The Business of Surgery: Systems, Scepticism and Hospital Success. #Ep.42

10/17/2025 12:00:00 AM

In this episode of HealthBeats, host Steve is joined by Rick May, Managing Director at Berkeley Research Group, who takes us through his remarkable path from NASA programmer to orthopaedic surgeon to healthcare leader.

 

Rick explains why surgeries account for nearly 70% of hospital revenues and 60% of margins, making them a cornerstone of financial performance. He emphasises that great doctors alone are not enough, as without the right systems hospitals cannot thrive. Rick also addresses resistance among experienced surgeons, noting that while 20% may not adapt to change, the other 80% can drive meaningful improvement. 

Listen in for an insightful discussion on why scepticism in healthcare can be dangerous and why hospitals must continually evolve to deliver both quality outcomes and long-term success.