Mecklenburg Medicinemarch 2011 I Vol. 41, No. 3

A Publication of the Mecklenburg County Medical Society I www.meckmed.org

Mecklenburg County Medical Society • Mecklenburg Medical Alliance and EndowmentFounders of: Bioethics Resource Group, Ltd., Hospitality House of Charlotte, Teen Health Connection, MedAssist of Mecklenburg, Physicians Reach Out

Doctors’ Day Is March 30

To learn more about Presbyterian’s remarkable care, call 704-384-CARE (2273) or visit www.presbyterian.org.

Patient Focused. Physician Driven.Team Powered.

It’s What Defines Presbyterian.

Presbyterian Healthcare is dedicated to providing remarkable care for our community. This focus begins with our leadership team – practicing physicians who understand what patients need and want. Physician leadership ensures decisions are driven by what is best for our patients and their families. Through the teamwork of our physicians, nurses and administrators, Presbyterian continues to be nationally recognized for quality care, having recently achieved Magnet Designation, the nation’s top honor for excellence in nursing.

Pictured above (L-R): George White, MD; David Cook, MD; Ophelia Garmon-Brown, MD; Herbert Clegg, MD; Ehab Sharawy, MD; Tom Zweng, MD;

Mark Billings; Paula Vincent, RN; Yele Aluko, MD; Andrew Mueller, MD; Michael Hoben, MD; Thomas Jenike, MD; Stephen Ezzo, MD; Mark Collins, MD.

� March 2011 • Mecklenburg Medicine�

Mecklenburg Medicine is published 10 times per year by the Mecklenburg County Medical Society, 1112 Harding Place, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28204. Opinions expressed by authors are their own, and not necessarily those of Mecklenburg Medicine or the Mecklenburg County Medical Society. Mecklenburg Medicine reserves the right to edit all contributions for clarity and length, as well as to reject any material submitted. Mecklenburg Medicine is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.

Non-members may subscribe to Mecklenburg Medicine at a cost of $30 per year, or $3.50 per issue, if extra copies are available.

Classified Ads: Open to members, non-profits and non-member individuals only; advance approval of the Managing Editor and advance payment required. Member rate is 0, non-members $20 for the first 30 words; $.75 each additional word.

Display Ads: Open to professional entities or commercial businesses. For specifications and rate information, call Mark Ethridge at 704-344-1980. Acceptance of advertising for this publication in no way constitutes professional approval or endorsement of products or services advertised herein.We welcome your comments and suggestions:Call 704-376-3688 or write Mecklenburg Medicine, c/o Mecklenburg County Medical Society, 1112 Harding Place, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28204.

5 President’sEditorial:Politics2011—TheArtoftheImpossible?

7 AllianceUpdate:SparkingtheConnection:BodyandBrainExercise

9 PhysiciansReachOutUpdate:CareRingandPhysiciansReachOut—APerfectFit

10 BoardMeetingHighlights

10 UpcomingMeetings&Events

11 NewMembers

1� AttheHospitals

O F F I C E R SRobert W. Schafermeyer, MD

PresidentMaeve E. O’Connor, MD

President-ElectMark J. Mogul, MD

SecretaryJames B. Hall, MD

Treasurer

B O A R D M E M B E R SLloyd L. Bridges, MD

Sam R. Fulp, MDHarold R. Howe, Jr., MD

Janice E. Huff, MDElizabeth F. Rostan, MD

Christopher G. Ullrich, MDSimon V. Ward III, MDThomas N. Zweng, MD

Ex-OFFICIOBOARDMEMBERSOphelia E. Garmon-Brown, MD, MDiv

Immediate Past PresidentDocia E. Hickey, MD NCMS Vice Speaker

Stephen R. Keener, MD, MPH Medical Director, Mecklenburg County

Health DepartmentDarlyne Menscer, MD

NCMS Delegate to the AMAJackie Palmer

President, Mecklenburg Medical Alliance & Endowment

Cheryl Walker-McGill, MD, MBA Charlotte Medical Society

E x E C u t I v E S tA F FCarolyn J. Scruggs, CAE

Executive DirectorTrisha G. Herndon

Director, Meetings & Special EventsStephanie D. Smith

Administrative Assistant

Mecklenburg Medicine StAFFEditor

Mark E. Romanoff, MDManaging Editor

Carolyn J. Scruggs, CAEAdvertising

Mark Ethridge 704-344-1980Editorial Board

Brent P. Holway, MD N. Neil Howell, MD

Hytham M. Imseis, MD Darlyne Menscer, MD

Michael F. Miltich, MD Robert W. Schafermeyer, MD

Jessica Schorr Saxe, MD

Graphic Design Lydia Sumcad, Sumcad Graphic Design, Inc.

March 2011Vol. 41 No. 3

111�HardingPlace,#�00Charlotte,NC�8�04704-376-3688•FAx704-376-3173meckmed@meckmed.orgCopyright 2011 Mecklenburg County Medical Society

On the Cover: The first Doctors’ Day observance was March 30, 1933, in Barrow County, Ga. The idea of Eudora Almond of the Barrow County Auxiliary and wife of Dr. Charles Almond, Doctors’ Day coincided with the anniversary of the first administration of anesthesia by Dr. Crawford Long in Barrow County on March 30, 1842. In 1990, President George Bush signed the bill designating March 30 as National Doctors’ Day. Thank you, doctors!

Contents

Mecklenburg Medicine • March 2011 3 �

Charlotte Medical Plaza II330 Billingsley Road

2,207 - 7,011 sf

• Full service lease

• Abundant free parking

• Close proximity to hospitals

Medical Office Space Available

For information, call (704) 430-9963

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

CharRadAdMeckMed.pdf 2/2/10 9:57:09 AM

4 March 2011 • Mecklenburg Medicine�

President’s Letter

Politics 2011 — The Art of the Impossible?ByRobertW.Schafermeyer,MD,President

T he hard work begins anew. The State Legislature has met and will be facing its crises — budget and

redistricting, to name just a couple. North Carolina House Speaker,

Thom Tillis, came to a meeting in Charlotte with physicians. The meeting was sponsored by the North Carolina Medical Society near the end of January. Rep. Tillis started his career in the business world and was elected as a legislator for the Cornelius district. He subsequently quickly rose to leadership for the state Republican party and in the N.C. House. At the meeting, he outlined the issues he expects to confront over the next two years.

First comes the budget. Rep. Tillis hopes to craft the budget and find the necessary cuts and revenue enhancements to deal with the $3.5-$4 billion deficit. He knows it will not be easy, but believes there are plenty of areas to trim. He understands the importance of supporting education in the state and also believes competition in the educational arena produces a better product. Tillis also recognizes the importance of Medicaid funding for our most vulnerable citizens. He is aware that any proposed cuts in this area will not be well-received by the physician community, as we have already suffered at least a 9 percent reduction in reimbursement over the past year or two. Any reductions in this area will be a negotiated process, particularly among physicians, hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry.

Once this task is accomplished, the legislature hopes to complete re-districting. The reason it is so high on the agenda is that they know there will be court challenges. The sooner it is completed, the sooner court challenges can be filed and, hopefully, adjudicated. The redistricting must be confirmed and through the court system by May 2012 in order to hold the primary elections.

Rep. Tillis also hopes tort reform will be given serious consideration. He is

setting up a special commission to look at the current law and entertain changes that will decrease unnecessary lawsuits and still provide patient protection. He believes that, over the two-year process, progress will be made and some real changes will occur. It is essential that physicians are involved in the dialog and remember both our patients’ interest and our own. In the State of the Union Address, even President Obama mentioned that one of the ways to reduce the cost of healthcare is to address tort reform. It’s unknown if it can occur at the national level, but certainly, it is a possibility at the state level.

The State Legislature has its hands full. The challenges are great, and failure to address these challenges could lead to further financial crisis.

The Chinese have an interesting way of looking at crisis. It is a combination of two characters: one danger, the other opportunity. It appears that members of the state House and Senate definitely will have to choose wisely, in order to improve opportunity within our state and reduce the dangers.

Physicians in our community have an opportunity to participate in the legislative process. I encourage all of you to do so, and do so early. Consider participating in White Coat Wednesdays during the legislative session. Donate to the Mecklenburg County Medical Society PAC. Spend time educating your

state legislators and senators about issues important to providing quality patient care and supporting your practice. As Robert F. Kennedy once said, “It is not enough to understand, or to see clearly. The future will be shaped in the arena of human activity, by those willing to commit their minds and their bodies to the task.” It is not enough that just a handful of physicians work to shape healthcare access and address public health concerns in our community. It is important for all of us to do so.

Join me in our advocacy efforts. Be part of the process, and in a year from now, you may be surprised by the progress.

You can participate in the legislative process in Raleigh every Wednesday during session. Contact Jaime King, assistant director of Legislative & Political Action, at jking@ncmedsoc.org or 1-800-722-1350 to learn more about the NCMS White Coat Wednesday program. The NCMS has scheduled White Coat Wednesdays every Wednesday from March 2 through June 29. Additional dates in July, August and beyond will be scheduled if needed. To reserve your date, contact King.

The Chinese character for “crisis” comprises two ideographs: “danger” (left) and “opportunity” (right).

Mecklenburg Medicine • March 2011 5 �

There’s a guiding philosophy To Mag MuTual’s efforTs to defend your reputation: Whatever it takes. Claims committees staffed 100% by physicians. An exhaustive review and medical opinion for every claim filed. Outside help, when needed, to prepare a physician for deposition. Deep exploration of the best available expert witnesses. A detailed game plan weeks before trial. Testing the defense with focus groups. Mock trials. Continuous involvement of MAG Mutual’s claims specialists.

Much of the above represents an “expense” to other carriers – an expense they often don’t want to pay. So, they’re often inclined to settle. But settling just to avoid cost isn’t in the best interest of the physician, whose reputation, life and livelihood are at stake.

We defend.

Call MAG Mutual’s David Haliburton toll-free at 1-888-892-5218 or Larry Jones, Wells Fargo

Insurance Services, at 1-800-868-8834 today or visit us at www.magmutual.com.

6 March 2011 • Mecklenburg Medicine�

Welcome to the revolution! We all know exercise makes us feel better, builds muscles

and conditions the heart and lungs, but surprisingly, exercise also builds and conditions the brain. John Ratey, MD, associate professor of clinical psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, will be the speaker at the MMAE Community Health Luncheon on April 14, at Myers Park United Methodist Church in Jubilee Hall. In his latest book, “Spark… The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain,” Dr. Ratey illustrates how we can supercharge our mental circuits to beat stress, sharpen thinking, elevate mood, improve memory and even grow NEW brain connections throughout life. Perhaps, all we have to do is lace up our running shoes and go.

State Alliance members are competing for fitness awards from the NCMS Alliance, in a program called

“Get Fit NC.” Mecklenburg County has a similar program called “Mecklenburg Movers.” Suzy Ohl is the reporting chairman for both programs and welcomes new member participants. She can be contacted at sohl@carolina.rr.com.

Thanks to the Lucky Hearts Campaign, a partnership between MMAE and MEDIC 911, Mecklenburg County parents can be assured their child’s high school, and soon CMS middle schools, will have one or more AEDs, and at least 10 staff members in each school will be trained in CPR and the use of a defibrillator. MMAE is approaching its third year of the award-winning project that provides AEDs and training in their use to churches and other nonprofits in the Charlotte area. More than 70 AEDs will be distributed to trained organizations by the end of 2011. Many

of the people in these organizations may have an opportunity to save a life after completing their training with CPR and AEDs.

The Alliance will focus throughout the year on the theme of Spark. Sharon Garfield with Traditions Interiors showed members how to “Make Your Life Sparkle” on Jan. 20 with workshops on flower arranging, book reviews, dessert treats, and accessorizing with scarves and jewelry.

John T. Klimas, MD, ignited MMAE with his expertise in the field of asthma and allergies. He presented “The Allergy

Explosion” in late February, just before the sneezing season began.

Our members value the MMAE organization because it is supportive of their physician spouses and inspires them to take control of their own health. Increased participation in member programs and the Lucky Hearts Campaign make county residents, our members, and our organization healthier

— the mission of our organization.Doctors’ Day is celebrated on March 30.

Please remember to say thanks for their important contributions to our good health.

Alliance Update

Sparking the Connection: Body and Brain ExerciseByJackiePalmer,President,MMAE

Pictured at the Alliance event, “Make Your Life Sparkle,” hosted by Traditions Interiors on Jan. 20 are left to right: Jayne Thomas, Kathy Klimas, Jackie Palmer, Patsy Reames, Mitzi Yount and Brenda Wing.

Mecklenburg Medicine • March 2011 7 �

Medicine is feeling the effects of regulatory and legislative changes, increasing risk, and profitability demands—all contributing to an atmosphere of uncertainty and lack of control.

What we do control as physicians: our choice of a liability partner.

I selected ProAssurance because they stand behind my good medicine and understand my business decisions. In spite of the maelstrom of change, I am protected, respected, and heard.

I believe in fair treatment—and I get it.

One thing I am certain about is my malpractice protection.”

“As physicians, we have so many unknowns coming our way...

Professional Liability Insurance & Risk Management ServicesProAssurance Group is rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best. For individual company ratings, visit www.ProAssurance.com 800.292.1036

To learn how we can help you lessen the uncertainties you face in medicine, scan the code with your smartphone camera.*Requires a QR Code reader. Download any QR Code reader to your smartphone to view information.

8 March 2011 • Mecklenburg Medicine�

Physicians Reach Out

Empowering individuals with limited resources to establish and maintain good health.

— Mission Statement of Care Ring

In 2010, Physicians Reach Out (PRO) provided access to primary and specialty care to more than 4,500 Mecklenburg

County residents through the network of 1,600 local physicians, dentists and allied health professionals. Our generous healthcare providers and hospitals delivered more than $16 million in donated services in the last fiscal year. Through the ongoing efforts of the provider liaison, 100 new providers have been added to the program, which not only lessens the load on any one provider, but also increases the range of services available to our patients.

It almost didn’t happen.

In 2008, the Physicians Reach Out program was in dire financial straits. Grant money was running out, as expenses increased commensurate with increased services and a growing roster of patients. Care Ring, formerly known as Community Health Services, came to the rescue. Its then director, Jen Algire, agreed to partner with the Mecklenburg County Medical Society and Physicians Reach Out. Care Ring would provide administrative services, logistical support for screening potential patients and physician referrals, and very importantly, fundraising efforts.

While we physicians are hard-working, intelligent and dedicated, what most of us know about fundraising could fit on the tip of a tongue depressor. Without the intervention of Care Ring, this vital safety net program that has helped so many poor

and sick people over the years, would have been history.

The patients who come through the doors of Care Ring and into PRO are burdened with major medical problems and medical expenses they cannot afford. Some have seen insurance policies revoked or premiums rise to unaffordable levels. When forced to choose between providing basic family needs or delaying medical care, patients often choose the latter, with life-threatening consequences.

Here’s where Physicians Reach Out can provide a safety net, especially during this deep recession and ensuing loss of jobs and loss of insurance.

A sampling of the challenges these patients face include:

Care Ring and Physicians Reach Out — A Perfect FitBy John T. Klimas, MD, Chair, Physicians Reach Out

Healthcare Real Estate Specialists

Reed Griffith Reed@brackettflagship.com

704-971-8908

Tiffany Slayden Tiffany@brackettflagship.com

704-971-8906

FEaTuREd PRoPERTy

Mallard Crossing Medical ParkMallard Creek Road, University Area

Spaces available from 1,000 to 10,500 square feet

Competitive lease ratesGenerous tenant improvement allowances

see “Physicians Reach Out” on page 10

Mecklenburg Medicine • March 2011 � �

Member News

MCMS Board Highlights of Jan. 31 Meeting

• Robert W. Schafermeyer, MD, president, called the meeting to order. He welcomed committee chairs and special guests from Care Ring: Susan Furtney, executive director, and Grayce Crockett, Physicians Reach Out administrator.

• Mark J. Mogul, MD, secretary, presented 20 applications for active membership. The Board approved the applicants.

• James B. Hall, MD, treasurer, reviewed highlights of the December financial statement and listed projects to be addressed by the Finance Committee in the current fiscal year.

• Dr. Schafermeyer presented a proposed resolution to establish the position of immediate past president as an ex-officio, non-voting position on the Board of Directors beginning in the current year. The Board approved the resolution. He reported that Dr. Garmon-Brown will hold this position in 2011.

• William K. Poston, Jr., MD, presented the Bylaws Committee’s recommendation for revisions. The Board accepted the recommendation. Dr. Schafermeyer reported the Board will present the bylaws revisions to the membership for approval as soon as possible.

• Carolyn J. Scruggs, executive director, reviewed the 2011 Orientation Manual for Board Members and Committee Chairs.

• The Board heard reports from the following committee chairs:

James B. Hall, MD, Community Intern Program Committee;

David White, Legislative Committee;John T. Klimas, MD, Physicians

Reach Out Oversight Committee;John W. Foust, MD, Leadership

Program Steering Committee;Donald G. Joyce, MD, David G.

Welton, MD, Society Committee;Mark E. Romanoff, MD, Editorial

Board;Maeve E. O’Connor, MD, Public

Health Committee;Stephen R. Keener, MD, Community

Medical Preparedness Committee;Sam R. Fulp, MD, Medical/Legal

Committee;

Mark J. Mogul, MD, Membership Committee;

Cheryl Walker-McGill, MD, Charlotte Medical Society; and

Jackie Palmer, Mecklenburg Medical Alliance & Endowment.

Upcoming Meetings & EventsMeetings are at the MCMS office unless otherwise noted.

MARCH�011

• Tuesday, March 1 MedLink of Mecklenburg Meeting, 8:30 a.m.

• Tuesday, March 1 AAFP Quarterly Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Location: Whitehead Manor

• Thursday, March 10 Legislative Committee, 4 p.m.

• Thursday, March 10 Charlotte Medical, Dental & Pharmaceutical Society Membership Meeting. 6 p.m., Location: TBD

• Thursday, March 17 CAMGM, Myers Park Baptist Church, Noon

• Friday, March 18 Child Health Committee, 7:30 a.m.

• Tuesday, March 22 May magazine deadline

• Monday, March 28 MCMS Board Meeting, 6 p.m.

APRIL�011

• Saturday, April 9 Charlotte Pediatric Society Fundraiser Location: Ronald McDonald House, Time TBD

• Thursday, April 14 Legislative Committee, 4 p.m.

• Thursday, April 14 Charlotte Medical, Dental & Pharmaceutical Society Membership Meeting. 6 p.m., Location TBD

Ms. V is a self-employed patient in the Care Ring low-cost clinic whose income is too high to qualify for the Physicians Reach Out program. Over the past year, she has been suffering from chronic kidney stones and UTI’s. Recently, she was notified that her premiums with BCBS had been raised from $162 to $1,600 per month and backdated a year. Unable to pay, she no longer has coverage and has been notified she must refund 12 months of insurance bills paid on her behalf. These bills have gone into collection and are damaging her credit.

Ms. B. is a 60-year-old woman who came to the Care Ring low-cost clinic for management of high blood pressure and diabetes. Before being laid off, she had always purchased health insurance through her employer. Without insurance, she could not afford a visit to the doctor, much less her prescriptions, which already had run out. She attempted to be seen at a free clinic, but was told there would be a six-week wait. “Being unemployed at 60 years of age and not having health insurance is frightening,” she says.

Sheila F writes, “Thank you for being there when I so needed medical care. After being out of work and working part time without benefits, Physicians Reach Out became my ‘Knight in Shining Armor.’ Without you, I would not have known that my vitamin D levels were extremely low and needed attention ASAP. Thank you, thank you, and thank you for being there for those of us who cannot afford insurance at the onset of employment loss or working without the privilege of benefits. Thank you for being that program for us in these trying times.”

With Physicians Reach Out safely under the umbrella of Care Ring and in partnership with their low-cost clinic and Nurse-Family Partnership, Care Ring is responding to the Charlotte area’s changing healthcare needs. It’s a good partnership and a good fit, and that’s good for healthcare in Mecklenburg County.

“Physicians Reach Out” cont. from page �

10 March 2011 • Mecklenburg Medicine10

Member News

• Thursday, April 21 CAMGM, Myers Park Baptist Church, Noon

• Thursday, April 21 June magazine deadline

• Friday, April 22 Good Friday — Office closed

• Monday, April 25 MCMS Board Meeting, 6 p.m.

New MembersMarty A. Baker, MD*PediatricsCharlotte Pediatrics4501 Cameron Valley Pkwy. #100Charlotte, NC 28211704-367-7400Medical College of Virginia 1998

Walter B. Beaver, Jr., MD*OrthopaedicsOrthoCarolina2001 Vail Ave. #200ACharlotte, NC 28207704-323-3838University of North Carolina at Chapel

Hill 1984

Christian Clark, MD*Orthopaedics; *Pediatric OrthopaedicsOrthoCarolina1915 Randolph RoadCharlotte, NC 28207704-323-2543Georgetown University 1996

W. Hodges Davis, MD*Orthopaedics OrthoCarolina2001 Vail Ave. #200BCharlotte, NC 28207704-323-3029Tulane University School of Medicine

1985

Michael L. Dockery, MD*OrthopaedicsOrthoCarolina9848 N. Tryon St.Charlotte, NC 28262704-323-2100University of Florida College of Medicine

1990

Jonathan E. Fisher, MD*Cardiology; *Internal MedicineMid Carolina Cardiology10030 Gilead Road #201Huntersville, NC 28078704-887-4530Mt. Sinai School of Medicine 1998

Lewis R. Gaskin, MD*OphthalmologyHorizon Eye Care135 S. Sharon Amity Road #100Charlotte, NC 28211704-365-0555Emory University School of Medicine

1980

Karen J. Horne, MDObstetrics/GynecologyRandolph OB/GYN2711 Randolph Road #512Charlotte, NC 28207704-333-4104University of Tennessee at Memphis

College of Medicine 2006

Yeonhee Lee, MDRadiologyCharlotte RadiologyP.O. Box 36937Charlotte, NC 28236704-334-7800Yonsei University Hospital 1988

Mark L. Malton, MD*OphthalmologyHorizon Eye Care135 S. Sharon Amity Road #100Charlotte, NC 28211704-365-0555University of Michigan Medical School

1982

Matthew R. Matkovich, PAAA Prime Care1401 E. 7th St.Charlotte, NC 28204704-333-5606Alderson Broaddus College Physician

Assistant Program 2008

Patricia L. McHale, MD*Orthopaedics; Sports MedicineOrthoCarolina706 Summit Crossing PlaceGastonia, NC 28054704-867-2333Baylor College of Medicine 1997

Dipika Misra, MD*Medical Oncology; *Hematology;

*Internal MedicineOncology Specialists of Charlotte2711 Randolph Road #100Charlotte, NC 28207704-342-1900Emory University School of Medicine

2003

William O. NTim, MD*Cardiovascular Medicine; *Nuclear

Cardiology; *Cardiovascular CT; *Internal Medicine

Mid Carolina Cardiology1718 E. 4th St. #501Charlotte, NC 28204704-343-9800University of Ghana Medical School 1992

James P. O’Brien, Jr., MD*Diagnostic RadiologyMecklenburg RadiologyP.O. Box 221249Charlotte, NC 28222704-332-1291University of South Florida College of

Medicine 2001

Dana P. Piasecki, MD*Sports MedicineOrthoCarolina1915 Randolph RoadCharlotte, NC 28207704-323-2000Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

2002

Lokesh K. Tejwani, MD*CardiologyMid Carolina Cardiology1450 Matthews Township Pkwy. #380Matthews, NC 28105704-364-3500Government Medical College, India 1992

Mecklenburg Medicine • March 2011 11 11

At the Hospitals

CMCHasNewtechnologytoImprovePrecisionofStentPlacementCarolinas Medical Center was the first

cardiovascular center in the Carolinas to adopt Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for the placement of cardiac stents. OCT is an infrared imaging technology that greatly enhances precision in the placement of stents in patients with blocked arteries.

“OCT provides us with a powerful diagnostic tool to view a blocked artery before stent placement, so that we have much greater detail concerning the nature and extent of the blockage and the overall condition of the vessel,” says Michael J. Rinaldi, MD, interventional cardiologist with Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute which is offering the technique.

Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute doctors have been using OCT for select stent procedures for about three months, with more than 50 patients successfully treated so far. In addition to improved image clarity and detail, OCT does not use any radiation, which further contributes to patient safety and peace of mind.

Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute offers a comprehensive range of cardiac care, including prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pediatric and adult cardiovascular disease. With a staff of cardiologists and cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgeons, Sanger features the region’s only heart transplant program, pediatric heart specialists, congenital surgery, clinical research, cardiac teaching program and nationally recognized specialists. The practice has numerous locations throughout the Carolinas.

CMCHeartFailureProgramReceivesJointCommissionRecertificationThe Heart Failure program at

Carolinas Medical Center recently was recertified by The Joint Commission for two more years, and remains one of only two accredited heart failure programs in North Carolina and the only one in the Charlotte region.

The recertification was an evaluation of selected clinical programs that deliver care to a defined patient population. A team of Joint Commission reviewers conducted an extensive, unannounced onsite evaluation of each program. The team assessed each program’s process, ability to evaluate and improve care within its organization, and its patients and staff.

“Having the Heart Failure program recertified demonstrates our hospital staff is serving patients in the best possible way,” says Laszlo Littmann, MD, a CMC cardiologist and heart failure expert. “We have specific guidelines in place to make quality improvements and ensure better outcomes for our patients, as well as several initiatives to better manage diseases and help decrease the re-admittance rates.”

Electronic medical records help physicians, nurses and staff at CMC more easily identify trends as to why patients are returning to the hospital, and can decrease those returns by identifying heart failure patients earlier — even if they were admitted to the hospital for a different reason. By having all of the patient’s information from every hospital and practice visit, doctors and nurses now can better educate them on disease management and coach them on the importance of lifestyle changes in order to have a better quality of life.

The Heart Failure program takes a multi-disciplinary approach with a specialized team of physicians, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists and social workers, who diagnose and treat patients with both acute and chronic heart failure. Because patient and family education plays a major role in the heart failure program, nurses stay in frequent contact with patients to assess medication tolerance and compliance, signs and symptoms, and check on daily weights.

liveWellCarolinas!RecognizedforOnlineHealthManagementProgramLiveWELL Carolinas!, the employee

health and wellness program at Carolinas HealthCare System, was awarded the 2011 eHealth Initiative Award for “Organization of the Year.”

To help CHS employees improve their health risks, change unhealthy behaviors

and reduce healthcare costs, LiveWELL Carolinas! worked collaboratively with WebMD Health Services. The jointly administered health management program combines online resources and personal coaching by telephone with WebMD counselors. CHS officials said the counseling is effective in addressing the most prevalent population health risks, including weight (60 percent), stress (59 percent) and poor diet (58 percent).

The program includes an online health portal, featuring personalized tools, content and resources, as well as an interactive health risk assessment with detailed risk reports.

“There is no question that our patients are getting better care as a result of the program,” says Mary Jane Rink, assistant vice president, LiveWELL Carolinas!. “A caregiver who is fit, happy and healthy has an increased capacity to heal and inspire other people. We see evidence of this every day, and we get a return on our investment every day.”

LCHPatientandFamilyNamed�011MarchofDimesNationalAmbassadorSix-year-old Lauren Fleming of Marvin,

N.C. spent the first five months of her life in the NICU at Levine Children’s Hospital, and recently was named the March of Dimes 2011 National Ambassador.

Lauren’s parents, Nikki and Densel, never imagined their first child would be born more than three months early, weighing in at 2 pounds, 1 ounce. Lauren was treated for respiratory distress and underwent multiple surgeries during her stay.

Prematurity is the leading cause of newborn death in the U.S., with more than half a million babies born prematurely. Many children who survive often face lifetime health challenges such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and others. Lauren still has some health problems because of her early birth, but her family says she is “doing great.”

As National Ambassador, Lauren will represent the March of Dimes while traveling the country with her family to help raise awareness of premature birth and sharing her amazing story — a story that began at Levine Children’s Hospital.

1� March 2011 • Mecklenburg Medicine1�

At the Hospitals

PresbyterianSleepHealthOffersHomeSleeptestingthroughPrimaryCareOfficesPresbyterian Sleep Health now partners

with primary care physician offices to offer home sleep testing to certain patients who may benefit from sleep health services, but are unable or unwilling to have a full sleep study in the traditional laboratory setting. If a patient is having sleep difficulties, the primary care physician can provide the patient with the home sleep test. The patient does the test at home and brings it back to the primary care physician, who downloads the results for a sleep health physician to interpret. The sleep physician returns the results to the primary care physician within 48 hours for him or her to share with the patient. If there are significant problems, the primary care physician can then refer the patient to a Presbyterian Sleep Health physician.

Home sleep testing is not a viable option for all patients, including those with other co-morbidities, and the results are not as detailed as a study conducted at a sleep center. However, it can diagnose certain conditions and provides a great convenience to patients. To learn more or to get your practice set up to provide home sleep tests to patients, contact Carolyn Campo, director of Presbyterian Sleep Health, at cccampo@novanthealth.org or 704-384-9178.

PresbyterianCancerCenterLeadertoLeadCMEAccreditationCouncil

Richard B. Reiling, MD, FACS, medical director of Presbyterian Cancer Center, was recently named chair of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. This nonprofit organization exists to

identify, develop and promote standards for quality continuing medical education that improves healthcare for patients and their communities.

PresbyterianHospitalLaunchesInternationaltrainingCenterforIncisionlessSurgeryPresbyterian Hospital is one of the

first International Training Centers for Incisionless Surgery, the next advancement in minimally invasive surgery. Surgeons will travel to Presbyterian Hospital to observe David C. Voellinger, MD, FACS, FASMBS, and Donald A. Balder, MD, FACS, perform ROSE (Repair of Surgery, Endolumenal), a completely incision-free procedure used to repair previous surgeries on the gastrointestinal tract. Incisionless surgery offers a number of potential benefits over traditional open or laparoscopic approaches, including faster recovery, less pain during recovery, reduced chance of infection and no visible scarring.

“We’re proud to be recognized as leaders in this innovative field and that we’ll be able to share our expertise and techniques with surgeons around the world who want to learn ways to repair past surgeries without subjecting the patients to another open or laparoscopic operation,” says Dr. Voellinger. On Sept. 27, 2010, Drs. Balder and Voellinger held Presbyterian Hospital’s first Incisionless Surgery Training Course with a surgeon from Israel.

“We’re excited to offer ROSE to our patients, and we want to make certain other patients around the world have that same access to skilled surgeons,” says Dr. Balder. “ROSE may be of particular benefit to patients with scar tissue from a previous abdominal procedure, which could make a second laparoscopic surgical procedure more difficult. ROSE avoids the need to operate through the abdomen by allowing us to operate from within the GI tract.”

“These tools and approaches offer exceptional cosmetic outcomes and potentially fewer complications,” says Dr. Voellinger. “With any kind of surgery, however, proper technique is absolutely vital to ensure positive patient outcomes, which means proper training is also vital.”

To refer a patient or learn more about the Presbyterian Hospital

International Training Center for Incisionless Surgery, contact Southeast Bariatrics at 704-347-4144.

PresbyterianHospitalCommunityCareCruiserExtendsCareSince 2007, the Presbyterian

Hospital Community Care Cruiser has provided care to thousands of children in need across Mecklenburg, Union and Rowan Counties.

Beginning Jan. 11, the Cruiser — a doctor’s office on wheels — began making monthly visits to Steele Creek A.M.E. Zion Church at 1500 Shopton Road, giving children in the southwestern part of Mecklenburg County access to health services they need. This site replaces Nations Ford Community Church and the Cruiser will be there on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.

“We’re beyond excited to see the positive impact the Cruiser will have on the health of youth in our community,” says the Rev. Elvin Sadler of Steele Creek A.M.E. Zion Church. “We’re glad to partner with Presbyterian to make care accessible.”

The Cruiser’s team of medical professionals will provide services such as:

• Developmental screenings• Disease diagnosis • Primary care• Well-child checkups• Immunizations• Pregnancy testing• Preventive education• Community resource referralsServices will be offered 9 a.m.-noon

and 1-3 p.m. to children ages 0-17, who are accompanied by an adult (with the exception of services for immunizations, pregnancy or behavioral health concerns).

Richard B. Reiling, MD

Mecklenburg Medicine • March 2011 13 1�

You’ve named us the region’s preferred hospital.For the thirteenth time, a survey of people living in the Charlotte area have named

CarolinasMedicalCenter the preferred hospital in the region.

This survey, conducted by theNational Research Corporation, demonstrates the trust and respectearned by the thousands of clinical staff and other professionals who deliver the finest care available toyou and your family.Nobody else comes close.

13 times.

Deana Stanford, RN

www.carolinasmedicalcenter.org

M e c k M e d F P a d N R C

M o n d a y , J a n u a r y 3 1 , 2 0 1 1 5 : 2 8 : 5 4 P M14 March 2011 • Mecklenburg Medicine1�

WE JUST MAKE SENSE.GOODSENSES.COM

704.295.3000 800.654.3368

A More Sensible Approach To Eye Patient Referrals.

Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates offers area physicians a trusted resource for routine and complex eye care for their patients. Through our state-of-the-art Electronic Transfer System, we can communicate quickly with referring physicians so that you know the status of your patients at all times. The region’s premiere provider for adult and pediatric patients for more than 80 years, we provide the latest techniques and highest quality care.

See the difference our partnership makes.Choose CEENTA.

Advanced Retina, Glaucoma and

Diabetic Eye Care

Pediatricand General

Ophthalmology

In-HouseDiagnostics

and Research

Eye Plastic Surgery and

LASIK

Together, We Just Make Sense.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

09-CEENTA-1264_MD-EYE_MeckMed_FAPage 1 2/25/09 4:29:55 PM

Workers’ compensation driving you and your staff crazy?

Is it hard to get paid for the treatment you render?

Is it hard to get insurance adjusters to authorize the

treatment your patients need?

Workers’ compensation driving you and your staff crazy?

Is it hard to get paid for the treatment you render?

Is it hard to get insurance adjusters to authorize the

treatment your patients need?

The following patrons made Mecklenburg Medicine possible.

Brackett Flagship Properties ......................................9

Carolinas Medical Center ........................................14

Charlotte EENT ........................................................15

Charlotte Medical Plaza II .........................................4

Charlotte Radiology ...................................................4

LabCorp .....................................................Back Cover

Law Office of Seth M. Bernanke, P.C. ....................15

Mag Mutual ................................................................6

Presbyterian Healthcare .............................................2

ProAssurance ..............................................................8

Advertising Acknowledgement

Mecklenburg Medicine • March 2011 15 1�

Mecklenburg CountyMedical Society1112 Harding Place, #200Charlotte, NC 28204

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAID CHARLOTTE, N.C.PERMIT NO. 1494

MCMS Mission:To unite, serve and represent our members as advocates for our patients, for the health of the community and for the profession of medicine.

Patient Service Centers...for all your laboratory testing needs

Ballantyne 15830JohnDelaneyDrive CharlotteNC 704-540-0251Billingsley** 300BillingsleyRoad,Suite200A CharlotteNC 704-332-6904Carmel** 5633BlakeneyParkDrive,Suite100 Charlotte,NC 704-542-7061Cabarrus 478CopperfieldBlvd. ConcordNC 704-795-2710EastBroadSt. 1503EastBroadStreet,Suite102 StatesvilleNC 704-832-2693GastoniaStatLab 660SummittCrossing,Suite206 GastoniaNC 704-854-9497Huntersville 14330OakhillParkLane HuntersvilleNC 704-948-8101LakeNorman 134MedicalParkDrive,Suite102 MooresvilleNC 704-799-6230Matthews** 211WMatthewsStreet,Suite103 MatthewsNC 704-846-9186Northridge* 5031-GWestW.T.HarrisBlvd. CharlotteNC 704-598-6266Pineville 10410ParkRoad,Suite450 PinevilleNC 704-341-1145Randolph** 1928RandolphRoad,Suite109 CharlotteNC 704-334-2629RockHill 2460IndiaHookRoad,Suite101 RockHillSC 803-328-1724Salisbury 601MocksvilleAvenue,SuiteB SalisburyNC 704-637-1000Shelby 809N.LafayetteStreet ShelbyNC 704-480-7004Statesville** 1710-ADavieAvenue StatesvilleNC 704-878-0948University** 10320MallardCreekRoad CharlotteNC 704-549-8647

*DrugScreensOnly**BloodDrawsOnly

16 March 2011 • Mecklenburg Medicine1�