When you’re leading a thriving oral surgery practice, the pressure never really stops. Managing referrals, patient care, surgical scheduling, compliance, team dynamics, and the inevitable business “fires” can pull you in every direction at once.
That’s exactly where we were—successful on paper, but operationally stretched and running on adrenaline. We knew we needed help, not just with day-to-day tasks, but with structure, leadership, and long-term clarity.
Working with Marni Blythe of Full Pocket Coaching as our fractional COO for oral surgery practice has been one of the most transformative decisions we’ve made.
Strategic Insight Meets Real-World Execution
From the start, Marni brought something rare: a deep understanding of specialty healthcare operations, paired with executive-level leadership instincts. She wasn’t just there to advise. She rolled up her sleeves, asked sharp questions, and quickly pinpointed the structural issues holding us back.
Where we had friction, she brought clarity. Where we had scattered communication, she brought process.
One of the first changes she implemented was weekly structured staff and leadership meetings. These weren’t just “check-ins”—they became focused strategy sessions where communication improved, accountability deepened, and our team actually started moving in the same direction.
Systems That Stick (and Make Life Easier)
Marni introduced standardized processes and documentation that brought immediate results:
- Fewer repeated questions
- Consistent expectations across team roles
- Smoother onboarding
- Less chaos during busy OR days
Every system she implemented was custom-fit—not off-the-shelf. And it didn’t feel overwhelming. It felt like we were finally building the operational backbone we’d been missing.
Culture Shift You Can Feel
But what surprised us the most was the impact on our culture.
Leadership changes can create tension. But with Marni, the opposite happened.
Our team felt empowered, not micromanaged.
They felt seen, not shuffled.
They started offering solutions, not just surfacing problems.
That shift—toward collaboration, ownership, and aligned energy—has had a bigger impact than any piece of software or policy could ever deliver.
✳️ “She strikes the rare balance of being both visionary and detail-oriented—able to see the big picture while also getting into the weeds when needed.”
From Surviving to Scaling
Today, we’re not just getting through each week. We’re thinking forward.
We have a stronger team, better communication, clearer goals, and the capacity to grow—without burning out the leadership or losing our sanity.
We wouldn’t be here without Marni’s involvement. As a fractional COO for our oral surgery practice, she brought the structure and strategy we needed, without requiring a full-time executive hire.
Who Should Consider a Fractional COO?
If you’re an oral surgeon who:
- Is buried in operations
- Wants to lead, not just react
- Feels stuck despite high production
- Knows your team has potential—but can’t quite unlock it
We can’t recommend Marni highly enough.
Her work through Full Pocket Coaching has given us more than better systems. She’s given us confidence, clarity, and a sustainable path forward. Dr. Brent Delong, Gaston Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery