K. John Wagner III

I’m hearing so many people cite conflict of interest as the reason physicians shouldn’t own hospitals. This also happens to be the main strategy the American Hospital Association used to lobby Congress to ban POHs in the Affordable Care Act, paving the way for the consolidated corporate nightmare we enjoy today. The conflict of interest argument is absurd in a for profit healthcare system. Hospitals force their employed physicians to refer to other specialists within their own hospital system. Physicians recommend surgery then do the surgery themselves collecting both a clinic fee and a surgery fee. Optum forces patients to see their doctors, use their pharmacies, and be admitted to their own hospitals. If there is profit to be made in patient care, there will be a conflict of interest among the entities/people collecting that profit. The closest thing to a conflict of interest free system is one that is devoid of profit. Call me cynical, but that will not happen in the US. So we can wring our hands about the potential corruption and malfeasance evil greedy doctors will inflict upon our great country if physicians owned hospitals, while ignoring the actual corruption and malfeasance already displayed by hospital corporations. We can ignore data that shows POHs as a whole (~250 in the US, holdovers from pre-ACA times) have better outcomes at lower costs. Or we can introduce some actual competition in the healthcare marketplace to give patients a chance for better care from people who actually got into this business to treat patients, care that is not dictated by a private equity company or insurance company. Just give physicians a chance to show that we can do a better job. That’s all we’re asking. If we suck at it, we won’t get very far, right? Isn’t that what the free market is for? Repeal the ban on physician owned hospital.

Welcome to #UTSWOrtho! We can't wait to have you on board this summer in our #residencyprogram! @kjohnwagner #UTSW #orthopaedics #MatchDay2024 #orthotwitter @SRChildren_ @UTSWNews @UTSWedu

6 years ago, I discovered a passion for orthopaedics as a research coordinator with @SRChildren_ and @utswortho. In June, I’ll begin training with @utswortho to become an orthopaedic surgeon myself! So grateful. A full-circle dream come true! #Match2024 #OrthoMatch #Ortho

As part of #Match2024, 42% of our students will practice in Texas, with 13 staying at #DellMed, and 38% practicing in primary care specialties. Learn more about the #DellMedClassof2024: bit.ly/48UvFJC #DellMedMatch

🦴 Welcome to our new residents! 🦴 It is #MatchDay2024 and we're thrilled to announce the incredible med students who have matched with our #UTSWOrtho residency program. Congratulations and welcome to the team!💪🏥 #UTSW #orthopaedicsurgery @UTSWNews #MatchDay

Fascinating study from #UTSWOrtho professors and @SRChildren_ faculty - Philip Wilson, M.D. and @HenryEllisMD on what to do following primary #ACL reconstruction for athletes and return to play evaluations. For more information ⤵️ #UTSW #sportsmedicine #orthotwitter

Following primary #ACL reconstruction, athletes – particularly females - in different sports demonstrate short term differences in Y-Balance Test functional scores. Return-to-play evaluation should consider such differences. @HenryEllisMD Read it here: ow.ly/ATea50QrvrQ

#BestOf2023: Michelle Bach, Nikita Choudhary, @alexanderchu248 & @kjohnwagner were inducted to the #DellMed chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha honor society in April this year for their commitment to #MedEd advancement, leadership, professionalism & service to the community.

Coming in at the No. 3 spot are the Texas Longhorns 🤘 @TexasFootball | #CFBPlayoff

HORNS WIN! 🤘

Right partners, right place, right time. Today, @utsystem announced the launch of the @utaustin Medical Center, with two new state-of-the-art hospitals: a UT hospital and an MD Anderson Cancer Center. @MDAndersonNews

Traditional medical education teaches the practice of medicine but disregards the business of medicine. This has led to a “system wherein doctors sit at the children's table while non-clinicians sit at the boardroom table.” medpagetoday.com/opinion/prescr…

SUNS WIN! SUNS WIN!

Private Equity has a growing presence in healthcare. Especially in orthopaedic surgery, a specialty with increasing demand and low supply, PE groups are buying many practices. Traditional PE business models, however, may put profits ahead of patient care. kffhealthnews.org/news/article/m…

Physician reimbursement (15%) + hospital reimbursement (31%) + meds (9%) = 55% of all US healthcare expenditures ($2.4T) Makes you wonder about the other 45% ($2T) ? ama-assn.org/about/research…

What an honor to have been inducted into the #DellMed @AOA_society alongside such amazing colleagues. Thank you so much, @DellMedSchool!

Surprised and elated to be inducted into the @DellMedicalSchool chapter of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society @AOA_society. These past three years of #medschool have been a grind, but I've learned so much and am hoping it will all bear fruit in the upcoming #Match2024!

“UT Health Austin is not only a leading health system in the region, but is an innovative leader and trusted member of the Austin community,” says Vice President and Executive Director Uppleger of PGA Tour Championship Management. Read more: buff.ly/3JoY7Zl

I had an amazing time learning about Healthcare Policy and Advocacy alongside my peers in Washington DC this past week. Healthcare in the US is broken and we need more provider voices in conversations about how to fix it! @DellMedSchool @UTexasMcCombs