February 2016 • Vol. 46, No. 2
Mecklenburg Medicine A Publication of the Mecklenburg County Medical Society | www.meckmed.org
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February is American Heart Month. 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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Pediatric cardiology 1718 E. Fourth St. Suite 605, Charlotte 704-316-1220
Prevention 125 Baldwin Ave. Suite 200, Charlotte 704-384-5043
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10030 Gilead Road Suite 201, Huntersville 704-316-5100
February 2016 Vol. 46 No. 2
Table of Contents 5 President’s Letter: Through the Past, Brightly
OFFICERS
6 Feature: Is It Possible to Improve Quality While Decreasing Healthcare Costs?
President Stephen J. Ezzo, MD Secretary Elizabeth B. Moran, MD Treasurer Scott L. Furney, MD Immediate Past President Simon V. Ward III, MD
By Anita V. Schambach, RN, MSN
BOARD MEMBERS
By Stephen J. Ezzo, MD
7 Charlotte AHEC Course Offerings 8 Member News 8 Welcome New Residents 2015-16 8 Upcoming Meetings & Events 9 MMAE 10 MCMS Annual Meeting featuring Kathy Reichs, PhD 12 At the Hospitals 13 National Health & Wellness Observances for February 2016 14 Independent Physicians of the Carolinas 14 Advertising Acknowledgements
John R. Allbert, MD Maureen L. Beurskens, MD Raymond E. Brown, PA W. Frank Ingram III, MD Stephen R. Keener, MD, MPH Scott S. Lindblom, MD Shivani P. Mehta, MD, MPH Robert L. Mittl, Jr., MD Babak Mokari, DO Cameron B. Simmons, Jr., MD Cheryl L. Walker-McGill, MD, MBA
EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS Sandi D. Buchanan, Executive Director Mecklenburg County Medical Society
Mimi Compton, President Mecklenburg Medical Alliance & Endowment Michelle Conner, DDS, President Charlotte Medical Dental & Pharmaceutical Society Docia E. Hickey, MD NCMS President 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
On The Cover:
Heart healthy changes can make a difference in the fight against obesity. See our MCMS Obesity Initiative section beginning in the March issue.
1112 Harding Place, #200, Charlotte, NC 28204 704-376-3688 • FAX 704-376-3173 meckmed@meckmed.org Copyright 2016 Mecklenburg County Medical Society
EXECUTIVE STAFF Executive Director Sandi D. Buchanan
Finance & Membership Coordinator Stephanie D. Smith Meetings & Special Events Jenny H. Otto
MECKLENBURG MEDICINE STAFF
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. 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. 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. 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.
Editor Stephen J. Ezzo, MD Managing Editor Sandi D. Buchanan Copy Editors Lee McCracken Stephanie Smith
Advertising Mark Ethridge mecklenburgmedicine@gmail.com Editorial Board N. Neil Howell, MD Scott S. Lindblom, MD Jessica Schorr Saxe, MD
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Mecklenburg Medicine • February 2016 | 3
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4 | February 2016 • Mecklenburg Medicine
President’s Letter
Through the Past, Brightly By Stephen J. Ezzo, MD
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recently returned from my 30th medical school reunion at St. Louis University. While the attendance was not as great as I had hoped, it was wonderful catching up with those who did attend. Physicians are trained observers, enabling us to make correct diagnoses and provide better care. As St. Louis native Lorenzo Pietro Berra once said, “You can observe a lot just by watching.” (RIP, Yogi). So permit me to share my observations three decades in the making. The past is never dead. It’s not even past.* The emotions that emerged as I drove familiar streets and toured old lecture halls were almost diametrically opposed. At times, it seemed it had been all a dream and I was never there; other times it was as if the 30 years had ended only last week. October without baseball in St. Lou just ain’t right. Two days prior to my arrival, the Cubs knocked my beloved Cardinals out of the playoffs (to all you Cubs fans out there, I guess if you beat us every 12-15 years, that’s tolerable). But I was pinning my hopes on getting to one of the two games I figured would be at Busch Stadium during my trip. There was a somberness to the town, the finality had not sunk in. Wait ‘til next year. There was little drift among the physicians. Several were practicing in the field they originally trained in. There was a number of independent docs, who were fiercely throwing out terms like “dinosaur” and “last bastion.” Still, those affiliated with large organizations and the academics were just as content, although the academics bemoaned the fact their lectures were sparsely attended by students, as everything is now podcasted. It seems medical students are younger than ever and enthusiastic and involved in way more extra-curricular activities than I ever was (does the basketball rec league count?). I’m not sure I would be admitted today, or maybe it is just different. Surprisingly, retirement was not a hot topic. I thought more of us would be planning an exit strategy. But everyone seemed to enjoy working and was looking forward to many more productive years. Change is good, really. A part of us secretly hopes our halls of education never change, because, dang it, if it was good enough for us, it’s good enough for the next generations. But, the new buildings, green spaces and activity fields on campus were a welcome improvement over the dilapidated, boarded-up houses that once surrounded us. They had removed the concrete courtyard where we met Friday afternoons to enjoy a cold beverage or two. Upon reflection, encouraging regular alcohol use by med students probably wasn’t the wisest thing. Learning “outside your skin” is better. The accompanying CME during reunion week was on the Aging Brain (appropriate, no?). Not a topic pediatricians normally would flock to, but one that aging physicians would, especially since studies demonstrate we begin to lose our ability to learn new things in our 50s. I find myself more and more attending lectures that have as much to do with me as a “patient” as well as a practitioner. Incidentally, learning new things helps slow the brain aging process. Old haunts are still the best. Those places that remain after 30 years keep us grounded. To visit our favorite restaurants, Italian delis on The
Hill, and the greatest frozen custard place on earth (several trips) once again, was reassuring. The St. Louis skyline is among the most iconic in the world. Sure, it’s not as vast as NYC or Chicago, nor does it have the natural scenic background beauty of Seattle, but once you see it with the Gateway Arch sheltering it all, it will stay with you always. (Caveat: The area around the Arch is undergoing a facelift, so wait until 2017 to visit. And contact me for any recommendations you might want.) My classmates are tough. I heard stories of hardships — divorce, death of spouses, houses/offices destroyed by natural disasters, chronic illnesses and battles with cancer — but never was there pity expressed or asked for. These merely were a part of their life’s journey. Resilience is a hot topic these days in our profession, with abundant seminars to help one “learn” resiliency. But I think it is life that best teaches resiliency. Take home message for me? Stop complaining. Your life is pretty good by comparison. My classmates are smart ... unabashed bias here. The Class of 1985 diaspora landed us in training programs at Yale, Vanderbilt, Emory, Mayo, even CHS, and we did more than hold our own. We achieved, whether it be in the private setting, academia, administration, state medical boards and societies. Legacies loom large. Although a small percentage of alums attended, more than half of us had a child applying to med school, in med school/ residency, or already out in practice. What a refreshing discovery. We hear so much about MDs saying they would tell their children never to enter the medical profession. Here was something directly counter. If we can’t be role models for our children, who can we serve? Thank those that trained you. Fewer of our professors/mentors still practice, but we had the opportunity to thank some still there. We all stood on the shoulders of others to get to where we are today. Honor those whose journey has come to a much-too-soon end. To Bill, Ed, Mike, Giff, Kevin and Michael (all men!) – we miss you. Thanks for your years of friendship. We are better physicians and persons for having had you in our lives. I urge you to attend your next med school reunion. There will be laughter, tears, and more than a few surprises – seeing classmates you never dreamed would show up was “Sunday Gravy.” “Man’s youth is a wonderful thing: it is so full of anguish and magic and he never comes to know it as it is, until it has gone from him forever.” Thomas Wolfe *Quote from William Faulkner. .
Question: When was the first recorded anti-vaccine movement? See page 8 for the answer.
Mecklenburg Medicine • February 2016 | 5
Feature
Is It Possible to Improve Quality While Decreasing Healthcare Costs? By Anita V. Schambach, RN, MSN, CCPGM Network Director
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se of area emergency departments (ED) is down 16.7 percent in the Medicaid population, thanks to a collaboration between local health professionals in Mecklenburg, Anson and Union counties. Community Care Partners of Greater Mecklenburg (CCPGM) launched the initiative in 2012 to reduce nonurgent emergency department usage among high-risk Medicaid recipients in the region. This work resulted in 29,000 fewer ED visits in our network alone from 2013 to 2014. A broad spectrum of local providers participate in the collaboration, including CCPGM staff, pharmacists, county-provided services, emergency medical services, Carolinas Medical Care behavioral health providers, and the emergency department leaders and social workers at Novant Health and Carolinas HealthCare Systems. Before we formed the collaboration and initiated more intensive efforts in care coordination, emergency department utilization rates for patients were higher than the state average. High emergency room usage is expensive, but more important, can be a signal that patients might not be getting sufficient primary care and follow-up for chronic conditions. Patients get better care at a lower cost when we coordinate treatments and foster collaboration between physicians and other clinical partners. CCPGM now has numbers below the state average for Medicaid ED usage. And because ED visits can lead to sometimes unnecessary hospitalizations, inpatient rates have decreased, as well. CCNC Total
ED Rate/1,000 Member Months
IP Rate/1,000 Member Months
PPR Rate/1,000 Member Months
CY 2012
66.2
4.7
0.37
CY 2013
61.0
4.5
0.29
CY 2014
58.7
3.8
0.23
CCPGM
ED Rate/1,000 Member Months
IP Rate/1,000 Member Months
PPR Rate/1,000 Member Months
CY 2012
61.7
4.4
0.34
CY 2013
58.4
4.0
0.25
CY 2014
54.0
3.3
0.19
The effort — to ensure linkage to primary care and decrease acute care usage for chronic conditions and non-urgent care by Community Care of North Carolina networks — resulted in 150,678 fewer ED visits and 42,477 fewer hospitalizations from 2013 to 2014. Despite many attempts to determine the relationship between healthcare costs and quality, there is no consensus on quality improvement with increased expenditures. According to the World Health Organization, we spend more in the United States on health care than any other nation (over $8,000 per capita and over 17 percent of our GDP in 2011). Are outcomes improved? The results are mixed.
6 | February 2016 • Mecklenburg Medicine
The United States ranks 50 out of 220 countries for life expectancy, but it has some of the best cancer care and survival rates. In 2008, 1 out of every 2 people over age 18 had one of the following chronic conditions: cardiovascular disease, arthritis, diabetes, asthma, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HealthyPeople.gov). But over the same time period, infant mortality rates have continued to decline. There are many determinants of health, including genetics, socioeconomics, individual behavior, policies and access to care and healthcare services that affect our health status. At CCPGM, our work with 170,000 Medicaid recipients seeks to address these determinants with our partnering of medical homes, healthcare systems, government agencies and other community-based partners. As we move from volume to value in health care, the synergy between high tech and high touch is guiding the way as we learn to use data to drive our prioritized and personalized care. We are asking important questions about if we can get equivalent or better outcomes when we reduce unnecessary testing, ED visits and hospitalizations. For example, 7 out of 10 people report they would prefer to die at home; according to the CDC, only about 25 percent actually do. This quality-of-life decision could help us ensure good stewardship of financial resources while honoring the patient’s and family’s wishes. In view of our large number of patients, work prioritization is critical. Virtual interactions enhance what we do as we pilot ways to touch our patients more effectively. But on some occasions, the jump starter and evidence-based way of assessing ideal management is a “face-to-face, look-me-in-the-eye, all facts on the table” respectful “nothing about me without me” conversation. The following stories illustrate how care management ensures quality while decreasing healthcare costs.
High emergency room usage is expensive, but more important, can be a signal that patients might not be getting sufficient primary care and follow-up for chronic conditions.
Frankie
Frankie shared that her diabetes was worsening, and she didn’t know what to do. Her sister was on dialysis, and she was being told she was
facing that, as well. She said her depression was worsening, and she didn’t care if she lived or died. She met our nurse care manager, Paula, who was very concerned because she had seen patient-specific data (clinical and utilization patterns) that indicated Frankie’s worsening health status. Frankie shared, “Paula came into that visit and let me know my life is worth living” and never gave up on me. Paula coached Frankie through a plan that included diet, exercise and diabetic management. Two years later, Frankie has lost 160 lbs., has brought her Hemoglobin A1c from 11.9 to 5.2 and is no longer on insulin. Also important, she now assists CCPGM as a peer supporter helping others manage their diabetes. Her lived experience and health improvement motivate our patients beyond what we can do alone.
José
On a home visit, 51-year-old José shared that he has had a “rebirth” since working with our CCPGM social worker-nurse care manager team. He is a painter’s helper, who shared his story of coming home from work one day and having most of his big toe slough off inside his sock. He knew he no longer could ignore his diabetes and needed some serious help. He began a pattern of obtaining care in the ED and had unreimbursed costs of almost $300,000 in an 18-month period. CCPGM team members Julia, a social worker, and Johanna, nurse care manager, began working with José as part of a pilot to improve care coordination for high-risk patients in September 2015. He credits his “angels” with saving his life. His ED visits have stopped, and José is receiving regular care with his safety net primary care provider and a specialist. He avoided limb amputation and is able to work again.
Monroe
Our entire team came to know Monroe when he posted on CCPGM’s social media page acknowledging the help he was receiving from our team-based approach to care. He is now serving on CCPGM’s Patient/Family Advisory Council to help us ensure the patient’s voice is involved in our patient education materials and program development. He also is interested in becoming a peer supporter – most likely helping to develop our virtual peer support capabilities. Clearly, this complex care management approach is effective in improving quality of life, managing health care cost and making the best use of limited healthcare resources. Community Care Partners of Greater Mecklenburg, and more broadly, the 14 networks of Community Care of North Carolina, continue to make progress on improving quality of life through care coordination while decreasing overall healthcare costs.
About Community Care of North Carolina CCNC’s family of companies includes parent company CCNC, Inc. and North Carolina Community Care Networks, a community-based, publicprivate partnership that creates “medical homes” in all 100 counties for North Carolina Medicaid recipients. The CCNC enterprise is dedicated to innovative approaches to population management that improve health and reduce costs, particularly for vulnerable populations. To learn how CCNC improves quality and saves millions of dollars every year, visit www.communitycarenc.org.
NC MedAssist Has Moved! Charlotte AHEC Course Offerings Charlotte AHEC is part of the N.C. Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program and Carolinas HealthCare System.
FEBRUARY 2016
Continuing Medical Education (CME) 2/6 Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute Cardiovascular Symposium 2016 2/19-20 Utilization of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology 2016 2/23 & 6/21 Quality Improvement 101 – Wave 14 Online DOT Medical Examiners Course Online Risk Management Online Social Media: Risks & Benefits for Physicians Online Prevention and Management of Concussion/ Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Online Motor Vehicle Crash Victims For more information or to register for these courses, call 704-512-6523 or visit www.charlotteahec.org.
NC MedAssist is now at 4428 Taggart Creek Road #101, Charlotte, NC 28208 Phone Numbers: Main Line: 704-536-1790 Toll-Free: 1-866-331-1348 Pharmacy: 704-943-9639 Fax: 704-536-9865 Main Office Hours: Monday to Friday: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Pharmacy Hours: Monday to Thursday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday. To schedule a tour, ask general questions and give comments, email info@medassist.org.
Mecklenburg Medicine • February 2016 | 7
Member News
Welcome New Residents 2015-16
Upcoming Meetings & Events
Note: MCMS Membership is free for residents and fellows during training and half-price the first year after training.
Upcoming MCMS Events
Emergency Medicine Carly A. Cox, MD Adeline R. Dozois, MD Andrew W. Godfrey, MD Aaren M. Hunt, MD Enola Okonkwo, MD Stephen J. Pecevich, MD Jaron D. Raper, MD Matthew S. Reaven, MD Jacquelyn M. Simonis, MD Dean W. Tanner, MD Krystin Thomas, MD Philipp E. von Marschall, MD Mark K. Zeller, MD Stephanie V. Zeller, MD Family Medicine May N. Doan, MD Alice Esame, MD Jason Fishel, MD Scott Gremillion, MD Leslie S. Hamlin, MD Neema Hooker, MD Charles K. Morlok, MD Rhonnie Young Song, MD Steven L. Zerilli, MD Internal Medicine Wesley W. Bodie, DO Beth C. Butler, MD John S. Curtiss II, MD Mary C. DeVane, DO Blake B. Goodbar, MD John D. Herlihy IV, MD Ryan D. Humphries, MD Richard B. Perry, MD Steven L. Register, MD Justin D. Rodriguez, MD Anthony Roohollahi, MD Nandish Shah, MD Andrew Simmelink, MD Brent E. Smoots, MD Michael G. Taggart, MD
Samuel B. Webb, MD Gary L. White, MD Sam Wu, MD Neurological Surgery Jonathan M. Parish, MD Obstetrics & Gynecology Daphne L. Capek, MD, MPH Aaron M. Dom, MD James P. Hogg III, MD Kathryn S. Merriam, MD Jonathan S. Seibert, MD Kaitlyn N. Tyrie, MD Orthopaedic Surgery Aaron M. Brandt, MD Joseph S. Buck, MD Scott E. Dart, MD Patrick W. Moody, MD Michael P. Ransone, MD
FEBRUARY n
Upcoming Meetings and Other Events Meetings are at the MCMS office unless otherwise noted.
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Pediatrics Kayla M. Avery, MD Julie K. Brantham, MD Courtney W. Brantley, MD Austin T. Cox, MD Katherine F. Doane, MD Meghan V. Louque, MD Julia McCaw, MD, MPH Amanda J. Murray, MD Annemarie V. Neal, MD Emily S. Ogletree, MD Christopher C. Rogers, MD Jennifer O. Walker, MD Surgery (General) Michael R. Arnold, MD Brett W. Baker, MD Satara A. Brown, MD Angela M. Kao, MD William B. Lyman, MD William C. Sherrill III, MD
8 | February 2016 • Mecklenburg Medicine
Thursday, Feb. 18 MCMS Annual Meeting featuring Kathy Reichs, PhD. Myers Park Country Club. 6 p.m.
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Friday, Feb. 5 Charlotte Dental Society Annual Meeting. Harris Conference Center. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6 MCMS Board meeting and orientation. Dilworth Neighborhood Grill. 7:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9 MedLink meeting. Mecklenburg County Health Department. 8:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15 MCMS Executive Committee meeting. 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17 MMAE Finance/Board meeting. 9 a.m./10 a.m
Thursday, Feb. 18 CAMGMA meeting. Myers Park Baptist Church Cornwell Center. Noon. Monday, Feb. 22 April magazine deadline. Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 27-28 North Carolina Society of Gastroenterology Annual Conference. Pinehurst Resort. Trivia answer from page 5: Dr. Edward Jenner published his work with the smallpox vaccine in 1797, and by 1800 the practice of vaccination had spread to not only the European continent, but also the New World where Thomas Jefferson was among the supporters. A cartoon depicting Jenner vaccinating people and the recipients growing various cow parts from their bodies was published in 1802.
MMAE
Community Health Classroom on Autism Thursday, March 10 | 9:30 a.m. Brunch Myers Park Country Club A panel discussion with professionals from Southeast Psych will include Mary B. Moore, MSW, LCSW; Frank Gaskill, PhD; and Josh Jensen, MA, LMFT.
Clinicians will discuss: • What is autism? • What is autism spectrum disorder and how does it differ from autism? • What are some things that can be done for individuals with either of these issues that will help them make the most of their strengths and abilities? • The myths about Asperger’s syndrome that have proliferated since the Sandy Hook shooting.
For more information, visit mmaeonline.com.
James Gray Cannon Award 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 have included 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. Volunteers in health care-related organizations, as well as healthcare professionals volunteering outside their paid positions, are eligible for the Cannon Award. A nominee remains 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 is honored at a special reception given in their 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 to receive nominations is March 1.
2016 Grants and Disbursements
The 2016 Grants and Disbursements Committee of the Mecklenburg Medical Alliance and Endowment (MMAE) began accepting grant applications on January 1. The applications can be accessed through the MMAE website, 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 at our annual meeting on May 24. Contact Gina Clegg, vice president of Grants and Disbursements, at gclegg50@gmail.com with any questions.
Winter Garden “In winter’s cold and sparkling snow, The garden in my mind does grow. I look outside to blinding white, And see my tulips blooming bright. And over there a sweet carnation, Softly scents my imagination. On this cold and freezing day, The Russian sage does gently sway, And miniature roses perfume the air, I can see them blooming there. Though days are short, my vision’s clear. And through the snow, the buds appear. In my mind, clematis climbs, And morning glories do entwine. Woodland phlox and scarlet pinks, Replace the frost, if I just blink. My inner eye sees past the snow. And in my mind, my garden grows.” — Cynthia Adams First published in Birds and Blooms magazine, Dec/Jan 2003
Mecklenburg Medicine • February 2016 | 9
R E G I S T E R N O W AT W W W. M E C K M E D . O R G
MCMS ANNUAL DINNER MEETING
Thursday, February 18, 2016 Keynote Speaker
Kathy Reichs Author, Forensic Anthropologist and Producer of the Hit TV Series “Bones” Wine, Dessert Pairing, Book Signing and Networking to Follow P L A T I N U M
S P O N S O R
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6-9 p.m.
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Myers Park Country Club
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Mecklenburg Medicine • February 2016 | 11
At the Hospitals at 16525 Holly Crest Lane, Suite 120, in Huntersville. Visit northlakeneurology.com or call 704-316-5388 for more information. New Medical Oncology Office Opens Charlotte-area patients now have more access to cancer care with the recent opening of Novant Health Cancer Specialists. This new hematology-oncology practice, led by boardcertified oncologists, Jennifer Dallas, MD, Ayla Kessler, Jennifer Dallas, MD MD, and Nasfat Shehadeh, MD, is dedicated to the care of adult patients with blood disorders and cancer diagnosis, including breast and lung cancer, leukemia Ayla Kessler, MD and lymphoma, multiple myeloma, gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers. As a fully integrated clinic within the Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Nasfat Shehadeh, MD Center cancer program, patients have access to the advanced diagnostic testing, multidisciplinary cancer care clinics, infusion suite, and survivorship and rehabilitation care. Novant Health Cancer Specialists is at 1718 E. 4th St. on the first floor of the Presbyterian Medical Tower. Visit nhcancerspecialists.com or call 704-316-4485. n
Novant Health Physician Installed as NCAFP President Rhett L. Brown, MD, with Novant Health Midtown Family Medicine, recently was installed as president of the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians (NCAFP), where he will serve a oneyear term. Dr. Brown has been Rhett L. Brown, MD active with the NCAFP since 2009, beginning as an At-Large Director on the Academy’s board of directors and then serving as chairman of the Academy’s Practice Management Council. The NCAFP is the largest medical specialty association in North Carolina, representing more than 3,700 family physicians, family medicine residents and medical students across the state. n
Neurologist Joins Huntersville Practice Northlake Neurology recently welcomed Edward C. Robles, MD, who brings more than 15 years of experience to the practice. Dr. Robles, who is board-certified in both psychiatry/neurology and physical medicine/ rehabilitation, has special Edward C. Robles, MD interest in Botox treatment for cervical dystonia, chronic migraine, blepherospasm, hemifacial spasm and spasticity, trigger point injections, occipital nerve Ki S. Jung, MD blocks and canalith repositioning. Robles joins Ki S. Jung, MD, who is boardcertified in both psychiatry/neurology and clinical neurophysiology. Northlake Neurology provides evaluation and treatment of a variety of disorders in general neurology and neurophysiology, including seizures, stroke, memory disorders, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, numbness and tingling and carpal tunnel syndrome. In-office neurodiagnostic testing such as EEG, EMG and NCS are performed two full days a week. Northlake Neurology is
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New Pediatric Office Opens in Arboretum Area In December, Novant Health Pediatrics Arboretum opened at 3135 Springbank Lane, Suite 100, across from the Arboretum Shopping Center. Board-certified pediatrician Erin Washburn, DO, who transferred from Novant Health Randolph Erin Washburn, DO Pediatrics, is joined by Miranda Cordell, MD, also a board-certified pediatrician. The office provides a wide range of services dedicated Miranda Cordell, MD to the health of children, birth through college. You can reach Novant Health Pediatrics Arboretum at 704-316-4445. n
12 | February 2016 • Mecklenburg Medicine
Orthopedic Surgeon Joins Novant Health Brad Washburn, MD, a fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and shoulder and knee reconstruction has joined Novant Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Huntersville. Dr. Brad Washburn, MD Washburn performs a variety of orthopedic procedures, including sports related injuries, fracture care and joint replacements. He completed a fellowship with the distinguished Richard Hawkins, MD, at the SteadmanHawkins Clinic in Greenville, S.C., and has experience taking care of athletes of all levels, from weekend warriors to high level professional athletes from the NFL and MLB. Washburn’s office is at 6909 Prosperity Church Road, and he can be reached at 704-384-1680. n
Going green First step:
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At the Hospitals
Leon Levine Foundation to Fund Psychiatric Residency Program The Leon Levine Foundation has donated $3 million to initiate a new psychiatric residency program at Carolinas Medical Center. To be called the Sandra and Leon Levine Psychiatry Residency Program, it will instruct 12 medical residents. As a result, Carolinas HealthCare System will further develop the most comprehensive, integrated behavioral health delivery system in the region, offering inpatient, outpatient, school-based, crisis and residential treatment programs. “This new initiative presents us with an exciting opportunity to comprehensively educate and train talented young psychiatrists for our expanding behavioral health programs,” says Michael Tarwater, president and CEO of Carolinas HealthCare System. “We are deeply honored to have Leon and Sandra Levine associated with this initiative, as well as some of the most distinctive healthcare facilities within Carolinas HealthCare System.” The Sandra and Leon Levine Psychiatry Residency Program will meet a pressing need for talented physicians to provide behavioral health services in this region, expanding mental health services and education, as well as addressing the behavioral health crisis, to build a model for healthcare organizations nationwide.
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Carolinas HealthCare System Selected for Second Round of Partnership for Patients Carolinas HealthCare System has been selected as one of 17 organizations in the country to continue efforts in reducing preventable hospital-acquired conditions and readmissions. Through the Partnership for Patients initiative — a national public-private collaboration begun in 2011 with the goal to reduce preventable hospital-acquired conditions by 40 percent and 30-day readmissions by 20 percent — Carolinas HealthCare System will participate in a second round of Hospital Engagement Networks to continue working to improve patient care in the hospital setting. This is the third contract Carolinas HealthCare System has been awarded as part of the
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Partnership for Patients initiative. During the first round of this initiative, the System was able to prevent more than 9,800 potential patient safety events and save nearly $60 million in related costs. In addition to the Hospital Engagement Network, Carolinas HealthCare System was one of only six healthcare organizations in the country to receive the Leading Edge Advanced Practice Topics (LEAPT) contract. LEAPT was aimed at further enhancing and improving patient safety and outcomes. Carolinas Rehabilitation to Receive $60,000 Grant Carolinas Rehabilitation’s Spinal Cord Injury team has been selected to receive a $60,000 Craig H. Nielson Foundation Quality of Life Grant award. The team, led by LaTanya Lofton, MD, plans to develop a unique outpatient day rehabilitation program for people with spinal cord injury (SCI). The funds will provide needed equipment and patient scholarships to allow program participation. The program, Living Fit and Engaged (LIFE) after SCI, offers comprehensive, focused interventions and skill building for persons with SCI who have an interest in pursuing vocational, educational or volunteer endeavors. There is an emphasis on wellness and employment with the overall goal of improving the quality of life of individuals with SCI. The program also includes health education, fitness training and educational or vocational assistance. Jan Niemeier, PhD, Jesse Lieberman, MD, Shannon Martin, Jackie LaBarbera, Sherry Jones, Ruth Wilson, Tami Guerrier and LaTisha Moore were among those who helped with the grant application.
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Saju Joy, MD, New Chief Medical Officer of Carolinas HealthCare System Pineville Saju Joy, MD, MBA, MS, is the new chief medical officer of Carolinas HealthCare System Pineville. As CMO, Dr. Joy will provide clinical care leadership for programs that continually enhance quality patient care at CHS Pineville. This position was previously held by Michael Ruhlen, MD, who transitioned to vice president in the CHS division of medical education and AHEC medical director. Joy has been a part of the CHS medical community since joining Carolinas Medical Center and the Women’s Institute as an OB/ GYN and maternal-fetal medical specialist in
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2010. He has held more than a dozen leadership and committee posts during his tenure, the most recent of which include specialty medical director of the OB/GYN surgery care division and chief of maternal-fetal medicine for the CHS division. Joy received his bachelor of science degree in computer engineering and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from North Carolina State University. After receiving his medical degree from the University of North Carolina, he completed his OB/GYN residency at the University of Florida. His fellowship was at Ohio State University Medical Center, specializing in maternal-fetal medicine. Joy recently earned his MBA from Duke University. Six Hospitals Cited for Quality Carolinas Medical Center and Carolinas HealthCare System Cleveland, Lincoln, NorthEast, Union and University, earned recognition as Top Performers on Key Quality Measures by the Joint Commission, based on 2014 ratings. The Top Performer program recognizes hospitals for improving performance on evidence-based interventions that increase the chances of healthy outcomes for patients with certain conditions. These hospitals demonstrated achievement in accountability measure sets, including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, children’s asthma, immunization, perinatal care and strokes.
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NATIONAL HEALTH & WELLNESS OBSERVANCES FEBRUARY 2016 AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month American Heart Month National Cancer Prevention Month National Children’s Dental Health Month Wise Health Consumer Month February 3: National Girls & Women in Sports Day February 5: National Wear Red Day (fight heart disease) February 14-20: National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week February 23-March 1: National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
Mecklenburg Medicine • February 2016 | 13
Independent Physicians of the Carolinas
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. Annual dues for 2016 are payable for Independent Physicians of the Carolinas. Please visit our website to complete registration for 2016 membership. Dermatology Specialists of Charlotte hosted a toy drive in 2015 for Thompson Children’s Home. More than 200 toys and personal items were donated. “We are really pleased with all the items brought in by our staff and patients. We are happy to donate to the Thompson Child & Family Focus Services, for all the great things they do for our Charlotte community,” says Deborah Nixon, MD. Dermatology Specialists of Charlotte anticipates holding the toy drive again next year. This past holiday season, Independent Physicians of the Carolinas members Justin Favaro, MD, James Boyd, MD, Dipika Misra, MD, Catherine Moore, MD, and Jason Shultz MD, along with their staff at Oncology Specialists of Charlotte, collected household items, over-the-counter medications and gift cards to assist Serenity House in Huntersville and Serenity House in Mooresville. Serenity House is an end-of-life home operated by Carolina Comfort Coalition, a volunteer-staffed, nonprofit 501(c)3, offering an alternative to spending one’s final days in the hospital. Learn more at www.carolinacomfortcoalition.org. Oncology Specialists of Charlotte’s nurse (left) delivered the practice’s donated goods to Serenity House, an end-of-life care home.
Marc A. Darst, MD, of Darst Dermatology, was part of the invited faculty for the Cosmetic Surgery Forum in Las Vegas on December 3-6, 2015. The Cosmetic Surgery Forum is unlike other CME meetings; it’s a multi-specialty educational symposium that covers the latest research, treatment and techniques in dermatology and cosmetic surgery. Darst conducted live patient demonstrations on injections, lasers, peels and devices for members of the Forum and gave two presentations to the group.
INDEPENDENT PHYSICIANS OF THE CAROLINAS PHYSICIAN DIRECTORY & MEDICAL RESOURCE GUIDE The latest edition of the annual resource has been distributed. If your office would like copies on hand for clinicians, support staff and administration, as well as copies for your patient waiting areas, contact Sherie Bradshaw, board member, at sherie@ip-carolinas.org.
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14 | February 2016 • Mecklenburg Medicine
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Mecklenburg Medicine • February 2016 | 15
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