Do not print - Muscogee County Medical Society

Do not print
THE BULLETIN
V O L U M E
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•
N U M B E R
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Awards Party for a Losing Season
JULY 2014
A PUBLICATION OF THE MUSCOGEE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY
ERUDIRE ET DELECTARE
THE BULLETIN
Society Office: 2300 Manchester Expressway, Suite F-7 • Columbus, GA 31904
706-322-1254 • FAX 706-327-7480 • www.muscogeemedical.org
Contents
President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Hospital News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 15
Editor: David H. Levine, M.D. • Associate Editor: Casey Geringer, D.O.
Managing Editor: Lisa Venable
Officers 2014:
President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James D. Majors, M.D.
President-Elect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W. Frank Willett, III, M.D.
Past President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glenn E. Fussell, M.D.
Secretary-Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glenn E. Fussell, M.D.
Director to MAG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fred Flandry, M.D.
Alternate Director to MAG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W. Frank Willett, III, M.D.
Executive Committee: James D. Majors, M.D., W. Frank Willett, M.D., Glenn E. Fussell, M.D.,
Fred Flandry, M.D., Michael Borkat, M.D., Ryan Geringer, D.O., Kurt Jacobson, M.D., David H. Levine,
M.D., Ken Smith, M.D., Karen Stuart, M.D.
Delegates: Michael Borkat, M.D., Glenn E. Fussell, M.D., Casey Geringer, D.O., Ryan Geringer, D. O.,
James Hagler, M.D., James D. Majors, M.D., Folarin Olubowale, M.D., Tom Steinberg, M.D.,
Tim Villegas, M.D., Frank Willett, M.D., Joe Zanga, M.D.
Alternate Delegates: Larry Brightwell, M.D., John D. Watson, M.D.
Ad position is at the sole discretion of the Editorial Board.
Members are urged to submit articles for publication in The Bulletin. Deadline for copy is the 11th of the month preceding date of issue.
The Bulletin of the Muscogee County Medical Society is the official monthly publication of the Muscogee County Medical Society, 2300
Manchester Expressway, Suite F-7, Columbus, GA 31904. All material for publication should be sent to the Managing Editor not later
than the 11th of the month. Advertising requirements and rates upon request. Opinions expressed in The Bulletin, including editorials,
are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect policies of the Society unless stated. Advertisements in this magazine
do not necessarily represent endorsement or support by the Muscogee County Medical Society.
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
James D. Majors, M.D.
Awards Party for a Losing Season
My son played American Little League baseball for 5 years. He
first played T-ball. Then he played two seasons of C-ball (coach
pitch). He then moved to B-ball, where the 9 or 10 year old
boy is the pitcher. Despite being 7and 8 years old, they have a
practice or a game six days a week. As American Little League
plays a twenty game season, this requires a three month
commitment with at least 2 hours at the baseball field daily.
My wife and I are still celebrating my son’s decision to not play A-Ball.
There were usually 8 to 10 different teams with 12 or 13 players on each team.
Four teams would make the playoffs and my son was fortunate to be on two
playoff teams. However, our first season in coach-pitch baseball was on a woeful
1-15 team. I knew we were in trouble when the head coach decided to name the
team the Astros. The Major League Astros have a long history of losing. What
kind of coach would want to emulate the Astros? For this article, I will call him
Coach Hydrocele.
Coach Hydrocele was a grumpy man who was quick to criticize and seldom gave
compliments. He was overweight and wore T-shirts to practice that did not quite
cover his entire belly. He also wore old-school very short and tight Bike brand
coaching shorts. These ridiculous shorts only accentuated a lemon sized
hydrocele in his right hemi-scrotum. In C-ball, the coach pitches to his own
team. As a result, we were rewarded with having to watch his hydrocele readjust
as he went through his pitching motions. I kept the scorebook for our team and
was often asked questions by parents on the visiting team. “What is wrong with
that man?” Or, “Is that normal, or should he have that checked?”
Coach Hydrocele had a lot of baseball knowledge. His son was our catcher and
batted cleanup. Unfortunately, most of our practices consisted of Coach
Hydrocele pitching batting practice to his son while the other 12 kids fielded the
ball. Practices were too long and too disorganized for 7 and 8 year olds. Coach
Hydrocele was cranky and irritable and would not accept assistance. My son is a
happy kid and as a result was dumbfounded by any interaction with his cranky
coach. My son even asked me once why the coach did not like him. It was a long
and agonizing season.
The Astros were deplorable. The team could not hit or field. During the games,
Coach Hydrocele became increasingly irritable. As the weather grew hotter, our
team actually got worse. It became obvious that Coach Hydrocele was also heat
intolerant. His face would become as red as a beet. As head coach, he also pitched
to our team. He was an abysmal pitcher and could not throw strikes. Maybe his
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hydrocele prevented accuracy. In C-ball, you want to throw strikes so your players
get hits and score runs. The Astros were the lowest scoring team in American
Little League history. Coach Hydrocele had two 1-hitters and threw 5 shutouts in
only 16 games. Unfortunately, he was pitching to his own team.
After the season concluded, I was shocked that a team party for trophies would
be required. Trophies for a 1-15 season? I still have a problem with that. I am
doubtful that rewarding children for losing accomplishes anything. My son didn’t
even want to go. It was to be a swim party and the idea of seeing Coach Hydrocele
in a swimsuit was quite unappealing. My wife made us go, but declined to go
herself. Upon returning home, my son eventually threw his trophy away. At least
my son understands that there is no shame in losing, but it should not be
rewarded.
The highlight of the season was our only win. We beat the Dodgers 2-1. It was
the Dodgers only loss as they finished the regular season 15-1. The Dodgers also
won the playoff championship. In our victory, the Dodgers coach was livid. It was
a pleasure to see the other coach red-faced for a change.
Mike See
Fully Licensed GA/AL Realtor
706-315-5289 (CELL) • [email protected].
5670 Whitesville Road • Columbus, GA 31904
www.kpdk.com
2821 Harley Court, Suite 300
Columbus, GA 31909
(706) 576-4900
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6
S T. F R A N C I S N E W S
St. Francis Pledges $100,000 to Valley Healthcare
St. Francis recently pledged $100,000 to Valley Healthcare System to expand
women’s services, including obstetrical services, at the Federally Qualified Health
Center (FQHC) on Ft. Benning Road. The center, which sees 9,708 patients
annually, has faced the challenge of referring high-risk women advanced in their
pregnancy to providers who will accept Medicaid. As a result of the pledge, the
center has hired Dr. Kamesha Fair to provide OB/GYN care. “This is beyond what
we’ve been looking for these past 20 years,” said Sarah Lang, CEO of Valley
Healthcare. “Women in our community will benefit from having access to prenatal
care and other women’s services right here.”“Our partnership with Valley
Healthcare is an extension of St. Francis’ goal to reduce the rate of infant
mortality and low birth weight babies in our community, a goal that Valley
Healthcare shares with us,” said Robert Granger, president and CEO of St. Francis.
“Through collaboration, both organizations’ will benefit.”
Dr. Fair treated 314 women during her first three months at Valley Healthcare,
including 14 pregnant women, and recently delivered twins at St. Francis. She is
expected to exceed the initial projection of treating 100 OB patients annually. “I
knew there was a need,” said Lang. “I did not realize the extent of the need until
Dr. Fair arrived and word spread.” Dr. Fair also provides a full range of
gynecologic services, including colposcopies, and treats uterine fibroids, ovarian
cysts, chronic pelvic pain and cervical polyps and cancer, among other conditions.
“Valley Healthcare and St. Francis both believe in an integrated model of patientcentered care that includes both family physicians and specialists,” said Lang.
Valley Healthcare has five physicians, including three family practice physicians, a
pediatrician and now an OB/GYN specialist. The center also offers dental and
vision care, plus behavioral health services.
Dr. Sylvester McRae Performs Area’s First ‘Single-Site™’
Robotic Hysterectomy
On May 27, Dr. Sylvester McRae became the first surgeon in Columbus and the
surrounding area to perform an entire hysterectomy using da Vinci® Single-Site™
platform for robotic surgery. Unlike traditional robotic surgery, which requires
three to five small incisions, da Vinci® Single-Site™ technology enables surgeons
to make a single incision in the belly button and remove the uterus in less than
60 minutes. The procedure is virtually scarless in that the small scar is hidden in
the patient’s naval. “For those concerned about body imaging, using the singlesite platform gives us a much better result cosmetically,” said Dr. McRae. “Just as
with traditional robotic surgery, most patients are able to go home the same day
as their surgery and go back to their normal routine within one to two and a half
weeks.” As with traditional da Vinci® robotic surgery, Single-Site™ surgery also
offers minimal pain and low blood loss as well as a shorter hospital stay and
quicker recovery. The Food and Drug Administration approved specialized SingleSite instruments for use with the da Vinci System in 2013. “Our aim at St. Francis
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The beginning of something
special. Every day!
Every day is the beginning of something special at the St. Francis Women’s
Hospital! Here, families in our community have access to the most modern
and well-equipped birthing suites available. Plus our team of respected and
experienced physicians, together with a professional and knowledgeable
staff, provide the highest level of clinical skills and expertise. From pregnancy
to childbirth, mother and baby enjoy quality care in a comfortable and secure
state-of-the-art environment. Where special deliveries are arriving daily.
wecareforlife.com
8
is to become a Center for Excellence for minimally invasive surgery,” says Dr.
McRae. “No other hospital within 100 miles currently offers this latest advance in
minimally invasive surgery.”
St. Francis OB/GYN Associates to Welcome Dr. Neely Dean July 16
Dr. Neely Dean will join St. Francis OB/GYN Associates July 16,
bringing with her seven years of experience as an OB/GYN
specialist. Dr. Dean practiced with Piedmont Physicians
Obstetrics and Gynecology in Newnan, Ga., from 2011-2014
and with the PAPP Clinic in Newnan from 2007-2011. She is
board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology by the American
Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a fellow of the
American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She was
chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Piedmont Newnan
Hospital from 2011-2012. Dr. Dean earned her medical degree
Dr. Neely Dean
from Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, Ga. She
completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Memorial Health
University Medical Center in association with the Mercer University School of
Medicine in Savannah, Ga. She was administrative chief resident from 2006-2007.
St. Francis Announces New Senior Vice President of Hospital
Operations/Chief Nursing Officer Debbie Bostic
St. Francis welcomed its new Senior Vice President of Hospital
Operations/Chief Nursing Officer Debbie Bostic, MSN, RN, on
June 30. Debbie comes to St. Francis from Texas Health
Presbyterian Hospital in Arlington, Texas, where she served as
Chief Nursing Officer from 2011-2014. Her responsibilities
included heart and vascular services, women’s and children’s
service including a level III neonatal intensive care unit;
bariatric services; medical and surgical services; emergency
services; stroke center; perioperative services; and education
and professional practice.
Debbie Bostic
Under Debbie’s leadership, the hospital achieved a successful Joint Commission
survey; Level IV chest pain center accreditation; an improvement in employee
engagement scores from the 46th to 93rd percentile (as measured by Press Ganey);
and improved physician engagement from the 30th to 77th percentile (as
measured by Press Ganey). Among her many other contributions and
achievements, Debbie developed and implemented a service excellence plan for all
services, resulting in ambulatory services scores rising from the fifth to 98th
percentile; outpatient services rising from the 15th to 90th percentile; inpatient
service scores rising from the fourth to 76th percentile; and emergency services
scores rising from the 30th to 84th percentile.
Prior to Sacred Heart, Debbie was a consultant with JPS Heath Network, a 567-bed
facility in Fort Worth, Texas, from 2010-2011. From 2006 to 2010, she was
president of Sacred Heart Hospital, a 466-bed facility in Pensacola, Fla., and from
2000-2006, she was executive vice president, chief operating officer and chief
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nursing officer of Sacred Heart. Debbie Bostic will follow Debbie Saylor, MSN, RN,
who has served as chief nursing officer at St. Francis for the past eight years. Under
Debbie Saylor’s leadership, Nursing Services began pursuing American Nurses
Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet status, started a nurse residency program,
developed a clinical nursing ladder to encourage advanced nursing education and
created a physician champion program, among numerous other contributions. As
a result, the quality of nursing care, nurse-physician relations, patient safety and
patient satisfaction have improved. Debbie retired in June for medical reasons.
Zimbabwean Physicians Visit St. Francis
Zimbabwean physicians Dr. Collen Msasanure and Dr. Muyaradzi Magara visited
St. Francis May 12-23 as part of the hospital’s continuing effort to partner with The
Mater Dei hospital in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Dr. George McCluskey and Dr. Lee
McCluskey hosted Dr. Msasanure, an orthopaedic surgeon, who observed the
McCluskeys and fellow Orthopaedic Institute surgeons perform a wide variety of
orthopaedic procedures in surgery and see patients in clinic. Dr. Butch Wolff
hosted Dr. Magara, a general surgeon. Dr. Magara observed numerous surgical
procedures performed by Dr. Chuck Scarborough, Dr. Andy Roddenbery and
Dr. John Adams. He also saw patients with Dr. Wolff at the Wound Care and
Hyperbaric Center and with Dr. Scarborough at the Center for Breast Health.
The two visiting surgeons expressed gratitude for their experience. “We are
grateful for the doctors who allowed us to observe them,” said Dr. Msasanure.
“These surgeons have a lot of training in their field,” said Dr. Msasanure. “We
don’t have training opportunities in Bulawayo to keep up-to-date.” “The
administration is very good. They support training,” said Dr. Magara. “We will try
to implement what we have learned when we return to Zimbabwe.”
Dr. Msasanure and Dr. Magara hope to acquire the knowledge, skills and
equipment to begin arthroscopic and laparoscopic surgical programs in
Bulawayo. St. Francis began a sister hospital relationship with The Mater Dei in
2012 with the goal of transferring skills and exchanging culture. Dr. Msasanure
and Dr. Magara were the first two Zimbabwean physicians to visit St. Francis. In
July, two teams from St. Francis, one led by Dr. George McCluskey and another led
by Dr. Butch Wolff, will visit sister hospital, The Mater Dei, in Bulawayo.
Dr. Msasanure and Dr. Magara forward to working with them there. “We have
gotten to know many great people, and we hope this friendship will last,” said
Dr. Msasanure.
St. Francis Host Sixth Annual Mentoring Program for Future Physicians
For the sixth consecutive year, St. Francis hosted a group of gifted college students
aspiring to become physicians. The students included Manal Zafar, Octavia LewisRand, Blake Pritchett, Franklin Valdera, Brice Morpeth, Brewer Carter and
Brewton McCluskey. Students did rotations in the Emergency Department,
Pathology, OB/GYN, Surgery, Anesthesia, Endoscopy and Cardiac Cath Lab. The
program ran June 2-26.
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July Educational Opportunities
St. Francis will offer these educational opportunities in July:
Breast Cancer Conference: Friday, July 11, 7-8 a.m., St. Francis Lecture Hall in
the Fort Conference Center. Breakfast will be provided. A reservation is not
required. For more information, contact Ruby Gladney at 706-660-6096 or
[email protected].
Cancer Conference: Wednesday, July 16, 12:30 p.m., St. Francis Tidwell Lecture
Hall in the Fort Conference Hall. Lunch will be provided. A reservation is not
required. For more information, contact Ruby Gladney at 706-660-6096 or
[email protected].
St. Francis Hospital is accredited by the Medical Association of Georgia to provide
continuing medical education for physicians. St. Francis Hospital designates this
live activity for a maximum number of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians
should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation
in the activity.
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MAG NEWS
by Glenn Fussell, M.D.
UnitedHealthcare Reduces Their Network in Georgia
The following was a press release by MAG that came out a few weeks ago:
“UnitedHealthcare (UHC) has advised the Medical Association of Georgia (MAG)
that it will reduce the size of its Medicare Advantage network in Georgia by about
10 percent.” According to UHC, most of the affected physicians are in the Atlanta,
Augusta, and Columbus markets. The company says the change will go into effect
on September 1, 2014. “This change will result in tighter, more focused networks
that promote better care coordination between physicians and specialists who
work together to help improve health outcomes and more effectively manage the
total cost of care," believes Linda Britton, M.D., UHC's medical director in Georgia.
"These adjustments will lead to more collaborative relationships between
UnitedHealthcare and primary care physicians to support improved access to
preventive care, maintenance care and screenings.”
And on June 4, they sent out their registered letters. I was one of the lucky
recipients that will be excluded. UHC has done this in several states. In Houston,
they let 1000 physicians go in a single day. In Connecticut, they excluded Yale
University physicians. In Tampa Florida, they cut Moffitt Cancer Center. In none of
these cases was quality or cost declared as an issue. In fact, United Healthcare gave
no reason for the contracture. Medical societies have recommended that the
excluded physicians appeal the process. This is a lame effort to buy time so that
patients will have an easier time continuing care after reaching open enrollment
season. However, I know of no successful appeals.
What prompted this unusual business strategy by UHC? Two pieces of PPACA are
driving the economics of this move. Up until now, Medicare Advantage programs
have had a very favorable business environment. CMS funds Medicare Advantage
at a rate of 1.3 times the expected payout for that group of Medicare recipients.
Add to that extra revenue by allowing the Medicare Advantage programs to cherry
pick whom they signed up. UnitedHealthcare signed up recipients at public
venues, like Wal-Mart. They also were the plan that AARP marketed and endorsed.
You were recruited if you were healthy in appearance and ambulatory.
UnitedHealthcare and the other Medicare Advantage programs seemed to have
avoided signing recipients from any local nursing homes. In FY 2014, that 1.3
times expected payout will be cut as part of the expected cuts built into Medicare
and Medicare Advantage. PPACA is set to strip tens of billions of dollars from the
Medicare Advantage program at a time when participation is higher than ever.
According to Kaiser Family Foundation, more than 14 million beneficiaries are
enrolled in these plans.
Starting in 2013, insurance plans were required to rebate a portion of the
insurance premium if the plan did not spend 85 percent of the premium on
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healthcare expenditures. In other words, the plans must maintain a medical loss
ratio of at least 85 percent. Also in 2014, plans also will begin to absorb a $220
per member annual premium tax. With the medical loss ratio requirement, we
have experienced an improvement in being able to obtain some benefits to
recipients, such as sub acute rehab. For a period of time, that benefit had been
stripped out of many Medicare Advantage plans. In contrast, for traditional
Original Medicare, recipients are allowed 180 days of rehab per lifetime.
So UnitedHealthcare has realized that this business will no longer be the bonanza
that it once was. Now that it is less favorable, they have cut their panels by 1030%, depending upon location. They claim they will have a smaller more
cohesive panels of physicians to work with. It is anticipated that the remaining
physicians can expect a smaller more cohesive reimbursement.
These cuts in the panels are independent of UnitedHealthcare MA PPO. Those are
employer or union plans that contracted with UnitedHealthcare. The affected
business is mainly the individual and AARP associated plans.
So for UnitedHealthcare MA, expenses will be up and premiums will diminish.
These lower cost plans will become less attractive to recipients as further benefits
and reimbursements are cut.
So how should we respond? This contracture occurs on August 31, 2014. Open
enrollment for Medicare recipients is October 15 until December 7. During this time
recipients can change from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare or switch
from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan. See
Medicare.gov for details. It is time to see if your patient is more loyal to their Medicare
Advantage plan or to their physician. I am betting that most are loyal to their physician.
Medicare’s chief actuary predicted that MA enrollment would decline sharply,
with as many as half the current number of enrollees leaving private plan
coverage. Unfortunately, many will now be unable to afford the Medigap policies
that we had grown accustomed to.
For some, they will still be able to choose their Doctor; however, they won’t be
able to do so under their current plan.
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13
WELCOME NEW PHYSICIAN MEMBERS
We welcome our new physician members to the
Muscogee County Medical Society:
Huma Parveen Ahmed, M.D. earned her medical degree
from Dow Medical College. She completed her internal
medicine residency and a rheumatology fellowship at Wayne
State University in Detroit. She is board certified by the
American Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the
American College of Rheumatology. Dr. Ahmed practices at
St. Francis Columbus Clinic as a rheumatologist. Her office
phone is 706-322-7884.
Welcome Dr. Ahmed to the
Muscogee County Medical Society!
Lindsey Maria Bellamy, D.O. earned her medical degree
from ATSU-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in
Missouri. She completed her pediatric residency at the
University of Texas-San Antonio. She is a board certified
diplomat of the American Board of Pediatrics. She is a proud
Army wife (Michael Bellamy, D.O., emergency medicine) and
mother (Caroline). Dr. Bellamy practices at Rivertown
Pediatrics. Her office phone is 706-327-1281 and she is
accepting new patients. We welcome Dr. Bellamy to
Muscogee County Medical Society!
MCMS UPCOMING EVENTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
July 2014
Practice Change of Address:
Jeffrey K. Kinglsey, D.O.
David C. Subich, M.D.
Columbus Regional Research Institute
800 Talbotton Road
Columbus, GA 31904
If you would like to write an article for “The Bulletin”
Contact Dr. David Levine or Dr. Casey Geringer
Please send all practice changes of phone, retirement or address to:
706-322-1254 phone or [email protected]
14
C O L U M B U S R E G I O N A L H E A LT H N E W S
Breast Care Center Awarded Breast MRI Accreditation
The Columbus Regional Breast Care Center has been awarded a three-year term
of accreditation in breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the result of a
recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). MRI of the breast
offers valuable information about many breast conditions that may not be
obtained by other imaging modalities, such as mammography or ultrasound. The
ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and
patient safety. The Columbus Regional Breast Care Center also is designated a
Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the ACR. This status recognizes breast
imaging centers that have earned accreditation in mammography, stereotactic
breast biopsy and breast ultrasound, including ultrasound-guided breast biopsy.
Laboratory Leadership Changes at Midtown Medical Center
After over 40 years of dedicated service as medical director of Midtown Medical
Center Laboratory Services, Alan Clepper, M.D., has announced his intent to
retire from medical practice and the Columbus Regional Health medical
staff. When Dr. Clepper retires toward the end of the month, he will leave us with
much evidence and the on-going benefit of his decades-long commitment to the
growth, sophistication and advancement of laboratory medicine at Columbus
Regional Health. Janna Summerall-Smith, M.D., will be named the Medical
Director for Pathology and Laboratory Services at Midtown Medical Center upon
Dr. Clepper’s retirement.
2nd Angiograpy Suite in Interventional Radiology at
Midtown Medical Center
The Radiology department has added a second angiography suite in
Interventional Radiology at Midtown Medical Center, featuring a new, state-of-theart Siemens Artis zee machine. The additional suite will increase throughput and
eliminate delays in patient treatment, as well as decrease patient radiation dose
compared to older machines.
Additional procedures offered in Interventional Radiology include:
• Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for liver cirrhosis
complicated by intractable ascites, hepatic hydrothorax, or refractory variceal
bleeding
• Uterine artery embolization for symptomatic uterine fibroids
• Lower Extremity Venous Thrombolysis for acute lower extremity DVT within
the first 7 to 10 days to avoid postthrombotic syndrome
Interventional Radiology is working in conjunction with Dr. Bruce Brennaman
toward making Midtown Medical Center a Vascular Center of Excellence.
Endovascular service for peripheral arterial revascularization is being provided on
a case-by-case basis.
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Scott’s Ride for Miracles Raises $215,500
Scott’s Ride for Miracles has raised more than $215,500 for Children’s Miracle
Network at Midtown Medical Center through this year’s 21-day, 48-state, 9,000mile motorcycle trip. The total comes from money collected on the trip by Scott
Ressmeyer and 15 other riders, sponsorships, and donations to their website at
www.rideformiracles.com. To date, Scott’s Ride for Miracles has raised more than
$865,000 to purchase equipment for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at The Children’s Hospital at Midtown
Medical Center.
Midtown Medical Center Joins 5-Star Baby Friendly® Initiative
Midtown Medical Center has been selected by the Georgia Department of Public
Health to participate in the Georgia 5-STAR Hospital initiative with a collaborative
network of hospitals to achieve Baby-Friendly® designation. The Georgia 5·STAR
Hospital initiative aims to prevent obesity through Governor Nathan Deal’s Georgia
SHAPE program for health, fitness and nutrition. The Georgia Department of Public
Health provides education, practical support and partial funding as incentives for
birthing hospitals to implement The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, and thus
become eligible for Baby-Friendly® designation.
Columbus Regional Health Hospitals Named to Honor Roll
Columbus Regional Health hospitals have been named to the Georgia Hospital
Association’s (GHA) Partnership for Health and Accountability (PHA) Core
Measures Honor Roll. Northside Medical Center is one of 25 hospitals in Georgia
to be placed in the Chairman’s category, the highest on the list. Midtown Medical
Center and Doctors Specialty Hospital are two of 23 hospitals in the state to be
placed in the Trustee category, one of the highest on the list. The honor roll is
based on clinical data provided by the federal Centers for Medicaid & Medicare
Services (CMS), which administers the nation’s Medicare and Medicaid
programs. The data was collected from October 2012 to September 2013.
Partners in Education Project Receives Project of the Year Award
Columbus Regional Health and Clubview Elementary School received a Project of
the Year award at the 2013-2014 Partners in Education Awards Banquet for its
Fitness Fridays program, which provided third graders with knowledge on
healthy eating and physical activity through Columbus Regional Health’s
Community Outreach and Wellness First programs.
CME Opportunities Offered for Physicians
Each of the following Continuing Medical Education (CME) opportunities for
physicians has been approved for one hour of CME credit:
Pediatric Grand Rounds: Every Thursday, 8:15 a.m., Columbus Regional
Conference Center at Midtown Medical Center. Open to any physician or other
health professional providing care for children. For more information, call Lori
Sitch at 706-571-1220.
Cancer Conference: Every Monday, 12:30 p.m., Conference Room at the John B.
Amos Cancer Center, except for first Monday which is held at Columbus Regional
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Conference Center at Midtown Medical Center. (Approved as a series.) For more
information, call 706-571-1102.
Thoracic Oncology Conference: 1st and 3rd Friday, 7 a.m., Conference Room
at the John B. Amos Cancer Center. For more information, call 706-571-1102.
Midtown Medical Center is accredited by the Medical Association of Georgia to
provide continuing medical education for physicians. Midtown Medical Center
designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their
participation in the activity.
COLUMBUS REGIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Columbus Regional Research Institute Relocates to
Columbus Regional Health Campus
Columbus Regional Research Institute (CRRI) is now located on the Columbus
Regional Health campus, just outside of the Emergency and Trauma Center at
Midtown Medical Center. With a more convenient location at the corner of
Talbotton Road and North Avenue, CRRI hopes that the new office will be more
accessible for patients. The Research Institute’s new facility contains 15 treatment
rooms, an on-site infusion treatment center and pharmacy, and many more
features that will allow CRRI to better serve the community through clinical
research. As always, no insurance is required for patients to participate in any
research trial at CRRI. Patients who visit CRRI in hopes or qualifying for a trial will
not be charged for their visit (even if they do not qualify) and will be seen by the
on-site physician.
Columbus Regional Research Institute adds new trials every month. Current
inpatient trials include Abdominal Surgery, Adult Nutrition, Atrial Fibrillation,
Blood Clot Prevention, and Complicated Urinary Tract Infection. Outpatient trials
include Acromegaly, Asthma, Blood Clot Prevention, C. difficile, Diabetes (Type
II), Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, Endometriosis, Hepatitis C, Herniated Disc,
H. pylori, Opioid Induced Constipation, Sciatica, Skin Infection, and Stroke/TIA.
If you would like to learn more about current trials or how to refer patients,
contact Lee Starling at 706-321-0495 or via email at [email protected].
6801 River Road
706-327-4242
Prescription, Compounding, and Delivery Services
18
A RT I C L E O F I N T E R E S T
by David C Subich, MD, CPI, Medical Director
Columbus Regional Research Institute
Who is Protecting the Research Patient and How?
Not only does the FDA have authority to review, request modifications to, and
direct clinical research, but an independent board reviews, monitors and
approves every research study involving human subjects. These boards are
known as an Institutional Review Boards (IRB). The IRB review process was
established by the National Research Act of 1974 to prevent research abuses such
as Tuskegee Syphilis Study.
IRBs were mandated by federal code to approve, require modifications to, or
disapprove all research activities. Additionally, IRBs must conduct continuing
reviews of the research “at appropriate intervals to the degree of risk” but not less
than once per year. The IRB must notify the investigators or institution, in
writing, of its decision to approve or disapprove the proposed research activity,
or the IRB may require modifications before providing their approval. If an IRB
disapproves a research activity, it is required to provide a statement of the
reason(s) for its decision and to give the investigator an opportunity to respond
in person or in writing. Once approved, the IRB has the authority to have a third
party observe the consent process and the conduct of the research.
The IRB requires that all subjects be given certain information in a document
called an Informed Consent Form (ICF). An ICF has certain required elements
and may also contain additional information that the IRB believes would add to
the subjects’ protection.
The basic elements of the ICF include:
• A statement that the study involves research, the purposes, expected duration,
procedures and a statement of the experimental portion of the study
• A description of reasonably foreseeable risks or discomforts
• A description of any benefits which may reasonably be expected
• Disclosure of alternative procedures or treatments that might be advantageous
to the subject
• A statement describing the extent of confidentiality of the records
• For research involving more than minimal risk, an explanation as to whether
any compensation or treatment is available if injury occurs
• Explanation of whom to contact for answers to pertinent questions about the
research, subjects’ rights and whom to contact in the event of a research-related
injury to the subject
• A statement that participation is voluntary, refusal to participate will involve no
penalty or loss of benefits to which the subject is otherwise entitled, and that the
subject may discontinue participation at any time
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Additional elements, which can be inserted as appropriate, include:
• A statement that the particular treatment may involve risks to the subject or
embryo if the subject is or becomes pregnant
• Anticipated circumstances under which the subject’s participation may be
terminated by the investigator without the subject’s consent
• Any additional costs to the subject that may result from participation in the
research
• The consequences of a subject’s decision to withdraw from the research and
procedures for termination of participation by the subject
• A statement explaining that significant new findings developed during the
course of the research and may affect the subjects willingness to participate
• The approximate number of subjects involved in the study
The IRB is made up of at least 5 members with varying backgrounds in order to
promote complete review of the proposed research activities. The IRB shall be
sufficiently qualified through the experience, expertise and diversity of the
members, including consideration of race, gender, cultural background and
sensitivity to such issues as community attitude. The IRB shall ascertain the
acceptability of proposed research in terms of commitments, regulations,
applicable law and standards of professional conduct and practice.
The IRB must have at least one member whose primary concerns are in scientific
areas, at least one member whose primary concerns are in non-scientific areas,
and one member who is not affiliated with the institution and who is not part of
the immediate family of a person who is affiliated with the institution. An IRB
may, in its discretion, invite individuals with competence in special areas to assist
in the review of issues, which require expertise beyond, or in addition to, that
available on the IRB.
The IRB is expected to assess the following:
• Risks to subjects are minimized .
• Risks to subjects are reasonable in relationship to the anticipated benefits.
• Selection of subjects is equitable.
• Informed consent will be sought from each prospective subject.
• Informed consent will be appropriately documented.
• The research plan makes adequate provision for monitoring the data collected
to ensure the safety of the subjects.
• There are adequate provisions to protect the privacy of subjects and maintain
the confidentiality of data.
When some or all of the subjects (children, prisoners, pregnant women, mentally
disabled, economically or educationally disadvantaged) are likely to be
vulnerable to coercion, additional safeguards are included in the study to protect
the rights and welfare of these subjects.
Additionally, the IRB must assure that the investigator has the expertise and
experience to be able to conduct the proposed study, and that his research site is
properly equipped to safely conduct the trial.
20
The IRB records must be maintained and should include:
• Copies of all research proposals reviewed, scientific evaluation, approved
sample consent documents, progress reports and reports of injuries to subjects.
• Minutes of the IRB meetings which are sufficient to show attendance, actions,
votes by member, basis for requiring changes in or disapproving research and a
written summary of the discussion of controversial issues and their resolution.
• Records of continuing review activities.
• Copies of all correspondence between the IRB and investigators.
• A list of IRB members.
• Written procedures for the IRB.
• Statements of significant new findings provided to subjects.
• Records required must be retained for at least 3 years after the completion of
the research and must be available for inspection by other regulatory agencies.
The IRB is the patient’s advocate and can be contacted at any time by study
subjects. Not only are the FDA and the principal investigator expected to protect
human subjects, the IRB was created for the sole purpose of independently
protecting subjects in research protocols. Currently there are many layers
designed to ensure subject safety in clinical trials, but, for the IRB, subject safety
is their only job.
Morris Fuller Group
(877) 494-5350
www.fa.ml.com/morrisfullergroup
A.J. Morris, CFM, CRPC®
Managing Director–Wealth Management
Senior Financial Advisor
(706) 494-5350
Mallory Fuller, CFM, CRPC®
First Vice President–Wealth Management
Senior Financial Advisor
(706) 494-5351
K. Blair Carnahan, CRPC®, CSNA
Assistant Vice President
Financial Advisor
(706) 494-5319
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30
In Memoriam
Alan Stephen Peiken, M.D.
February 18, 1943 - May 27, 2014
Alan S. Peiken, M.D., graduated from the University of Chicago, 1964
and George Washington Medical School in 1968. He completed his
internship and residency at Beth Israel Hospital, New York City. He
practiced in Columbus, GA for 27 years as a pulmonary and sleep
disorder physician. He started the sleep and respiratory departments
at the Medical Center and acted as the Medical Director of both
departments. He was member of the American Lung Association,
Georgia Thoracic Society, American Medical Association, Certified
American Board Quality Assurance and American College Utilization
Review Physicians. He was awarded the Queensboro Lung Association
Scholarship in Pulmonary Physiology in 1988, Professional Volunteer
of the Year, West Central Georgia Lung Association, Outstanding
Service Award, Medical Director, RT Program, Columbus College and
was a Lifetime Member of the Muscogee County Medical Society. He
was a strong advocate against smoking. His medical articles were
published in the American Review of Respiratory Diseases and
Tuberculosis Today. He is survived by his wife of 50 years,
Rhoda Peiken four children and eight grandchildren.
– by Bipin M. Patel, M.D.
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There is a difference between a nonprofit hospice and a for-profit hospice: It is in
the mission. Columbus Hospice is a nonprofit hospice and our mission is to help
people. Our bottom line goes back into the services we provide for our patients
and families, not to owners or investors. Just look at the board of Columbus
Hospice and you’ll see the difference. Our board is made up of volunteers who
watch the finances, but also the level of compassionate care that is delivered.
Does being a nonprofit hospice make a difference in care?
Absolutely. At Columbus Hospice our mission is about people, not profits.
7020 Moon Road
Columbus, GA 31909
706-569-7992
ColumbusHospice.com
Return Service Requested
Muscogee County Medical Society
2300 Manchester Expressway
Suite F-7
Columbus, Georgia 31904
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