Bulletin
Physician Advocacy Since 1873
NOV/DEC 2020 VOLUME 50, NO. 6
Editors: Maureen Padden, M.D. | Erica Huffman, Executive Director www.escambiacms.org
President’s Message
ECMS Inaugural Ball at Garden and Grain. A masquerade theme is planned and should be a fun celebration to start off the new year!
Time just keeps ticking away! Here it is midNovember and the holidays are upon us. I cannot say that I am sad to see this very trying and unique year come to an end. It certainly has not been the “presidential year” that I expected. I do have to say how proud I am to be a member of the Escambia County Medical Society which has proven to be an asset for our members and our community. The community leaders, our colleagues, and patients have looked to our society for guidance during the COVID pandemic and we have risen to the occasion. We were able to distribute greater than 30,000 face masks to the local community and help coordinate educational campaigns with local government officials to provide much needed medical information to the people of Pensacola and the surrounding area. A special shout out to Erica Huffman for being the face and voice of the ECMS the past eight months. Although we have not been able to congregate and have our usual “close knit” events this year, Erica has worked hard to plan events that would allow us to continue to socialize with colleagues while maintaining social distancing measures. Join me at our next big event on Saturday January 9, 2021 for our annual
I welcome Casey Mickler, MD as your next ECMS president and cannot wait to see the great things he will accomplish through his leadership. For the first time in many years, the ECMS board will have representation from all three local hospitals, hospital affiliated physicians and private practice physicians. What an exciting time for members of the local medical community to be working together to provide a sense of cohesiveness among our physician members and help us take better care of our community. Thank you for allowing me to serve on the ECMS board for the past five years and serve as your president for 2020. I will leave you with a quote that sums up my take on this epic year: I’ve learned so much this year…I learned that things don’t always turn out the way you planned, or the way you think they should. And I’ve learned that there are things that go wrong that don’t always get fixed or get put back together the way they were before. I’ve learned that some broken things stay broken, and I’ve learned that you can get through bad times and keep looking for better ones, as long as you have people who love you. Happy Holidays, Karen G Snow, MD
Contents Page 3 - New Members Page 6 - Medical/Legal Page 11 - Foundation Page 14 - Community
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ECMS FOUNDATION Go Seniors Voucher Transportation
A grant funded program thanks to the Fellows Foundation. In partnership with ZTrip Pensacola
We want your patients to attend their regular scheduled appointments and have access to reliable transportation. Eligble patients: 60 years and older 2 vouchers per trip Continuity of care Regular scheduled appointment
For more information email Erica Huffman director@escambiacms.org
New Members E.C.M.S. Bulletin The Bulletin is a publication for and by the members of the Escambia County Medical Society. The Bulletin publishes six times a year: Jan/Feb, Mar/ Apr, May/Jun, Jul/Aug, Sept/ Oct, Nov/Dec. We will consider for publication articles relating to medical science, photos, book reviews, memorials, medical/ legal articles, and practice management.
Vision for the Bulletin: • Appeal to the family of medicine in Escambia and Santa Rosa County and to the world beyond. • A powerful instrument to attract and induct members to organized medicine.
Mission:
Advancing physicians’ practice of medicine in our community.
Editor Maureen Padden, M.D. Executive Director Erica Huffman 4771 Bayou Blvd. # 157 Pensacola, FL 32503 Ph: 850-478-0706 Fx: 850-474-9783 Email: info@escambiacms.org www.escambiacms.org
Ad placement Contact Erica Huffman at 478-0706 Ad rates 1/2 page: $350 · 1/4 page: $200 · 1/8 page: $150 View and opinions expressed in the Bulletin are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the board of directors, staff or advertisers. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit or reject any submission.
NEW MEMBERS Bosarge MD, Christopher Coastal Vascular and Interventional
Montgomery MD, Aaron Coastal Vascular and Interventional
Brand MD, Timothy Baptist Medical Group
Mor MD, Alisha Scott Baptist Medical Group
Brooks MD, Tristan Baptist Medical Group
Patel MD, Shonak Baptist Medical Group
Critelli MD, Virginia Baptist Medical Group
Ralph MD, Jermaine Baptist Medical Group
Dillen MD, William Baptist Medical Group
Risley MD, Geoffrey Coastal Vascular and Interventional
Grimm MD, Alan Baptist Medical Group
Roth MD, Travis Baptist Medical Group
Hahn MD, John West Florida General Surgery
Sahawneh MD, Mark Baptist Medical Group
Hannah DO, Dawn West Florida Maternal Fetal Medicine
Sharma MD, Amit West Florida General Surgery
Jafri MD, Imran Baptist Medical Group
Simhachalam MD, Morris Baptist Medical Group
Khare MD, Geeta Allergy Partners of Northwest Florida
Stevens MD, Lee West Florida Healthcare
Leveille MD, Michael Baptist Medical Group
Wehle MD, Ryan Baptist Medical Group
McLeod, M.D., Paul Florida State University College of Medicine Pensacola Campus
Wolverton DO, Caroline Baptist Medical Group
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2021 Slate of Officers President: Casey Mickler, MD (Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola) President Elect: Kacey Montgomery, MD (Clearway Pain) Vice President: Maureen Padden, MD (Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola) Secretary /Treasuerer: Dawn Hannah, DO (West Florida) Members at Large Caroline Wolverton, DO (Baptist Medical Group) Anthony Pietroniro, MD (Pensacola Pediatrics) Meredith Shaddix, DO (Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola) Delegates to the Florida Medical Association Ellen W. McKnight M.D. Hillary Hultstrand, M.D. Casey Mickler, M.D. Dawn Hannah, D.O. Brian Kirby, M.D. Karen Snow, M.D. Jennifer Miley, M.D. Kacey Montgomery, M.D. Maureen Padden, M.D. Caroline Wolverton, D.O. If you have willingness to serve as an alternate delegate please reach out to Erica Huffman. director@escambiacms.org
www.escambiacms.org | 5
Header Medical/Legal
Keep a COVID-19 Diary:
Document Now in Case of Future Lawsuits Debbie Kane Hill, MBA, RN, CPHRM, CPPS
Doctor’s Log, March 30, 2020: Another day seeing COVID patients. I had two staff members test positive, and we have begun notifying all patients who were seen while those staff members were working. We ran out of PPE again. Our off ice manager contacted vendors, and nothing is available; we are resorting to homemade cloth masks and reusing everything. Today our governor issued new mandates after we’d just adapted to mandates issued earlier this month. COVID test results are taking 10 days to come back. For months, physicians and practice managers have been in crisis mode due to COVID-19 and have faced daunting challenges daily. What the future holds relative to the evolution of COVID-19 remains unknown, but it is certain that litigation for COVID-related claims is on the horizon and will impact physicians in all medical specialties and practice models.
January 2020 pursuant to the act due to COVID-19. The act provides complete preemption, meaning that “any state law or other federal law that contravenes the PREP Act is replaced by the PREP Act. Except in cases of death or severe injury caused by willful misconduct, the PREP Act provides complete immunity, with no liability under those circumstances” if the claim is COVID-19 related and the case is tried in the federal court system, according to Mr. Hall. In addition to the PREP Act, states have established some level of immunity for medical practices through healthcare immunity orders or executive limited liability orders. These orders vary by state and are meant to provide protection to the medical community for COVID-related claims. What types of claims are anticipated? It is expected that COVID-driven claims will take a variety of forms. Some claims may allege:
According to attorney John E. Hall Jr., founding partner of Hall Booth Smith in Atlanta, Georgia, which specializes in defense of high-exposure cases involving hospitals and medical malpractice claims, COVID-19 claims are looming in the next one to three years. “The big-dollar plaintiff firms and the plaintiff conglomerates are already starting to advertise for these cases, and they're starting to file them,” Hall says. “There are over 800 cases filed already. Many of those are in the long-term care scenario but [they] are developing every day and in a variety of other areas.”
• Delayed or missed diagnosis caused by failure to follow up on previously ordered tests and consults (while the office was closed or due to lack of a reliable tracking system).
Are there existing medical liability protections in place? What types of claims are anticipated? What steps can physicians take now to prepare to defend claims in the future? These important questions were recently addressed by Mr. Hall and other expert healthcare executives and attorneys at The Doctors Company’s 2020 Virtual Executive Advisory Board (EAB) meeting.
• Failure to adhere to infection control protocol and/ or lack of PPE, resulting in patient or staff illness.
Are there existing medical liability protections in place? The Public Readiness and Preparedness Act (PREP Act) provides a significant safeguard for physicians. Congress originally passed the act in 2005 to provide immunity during the H1N1 epidemic. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar declared a public health emergency in 6 | Escambia County Medical Society in conjunction with Santa Rosa County
• Failure to triage and assess or testing issues, resulting in missed COVID-19 diagnosis and delayed intervention that contributed to community spread. • Failure to immunize, resulting in disease, when parents were fearful to bring children into the office. • Delayed care in office visits, testing, labs, and procedures, including surgical interventions.
• Limited resources: Allocation of medications and equipment, meaning access to ventilators/hospital beds, etc. Most likely the claims that involve loss of life or serious injury will allege failure to diagnose or delayed diagnosis due to practices being closed for business after tests were ordered or referrals made prior to COVID-19. Patients whose information has been lost in the system and are not adequately tracked may miss important medical followup appointments, leading to adverse health outcomes. Also, delays in procedures and surgical interventions are
Medical/Legal of significant concern, and we are already seeing these types of claims reported to The Doctors Company. What steps can physicians take now to prepare to defend claims in the future? Mr. Hall suggests that one of the best ways to establish defense of these claims is for practices to begin developing a timeline/diary now describing how COVID-19 events unfolded within their specific practice and community. Because COVID-19 has been a moving target, and mandates and guidelines have been very fluid, keeping records of these changes via a timeline/diary is important for documenting how your practice responded to the crisis. Some considerations may include: • Was your practice ever unable to obtain PPE? • What was the infection rate within your community at a given time? • Did you follow infection control protocols per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines? If so, what were those guidelines at the time? Documenting these items now ensures information is captured in its most accurate form, rather than trying to re-establish the facts years later. This information will not appear in patient medical records, yet it paints the landscape as to how the practice adapted to a very volatile crisis. It will form the foundation for your defense. As Mr. Hall notes: “Think of this three years from now . . . and a jury is thinking about this case. Juries have a very short mind span, so they do not remember the crisis and the pandemic and how this was going at the time. It's imperative that we take good notes and [develop] outlines now.” Crucially, he adds, “It is important to note that this information should be gathered at the direction of an attorney, peer, or quality committee so as to protect the information from discovery.”
important record-keeping elements and recommends keeping this in an administrative diary. You can adapt this checklist to fit your practice; these are merely suggestions of details to include, but it is important to document basic compliance efforts within the environment and timeframe. This checklist should be completed at a defined interval based on your practice, community, and pace of change. Mr. Hall also recommends that you remind future jurors that the care provided to your patients transpired during the COVID-19 pandemic by including the following in every patient chart: • Please note that this care is given at a time of national public health emergency due to the pandemic caused by COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). As a result, It is acknowledged and understood that the spread of COVID-19 within our communities places an incomprehensible strain on our providers and hospital systems, including the resources, equipment, beds, treatment options, and services available in support of patient care. • It is further acknowledged and understood that the provider, during the COVID-19 pandemic, endeavors to remain operational and provide care to all patients commensurable with the resources available and existing at this time. Further, it is acknowledged that the transmission risks, treatment process, and diagnosis are novel, and without well-def ined guidelines. • It is further acknowledged that, due to the novel and emergency nature of this pandemic, treatment is provided utilizing the provider’s best judgment and best currently known practices, within the limits of resources. The guidelines suggested here are not rules, do not constitute legal advice, and do not ensure a successful outcome. The ultimate decision regarding the appropriateness of any treatment must be made by each healthcare provider considering the circumstances of the individual situation and in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which the care is rendered.
Appoint a practice historian who is responsible for developing and keeping the timeline up to date and well documented. This can be a physician, practice manager, or risk manager, but it should be someone familiar with the overall operations of your COVID-19 response who will reliably maintain the timeline from start to finish. To provide guidance on what types of items to document, The Doctors Company provides a sample checklist of www.escambiacms.org | 7
May 2020
How the COVID-19 Crisis is Affecting Malpractice Insurance By Vanessa Orr The spread of the coronavirus has affected every aspect of healthcare, and that includes malpractice insurance. While some physicians are on the front lines, others are experiencing a slowdown in business - and both have concerns. “We are seeing a lot of activity from clients who have questions about what to do during this time,” said Matt Gracey, medical malpractice insurance specialist at Danna-Gracey, the largest independent medical malpractice insurance agency in Florida.“What’s interesting is that doctors seem to be in two camps - they are either busier than ever, or not busy at all.
Can Premiums be Reduced? According to Gracey, many clients have been asking about decreased premiums since the volume of patients has dropped so dramatically. “Well patients aren’t coming out of their homes, and elective surgeries have stopped,” said Gracey. “Doctors who are not on the front lines may not be busy at all; in fact, we’re even seeing physicians suspending their practices until this is over.” While some companies are giving premium adjustments for downtime because the risk is less, and others are allowing payment deferrals from 30 to 120 days, other companies are holding the line.
“Those who are very busy are concerned about making sure that their malpractice insurance covers a number of services, including telehealth,” he said. “While it does, physicians need to let their insurers know that they are providing telehealth services, and make sure that they’re following state guidelines.”
“From the insurance companies’ viewpoint, actuarily they have a hard time giving too much credit on premiums because claims-made policies have a retroactive coverage component that most often goes back to the beginning of a physician’s practice, or the physician being hired into a new group,” said Gracey. “Under the Florida statute of limitations, the statute of repose extends the liability window to the end of four years, except for children; then it goes until the child’s eighth birthday.
According to Gracey, each state has different telehealth rules, and while some states have loosened restrictions on telemedicine during this time, other states haven’t.
“Even if a physician is not practicing full-time for two or three months, their exposure is still covered for any past procedures,” he added.
“For example, a doctor might treat patients in Florida, but then a patient travels out of state, perhaps to a second home, and calls in for a telemedicine visit,” explained Gracey. “Physicians need to be very careful about licensure issues in this situation.”Gracey says that doctors are also pushing to be exempt from liability for coronavirus issues, and in fact, the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Florida Medical Association (FMA), as well as a number of other societies and medical organizations, have petitioned the state and federal government for immunity for liability from coronavirus patients.
Gracey noted that as the economy shifts, doctors may need more protection than ever.
In February, U.S. Health & Human Services Secretary Alex Azar did extend liability protection to a wide range of healthcare providers, suppliers, drug makers and other entities, making them immune from any claim related to the manufacture, distribution, administration, or use of medical countermeasures, except for claims involving willful misconduct.
“Studies show that during a recession, people sue doctors more often, so we counsel them that they may actually need more coverage and higher limits,” he said. “Not only do those on the front line need to be concerned about the liability of treating COVID patients themselves, but there may also be indirect claims resulting from other patients experiencing a delay of diagnosis, or the delay of essential surgeries that were deemed as non-essential,” he added. “There are a lot of things that can go wrong when a healthcare system is put under this amount of stress, and I believe that we’ll see many more lawsuits as a result of the crisis.”
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The
HISTORY: Since 1873, Escambia and Santa Rosa County Medical Society physicians have dedicated themselves to their patients and the people of Escambia/Santa Rosa Counties. MISSION: The ECMS Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing healthcare services to those most in need throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, while also supporting the physicians who serve those populations. WHO ARE WE? The members of the 1873 are physicians who contribute financially to support he programs of the ECMS Foundation demonstrating their commitment to healthcare access in our community. JOIN: To join the1873 Society, physicians donate $3,000 to the Escambia County Medical Society Foundation, Inc. These members will be honored by the ECMS for their generosity. You may also make a donation in honor of a loved one Join the 1873 Society today! Ask us how!
The Escambia County Medical Society Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) organization. EIN # 59-1514947
2020 END OF YEAR DONATION Consider making a year-end tax deductible donation to the ECMS Foundation You can also honor a loved one mission: The ECMS Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing healthcare services to those most in need throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, while also supporting the physicians who serve those populations. For more information email: director@escambiacms.org
Foundation
ESCAMBIA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY FOUNDATION For time immemorial, physicians have freely given their skill and expertise to those in need regardless of their ability to pay. Throughout my medical career, I have witnessed physicians quietly take care of patients who could not pay because they were poor. Yet, I do not think physicians are recognized for the countless hours of uncompensated care rendered to patients and the many contributions we make to our community. That needs to change. The goal for the ECMS foundation is to increase the opportunity for physicians to contribute and to inform the community on how we are giving back. Our foundation board is committed to strengthen and expand our existing programs. We also hope to develop additional programs in order to help as many members of our community as we can. This can only be done through the generosity of our physicians, both through financial contributions and by donation their time. Our present programs which help patients and physicians include: • Blood Pressure Cuff Program • Go Seniors Program • Pensacola State College Endowment
We Care Program: dedicated to helping the indigent and uninsured patients access care. This is only achievable because of our member physicians who generously donate their time and skill. Please consider joining this effort. 1873 Society: dedicated to funding all of the initiatives/programs of the ECMS Foundation. This is made possible through the generous donations of our physician colleagues. Please consider becoming a member of the 1873 society. We need you! We had a very successful fundraiser at Halloween which was perfect for families and a lot of fun for all. We plan to make this a yearly event. Thanks to Erica for her hard work and thanks to all of our sponsors! Please don’t forget to order your holiday wreaths. We partner with Fiore who specialize in creating beautiful floral arrangements. The wreaths will bring holiday cheer to your home and make great Christmas presents. Please order wreaths for family and friends. I encourage you to keep up with everything we are doing at the foundation and help us continue our important work.
• Physician Wellness Program • SMART program
Ellen W. McKnight, M. D.
Physicians can donate their time or contribute financially through the following programs: • We Care Program • The 1873 Society
www.escambiacms.org | 11
ECMS Foundation Physician Wellness Program Helping Healers Heal
TELEMEDICINE APPOINTMENTS NOW AVAILABLE To schedule an appointment 1) Email patrick@psyassociates.com or call (850) 434-5033 x8 2) Identify yourself as a member of Escambia County Medical Society and that you wish to utilize the Physician Wellness Program
FREE & CONFIDENTIAL MEMBER BENEFIT 12 | Escambia County Medical Society in conjunction with Santa Rosa County
Foundation
THE 1873 SOCIETY Since 1873, Escambia and Santa Rosa County Medical Society physicians have dedicated themselves to their patients and the people of Escambia/Santa Rosa County. To further our mission and build on the loyal support of our members, the Board of Directors approved the formation of The 1873 Society, a special recognition opportunity to formally honor physicians who contribute to our organization and have demonstrated a long-term commitment to the quality of health care and well-being of our community. As a member of The 1873 Society your good name as a physician will be honored in our community
forever – entwined with the good works of the medical society in a cherished legacy. Membership in The 1873 Society is for physicians who have chosen to pledge $3,000 to Escambia County Medical Society Foundation, Inc. This can be accomplished through a single gift or a recurring gift of $1,000 over three years, THREE IN THREE! The 1873 Society members are recognized and awarded with their names permanently engraved on a traveling Wall of Honor to be displayed in the ECMS office and at ECMS and ECMSF events.
THE 1873 SOCIETY MEMBERS
The individuals listed below are both founding members as well as others who have joined The 1873 Society since its founding. We thank you for joining their distinguished ranks.
Joanne Bujnoski, D.O.
Jennifer Miley, M.D.
Robert Sackheim, M.D.
Kurt Krueger, M.D.
Jack Kotlarz, M.D.
Michelle Brandhorst, M.D.
Ken Long, M.D.
Hillary Hultstrand, M.D.
Steve Ziller, M.D.
Ellen W. McKnight, M.D.
Brett Parra, M.D.
Who is the Escambia County Medical Society Foundation? The Escambia County Medical Society Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing healthcare services on a volunteer and funding basis through its members. The Foundation was created in 1994. The primary goal is to assure access to adequate healthcare for the medically indigent citizens of the area, to study and promote improved methods and facilities for healthcare, to pursue the protection of public health, implement the means of financing healthcare at reasonable costs to cooperate with other organizations and institutions interested in pursuing these goals, and disseminate information concerning healthcare in general. Current Foundation programs include “We Care” and “Go Seniors!” Contact the ECMS Foundation for more information | 850.478.0706 or info@escambiaCMS.org
www.escambiacms.org | 13
Community First Annual ECMS Foundation Halloween Fundraiser Pensacola Blue Wahoos Stadium
Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020 On Thursday, October 29th nearly 160 guests enjoyed safe trick or treating at the Wahoos stadium which was part of the first annual ECMS Foundation Halloween Fundraiser. We look forward to hosting this event again in 2021 so be on the lookout for a date! Thank you to our wonderful sponsors who helped to make this event possible: MAG Mutual Insurance Studer Family Children's Hospital Sacred Heart Pensacola Underwood Anderson & Associates Family Promise Danna Gracey Insurance Baptist Healthcare Gastroenterology and ASsociates Fishbein Orthodontics City of Pensacola Acumen Imaging Michelle Salzman Allergy Partners NISSI Worldwide Club Pilates
14 | Escambia County Medical Society in conjunction with Santa Rosa County
Community Baptist News Tristan D. Brooks, D.O. Pensacola native Tristan D. Brooks, D.O., has joined the Baptist Medical Group Primary Care – Airport. Dr. Brooks comes to Baptist from Tallahassee, Florida, where she completed her residency in family medicine and served as a hospitalist at the Behavioral Health Center during her residency at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Caroline M. Wolvertson, D.O. Family medicine physician Caroline M. Wolverton, D.O., has joined Baptist Medical Group Primary Care – Gulf Breeze. Dr. Wolverton earned her medical degree at the University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pikeville, Kentucky and completed her residency in family medicine at A-OPTIC Methodist Hospital in Henderson, Kentucky. Michael Leveille, D.O., MBA Baptist Medical Group is pleased to welcome new physician Michael Leveille, D.O., MBA, to its growing hospitalist program and expansive physician network. He cares for inpatients at both Baptist Hospital and Gulf Breeze Hospital. Dr. Leveille earned his medical degree at Michigan
State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing, Michigan, and completed his residency in internal medicine from Northside Hospital and Tampa Bay Heart Institute in Saint Petersburg, Florida. He also holds a master’s in business administration from the University of Michigan in Dearborn, Michigan. Mark Sahawneh, M.D. Baptist Medical Group welcomes Mark Sahawneh, M.D., to its multispecialty physician network to Baptist Medical Group Family Medicine - Westside. Dr. Sahawneh joins Baptist following the completion of the Montgomery Family Medicine Residency Program in Montgomery, Alabama, where he served as chief resident. He earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Miramar, Florida. Baptist Hospital Chosen as Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) has selected Baptist Hospital as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Knee and Hip Replacement, part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated health care facilities that show a commitment to delivering high-quality patient safety and better health
outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community and leading accreditation and quality organizations. Baptist Health Care Breaks Ground on New Health Campus Baptist Health Care (BHC)held a virtual groundbreaking event for the construction of its new health campus Oct. 30. The event was held 71 years to the day of the groundbreaking of BHC’s flagship facility, Baptist Hospital. The new health campus represents the single largest investment in health care facilities, services and programs in Northwest Florida’s history. It will provide a central location for clinical care, programs and services that will be easier for patients to access. Equipped with innovative technologies for diagnosis and treatment along with a concentration of related services, the facility will provide a seamless continuum of care that is more convenient for the patient and better optimizes resources. Its parklike setting, filled with heritage oaks, magnolia trees and other native landscaping, will provide a calming backdrop for optimum healing. Construction is expected to be completed in 2023. More information and ongoing updates about the project can be found at eBaptistHealthCare.org.
Sacred Heart News Dr. Anthony Holden, a board-cer tified cardiothoracic surgeon, has joined Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Khaled Rikabi has joined Ascension Medical Group (AMG) Sacred Heart and sees patients at Airport Medical Park in Pensacola. Dr. Samantha Johnson, OB/GYN, has joined the Ascension Sacred Heart Health Center at Milestone in Pensacola. Dr. Johnson will perform inpatient and outpatient gynecologic surgery at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola, in addition to delivering babies at the Ascension Sacred Heart Maternity and Women’s Center. Oncologist and hematologist Dr. Zachary Wright has joined the Ascension Sacred Heart Cancer Center in Pensacola. Sports medicine specialist Gary Allen, DO, has joined AMG Sacred Heart Orthopedics at 4521 N. Davis Hwy. in Pensacola.
General Surgeon Dr. Kyle Leneweaver has joined AMG Sacred Heart. Dr. Leneweaver sees patients at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola. His office is located in the Medical Office Building on the Pensacola campus, Suite 305.
Dr. Amber McClain, pediatric gastroenterologist, has joined the UF faculty at the Studer Family Children’s Hospital. She joins the office of pediatric gastroenterologists Dr. Alan Sacks and Dr. Sheryl DeLeon-Dial and Brent Thompson, PA.
Rheumatologist Anil Mankee, MBBS, has joined the office of AMG Sacred Heart rheumatologists Dr. Ashton Graybiel and Dr. Ruth Orth, at 2441 N. Ninth Ave. in Pensacola. He is board certified in rheumatology and internal medicine.
Dr. Randy Williamson, a board-certified pediatric neurologist, has joined the UF team at the Studer Family Children's Hospital. He will see patients in the Children's Hospital and in the Pediatric Specialist Tower on the Pensacola campus.
Ear, nose and throat doctor and facial plastic surgeon Dr. Kevin Caceres has joined AMG Sacred Heart and provides care for adults and children.
Pediatric ophthalmologist Dr. Casey Mickler has joined the Studer Family Children’s Hospital. His office is located in the Pediatric Specialist Tower on the Pensacola campus.
Pediatric nephrologist Dr. Joshua Zaritsky has joined the faculty of the University of Florida (UF) College of Medicine at the Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola. He will see patients in the Children's Hospital and in the Pediatric Specialist Tower on the Pensacola campus. www.escambiacms.org | 15
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