ECMS Bulletin Nov/Dec 2021 by Laura Griffin

Physician Advocacy Since 1873

Bulletin

NOV/DEC., 2021 VOLUME 51, NO. 6

Editors: Dawn Hannah, D.O. | Erica Huffman, Executive Director www.escambiacms.org

President’s Message

Contents Page 4 - Medical/Legal Page 10 - Foundation

Farewell It is the time of year that we reflect on events of the past and look forward to those of the future, aka, out with the old and in with the new. Our calendar of events for the year has concluded. The action behind the scenes does not stop. Now we plan for the annual change of command.

the conduit of choice to share and brainstorm ideas on affairs that we might work together. Many of us look forward to the inaugural ball. Fortunately, I don’t foresee COVID interfering this year. This year we celebrate our new leader, Kacey Montgomery, MD. Mark your calendars January 22, 2022. The location will be at the Pensacola Beach Hilton. I look forward to enjoying a great time with our members in a formal social gathering. I further can’t wait to see what she has planned for 2022. To conclude, I want to thank our membership for allowing me the opportunity to bring my narrative to the ECMS agenda. The challenges from COVID notwithstanding, I feel that my goals of fellowship, education, and increasing our political presence and awareness have been accomplished.

We just concluded our continuing medical education event satisfying the two state mandated hours on opioid drug prescribing. I, for one, found the social gathering centered around a shared goal much more enjoyable than searching through the world wide web only to pay extra money to fulfill a mandatory criteria. We also recently had a joint meeting between the Escambia County Medical Society board and the Escambia County Bar Association. Lore has it that this is not the first time that our boards have met. Certainly though, to my contemporaries and our Bar association counterparts, the meeting was a new beginning. We left with a mutual goal to work together to try to problem solve and improve our community in a synergistic manner. The Medical Society will host an online private idea board with limited access by our mutual members. This online forum will be

– Dr. Casey Mickler

Page 12 - Community

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With yet another major medical liability insurer selling out to Wall Street, there’s an important question to ask. Do you want an insurer with an A rating from AM Best and Fitch Ratings, over $6.2 billion in assets, and a financial award program that’s paid $120 million in awards to retiring members? Or do you want an insurer that’s focused on paying its investors? Join us and discover why our 80,000 member physicians give us a 90+% satisfaction rating when it comes to exceptional service and unmatched efforts to reward them.

Member Updates E.C.M.S. Bulletin

New Members

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.

Carrie Anderson, M.D. Family Medicine Santa Rosa Medical Group Navarre 7456 Navarre Parkway Navarre, FL 32566 (850) 626-5459

Richard Mohammed, D.O. Bariatric Surgery Santa Rosa Medical Group 5992 Berryhill Road, Suite 203 Milton, FL 32570 (850) 626-5395

Kacey Gibson, D.O. Family Medicine Gary Gothelf, MD, PA 2120 East Johnson Ave., Suite 100 Pensacola, FL 32514 (850) 477-3252

Leonardo Villegas, M.D. Hepatobiliary & Surgical Oncology Ascension Sacred Heart 730 Bayfront Parkway Pensacola, FL 32502 (850) 432-5488

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.

AT T E N T I O N P H Y S I C I A N S Are you getting close to retirement, or would you like an opportunity to contribute care to the medically needy of our community? There are multiple worthwhile volunteer positions available. Volunteering your talent and time allows you to keep your hand in medical care which can be very gratifying. Opportunities include general medicine, co-signing ultrasounds, gyn care, etc. Call Paul LaRose, MD for more information, 850-380-6775

Editor Dawn Hannah, D.O. 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. www.escambiacms.org | 3

Medical/Legal

Interoperable Telehealth: Patient Safety Considerations Sue Boisvert, BSN, MHSA, Patient Safety Risk Manager II, The Doctors Company

As efforts to connect patients and providers through telehealth have accelerated, enabling technology systems to communicate and exchange information has become increasingly important. National Goals for Obtaining Interoperable Electronic Systems In 2015, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) released a roadmap for advancing health information exchange and the interoperability of electronic systems. ONC’s interoperability roadmap includes three main goals: 1. 2015–2017: Send, receive, find and use priority data domains to improve health care quality and outcomes. 2. 2018–2020: Expand data sources and users in the interoperable health IT ecosystem to improve health and lower costs. 3. 2021–2024: Achieve nationwide interoperability to enable a learning health system, with the person at the center of a system that can continuously improve care, public health, and science through real-time data access. Although these goals have not yet been definitively achieved, much progress has been made toward the first goal—the ability by providers and patients to view, download, and transmit health information. Given the challenges experienced in 2020,

we are still working on the second goal’s expansion of the interoperable health IT ecosystem and now the third goal’s nationwide learning health system.

Telehealth’s Expansion Telehealth is a perfect example of expanding data sources and users, but it adds several layers of complexity to the already difficult challenges of interoperability—getting computer devices to share information. The first important component would be interoperability between the provider’s computer and the patient’s, a connection that is usually accomplished through the use of a software application. Before the pandemic, a single-source tool was most often used for enterprisewide telehealth due to strict privacy and security regulations. These regulations were relaxed during the 2020 pandemic, which led to the use of a patchwork of video communication applications, such as Skype, Zoom, and Facetime. The selection of the application was largely based on what practices and patients could manage.

Interoperable Single-Source Telehealth Solution Needed It rapidly became clear that a singlesource solution for telehealth that would be interoperable with the electronic health record (EHR)—and perhaps even embedded in it—would be necessary to maintain telehealth visits on a large scale. The benefits of an interoperable singlesource telehealth solution may include patient relationship management features

4 | Escambia County Medical Society in conjunction with Santa Rosa County

such as scheduling, a private “waiting room,” and the ability for the provider to share screens with the patient while discussing diagnostic results and delivering education. Many of the major EHR vendors have the option of integrating a telehealth platform. Enterprise solutions often include technical support, an option or feature that can be very helpful when systems do not function as expected. When surveyed, providers reported that having the ability to easily view the EHR during a telehealth visit facilitates better care and rapport with the patient. In addition, the provider can easily create a visit summary and transmit it to the patient with any orders for diagnostic tests or referrals. Some practices may not have the ability to integrate the telehealth solution into the EHR. The lack of interoperability may be on the side of the EHR or on the audio/video application used for telehealth. It may be possible to achieve an integrated system with an interface. Practices that are at this stage of decision making will want to consider the risks and benefits of all available options carefully by using a consultant or a structured decision-making process such as failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA).

Additional Considerations In addition to interoperability of the telehealth solution with the EHR, we are faced with several other considerations. Imaging files: In some cases, telehealth visits are recorded. The EHR may not be capable of storing large video files, and a physician practice that does not

Medical/Legal

already provide imaging services may not have access to a picture archive and communication system (PACS). The video file problem is not insurmountable, but it adds data storage and another security endpoint to manage. Remote patient monitoring: Remote patient monitoring (RPM) has proved to be a valuable adjunct to telemedicine. RPM collects clinical information that is useful to the provider for managing remote care. RPM works well for patients with chronic disease, those who are being managed immediately after hospital discharge, and patients in a hospital-at-home environment. Interoperability of the RPM device with the telehealth or EHR system is a requirement for Medicare reimbursement.

Workflow management: In the interim, workflows become even more important. If a disconnect exists between the patient visit and the record, providers may need more time to process the visit after the video interaction is complete. Documenting the visit in the record can be achieved by the provider in several different ways that include entering it directly, creating a separate telehealth note and incorporating it into the record, using speech recognition software for dictation, or using a scribe during the visit. Care model: Regardless of whether your system is fully interoperable, the model of care delivery is important. During the pandemic, providers may have gotten used to working from home and may want

to continue to do so, at least part time. Allocating a block of time for telehealth visits may facilitate a smoother experience for both providers and patients. Some providers may prefer not to practice telehealth and some providers may prefer to specialize in it. Flexibility is key. For additional guidance, see our other telehealth resources and our on-demand education, Telemedicine to Telehealth: Trends and Emerging Risks, or contact the Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management at (800) 421-2368 or by email at www.thedoctors.com/contactUs/ patient-safety-risk-management-assistance/.

Wish You Were Here! Advertise your Business in the ECMS Newsletter. Call or Email Erica Huffman, Executive Director 850.478.0706 | Director@escambiacms.org

www.escambiacms.org | 5

Medical/Legal

Legal Checklist

Important Topics to Review With Your Legal Advisor or Attorney

Power of Attorney: the authority to act for another person in specified or all legal or portant Topics to Review Withto become Your Legal Advisor financial matters. For a power of attorney a legally enforceable document, at aor Atto minimum it must be signed and dated by the principal. Some jurisdictions also require that a power of attorney be witnessed, notarized, or both. Even when not required, having the document reviewed and signed (and often stamped) by a notary public may increase the likelihood of withstanding a legal challenge. A Power of Attorney is only valid during the life of the person giving the authority.

er of Attorney: the authority to act for another person in specified or all le

cial matters. For a power of attorney to become a legally enforceable docum mum it must be signed and dated by the principal. Some jurisdictions also r Living Will: an advancednotarized, healthcare directive, also known as a living will, personal r of attorneydirective, be witnessed, or both. Even when not required, hav advanced directive, medical directive or advanced decision, is a legal document in whichand a person specifies (and what actions should be taken for their if they are no longermay incr ment reviewed signed often stamped) by health a notary public able to make decisions for themselves because of illness or incapacity. hood of withstanding a legal challenge. A Power of Attorney is only valid d e person giving the authority. Healthcare Proxy (HCP): is a document or legal instrument with which an individual appoints someone to legally make healthcare decisions on behalf of the patient, when the patient is incapable of making and executing the healthcare decisions stipulated in the proxy. Once the health care proxy is effective, the agent continues making healthcare decisions as long as the primary individual is legally incompetent to decide.

ng Will: an advanced healthcare directive, also known as a living will, perso

tive, advanced directive, medical directive or advanced decision, is a legal d h a person specifies what actions should be taken for their health if they are Guardian(s): person who looks after and is legally responsibleor for incapacity. the property of to make decisions forathemselves because of illness someone who is unable to manage their own affairs, usually an incompetent or disabled person or a minor child whose parents have died. An alternate guardian or successor guardian should be named in case the first appointed guardian is unable or unwilling to serve as guardian. A successor guardian usually has the same duties and powers as the previous guardian.

thcare Proxy (HCP): is a document or legal instrument with which an ind

Executor(s): (of an estate) is an individual appointed to administer the estate of a deceased ints someoneperson. to legally make on behalf the The executor's main healthcare duty is to carry outdecisions the instructions to manage the of affairs andpatient, w wishesof of making the deceased person's estate. The executor appointed either decisions by the testator of the nt is incapable and executing the ishealthcare stipulated will (the individual who makes the will) or by a court, in cases wherein there was no prior the health care proxy is effective, the agent continues making healthcare d appointment. as the primary individual is legally incompetent to decide. Titling of Property: when executing updated and properly drafted wills and trusts you want to coordinate the titling of property so that it correlates with the objectives of your estate planning documents. This would address how real estate, marketable securities, checking/savings accounts and brokerage accounts should be held. If titled incorrectly, it could negate the purpose of the new testamentary documents.

rdian(s): a person who looks after and is legally responsible for the proper Securities and investment advisory services offered through qualified registered representatives of MML Investors Services, LLC Member SIPC ; Three

one who is unable to manage their own affairs, usually an incompetent or d Life Insurance Company or its affiliated companies. 6 | Escambia County Medical conjunction Santa Rosa County Alliance Center 3550Society Lenoxin Road, Suitewith 1100, Atlanta, GA 30326. (404)261-8900. WealthMD is not a subsidiary or affiliate of Massachusetts Mutual

Medical/Legal Credit Shelter Trust (CST): is designed to allow couples to reduce estate taxes when passing assets on to heirs, typically the couple's children. This type of irrevocable trust is structured so that upon the death of the trust's creator (or settler) the assets specified in the trust agreement and the income they generate are transferred to the settlor's spouse. However, a key benefit to this type of trust is that the surviving spouse maintains certain rights to the trust assets during the remainder of his or her lifetime. Under specific circumstances such as the need to fund certain medical or educational expenses, the surviving spouse can tap into the trust's principal and not just the income. Upon the surviving spouse's death, the trust's assets are transferred to the remaining beneficiaries without any estate taxes levied. Insurance Trust: is either revocable or irrevocable and can be a tool for a family to solve some of their estate planning needs. The trust is both the owner and beneficiary of one or more life insurance policies. Upon the death of the insured, the trustee invests the insurance proceeds and administers the trust for one or more beneficiaries. If the trust is revocable the assets are part of the estate for tax purposes. If it is irrevocable the assets are not part of the estate for tax purposes. Trustee(s): an individual person or member of a board given control or powers of

administration of property in trust with a legal obligation to administer it solely for the purposes specified. A successor trustee is a person who assumes control of the trust after the initial trustee dies or becomes unable to continue with his or her responsibilities.

Portability: applies to the federal estate tax exemption between married couples and comes into play if the first spouse dies and the value of the estate does not require the use of all of the deceased spouse's federal exemption from estate taxes. The amount of the exemption that was not used for the deceased spouse's estate may be transferred to the surviving spouse's exemption so that he or she can use the deceased spouse's unused exemption plus his or her own exemption when the surviving spouse later dies Special Bequests: a testamentary gift of a specific item of property (e.g., a Picasso painting) that can be easily identified and distinguished from all other property in the testator’s estate. Common Disaster Clause: a provision in most life insurance policies (and some wills) under which the primary beneficiary of the policy (or will) must survive the insured by a certain number (usually 60 to 90) days to qualify to receive the policy’s (or will’s) benefits.

Securities and investment advisory services offered through qualified registered representatives of MML Investors Services, LLC Member SIPC ; Three Alliance Center 3550 Lenox Road, Suite 1100, Atlanta, GA 30326. (404)261-8900. WealthMD is not a subsidiary or affiliate of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company or its affiliated companies.

www.escambiacms.org | 7

Medical/Legal Are you on track for a healthy financial future? There are a variety of ways that we can serve as a resource to you throughout your career. WealthMD is dedicated to providing services to medical professionals. Our goal is to replace confusion and procrastination with sound, comprehensive planning for you, your family and your business. Much like medical care, financial planning requires individual attention. To arrange a personal consultation with WealthMD, please call 404-926-1312 or email svaron@wealthmd.com. You can be confident in your decision to work with us.

Here are some questions to ask yourself: We know you probably have plenty of questions for us. We are excited to help you with all of them! There are some questions, though, that you may not have thought of yet. The following are topics and questions that we regularly hear from our physician clients and are prepared to address with you.

Are you on track for a healthy financial future?

www.WealthMD.com

Securities, investment advisory and financial planning services through MML Investors Services, LLC. 3333 Peachtree Road, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30326 404-261-8900. WealthMD is not a subsidiary or affiliate of MMLloans Investorsand Services, LLC, or its affiliated companies. The information contained in thisRisk presentation is being provided with the understanding that it is not intended to be interpreted as Student debt management specific legal or tax advice. The presenters are not authorized to give legal or tax advice. Individuals are encourages to seek the guidance of their own personal legal or tax counsel.

Should I pay off student using Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income•rights Whatreserved. are the differences between personal and group disability insurance? ©• 2017 Massachusetts Mutualloans Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), Springfield, MA 01111-0001. All www.massmutual.com. Based Repayment SOC6470_Varon 517 (IBR) or Pay As You Earn? • When should I purchase an occupation specific personal disability insuranceCRN201905-212616 policy?

Are you on track for a healthy financial future? • What are the gaps in my employer’s benefits package?

• What is the difference between consolidating and refinancing?

• Should I consider refinancing my student loans outside of the federal government?

• How much of a mortgage payment can I afford based on current or future earnings? • Should I consider a “Doctor’s Loan” for my mortgage?

• Do I have sufficient life insurance coverage for myself and my family? • Are my assets protected in a medical malpractice lawsuit or other litigation?

• What is an umbrella policythroughout and do I need it? your career. There are a variety of ways that we can serve as a resource to you • What steps can I take to improve and monitor my credit?

WealthMD is dedicated to providing services to medical professionals. Our goal is to replace confusion and procrastination with sound, comprehensive Saving and investing planning for you, your family and your business. Taxes Much like medical care, financial requires individual attention. To arrange a personal consultation • Should I invest extra money I have or use it to planning pay down debt? • Financially, what are the differences in practicing in awith privateWealthMD, group vs. hospital vs. independent contractor?to work with us. please call 404-926-1312 orI email You can beemployee confident in your decision • As an attending, how much should be savingsvaron@wealthmd.com. for retirement? • Should I contribute to a Roth IRA or a pre-tax retirement plan like a 401(k) or 403(b)?

Here are some ask yourself: • Is a 529 Plan the best wayquestions to save for a child’s to education?

• What accounts can I use to reduce my tax liability?

• Are there any tax benefits to incorporating as an independent contractor?

• Will my taxyou filingwith statusall impact my student loan payment? • What canyou I do with my Roth IRA if my income the limit for making We know probably have plentyexceeds of questions for us.contributions? We are excited to help of them! There are some questions, • What type of retirement plan should I set up to reduce my taxes?

• How should my investments investment though, thatI diversify you may not haveand thought of accounts? yet. The following are topics and questions that we regularly hear from our physician • As a resident, what are reasonable goals to complete clients and are prepared to financial address with you. before I finish training?

• What are the advantages of using a tax professional versus doing it myself?

www.WealthMD.com Securities, investment advisory and financial planning services through MML Investors Services, LLC. 3333 Peachtree Road, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30326 404-261-8900. WealthMD is not a subsidiary or affiliate of MML Investors Services, LLC, or its affiliated companies. The information contained in this presentation is being provided with the understanding that it is not intended to be interpreted as specific legal or tax advice. The presenters are not authorized to give legal or tax advice. Individuals are encourages to seek the guidance of their own personal legal or tax counsel. © 2017 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), Springfield, MA 01111-0001. All rights reserved. www.massmutual.com. SOC6470_Varon 517

8 | Escambia County Medical Society in conjunction with Santa Rosa County

CRN201905-212616

ECMS Event

2022 SLATE OF OFFICERS Kacey Montgomery, M.D. President Maureen Padden, M.D. President-Elect Dawn Hannah, D.O. Vice President Alejandro Arevalo, M.D. Secretary/Treasurer Members at Large Josh Hackel, M.D. Anthony Pietroniro, M.D. Caroline Wolverton, D.O. Liaison: Paul McLeod, M.D. - FSU College of Medicine Dean Hospital Representation Peter Jennings, M.D. - Ascension Sacred Heart Tammy Pruse, M.D. - CMO, Baptist Healthcare

www.escambiacms.org | 9

Foundation

ESCAMBIA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY FOUNDATION As we get ready to welcome in a new year, an opportunity is afforded to us to look back and see what we have accomplished and what we still have yet to do. There is always something that remains to do but I would like to focus on what the Foundation has accomplished in 2021. In early 2021, we had our first Stress Management and Resiliency training (SMART) program. The SMART program, for me, was enlightening, affirming, and transforming. It is enlightening to learn more about the mind-body connection and it’s importance to our physical and emotional health. We will be announcing the dates for next year very soon. Please consider taking this course, you will benefit greatly. We had a very successful fundraising event at the Gulf Breeze Zoo over Easter weekend. The weather was beautiful and a great time was had by all. The event activities included viewing the animals at the zoo, riding the train, and an Easter egg hunt. The Easter bunny took pictures with the children, creating life long family memories. Stay tuned for announcements regarding our upcoming event at the zoo. The Foundation received a 10,000 dollar grant from the Fellow’s Foundation in order to continue our outreach to seniors, especially those seniors who are on a fixed income. I am thankful for the efforts of Dr. Wayne Willis to secure this very generous donation. This donation will enable us to further our goal of helping at risk seniors to get access to their physician and their pharmacy. We recently had another successful fundraiser at the Wahoo’s stadium before Halloween. The children dressed up, as did many adults. Many generous sponsors from our community gave out candy and other treats to the children. There was a photo booth and many other fun activities. This event, along with our Easter fundraiser, should be on your “must do” list. Our Christmas wreath sale and fundraiser is now underway. This is a joint venture with Fiore, a well-known local florist, renowned for high quality floral arrangements. Please consider ordering wreaths as decorations for your home or office, presents for family and friends, or all of the above. These beautiful fresh wreaths will bring joy to your heart, and the hearts of others, as you help the Foundation fulfill our commitment to the physicians and the economically stressed patients of our community.

Just a reminder of the many things we do at the ECMS Foundation: Blood Pressure Cuff Program: dedicated to helping patients monitor their blood pressure at home by providing free blood pressure cuffs. We Care Program: dedicated to helping the elderly, poor, 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. Go Seniors Program: dedicated to helping the underprivileged elderly see their doctor on a regular basis by covering transportation expenses. Pensacola State College Endowment: dedicated to funding scholarships of students attending Pensacola State College who are interested in health-related fields of study. 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! Physician Wellness Program: dedicated to helping our physician colleagues who may be suffering personal and professional angst. Member physicians may access three private sessions with a highly skilled psychologist. SMART program: dedicated to Stress Management and Resiliency Training. Our physician instructor is Dr. Rohit Amin, who will teach a 90 minute class each week over nine weeks. Most physicians would benefit from learning skills which may help them to handle stress more appropriately and be more resilient when rising to meet life’s challenges. Thank you for your support and encouragement over the past year. Thanks also to Erica Huffman for her hard work and dedication to the Foundation. We are striving to serve the patients and physicians of our community. See you in the New Year! Ellen W. McKnight, M. D.

We had two new members of the 1873 society, Dr. Michael Riesberg and Dr. J. Howell Tiller. We encourage all members of the ECMS to join the 1873 society. This helps us to expand our mission.

Foundation 10 | 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.

Michael Riesberg, M.D.

Kurt Krueger, M.D.

Jack Kotlarz, M.D.

Robert Sackheim, M.D.

Ken Long, M.D.

Hillary Hultstrand, M.D.

Michelle Brandhorst, M.D.

Ellen W. McKnight, M.D.

Brett Parra, M.D.

Steve Ziller, 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

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Community 2021 HALLOWEEN FUNDRAISER AT THE BLUE WAHOOS STADIUM

12 | Escambia County Medical Society in conjunction with Santa Rosa County

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Community Heather Ross, M.D., Joins Baptist Medical Group Primary Care – Pine Forest

Baptist Health Women’s Center Awarded Grant for Swaddles to Model Safe Sleep Environment for Newborns

Baptist Medical Group Primary Care – Pine Forest welcomes Heather Ross, M.D., to its multispecialty physician network. Dr. Ross is a board-certified family medicine physician and a lieutenant commander with the United States Navy. She earned her medical degree at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Jackson, Mississippi and completed her residency at Medical Center Camp Lejeune Family Medicine Residency in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. She is board certified in family medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine and has served the United States Navy since 2009. Her office is located at 2115 W. Nine Mile Road, Suite 2, in Pensacola.

The Women’s Center of Baptist Health Care was awarded a $5,000 grant to purchase safe sleep swaddles newborns at Baptist Hospital Mother-Baby unit. Funded by the Baptist Health Care Foundation’s Helping Hands program, the swaddles are part of the national Safe to Sleep initiative to reduce the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related causes of infant death. Use of the swaddles on the unit provide visual reinforcement of the nursing staff ’s instructions for creating a safe sleep environment. This funding allows the mothers to take home the swaddles to use with their newborn babies. Educational materials, including instructional hand-outs, door hangers, posters and crib cards, are being produced to provide parents, grandparents and other caregivers guidance in safe sleep practices

Baptist and Gulf Breeze Hospitals Earn National Recognition for Stroke Care

Baptist Health Care Cardiac Rehab Program Earns Recertification by AACVPR

Baptist Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Quality Achievement Award, and Gulf Breeze Hospital has received the Gold Plus, Target Stroke Honor Roll, Target Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll Get With The Guidelines awards for their commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines.

The Baptist Health Care cardiac rehabilitation program has been recertified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). This certification recognizes Baptist’s commitment to improving the quality of life of patients by enhancing standards of care. This program certification is awarded for a period of three years. During that time, certified programs must meet certain milestones including maintaining the requirements and practices outlined in the application and submitting an annual report. Baptist first earned this certification in 2018.

Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola has been named again as one of the

nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals by Fortune and IBM Watson Health. This is the fifth time that Ascension Sacred Heart’s Pensacola hospital has been recognized with this national honor. The recognition is based on IBM Watson Health’s annual study that spotlights the top-performing cardiovascular hospitals in the U.S. This year’s study included 951 U.S. hospitals with cardiovascular service lines.

www.escambiacms.org | 15

Your dreams inspire us. We’re inspired by the strength, resilience and values of this region we call home, and we’re passionate about creating opportunities for people and communities. Let’s talk about your dreams today.

Monica Sherman

Senior Vice President, Private Banker 850-435-6739 monica.sherman@hancockwhitney.com

hancockwhitney.com Hancock Whitney Bank, Member FDIC.

The area’s only hospital with an ‘A’ for safety Care teams at Ascension Sacred Heart have earned the area’s only “A” for safety from the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. From advanced heart care to joint replacement and spine surgery, doctors and care teams at Ascension Sacred Heart are dedicated to safely caring for your patients.

Find a doctor and get care near you at ascension.org

ECMS Bulletin Nov/Dec 2021

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