February 2015 • Vol. 45, No. 2
Mecklenburg Medicine A Publication of the Mecklenburg County Medical Society | www.meckmed.org
Turning the Page Again on Health Care The Only Thing That is Certain is Change!
Mecklenburg County Medical Society • Mecklenburg Medical Alliance and Endowment Founders of: Bioethics Resource Group, Ltd., Hospitality House of Charlotte, Teen Health Connection, N.C. MedAssist, Physicians Reach Out
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Mecklenburg Medicine • February 2015 | 3
Table of Contents 5 President’s Letter: The More Things Change ... and Change ... and Change ... By Simon V. Ward III, MD
6 Feature: Issues Facing Children Experiencing Homelessness By Susan B. Hansell
7 MedLink Update: Did You Know N.C. MedAssist Has 3 Programs Now? 8 Member News 8 Upcoming Meetings and Events 8 MCMS 2015 Election Results 8 National Health & Wellness Observances for February 9 Charlotte AHEC Course Offerings for Spring 2015 10 Feature: Fighting for Women With Fashion 2014 By Nancy L. Teaff, MD
10 Welcome New Residents 2014-15 13 MMAE 14 At the Hospitals 16 Independent Physicians of the Carolinas 16 Advertising Acknowledgement 1112 Harding Place, #200, Charlotte, NC 28204 704-376-3688 • FAX 704-376-3173 meckmed@meckmed.org Copyright 2015 Mecklenburg County Medical Society Mecklenburg Medicine is published 10 times per year by the Mecklenburg County Medical Society, 1112 Harding Place, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28204. Opinions expressed by authors are their own, and not necessarily those of Mecklenburg Medicine or the Mecklenburg County Medical Society. Mecklenburg Medicine reserves the right to edit all contributions for clarity and length, as well as to reject any material submitted. Mecklenburg Medicine is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. Non-members may subscribe to Mecklenburg Medicine at a cost of $30 per year, or $3.50 per issue, if extra copies are available.
February 2015 Vol. 45 No. 2 OFFICERS President Simon V. Ward III, MD President-Elect Stephen J. Ezzo, MD Secretary Elizabeth B. Moran, MD Treasurer Scott L. Furney, MD Immediate Past President James B. Hall, MD
BOARD MEMBERS John R. Allbert, MD Raymond E. Brown, PA W. Frank Ingram III, MD Stephen R. Keener, MD, MPH Scott S. Lindblom, MD John P. McBryde, MD Shivani P. Mehta, MD, MPH Robert L. Mittl, Jr., MD Pulak D. Patel, MD Cheryl L. Walker-McGill, MD, MBA
EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS Sherry Ward, President Mecklenburg Medical Alliance & Endowment Sandi D. Buchanan, Executive Director Mecklenburg County Medical Society Michelle Conner, DDS, President Charlotte Medical Society Docia E. Hickey, MD NCMS President-Elect Darlyne Menscer, MD NCMS Delegate to the AMA Marcus G. Plescia, MD, Health Director Mecklenburg County Health Department Douglas R. Swanson, MD, FACEP, Medical Director Mecklenburg EMS Agency
EXECUTIVE STAFF Executive Director Sandi D. Buchanan Meetings & Special Events Trisha G. Herndon Finance & Database Specialist Stephanie D. Smith
MECKLENBURG MEDICINE STAFF Managing Editor Sandi D. Buchanan Copy Editors Lee McCracken Stephanie Smith
Classified Ads: Open to members, nonprofits and non-member individuals only; advance approval of the Managing Editor and advance payment required. Member rate is 0, non-members $20 for the first 30 words; $.75 each additional word.
Advertising Mark Ethridge mecklenburgmedicine@gmail.com
Display Ads: Open to professional entities or commercial businesses. For specifications and rate information, contact Mark Ethridge at mecklenburgmedicine@gmail.com. Acceptance of advertising for this publication in no way constitutes professional approval or endorsement of products or services advertised herein.
Editorial Board N. Neil Howell, MD Jessica Schorr Saxe, MD Simon V. Ward III, MD
We welcome your comments and suggestions: Call 704-376-3688 or write Mecklenburg Medicine, c/o Mecklenburg County Medical Society, 1112 Harding Place, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28204.
4 | February 2015 • Mecklenburg Medicine
Graphic Design — Wade Baker
President’s Letter
The More Things Change … and Change …. and Change …. By Simon V. Ward III, MD
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he environment was different in the waiting room this past December. While always busy at the end of the year, this one seemed more intense. It wasn’t just excited anticipation for Aunt Mabel’s fruitcake. Patients wanted to be seen. They wanted to have that surgery done. There always is an increase in need as end-of-the-year insurance changes kick in, but this time the need was greater. Deductibles would be higher. Patients who had no, or low, deductibles now would face significant increases. Change was coming as January 1 approached. Ask anyone from Nevada to name the world’s oldest profession. If they say medicine, then they would be right. Neurosurgery was performed in France in 6500 BCE. Archeologists have found skulls that show burr holes. Amazingly, these surgeons performed surgery without first obtaining a CT scan. That was at least partly due to the fact that the CT scanner would not be invented for another eight millennia. Also amazing is that some of these patients lived. The first physician known by name was Imhotep; he practiced in Egypt in 2600 BCE. The legal profession could make a case that it is older. A cave, also found in France, shows a painting on the wall carbon dated to 31,000 BCE. It seems the owner was fined by the neighborhood association for having the cave entrance too close to the road. The owner asked a wise neighbor to represent him. The neighbor pointed out that the previous owners had been a bunch of Neanderthals who did not pay attention to the location of the entrance. They did not even keep the rocks neatly arranged in the front yard. Furthermore, he made the case that, since the wheel had not yet been invented, local folks simply could walk farther away from this cave entrance. The road soon would move. Researchers have not been able to confirm the outcome, and this neighbor was no Perry Mason. But either way, both the legal and medical professions have been here for a long time. Big changes have occurred in medicine in the past. One was the signing of the Medicare Act in 1964. With the beginning of Medicare, a large number of patients were covered by a Federal insurance plan. It was a wonderful help for the one in three elder Americans who had no coverage. It had a huge impact on physicians, who for the first time had patients covered by a large insurance plan run by the Federal Government. Many of us remember the waves of changes that occurred in the mid 80s and again in the mid 90s with the onset of managed care. New rules went into effect that patients and physicians had never experienced before. Even when patients were seen, who had clear indications for surgery, we were not free to simply schedule the case, but had to send the patient across the street so a colleague could confirm the surgery was indicated. Some patients who had been followed by the same physician for years suddenly could not see that physician, but had to transfer care. Some patients alternated between two sets of
caregivers annually, depending on their coverage for that year. I was called out of a wedding one day for a patient who had what sounded to be a significant toe infection. Our practice was designated as her “gatekeeper.” With only four weeks of orthopedics in medical school, the only thing I could remember about the lower extremity was that the toe bone was connected to the foot bone. From the church parking lot, I was able to arrange an appropriate referral and get the patient the care she needed. As we entered the next century, it became apparent which rules worked and which did not. Many things that did not contribute to quality of care were dropped. Another big change is coming. At 10, 535 pages, I must confess I have not read the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and may not get to it this week. However, like any good college student, I have read the CliffsNotes. There are many things in this law we all hold true: accessibility to medical care, guarantees of coverage even with a pre-existing condition, exchanges that allow patients more choice of coverage and financial help for those who need it. There will be major incentives for ensuring good outcomes, increased patient safety and cost effectiveness. For practitioners, reimbursement will be tied more to quality than to volume. The Gettysburg Address was 272 words. It was a beautifully crafted speech that, in the fewest words possible, gave honor to the fallen of that battle and called for the continued effort to save this wonderful nation. The Affordable Care Act is 11, 588, 500 words. That is a lot of words. Any document written by Homo sapiens with that many words will lend itself to much interpretation by our legal colleagues. Much of it will contain good things for our patients. Some of it will not make sense. Our job going forward is to ensure the new rules we live by do, in fact, improve the quality of care for the patients of Mecklenburg County. We have been at this profession for 8,000 years. There have been many changes in how we practice medicine. There will be more. This one coming is big. We will make it through this latest round of change because we can, and we must be the best we can be for our patients. We also must preserve our enjoyment of what is the best, and maybe the oldest, profession. P.S. Hopefully, the next law won’t be 100,000 pages, or we will need CliffsNotes for the CliffsNotes.
Mecklenburg Medicine • February 2015 | 5
Feature
Issues Facing Children Experiencing Homelessness By Susan B. Hansell, Executive Director, A Child’s Place
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hildren whose families are experiencing the crisis and chaos of homelessness are four times more likely to have respiratory infections, two times more likely to have ear infections and five times more likely to have GI problems1. But more than physical concerns, one in four children experiencing homelessness has witnessed some form of family violence, and is three times more likely to have undiagnosed emotional and behavioral problems and act out in school through inappropriate and sometimes aggressive behavior.2 Each year, several thousand children attending CharlotteMecklenburg Schools (CMS) qualify for Federal relief under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act. Last year, more than 4,000 children from kindergarten through 12th grade received support through this Act. But, the public schools can’t do it alone. That’s where nonprofit organizations, in partnership with the public school system, enter the picture. For more than 25 years, A Child’s Place has focused on thousands of children who are experiencing a crisis of homelessness. Last year, all of our families reported incomes of $10,000 or less. More than 90 percent of our students are African-American, elementary school-aged and are attending public schools with the highest percentages of children qualifying for free and reduced lunch benefits. These children come from not just “poor but stable” families and neighborhoods, but are “truly disadvantaged.”3 Our families have limited access to health care. Too frequently, they use the emergency room for health issues instead of having a primary care provider. Without stable health care, children experiencing homelessness have undiagnosed and untreated health issues that impact their ability to be in school. They have unidentified mental health issues leading to inappropriate behavior, too often resulting in out-of-school suspensions. Every day a homeless child is absent, he or she is outside the safety and physical comforts provided within school, including two meals a day. The mission of A Child’s Place is to erase the impact of homelessness on children and their education. Our vision is to provide a stable educational setting within the classroom for homeless students and, at the same time, strengthen their families to remove barriers that led to the homeless crisis. Our strategy has two essential components: 1.) resolve the child’s immediate basic needs for food, clothing and shelter while creating a case plan that supports his or her continued focus on education; and 2.) assess, advocate and make important referrals on behalf of the student’s family to address health and housing needs and further diminish issues that led to the immediate family homeless crisis. A Child’s Place serves as the EMT in the emergency situation of becoming homeless. At the point of crisis, parents are less likely to seek health care for their child unless it is of extreme emergency, because they are laser-focused on food and shelter. It is imperative agencies like A Child’s Place are there with bus passes that allow the
6 | February 2015 • Mecklenburg Medicine
parent to take the child for medical care and with referrals to low-cost or free medical care. Our work occurs through these program models: 1. A school-year model where A Child’s Place works in partnership with the public schools to work with children and families in the crisis of homelessness, as defined by Federal law; 2. A summer program which provides enrichment and seeks to mitigate summer learning loss; and 3. Enrichment activities like holiday assistance to help “normalize” students’ holiday events so they can eagerly return to school with similar experiences as their housed friends. Evaluations show A Child’s Place is meeting many of our children’s needs, but also reveal there is important work ahead. 1. A Child’s Place serves the neediest students — those experiencing homelessness. In North Carolina, 39 percent of African American children live in poverty. More than 91 percent of the children we serve are African American. 2. A Child’s Place improves student attendance. Getting children into the school building is the first critical step to serve their needs. Some 63 percent of our students improve their attendance from first to fourth quarter. 3. From first to fourth quarter, 84 percent of A Child’s Place students remain stable in the number of suspensions given. However, our students are suspended more than their stably housed classmates. 4. More than 50 percent of A Child’s Place families report that by end of the school year, they are in a stable home. A Child’s Place end-of-year case assessments reflect that more than 41 percent of our clients no longer require housing subsidies and an additional 20 percent are in stable home-sharing situations. Children experiencing the crisis and chaos of homelessness need our attention, our resources and our commitment. Giving them a winter coat helps fight off illness and keeps them in school. Snacks for long holiday weekends increase the likelihood of returning to school healthy. Most important, children who are homeless need our assurance that we see and hear them — that where we can, we will make a difference for them and, together, we will help them stay focused on their education to develop a passion for learning and use the power of their education to change their lives. A Child’s Place is at 601 E. 5th St., Suite 230, Charlotte, NC 28202. 1 Homelessness and its Effects on Children, by Ellen Hart-Shegos, Family Housing Fund, Dec. 1999. 2 Homelessness and its Effects on Children, by Ellen Hart-Shegos, Family Housing Fund, Dec. 1999. 3 Study Gauges ‘Risk Load’ for High-Poverty Schools, by Sarah D. Sparks; Education Week, Nov. 25, 2014.
MedLink Update
Did You Know NC MedAssist Has 3 Programs Now? NC MedAssist is a statewide nonprofit pharmacy that provides free prescription and overthe-counter medicines to low-income, uninsured North Carolinians. NC MedAssist offers three programs that address the needs of children and adults: Free Pharmacy program; Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicine program; and the Senior Care program. NC MedAssist dispenses more than $20 million worth of free prescription medication to 10,000 low-income North Carolinians each year. Our Free Pharmacy Program provides free prescription medication to North Carolina residents who are low-income and uninsured. This statewide program is the answer for those who do not have the means to obtain lifesaving prescription medication to treat chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and asthma. A list
of available medications can be found online at www.medassist.org. This program is a pharmacy resource for adults 65 and older. If Medicare Part D prescription benefits run out during the year, seniors can use this program to learn about other prescription medicine options. NC MedAssist provides free consultation services regardless of income levels. The Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medication program provides adults and children who are low-income with free over-the-counter medicine. Medicine such as aspirin, children’s cough syrup, allergy medicine and vitamins are just a few of the items given to families who need assistance. Visit www.medassist.org to find out when the next monthly OTC giveaway day is going to be held.
There are more than 350,000 uninsured, low-income North Carolinians who qualify for the Free Pharmacy program, yet NC MedAssist only serves about 10,000 patients per year. We need your help in raising awareness of the services NC MedAssist provides. If you are interested in learning more about the programs we offer, our staff provides educational presentations to physician practices, other healthcare organizations or civic organizations. For additional information about our programs or to schedule a meeting or presentation, contact Susan Royster at 704-3503570 or sroyster@medassist.org.
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Mecklenburg Medicine • February 2015 | 7
Member News
NATIONAL HEALTH & WELLNESS OBSERVANCES
Upcoming Meetings & Events Meetings are at the MCMS office unless otherwise noted.
FEBRUARY n
FEBRUARY 2015 AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month American Heart Month National Children’s Dental Health Month
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February 7: Give Kids a Smile Day February 14: Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day February 14: National Donor Day February 13-19: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week February 23-March 1: National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
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Tuesday, Feb. 3 Charlotte Dental Society Board meeting. 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 MedLink meeting. Mecklenburg County Health Department. 8:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 16 MCMS Executive Committee meeting. 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18 MMAE Finance Committee meeting. 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18 MMAE Board meeting. 10 a.m.
Thursday, Feb. 19 MMAE Community Health Luncheon. Speakers: John Klimas, MD; J. Gray Norris, MD; Emily Langley, MD. Topic: “Food Allergy: Hype or Hypersensitivity.” Myers Park Country Club. 9-11 a.m. n Thursday, Feb. 19 CAMGM. Myers Park Baptist Church Cornwell Center. Noon. n Monday, Feb. 23 April magazine deadline. n Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 28-March 1 N.C. Society of Gastroenterology Annual Conference. Pinehurst Resort. n
Mecklenburg County Medical Society
2015 Election Results Terms Began on January 1.
Board of Directors
Officers: (one-year term) President: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Simon V. Ward III, MD President-Elect: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stephen J. Ezzo, MD Secretary: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elizabeth B. Moran, MD Treasurer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott L. Furney, MD Immediate Past-President: . . . . . . . . . . . . James B. Hall, MD
Directors: (two-year term) John R. Allbert, MD Stephen R. Keener, MD, MPH Scott S. Lindblom, MD Robert L. Mittl, Jr., MD Cheryl L. Walker-McGill, MD, MBA The following directors, who were previously elected, also will serve on the Board in 2015: Raymond E. Brown, PA, Physician Assistant Representative (elected by the Board) W. Frank Ingram III, MD John P. McBryde, MD Shivani P. Mehta, MD, MPH Pulak D. Patel, MD, Resident Representative (elected by the Board)
8 | February 2015 • Mecklenburg Medicine
Delegation to the North Carolina Medical Society (two-year term) Sam R. Fulp, MD Janice E. Huff, MD Dale R. Shaw, MD
The following delegates, previously elected, also will serve as delegates in 2015: Anthony Caprio, MD John W. Foust, MD, NCMS Past-President Docia Hickey, MD, NCMS President-Elect Lane K. Jacobs, MD Darlyne Menscer, MD, NCMS Delegate to the AMA Michael F. Miltich, MD Maeve E. O’Connor, MD Katherine J. Pierce, MD William K. Poston, MD William A. Walker, MD The official count was 74 ballots received. The vote was 71 yes,1 abstained and 2 void. Serving as tabulators on Nov. 2, 2014 were F. R. “Rusty” Black, CPA, MCMS Accountant, and Trisha Herndon, MCMS Meetings & Special Events.
Care Ring’s Premier Gala Some 400 professionals, healthcare advocates and community leaders will celebrate Care Ring’s nearly 60 years of healthcare service in Mecklenburg County at its annual gala. Care Ring’s Under the Big Top premier event promises to be “the greatest show in town” and takes place on Saturday, April 25 at 7 p.m. It will be held at the Hilton Charlotte Center City and benefits Care Ring’s mission to empower individuals with limited resources to establish and maintain good health. Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy dinner and dancing to Mo’ Money, creative performances and fabulous auction items. The event showcases Care Ring’s three service lines: the Low-Cost Clinic for the working poor, Physicians Reach Out for the uninsured and Nurse-Family Partnership for first-time parents. Each of these programs support vulnerable neighbors in receiving access to timely, affordable health care. As a part of the gala evening, we will highlight a client’s story and show how each donation we receive changes lives every day. For ticket and sponsorship information, contact Elizabeth Hyland at 704-248-3713 or ehyland@careringnc.org. For general information about Care Ring, visit www.careringnc.org.
Charlotte AHEC Course Offerings Charlotte AHEC is part of the N.C. Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program and Carolinas HealthCare System.
SPRING 2015
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
2/20-21 Utilization of Ultrasound in OB/GYN 2015 3/6 Obesity Summit (IPE) 3/13 Robiscek Symposium 2015 3/18-20 39th Annual Internal Medicine Conference 4/11-12 29th Annual Meeting of the Glomerular Disease Collaboration Network (GDCN) 4/23 SGEA Regional Conference 4/25 2nd Annual Clinical Updates in Neurology 5/2 UNC Pathology Conference For more information or to register for these courses, call 704-512-6523 or visit www.charlotteahec.org.
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Mecklenburg Medicine • February 2015 | 9
Feature
Fighting for Women With Fashion 2014 By Nancy L. Teaff, MD, Fighting for Women with Fashion Planning Committee Co-Chair On the first Tuesday in October last year, Foundation for the Carolinas, Nordstrom, doctors and attorneys, raised money for the Clyde and Ethel Dickson Domestic Violence Shelter. The fourth annual Fighting for Women With Fashion was a great success. Once again, the Women Physicians Section of MCMS and the Charlotte Women Attorneys joined together to fundraise for this worthy cause, helping victims of domestic violence. Professionally, physicians and attorneys often are adversarial in their relationships, but not so for this group of motivated and committed women doctors and lawyers. We started early in the year arranging the event, soliciting sponsorship and silent auction items and raising public awareness of this important issue. This year’s event was our most successful yet! Once again, Nordstrom provided the fashions for our attorney and physician models. This year, for the first time, male doctors and lawyers walked the runway to the great delight of the crowd. The MCMS models who “worked it” on the runway this year included Drs. Jennifer Caicedo, Christina Chaconas, Mary Crowder, Manish Damani, Astrid Jain, Tammy Jones, Babak Mokari, Jacquelyn Palmer, Mark Romanoff and Richard Wing. These models looked great, dressed to the nines, stepping out of their usual comfort zone (although one or two may have missed their true calling!) and got the
crowd cheering them down the runway. Best Impressions catered the food and Common Market provided the wine — delicious additions to the evening’s festivities. The Big Reveal: We raised $46,000 to help fund the startup of the medical clinic at the shelter. When the new shelter was built in 2012, space was allocated for a medical clinic for the residents. However, money wasn’t there to upfit the space. With the funds raised this year, that will change and the shelter residents will have onsite primary care. Over the last four years, Fighting for Women with Fashion has raised more than $120,000 to support the Clyde and Ethel Dickson Domestic Violence Shelter, and a common area was named for the Women Physicians Section and the Charlotte Women Attorneys. This would not have been possible without the generous donations of our 2014 sponsors. This is a wonderful opportunity to give back to our community, while enjoying the fellowship of other women doctors and lawyers. We invite all women members of the Mecklenburg County Medical Society to join us as we plan the Fifth Annual Fighting for Women With Fashion, starting this month. And, we encourage all members of the MCMS — male or female — to contact Stephanie Smith at ssmith@meckmed.org, if they are interested in “struttin’ their stuff” in style on October 6.
Welcome New Residents for 2014-15 Emergency Medicine Abena Akomeah Elias Awad Mohamed El-Kara Andrea Goode Andrew Johnson Blake Johnson Timothy Kallgren Charlotte Lawson Ashley Lessmeier Catherine Lounsbury Phillip Lunsford Michael Mollo Andrew Puciaty Nell Steed Family Medicine Sarah Beer Jonisha Brown Stephen Carek Scott Mikell Kendra Richardson Cameron Simmons
Edmire Souffrant Christopher Vieau Jonathan Wilson Family Medicine – Rural Nelius Macharia Eric Wilder General Surgery Graham Berry Satara Brown Michael Fruscione Thomas Gavigan David Hobson Benjamin Motz Internal Medicine Brian Batas Stephen Beasley Claire Evans Luke Farmer Aaron Goodwin William Hoover Lindsey Hudson
10 | February 2015 • Mecklenburg Medicine
Jasna Ikanovic Daphne Jones Erin Landis Megan McDonnell Anna Mistretta Benjamin Mullenbach Tuyche Sang Haley Snadecki Christopher Stamey Walter Wiggins Jennifer Womack Neurological Surgery Tyler Adkins Obstetrics & Gynecology Katherine Croft Emily Earles Ashley Martinez Rachael McCabe Chelsea Mikell Jennifer Mitch
Orthopaedic Surgery Vignesh Alamanda Bryan Bean Thomas Bemenderfer Samuel Ford John Ruder Pediatrics Melinda Beavers Meredith Calcina Keerti Dantuluri Nanthan Fleishman Steven Hannigan Brendan Kleiboer Mary Elizabeth Lambert Karen Leeds Laura Netzley Camille Strachan Alison Vurnakes Abigail Werner Hailey Woollen
Fighting for Women With Fashion 2014 Thank You to Our 2014 Sponsors!
Satin Sponsors: Margaret and Smoky Bissell n McIlveen Family Law Firm Moore & Van Allen, PLLC n Novant Health n Ogletree Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. n Piedmont Plastic Surgery & Dermatology n Reproductive Endocrinology Associates of Charlotte (REACH) n RM Machinery, Inc. n Sodoma Law, P.C. n
Linen Sponsors: Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center n Charlotte Radiology n Charlotte Skin & Laser n Charlotte Women Attorneys n Dixon Hughes Goodman Wealth Advisors. LLC n Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP n Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A. n University Pediatrics
Denim Sponsors: Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Relief (AAIR) of Charlotte n Burnett Realty Group n Carolina HealthSpan Institute n Investor Advisory Group n Kennedy Law Associates n Knox, Brotherton, Knox & Godfrey n Mecklenburg Medical Alliance & Endowment n Novant Health Mintview OB/GYN n Aviva Stein, MD, Charlotte OB/GYN n Tom Bush Law Group A special thank you to our Friends of the Event, Nordstrom, Foundation for the Carolinas, Morgan Fogarty with WCCB News @ Ten, Best Impressions Caterers, Extravaganza, Little Dreamer Productions, K1047/CBS Radio, Paschal Productions, The Common Market, Studio 130 West, Quail Dry Cleaners, Colette Renee with Salon 8, Sodoma Law, US Airways, Doncaster Charlotte, Rebecca Simmons and all our silent auction donors for making this a very successful event!Â
Save the Date! 4th Annual Community Forum: Exploring Medicaid Expansion in North Carolina Tuesday, March 10, Noon-4 p.m. MedLink of Mecklenburg will present a keynote speaker and panel discussion on Medicaid expansion and its possible impact in Mecklenburg County. Physicians, physician assistants and other healthcare professionals; social workers; community members; and community organization representatives.
More information and registration is available at www.MedLinkofMecklenburg.org.
12 | February 2015 • Mecklenburg Medicine
MMAE James Gray Cannon Award The 2015 Grants and Disbursements Committee of the Mecklenburg Medical Alliance & Endowment (MMAE) is accepting applications. The applications are online at mmaeonline.com. The application process, including the rules and guidelines for submitting a grant request, can be found on the website. A hard copy of the application must be on file with the Grants and Disbursements Committee by February 28. Grants will be presented in May. Mail to Pam Bullard, 2015 Grants and Disbursements Chair, 18501 Peninsula Cove Lane, Cornelius, NC 28031. If you have questions, contact Pam at gwbullard@bellsouth.net.
In 1984, the Mecklenburg Medical Alliance & Endowment (MMAE) established the James Gray Cannon Award. This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership on a voluntary basis, toward the advancement of medical care and good health in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community. Past recipients include hospital volunteers, organization founders and board members. They are people who, through their unselfish dedication to an organization or cause, have made a difference in our community. MMAE is seeking nominations for such persons from appropriate organizations. Nominations may be made by completing a nomination form, which can be obtained from the Cannon Award Chairman, Gail VanDerVeer (contact information below). Volunteers in healthcare related organizations, as well as healthcare professionals volunteering outside their paid positions, are eligible for the Cannon Award. A nominee will remain on active file for consideration for three years. Physicians, their spouses and members of the Alliance are not eligible. The award is an engraved plaque and a $1,000 donation to the charity of the recipient’s choice. The winner will be recognized at a special reception given in his or her honor. We look forward to receiving your organization’s nomination for this humanitarian award. If further information or nomination forms are needed, contact Gail VanDerVeer at veer4135@aol.com or 704-543-4567. The deadline is March 1.
FOOD ALLERGIES: Hype or Hypersensitivity
Myers Park Country Club • Thursday, Feb.19 • 9-11 a.m. Registration is $25 per person, and we’ll start the day with a delicious breakfast buffet that includes gluten-free selections. Three area physicians, John Klimas, MD, J. Gray Norris, MD, and Emily W. Langley, MD, all board-certified allergists from the Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center, will conduct a panel discussion. Among the topics covered will be:
Most Common Food Allergies Food Allergy Symptoms Oral Allergy Syndrome vs. Food Allergy Peanut Allergy Peanut Allergy — Management/Desensitization Gluten-Free Diets GMO’s — Why the Fuss?
Food Allergies: Hype or Hypersensitivity Single Ticket = $25; Table for 8 = $185 Name:________________________________________ Address:______________________________________
These experts in food allergy have completed a residency in internal medicine and/or pediatrics plus a two- to three-year fellowship in allergy/ immunology. In addition to their training, they have passed the American Board of Allergy/Immunology certification exam.
Email:________________________________________
Tickets for Food Allergy: Hype or Hypersensitivity are $25 per person; a reserved table for 8 can be purchased for $185. Online ticket sales are available at www.MMAEclassroom.com or www.mmaeonline.com.
Enclosed is $ __________ for _________ tickets
This is sure to be a popular program, so don’t hesitate; enroll in MMAE’s Community Health Classroom today!
Phone:________________________________________
Mail form to: MMAE Community Health Classroom Mecklenburg Medical Alliance & Endowment 1112 Harding Place, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28204
Mecklenburg Medicine • February 2015 | 13
At the Hospitals
Novant Health Cancer Care Earns STAR Program Certification Novant Health Cancer Care has earned its STAR Program Certification from Oncology Rehab Partners. This certification reinforces Novant Health’s commitment to offer premier cancer rehab and survivorship services to patients facing life-limiting side effects caused by cancer or its treatment. To achieve this certification, a multidisciplinary pool of cancer and rehab experts underwent 30 hours of training to fully understand the range of side effects survivors may face, and the vital role rehab and survivorship services play in improving outcomes and quality of life. With more than 60 experts trained in recognizing symptoms like pain, fatigue, malnutrition and anxiety, we expect more survivors will reap the benefits of custom cancer programs like physical therapy, nutrition, yoga, massage and counseling to help them along their cancer journey. To refer your patient to one of our STAR-certified experts, call 704-384-5560.
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Novant Health Nurse Midwifery Associates-Langtree Opens In January, Novant Health Nurse Midwifery Associates-Langtree opened in Huntersville. This new practice is comprised of certified nurse-midwives who manage obstetric and gynecological care for women of all ages. Nurse Midwifery Associates-Langtree provides these services: • Routine gynecologic care, including annual pelvic exams, breast exams, pap smears and screening for sexuallytransmitted infections • Family planning and contraception guidance • Obstetrical care, including management throughout the course of a patient’s pregnancy • Labor management, including pain management therapies and epidurals • Menopause management
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Alexandria Montgomery, DNP, CNM; Beverly Holmes, MSN, CNM; Cindy Dellinger, MSN, CNM; and Amanda Younger, MSN, CNM are the practicing nurse midwives. Novant Health Nurse Midwifery Associates-Langtree is at 10030 Gilead Road, Suite 250, Huntersville. To refer your patient, call 704-316-5570. Novant Health Heart & Vascular Center Launches Chronic Total Occlusion Program In October 2014, Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center launched a Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) program within its catheterization lab. The CTO device allows physicians to maneuver between the blockage and the heart wall to remove hard plaque that has calcified and would otherwise not be removable in the cath lab. Patients will qualify for the CTO procedure if their blockage has calcified and has been present for six months or longer. Traditionally, patients with these symptoms require bypass surgery. Mike Miller, MD, of Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute has been formally trained on the use of the CTO technology and will be leading the program at Presbyterian Medical Center. To refer patients to Dr. Miller or the CTO program, call 704-343-9800. n
Novant Health Behavioral Health Certified in Mental Health First Aid Novant Health Behavioral Health has been certified in and is offering Mental Health First Aid, an interactive, eighthour course to demonstrate how to assist someone experiencing a mental health crisis. The program is designed to build mental health literacy, as well as to help identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness. The program teaches about risk factors and warning signs of depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, psychotic disorders, eating disorders and substance use disorders. Participants learn a five-step action plan to help someone in crisis and non-crisis n
14 | February 2015 • Mecklenburg Medicine
situations. Participants also practice the action plan through role plays, scenarios and activities. To learn more or register, email MHFAinfo@novanthealth.org or call 704-384-3195. Four Novant Health Express Care Clinics Now Open in the Greater Charlotte Market To increase access to care for common illnesses and minor injuries, Novant Health opened four express care clinics in the Charlotte area in 2014. No appointments are needed, and all locations offer extended and weekend hours at convenient shopping center locations: Ballantyne Commons East (15235 John J. Delaney Drive, Suite B), ParkTowne Village (1730 E. Woodlawn Road, Suite D, Charlotte), Davidson Commons (624 Jetton St., Suite 220, Davidson) and Union Festival (622 Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail). Nurse practitioners and physician assistants diagnose and treat medical conditions, prescribe needed medications, conduct work and sports physicals and provide wellness screenings and vaccinations. Novant Health physicians provide medical supervision. Additional express care locations are planned for 2015.
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Novant Health Matthews Medical Center Women’s Center Renovations In December 2014, renovations of the existing maternity rooms in Novant Health Matthews Medical Center were completed. These renovations are part of the development of a new women’s center, with construction beginning spring 2015. The center will include: • A separate entrance for maternity patients • Private suites with full bathrooms • State-of-the-art specialty care nursery • Women’s sub-specialty services • Lactation services • Coffee kiosk and gift shop The new women’s center is estimated to be complete in 2016.
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At the Hospitals
System Recognized as National Leader in Providing Heart Attack Care Carolinas HealthCare System’s coordinated approach to providing heart attack care was recognized recently during the American Heart Association’s annual meeting in San Francisco, as part of a regional effort that has resulted in expedited treatment and increased survival for patients. Results from the project, called Mission: Lifeline STEMI ACCELERATOR, demonstrate how the collaboration between emergency services (EMS) personnel and physicians at hospitals across the nation covering nearly 30 million people can significantly reduce the amount of time it takes for a heart attack patient to receive care. Currently, nearly half of these patients are not treated within the recommended 90 minutes, largely attributable to a lack of coordination between EMS agencies and hospitals. Hadley Wilson, MD, interventional cardiologist at CHS’ Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute, along with Lee Garvey, MD, director of Emergency Cardiac Care in the Department of Emergency Medicine, were heavily involved with the study and visited eight of the 16 metro areas that were part of the project. Wilson and Garvey helped develop standardized treatment protocols to rapidly diagnose and treat patients. As a result of these efforts, Carolinas HealthCare System’s STEMI program is ranked among the top 1-2 percent of hospitals in the nation for door-to-balloon (D2B) times, or from the time a patient arrives at the hospital to the time the artery blockage is cleared. Additionally, CHS’ average D2B time of 42 minutes is 28 percent less that the national average of 89 minutes. n
Breast Cancer Physician Receives World-Wide Recognition Terry Sarantou, MD, FACS, breast cancer surgical oncologist at Carolinas HealthCare System’s Levine Cancer Institute recently was named chair of the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) Standards and Accreditation Committee — an organization that is recognized for quality throughout the United States and
internationally. In his position, Sarantou travels across the globe to survey and accredit breast centers for providing superior care. The NAPBC is administered by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), which leads national and international efforts to improve quality in hospitals. The Standards and Accreditation Committee is one of five NAPBC committees that was established to develop standards and treatment guidelines that are universally applicable across all breast cancer centers. System Facilities Named Top Performers on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission Sixteen Carolinas HealthCare System care locations have been named Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission in recognition of their exemplary clinical performance in multiple specialties. The designation, released as part of the Commission’s 2014 annual report “America’s Hospitals: Improving Quality and Safety,” recognizes hospitals for attaining excellence in using evidence-based processes shown to improve care. Carolinas HealthCare System hospitals include: Carolinas Medical Center, Carolinas Medical Center-University, Carolinas Medical Center-Union, Carolinas Medical CenterPineville, Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast, Scotland Health Care System, Cleveland Regional Medical Center, Blue Ridge HealthCare, St. Luke’s Hospital, Columbus Regional Healthcare System, AnMed Health, The Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital, Wesley Long Hospital, Women’s Hospital, Annie Penn Hospital and Cone Health Behavioral Health Hospital. The Top Performer program recognizes hospitals for improving performance on interventions that increase the chances of
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healthy outcomes for patients with certain conditions, including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, children’s asthma, stroke, venous thromboembolism and perinatal care, as well as for inpatient psychiatric services and immunizations. International Medical Outreach Program Enhances Cardiac Services in Guatemala Carolinas HealthCare System’s International Medical Outreach (IMO) program continues its mission to enhance cardiac services in Central America with the opening of two echocardiography laboratories (echo labs) in regional hospitals in Zacapa and Quiché, in Guatemala. System officials were joined by the First Lady of Guatemala, Rosa María Leal de Pérez, who over the past year has worked with the IMO program to equip hospitals and clinics with medical services and supplies. The IMO program, a collaboration between Carolinas HealthCare System and the Heineman Foundation of Charlotte, donated echocardiography machines to these hospitals and helped train technicians to operate the machines and work with cardiologists to identify patients with heart ailments. Echocardiography machines are among the most basic tools used to diagnose heart problems but are not readily available in rural areas in Central America. The echo machines were transported by Chiquita Brands’ vessels to Guatemala. Since May 2013, the IMO program and Chiquita have collaborated to distribute medical and computer supplies to hospitals, clinics and public schools throughout Central America. Together they have transported more than 20 containers, providing 11 hospitals and rural clinics with medical equipment and delivering more than 7,500 computers to 500 public schools. n
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Francis Robicsek, MD, PhD, (second from left), vice president of Carolinas HealthCare System’s International Medical Outreach Program, joins Guatemala’s First Lady, Rosa María Leal de Pérez, in cutting the ribbon for a new echo lab in Zacapa, Guatemala.
Mecklenburg Medicine • February 2015 | 15
Independent Physicians of the Carolinas number remains the same at 704-543-7305. Physician members Ronnie Cyzner, MD, and Michael Gaspari, MD, see patients at the Pineville office.
Independent Physicians of the Carolinas is a nonprofit 501(c)(6) membership organization whose mission is to create public awareness of medical doctors not employed by a network or hospital system and to provide educational programs and resources to physician members and their administration. Visit us at IndependentPhysicians.org. Matthews Internal Medicine, the practice of Eugene Sangmuah, MD, and Eliza Sangmuah, MD, announced their providers and staff brought food and hygiene items to assist the Matthews Help Center. Eugene Sangmuah, MD Eliza Sangmuah, MD These items were used in preparing holiday baskets for the needy in December. The Pineville office of Carolina Digestive Health Associates has relocated to 10620 Park Road, Suite 102 in Charlotte. The phone
Comfort, compassion, peace of mind.
Darst Dermatology will hold its second annual February Open House on Thursday, Feb. 12, 5-7 p.m. at its main office, 1301 Golf Links Drive, Suite 203, Charlotte. Medical Director Marc Darst, MD, will focus the event on procedures for vibrant skin, including skincare products, injectables, Marc Darst, MD laser technology and skin resurfacing. For more information, visit www.darstderm.com. Allergy Asthma & Immunology Relief (AAIR) of Charlotte is offering programs in the community to create awareness and promote healthy lifestyles: •AAIR is pleased to sponsor “Yoga Fridays” at 1 p.m. at the main office, 1523 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte. Call to sign up at 704-910-1402. • PANDAS Support Group meets monthly at the main office, 1523 Elizabeth Ave. Call for more details at 704-910-1402. AAIR is conducting a research study called “The AIReal Study — A Fresh Look at Your Asthma.” Participants can join if they are 18 years of age or older, have been diagnosed with persistent asthma, currently are non-smokers and previously used inhalers. If you are interested in participating in this study, call AAIR at 704-910-1402.
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Mecklenburg Medicine • February 2015 | 17
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She walked into my office wearing a huge Dr. Seuss hat and said she was going to beat cancer. every patient is unique. i learned this early in my career from a patient wearing a silly hat and a determined smile. Her odds were not good; all the data pointed to bad news. But her spirit and attitude showed me so much more than her statistical odds. What she taught me has stayed with me through every patient interaction since. she is strong today. and i am a better doctor for knowing her. at Levine Cancer institute, we always remember that every patient has her own story.
Levine CanCer institute World-class cancer care close to home. see Dr. Kim’s full story at CarolinasHealthCare.org/CancerCare
More than 25 locations across the Carolinas
704-512-3963
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20 | February 2015 • Mecklenburg Medicine
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