Is Independent Practice Worth Protecting? Tracy's Unfiltered Take on Staying Independent in 2026 – A Special Snack Episode, EP 246

With acquisition offers arriving, reimbursement cuts looming, and colleagues selling, a lot of practice owners are quietly asking: is staying independent even worth it? In this SNACK episode, Miranda Dorta sits down with Tracy Cherpeski to get her unfiltered take on that question.  See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Read the full show notes, memorable quotes, and key takeaways.  Tracy shares her framework for helping practice owners separate burnout from a genuine readiness to sell—and why making a major life decision from a place of exhaustion or fear is never the right move. She talks about what independent ownership actually gives providers that a hospital employment contract can't, why cash reserves and a 12-month plan are non-negotiable right now, and what due diligence looks like if selling really is the right path.  Tracy also opens up about the personal story behind her mission—her daughter's health journey and the independent provider who changed everything—that explains why this work is more than professional for her.  See Where Your Practice Stands: Take our Practice Growth Readiness Assessment  Read the full show notes, memorable quotes, and key takeaways.  Connect With Us:  Be a Guest on the Show  Thriving Practice Community  Schedule Strategy Session with Tracy  Tracy’s LinkedIn  Business LinkedIn Page