MAG Mutual Insurance Company has begun offering a comprehensive suite of coordinated coverage, defense and patient safety products to hospitals and health systems.
The offering combines facility and employed physician coverage, and expands upon the firm’s 30-year history of serving independent physician practices.
“One of our primary objectives with this new offering is to eliminate the divide and conquer philosophy that drives a wedge between hospitals and physicians,” says Johnathan Brutlag, president of MagMutual’s Professional Security Insurance Company. “This approach often results in higher verdict and settlement amounts. We believe it is more effective to foster a coordinated, collaborative claim process.” MagMutual has an industry-leading trial win rate of more than 85 percent.
A key component of the MagMutual offering is its patient safety program, designed to help hospitals and physicians identify and remediate vulnerabilities that may expose them to risk. “We know that healthcare providers are dedicated to providing safe and effective care,” says Joseph Wilson, MD, chairman of the board and CEO of MagMutual. “We share this commitment. Due to our long history, we have accumulated a wealth of insight into professional liability and strategies for avoiding risk. We’re pleased to offer this expertise to our policyholders.”
Lorenz named to new UAB post: assistant dean for Physician-Scientist Education
Robin Lorenz, MD, PhD, has been appointed to a new position, assistant dean for Physician-Scientist Education, propelling the UAB School of Medicine closer to the forefront of training clinicians with the scientific experience to move discoveries out of the lab and into patient care, all while addressing several initiatives in the UAB Medicine strategic plan for research, faculty and student development.
For decades, the number of physicians who conducted scientific research has been in decline; research is increasingly performed by scientists without clinical experience. The result, some suggest, is a “valley of death” in which laboratory discoveries linger without becoming actual treatments for patients.
“Physician scientists can bridge that gap,” said Lorenz, director of the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). Students complete all of the requirements for medical school and graduate biomedical education. They graduate with MD/PhD degrees, prepared to become funded investigators and physicians at academic medical centers.
Tour de Blue: Cycling For Prostate Cancer Awareness
The 6th annual Tour de Blue bicycle ride will be held Saturday, April 27. The event aims to increase awareness about prostate cancer and to raise funds for the Urology Health Foundation’s free prostate cancer screenings across Alabama. The ride starts at 8 a.m. from the Red Diamond Corporate Headquarters in Moody. There are three ride options (50, 75, and 100 miles). Cost is $50 and includes an event t-shirt. A Tour de Blue cycling jersey is also available for purchase. For more information and to register, visit www.UrologyHealthFoundation.org, or contact Sherry Wilson at swilson@urologyal.com or 205-445-0117.
Sight Savers Free Eye Exams in Perry County
On April 25th Sight Savers America, in partnership with UAB Ophthalmologists and Lenscrafters, are offering free comprehensive eye exams by Ann Arciniegas-Bernal, MD and two of her residents at the Perry County Clinic to 100 pre-screened children in the Alabama Black Belt.
Children have been referred to Sight Savers America by Vision Research Corporation, Focus First, Sight Savers School Vision Screenings, and school nurses in Perry County.
Sight Savers will return to Marion on May 10th to deliver eyeglasses to children who had received a prescription at the clinic. Lenscrafters representatives will be on-site to fit each child’s glasses. Many of these children are receiving their first pair of glasses, enabling them to see clearly.
Harvard Physician to Speak at St. Vincent’s CME
As part of a series of CME courses that St. Vincent’s is doing on neuro-endocrine-immune diseases, Dr. Anthony Komaroff, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Senior Physician, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, will speak on ME/CFS (formerly chronic fatigue syndrome) on May 7th from noon to 1:00 pm at the St. Vincent’s East auditorium.
For more information, contact Darylene Rose at 939-7079.
UAB researchers discover possible treatment for incurable lung disease
Investigators at UAB have unlocked another piece of the puzzle surrounding idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), an often fatal lung disease with no cure and no effective treatments. In findings published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the research team has discovered a new pathway that contributes to fibrosis, or scarring in the lungs. More importantly, they may have also found a potential treatment to block that pathway.
The key is something the researchers call mechanosensitive signaling of myofibroblasts. Myofibroblasts are cells responsible for wound healing in the body. In healthy tissues, myofibroblasts assist with wound repair then die in a pre-programmed process known as apoptosis. Fibrosis involving the lungs occurs when myofibroblasts fail to undergo apoptosis, resulting in a persistent repair process.
IPF occurs when lingering myofibroblasts secrete too much collagen in the air-sacs of the lungs, leading to scarring and stiffening of the surrounding matrix tissue. The researchers report that a protein called Rho kinase, known as ROCK, may contribute to the failure of myofibroblasts to undergo apoptosis. ROCK activates a mechanical signaling pathway causing the myofibroblasts to respond to mechanical cues. This promotes the survival of myofibroblasts and leads to more scar tissue formation, creating a vicious cycle of non-resolving repair.
“Fibrosis begets more fibrosis in a sort of feed-forward mechanism,” said Victor Thannickal, MD, senior author of the study. “The ROCK pathway ultimately helps to keep the myofibroblasts alive and evade apoptosis.”
One such possible therapy is a stroke drug called fasudil, which is a ROCK inhibitor. In animal models and in human IPF tissue studied in cell culture, fasudil blocked ROCK activation and promoted normal apoptosis of myofibroblasts.
In healthy cells, ROCK is believed to be responsible for smooth muscle function and controlling blood pressure. Blocking it systemically with fasudil may have some side effects, mostly a risk of a decrease in blood pressure. Zhou says this potential risk could be averted through the development of therapeutics to deliver the drug locally to the lung, perhaps inhaled.
UAB now offering primary care option in physician assistant program to address shortage
The UAB (UAB) Surgical Physician Assistant (SPA) degree program in the School of Health Professions is adding a primary care option for incoming students in an effort to meet the forecasted workforce needs in primary care.
With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, health insurance coverage will expand to an additional 34 million people in the United States. By 2020, the Association of American Medical Colleges projects the United States will be short 45,000 primary care doctors.
“The physician workforce alone will not be able to address these growing health care needs,” said Patricia Jennings, DrPH, PA-C, director of the SPA program. “Physician assistants are ideally positioned to address both the short- and long-term needs of the nation.”
The SPA program is partnering with small communities in Alabama, Mississippi and Montana to help fill the gap.
“Several preceptor facilities and physicians are offering housing to these students during their four-month rotation,” said Jennings. “We want these communities to invest in our students in the hopes they will go back to that area when they graduate.”
Meanwhile, Jennings is trying to expand the locations for student rotations, especially rural primary care rotations.
Harris Joins Henderson& Walton at St. Vincent’s
Miranda Harris, MD has joined Henderson and Walton Women’s Center on the St. Vincent campus.
Harris received her medical degree from State University of New York Medical School in Syracuse, New York. She completed her residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, New York. She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has special interests in adolescent gynecology and robotic surgery.
Open House for Princeton’s Renovated Women’s Unit
In February, Princeton Baptist held an open house for its $1.4 million newly renovated Women’s and Infants Unit.
The six labor and delivery suites and 12 private post-delivery rooms on Four North have been completely upgraded to feel more “fine hotel” than hospital. The newly renovated post-delivery rooms feature brand new head walls with sconce lighting, new wood floors, new flat screen televisions, new wall art, a wall cabinet with a mini fridge, and new furniture that includes a couch in that folds out into a full sized sleeper bed in each room. The unit also features a lactation room for mothers whose babies are in the NICU, as well as a newly renovated waiting area with new furniture, window treatments and lighting.
“We are focused on excellent and individualized care,” said Pat Franklin, RN, nurse manager of Princeton’s Women and Infants Unit. “Our physicians and nurses chose their career because they truly care about helping people and will spend as much time with you as you need to give you the reassurance you deserve during this special time. We are here for you.”
Sanders Trust Acquires Kyle Medical Plaza
The Sanders Trust a leading healthcare real estate investment firm located in Birmingham, has acquired the Kyle Medical Plaza located near Austin, Texas. The recently completed 42,000 square foot facility includes Hays Surgery Center, an outpatient surgery center, as well as MRI testing, physical therapy, and complementary physician practices.
“We are excited to add the Kyle Medical Plaza to our expanding portfolio of medical office buildings, especially in an area that is starting to identify itself as a hub for medical services,” said Rance Sanders, President and CEO of The Sanders Trust.
IMS Receives Jerry G. Peers Distinguished Service Award from AORN
The Association of perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) has presented its annual Jerry G. Peers Distinguished Service Award to the surgical device management company IMS (Integrated Medical Systems International).
Birmingham-based IMS is among only a few private companies to ever receive the prestigious award, which more typically goes to an outstanding professional in perioperative nursing.
Presenting the award to IMS CEO and Founder Gene Robinson, AORN President Deb Spratt thanked the company for the more than 15 years IMS has supported the mission of AORN – helping operating room nurses uphold best practices, patient safety and professional development.
Accepting the award, a surprised Robinson, a former AORN Foundation board member, said he was humbled to be honored by the healthcare professionals who have played such a large role in his company’s mission. “Our desire is to serve nurses and what they do,” he said.
In addition to supporting AORN, IMS has partnered with AORN in support of Mercy Ships, a global charity that provides life-changing surgeries to thousands of needy children and adults each year on its hospital ship, the Africa Mercy. Through the non-profit organization, Instruments of Mercy, IMS has refurbished surgical devices on the ship and is providing financial assistance for surgical nurses to volunteer on the ship.
Barthold of Golden Living is Finalist for AMDA Medical Director of the Year
David Barthold, MD, Regional Medical Director for Golden Living, has been selected by the American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) as a finalist for the 2013 AMDA Medical Director of the Year Award.
As Golden Living Regional Medical Director, Barthold is responsible for Golden LivingCenters in five states including Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri, and Kentucky. In addition, he is the Medical Director for the Golden LivingCenters in Bessemer, Alabama and Hueytown, Alabama.
“Because he believes quality of care requires a personal touch, Dr. Barthold personally calls every doctor or emergency room to ensure smooth transitions for patients from the acute-care setting to the post-acute care setting at a Golden LivingCenter,” said Michael Yao, MD, Senior Vice President of Clinical Affairs and National Medical Director for Golden Living.
Barthold has been a Medical Director for 34 years. He took his first position in 1976 with Mediplex. He is a positive voice for nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and assisted living centers. He maintains relationships with state and regulatory agencies to communicate updates and concerns regarding public health.
American Family Care To Acquire Doctors ExpressAmerican Family Care Will Become The Second Largest Private Urgent Care Operator
Birmingham-based American Family Care (AFC) has agreed to acquire Doctors Express (DRX), the largest franchisor of urgent care centers in the United States. AFC currently has 37 clinics in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. Doctors Express has 63 urgent care centers in 25 states. Upon completion of this acquisition, AFC will become the second largest privately held urgent care operator in the country. By the end of 2013, with this acquisition and current growth plans, AFC and affiliates will operate more than 140 facilities in 26 states, providing care to over a million patients.
“At American Family Care, we pride ourselves on having the knowledge and expertise to effectively manage medical facilities,” says D. Bruce Irwin, MD, owner and founder of American Family Care. “As the nation’s healthcare model continues to rapidly change and the number of insured patients without a primary care physician increases, AFC and Doctors Express will meet that need and provide patients with accessible primary care, urgent care, family care and occupational medicine.”
As currently planned, American Family Care will retain the Doctors Express name. DRX will continue to function under its’ current franchise model. Doctors Express headquarters, currently located in Baltimore, will be moved to Birmingham where AFC centralizes all non-medical functions with over 110 employees.
St. Vincent’s Screens More Than 1,600 for Annual Heart Day
St. Vincent’s Health System provided heart screenings to more than 1,600 community members for its annual Heart Day on Saturday, February 16.
St. Vincent’s offered participants four heart tests at eight locations. For $40, participants received: an EKG, a Lipid Profile, a Blood Pressure Screening, a Basic Metabolic Profile, and a T-shirt.
“We’re always looking for ways to serve our community, and our annual Heart Day gives us the opportunity to screen community members for heart disease,” said John O’Neil, president and CEO of St. Vincent’s Health System. “The symptoms of heart disease often go undetected, which makes these heart screenings so important.”
