In this no-nonsense episode, host Eunicia Peret welcomes Dylan Lincoln, a self-made business growth strategist who climbed the healthcare ladder without a traditional four-year degree. Dylan shares his unconventional journey from aspiring firefighter to hospital executive, breaking down how grit, real-world experience, and execution trump credentials. With a focus on the healthcare industry’s financial stress, physician burnout, and the collapse of rural hospital systems, Dylan offers practical insight into why business acumen is now a must-have for physicians and how true growth stems from collaboration and creative strategy. This conversation is packed with valuable takeaways for both healthcare professionals and business leaders navigating disruption and opportunity.

Key Takeaways:

Degrees don’t define success: Dylan’s story proves that execution, mindset, and initiative often matter more than formal credentials.

Rural hospitals are at critical risk: In Kansas alone, 66 hospitals face possible closure within 90 days, highlighting the need for new care and revenue models.

Physicians need business partners: Doctors should focus on patient care while partnering with growth-minded professionals to help scale and sustain practices.

Burnout is widespread and dangerous: Physician burnout is rising, and without systemic change, the result will be fewer doctors and less accessible care for patients.

Know your contribution margins: Hospitals must lean into profitable service lines and strategically cut or partner on others, especially in tight-margin markets.

Collaboration beats competition: Rather than trying to offer every service in-house, smaller hospitals should partner with larger systems for shared wins.

Be flexible, hire for hunger: Great employees aren’t always found on paper—look for those with drive, adaptability, and a mindset for growth.

Success favors the uncomfortable: Growth requires embracing risk, asking hard questions, and stepping outside the box—even in healthcare.

Timeline Summary:

[00:00:00] Dylan shares his early career path from EMS to dispatch and product development

[00:03:00] How startup experience during COVID led to a corporate-level growth role

[00:05:00] Overview of the financial crisis in healthcare, RVU models, and physician challenges

[00:07:00] The critical role of business partners in helping doctors grow without burning out

[00:09:00] Stark contrast between rural and urban healthcare systems and payer mix impact

[00:10:00] Kansas hospitals facing closures and the ripple effect nationwide

[00:12:00] Warning against extending services beyond capabilities for the sake of revenue

[00:13:00] Strategic partnership examples and the “never punished for your zip code” philosophy

[00:14:00] How rural hospitals and larger centers are creating virtual hub-and-spoke models

[00:16:00] A discussion on career success without college—why results matter more than degrees

[00:18:00] Data on critical thinking growth (or lack thereof) in college students

[00:20:00] Why job candidates with real-world experience often outperform degree holders

[00:22:00] Hiring advice: look beyond the resume and value hunger over credentials

[00:25:00] Final thoughts on building trust, collaboration, and executing for collective wins

[00:27:00] Why physicians need to be pushed—and how the right partners make that possible

Links & Resources:

www.linkedin.com/in/dylanlincoln