CW Hall Archives - Page 14 of 30

Pre-diabetes – Top Docs Radio

September 22, 2015 by angishields

Top Docs Radio

Pre-diabetes - Top Docs Radio

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Pre-diabetes

This week I featured a long-time friend of the show, Dr. Ellie Campbell, of Campbell Family Medicine, located in Cumming, GA. We talked about a topic I am hopeful many of our followers will both listen to and share: Pre-diabetes.

How many times have you gone for your annual check-up and been told, “Your labs are normal,” when your fasting blood glucose is >80mg/dl? Those “normal” results could actually be a red flag that you have Pre-diabetes.

During this phase it’s actually possible to reverse the condition through diet and exercise. But, as Ellie described, many physicians haven’t yet been educated that they need to be concerned with glucose levels that don’t exceed “normal” limits. This means that we, as patients, need to be advocates for ourselves and our loved ones.

It is well-known that diabetes leads to a range of chronic and often, deadly, diseases such as heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, stroke, and more. While we also know it is often challenging to make life-style changes, when you are aware of the risks, it can become more easy to do so.

I am pleased Ellie sat down with us to talk about pre-diabetes, a problem many people can actually do something about if they’re willing to make some of the simple changes she recommends.

Special guest:

Dr. Ellie Campbell, DO, Family Practice & Integrative Medicine at Campbell Family Medicine

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Family Medicine Residency, Medical College of Georgia
Board Certified Family Medicine

Veteran Owned Small Businesses

September 22, 2015 by angishields

Midtown Business Radio

Veteran Owned Small Businesses

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Veteran Owned Small Businesses

This week I was joined in studio by friend of the show, Lara Hodgson, CEO of NOWaccount. We focused this episode on veteran owned small businesses. Lara introduced us to Kit Walker, a combat-disabled veteran who started his own small business, EBS-4U, after spending several years in the corporate world.

His company provides professional cleaning services for businesses and has begun to expand into construction clean-up. After completing certification as a minority business enterprise and combat-disabled veteran, Kit began to expand his business through fulfilling federal contract opportunities.

We also met Melinda Coker, of Small Business Access Partners, of Gainesville, GA. This non-profit organization works with small business owners, helping them get access to available small business loans for their particular needs.

In our discussion on veteran owned businesses, Melinda explained there are numerous options for business owners today, and shared some information about veteran owned businesses.

Coker explained a resource available through the Veterans Administration. If you go to the VA’s website which is va.gov and click on the resources link and then select businesses, there are several helpful links for veteran small business owners who are seeking financing for their businesses.

VA’s website also allows business owners to customize their search criteria by zip code to find financing options applicable to their area of operation. SBA’s website also has a special tool now for small business owners known as SBA Linc that allows small business owners to fill out a survey for the financing they are looking for and then SBA distributes that information to a network of lenders who can then

respond based on the financing need requested. The applicant is also provided the contact information for the lenders interested in their request.

Special Guests:

Lara O’Connor-Hodgson, CEO of Nowaccount Network Corporation

MBA Harvard Business School
Former Adjunct Professor of Finance, Georgia Institute of Technology
Board of Directors, Georgia Regional Transportation Authority
Owner, Insomnia Group
Chairman of the Board, Atlanta Heights Charter School
Second Language–Japanese

Kit Walker, CEO/Founder of EBS-4U

MBA, Management & Organizational Behavior, Woodbury University
Combat-wounded veteran
Previous VP Relationship Manager, Bank of America
Former Consultant, Migration Project Partner, Wells Fargo Bank

Melinda Coker, of Small Business Access Partners

Improving Patient Outcomes

September 16, 2015 by angishields

Health Connect South

Improving Patient Outcomes

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Health Connect South Radio — Sara Bright, Gary Austin, and Jay Shaffer

Improving Patient Outcomes

On this episode we featured three organizations who are working on improving patient outcomes in several ways. We hosted Dr. Kim Dennis, CEO/Director for Timberline Knolls and her colleague, Sara Bright, Gary Austin, CEO of One Care, and Marc O’Connor of Curant Health came by to talk about their solutions.

Timberline Knolls is a residential treatment center for young and adult women (ages 12 to 65+) with eating disorders, substance abuse, trauma, mood and co-occurring disorders. Dr. Dennis joined us by phone and the center’s Atlanta-based outreach representative, Sara Bright joined us in studio to talk about how they help improve the outcomes for the women they treat.

Located in suburban Chicago, residents receive excellent clinical care from a highly trained professional staff on a picturesque 43-acre wooded campus. Women and families seeking Christian treatment can opt for specialized Christian-based therapy. For more information on Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, call them at 877.257.9611. They are also on Facebook – Timberline Knolls, LinkedIn – Timberline Knolls and Twitter – @TimberlineToday.

One Care is a form of social platform that is designed to help families who are trying to support loved ones who are dealing with a variety of health issues, particularly when there are a number of activities the patient needs to accomplish to optimize their outcomes by adhering closely to the care plan prescribed for them. This may include nutritional recommendations, exercise regimens, medication schedules, etc. The platform employs philosophies learned through Aubrey Daniels’ management and behavioral training philosophies.

Improving Patient Outcomes — Aubrey Daniels

The application interfaces with a variety of wearable technology such as the Fitbit, glucometers, and others. In this way, family members have the ability to coach and reward their loved ones when they complete the recommended actions, as well as check in when it’s seen they have missed a med or other action.

One Care has partnered with technology company, Curant Health. Marc O’Connor is Chief Operating Officer for Curant Health. Curant Health treats patients nationwide through its medication management protocols, including medication reconciliation and establishment of personalized medication regimens, and supports its provider partners and care coordination with its award-winning EHR, MedPlan™.

Curant’s healthcare professionals provide individualized care proven to improve the lives and reduce the overall healthcare costs of chronically ill patients.curanthealth.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurantHealth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/curant-health

Special Guests:

Dr. Kim Dennis, MD, CEO and Medical Director of Timberline Knolls

Doctor of Medicine, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
American Society for Addiction Medicine
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Related Disorders

Sara Bright, MS, Professional Outreach Representative, Timberline Knolls

MS, Human Resources Counseling, Northeastern University
Integrative Health Coaching, Integrative Medicine, Duke University
Board Member and Founding Member, Friends of Camp Celo

Gary Austin, CEO of OneCare

Georgia State University, J. Mack Robinson College of Business
Completed Advanced Performance Management Training Course, Aubrey Daniels International
Co-founder and past CEO, Clearwave

Marc O’Connor, COO of Curant Health

MBA, Georgia State University, J. Mack Robinson College of Business
Member, Board of Directors, Atlanta Heart Ball, American Heart Association
Editorial Board Member, Specialty Pharmacy Times

JR Revelry Bourbon Whiskey

September 15, 2015 by angishields

Midtown Business Radio

JR Revelry Bourbon Whiskey

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JR Revelry Bourbon Whiskey

On this episode I featured friend of the show, Rick Tapia, the founder of JR Revelry Bourbon Whiskey. I met Rick last year around this time, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month when he appeared on Let’s Talk Small Business, sponsored by the GMSDC.

We talked about how he spent the early years of his career learning about the business side of the beverage industry with Seagram Company. As his career advanced, the possibility of having to relocate began to appear on the horizon Rick decided it was time to pursue an idea that had been on his mind for a while—he’d start his own brand.

So, Rick began working on developing a recipe that would provide the flavor profile and color he was looking for, found a contract distiller, selected the glass he would use, and JR Revelry was born. When I met him last year he was in the process of contacting distributors through which his bourbon would make it to package store and restaurant/bar shelves.

Tapia shared how challenging it is to forge a relationship with distributors, describing how many new beverage makers are trying to do the same time. He ultimately found a receptive distributor in New York and was able to begin marketing his spirit.

Today, JR Revelry Bourbon Whiskey is available in four states, including Georgia, and he’s continuing to work to expand the footprint of his brand.

I had the opportunity to try his bourbon and I can tell you, it is excellent, particularly for its price point. To find out where you can purchase your own bottle, visit the JR Revelry website to see merchants who carry his product.

Special Guest:

Jesus Ricardo (Rick) Tapia, Founder of La Bodega International, LLC and Creator of J.R. Revelry

17 years of experience in alcohol beverage industry
Successful entrepreneur
Actively involved in the community, supporting Hispanic and Latin American Chambers of Commerce
BA, Boston University
Speaks Fluent Spanish

ICD-10 – Top Docs Radio

September 10, 2015 by angishields

Top Docs Radio

ICD-10 - Top Docs Radio

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ICD-10

This week I continued my monthly series featuring experts from Medical Association of Georgia. Our conversation focused on the upcoming implementation of ICD-10 codes, which will significantly change how we document and are reimbursed for care provided to our patients.

I sat down with Dr. James Dunnick, a former practicing cardiologist of over 25 years who began to enhance his level of understanding of coding, compliance, and quality review later in his career. He now provides consulting services to healthcare practices and hospitals on these important components of their businesses.

Within the healthcare industry, providers, coders, IT professionals, insurance carriers, government agencies, and others use ICD codes to properly note diseases on health records, track epidemiological trends and assist in medical reimbursement decisions.

The World Health Organization (WHO) owns, develops, and publishes ICD codes, and national governments and other regulating bodies adopt the system.

The differences between ICD-9 and ICD-10 are significant and physicians and practice management staff need to start educating themselves now about this major change so that they will be able to meet the ICD-10 compliance deadline of October 1 – in less than one month.

ICD-10-CM codes are the ones designated for use in documenting diagnoses. They are 3-7 characters in length and total 68,000, while ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes are 3-5 digits in length and number over 14,000. The ICD-10-PCS are the procedure codes and they are alphanumeric, 7 characters in length, and total approximately 87,000, while ICD-9-CM procedure codes are only 3-4 numbers in length and total approximately 4,000 codes. ICD-10-PCS is only used for coding hospital inpatient procedures. CPT remains the code set for reporting procedures and services in offices and outpatient settings.

Moving to ICD-10 is expected to impact all physicians. Due to the increased number of codes, the change in the number of characters per code, and increased code specificity, this transition will require significant planning, training, software/system upgrades/replacements, as well as other necessary investments.

WHO is expected to release ICD-11 in 2017.

Special Guest:

Dr. James Kennedy, MD, of

The World Health Organization (WHO) owns, develops, and publishes ICD codes, and national governments and other regulating bodies adopt the system.

WHO is expected to release ICD-11 in 2017.

Special Guest:

Dr. James Dunnick, MD, of SESEDN, LLC and The Dunnick Group, LLC

Board Certified Cardiologist with 25 years of clinical practice
Certified Professional Coder (CPC) through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
Certified in Quality and Utilization (CHCQM) by the American Board of Quality Assurance, Utilization Review Physicians (ABQAURP)
Certified in Compliance (CMDP) by the American Institute of Healthcare

Trauma Surgery – Top Docs Radio

September 10, 2015 by angishields

Top Docs Radio

Trauma Surgery - Top Docs Radio

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Trauma Surgery

On this episode of Top Docs Radio, I sat down with Dr. Doug Lundy, an orthopedic surgeon with Resurgens Orthopaedics to talk about trauma surgery. Dr. Lundy shared the fact that he initially had plans to have a career in the military as an officer in the Army.

We talked about the fact that during their training and work, the soldiers were frequently experiencing orthopedic injuries, necessitating care by orthopedic surgeons. In that time he began to have an interest in the field of medicine and ultimately went that direction.

Dr. Lundy explained that motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle wrecks, and falls from height tend to be the main causes of injury leading to a patient needing his help. These injuries are often very complex and involve both the bony and soft tissue, and lead to extensive rehabilitation.

In many cases patients are left with a fair degree of pain or loss of function after traumatic injuries like these. Lundy said that the way to get the best recovery usually means starting rehabilitation soon after repair of the injuries which means the patient has to endure significant discomfort and effort to achieve it.

It is clear in speaking with Dr. Lundy he has a passion for his work and appreciates the opportunity to help patients who are experiencing these life-changing injuries, helping them get their lives back as close to normal as possible.

Special Guest:

Dr. Doug Lundy, MD, of Resurgens Orthopaedics

Medical College of Georgia; Augusta, Georgia
Residency, Orthopedic Surgery, Georgia Baptist Medical Center
Orthopaedic Trauma/ Foot & Ankle Fellowship; Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, Tennessee
Board Certified, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Cobb2020

September 9, 2015 by angishields

Health Connect South

Cobb2020

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Cobb2020

A few months ago, I learned about a health initiative coordinated through the Cobb-Douglas Department of Public Health. This far-reaching effort aims to improve the health of this region that hosts over 800,000 residents across a number of health and lifestyle markers such as smoking, obesity, access to primary care, and many more.

Established in 1920, Cobb & Douglas Public Health’s (CDPH’s) mission is, “with our partners, to promote

and protect the health and safety of the residents of Cobb and Douglas counties.” CDPH serves over

800,000 residents. Many of its 30-plus health programs are population-based, although some cater

specifically to particularly vulnerable populations.

Services are delivered through diverse programs provided at several public health clinical locations as well as through several additional partnership sites. One of 18 public health districts in the State of Georgia, CDPH is comprised of two distinct boards of health—the Cobb County Board of Health and the Douglas County Board of Health. Cobb2020, The Partnership for a Healthier Cobb County and Live Healthy Douglas facilitated by Cobb and Douglas Public Health (CDPH), continues to make steady progress on the priorities established in the 2012 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).

Both Cobb and Douglas Partnerships were established in April 2011 and utilizing the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnership (MAPP) process, the coalitions conducted a thorough Community Health Assessment. The two Steering Committees, made up of diverse community members, outlined the top health priorities for the counties which included improvement of health lifestyles and access to health services. The teams helped to draft the

CHIP in December 2012 which outlined the MAPP process including the structure for the partnership, Community Health Assessments, Strategic Issues and Community Balanced Scorecards for evaluation.

Using the CHIP, The Cobb2020 and Live Healthy Douglas Implementation Teams (I-Teams) working on Healthy Lifestyles and Access to Health Services selected evidenced based strategies and developed detailed action plans which were published in June 2013. The I-Teams continue to review and revise strategies (with oversight from the Steering Committee) based on evaluation data. An overall assessment and update of I-Team plans was completed in December 2014. The I-Team plans were updated for 2015 to focus on initiatives which have been truly successful, impactful and sustainable.

Since the I-Team plans were completed in 2012, much progress has occurred. Listed below are a few highlights of successful activities from 2014.

Three new Farm Fresh Markets opened in the Spring of 2014 in a food dessert in Austell, GA. An existing Farmer’s Market in Mabelton, GA completed certification to accept SNAP (i.e., food stamps) for produce. Several Cobb2020 partners established regular mini-markets onsite for their employees and clients.

A no-smoking ordinance for parks and cemeteries in the City of Kennesaw passed in June 2014. A new Childhood Obesity Grant was obtained from Healthcare Georgia to support work on joint use agreements and work with school wellness councils. A Cobb2020 partner, Good Samaritan Health Center of Cobb was approved as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) bringing more resources to improve access to health services.

Special Guests:

Dr. Jack Kennedy, District Director, Cobb-Douglas Department of Public Health/Cobb2020

Lisa Crossman, Deputy Director, Cobb-Douglas Department of Public Health

Becky Shipley, MS, of YMCA of Metro Atlanta

Expand a Brand

September 8, 2015 by angishields

Midtown Business Radio

Expand a Brand

00:00 / 00:35:52

Expand a Brand

This week I hosted Karen Weinstock, of Weinstock Immigration Lawyers and Adrian Queenan, founder and CEO of Expand a Brand. Adrian and his team created the familiar tear-shaped banners you see at conferences, sporting events, and festivals. Expand a Brand is a South African-based company that recently launched a US location.

Both Karen and Adrian immigrated to the states and launched businesses here. Karen shared her personal story of the challenges she experienced when she was going through the process of working to get a visa, establish her credit, get an apartment, securing work, etc. It was during this time she decided she would direct her work to helping immigrants who followed after her.

Adrian talked about how they had been doing business in the US for a number of years through a local distributor. They ultimately decided they would create a US-base of operations to supplement their original location. He described how he researched numerous immigration attorneys prior to applying for the necessary visa.

They chose the Weinstock Immigration Lawyers to give them guidance through the assistance and were successful in getting established in the US and have been growing their business since. Adrian talked about how his company provides a variety of tents and banners for use at any sort of event. And they provide a product that is designed to stand out visually to help their customers present their brands effectively in busy event venues.

Special Guests:

Adrian Queenan, Founder/CEO of Expand a Brand

B Comm, Commerce, University of the Witwatersrand
Previous Supply Chain Manager, Tiger Brands
Former Sales & Marketing Director, Dell
Speaks English and Afrikans

Karen Weinstock, Founder/Managing Attorney, Weinstock Immigration Lawyers

LLB, Law, Hebrew University, Israel
Author, H1b Visa Book 2009
Former Managing Attorney, Siskind Susser PC
Fluent, English Hebrew
Professional-Working Proficient, Spanish

Reinventing Yourself

September 3, 2015 by angishields

Midtown Business Radio

Reinventing Yourself

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Reinventing Yourself

On this week’s episode we continued our monthly series with IRC Wealth. CEO, Dave Ragland, and VP Business Development, Joe Schum, joined me in studio along with Debi Buckland, a certified therapist and professional coach. Our topic was reinventing yourself.

Many of us adults know the feeling of, “I need to make a change,” when it comes to thinking about one’s job. It’s hard to truly know what your true self is/wants when you’re graduating from high school and selecting an academic and professional path. That means that for a lot of us, we find ourselves wanting to transition to something else that will be more in line with our spirit and personal values.

With his background as a financial planner and wealth adviser, David talked about how important it is for individuals to consider their personal values and wants relating to their quality of life and standard of living when thinking about making changes that will affect their income. Clearly, leaving one’s job to pursue a dream, whether that’s a new career move or retirement will involve a measure of financial risk.

By sitting down with experts such as David when in the planning phase, risk can be mitigated by understanding obligations, getting a plan for debt elimination, potentially making changes in standard of living expenses, and developing a time line that will facilitate addressing these issues as well as allowing the individual to enjoy their new pursuits.

As a therapist who spends much time speaking with individuals who are wanting to make a change in their lives, she talked about how important it is to be moving toward something more than running away from something. We also discussed how important it is to talk to one’s partner about the changes they’re contemplating since they will also affect their life as well.

As we talked through the show, it was clear that all our experts agree–it can be a great thing for us to find The Thing that allows us to be more authentic, more who we really are. And it was also obvious that sitting down with an expert to craft a plan isn’t simply going to end in being told, “No, you shouldn’t do that.” With some diligence and some planning with qualified pros, you might find you can make that transition to the new you sooner (and more safely) than you think.

David Ragland, CEO/Founder, IRC Wealth

Joe Schum, VP Business Development, IRC Wealth

Debi Buckland, LMFT, LPC, CPCS