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Dr. Scott Beach – Top Docs Radio

February 9, 2016 by angishields

Top Docs Radio

Dr. Scott Beach - Top Docs Radio

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Dr. Scott Beach

On this week’s show I sat down with interventional cardiologist, Dr. Scott Beach, of Heart & Vascular Care, with offices in Johns Creek, Cumming, and Canton, GA. I’ve known Dr. Beach for several years through the practice I was working for (Hyperbaric Physicians of Georgia). Our physicians have worked with him on numerous patients’ cases, both sending him folks who needed to have their blood flow to their lower extremities evaluated, as well as providing specialized wound care for patients he and his colleagues occasionally see in their practice.

Dr. Beach share how he enjoys the fact that his relationship with his patients and their loved ones tends to extend over years rather than being short and limited to a procedure or two. We talked about vascular disease and some things both patients and doctors need to think about to get problems identified and treated early.

Scott explained how often, symptoms of developing vascular disease are mild and gradually reduce the patient’s tolerance to activity. In many instances, the patient and their family merely chalk the changes up to “getting older”. That’s dangerous, because it means the blockage of blood flow that’s causing the symptoms continues to grow until a major event occurs such as a heart attack, stroke, or possibly a limb amputation.

We discussed the fact that there are simple, non-invasive studies that can reveal early vascular disease when it’s easier and more-likely-successful to treat with more options to choose from. Additionally, we talked about the fact that having pulses that can be felt on a patient’s foot is NOT an accurate means of determining whether a patient has vascular disease that needs attention in many patients.

Additionally, when patients have a wound on their foot or leg that is healing slowly or not at all, it is very important to know whether blockage of blood flow is contributing to the inability to heal. Too often, these patients go for amputation that could have been readily prevented with one of those non-invasive or minimally-invasive studies he described. For patients with a wound that’s not healing, it is important for them to have a multiple-specialty team of doctors who help with different facets of the non-healing wound. Scott and his colleagues certainly subscribe to this approach and get their patients with limb threatening wounds access to all available experts who can help save their foot/leg.

The value in this multi-specialty approach cannot be overstated when you consider that in diabetics (one of the largest groups who experience vascular disease), the 5 year mortality rate for patients undergoing a below-the-knee amputation is just under 50%. Most patients and many doctors are not fully aware of this risk.

Special Guest:

Dr. Scott Beach, MD, Heart & Vascular Care

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

April 9, 2015 by angishields

Health Connect South

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

This week we sat down with internationally-known expert on the subject of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Dr. Helen Gelly. This treatment modality has been available to patients with poorly-healing wounds, thermal injuries, decompression sickness, late effects of radiation, and several other problems for decades. And while there is a quality body of evidence supporting the use of this treatment for clinically-appropriate patients, many of the patients who could benefit from access to it never get to know it’s available.

This is due in large part to the fact that of ~159 US medical colleges, only ~30 offer hyperbaric oxygen therapy and wound resolution as taught specialties. That means that approximately 85% of graduating physicians have had very little (if any) exposure to academic information about the modality. The result is that they often miss opportunities to add the treatment to the patient’s care plan, which in turn delays (or even prevents) these problem wounds from healing.

Dr. Gelly shared information about the history of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and we talked about the physiology of what’s happening during the course of therapy. We discussed a couple of major groups of patients whose clinical outcomes tend to be significantly improved with access to hyperbaric medicine, diabetic ulcer patients and patients experiencing persistent late effects of radiation. The aim is to get credible information to the public so that both physicians and patients in need can educate themselves about it. Atlanta is unique in that both inside the city and in numerous suburbs, patients can receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy in hospital-based or UHMS accredited free-standing programs. It’s also paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance companies for these evidence-based indications.

Special Guest:

Dr. Helen Gelly, MD of HyperbaRXs

Doctor of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
Internship/Residency: Pediatrics/Emergency Medicine at Emory University Affiliated Hospitals
Board Certified in Emergency Medicine
Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians
Fellow of the American College of Certified Wound Specialists
Subspecialty Certified Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine

Peripheral Arterial Disease – Top Docs Radio

March 6, 2015 by angishields

Top Docs Radio

Peripheral Arterial Disease - Top Docs Radio

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Peripheral Arterial Disease

As many as 12 million Americans are dealing with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a progressive blockage of the blood vessels that carry blood to the lower extremities. For many of these patients, amputation is the outcome, leaving them without a foot, or in others, half or more of their leg. Medical literature has shown that in these patients, their risk of death within 1 to 5 years of their amputation they have a 40% likelihood of amputation of the remaining leg and a significant risk of death. It’s clearly a serious problem.

But we can reduce the rate of amputation among these patients and we can also reduce the severity of intervention required to address the problem if we catch it early. Dr. Joseph Ricotta, vascular surgeon and director of the Northside Hearth & Vascular program, stopped by the studio to talk about what can be done to improve patient outcomes for those with PAD. We talked about the troublesome statistics around peripheral arterial disease, including the fact that among diabetics with PAD who develop a non-healing wound resulting in amputation, as many as 50% of them never receive a non-invasive study that could prevent the loss of their leg.

That means we need our partners in primary care and foot/ankle surgery to take an aggressive stance when presented with patients who are at risk for PAD or who have a poorly-healing wound on their leg or foot. There are numerous non-invasive studies that take only minutes in the vascular surgeon’s office that can readily identify patients who have blockage affecting blood flow to their feet. In these cases, if caught early, surgeons like Dr. Ricotta have more options and greater probability they can reestablish adequate blood flow that helps a wound to heal, preventing or mitigating extent of amputation.

We talked about the fact that Northside offers access to 2 of the country’s 10 robotic devices that significantly improves the effectiveness of minimally-invasive procedures by allowing the vascular surgeons to access and treat previously-inaccessible locations. Additionally, with the assistance of the robot, the surgeons are able to reduce damage that can occur on the inside of the vessel being treated, which reduces the likelihood that scarring after the procedure will block the vessel off again (a leading cause of reocclusion in PAD lesions).

I also spoke with foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Michael Bednarz of Ankle & Foot Centers of Georgia, whose office is located in Woodstock, just north of Marietta. He talked about treating PAD patients with wounds from the perspective of the specialist who is tasked with managing the wound and ultimately, treating it surgically as necessary (including amputation when efforts to heal the wound fail and serious infection is a risk).

We talked about the fact that amputation should be viewed as a last-ditch option. And Mike shared that no patient should face amputation without having had a vascular study to determine if poor flow is contributing to the wound not healing. He talked about the fact that when he’s presented with a poorly-healing wound, particularly in a patient with PAD risk factors such as diabetes, one of the first things he does is request a vascular study to assess blood flow. He also utilizes Transcutaneous Oximetry, a non-invasive test that shows how well the tissue at the surface where a wound is located is getting oxygen.

With the results of those studies, he is able to address poor blow flow by referral to a vascular surgeon and/or to hyperbaric medicine (readily available in Atlanta and surrounding suburbs) to address poor oxygen levels in the skin. He also evaluates other risk factors such as glucose levels and presence of infection, often resulting in consults with infectious disease and/or endocrine specialists to help heal the limb-threatening wound. We talked about the fact that a multi-specialty approach insures that more patients can avoid amputation and the resultant high mortality rates that come with them.

Early involvement with an experienced wound specialist, vascular diagnostics/intervention, infection control, and endocrinology are all vital in helping patients avoid an amputation that might also cost them their life.

Special Guests:

Joseph Ricotta, MD, Medical Director, Heart & Vascular Institute, Northside Hospital

Doctor of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine
Surgical Residency, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Fellowship, Vascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic
Fellowship, Advanced Endovascular Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Associate Professor of Surgery, Georgia Regents University, University of Georgia School of Medicine

Michael Bednarz, DPM, Ankle & Foot Centers of Georgia

Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, Kent State University School of Podiatric Medicine
Residency, Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Miami
Board Certified, American Board of Foot/Ankle Surgery
Recognized as a “Top Doc” in the WellStar Health System

Dr. Rheudasil of Emory Heart and Vascular Institute and Georgia Vascular Society – Top Docs Radio

August 27, 2014 by angishields

Top Docs Radio

Dr. Rheudasil of Emory Heart and Vascular Institute and Georgia Vascular Society - Top Docs Radio

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Emory Heart and Vascular Institute and Georgia Vascular Society

This week on Top Docs RADIO we sat down with Dr. Mark Rheudasil of Emory Heart and Vascular Institute. We talked about the specialty of vascular surgery, new advances in minimally-invasive endovascular procedures, and upcoming events with Georgia Vascular Society. Dr. Rheudasil shared some feelings about why he enjoys his chosen specialty as much as he does and when it’s advisable to be seen by the specialists of Emory Heart and Vascular Institute.

He talked about his membership with the Georgia Vascular Society and how it helps the vascular specialists across the state of Georgia stay in contact with each other to share best practices, new research, and other important information they provide through their educational conferences. Our physician practice has worked with Emory Heart and Vascular Institute for many years, collaborating on countless patients with limb-threatening wounds. Be sure to consider a consult with this practice should you or a loved one find themselves in need of evaluation for vascular disease of the extremities, aorta, carotids, and more.

Special Guest:

Dr. Mark Rheudasil, MD of Emory Heart and Vascular Institute and Georgia Vascular Society

Doctorate of Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
Residency, Emory University Hospital
Fellow, American College of Surgeons
Board Certified in surgery and vascular surgery
Published articles in several medical journals including The Journal of Vascular Surgery, American Surgeon and The Journal of the Medical Association of Georgia

Village Podiatry Centers and Extremity Health Care – Top Docs Radio

August 22, 2014 by angishields

Top Docs Radio

Village Podiatry Centers and Extremity Health Care - Top Docs Radio

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Village Podiatry Centers and Extremity Health Care

This week I sat down with Dr. David Helfman, DPM. He’s founder and CEO of Village Podiatry Centers and Chairman of the Board for Extremity Health Care. We discussed how he was able to grow the practice from a solo office in 1992 to having 30 locations in the Atlanta Metro area.

We learned that they look for doctors who possess ten or more years of training and board certified or board eligible. Village Podiatry Centers’ physicians have contributed editorial and content contribution on a number of text books in academic podiatry reference books. The reference materials Village Podiatry surgeons have contributed to are in use in podiatric schools across the US and abroad.

Each Village Podiatry Centers office provides on-site, digital X-ray and vascular studies. And Village Podiatry patients have access to high quality imaging services through a relationship with the only high-field Extremity MRI Center in Atlanta. The group has three convenient surgery centers and their surgeons have privileges at numerous metro hospitals.

Extremity Health Care, the holding company of which Village Podiatry is a part, provides professional services, consulting, billing/collection, management services, interfaces with third-party contracting, marketing, etc. Additionally, Extremity Health is working to add additional specialty service lines that complement their core practice, giving their patients access to the full spectrum of providers, diagnostics, and procedures they may need to achieve a positive outcome.

Special Guest:

Dr. David Helfman, DPM, CEO of Village Podiatry Centers and Chairman of the Board of Extremity Health Care

Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine, Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine
Surgical Residency, Vencor Hospital, Atlanta & Georgia Podiatric Surgical Residency Program
Published author and lecturer on podiatric surgery
Board Certified, American Board of Podiatric Surgery
Fellow, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery

Specialized Healthcare IT and Vascular Services – Top Docs Radio

August 12, 2014 by angishields

Top Docs Radio

Specialized Healthcare IT and Vascular Services - Top Docs Radio

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Tier3MD provides specialized IT services for medical groups. Advanced Vascular Resources offer a full range of diagnostic vascular studies and minimally-invasive corrective procedures.

Healthcare IT and Vascular Services

Today we learned how Tier3MD brings over 2 decades of healthcare IT installation and management to their medical clients. Their full suite of IT services allow medical practices to reduce cost related to IT by as much as half or more in some situations. Mike & Sheryl Cherico discussed how provide consultation with practices considering a new EMR to help them choose the best one suited for their particular practice. Their technologists are also versed in HIPAA requirements so they are able to insure their clients’ data controls are compliant with regulations.

Sean Yanes of Advanced Vascular Resources shared how AVR improves outcomes among patients suffering from PAD, carotid disease, migraine headaches, and many more problems related to vascular disease. The multi-state physician practice takes a collaborative approach to their referral partners and work to compliment rather than replace their partners’ treatment plans. AVR’s interventional radiologist, Dr. Doug Redd has been providing a high level of vascular interventions in the Atlanta area for many years. Additionally, he served in academic roles at Emory prior to joining AVR’s Atlanta practice.

Special Guests:

Sheryl Cherico, CEO/Founder, Tier3MD

Licensed IT professional with over 20 years of experience in the field with heavy focus in medical practice IT needs
Oversaw installations of digital cardiac lab systems in numerous high-profile health systems nationally
Previous IT Director for one of the Southeast’s largest cardiology groups
Founder of Atlanta Medical Consulting Group
Volunteer, Georgia Breast Cancer Coalition

Sean Yanes, Director of Sales/Marketing, Advanced Vascular Resources

Extensive experience in management and relationship building within the healthcare device space, particularly within wound and vascular specialties
Multiple award winner for individual and team sales under his management
Has developed numerous programs for expanding physician practice referral bases
Education, Marketing/Business, Spring Hill College

Special Guest, Dr. Jocelyn Curry, Podiatry – Top Docs Radio

June 25, 2014 by angishields

Top Docs Radio

Special Guest, Dr. Jocelyn Curry, Podiatry - Top Docs Radio

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Talking Podiatry with Dr. Jocelyn Curry DPM

Foot & Ankle Surgery — Dr. Jocelyn Curry talks about her expertise in foot/ankle care.

Podiatrist Dr. Jocelyn Curry, DPM of Ankle & Foot Centers of Georgia

This week I’m joined by Dr. Jocelyn Curry, DPM. She is a podiatrist with Ankle & Foot Centers of Georgia. She’ll talk about the variety of foot & ankle surgical and medical management services she provides in her Lithonia and Midtown office locations, including: Surgical correction of bunions and hammertoes, heel pain/ plantar fasciitis, custom orthotics, reconstructive foot surgery for deformity, sports injuries, and workers compensation foot & ankle care. Dr. Curry’s professional special interests are in forefoot surgery, tendon injury repair and diabetic limb reconstruction.

Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine, Temple University of Podiatric Medicine
Residency, Atlanta Department of Veterans Administration Medical Center
Member: American Podiatric Medical Association, Georgia Podiatric Medical Association, American Diabetes Association

In her own words: Medicine has been her lifelong passion and she feels blessed when a patient puts their trust and health in her hands. Dr. Curry states “I treat every patient with the utmost respect and care, as if they were my own family member. I enjoy meeting new patients daily and exploring the challenges of podiatric medicine.”

Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention Discussion – Top Docs Radio

June 19, 2014 by angishields

Top Docs Radio

Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention Discussion - Top Docs Radio

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TOPIC:

Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention

In the US alone there are over 20,000 lower extremity amputations per month. As many as 68% of them have not had a basic vascular study to determine if revascularization could help save the leg. This week I’ll talk with Dr. Mohammad Sharif of Village Podiatry Centers, Dr. Doug Redd of Advanced Vascular Resources, and Dr. David Schwegman of Hyperbaric Physicians of Georgia. They’ll be discussing the multi-specialty team approach that is necessary for the best outcomes in patients with limb-threatening wounds. They will talk about important things patients need to know about. This includes things such as how important it is to have a vascular study to see if peripheral vascular disease (PAD) is present. It is important to know that simply checking pulses is not effective enough when lower extremity amputation is a potential outcome. Patients with risk factors for lower extremity amputation need to be followed by a foot & ankle specialist such as a DPM for care along with a certified wound specialist (not just a doctor or nurse who does wound care).

Special Guests:

Dr. Mohammad Sharif, DPM of Village Podiatry Centers

Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine, Dr. William Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine
Internship, University of Texas Health Science Center
Surgical Residency, Harris County Podiatric Surgical Residency Program
Board Certified in Foot & Reconstructive Ankle Surgery
Certified in Microvascular Surgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center

Dr. Doug Redd, MD of Advanced Vascular Resources of Atlanta

Doctorate of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
Internship, Emory University Hospital
Residency, Diagnostic Radiology, Emory University Hospital
Fellowship, Angiography & Interventional Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Dr. David Schwegman, MD of Hyperbaric Physicians of Georgia

Doctorate of Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Residency, Emergency Medicine, Ohio State University
Board Certified, Emergency Medicine
Certified Wound Specialist
Former Assist. Professor, Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine