Laurel Associates, LLC

Healthcare Management Consulting

Who We Are

Sarah Puccia, Principal

Kathleen Long, Principal

What We Do

Strategic Planning and Implementation

Operations Design

Specialty Programs

Physician Relationships

Laurel.link

Client Comments

Specialty Programs

Laurel Associates builds and strengthens integrated programs from discrete service lines and autonomous clinical departments. We have crafted an array of multidisciplinary, specialty programs including:

  • Urgent Care
  • ED Fast Tracks
  • Ambulatory Surgery
  • Behavioral Health
  • Occupational Health
  • Cancer Care
  • Cardiac Services
  • Orthopedics and Rheumatology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Women's Health
  • Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Laurel Associates understands the interrelated imperatives of successful specialty programs including:

  • Building (or re-building) a solid and expanding referral base
  • Solidifying specialist physician relationships
  • Differentiation from the competition
  • Optimization of revenues including ancillaries
  • Development and implementation of disease management initiatives
    and outcome measures
  • Operational and management effectiveness

Laurel Associates has assisted clients in addressing the following program issues:

"We have some of the basic components of a specialty program and want to develop a comprehensive program to take to the market. What are the hallmarks of a state-of-the-art program that we can achieve in our organization?"

"We have a specialty program but have lost volume over time. We want to assess the program and correct any deficiencies, including access issues."

"We have a mix of employed and independent physicians in our program and want to develop the most appropriate medical model."

"We want to know how well our program is doing in terms of community needs, patient care outcomes, competitive advantage, and benchmarks."


Successful ambulatory care programs often require a dedicated management approach to provide the focus on daily operations necessary to ensure patient and physician satisfaction as well as optimal financial performance. Laurel Associates provides:

  • Assessment of organizational structure and core competencies
  • Organization and governance structures
  • Reorganization initiatives
  • Ambulatory Care University and other staff training programs
  • Policies, procedures, and position descriptions
  • Point-of-service staffing including mix, levels, and size
  • Management team development, coaching, and improvement initiatives
  • Physician group development and leadership training
  • Compensation and incentive plans

Contact Us

Laurel Associates,LLC
1324 West Thorndale Avenue
Chicago, IL 60660

Voice: (773) 784-2515                 Fax: (773) 784-4035

E-mail:  sarahpuccia@laurelassociates.com, kathleenlong@laurelassociates.com