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Medical Association of Georgia’s 2015 Legislative Priorities – Top Docs Radio

January 14, 2015 by angishields

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Medical Association of Georgia's 2015 Legislative Priorities - Top Docs Radio

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Medical Association of Georgia’s 2015 Legislative Priorities

This week I sat down with Dr. Michael Green and Marcus downs of MAG to discuss Medical Association of Georgia’s 2015 legislative priorities. We talked about several issues that have a serious impact on both patient outcomes as well as Georgia physicians’ ability to provide care. Some key areas of focus this year include Physician Autonomy/Scope of Practice relating to physician-extending providers such as optometrists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, Third Party Payers, Tort Reform, and Patient Access to Care/Physician Shortage.

Dr. Greene and Marcus shared important information about how the year’s priorities are decided upon from how they’re raised as issues, to how they are elevated through committee to final discussion/determination. They also talked about how valuable it is to have active participation in the process by the members of MAG. We discussed the ways that MAG members are able to contribute input on the process and identification of issues for the association to consider.

Marcus and Dr. Greene also talked about some important legislative issues MAG has been able to provide input on that helped shape or revise laws affecting how physicians provide care within the state of Georgia.

Special Guests:

Dr. Michael Greene, Chairman, Council on Legislation, MAG

Doctorate of Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine
Former President of MAG, 2003-’04
Board Member, Secure Health Plan of Georgia
Practicing Family Practice Physician, Macon, GA

Marcus Downs, Director of Government Relations, MAG

Recipient, 2012, Outstanding Advocate Award, National Association of School Psychologists
National Institutes of Health Research Fellow, 2000
Former Director, Government Relations/External Coalitions/Research, Georgia Association of Educators

Complex Patients – Top Docs Radio

January 11, 2015 by angishields

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Complex Patients - Top Docs Radio

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Complex Patients

This week I sat down with our colleague, Dr. Andrew Pugliese, Infectious Disease specialist of Infectious Disease Consultants in Johns Creek. He stopped by to talk about complex patients. He shared how medical studies focus on single illnesses, disqualifying certain age groups and patients with multiple disease states. Dr. Pugliese talked about the fact that in the real world medical office, rare is it that a patient walks in to be treated for a problem who is only dealing with that single disease. More commonly, patients present with obesity, and/or diabetes, heart disease, or any number of other health problems that can affect the way the body responds to a given disease state and treatments for them. Dr. Pugliese shared how these “multi-morbid” (having more than one health issue) patients are very complex and often do not respond to therapies as studies suggest they will. He offered advice for providers to help them be better able to manage patients when they need care for a given problem when other health issues are present. Check out Dr. Pugliese’s blog at http://sinusitisblog.com/.

Special Guest:

Andrew Pugliese, MD, Infectious Disease Consultants

Doctorate in Medicine, St. George University School of Medicine
Fellowship, Infectious Disease, Winthrop University Hospital
Triple Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease
Pioneer in non-surgical treatment of acute and chronic sinusitis
President of Sinus Solutions

Swift School – Top Docs Radio

December 31, 2014 by angishields

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Swift School - Top Docs Radio

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Swift School

This week I sat down with two learning specialists and three students from The Swift School in Roswell, GA. This private school is one that focuses on the learning needs of high-potential students that are challenged with dyslexia, dyscalculia (problems with math), working memory issues, and others. Their learning environment is designed to help these children achieve their academic potential through smaller class sizes, teaching styles (such as Orton-Gillingham method) that take these various brain types and learning process needs into consideration.

As many as 1 in 5 children deal with some sort of learning challenge such as dyslexia, according to the learning specialists, Lisa Armorer and Carol Madden. We now know that these aren’t so much learning “disabilities” as “Brain Types”. As Carol explained, most kids dealing with dyslexia and some of these other challenges are “Right Brain” dominant. This affects the style of learning that is most effective for them and can have an impact on their behavior patterns to some extent as well. Many children are misdiagnosed as having behavioral “problems” when in fact they are actually exhibiting responses to frustration and/or anxiety because they are having trouble learning and they don’t understand why.

Lisa explained how Swift School’s learning approach differs from many “traditional” learning settings and how the strategies they employ take the child’s brain type and associated learning techniques into consideration. This empowers them to achieve academically at a high level and advocate for themselves as students as they return to middle schools and high schools in traditional class environments/teaching approaches.

I got to talk to two 5th graders, Mackenzie Day and Olivia Hall, and 8th grader, Grant Meyer. They shared their poignant stories about how it felt to be “different” from their peers as young students, watching them excel when certain (or all) concepts seemed so difficult for them. They talked about their experiences going to visit Swift School and what it was like to become “veteran” students once they’d been there for a while. Olivia, Mackenzie, and Grant also shared advice for peers in the community who might be considering Swift School as an option when a traditional setting is not helping them reach their academic potential.

Lisa Armorer shared this information with me:

Is your child bright but still struggling in school? It might not be laziness. It might be dyslexia.

Dyslexia affects 1 in 5 students today. Dyslexia is not just seeing words backwards. Dyslexia is a language-based learning difference and causes difficulty with reading, writing and spelling.

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF DYSLEXIA:

Delayed spoken language
Left/Right Confusion
Difficulty rhyming words and sounds
Poor sequencing of numbers and letters
Difficulty sounding out, identifying, and spelling words
Slow to memorize alphabet and math facts
Avoids reading aloud.
Difficulty with reading and comprehension.

For more information:

The International Dyslexia Association – www.interdys.org

Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators – www.ortonacademy.org

Special Guests:

Lisa Armorer, Learning Specialist, Swift School

Carol Madden, Middle Division Director, Swift School

Grant Meyer, 8th Grade Swift Student, President, Student Counsil

Mackenzie Day, 5th Grade Swift Student

Olivia Hall, 5th Grade Swift Student

AirWatch – Top Docs Radio

December 27, 2014 by angishields

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AirWatch - Top Docs Radio

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AirWatch by vmware

This week on TopDocsRADIO we sat down with Paul McRae of AirWatch by vmware. Healthcare is evolving. As information technology advances and our health laws change, greater importance is being placed on electronic health records. Today, digital data is flowing between departments in a hospital, to physician offices, to practitioners in the patients’ homes. The result is greater efficiency in coordination of care, easier collaboration across multi-specialty teams, and an increased risk of compromise of sensitive HIPAA-protected information.

AirWatch by vmware provides technology that allows healthcare organizations to protect sensitive data across their enterprise, including mobile devices and laptops that may be in use outside the confines of the building or campus of the health company. With their solution, the enterprise can determine whether certain data elements can be accessed by a given device (including BYOD), attachments can be included in outbound emails, and more.

If your organization is working to take advantage of the benefits of digital platforms and mobile devices then get to know AirWatch by vmware. You’ll give your company the strengths that come with digitized information coupled with the confidence your information will meet compliance requirements and stay safe in the hands of those its meant to be seen by.

Special Guests:

Paul McRae, Director of Business Development – Healthcare Solutions, AirWatch by vmware

BA Economics, Cornell University
Board Member, Warrick Dunn
Presenter, Georgia Healthcare Trade Faire & Regional Conference 2013
Former SCVP of Healthcare Emerging Technology, AT&T

International Medical Graduates – Top Docs Radio

December 10, 2014 by angishields

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International Medical Graduates - Top Docs Radio

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International Medical Graduates

In our ongoing series with Medical Association of Georgia, we discussed International Medical Graduates on this episode. Today, we continue to extend the age to which we humans live. This, coupled with the large post-war baby boomer population that is now entering the elderly population, compounds the effects of the period 2-3 decades ago where it was thought we possessed a surplus of physicians. During that time the creation of new medical colleges and expansion of residency programs was limited. These factors combined to bring us to the situation we find ourselves in today: an expanding shortage of physicians in the US.

The ECFMG (Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) reports that since its inception in the 1950’s it has examined and certified over 320,000 foreign-trained physicians for acceptance to train in US medical colleges and residency programs. Recent statistics show as many as 25% of practicing physicians in the US are foreign-trained graduates. And they play a vital role in the delivery of healthcare in our country. I sat down with Kate Boyenga, Director of Membership and Marketing with Medical Association of Georgia and current MAG president, Dr. Manoj Shah, himself a foreign medical graduate.

We learned about some of the reasons why Medical Association of Georgia is experiencing its largest membership with over 7500 members statewide. And Dr. Shah shared excellent information about the steps required to study in medical school abroad with the ultimate goal of practicing medicine in the US. He talked about the tests one can expect to take, challenges they may face while making application to schools/residencies in the US, and possible solutions for them.

Special Guests:

Kate Boyenga, Director of Membership and Marketing for Medical Association of Georgia

BA Communication, College of Charleston
Under her leadership MAG Membership is at an all-time high
14 years with MAG

Dr. Manoj Shah, MD, of Physicians for Women and president of MAG

MAG’s first President from Warner Robins
MAG’s first president of East Indian descent
Doctor of Medicine, Baroda, India
Residency, Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit
Has delivered more than 7,000 babies

Dr. Khusrow Niazi – Top Docs Radio

December 3, 2014 by angishields

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Dr. Khusrow Niazi - Top Docs Radio

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Dr. Khusrow Niazi

This week I sat down with Emory School of Medicine’s Dr. Khusrow Niazi, Interventional Cardiologist and Director of Peripheral Vascular Interventions. Dr. Niazi is a cardiologist but is different from many other cardiologists as he treats disease from the head to toes. He specializes in blockages of the artery which may involve coronary arteries around the heart which may cause chest pain or heart attack, carotid arteries which may cause TIA or strokes, arteries to the leg which may cause leg discomfort or slow wound healing. In addition he is one of the few cardiologists who also treat veins of the legs which may cause leg cramps, swelling, heaviness or varicose veins. He has lectured nationally and internationally and has helped many patients from getting their legs amputated.

Dr. Niazi appeared with the goal of providing the folks in the community with a cardiologist’s perspective on what they need to know about vascular disease which can affect the arteries that supply the brain, heart, and limbs. We talked about things we can do to reduce our risk of disease in the vascular system. He also shared recommendations on the types of tests and studies that folks who are at greater risk for vascular disease should consider having conducted. Many of these tests are quite basic and can be performed at their local primary care physician’s office. Persons who should consider regular monitoring for the presence of vascular disease include those who are over-weight, have diabetes, high cholesterol levels, hypertension, as well as those who have close relatives with a history of vascular problems.

Dr. Niazi advised our listeners to not ignore symptoms that might indicate a vascular problem exists such as chest tightness/pain, dizzy spells or changes in vision, speech, or ability to walk, pain in the lower legs when walking, shortness of breath at rest or with mild activity, etc. These can be signs that vascular problems exist that could potentially be corrected with early intervention. He also spoke about the fact that persons who have a wound on their lower leg or foot need to be evaluated for the presence of correctable vascular disease. Many of these people go on to have amputations when they may have been prevented by intervention by a vascular specialist.

Special Guest:

Dr. Khusrow Niazi, MD, of Emory University School of Medicine

Doctor of Medicine, King Edward Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan
Residency, Cardiology, Kettering Medical Center
Fellowship William Beaumont Hospital
Multiple published research articles

Dr. Jon Minter of Northside Total Joint Specialists – Top Docs Radio

November 20, 2014 by angishields

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Dr. Jon Minter of Northside Total Joint Specialists - Top Docs Radio

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Dr. Jon Minter of Northside Total Joint Specialists

This week I sat down with Dr. Jon Minter of Northside Total Joint Specialists. In our ongoing monthly series with Northside Hospital we learned about the various conditions that could lead to a total joint replacement. Dr. Minter shared some great information about some of the techniques he uses now to perform the surgery, including using robotic assistance with portions of the procedure. Having robotic assistance helps the surgeon minimize surgical trauma to the tissue in the surgical field, making the recovery process proceed more quickly and with less pain.

Dr. Minter talked about the fact that he is able to perform joint replacement for a wide variety of joints from knees, to hips, shoulders, wrists, ankles and even digits. He is able to repair joint damage from disease processes such as arthritis as well as traumatic injuries. I was surprised to learn that patients undergoing total hip replacement and total knee replacement can often go home to recover the same day as their surgery rather than staying for several days in the hospital.

Dr. Minter discussed how he takes a conservative approach to joint replacement, exploring non-surgical options where feasible to attempt to give the patient relief of pain while avoiding surgery if possible. If you or a loved one is experiencing a decrease in activity in an effort to avoid pain you should seek a consultation with this specialist. You will be pleased to experience his pleasant, personable demeanor. We talked about the fact that when patients begin to avoid activity in an effort to prevent experiencing pain, they can see their heart health decrease over time, potentially shortening their lives. Dr. Jon Minton of Northside Total Joint Specialists can help you or your loved ones get your life back through his expert, conservative approach to joint replacement.

Special Guest:

Dr. Jon Minter, DO, of Northside Total Joint Specialists

Doctor of Osteopathy, Kirksville Osteopathic Medicine
Residency, Orthopedic Surgery, Parkview Hospital
Adult Reconstructive and Arthritis Fellowship, Florida Orthopaedic Institute/Tampa General Hospital
Published Study Author and Frequent Lecturer on the subject of Joint Replacement

“Think About It” – Top Docs Radio

November 12, 2014 by angishields

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"Think About It" - Top Docs Radio

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“Think About It” Campaign to End Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription medication abuse and subsequent addiction is a serious problem that needs our immediate attention as a community and as healthcare providers. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Although most people take prescription medications responsibly, an estimated 52 million people (20 percent of those aged 12 and older) have used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons at least once in their lifetimes.” And, National Council for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse states, “Taking prescription drugs not prescribed for you by a doctor or in a way that hasn’t been recommended by a doctor, can be more dangerous than you think. In fact, it can be fatal. Prescription drugs are the third most commonly abused category of drugs, behind alcohol and marijuana and ahead of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. Some prescription drugs can become addictive, especially when used in a manner inconsistent with their labeling by someone other than the patient for whom they were prescribed, or when taken in a manner or dosage other than prescribed. Overall, an estimated 48 million people have abused prescription drugs, representing nearly 20% of the U.S. population.”

This week I sat down with Dallas Gay and Dr. Tennant Slack along with Lori Cassidy Murphy from the Medical Association of Georgia to talk about their recently-launched campaign to fight prescription medication abuse and addiction. Dallas and Dr. Slack co-chair the campaign and they’re working hard to bring community focus to the problem. The campaign is being funded by the Medical Association of Georgia Foundation and is working to raise awareness of this issue among Georgia’s residents as well as healthcare providers who prescribe controlled medications. Their team has developed colorful handout materials that give key recommendations for persons who have prescriptions for controlled pain or anti-anxiety medications with regard to how they take it, how they store it, and how to dispose of it when they no longer need the medication. Additionally, they’re involved with numerous events around the community to get people talking and thinking about how this problem can be prevented.

Think About It is a program conducted by the Medical Association of Georgia Foundation for the purpose of reducing the incidence of prescription drug abuse and resulting deaths. The concept for the program originated at NGMC in 2010 and is presently co-chaired by Dr. Jack Chapman, Dr. Tennent Slack and Dallas Gay. Hall County has served as the incubator of the program since its inception. The “Help Stop Rx Drug Abuse in Georgia” leaflets encourage Georgians to 1) only take their medicine as prescribed and 2) not share their medicine and 3) store their medicine in a safe and secure place and 4) properly dispose of any unused medicine.

The ‘Think About It’ campaign involves a wide array of organizations, including medical societies, the Georgia Composite Medical Board, the Georgia Board of Pharmacy, the Georgia Pharmacy Association, the Council on Alcohol and Drugs, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation – as well as other law enforcement agencies, schools, and business and religious and other community organizations.

Thank you for listening and PLEASE SHARE! this podcast with your networks. You may just help someone you care about.

Special Guests

Dr. Tennant Slack, MD, of Northeast Georgia Physician’s Group

Doctorate of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
Residency, Anesthesia, Emory University School of Medicine
Fellowship, Pain Medicine, Medical College of Georgia
Board Certified, American Board of Anesthesiology: – Anesthesiology – Pain Medicine

Dallas Gay, Co-Chair, “Think About It” Campaign

Board Member, Northeast Georgia Medical Center
MBA, Georgia State University
Member, Drug Free Coalition of Hall County
Former President, Protein Products, Inc
Former President, American Proteins, Inc.

Lenz Marketing – Top Docs Radio

November 6, 2014 by angishields

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Lenz Marketing - Top Docs Radio

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Lenz Marketing

This week I sat down with the Vice President of Marketing for Lenz Marketing, Mr. Mike Killeen. According to the company’s website, Lenz offers clients the full suite of marketing and communication tools to grow their businesses. At Lenz, integrated marketing is the strategic and coordinated implementation of digital and traditional advertising, PR, web sites, social media, and events to achieve a stated goal. The company has been serving the Atlanta area for over 22 years. Mike talked about the fact that the firm started as a traditional marketing company, providing service to a variety of companies looking to increase community awareness of their brands. Early on their leadership saw an opportunity to help businesses within the medical community, from hospitals to physician groups.

As Mike stated, “We have evolved and refined who we are and what we do to be known best for healthcare marketing, no doubt about it. We enjoy it and find it very fulfilling. But we’ve done a lot of different things throughout our history. And we really fell that our broad set of interests is one of the reasons we’re most successful with healthcare. Because we don’t think that marketing healthcare is really that different than marketing anything else. At the end of the day, people are looking to align themselves with companies they believe in, that they think are representative of who they are, that they can trust, that they think have value.”

At Lenz Marketing believes that today, patients are becoming more educated, having greater access to means to look into a prospective provider of healthcare. This means patients are becoming “consumers” in that more and more they are realizing they do have choices and access to ways to get to know about those choices. Lenz is able to help their clients develop a strategy that will improve public awareness of their practice or organization as well as improve engagement with their respective referral bases.

Special Guest:

Mike Killeen, VP of Marketing at Lenz Marketing