How HPS Helped Marc and Dr. Denise Abernethy Scale Their Practice Without Sacrificing Independence

Starting an independent medical practice is one of the most rewarding—and challenging—paths a physician can take. For Marc and Dr. Denise Abernethy, founders of Vanish Advanced Vein Treatments, remaining independent was never negotiable. But as their practice grew, so did the operational complexity, financial pressures, and business decisions that come with expansion.

Discover how partnering with Health Performance Specialists (HPS) helped the Abernethys dramatically reduce overhead, gain access to experienced mentors, and confidently grow from a startup practice into a thriving three-location vein center.

The Challenge: Growing an Independent Practice Without a Roadmap

When Marc and Dr. Denise Abernethy launched Vanish Advanced Vein Treatments in 2018, they entered one of the country’s most competitive healthcare markets—Southeast Wisconsin. Surrounded by large health systems, they were determined to remain fiercely independent while building a practice centered around exceptional patient care.

Like many physician-owners, however, they quickly discovered that clinical expertise alone wasn’t enough.

As the practice expanded, they encountered several significant challenges:

• Rising overhead costs on essential supplies such as Asclera®, RFA catheters, and other clinical products.
• Outgrowing their existing EMR and navigating the process of selecting better technology.
• Building HR and compliance systems capable of supporting a growing organization.
• Negotiating insurance contracts and vendor agreements without meaningful benchmarks.
• Making high-stakes growth decisions without experienced peers to validate their strategy.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle was the feeling of isolation.

Without a trusted network, every major business decision carried unnecessary risk.

The Solution: A Community Built for Independent Vein Practices

In 2021, the Abernethys joined Health Performance Specialists seeking connections with other independent practice owners.

What they found was far more than a networking group.

HPS became an extension of their leadership team, providing practical guidance, proven operational strategies, and collective purchasing power that immediately improved their business.

Networking That Drives Better Decisions

Through monthly member calls and the HPS Vein Practice Growth Summit, Marc and Dr. Denise gained direct access to physicians and practice owners who had already solved many of the challenges they were facing.

Instead of learning through costly trial and error, they could leverage the experience of an entire community.

Trusted Mentorship During Critical Growth Moments

When an opportunity arose to rapidly expand after a competing practice closed, Marc faced one of the biggest decisions of his career.

The expansion required tripling payroll and hiring five new employees.

Rather than relying on guesswork, he reached out to an HPS mentor who had successfully navigated similar growth. That conversation gave him the confidence to move forward, knowing his strategy had already been proven.

Immediate Cost Savings Through Group Purchasing

One of the most measurable benefits came through HPS’s negotiated vendor agreements.

By leveraging the buying power of the HPS network, Vanish Advanced Vein Treatments significantly reduced expenses on:

• Foam sclerosants
• RFA catheters
• Athena EMR
• Medical supplies
• Additional operational vendors

Instead of paying premium pricing as an independent practice, they gained access to rates typically unavailable to smaller organizations.

Solving Problems Before They Become Expensive

One of the greatest values Marc found in HPS wasn’t simply answering questions—it was identifying problems he didn’t know existed.

Rather than spending countless hours researching vendors, negotiating contracts, or evaluating service providers, HPS had already vetted trusted partners.

This proactive guidance also connected the practice with HR and compliance experts who helped them successfully navigate an unexpected Medicare audit while strengthening their overall compliance program.

The Results: More Than $240,000 in Annual Savings and Three Successful Locations

Since partnering with HPS, Vanish Advanced Vein Treatments has experienced remarkable operational and financial growth.

Today, the practice operates three successful locations throughout Southeast Wisconsin while maintaining its independence.

The financial impact has been substantial.

Estimated Annual Savings

• Foam products: Over $50,000 annually
• RFA catheters: Approximately $120,000 annually
• Athena EMR: Approximately $55,000 annually
• Medical supplies: Significant additional overhead reductions

Total estimated annual savings: $240,000–$275,000

Beyond the direct financial benefits, HPS has helped the practice:

• Successfully expand into multiple locations.
• Build stronger HR and compliance systems.
• Navigate a Medicare audit with confidence.
• Save significant administrative time through vetted vendor relationships.
• Make major business decisions with guidance from experienced physician-owners.

The result is a stronger, more efficient organization that allows the leadership team to focus on patients instead of constantly reinventing operational processes.

Why HPS Was Essential: Marc Abernethy’s Perspective

For Marc, the value of HPS extends well beyond vendor discounts.

It’s the combination of mentorship, operational expertise, and collective experience that has accelerated every stage of the practice’s growth.

That perspective reflects what many independent physician-owners discover after joining the network: the return on investment comes not only from money saved, but from mistakes avoided and opportunities realized.

Accelerate Your Practice Growth with HPS

Marc and Dr. Denise Abernethy’s story demonstrates what’s possible when independent physicians have access to the right community, resources, and guidance.

Whether you’re launching your first vein practice, preparing to expand, or looking to improve profitability, HPS provides the operational support, vendor relationships, mentorship, and strategic insight needed to grow with confidence.

You don’t have to build your practice alone.

Join the largest network of independent vein practices in the country and discover how much faster—and more profitably—you can grow with Health Performance Specialists by your side.

Contact us today to learn how Health Performance Specialists can help your practice thrive.