Cap Scan - March 2023

FAISAL MUNASIFI, M.D. –RECIPIENT OF THE 2023

I.B. HARRISON, M.D. HUMANITARIAN AWARD

By Shannon Boyle, CMS Communications and Events Coordinator

The Capital Medical Society is pleased to announce Dr. Faisal Munasifi as the recipient of the 2023 I.B. Harrison, M.D. Humanitarian Award. Each year, this award is presented to a physician who demonstrates dedication to the humanitarian values we associate with the late Dr. I.B. Harrison. These values include compassion, service, respect, wisdom, and integrity.

Dr. Munasifi is a board-certified psychiatrist, the first in his specialty to earn this award. He was born in Beirut, Lebanon, but raised in Baghdad, Iraq, where his father practiced law.

He met his wife, Nola, in the first grade. They competed for the highest grade in their class. In addition to their competitiveness, their attraction for one another was undeniable. Dr. Munasifi told Nola in the second grade, “When we grow up, you are going to marry me and not anyone else.” He was already planning their future.

Dr. Munasifi was interested in studying electrical engineering, but his father convinced him that pursuing medicine was the better choice. “You will never starve as a doctor,” his father said.

ANDREA FRIALL, M.D. –RECIPIENT OF THE 2023

THOMAS L. HICKS, M.D.

OUTSTANDING PHYSICIAN AWARD

By Shannon Boyle, CMS Communications and Events Coordinator

The Capital Medical Society is pleased to announce Dr. Andrea Friall as the recipient of the 2023 Thomas L. Hicks, M.D. Outstanding Physician Award. This award honors a physician who has been a leader within the field of medicine and organized medicine while demonstrating clinical excellence and actively contributing to the education of future medical professionals.

Dr. Friall is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology. She was born in Jacksonville, Florida, but raised in Casselberry, Florida, a suburb of Orlando. She was raised in a loving family by her father. Her formative years were shaped by the passing of her mother when Dr. Friall was only six years old. Her father prioritized a quality over quantity approach to family time and provided stability, support, and love. Dr. Friall affectionately shares, “My daddy showed me that all we really need is love.” The supportive village of her family, friends, and community began to shape the young girl into the woman she is today.

Dr. Friall’s path to medicine started with Girl Scouts of the USA. Her sister’s troop leader was a nurse. No one in her family was in the field of medicine. Dr. Friall was inquisitive and asked many questions about her profession and the practice of medicine.

MISSION: TO PROMOTE THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE FOR THE ULTIMATE BENEFIT OF THE PATIENT. (850) 877-9018 Fax: (850) 878-0218 www.capmed.org

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Sarah Ko, M.D., PhD, President

Helen Paulson, M.D., President-Elect

Russell Cole, M.D., Secretary/Treasurer

Paresh Patel, M.D., Immediate Past President

Danny Estupiñán, M.D.

Amulya Konda, M.D.

John Meade, M.D.

Jonathan Nava, M.D.

Niraj Pandit, M.D.

Kaushal Patel, M.D.

Heather Redfield, CMS Alliance President

Cielo Rose, D.O.

Brence Sell, M.D.

Kiana Taba, M.D.

Pam Irwin, Executive Director, CMS

PUBLICATION

EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR

Frank Skilling, M.D. Shannon Boyle

GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITOR EMERITUS

Lauren Trudgeon Charles E. Moore, M.D.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN WRITING AN ARTICLE FOR CAP SCAN?

Please contact Shannon Boyle at sboyle@capmed.org. All articles submitted will be reviewed by your peers prior to publishing.

Cap Scan is published during the first week of each month and is the official publication of the Capital Medical Society. Advertising in Cap Scan does not imply approval or endorsement by the Capital Medical Society. The opinions expressed are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Capital Medical Society.

Margaret Havens Neal, M.D. - 1st

John Elzie, M.D. - 3rd

Terreze M. Gamble, M.D. - 4th

Robert Miles, M.D. - 4th

Helen Paulson, M.D. - 4th

David Bellamy, M.D. - 5th

Andrew Wong, M.D. - 5th

Kennessa W. Hugger, M.D. - 6th

Michael Sweeney, M.D. - 6th

Thomas L. Truman, M.D. - 6th

Matt Vermeer, M.D. - 6th

Tommy E. Enoch, M.D. - 7th

Robert L. Lott, M.D. - 8th

Justin Gilinsky, M.D. - 9th

Nancy M. Wright, M.D. - 9th

Aaron Guyer, M.D. - 13th

Jeremy Maxwell, M.D. - 13th

Brittany Clark, M.D. - 14th

James Renehan, M.D. - 14th

Alma Littles, M.D. - 15th

Albert Lee, M.D. - 16th

Karolina Pudilova, M.D. - 16th

Stephen L. Sgan, M.D. - 16th

Mary Elizabeth Seay, M.D. - 17th

Saman Naeem, M.D. - 19th

Gregory D. Perry, M.D. - 19th

Caulley F. Soto, M.D. - 19th

John S. Thabes, M.D. - 19th

Forrest Ray Dolly, M.D. - 20th

Karen Krueger, M.D. - 20th

Sayeed Khalillullah, M.D. - 21st

Andras Schaffer, M.D. - 21st

Venkata Bavikati, M.D. - 22nd

Camron Browning, M.D. - 23rd

Andrea D. Friall, M.D. - 23rd

Paul F. Hartsfield, M.D. - 23rd

Brian Wilson, M.D. - 23rd

John C. Turner, M.D. - 24th

Charles D. Williams, M.D. - 24th

Flora Danisi, M.D. - 25th

Eric H. Loevinger, M.D. - 25th

R. Spencer Stoetzel, M.D. - 25th

Angela M. Bradford, M.D. - 26th

Charles E. Moore, M.D. - 27th

Pablo Rengifo-Moreno, M.D. - 27th

Roland Jones, M.D. - 28th

Jamey Alan Sarvis, M.D. - 28th

Leslie D. Wilson, M.D. - 29th

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! WE ARE SO GLAD YOU WERE BORN!

DON’T MISS THE CELEBRATION AWARDS DINNER!

THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023

6:30 PM

THE DUNLAP CHAMPIONS CLUB AT FSU

Presenting the 2023

I.B. Harrison, M.D. Humanitarian Award to Faisal Munasifi, M.D.

Presenting the 2023 Thomas L. Hicks, M.D. Outstanding Physician Award to Andrea Friall, M.D.

CMS Members and We Care Dentists – No Charge • Spouse/Guest – $60.00 Invitations were e-mailed. • Advance reservations are required by March 23. Please RSVP to Rosalie Carlin at 850-877-9018 or rcarlin@capmed.org.

NEW DOCS ON THE BLOCK

Lori Krevetski, M.D.

Medical School: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Internship: National Naval Medical Center

Residency: National Capital Consortium

Practice: Forward Pathology Solutions, HCA Florida Capital Hospital

Specialty: Pathology

Andrew Sellinger, M.D.

Medical School: Florida State University

Internship/Residency: UF Health, Jacksonville

Practice: Tallahassee Memorial Bixler Trauma & Emergency Center

Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Glenda Melgar, M.D.

Medical School: University of Colorado

Internship: Transitional San Diego Naval Hospital

Residency: National Capital Consortium

Fellowship: The Johns Hopkins University

Practice: Forward Pathology Solutions, HCA Florida Capital Hospital

Specialty: Pathology, Hematopathology

WELCOME

Robert Heidepriem, MD

Vascular Surgery

Medical School:

University of Alabama School of Medicine

Birmingham, AL

Residency:

Baptist Health Systems | Birmingham, AL

General Surgery

Fellowship:

University of Tennessee | Memphis, TN

Vascular Surgery

Certifications:

Board Certified in General Surgery and Vascular Surgery

Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation® (RPVI®) Certification

TMH Physician Partners, Service by Southern Medical Group 1405 Centerville Road, Suite 5000

Dogwood Building Tallahassee, FL 32308 850-216-0100

Please tell the advertiser you saw their ad in the Cap Scan magazine!

CAPITAL MEDICAL SOCIETY 2023 MEETINGS CALENDAR

CONTINUED FROM COVER

May 16, 2023 - CMS Membership & CME Meeting

Disaster Planning

Joseph Mazziotta, M.D.

6:00 pm

Maguire Center for Lifelong Learning at Westminster Oaks

August 15, 2023 - CMS Membership & CME Meeting

Cardiac Electrophysiology Tests and Subsequent Treatment

Options

Farhat Khairallah, M.D.

6:00 pm

Maguire Center for Lifelong Learning at Westminster Oaks

September 19, 2023 - CMS Membership & CME Meeting

Panel Discussion: Caring for Aging Family - Treatment, Resources, and Care Planning

6:00 pm

Maguire Center for Lifelong Learning at Westminster Oaks

October 17, 2023 - CMS Membership & CME Meeting

Prevention of Medical Errors (2-Hour CME)

Tori Penny, Esq. and Julia Weeks, M.D.

6:00 pm

Maguire Center for Lifelong Learning at Westminster Oaks

December 8, 2023 *NEW DATE* CMS Foundation Holiday Auction

6:00 pm

Dunlap Champions Club at FSU

PROFESSIONAL NOTES

Strong support from the Capital Medical Society physicians of featured artist Dr. Charles Manning at the Gadsden Arts Center & Museum COLLECT Select Exhibition and Sale on January 25, in Quincy, Florida.

On January 1, 2023, Dr. Paresh Patel was appointed to the Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) Executive Board. He is also Chair of the FCS Quality Committee. Congratulations, Dr. Patel!

Jake Zellner, D.M.D., M.S., was installed as a Member-at-Large to the Florida Association of Periodontists’ (FAP) Executive Council at their Winter Meeting on February 3-4, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Walt Colón, CMS Foundation Vice President and Past President of the FAP, performed the installation. Congratulations, Dr. Zellner!

HCA Healthcare North Florida Division announced the appointment of Chris Mosley, as Chief Executive Officer of HCA Florida Capital Hospital, starting in early March. In his new role, Mosley will oversee the 288-bed acute-care hospital in Tallahassee, which has served the Big Bend region for more than 40 years. Mosley has more than a decade of experience in healthcare administration having served in various leadership roles at HCA Healthcare.

“Chris is a mission-driven leader who is dedicated to fostering a culture of caring like family for our patients and colleagues and prioritizes achieving clinical excellence,” said Brian Cook, president, HCA Healthcare North Florida Division. “We are excited to welcome Chris to our HCA Florida Healthcare family and through his leadership, I know he will continue to carry out HCA Healthcare’s mission at HCA Florida Capital Hospital.”

Mosley most recently served as CEO of Piedmont Cartersville Medical Center, formerly HCA Cartersville Medical Center, in Cartersville, Georgia—a 119 bed acute-care facility in North Georgia. As Chief Executive Officer at Piedmont Cartersville Medical Center, Mosley was responsible for the strategy, operations, and vision of the $153M net revenue community medical center that

oversees more than 800 colleagues and led the integration of the facility into the Piedmont Health System from HCA Healthcare. Under his leadership, the hospital maintained a Leapfrog “A” grade for 9 consecutive cycles and achieved its Level III Trauma Designation and ACS verification in December 2021.

Mosley began his HCA Healthcare career with the South Atlantic Division as vice president of operations of Summerville Medical Center in Summerville, South Carolina. He then became the chief operating officer at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital and chief executive officer at HCA Florida Putnam Hospital in Palatka, Florida.

“I am excited to return to Florida and look forward to working with the talented team at HCA Florida Capital Hospital,” said Chris Mosley, incoming chief executive officer, HCA Florida Capital Hospital. “It is my priority to put our patients first and ensure our community has access to high-quality healthcare services. HCA Florida Capital is known for its care like family approach and I look forward to continuing to serve our communities in the Big Bend region.”

Mosley earned a bachelor’s degree in economics, Spanish, and business administration from Transylvania University and a master’s degree in business administration from Duke University.

CMS Members: If you receive accolades, please let us know, so we can include you in this section! Email the details to Shannon Boyle at sboyle@capmed.org.

CAPITAL MEDICAL SOCIETY LUNCH

AND LEARN SEMINARS

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE 2023 LUNCH AND LEARN SEMINARS!

March 22, 2023

Resources For Your Human Resources Tool-Kit

Presenter: Khari Harrison, Senior Account Executive, CareerSource Capital Region

Sponsor: CopyFax

April 19, 2023

Credentialing

Presenter: Sheila Erwin, CPC, CPPM, Senior Consultant, Medical A/R Revenue Solutions, LLC

Sponsor: FMI Printing & Distribution

May 17, 2023 - Virtual

Strengthening the Physician/Administration and Staff Relationship

Presenter: Quint Studer

June 21, 2023

Clinical Best Practices in Patient Documentation and their Role in Avoiding Medical Liability The role documentation plays in mitigating medical liability claims is immense. This presentation highlights examples of claims where documentation played a key role and offers strategies that will minimize your liability and improve your defense against malpractice allegations. Practice administrators and clinical staff will find this program informative and engaging.

Presenter: Eric E. Cleckler, MSN, RN, Patient Safety Risk Manager II, The Doctors Company

Sponsor: Secure Records Solutions

September 20, 2023

HIPAA Regulatory and Enforcement Update

Presenters: Shannon Hartsfield, Mia McKown, and Eddie Williams, Holland & Knight

October 18, 2023

HR Workshop: Creating a Culture of Engagement and Respect

Presenter: Kelly Green, SHRM-SCP, HR Consultant, James Moore & Co., CPAs

Sponsor: CAMPUS USA Credit Union

Time: 12 Noon to 1:30 PM (Seminar starts at 12:30 PM)

Place: CHP Auditorium, 2nd Floor, 1491 Governors Square Blvd. Cost: $11 per person, per seminar

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Rosalie Carlin at (850) 877-9018 or rcarlin@capmed.org.

Seminars will be held at the Capital Health Plan on Governors Square Blvd. –and we thank CHP for providing this venue.

On February 15th, Bill Krizner with The Krizner Group, gave an excellent program on Don’t Swim Naked With The Sharks: Employment Law 101.

Pictured l-r: Bill Krizner and Pam Irwin, CMS Executive Director.

We thank CAMPUS USA Credit Union for sponsoring the February 15th Lunch and Learn. Pictured l-r: Alex Gonzalez and Kendalyn Gordon, representatives from CAMPUS USA Credit Union.

FLORIDA REIMBURSEMENT ASSISTANCE FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (FRAME)

The goal of the Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education (FRAME) program is to encourage qualified medical professionals to practice in underserved locations of the state by providing annual payments intended to offset the loans and educational expenses incurred by students for studies leading to medical or nursing degrees, medical or nursing licensure or advanced practice registered nurse licensure or physician assistant licensure.

Reimbursement Amounts

• Up to $20,000 per year for physicians

• Up to $15,000 per year for advanced practice registered nurses practicing under section 464.0123, Florida Statutes (https://www.flsenate.gov/laws/ statutes/2020/464.0123)

• Up to $10,000 per year for advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants

• Up to $4,000 per year for licensed practical nurses and registered nurses

All payments are contingent on continued proof of primary care practice in an area defined in section 395.602(2)(b), Florida Statutes (http:// www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_ mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=1009.65&U RL=0300-0399/0395/Sections/0395.602.html), or an underserved area designated by the Department, provided the practitioner accepts Medicaid reimbursement if eligible for such reimbursement. For more information go to: https://www.floridahealth. gov/provider-and-partner-resources/communityhealth-workers/HealthResourcesandAccess/ FRAMEProgram/index.html

https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/shortage-area/by-address

For questions or additional information, email FRAME@flhealth.gov

MEDPARD – MEDICARE PART B PARTICIPATING PHYSICIAN AND SUPPLIER DIRECTORY

The Medicare Part B participating physician and supplier directory (MEDPARD) contains names, addresses, telephone numbers, and specialties of physicians who have agreed to participate in accepting assignment on all Medicare Part B claims for covered items and services.

The MEDPARD is available on the First Coast Service Options Inc. provider website at https://medicare.fcso.com/MEDPARD/.

Source: Publication 100-04, Transmittal 11074, Change Request 12409

The Provider Outreach and Education Team

First Coast Service Options, Inc.

“Even without money, patients would pay you with chickens and eggs!” Reluctantly, Dr. Munasifi attended the Iraqi Medical College. Nola was also at the Iraqi Medical College, and they rekindled their childhood attraction, but dating was not allowed, and their interaction was limited. Dr. Munasifi and Nola shared the desire to flee Iraq to America, but their journeys would have to be made separately. After graduating from medical school in 1969, Dr. Munasifi completed his mandatory military service and a rotating internship, then was assigned to a clinic in a remote northwest town on the IraqiSyrian border called Rabia. Many afternoons, he would walk down the road to the border crossing and yearn for the freedom just across the border. Since the government prohibited doctors from leaving Iraq, and he couldn’t obtain a passport or medical school transcript, the American dream seemed out of reach.

In 1972, Dr. Munasifi and his younger brother, Talal, made the courageous decision to leave Iraq and never look back. Their journey took them from Iraq to Syria to Lebanon. Dr. Munasifi and Talal wanted to pursue medicine in America. They passed their Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) exam, allowing foreign medical graduates to apply for medical residency programs in the United States. Dr. Munasifi sent two hundred individual letters to residency programs, but with no medical school transcript, he was rejected by all but one. The American dream was within reach! Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida, offered him a residency position.

Dr. Munasifi arrived in Miami in 1974 with two hundred dollars in his pocket and a suitcase full of wool suits. Nola arrived in Miami that same year. In September 1974, Dr. Munasifi made good on his word and married Nola at the Miami-Dade County Courthouse. The future they dreamed of had become their reality.

He excelled during his psychiatry residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital and was named Chief Resident after two years. Upon completion of his residency, Dr. Munasifi joined the faculty at the University of Miami (UM) as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, where he taught medical students and psychiatric residents. He also served as Medical Director in their Department of Psychiatry. Since

1974, he has been a preceptor for social workers, psychologists, therapists, and psychiatric nurse practitioners (APRNs) requesting his services.

After eight years of studying, living, and working in Miami (Nola had completed her pathology residency during this time), Dr. Munasifi and Nola were ready for a change. Dr. Bob Bragg, Director of Psychiatric Education at UM, suggested they visit his hometown of Tallahassee. They took his advice and visited Tallahassee in January 1982. The sun was shining; the skies were blue; and the temperature was cool. Dr. Munasifi observed, “It’s a good thing we didn’t visit in August!” This felt like the next chapter in their American dream.

In 1982, Dr. Munasifi and Nola moved to Tallahassee. Dr. Munasifi accepted a position at the Apalachee Health Center. Soon after, with the encouragement of Dr. I.B. Harrison and M.T. Mustian, the administrator at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, Dr. Munasifi opened his psychiatry practice, Psychiatry Associates of Tallahassee (Nola had joined Ketchum Wood & Burgert Pathology Associates).

Dr. Munasifi was another physician fortunate to learn from and befriend the late Dr. I.B. Harrison. With Dr. Munasifi’s training and faculty experience at UM, Dr. Harrison recruited him as a Clinical Instructor and Mentor at the Tallahassee Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program. Dr. Munasifi admired Dr. Harrison and regularly went to him for advice. Much like the values we associate with the late Dr. I.B. Harrison, Dr. Munasifi shows compassion, respect, and empathy toward his students and patients.

After experiencing traumatic events as an adolescent, due to political and social upheaval under a totalitarian regime, Dr. Munasifi has continued to find ways to heal himself and share his ways of healing with others. His passion for mentoring and teaching is evident in his work with the Tallahassee Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program, FSU College of Medicine, and the University of Central Florida/HCA Healthcare Psychiatry Residency Program. He was on the teaching faculty at the FSU College of Medicine from 2003-2009. In 2022, he joined the University of Central Florida/HCA Healthcare Psychiatry

Residency Program faculty. While on faculty at UM, he developed his passion for mentoring and teaching students. He stresses these words to students: “You need to know yourself to treat your patients.”

In addition to his passion for mentoring and teaching students, he is also passionate about the health and wellness of medical students and physicians. Since 1985, he has served as the Psychiatric Consultant for the Physicians Recovery Network, a committee created to monitor and advise impaired physicians. In 2009, the FSU College of Medicine recognized the need for student wellness as the incidence of mental illness continued to rise in medical education throughout the country. Therefore, Dr. Munasifi transitioned from teaching to assisting the FSU College of Medicine with student wellness, and he continues to do so to this day. In 2016, he worked closely with the Capital Medical Society Foundation Board of Directors to create the Physician Wellness Program (PWP). The PWP offers six free, confidential wellness coaching sessions each year for Active and Associate members of the Capital Medical Society. In 2022, the PWP expanded to provide wellness coaching sessions to TMH Residents. Since its inception, Dr. Munasifi has served as Chairman of the Physician Wellness Committee, a committee created to collaborate with community partners to enhance physician wellness.

Throughout Dr. Munasifi’s career, he has researched opportunities to expand and improve the limited options for psychiatric treatment. One of those options was Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). TMS is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. TMS is typically used when other depression treatments haven't been effective. In 2015, Dr. Munasifi completed a Visiting Fellowship at Duke University for TMS. He then established the Tallahassee Brain Stimulation Center that same year. They have performed this procedure on over 400 patients with an 80% success rate.

In addition to his private practice, Dr. Munasifi is involved in many aspects of the medical community. He was Medical Director for the Tallahassee Memorial Behavioral Health Center

from 1986-1989 and 1991-1997. He also served on the Admissions Committee for the FSU College of Medicine from 1990-1995. He served as a Chairman of Tallahassee Memorial’s Department of Psychiatry from 1997-2002. Since 2017, he has been a board member on the Capital Medical Society Foundation Board of Directors.

Dr. Munasifi belongs to many professional associations, including the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the Florida Psychiatric Society. He is a Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.

He is a loving husband to his wife of almost 49 years, Nola. They are devoted parents to three daughters, Dina, Nadia, and Sana. Since becoming a father, he has always had a personal goal: “to be the best father!” Dr. Munasifi and Nola are also proud grandparents to Summer, Rami, Layla, Constan, and Laith.

In his spare time, Dr. Munasifi enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and playing table tennis, pickleball and backgammon. In 2016, Dr. Munasifi started playing pickleball, when only one type of paddle was available in Tallahassee. He competed in the first pickleball tournament hosted at Premier Health & Fitness. Since the sport has gained popularity in recent years, Dr. Munasifi organized a group of physician colleagues and friends to play pickleball on Saturday mornings. Dr. Munasifi enjoys playing but he gets the most enjoyment out of being a spectator and watching his friends and colleagues put their stress aside, let loose, and have fun. After all, physician wellness is a passion of Dr. Munasifi’s, and exercise is an effective way to manage stress.

Dr. Munasifi’s good friend and colleague, Dr. John Mahoney, described him best, “Faisal has lived the American dream. He represents the best of any generation of American citizens: compassion, service, respect, wisdom, and integrity.”

The Capital Medical Society congratulates Dr. Faisal Munasifi. He is a true humanitarian in every sense of the word.

WHO WAS I.B. “BUD” HARRISON, M.D.?

By J. Orson Smith, M.D.

Again this year, we will honor a recipient of the I.B. Harrison, M.D. Humanitarian Award. I was asked to tell the many new doctors in this community who Dr. I.B. “Bud” Harrison was. He remains the icon in this community for an intelligent, competent, and compassionate physician. He was also a leader and role model to many family practice physicians.

Bud was 8 years older than I, but we were both Cardiology Fellows under Dr. Bruce Logue at Emory. Dr. Logue was our role model. In 1961, while serving in the Army at Fort McPherson and attending a Cardiology conference at Grady Hospital, Bud approached Bruce to ask if he knew anyone that might join him and Fred Butler in medical practice. Bruce pointed to me and said, “Orson will.” I always did what Dr. Logue told me to do.

In 1962, we became Butler, Harrison and Smith, P.A., which after a number of additions and mergers became Southern Medical Group. Bud taught me about dealing with people, just as he later taught his residents. He always said that if you do a good job practicing medicine, the financial portion would fall into place. However, he hated to charge patients. It seemed that everyone had “professional courtesy” or were “no charge.” This was before Medicare and many of his patients were poor. He treated everyone the same.

Bud drove an old car that was always dirty and full of old papers. In 1964, I had saved enough money to put a down payment on a Comet Convertible and was in the Mercury dealership to have a check-up. Bud’s old beat up Mercury was there for repairs. I heard two mechanics discussing the car. One said, “I hear this is a doctor’s car.”

The other mechanic said, “Well if it is, he ain’t no good.” Time certainly proved this to be wrong!

In the early 1970’s, Bud had a catfish fin gouge him in the knee and he developed a pseudomonas infection, which led to the need for a Charnley fusion. This made night call very difficult and he took a position as Chief of Medical Affairs at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. This led to the most important contribution of his life, namely, becoming a teacher in the Residency Program.

The following is an excerpt from Dr. Whit Oliver’s acceptance speech as he was awarded the 2010 I.B. Harrison, M.D. Humanitarian Award. He shared wonderful insight into Bud’s “make-up.”

“Dr. Harrison was loved by most and respected by all who knew him. When dealing with patients he was compassionate, caring, and totally focused on the patient regardless of their life circumstances. He had a marvelous bedside manner. He always tried to sit on the patient's bed, touch the patients and listen to them, letting them describe their plight, being supportive of their problems. He was an excellent clinician who could synthesize the data and zero in on the diagnosis and management, directing us toward the most efficient way to achieve the best outcome for a particular patient, including the most appropriate consultation or referral for specialty input. He approached problems with common sense and was pragmatic and practical.”

Tallahassee is blessed with an excellent Family Practice community, and I think that will always remain Bud Harrison’s legacy.

Dr. I.B. “Bud” Harrison

I.B. “BUD” HARRISON, M.D.

WHAT IS DOCTORS’ DAY? WHY WAS IT FOUNDED?

The first Doctors' Day observance was held on March 30, 1933, by the Barrow County Alliance, in Winder, Georgia. The idea of setting aside a day to honor physicians was conceived by Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond, and the recognition occurred on the anniversary of the first administration of anesthesia by Dr. Crawford W. Long in Barrow County, Georgia, in 1842. The Alliance immediately adopted the following resolution:

"WHEREAS the Alliance to the Barrow County Medical Society wishes to pay lasting tribute to the Doctors, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the Alliance of the Barrow County Medical Society that March 30, the day that famous Georgian Dr. Crawford W. Long first used ether anesthesia in surgery, be adopted as 'Doctors Day,' the object to be the well-being and honor of the profession, its observance demanding some act of kindness, gift or tribute in remembrance of the Doctors."

This first observance included the mailing of cards to physicians and their wives, flowers placed on graves of deceased doctors, including Dr. Long, and a formal dinner. After the Barrow County Alliance adopted its resolution to pay tribute to the doctors, the plan was presented and passed by the Georgia State Medical Alliance in 1934 in Augusta, Georgia. The resolution was introduced to the Women's Alliance of the Southern Medical Association at its 29th annual meeting held in St. Louis, Missouri in 1935. Since then, Doctors' Day has become an integral part of and synonymous with, the Southern Medical Association Alliance. Through the years, the red carnation has been used as the symbol of Doctors' Day.

On March 30, 1958, the United States House of Representatives adopted a Resolution Commemorating Doctors’ Day. In 1990, Congressmen Mike Parker (D-Mississippi) and G. V. Montgomery (D-Mississippi) and Senator Thad Cochran (R-Mississippi) introduced legislation in the House and Senate to establish a national Doctors' Day. Following overwhelming approval

by the US Senate and the House, on October 30, 1990, President George Bush signed S.J. RES. #366 (which became Public Law 101-473) designating March 30 as "National Doctors' Day":

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That –

1. March 30, 1991, is designated as "National Doctors' Day"; and

2. The President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.

Doctors’ Day is the result of dedicated Alliance members across the country. The enactment of this law enables the citizens of the United States to publicly show appreciation for the role of physicians in caring for the sick, advancing medical knowledge, and promoting good health.

It was then, as a seventh grader, that Dr. Friall knew she wanted to become a doctor and deliver babies. Even though becoming a doctor felt like her path, she often fantasized, like all young girls, about becoming a model/singer like Whitney Houston or using science to develop a makeup for women of color. Without question, our community has greatly benefited from Dr. Friall’s decision to practice medicine.

When making the decision on where to complete her undergraduate studies, she was drawn to Florida State University (FSU), where her sister was already enrolled. Tallahassee is her father’s hometown, so she was already familiar with the city. In 1993, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from FSU. She went on to study at Howard University College of Medicine for her medical degree. While at Howard, Dr. Friall began working with patients with HIV/AIDS. During this time, healthcare providers were getting their first effective treatments for HIV-positive patients, and they were gaining a better understanding of the disease. She saw the full spectrum of life – people dying as well as moms bringing new life into the world. She also saw how science and hope in humanity make a difference. “Watching kids die of AIDS left an indelible imprint on my soul. Now we are able to counsel HIV-positive moms so that they can have a successful delivery of an unaffected child with proper treatment. Believing in the ways science and technology can bring about change and having hope in humanity are my ‘why’.” Dr. Friall earned her medical degree in 1997. She then completed an obstetrics and gynecology internship and residency at Tulane University School of Medicine, where she served as Administrative Chief Resident in her final year. She also earned numerous awards as a resident, including the Hiram W.K. Batson Award for Outstanding Residency Performance, and the Tulane Outstanding Teaching Award.

Upon completion of her internship and residency, her heart was calling her back to Tallahassee. She appreciates the small town feel, but it is large enough to offer many educational opportunities. The accessibility to legislators and policymakers provides her the opportunity to advocate for women’s health and reproductive rights. In 2001, Dr. Arthur Clements recruited Dr. Friall to join North Florida Women’s Care as its first African American female obstetrician and gynecologist (OB/GYN). She is grateful for his mentorship. Throughout her life, she has experienced many firsts as a woman of color. Growing up, her family was one of the first Black families in their neighborhood. She was one of the first Black cheerleaders on her high school squad. She

became the first Black Homecoming Queen. “You must acknowledge the existence of racial disparities and inherent biases. Then, allow yourself to be open enough to recognize and respect someone’s talent and differences,” said Dr. Friall. “That is part of the journey.”

Dr. Friall has been instrumental in improving the care provided at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) and throughout the community. She has revamped the quality committees and related governance structure, introduced new technologies for improved communication between physicians and staff members, and continues to focus on supporting the emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of our healthcare providers. Her previous roles within TMH include Medical Staff Chair, Medical Executive Committee member, Medical Staff Secretary/Treasurer, Credentials Committee Chair, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Chair.

In 2016, after delivering thousands of babies and performing hundreds of medical procedures, Dr. Friall accepted the esteemed position of Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at TMH. Another first – the first woman in this position. In order for her to continue her obstetrics and gynecology duties, her new role started as a part-time position. After weathering many storms, literally - Hurricane Matthew in 2016; Hurricane Irma in 2017; Hurricane Michael in 2018; and Tropical Storm Nestor in 2019, Dr. Friall closed the obstetrics arm of her practice to take on more administrative duties. She continues to practice gynecology and is grateful to provide quality gynecologic care to patients in our community.

In 2020, just as Dr. Friall was settling into her expanded administrative role at TMH, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States. As an OB/GYN, she trained in crisis management and split second decision making, but this brought new challenges. While the world searched for answers, Dr. Friall joined healthcare personnel and community leaders in disseminating accurate and timely information to our community. She wrote informative articles and gave interviews for news outlets. She frequently recorded videos to share updates with the community. As TMH’s Chief Medical Officer, she created and updated COVID-19 policies and procedures, supported vaccination efforts, and assisted medical staff’s personal and professional needs. “She led by example,” said Dr. Faisal Munasifi, recipient of the 2023 I.B. Harrison, M.D. Humanitarian Award. “Helping the medical community navigate the unknowns of COVID with poise, compassion,

and sound medical judgment, all while advocating for physician wellness.”

In addition to her administrative and clinical responsibilities, Dr. Friall is a Clinical Associate Professor at the FSU College of Medicine OB/GYN Clerkship. In 2021, she served on the FSU Presidential Search Committee, and in 2022, she served on the FSU College of Medicine Dean Search Committee. She is active in medical organizations locally, regionally, and nationally. She is an active member of the National Medical Association, Florida Medical Association, and the William Gunn Medical Society. She has served as a board member of the American Red Cross, FSU Foundation, FSU College of Fine Arts, and Florida Obstetric and Gynecologic Society. She worked with the FSU Foundation to create a scholarship in her father’s name, which awards tuition assistance to first-generation medical students. Nationally, Dr. Friall is active as a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG). She carved out time almost every year for the past 12 years to attend the ACOG Congressional Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. and the Florida Medical Association’s (FMA) Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. In D.C., she meets with legislators to advocate for physicians, women, and healthcare. In Orlando, she attends the FMA House of Delegates sessions to advocate for the practice of medicine. “I honestly think I am able to practice medicine the way I do because I understand what I am fighting for on more than just the clinical level. My participation in the legislative process includes getting bills for expedited partner therapy passed, extending pregnancy Medicaid for one year postpartum, removing barriers to care, and other important maternal morbidity and mortality bills that translate into patient care.” She is currently serving as the Legislative Chair and Secretary of District XII for ACOG, where she has helped guide decisions that have positively affected the care delivered to women and children across the country. “I just like to participate in the process, know how the rules are written, and to be able to help make things better.”

She has received numerous awards, been recognized in publications, and is frequently called upon as a speaker. She received the Oasis Center for Women and Girls’ Trailblazer Award, the Capital Area Healthy Start Coalition’s Angel Award, the FSU Black Alumni Outstanding Alumni Award, and the Della Walker Chapter #86 Order of the Eastern Star Juneteenth Freedom Award. She was recognized as one of the honorees for the TCC Cherry Hall Alexander African American History Calendar and one of Tallahassee’s

25 Women You Need to Know. She was featured on the cover of the June/July 2020 Tallahassee Woman Magazine. In 2022, she was the commencement speaker for the FSU College of Arts and Sciences. She has been the keynote speaker at the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Forum, Tallahassee Community College Women’s History Celebration, and the W.E.B. DuBois Honor Society Dean’s List Celebration.

She is a loving wife to her husband, Eric, of almost 20 years. Their story began in the summer of 1989 at FSU. They shared common goals and a mutual respect for each other. Their attraction and admiration for one another developed into a lifelong friendship and commitment. “He has known 18-year-old me, 30-yearold me, 40-year-old me, and now 50-year-old me.” Eric serves as President/CEO of Simply eConnect, a telehealth/medical technology provider, and owner of the 9Round Kickboxing Fitness Center franchise in Tallahassee. They are proud parents to daughter, Camille. Camille is a junior at Leon High School and is active in Key Club, Student Government, ballet, and classical piano. Dr. Friall and Eric have always made it a priority to be involved in Camille’s life. “There are but so many hours in the day that our family is awake,” she said, “We have to make the most of them – make them as meaningful as possible.”

In those rare moments when Dr. Friall is not caring for patients, teaching, or attending Board or Committee meetings, she enjoys traveling, trips to Disney World, watching NCIS, spending time with family and friends, and exercising. Last year, one of Dr. Friall’s personal goals was to run a half marathon. In February, she accomplished her goal and completed her first half marathon.

Dr. Friall’s good friend, colleague, and recipient of the 2013 Outstanding Physician Award, Dr. Dean Watson, described her best, “Dr. Friall continues to guide improvements in healthcare, volunteer locally, teach the future generation of physicians, provide superior clinical care, and help lead one of the largest healthcare organizations in the state of Florida. She is without a doubt an outstanding physician.”

The Capital Medical Society congratulates Dr. Andrea Friall. She exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding leader and physician.

2023 THOMAS L. HICKS, M.D. OUTSTANDING PHYSICIAN AWARD

WHAT IS MFA BOMBING?

“Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Bombing is a popular tactic that scammers employ when trying to gain access to your account. By bombarding you with frequent MFA requests, the scammer hopes to get you to authenticate for them using a few different methods.

Common signs that there is an MFA Bomb attempt being used against your account include:

• Multiple of MFA requests coming one after another

• A few MFA requests each day for an extended period of time

• A person who calls you posing as a figure from a reputable institution and requests your MFA authentication as part of a company process”

MFA provides an extra layer of security for your accounts, but it’s important to think before you click. Cybercriminals can use an attack method called MFA prompt bombing to get around MFA protections and overwhelm you with prompts via email, text message, or phone call.

For example, cybercriminals may attempt to log in to an account using your credentials. Then, they’ll request a phone call MFA verification, which is sent to the phone number you use for MFA. Cybercriminals will often request these verifications late at night when you’re asleep and unprepared. If you accept the phone call and press the button to verify your identity, you may grant the cybercriminals access to your account. Once

the cybercriminals bypass your MFA, they can use your account to achieve their malicious goals.

Don’t let MFA give you a false sense of security. Follow the tips below to stay safe from MFA prompt bombing scams:

• Never approve an MFA notification you didn’t request. If you have a shared account, verify the MFA request with the other account holder before taking action.

• If you receive an MFA notification you didn’t request, immediately change your password for the associated account and advise your IT Department. You should also consider updating your passwords for any accounts that use the same credentials.

• Create unique, strong passwords for each of your accounts. Without your password, it’s difficult for cybercriminals to reach the MFA step of the login process.

• Do not share or re-use passwords from your personal accounts with your work accounts. The accounts you use across the Internet might become compromised without your knowledge and using the same passwords for your work accounts can make your account (and your workplace) more vulnerable to attacks.

Reprinted with permission from On Call Computer Solutions, LLC (https://www.on-callsupport.com/)

FREE CME ON ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

This month, the Capital Medical Society’s My Green Doctor program is the focus of a free 40-minute online CME program offered by the American Medical Association to any physician, not just AMA members. Watch the webinar yourself at any time and ask your office manager to watch as well to learn how easy it is to save money with environmentally sustainable practice management. There is one link to watch the webinar and another to claim CME credit.

Watch the webinar: https://event. on24.com/wcc/r/4062883/ B0A8A10449AF6354586D76FEE9D19978

Claim CME credit: https://edhub.ama-assn.org/stepsforward/module/2800484

My Green Doctor is a free money-saving & climatesaving membership benefit from the Society. Members use My Green Doctor’s “Meeting-by-Meeting Guide” to learn how to adopt environmental sustainability, save resources, and help create healthier communities. The program adds just five minutes to each regular office staff meeting or weekly office “huddle”, making small changes at each meeting that really add up over time.

Everyone in your practice can register as Partner Society members at www.MyGreenDoctor.org or at www.MyGreenDoctor.es (si, en Espanol). Use the discount code MGDCMS to save $60 instantly and give full free access to My Green Doctor forever. Ask your practice manager to register today and to put My Green Doctor on your next agenda. You can do this!

SERVICES, INC.

2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Francis C. Skilling, Jr., M.D. President

Ophthalmology

Retired

Married to Karen Skilling

University of Alabama

Karl F. Hempel, M.D.

Vice President

Family Medicine

Retired

Married to Mackie Hempel

University of Kentucky

Terence N. Reisman, M.D. Secretary/Treasurer

Gastroenterology

Retired

Married to Marilyn Reisman

Duke University

Armand B. Cognetta, Jr., M.D.

Dermatology

Dermatology Associates of Tallahassee

Married to Suzanne Cognetta

University of Connecticut

Brian Wilson, M.D.

Allergy, Asthma, Immunology

Tallahassee Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Married to Meredith Wilson

University of Florida

Sarah Ko, M.D., PhD

CMS President

Ophthalmology

Eye Associates of Tallahassee

Married to Joseph Farenden

Johns Hopkins University

Helen Paulson, M.D.

CMS President-Elect

Family Medicine

Capital Health Plan

Married to Dustin Paulson

Florida State University

Pam Irwin

Executive Director

Capital Medical Society

University of Kentucky

MINUTES CAPITAL MEDICAL SOCIETY PRESIDENTIAL

INSTALLATION

JANUARY 24, 2023 - FSU ALUMNI CENTER

WE THANK OUR SUPPORTERS FOR THIS EVENT

Title Sponsor

Presenting Sponsor

Supporting Sponsors

Florida Medical Association

Hancock Whitney

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare

TMH Federal Credit Union

Truist Private Wealth Medical and Truist Mortgage

Event Sponsor

MagMutual

I. Welcome

Dr. Paresh Patel called the event to order at 6:45 pm. He welcomed all CMS members, spouses, special guests, and sponsors. He gave a special welcome to our keynote speaker, FMA President, Dr. Joshua Lenchus, and to incoming President, Dr. Sarah Ko, and her family, friends, and colleagues in attendance. Dr. Patel also recognized Dr. Joey Jarrard, a new CMS member practicing at TMH Physician PartnersGeneral Surgery.

II. Introduction of Keynote Speaker

Dr. Patel introduced FMA President, Dr. Joshua Lenchus.

III. Remarks by Keynote Speaker

Dr. Lenchus shared information about the FMA and their legislative efforts.

Dr. Patel presented Dr. Lenchus with a bottle of CMS wine as a token of appreciation.

IV. Introduction of New Officers and Board Members

Dr. Patel introduced the CMS Board of Governors:

Officers –

President-Elect: Dr. Helen Paulson

Secretary/Treasurer: Dr. Russell Cole

Immediate Past President: Dr. Paresh Patel

Board Members –

Dr. Danny Estupiñán

Dr. Amulya Konda

Dr. John Meade

Dr. Jonathan Nava

Dr. Niraj Pandit

Dr. Kaushal Patel

Heather Redfield, CMS Alliance President

Dr. Cielo Rose

Dr. Brence Sell

Dr. Kiana Taba

Dr. Patel introduced the CMS Foundation Board of Directors:

Officers –President: Dr. John Mahoney

V.

Vice President: Dr. Walt Colón

Treasurer: Dr. David Stewart

Secretary: Dr. Tracey Hellgren

Directors –

Claudia Blackburn

Yvonne Brown

Attorney J. Alan Cox

Dr. Avon Doll

Dr. Marlisha Edwards

Paula S. Fortunas

Dr. Terreze Gamble

Patricia Holliday

Dr. David Jones

Dr. Rohan Joseph

Dr. Sarah Ko

Dr. Maribel U. Lockwood

Dr. Nancy Loeffler

Dr. Al McCully, Emeritus

Dr. Faisal Munasifi

Dr. Helen Paulson

Dr. J. Brian Sheedy

Dr. Jay Walton

Dr. Charles Williams, Emeritus

Dr. Joseph introduced the Capital Medical Services Board of Directors:

Officers –

President: Dr. Frank Skilling

Vice President: Dr. Karl Hempel

Secretary/Treasurer: Dr. Terrence Reisman

Directors –

Dr. Armand Cognetta

Dr. Sarah Ko

Dr. Helen Paulson

Dr. Brian Wilson

Dr. Tony Weaver, Dr. Ko’s friend and colleague, gave a heartfelt introduction.

VI. Recognition of Past CMS Presidents’ Legacy

Wilda Sigler, bagpiper, led the processional and recessional for the past presidents in attendance.

Pam Irwin, CMS Executive Director, announced each of the past presidents in attendance during the passing of the CMS President’s medallion.

J. Brian Sheedy, M.D., 1982

John Mahoney, M.D., 1989

Terry McCoy, M.D., 1990

R. James Mabry, M.D., 1994

Alma Littles, M.D., 1996

David Saint, M.D., 1998

Tony Weaver, M.D., 1999

David T. Stewart, M.D., 2005

Jerry Ford, M.D., 2010

Nancy Loeffler, M.D., 2013

Alfredo Paredes, M.D., 2014

David Dixon, D.O., 2018

Maribel U. Lockwood, M.D., 2019

Ken Whithaus, M.D., 2020

Rohan Joseph, M.D., 2021

Paresh Patel, M.D., 2022

VII. Installation of Sarah Ko, M.D., PhD, 78th President of Capital Medical Society

Dr. Joshua Lenchus administered the Oath of Office to Dr. Ko. Once installed, Dr. Ko made her remarks.

VIII. Presentation to Outgoing CMS President and Board Members

Dr. Ko recognized our Outgoing CMS Board Members:

Dr. Rohan Joseph

Dr. Shawn Ramsey

Dr. Julia Weeks

Dr. Ko presented Dr. Joseph and Dr. Weeks (both in attendance) with a bottle of CMS wine as a token of appreciation for their leadership and support of CMS.

Dr. Ko recognized the Outgoing CMS Alliance President:

Codie Bryant

Introduction of Sarah Ko, M.D., PhD

Dr. Ko presented Mrs. Bryant with a bouquet of flowers as a token of appreciation for the leadership and support she has given to the CMS Alliance through her Board service.

Dr. Ko recognized the Outgoing CMS President: Dr. Paresh Patel

Dr. Ko thanked Dr. Patel for his service this past year. She recognized the hard work and the time given to CMS and presented him with a commemorative box with his President’s medallion, a bottle of CMS wine, and a gift box.

Dr. Patel made a few remarks about his year as President.

IX. Announcements

Dr. Ko encouraged members to attend the upcoming CMS events:

February 28, 2023

CMS Membership Meeting

Panel Discussion: Demystifying Investing in Real Estate to Diversify Your Portfolio

6:00 pm

Westminster Oaks Maguire Center for Lifelong Learning

March 30, 2023

Celebration Awards Dinner

6:30 pm

The Dunlap Champions Club at FSU

X. Adjourn

Dr. Ko adjourned the event at 7:55 pm.

Title Sponsor, Eye Associates of Tallahassee:

(l-r) Dr. Frank Skilling, Dr. Viet Bui, Dr. Deanna Louie, Dr. Sarah Ko, Dr. Ken Kato, Dr. Tony Weaver, and Dr. Jerry Ford.

Presenting Sponsor, Big Bend Hospice: (l-r) Dr. Jennifer Lynes, Catherine Heath, Allison Golden-Herring, Tanya Hollady, and Heather Robinson.

(Standing, l-r) Brittany Jackson, Supporting Sponsor, Florida Medical Association; Dr. Sarah Ko, 2023 CMS President; Dr. Joshua Lenchus, Florida Medical Association President and Keynote Speaker, Supporting Sponsor, Florida Medical Association; (seated, l-r) Chris Clark, Supporting Sponsor, Florida Medical Association; Dr. Paresh Patel, 2022 CMS President; and Pam Irwin, CMS Executive Director.

(Standing, l-r) Paul Sullivan, Supporting Sponsor, Hancock Whitney; Supporting Sponsor, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare: Kristen Booker, Anna Bertolucci, and Nigel Allen; (seated, l-r) Supporting Sponsor, Hancock Whitney: Tom Deison and Diana O’Bryant; and Mark O’Bryant, Supporting Sponsor, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.

Supporting Sponsor, TMH Federal Credit Union: (l-r) Paula Burn, Harry Burn, and Liz Thiele.

Supporting Sponsor, Truist Private Wealth Medical and Truist Mortgage: (l-r) Brandon Hogue, Kim Price, and Charles Hopkins.

Farenden,

(L-r) Dr. Paresh Patel, 2022 CMS President; Dr. Sarah Ko, 2023 CMS President; Dr. Joshua Lenchus, Florida Medical Association President and Keynote Speaker; Pam Irwin, CMS Executive Director; and Dr. John Mahoney, CMS Foundation President.

(L-r) Pam Irwin, CMS Executive Director; Dr. Sarah Ko, 2023 CMS President; and Dr. Paresh Patel, 2022 CMS President.

Event Sponsor, MagMutual: Brad Harris.

(R-l) Dr. Sarah Ko; Susan Doker, Dr. Ko’s high school math teacher; and Joe Doker.

(L-r) Dr. Sarah Ko, 2023 CMS President, and Dr. Frank Skilling, Capital Medical Services, Inc. President.

(L-r) Joseph

Dr. Ko’s husband; Dr. Sarah Ko; and Ming Ko, Dr. Ko’s father.

(L-r) Pam Irwin, CMS Executive Director; Dr. Paresh Patel, 2022 CMS President; Dr. Sarah Ko, 2023 CMS President; Dr. Helen Paulson, CMS President-Elect; Dr. Joshua Lenchus, Florida Medical Association President and Keynote Speaker; and Dr. Russell Cole, CMS Secretary/Treasurer.

Keynote Speaker, Florida Medical Association President, Dr. Joshua Lenchus.

Keynote Speaker and Florida Medical Association President, Dr. Joshua Lenchus administered the Oath of Office for the 2023 CMS President, Dr. Sarah Ko.

Dr. Paresh Patel (right) presented Dr. Joshua Lenchus (left) with a bottle of CMS wine to show our appreciation.

(Standing, l-r) Dr. Russell Cole, CMS Secretary/ Treasurer; Dr. Helen Paulson, CMS PresidentElect; Dustin Paulson; (seated, l-r) Codie Bryant, 2022 CMS Alliance President; Heather Redfield, 2023 CMS Alliance President; and Colby Redfield.

Dr. Tony Weaver introduced his colleague, Dr. Sarah Ko.

Wilda Sigler, bagpiper, led the processional and recessional for the Past CMS Presidents’ Legacy recognition.

Dr. Sarah Ko (right) presented (l-r) Dr. Rohan Joseph and Dr. Julia Weeks with a bottle of CMS wine for their leadership and support serving on the CMS Board of Governors.

Dr. Sarah Ko (right) presented Dr. Paresh Patel (left) with a bottle of CMS wine, a commemorative box with his President’s medallion, and a gift box for his hard work and dedication serving as the 2022 CMS President.

Dr. Sarah Ko (right) presented Codie Bryant (left) with a bouquet of flowers for her leadership and support as the CMS Alliance President serving on the CMS Board of Governors.

16 Past CMS Presidents were present: (standing, l-r) Dr. Paresh Patel, Dr. Rohan Joseph, Dr. Ken Whithaus, Dr. Maribel Lockwood, Dr. David Dixon, Dr. Alfredo Paredes, Dr. Nancy Loeffler, Dr. Jerry Ford, Dr. David Stewart, Dr. Tony Weaver, (seated, l-r) Dr. J. Brian Sheedy, Dr. John Mahoney, Dr. Terry McCoy, Dr. R. James Mabry, Dr. Alma Littles, and Dr. David Saint.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

I am thrilled at the opportunity to serve as the Capital Medical Society Alliance (CMSA) President this year. I want to thank the outgoing board members and welcome the newly installed board. The CMSA has numerous activities planned for 2023. We will be coordinating a community health project in the Fall, assist in supporting the Food Pantry Project at FSUCOM, and plan to continue our partnership with the PAEC to help provide healthy food and snacks to students from migrant farm families during the summer months.

At the suggestion of now fellow board member, Cassandra Parra-Ferro, I joined CMSA when my husband, Colby, and I moved to Tallahassee in 2016. In the almost 7 years I’ve been a part of this organization, I have felt such a strong sense of community and shared purpose to support our spouses in their professions.

I look forward to the continued partnership with the Capital Medical Society and connecting with members of the medical community.

In January, the Florida Medical Association Alliance’s (FMAA) President, Ellie Paladine installed the CMSA Board of Directors by bestowing hats for their respective roles.

Kind regards,

Heather Redfield CMS Alliance President

The 2023 Executive Board with FMAA President: (l-r) Michelle Reyes, President-Elect; Leanne Dickhute, Treasurer; Ellie Paladine, FMAA President; Cassi ParraFerro, VP Membership; and Heather Redfield, President.

Attendees of the CMSA Officer Installation on January 25, 2023.

SOCIAL WORK: A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OTHERS

By Diana Bixler, MPH, We Care Network Program Coordinator

During the month of March, we highlight, recognize, appreciate, and celebrate the field of Social Work. For the first time in years, the case management team for the We Care Network program all hold a degree in Social Work. This makes for a very strong, dedicated group of individuals all working together in service to others. This team strives to improve access to healthcare, reduce barriers in our community, and serve the underserved population. Hear what they have to say about this program and their chosen field of Social Work in their own words below. We give our greatest appreciation and thanks for the work they do on a daily basis!

SHONDA DAVIS, MSW Dental Coordinator & Senior Case Manager (Leon County)

“I love to advocate for individuals. A social worker attempts to advance human improvement and civil rights. Social Work addresses the fundamental social issues of individuals, families, and networks. I am committed to this vocation. Social Work has assisted me in conquering personal persecution and social injustice. To continue achieving my objective to help other people improve their lives, I will keep investing my energy into the Social Work practice, to maintaining moral ethics, and advocating for the underprivileged and underserved in our community. Working at the We Care Network is amazing. I absolutely love working with our patients and helping them get the medical and dental services needed for the improvement of their lives. It’s such a blessing to be part of the We Care Network.”

CARRIE HARVEY, MSW Jefferson County Case Manager

“I chose this field, because I have always had a drive to help people. I was a Girl Scout when I was younger, and I am a lifetime Girl Scout member. The value of service and giving back to my community will always be at the core of who I am. The We Care Network is my first professional job in the field of Social Work, and my experiences working here have been life changing. I have learned so much information in the six months that I have been employed with the We Care Network. I have gained significant confidence professionally and personally through working with this program. The thing I love most working at the We Care Network is the way I get to see people’s lives change for the better once they enroll in our program. I get to watch patients grow and thrive as their health improves.”

-Helen

KRISTIE JEMMOTT, MSW Gadsden County Case Manager

“Experiencing childhood hardships influenced my desire to enter the Social Work field. I wanted to use those personal experiences to make a positive impact in the lives of others through my professional career. When I began college, I volunteered in the community, including the homeless shelter, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, retirement facilities, and outreach programs. What I enjoy most about working as a Case Manager at the We Care Network is having the ability to assist with improving patients’ health and promoting wellness. I believe health is the most important thing in life, and assisting patients with their healthcare needs is very rewarding.”

HALEY KENNY, MSW Case Management Associate (Medical & Dental)

“Out of the various professional paths I could have pursued, I chose the Social Work field because its focus is what my passion in life is: to enhance the wellbeing of those often overlooked in society. From an early age, I have had a heart for the underprivileged, especially those socioeconomically disadvantaged. My first career in Social Work was in an emergency shelter for families experiencing homelessness. There, I gained insight, experience, and a deeper compassion for those in poverty, specifically in the Tallahassee area. As I wanted to expand my experience, I decided to begin my employment at the We Care Network. Here, I have enjoyed the close-knit connections of the staff, the frequent communication with patients, and witnessing patients’ gratitude for how much the program has positively impacted their lives, sometimes literally saving it. I am grateful to be a part of this life-transforming organization.”

MALIKA NIXON-WILLIAMS, BSW Wakulla County Case Manager

“I chose the Social Work field because I have a passion for helping and improving the lives of others. I have personally experienced some difficult circumstances in my life, so now I am able to help others overcome their adversities. Social workers provide assistance through every stage of life. Throughout the course of my social work career, I have had the pleasure of assisting children, low-income individuals, as well as vulnerable and older adults. What I love most about working at the We Care Network is making a difference in the patients’ lives. Without the We Care Network, some of the patients would never receive the care they so desperately need.”

Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.

Keller

NATIONAL DOCTORS’ DAY – MARCH 30

IF YOU COULD SAY ONE THING TO YOUR DOCTOR, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

National Doctors’ Day was first observed in Winder, Georgia, by the wife of a doctor to give others the opportunity to recognize and honor doctors who have impacted their lives. In 1958, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate approved a resolution to commemorate National Doctors’ Day on March 30, which President George Bush then signed into law in 1990. This is your opportunity to honor your doctor. Let’s acknowledge how much we appreciate them, their excellent healthcare, and their fantastic teamwork.

Join us in making a gift today to the Capital Medical Society Foundation to honor your doctor, medical physician or dentist, and include a note of appreciation to them at https://capmed.org/donate/ or mail your gift check, payable to: Capital Medical Society Foundation, 1204 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL, 32308. Include the name of your honoree and a sentence about why you are honoring them. Each honoree will receive a letter notifying them of your thoughtful gift in their honor and the tribute you share.

To ensure your honoree receives their recognition letter before National Doctors’ Day, please make your gift by Monday, March 20.

Donate at:

https://capmed.org/donate

We Thank Our Donors

We thank the following donors who made a gift to the CMS Foundation this past month:

CMS Foundation Year-End Appeal –We Care Network

Betsy Barfield – In Honor of Tristan Hope, RN

We Care Network

Florida Dental Association Foundation

Capital Medical Society Foundation – FSU College of Medicine

Tallahassee Regional Campus Food Pantry

Anonymous

Your gifts to the Capital Medical Society Foundation transform lives in the Big Bend.

The Impact of Private Support:

The Capital Medical Society Foundation’s community of donors strategically help fulfill its mission “to support the charitable efforts of physicians and others, increase access to healthcare, promote education and serve the community’s health needs through innovative projects that are exemplary, affordable and dignified.”

➢ Access to healthcare is increased through gifts to the We Care Network and the We Care Network Endowment Fund. More than $124 million in donated specialty medical and dental care has been provided to low-income, uninsured patients since the program was created in 1992. In fiscal year 2021-22, which ended June 30, 2022, more than $5 million in healthcare was donated. Gifts support the operational expenses of the program including salaries and benefits of the case management team who coordinate the donated care.

➢ To provide incentives to keep medical students trained at the FSU College of Medicine in the Big Bend after completion of their residencies and help meet the growing demand for physicians in Florida, gifts to the CMS Foundation Scholarship Fund provide scholarships to FSU College of Medicine students who have expressed an interest in returning to the Big Bend to practice after completion of their residencies. $50,000 was awarded in 2022. An additional $1,000 was awarded from The Anesthesiology Associates of Tallahassee Scholarship Fund. $1,000 was also awarded from The Charles D. “Pedro” Williams, M.D. Scholarship Fund. In 2022, the first Julia Revell St. Petery, M.D. Scholarship in Pediatrics was awarded.

➢ Gifts to the Capital Medical Society Foundation help provide operational resources for the Capital Medical Society Foundation. In addition, modest grants are awarded to area non-profits whose programs improve access to healthcare for the underserved. In 2022, the CMSF awarded a total of $10,500 in grants to Elder Care Services for their In-Home Services Program, the Big Bend Hospice Foundation for bereavement services, and to Lutheran Social Services of North Florida, Inc.’s KidSafe program

Gifts to Honor and In Memoriam:

You can make a gift to the CMS Foundation in memory of someone who has passed away or in honor of someone, such as a fellow physician, you hold in high esteem or has taken care of you or your family. The CMS Foundation will send an acknowledgement letter to those you memorialize and honor.

How to Give:

Through the generosity of donors, funds have been created in order to establish financial stability to meet our mission. You can make a gift at any time to one of the CMS Foundation’s current funds:

Gifts should be made payable to the CMS Foundation. Indicate on the memo line of your check to which designation you would like to give. Bring your check to the CMS Office or mail it: Capital Medical Society Foundation ~ 1204 Miccosukee Road ~ Tallahassee, FL 32308.

Gifts may be made by credit card or direct debit from the CMS website.

If you would like to discuss a gift of appreciated securities, an insurance policy, designation of retirement plan assets, estate gift, or multi-year pledge, please contact:

Pam Irwin Executive Director pirwin@capmed.org or (850) 877-9018 or (850) 559-8611

THANK YOU

To our CMS members and We Care Network partners who provided healthcare to new patients in January 2023.

Your generosity and support of the We Care Network makes a difference.

Physicians

Clifton Bailey, M.D.

Julia Barry, D.O.

Venkata Bavikati, M.D.

Eric Berenson, M.D.

Michael Bernhardt, M.D.

David Burns, M.D.

Carlos Campo, M.D.

Erin Carlquist, M.D.

Gilbert Chandler, M.D.

Raymond Cottrell, M.D.

Marilyn Cox, M.D.

Chris DeRosier, M.D.

H. Avon Doll, M.D.

Adam Engel, M.D.

James Farrell, D.O.

Alberto Fernandez, M.D.

Jerry Ford, M.D.

Hong Gao, M.D.

Gian-Carlo Giove, M.D.

W. Harris Green, M.D.

Muhanad Hasan, M.D.

Todd Hewitt, M.D.

Brett Howard, M.D.

Marc Inglese, M.D.

Okanta Jackson, M.D.

Barbara Jaeger, M.D.

Arjun Kaji, M.D.

Kenneth Kato, M.D.

James Killius, M.D.

Fang Sarah Ko, M.D., PhD

Amulya Konda, M.D.

Kurt Luhmann, M.D.

Chukwuma Okoroji, M.D.

Anthony Otekeiwebia, M.D.

Kaushal Patel, M.D.

Michael Pentaleri, M.D.

Jorge Perez de Armas, M.D.

Hussein Rayatzadeh, M.D.

Allison Retzer, M.D.

Davis Rierson, M.D.

Adrian Roberts, M.D.

Andres Rodriguez, M.D.

Garrison Rolle, M.D.

Tim Ruark, M.D.

Jamey Sarvis, M.D.

Eliot Sieloff, M.D.

Gadi Silberman, M.D.

Hardeep Singh, M.D.

Denise Smith, M.D.

Joshua Somerset, M.D.

Bhavik Soni, M.D.

Robert Steinmetz, M.D.

Ronald Sullivan, M.D.

Christopher Sundstrom, M.D.

Cristian Del Carpio Tenorio, M.D.

Jean-Paul Tran, M.D.

Ernesto Umana, M.D.

Kaisa van der Kooi, M.D.

Anthony Vara, M.D.

Beatriz Cepeda Valery, M.D.

Andrea Venturini, M.D.

David Vermess, M.D.

Tony Weaver, M.D.

Chien-Yi Williams, M.D.

Daniel Yang, M.D.

Charles Yowell, M.D.

Dentists

Briano Allen, D.D.S.

Laban Bontrager, D.M.D.

Walter Colón, D.M.D.

Brittney Craig, D.M.D.

Aiza Guzman, D.M.D.

William McFatter, D.D.S.

Lawrence Weaver, D.D.S.

Jacob Zellner, D.M.D.

Facilities

Advanced Urology Institute

Airway Works, LLC

Anesthesiology Associates

Apalachee Primary Care

Beachton Denture Clinic

Bond Community Health Center

Bristol Dental Clinic

Brittney K. Craig, DMD

Care Point Health & Wellness Center

CESC Dental Clinic

Chaney, Couch, Callaway, Carter, & Associates

Dermatology Associates

Digestive Disease Clinic

Enhanced Endodontics

Eye Associates of Tallahassee

Gadsden County

Health Department

Gynecology & Obstetrics Associates of Tallahassee

Jefferson County Health Department

Jessie Furlow Medical Center

Ketchum, Wood, & Burgert Pathology Associates

Neighborhood Medical Center

North Florida Nephrology Associates

North Florida Womens Care

North Monroe Medical Center

Periodontal Associates of North Florida

Radiology Associates of Tallahassee

Red Hills Dental Associates

Southeast Radiology Partners

Southeastern Plastic Surgery

Southern Medical Group, P.A.

Southern Vitreoretinal Associates

Tallahassee Diagnostic Imaging

Tallahassee Ear, Nose, and Throat

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare

TMH Family Medicine

Residency Program

TMH Physician Partners

Cancer and Hematology

TMH Physician Partners

Cardiology and Internal Medicine

TMH Physician Partners

Heart Rhythm Clinic

TMH Physician Partners

Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Specialists

TMH Physician Partners

Radiation Oncology Specialists

TMH Physician Partners

Surgical Specialists

TMH Physician Partners

Urology Specialists

TMH Physician Partners Wakulla

TMH Rehabilitation Center

TMH Transition Center

Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic

TOC Canopy

Tallahassee VA Clinic

Tri-County Family Health Care

Vascular Surgery Associates

Wakulla Medical Center

Women’s Imaging Center

Please contact Diana Bixler at dbixler@capmed.org or (850) 201-0130 if you are a We Care Network volunteer and you provided volunteer specialty care in the month of January 2023, and your name is omitted.

The We Care Network strongly encourages our volunteer physicians and dentists to send their value of donated services to us. The value of donated services is important for us to share with our funders and the community. In addition, up to five hours, per biennium, of CE credit may be fulfilled by performing pro bono medical and dental services to We Care Network patients, if we have received documentation of value of services. You can send your value of donated services via fax to Diana Bixler at (850) 2010085 or mail to 1204 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL, 32308. Thank you!

We thank our referring providers from January 2023:

Ebonie Allen, APRN

Katrina Ball, APRN

Jose Barbosa, D.M.D.

Laban Bontrager, D.M.D.

Kendra Brady, APRN

Fran Bridges, APRN

Tim Broeseker, M.D.

Callie Burch, APRN

Bridget Callaway, D.M.D.

Francisco Carpio, M.D.

Carlos Castro, M.D.

Victor Chou, D.M.D.

Melba Colon-Renta, M.D.

Raymond Cottrell, M.D.

Brittney Craig, D.M.D.

Jill David, APRN

John Dortch, M.D.

Alexander Dudley, D.M.D.

Chesley Durgin, M.D.

Nathalie Esellem, APRN

Jerry Ford, M.D.

Sharron Foster, M.D.

Judy Griffin, APRN

Hantz Hercule, M.D.

Todd Hewitt, M.D.

Elaine Larkins, APRN

Jessica Lea, APRN

Marcail Lopez, D.D.S.

Damon McMillan, M.D.

Lisa Menchion, APRN

Kelley Miller, APRN

Marcia Morris, APRN

Abiodun Ogunremi, APRN

Chukwuma Okoroji, M.D.

Rose Origa, APRN

Cruz Pagan, M.D.

Jorge Perez de Armas, M.D.

Lisa Perkins, APRN

Shobha Rebala, APRN

Charlie Richardson, M.D.

Carla Robertson, APRN

Laurence Rosenberg, M.D.

Tim Ruark, M.D.

Karen Russell, M.D.

Valerie Russell, APRN

Expedito Salvador, P.A.

Lucilita Salvador, P.A.

David Smith, M.D.

John Thabes, M.D.

Faye Tinson, APRN

Gregory Todd, M.D.

Mary Van Vliet, APRN

Anthony Vara, M.D.

Ramona Vossler, RDH

Jordan Walters, M.D.

Beatriz Cepeda Valery, M.D.

Lakeshia Washington, APRN

Eula Weaver, APRN

Dorothy White, M.D.

Barbara Williams, M.D.

Shana Wood, APRN

Charles Yowell, M.D.