When I meet with a doctor, I’m reminded of something simple but powerful: physicians enter medicine to care for people — not to run a business. Yet to stay independent, they must do both.
For 80 years, Scroggins has made it our mission to help doctors stay in control of their work and their future. That commitment has guided every generation of leadership.
How We Got Started
Our story traces back to 1945, when my grandfather, Clayton L. Scroggins, returned from World War II and stepped into an unexpected opportunity to help physicians manage their practices and finances. His approach was simple: be steady, be trustworthy, and help doctors succeed in private practice.
In the 1960s and 1970s, my father Lee joined him, followed by David (Lee’s brother) and Paul (their brother- in-law). By the time I joined in 1997, they had built a reputation grounded in relationships, reliability, and protecting physician independence.
Today, as the third generation leading our firm, I feel the importance and privilege of continuing that mission. Last year we completed our 80th year in business — a milestone I pause to appreciate.
Why We Do What We Do
Independent physicians have always faced challenges, but the landscape looks vastly different than when my grandfather started this work.
For decades, nearly every doctor practiced independently. In the 1950s and 1960s, groups of three to five physicians were considered large. That shifted dramatically in the 1990s as hospitals began acquiring practices. Many physicians hoped employment would simplify their lives. Instead, it often meant less autonomy and more administrative burdens.
Even so, 42% of U.S. physicians still choose private practice. That number surprises people, but it reflects what we see every day: many doctors want independence. That’s where we come in to help.
What Has Changed — and What Hasn’t
Healthcare has undergone enormous shifts. We have walked alongside practices through these milestone changes including Medicare and Medicaid, physician practice incorporation for retirement funding, increasing subspecialization, managed care dominance, regulatory expansion, electronic health records, digital workflows, and artificial intelligence.
Every wave of change adds complexity and often leaves physicians feeling overwhelmed. The firm’s job is not to add to that burden — it’s to lighten it.
Today, that includes embracing technology ourselves to better serve our clients. We’ve integrated AI tools like Microsoft Copilot and AI-driven research software. Many doctors are still getting comfortable with these tools — part of our role is helping them navigate change, whether generational differences in the workforce or new technology.
But despite all the evolution in healthcare, one thing has never changed:
Doctors want to focus on patient care. Our aim is to help make that possible.
As one former client put it: “As a physician, I was able to direct my time and effort to taking care of patients. That was the challenge. That was the fun. Working with your organization made this possible.” – Stephen J. Lewis, MD.
A Steady Guide for Independent Practice
Every practice we serve has its own story, strengths, and pressures. But they all share a common desire: to deliver great care without losing the joy that brought them into medicine.
We stand beside our clients as a guide — not taking over, not complicating things, but helping them navigate financial decisions, operational challenges, compliance, long-term planning, organizational growth, leadership development, and retirement plan management.
When clients tell us, “You’ve made things easier” or “We wouldn’t have thought of that without you,” that’s the affirmation that matters most. The work is grounded in trust, long-term relationships, and the belief that the freedom that comes from independence is worth protecting.
Eighty Years In — and Still Focused on the Future
As we mark our 80th year, our future looks very much like our past: steady, relational, and dedicated to helping physicians do what they enjoy.
My grandfather used to say that our work is about giving doctors peace of mind so they can focus on their patients. Eight decades later, that remains our story — and why we show up every day.
Rob Scroggins, JD, CPA, CHBC
