May 2017 • Vol. 47, No. 5
Mecklenburg Medicine A Publication of the Mecklenburg County Medical Society | www.meckmed.org
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May 2017 Vol. 47 No. 5
Table of Contents 5 President’s Letter: Me and You and an EHR Named “System Error” By Stephen J. Ezzo, MD, President, MCMS
7 Feature: A Mother’s Story: Caring for My Transgender Child By Connie Norris, PFLAG
8 Mecklenburg Medical Alliance & Endowment (MMAE) 8 Charlotte AHEC Course Offerings for May and June 8 National Health & Wellness Observances for May 9 Feature: Support Your Local Farmers Markets 10 Member News
OFFICERS President Stephen J. Ezzo, MD President-Elect Scott L. Furney, MD Treasurer Elizabeth B. Moran, MD Secretary Robert L. Mittl, Jr., MD Immediate Past-President Simon V. Ward III, MD
BOARD MEMBERS John R. Allbert, MD Maureen L. Beurskens, MD Raymond E. Brown, PA May N. Doan, MD Donald D. Fraser, MD W. Frank Ingram III, MD Stephen R. Keener, MD, MPH Shivani P. Mehta, MD, MPH Babak Mokari, DO B. Lauren Paton, MD Rachel L. Storey, MD Andrew I. Sumich, MD
EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS
10 New Members
Tracei Ball, MD, President-Elect Charlotte Medical Dental & Pharmaceutical Society Sandi D. Buchanan, Executive Director Mecklenburg County Medical Society Karen Chandler, President Mecklenburg Medical Alliance & Endowment Docia E. Hickey, MD NCMS Past 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
10 Upcoming Meetings & Events 11 At the Hospitals 13 Independent Physicians of the Carolinas 13 Advertising Acknowledgements
EXECUTIVE STAFF Executive Director Sandi D. Buchanan Finance & Membership Coordinator Stephanie D. Smith Meetings & Special Events Coordinator Jenny H. Otto
1112 Harding Place, #200, Charlotte, NC 28204 704-376-3688 • FAX 704-376-3173 meckmed@meckmed.org Copyright 2017 Mecklenburg County Medical Society
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 Jessica Schorr Saxe, MD Graphic Design — Wade Baker
Mecklenburg Medicine • May 2017 | 3
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President’s Letter
Me and You and an EHR Named “System Error” By Stephen J. Ezzo, MD
The Place: A Pediatrician’s office The Location: Somewhere, USA The Setting: An exam room, typical of most pediatric exam rooms. There is a wood bench with a pad on it. Two chairs – one large, one small. Cabinets above and below a counter. On one wall is a computer attached via a swivel arm, the pullout keyboard housed in a plastic enclosure. The Characters: A physician, a mother, her young daughter, age 7 The door opens, and the physician enters to find the mother seated in the larger chair and the daughter sitting on the table pad. ____________________________________________________
Daughter: I have a rash on my arms. Physician: How long has it been there? Daughter: A couple of days. Physician: Is it getting worse? Daughter: Yeah, I think so. Mother: Yeah? Daughter: I mean, yes sir.
Physician: Good morning, everyone. Good to see you again.
Physician: It’s OK. Thank you. Now let me have a look. Hmm. Do you play outside a lot?
Mother: And you, doctor. How are you?
Daughter: Yes.
Physician: Doing great, thanks. (He puts his stethoscope and diagnostic kit on the counter and approaches the daughter.) Miss Josie, how are you?
Physician: Good. You should. Better that than video games. This rash looks likes it itches. Have you been scratching it?
Daughter: Good, thanks.
Daughter: (Sheepishly.) Yes sir.
Physician: Still causing lots of trouble?
Physician: I would do the same thing. Looking at it makes me want to scratch.
Mother: (With feigned exasperation.) Every day!
Daughter: Really?
Physician: Excellent! That’s my girl! (Fist bumps the daughter and swings the computer out.) Alright. Let’s get this contraption up and running so we can see what’s bothering you today. (Places finger on biometric ID scanner.) Hmmm. Try again. (Tries again.) Ok, now it wants my password, which the fingerprint reader was supposed to bypass. (Types in password.) Great. Locked out, again. Better move to another room.
Physician: You bet.
A few minutes later, they are in another exam room, similar to the first.
Daughter: Yes. Can I still go out and play?
Physician: OK, take two. Come on, you can do it, I have confidence in you. Open the pod bay doors, Hal. Hey, we’re in! Well, not quite. This is just today’s schedule. Need to open her chart.
Physician: Whenever your mom says it’s OK, and I think she will. (Turning toward mother.) This appears to be some type of contact irritant rash, just like you thought. Let me put a few notes in the chart. I find if I don’t do it when I see the patient, I don’t recall all the details later, and the note is not as complete as it could be. Must have to do with getting old.
Mother: I never realized you were using the same computers we have at my office. Physician: Good one. I need to remember that. Oh, they certainly make our lives easier now, don’t they? At least, I am told.
Daughter: (Somewhat triumphantly.) See Mom, I told you it’s OK to scratch! Physician: Well, a little scratching is OK, but a lot actually will make it worse. I’m going to give your mom a cream she can put on it to make it go away. You’ll let her do that, right?
Mother: Certainly. Take your time. My doctor does the same thing. It makes me feel like he is listening to everything I say.
Mother: I hear you. The recent upgrade we just had? Well, let’s just say that we still haven’t gotten back to where we were beforehand. But, I imagine this saves you lots of paper though.
Over the next few minutes, the H&P the system freezes twice, requiring re-entering of passwords, etc.
Physician: You’d think, but no. By the time we print your after-visit summary, along with any patient info, we’ve felled a couple of small trees. But at least the pharmacist can read my prescriptions, and I can read my notes, so that is an improvement. So Josie, what’s going on?
Physician: (Typing.) OK, diagnosis. Contact dermatitis — there it is. Nope, can’t put just that in. They want location — extremities. Acute or chronic — acute. Secondary infection — none. Environmental or other — environmental. Initial encounter or subsequent — initial.
Mecklenburg Medicine • May 2017 | 5
President’s Letter Mother: All that for poison ivy?
Daughter: Yeah, let’s do that! Please?
Physician: All that. Thank you, Big Brother. Now let’s send the prescription off so it will be waiting for you. One nice feature about this. The pharmacy around the corner, correct?
Physician: Let me place the order for my nurse for FluMist. OK, now it wants me to make sure the patient is not pregnant.
Mother: Actually, can we send it to the WalMart on Maple? I need to run some errands over there today. Physician: Not a problem. Let’s find it. WalterMart as my great-niece calls it. Two words? Nope. One word? Nada. Hyphenated? Success! Here it goes. Yes, I know the patient got Benadryl recently. Thanks for telling me. Done.
Mother: At age 7? Physician: Think we’ll just override without comment. Anything else today? Mother: No, that’s everything. Thanks as always. Hope your “friend” doesn’t misbehave too much today. Physician: Thanks. All I want for Christmas this year is one glitch-free day.
Mother: Thank you.
Physician leaves the room. Lights fade.
Physician: You know, it’s that time of year again. Do we want a flu vaccine today?
“Computers are like Old Testament gods; lots of rules and no mercy.”
Mother: Yes, please. If you have it.
— Joseph Campbell
Daughter: But Mom! Mother: No buts, missy. I’m not making an extra trip back here just so you can get a flu shot. No shot, no outside today. Daughter: (Grudgingly.) OK. Physician: Point to mom. But we can always do the nasal spray if you want.
Trivia question: What common procedure did Thomas Latta, MD, of Scotland pioneer?
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6 | May 2017 • Mecklenburg Medicine
Feature
A Mother’s Story:
Caring for My Transgender Child By Connie Norris, Parent of a 7-Year-Old Transgender Child
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ou were one of the first people who met my beautiful addition to the universe. You examined my hours-old precious bundle, and I felt safe with him in your expert hands. When my tiny son suffered from reflux, you helped us administer medication to help him. As he stumbled and babbled into his toddler years, together we excitedly marked his growth and navigated all the germs he encountered in preschool. As a mother, I considered you my savviest advisor. As we embarked on elementary school, you reassured me he was ready to be a healthy, successful student. You were absolutely right. Then I came to you to speak candidly about something I found perplexing. My son wanted to wear dresses. More important, my joyful, easygoing child was struggling with something he couldn’t articulate. Something heavy was weighing on his heart, but when he put on those dresses, I saw the light return to his face. He was happy again. It’s a phase, you said. And for the first time in six years, I didn’t believe you. Discovering my son wants to wear dresses was not an easy truth to come to terms with, but with a healthy dose of perspective, I quickly made my peace with the situation. I had friends whose children were battling leukemia and brain cancer. Those parents spent their days scheduling procedures and fighting to save their babies’ lives. I realized that if a healthy, gender-expansive child was our challenge, I was a lucky mama, indeed. Still, I remember the first time I cried over my transgender child. My tears were not spilled over a child I felt I had lost, or for hardships my child might need to overcome, or the bullying my child likely would endure. I didn’t cry for the people who would hate my child simply for being born the way she is. My first tears of frustration were over the lack of medical resources available to my child. I was in alien territory. How could this be? We had never found ourselves empty-handed when it came to medical access for our children. I reached out to you, an excellent physician and family friend, when I started to see alarming changes in our happy-go-lucky, sweet boy. He seemed uncharacteristically depressed, with unfocused crying bouts and fits of rage. When he finally opened up to me, my child vocalized both his feelings of being happier expressing as the opposite gender, and an awareness of the social stigma attached to these feelings. You were surprised to hear this, and perhaps, a little skeptical. My early attempts to discuss my child’s unique behavior were met with
My joyful, easygoing child was struggling with something he couldn’t articulate.
assurances that it was “typical kid behavior” and that worrying about gender issues for a 5-year-old was unnecessary. I countered with, while I understood “normal” gender exploration, I was certain this was different. You admitted you did not have any other patients dealing with gender identity, and you knew little about gender dysphoria or being transgender. I encouraged you to discuss it with your peers, and I hoped other more senior pediatricians could provide some guidance on where to find more information, or which professional to consult. The general response I received was, “I don’t know much about that, other than that it is more accepted than it used to be.” The practice referred us to a psychological group that didn’t accept pediatric patients, and my child’s age prevented us from finding appropriate resources. I was met with closed doors, again and again. I was angry, frustrated, and I felt very alone. I cried. As trusted family advisors of our families, Charlotte’s healthcare providers have a unique opportunity to help our community’s transgender youth achieve healthy and productive outcomes. However, as society has begun learning about gender identity, the medical profession has been slow to adapt. Currently, most medical schools offer only five hours of training related to transgender health care. In a 2015 study, Torres, et al, recommended shifting focus toward developing external resources and creating a holistic, supportive clinical environment for transgender youth. To foster these recommendations, PFLAG Charlotte developed an educational brochure that provides information for parents and caregivers of children exploring gender identity, and as a preliminary resource for family physicians that want to learn about what it means to be gender expansive and/or transgender. In 2016, to support Charlotte’s pediatric and family medicine community, PFLAG Charlotte launched the Healthcare Outreach Campaign — a series of educational presentations that include personal stories of parents raising transgender and gender-expansive children, current best practices for the treatment of transgender youth, and guidance regarding how to be an affirming, supportive family practice. To support this initiative, MCMS Child Health Committee and PFLAG Charlotte have partnered in 2017 to offer the Healthcare Outreach Campaign’s presentations to its pediatric and family medicine practices throughout Mecklenburg County. The American Academy of Pediatrics’ president, Bernard Dreyer, says it best: “The pediatrician’s office, and the entire healthcare setting, should be a safe, accepting place as well … we [should] pledge as physicians, especially pediatricians, [that] we will not be our patients’ first bully.” If you are interested in having PFLAG Charlotte come to your office, email transparentsofpflagcharlotte@gmail.com or call 704-557-6135.
Thank you!
Editor’s Note: PFLAG was formerly known as Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
Mecklenburg Medicine • May 2017 | 7
MMAE
Mecklenburg Medical Alliance and Endowment
Annual Meeting
Wednesday, May 17, 12-1:30 p.m. a Quail Hollow Club Pavilion Keynote speaker:
Roger Ray, MD, MBA, FACPE Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Carolinas HealthCare System RSVP at mmaeonline.com
Grants will be given to 13 local charities; we will honor the recipients of the the James G. Cannon and Genie Hayes awards; and MMAE will reveal the new name for the organization.
CHARLOTTE AHEC COURSE OFFERINGS Charlotte AHEC is part of the N.C. Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program and Carolinas Health Care System.
MAY and JUNE 2017 5/20-21 6/25-27 Ongoing Varies Varies Online Online Online Online Online Online Online Online
31st Annual Meeting of the Glomerular Disease Collaborative Network Compassion in Action Health Care Conference Communication in Health Care: 4-hr. basic communication course Communication in Health Care: Train the Trainer Course University of Colorado: Excellence in Communication Protecting Your Patients From Air Pollution DOT Medical Examiners Course Risk Management: Patient Identification Social Media: Risks & Benefits for Physicians Prevention and Management of Concussion/Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Motor Vehicle Crash Victims MTAC Trauma Modules Get the 4-1-1: Everything Primary Care Providers Should Know About Parent Training in Behavior Therapy While Working With Families With Young Children With ADHD Online Electronic Medical Record on Trial (Risk Management) For more information or to register for these courses, call 704-512-6523 or visit www.charlotteahec.org.
8 | May 2017 • Mecklenburg Medicine
NATIONAL HEALTH & WELLNESS OBSERVANCES MAY 2017 Arthritis Month n Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month Better Sleep Month n Correct Posture Month Healthy Vision Month n Hepatitis Awareness Month High Blood Pressure Education Month n Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month Lupus Awareness Month n Melanoma/Skin Cancer Awareness Month Mental Health Month n Older Americans Month Osteoporosis Month n Physical Fitness and Sports Month Stroke Awareness Month n Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month May 1-7: Physical Education and Sports Week May 3: Project Aces Day (All Children Exercise Simultaneously) May 6-12: National Nurses Week May 7-13: North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH) May 8-14: National Hospital and Health Care Week May 10: School Nurse Day May 14-20: Women’s Health Week May 15-19: Bike to Work Week May 20-21: World Autoimmune Arthritis Day May 31: National Senior Health & Fitness Day
Support Your Local
FARMERS MARKETS Atherton Market at Atherton Mill www.athertonmillandmarket.com 2104 South Blvd., Charlotte Accepts SNAP/EBT
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market www.charlottefarmersmarket.com 1801 Yorkmont Road, Charlotte
Cotswold Farmers Market www.cotswoldfarmersmarket.com 309 S. Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte Accepts SNAP
Davidson Farmers Market www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org 128 Main St., Davidson Accepts SNAP/EBT
Huntersville Farmers Market www.huntersville.org 200 Gilead Road, Huntersville
Kings Drive Farmers Market 938 S. Kings Drive, Charlotte
Matthews Community Farmers Market www.matthewsfarmersmarket.com 188 N. Trade St., Matthews
Mecklenburg County Market www.beverlysgourmetfoods.com 1515 Harding Place, Charlotte
Meeting Street Market at Elon Park www.meetingstreetmarket.com 11425 Ardrey Kell Road, Charlotte
Mint Hill Farmers Market 7601 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill
Newell Farmers Market www.newellfarmersmarket.com 1704 Rocky River Road, Charlotte Accepts SNAP
NoDa Farmers Market www.nodafarmersmarket.com 704 E. 36th St., Charlotte
North Mecklenburg Farmers Market 700 N. Tryon St., Charlotte
Pineville Farmers Market 100 Dover St., Pineville
Plaza Midwood Farmers Market 2007 Commonwealth Ave., Charlotte
Providence Produce Market www.providenceproduce.com 10636 Providence Road, Charlotte 11252 Lawyers Road, Mint Hill 3116 Old Monroe Road, Matthews
Rosa Parks Farmers Market 2845 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte Run by the Mecklenburg County Health Department Accepts SNAP
7th Street Public Market www.7thstreetpublicmarket.com 224 E. 7th St., Charlotte
Shamrock Farmers Market 1501 Eastway Drive, Charlotte
The Evening Farmers Market in Statesville www.theeveningfarmersmarket.com 123 N. Center St., Statesville
Village at Robinson Farm Market www.villageatrobinsonfarm.com 8410 Rea Road, Charlotte
Waxhaw Farmers Market www.waxhawfarmersmarket.org 116 McDonald St., Waxhaw
Wedgewood Farmers Market www.wedgewoodfarmersmarket.com 4800 Wedgewood Drive, Charlotte
Mecklenburg Medicine • May 2017 | 9
Member News
NEW MEMBERS
Upcoming Meetings & Events
Kristen E. Bush, PA-C Carolina Skin Surgery Center 2615 E. 7th St. Charlotte, NC 28204 704-295-0000 Wake Forest University, 2014 Kimberly H. Gaither, PA-C Carolinas Rehabilitation 1100 Blythe Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28203 704-355-6699 Emory University, 2012
Scott M. Paviol, MD Dermatology Mooresville Dermatology Center 128 Medical Park Road #201 Mooresville, NC 28117 704-235-1827 Pennsylvania State University, 2010
E H D T A E TE VA THE 12TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
MORE THAN A DECADE DEDICATED TO
MELANOMA AWARENESS AND RESEARCH TO CONTROL MELANOMA MONDAY, JUNE 5 CARMEL COUNTRY CLUB NORTH COURSE n
10:45-11:45 a.m. Registration & Lunch Noon Shotgun Start 5 p.m. Reception For more information, contact Merrill Mills at merrill.mills@carolinas.org or 704-355-4048. Sponsored by Carolinas HealthCare Foundation. Trivia answer from page 6: In 1832, Dr. Latta began IV infusions of saline solutions in patients with cholera in an attempt to save them from death due to dehydration.
10 | May 2017 • Mecklenburg Medicine
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Sasha J. Haberle, MD, MPH Dermatology Metrolina Dermatology & Skin Surgery Specialists 10502 Park Road #100 Charlotte, NC 28210 980-299-3926 University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, 2009
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Tuesday, May 9 MedLink meeting. Mecklenburg County Health Department. 8:30 a.m. Monday, May 15 MCMS Executive Committee meeting. 4 p.m. Monday, May 15 MCMS Board meeting 5:15 p.m. dinner; 5:45 p.m. meeting Wednesday, May 17 MMAE Board meeting. 10 a.m. Thursday, May 18 CAMGMA meeting. Myers Park Baptist Church Cornwell Center. Noon. Thursday, May 18 Charlotte Medical Dental & Pharmaceutical Society membership meeting. Time and location to be determined. Friday, May 19 (Tentative) Child Health Committee meeting. 7:30 a.m. Monday, May 22 July/August magazine deadline. Monday, May 29 Memorial Day — MCMS office closed.
The Smith Arthritis Fund Committee Is Now Accepting Grant Applications The Smith Arthritis Fund was established in 1979 when Carolyn Kirkpatrick Smith donated $41,500 for arthritis research. This fund is administered through the Mecklenburg County Medical Society and is designed to support research projects as they relate to the needs of patients suffering from rheumatologic diseases. Each year, the committee awards about $1,000 per grant. There are no rigid restrictions. The Smith Arthritis Fund Committee of the Mecklenburg County Medical Society is accepting grant applications from interested physicians through the end of June. Please contact the Medical Society office at 704-376-3688 for more information.
At the Hospitals The clinic is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.5 p.m. For more information or to make a referral, call 704-384-9900. Novant Health Opens Stroke Bridge Clinic in Charlotte Novant Health recently launched the Stroke Bridge Clinic to provide continuity of care after stroke patients are discharged from inpatient care and before they return to their primary care physician or specialist. The Stroke Bridge Clinic schedules a one-time appointment about one week after discharge from Novant Health that brings together a stroke navigator, a speciallytrained nurse practitioner and a neuro-pharmacist. This team, under the direction of Carlene Carlene Kingston Kingston, stroke medical director for the greater Charlotte market, meets with stroke survivors to review posthospital care and medications, answer any questions the patients may have, evaluate the need for additional resources, such as rehabilitation or psychosocial support, and schedule follow-up appointments. The Stroke Bridge Clinic shares space with Novant Health Neurology at 1918 Randolph Road, Suite 400, and is open on Tuesday afternoons. For more information, call 704-384-9437.
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Novant Health Pulmonary and Critical Care Moves to New Space Novant Health Pulmonary and Critical Care moved to its own dedicated, newlyremodeled space at the Huntersville Medical Office Building at 10030 Gilead Road, Suite 300. From this new setting, the clinic’s providers — Daniel Breault, MD, Amar Panchal, MD, and Raju Thakor, MD — look forward to continuing to offer the same valuable services to the community, which include diagnosis and treatment of lung and pulmonary system diseases, treatment of asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, obstructive sleep apnea, occupational lung disease, pneumonia, lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension and other conditions affecting the respiratory tract. They also will provide medical care to hospital intensive care units, patient education, self-help techniques, prevention and treatment of problems related to the lungs and breathing.
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Novant Health Uses a Permanent Implant Designed to Reduce Stroke Risk Physicians at Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute have begun implanting the Watchman device in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. This device offers a potentially life-changing stroke risk treatment option that could free indicated patients from the bleeding complications associated with long-term anticoagulation therapy. Nearly half of patients eligible for anticoagulation agents currently are untreated due to tolerance or adherence issues. The Watchman device is used in a onetime procedure. It is a catheter-delivered heart implant that closes off the left atrial appendage. The procedure is performed collaboratively and brings together the expertise of electrophysiologists, interventional cardiologists and advanced imaging cardiologists. “We’re excited about adding the Watchman device and what it means for our patients,” says Seun Alli, MD, medical director of Novant Health Heart & Vascular Institute’s structural heart program. “It’s rewarding to offer a clinically proven treatment option that reduces side effects and improves quality Seun Alli, MD of life. We’re committed to growing our structural heart program with this and other new procedures that provide hope and peace of mind to patients.” To learn more, or determine if your patient is a candidate, call 704-316 8287.
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Novant Health Bariatric Solutions Relocates to New Building on Hawthorne Lane Novant Health Bariatric SolutionsCharlotte recently relocated to a new state-ofthe-art facility at 325 Hawthorne Lane, Suite 100, designed to offer a more accessible and supportive environment for bariatric patients. Patients will continue to receive holistic, multidisciplinary weight management services from a staff of dieticians, counselors, athletic trainers, medical bariatricians and bariatric surgeons.
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Highlights of the new facility include: • Bariatric gym with the latest in “bariatric friendly” exercise equipment including, AlterG anti-gravity treadmill • Onsite dietary supplement and protein shop • Onsite laboratory and infusion services • 50-seat patient education center with presentation kitchen for workshops, classes and educational seminars • Metabolic and body composition testing Bariatric surgeons at this location include lead physician and medical director of the Novant Health Bariatric Center, David Voellinger, MD, and Ellen Carraro, MD, Craig Kolasch, MD, and Mayssoun Elchoufi, MD, who perform a range of weight loss procedures, including gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding, band over bypass, vertical sleeve gastrectomy, bilopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch and revisional weight loss surgery. To refer a patient for weight loss surgery, call 704-316-7760. Novant Health Carmel OB/GYN Opens Satellite Clinic in Arboretum A new satellite office of Novant Health Carmel OB/GYN has opened in Charlotte at 7903 Providence Road, Suite 100, in the Arboretum. The clinic, staffed by Steven Goldman, MD, is accepting new patients. A referral is preferred, but not required. This clinic is open Tuesdays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Thursdays, 1-5 p.m. Carmel OB/GYN has two other locations in Blakeney and Monroe. Dr. Goldman will see patients at the Blakeney Steven Goldman, MD location on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursday mornings. Goldman received his medical degree from the State University of New York-Downstate and completed his residency at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Novant Health Carmel OB/GYN provides routine gynecologic care. The team cares for patients throughout their pregnancies and offers specialized care for gynecologic and obstetric problems, such as menopausal care, incontinence treatment, contraception services, and pelvic support and reconstruction. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 704-316-2021 or visit www. nhcarmelobgyn.org. n
Mecklenburg Medicine • May 2017 | 11
At the Hospitals
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Clinical Trial Opens Carolinas HealthCare System doctors are leading an FDA-approved clinical trial, called LESS GERD, to help adults with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). While most people with GERD receive relief through daily acid-blocking medications, nearly 30 percent continue to struggle with burdensome symptoms like regurgitation and nighttime reflux. The LESS GERD clinical trial is for EndoStim — an investigational device designed to improve function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The EndoStim system uses a technology called neurostimulation in which two small electrodes connected to a “lead” are placed on the LES. The lead is connected to a small device called a neurostimulator which delivers mild electrical signals to the LES throughout the day. Signals are imperceptible to the patient. The EndoStim system lead is placed through a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure. The neurostimulator is implanted below the skin. The study will investigate if electrical stimulation delivered to the LES is safe and will improve LES muscle tone and improve GERD symptoms. The study is open to GERD patients who are between the ages of 22 and 75, have taken daily PPI medication and whose GERD symptoms are not completely resolved or have side effects from the PPI, and have had no prior surgery involving the esophagus. Interested study candidates can visit www. lessgerd.com for more information about the trial and to take the Self-Screening Test to determine if they are eligible to participate. Providers with eligible candidates can contact Susan Standridge, RN, at 704-304-7109 for more information. n
Sanger to Participate in Heart Study Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute has been chosen as the only center in the Carolinas for an upcoming transcatheter mitral valve study. The study, the largest of its kind in the United States, will research transcatheter mitral valve replacement technology with the Tendyne device.
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SHVI is a leader in the field of transcatheter mitral valve therapies. As one of the first institutions in the world to perform transcatheter mitral valve repair and remains the most experienced center for MitraClip transcatheter mitral valve repair. The study likely will randomize patients with secondary mitral regurgitation to Tenodyne Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement versus conventional surgery. Trial details are still being finalized with the FDA and enrollment is likely to start later this year. Ahead of enrollment, Michael Rinaldi, MD, Eric Skipper, MD, and the Advanced Valvular Heart Disease Center team welcome all patients with symptomatic mitral insufficiency for referral. Call 704-446-2136 for details. Central America’s Largest NICU/PICU Opens in Guatemala The largest neonatal, pediatric intensive care unit in Central America recently n
opened in Guatemala due to the generosity of the International Medical Outreach (IMO) program, a partnership between Carolinas HealthCare System and the Heineman Foundation. IMO donated all the necessary supplies and machinery to fully equip the newly constructed, 36-bed unit that is part of the National Regional Hospital of Escuintla. Chiquita Brands International delivered three massive containers of equipment from the United States to Guatemala. The facility also was made possible with support from the Bissell Family Foundation, The Leon Levine Foundation, Sandra and Leon Levine, and Jim and Peggy Hynes, to whom the unit is dedicated. Officials attending the grand opening included the First Lady of Guatemala, representatives from Guatemala’s Ministry of Health and Ministry of Social Development, the Guatemalan Ambassador to the United States and the United States Ambassador to Guatemala.
Levine Cancer Institute Launches Nation’s First Mobile Lung CT Unit Levine Cancer Institute has launched the first mobile lung computed tomography (CT) unit designed to address lung cancer diagnosis, treatment and survival disparities for rural populations across the Carolinas. The mobile lung unit is the first of its kind to link rural populations to lung cancer education and treatment interventions through integrated mobile technology, traditional treatment facilities and medical staff. It was developed in partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation, Samsung and Frazer. Income and a lack of public transportation are barriers to regular cancer screenings, which have proven essential to early diagnosis, intervention and improved survival. By travelling to these atrisk patient populations and providing lung cancer screenings for them, the unit will provide better access to diagnosis and care for underserved and uninsured populations. Features of the unit include a built-in, portable, low-dose CT scanner that can develop high quality images for soft tissue and bone, and wireless connection for fast and easy image transfers. The unit meets the technical requirements for the American College of Radiology (ACR) screening designation and is handicapped accessible. If a patient is identified with lung cancer, the program provides them with comprehensive education, clinical intervention, and patient navigators, who are nurses that assist patients through the network of cancer-treatment decisions and fears. Individuals requiring biopsy or other interventions will receive treatment at Levine Cancer Institute or a Carolinas HealthCare System facility regardless of insurance status.
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Independent Physicians of the Carolinas participated along with family, friends and OSC team members. Dr. Favaro took second place for the run in his age group. Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts signed a proclamation titled “Get Your Rear In Gear” recognizing March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
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. Maureen Scott, ANP-BC, will offer integrative medicine consultations on Thursdays and Fridays at Carolina Family Healthcare. Visits typically are an hour and not covered by insurance. HSA and FSA funds may be used. Scott successfully completed the University of Arizona Integrative Medicine Fellowship consisting of more than 1,000 hours and requiring two years to complete. This fellowship is mentored by Andrew Weil, MD, who is one Maureen Scott, of the nation’s authorities on integrative ANP-BC with Andrew Weil, MD medicine. According to the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, Integrative Medicine (IM) is a healing oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person, including all aspects of lifestyle. It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship between practitioner and patient, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapies. Oncology Specialists of Charlotte (OSC) sponsored the Survivors’ Tent at the annual “Get Your Rear In Gear” 5K event for colon cancer, with March being National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. OSC patient ambassador Joe Miller, along with OSC, formed the team “It’s Miller Time!” This team was the top fundraising team and had the largest participation at 129. The team raised more than $23,000 for the Colon Cancer Coalition, where funds raised are used locally for awareness, education and patient support. Kudos to Miller who walked the 3-mile course with a group supporting him, while he was one day post-chemotherapy treatment. Independent Physicians of the Carolinas members Justin Favaro, Left to right: Justin Favaro, MD; MD, PhD, Jim Boyd, MD, Joe Miller; Jason Schultz, MD. and Jason Shultz, MD,
DigniCap® is a treatment to block hair loss in women who are undergoing chemotherapy using a precise cooling technology directed through an attached hose. Oncology Specialists of Charlotte is the first and currently only practice in the region to offer DigniCap therapy. “We are excited Oncology Specialists of Charlotte is offering this therapy for our patients. Cold cap therapy is important in improving quality of life and self-esteem for breast cancer patients,” says Dipika Misra, MD, member of Independent Physicians of the Carolinas. None of the studies have shown that the DigniCap system compromises a patient’s cancer care. “We have been closely following the development, clinical trials and FDA clearance of this device for our patients and truly believe it will enhance the overall patient care we will offer patients,” adds Dr. Misra. Currently, there is no insurance coverage for this therapy, but Dignitana is negotiating with insurance companies for coverage options. Call Valarie Shepherd, clinical nurse manager, at 704-342-1900, ext. 2168, for more information. For more details on the therapy, go to www.dignicap.com. As part of the Susan G. Komen Charlotte fundraising and awareness, the Pink Tie Guys hosted an event in March, “Laugh for the Cure.” Pink Tie Guy, Justin Favaro, MD, PhD, member of Independent Physicians of the Carolinas, promoted the event, and his practice, Oncology Specialists of Charlotte, was a sponsor. Along with fellow Pink Tie Guys, Favaro rallied OSC doctors and team members to join in the fundraising and gala for the Komen mission.
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