Is Independent Practice Worth Protecting? Tracy's Unfiltered Take on Staying Independent in 2026 – A Special Snack Episode, EP 246
With policy pressure mounting, acquisition offers landing in inboxes, and reimbursement uncertainty reshaping the landscape in 2026, a lot of independent practice owners are quietly asking a question they don't say out loud: is staying independent actually worth it? In this SNACK episode of The Thriving Practice Podcast, Miranda Dorta turns the mic around and puts Tracy Cherpeski in the hot seat to answer exactly that.
Tracy doesn't offer a tidy pep talk. Instead, she does what she does with her clients: she validates the feeling first, then walks through the questions every practice owner should be asking before they make one of the biggest decisions of their professional lives. Whether you're fielding an offer, feeling the weight of burnout, or simply wondering if the juice is still worth the squeeze, this episode is a grounding conversation about what independent practice ownership actually gives you—and what it costs you not to protect it.
Is your practice growth-ready? See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment
Tracy also shares the personal story behind her mission—a deeply human moment involving her own child's health journey that quietly explains why fighting for independent practices is more than a professional stance for her. It's personal.
Key Takeaways
Validate before you strategize. The impulse to give up or sell doesn't mean it's the right move—it means you're human. Acknowledging that feeling is the first, most important step.
Burnout is not a business decision. If you're in an advanced stage of burnout, that's the worst possible time to make an irreversible decision about your practice.
Know your numbers before you act. Financial clarity is power. Understanding your historical data—and potentially bringing in a CFO—ensures your decisions are driven by reality, not fear.
Cash reserves and a 12-month plan are non-negotiable right now. With so much uncertainty in the US healthcare landscape, building a financial cushion and staying nimble is your best protection.
Independent practice gives you what employment can't: time autonomy and the freedom to treat patients the way your training and values guide you.
Q&A
What should a practice owner do if they're seriously considering selling?
Start by slowing down. Tracy's framework is always "slow down before you speed up." Get clear on whether this is what you truly want, whether the timing aligns with your goals, and whether this is a values-based decision or a burnout-based one. Then—and only then—engage the right professionals (legal, financial, and advisory) to make sure the sale happens on your terms.
How does a practice owner know if they should sell or just take a step back?
Tracy distinguishes between being tired of the business model and being tired of practicing altogether. Some practitioners are genuinely ready to transition—maybe to consulting, locum work, or an entirely different use of their expertise. Others are burned out and confusing exhaustion with readiness. The key question is: are you choosing this from a sound mind, or from a place of pain?
What's the one thing independent practice owners should be building right now?
Cash reserves—three to six months' worth. With Medicare, Medicaid, and insurance reimbursement in flux, financial cushion is your most important asset. Pair that with a clear, flexible 12-month plan that keeps your longer-term vision in view while giving you room to adapt as the landscape shifts.
Why is Tracy personally invested in independent practice survival?
Tracy shares that the mission became clear when her child was seriously ill and conventional channels failed them. An independent, out-of-network provider—one not beholden to insurance structures—was able to go deeper, find root causes, and collaborate openly with the family's pediatric practice. Her daughter, now 22 and thriving, is the reason Tracy fights for the kind of care that only independent providers can truly offer.
Episode Highlights
Why Tracy validates the "maybe I should just quit" feeling—and what she says next
The Shrek quote that actually applies to healthcare burnout
How to tell if you're making a values-based decision vs. a fear-based one
What to look for—and look out for—when evaluating a private equity buyer
Tracy's framework: slow down before you speed up
Why you need a 12-month plan AND a three-to-five-year vision right now
The Gumby principle: why agility is your most valuable asset in 2026
Tracy's personal story and how her daughter's health journey became the foundation of her mission
Memorable Quotes
"We always slow down before we speed up." — Tracy Cherpeski
"Make sure that it's not a burnout decision. Make sure it's not just being in fear, having pain that you're not addressing." — Tracy Cherpeski
"Be prepared to be a little bit like Gumby. You're going to need to be flexible and agile—especially this year." — Tracy Cherpeski
"Every practice owner I know started their practice because they wanted to do things differently and have the autonomy to treat their patients the way they saw fit." — Tracy Cherpeski
"That practice saved my child's life. I owe them a debt of gratitude I could never repay with words." — Tracy Cherpeski
Independent practice ownership isn't just a business model—for Tracy, and for the providers she works with, it's a commitment to doing medicine on your own terms. This episode is a reminder that when the path gets hard, the answer isn't always to sell. Sometimes it's to slow down, get clear, shore up your finances, and recommit to why you started in the first place. If this conversation landed for you, share it with a colleague who needs to hear it. And if you're ready to get serious about protecting your practice, visit thrivingpracticecommunity.com to connect with Tracy and her team.
Is your practice growth-ready? See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment
Miranda’s Bio:
Miranda Dorta, B.F.A. (she/her/hers) is the Manager of Operations and PR at Tracy Cherpeski International. A graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design with expertise in writing and creative storytelling, Miranda brings her skills in operations, public relations, and communication strategies to the Thriving Practice community. Based in the City of Oaks, she joined the team in 2021 and has been instrumental in streamlining operations while managing the company's public presence since 2022.
Tracy’s Bio:
Tracy Cherpeski, MBA, MA, CPSC (she/her/hers) is the Founder of Tracy Cherpeski International and Thriving Practice Community. As a Business Consultant and Executive Coach, Tracy helps healthcare practice owners scale their businesses without sacrificing wellbeing. Through strategic planning, leadership development, and mindset mastery, she empowers clients to reclaim their time and reach their potential. Tracy designs and delivers CME-accredited wellness retreats and workshops in partnership with medical associations, bringing burnout prevention and sustainable practice management to physicians nationwide. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, Tracy serves clients worldwide and is the Executive Producer and Host of the Thriving Practice podcast. Her guiding philosophy: Survival is not enough; life is meant to be celebrated.
Connect With Us:
Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy