediatric clinics—from their breast milk donor program to fun classes for their patients. Dr. Shults, Mary, and Gavin explore how focusing on what your patients need and deserve as people can set you apart in the market.

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At some point you just have to jump off and just do it.

Dr. Stephanie Shults, Shults Pediatrics

About Dr. Stephanie Shults & Mary Thompson, MBA

Dr. Stephanie Shults

Dr. Stephanie Shults began Shults Pediatrics in September 2002 after practicing pediatrics in the Knoxville area since 1994. Dr. Shults grew up in North Knoxville and is currently married and has two daughters. After graduating from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, she attended the University of Tennessee Medical School in Memphis. She then completed her pediatric residency at LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center in Memphis, Tennessee and is board certified in pediatrics.

Dr. Shults strives to give moms, children, and families the best care possible. She accomplishes this through initiatives like a breast milk bank, bringing on a nutritionist for eating disorders, a classroom inside the clinic where kids can explore new foods, and adding therapy services.

Mary has been on staff at Shults Pediatrics since 2005. She started her career working at the reception desk. She furthered her knowledge with clinical skill sets and started working on the clinic side as a medical assistant. She began her management role at Shults Pediatrics in 2013. Mary recently graduated from the University of Tennessee Haslam Business School with her Executive Master’s in Business Administration with a focus in Healthcare Leadership.

Mary has grown up in the clinic and is passionate about pediatrics. She has a strong focus on maintaining an environment where staff, patients and families are greeted with courtesy, respect, and the highest level of care in their clinic. She makes it a priority to network and stay in tune with industry trends to remain current on best practices. Mary is a member of Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), Tennessee TMGMA, Pediatric Management Institute and Rotary International where she enjoys networking and supporting local community outreach programs.

Mary is married with two small children and fur babies. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, reading, and finding local gems with good food and live music.

Along with her mother, Dr. Stephanie Shults, Mary continues to invest in our East Tennessee community so all children can have healthy and happy lives.

About Growth Unbound

Hosted by Gavin Baker, President and Founder of Baker Marketing Laboratory

Welcome to the Growth Unbound podcast, powered by Baker Marketing. Join us as we interview accomplished professionals in the healthcare industry and beyond. Together we’ll learn about their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in driving growth through marketing in their organizations.

Whether you’re an executive looking to improve your marketing strategies or simply someone passionate about unlocking business potential, the Growth Unbound podcast has something for you. Immerse yourself in inspiring stories, gain valuable insights, and receive practical advice that can propel your organization to new heights. Tune in today!

Episode Summary

Founding Shults Pediatrics (00:57–02:03): Dr. Shults shares her journey from practicing in Oak Ridge and Knoxville to opening her own practice with her husband’s administrative help, leveraging the rise of electronic health records.

Balancing Work and Family (02:03–04:15): Dr. Shults describes the challenges of managing both the clinic and family life, with their daughter Mary growing up in the practice.

Dedication to High-Quality Patient Care (06:43–07:32): Dr. Shults explains her decision to hire only registered nurses to ensure high-quality patient care.

Innovative Community Services (07:32–09:45): Shults Pediatrics added unique services, such as lactation consulting and a milk bank, to meet the needs of families.

Nutrition Program Expansion (11:53–16:36): Their staff nutritionist launched food exploration classes for children and runs an online course on picky eating.

Addition of Therapy Services (22:30–26:51): To address the growing need for mental health support, the practice added a therapist, offering short-term counseling for families in crisis.

Mother-Daughter Working Dynamic (30:08–41:26): Mary and Dr. Shults reflect on how they balance their working relationship with family life, emphasizing clear boundaries.

Personal & Professional Growth (41:26–53:44): Mary and Dr. Shults share recent books they’ve read that are helping them grow professionally and personally.