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Academy Officers
Brian Daley, MD PRESIDENT
David Harris, MD
PRESIDENT ELECT
Melissa Chiles, MD SECRETARY
Jeff Gilbert, MD
TREASURER
Jeff Ollis, MD
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Kimberly Weaver, PhD CEO
Board of Trustees
Greg Curtin, MD
Matt Doppelt, DO
Carley Fowler, MD
Rosalind Cadigan, MD
Patrick McConville, MD
Darinka Mileusnic-Polchan, MD
Ex- Officio Board Members
Mark Browne, MD
Richard Briggs, MD
Debbie Christiansen, MD
Randal Dabbs, MD
Richard DePersio, MD
Keith Gray, MD
Robert Page, MD
Donna Brunson -KAMA
Publisher
Kim Weaver, PhD
Editor
Jonathan Weaver
Production/Advertising
David Caudill
In 1906 Upton Sinclair had his book The Jungle published. Required reading for my American History courses in high school. It was a commentary on the current economic and political state of America, meant to expose the evils of our capitalistic system and drive us to socialism, but rather than inciting the masses to revolt, it portrayed the scandalous side of the meatpacking industry and lead to food safety reforms.
There are many similarities to today in that we have lots of muckrackers telling us the evils of American life and the inequalities inherent in our social structure through communication methods unimagined just a few years ago. And while there has been no second revolution, the unintended consequence it seems to me has been apathy. The same apathy in another high school book Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis, where the “quiet lives of desperation" Thoreau commented on are being lived out in the modern world.
I recently went with the American College of Surgeons to Washington for their Advocacy Day. We really did get to see how the sausage is made… i.e. pork barrel politics, a chicken in every pot, fat cats getting fatter, dining at the public trough, and on and on. While the public did after The Jungle cry for governmental and election reforms, the only thing that truly prevents open political favoritism is the immense
inertia inherent in our system.
So how do we as physicians promoting for our patients break out of the indifference, ennui, and inertia, we have been driven to in our social media driven world? I propose two ways. Firstly, continue to follow and maintain the high ground we have in protecting our patients. It must be made clear, that physician cuts in reimbursement directly affect access and this problem must be fixed at the CMS administrative level – not by special acts of Congress every year. Just as politicians say – I can’t help unless I’m elected an to get elected takes money, we must make it clear that we can’t see patients if the office is closed… and to stay open that takes money.
Secondly, we must be vocal. It’s estimated only 3% of surgeons participate in Advocacy through the Political Action Committee. I imagine the numbers are similar for the TMA PAC. While we all can’t march on Nashville or Washington to get our points across, these organized groups interact on our behalf. That too takes money. We must get heard and, to open doors, we must use our PACs. We must have the people in those settings who know not only how but who makes the sausage. It’s a common saying in these circles – if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu. We must be at the table.
- Brian J. Daley, MD, MBA, FACSADVERTISING: For advertising information, call the Academy offices at (865) 531-2766. The magazine is published four times per year by the Knoxville Academy of Medicine (KAM). All rights reserved. This publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the KAM. The appearance of advertising in KAM publications is not a KAM guarantee/endorsement of the product or the claims made for the product by the manufacturer. The fact that an advertisement for a product, service, or company has appeared in a KAM publication shall not be referred to in collateral advertising. The KAM reserves the right to accept or reject any advertising in the publication.
A big welcome to our newest members! We are excited that you have decided to join KAM.
JARON DENSKY, MD OTOLARYNGOLOGY
Ear Nose & Throat Consultants of East TN 9430 Park West Blvd., Ste 330
Knoxville, TN 37923
MICAH HATCH, MD ANESTHESIOLOGY
University Anesthesiologists
1924 Alcoa Hwy, U-109
Knoxville, TN 37920
SHANNON BEIERLE, MD GENERAL SURGERY
Premier Surgical Parkwest 9430 Park West Blvd., Ste 310
Knoxville, TN 37923
RAKESHKUMAR J. PATEL, MD FAMILY MEDICINE
Tennova Turkey Creek Medical Center
10820 Parkside Drive
Knoxville, TN 37934
CINDY NIENDORFF, MD ANESTHESIOLOGY
American Anesthesiology of TN - Knox 501 20th St., Ste 606
Knoxville, TN 37916
JASON JOHNSON, MD ANESTHESIOLOGY
American Anesthesiology of TN - Knox 501 20th St., Ste 606
Knoxville, TN 37916
WILLIAM DEDMON, DO FAMILY MEDICINE
Fountain City Family Physicians
103 Midlake Dr., Upper Level
Knoxville, TN 37918
JOSEPH BONDRANKO, JR., MD ANESTHESIOLOGY
University Anesthesiologists
1924 Alcoa Hwy, U-109
Knoxville, TN 37920
KAELA BLAKE, MD GENERAL SURGERY
University Surgeons Associates
1934 Alcoa Hwy, Ste D-285
Knoxville, TN 37920
STEPHANIE SCOTT, MD GENERAL SURGERY University General Surgeons
1932 Alcoa Hwy, Ste C-270
Knoxville, TN 37920
WESTON WINKLER, DO DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY
Abercrombie Radiology
1112 E. Weisgarber Road
Knoxville, TN 37909
MICHAEL DONOVAN, MD ANESTHESIOLOGY
American Anesthesiology of TN - Knox
501 20th St., Ste 606
Knoxville, TN 37916
JOSEPH "HUNTER" TIPTON, MD
ANESTHESIOLOGY
American Anesthesiology of TN - Knox
501 20th St., Ste 606
Knoxville, TN 37916
CHAD HUGHETT, DO
INTERNAL MEDICINE
Internal Medicine Associates
7744 Conner Road
Powell, TN 37849
JUSTIN SWENGEL, MD
ANESTHESIOLOGY
University Anesthesiologists
1924 Alcoa Hwy, U-109
Knoxville, TN 37920
HALEY DAIGLE, MD
GENERAL SURGERY
University Surgeons Associates
1934 Alcoa Hwy, Ste D-285
Knoxville, TN 37920
AARON MARGULIES, MD SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
Aaron Margulies, MD
7714 Conner Rd., Ste 107 Powell, TN 37849
HUNTER UPTON, MD DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY
Abercrombie Radiology
1112 E. Weisgarber Road
Knoxville, TN 37909
First Column: Jaron Densky, MD; Micah Hatch, MD; Shannon Beierle, MD; Rakeshkumar J. Patel, MD; Cindy Niendorff, MD; Jason Johnson, MD. Second Column: William Dedmon, DO; Joseph Bondranko, Jr., MD; Kaela Blake, MD; Stephanie Scott, MD; Weston Winkler, DO; Michael Donovan, MD.Second
Third
Veronica Adornato
Shannon Cameron
Octavia Clarke
Alyssa Marchman
Ashley Peirano
Hannah Smith
Joel Smith
Millen Srivastava
COREY TRAYLOR, DO ANESTHESIOLOGY
American Anesthesiology of TN - Knox 501 20th St., Ste 606 Knoxville, TN 37916
STEPHANIE SMITH, MD ANESTHESIOLOGY
American Anesthesiology of TN - Knox 501 20th St., Ste 606 Knoxville, TN 37916
WESLEY PAYNE, MD FAMILY MEDICINE
Seymour Family Physicians
11657 Chapman Hwy. Seymour, TN 37865
JARED SPOONS, DO INTERNAL MEDICINE
Internal Medicine Associates
7744 Conner Road Powell, TN 37849
WAYNE STUART, DO FAMILY MEDICINE
Seymour Medical Center
10626 Chapman Hwy. Seymour, TN 37865
MICHAEL RIKER, MD PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY MED
Children's Pediatric Group - Emergency 2018 Clinch Avenue Knoxville, TN 37916
ADOLFO CUADRA, MD INTERVENTIONAL PAIN MED
Associated Pain Specialists 1326 Papermill Pointe Way
Knoxville, TN 37909
MATTHEW E. EDWARDS, DO HOSPITALIST
Summit Medical Group of Ft. Sanders 1819 Clinch Ave # 114 Knoxville, TN 37916
CHRISTINA W. HUNLEY, MD PEDIATRICS
KPA - Farragut
116 Concord Rd., Ste 600 Knoxville, TN 37934
VALERIE H. RINEHART, MD PEDIATRICS
KPA - Weisgarber 1124 E Weisgarber Rd., Ste 200 Knoxville, TN 37909
BRETT SMITH, DO RHEUMATOLOGY
Tennessee Direct Rheumatology 9313 S Northshore Drive Knoxville, TN 37922
SARAH SMITH, MD ENDOCRINOLOGY
Tennessee Direct Endocrinology 9313 S Northshore Drive Knoxville, TN 37922
Brooke Reichard
Stephanie Kendrick
Mayci Fullmer
Kaleigh Mehlhorn
Matthew Eximond
Kayla Klett
Jessica Moon
Michael Davis
Did you know that the KAM now has a conference facility that can accommodate groups from 10-100+? Our new conference center is now accepting bookings for events and has many of the same amenities commercial event centers offer but at a fraction of the price. And, of course, KAM Members always re-
Matthew League
Aliyou Sirlesf
Shannon Dalton
Erin Engle
Ashwin Mehta
Blaine Davis
Alexandra Metz
ceive special rental rates! We are equipped for dinners, cocktail receptions, board meetings and classroom events. Bring your own catering and save money while using our catering kitchen. For more information on availability and pricing, contact David Caudill at (865) 531-2766, ext. 2280.
The first KAM VIPs at Sea event, which featured 23 hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME) and renowned speakers, was a resounding success. Held on Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas, a luxury cruise ship, the event attracted physicians from across the entire state of Tennessee. The program featured several prominent speakers, including Wayne Sotile PhD, nationally ranked speaker Mukta Panda, MD, and TMA President Edward Capparelli, MD.
The KAM VIPs at Sea event provided physicians with an opportunity to learn how to better navigate the growing pressures placed on physicians and their spouses while enjoying the amenities of this fabulous cruise ship. The program also offered engagement opportunities with colleagues, team building activities and even onboard bumper cars. The social events provided a relaxed atmosphere for attendees to connect with their peers and share their experiences.
The speakers provided insights into various topics, such as physician burnout, mental health, and valuable techniques for identifying and dealing with stress in positive and constructive ways.
Overall, the KAM VIPs at Sea event was a great success, with physicians impressed by the quality of the speakers and the content of the program. We have already booked more attendees for next year’s event. The event was a testament to the commitment of our physicians and the medical community to provide the best possible care for themselves and to their patients. It is expected that the KAM VIPs at Sea event will continue to be a popular event among physicians in Tennessee and across the country. For more information on attending next year’s event aboard the Wonder of the Seas visiting beautiful Coco Cay, Bahamas, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten visit VIPsAtSea.com or contact Margaret Maddox and Mmaddox@ knoxvillemedicine.org or (865) 531-2766 ext 2200.
Tennessee residents are automatically opted in for sharing their medical data among healthcare providers as permitted under HIPAA. Patients have the right to ‘opt out’ or not allow sharing of their protected health information among their healthcare providers, including providers who participate in East Tennessee Health Information Network (etHIN), a community health information exchange. The patient also has the right to opt back in for medical records sharing. This is addressed extensively in etHIN’s Participating Provider Policies, which must be adhered to by all providers using the etHIN network. etHIN’s Participating Provider Policies state that if a patient wishes to opt out, they must make their request directly to their healthcare providers. etHIN does not manage patient consent nor does it have the capability to verify an individual’s identity.
From time to time, patients contact etHIN to make an opt out request, to request changes to their medical records, or to ask for an audit of providers who have viewed their medical records. In all instances, etHIN refers the patient back to their provider. etHIN does not ask for patient specific information nor does etHIN try to verify that the patient is under the care of an etHIN provider participant when such a request is received.
etHIN will always refer the patient directly to their provider in the following scenarios:
Opt Out Request: It is the etHIN Participant’s responsibility to manage patient consent and not send ‘opted out’ patient data to etHIN. The opt out process begins when the patient notifies their providers of their request. The opt out request is active when the pa-
tient completes their provider’s Opt Out process. Records submitted to etHIN prior to a patient’s opt out date are not removed from etHIN since the opt out was not in effect during the time the records were submitted. Opting out with one provider does not mean the patient has opted out with all of their providers. The patient must opt out with each of their providers individually.
Audit of Medical Record Lookups: A patient has a right to know who has viewed their medical records in etHIN. If a patient contacts etHIN asking for this information, they are referred to their providers. Upon request, etHIN will work directly with its participating providers to provide the necessary information to support the provider in fulfilling the request.
Request for a Copy of Medical Records: etHIN does not provide a patient portal or other similar services directly to patients or consumers. Patients who contact etHIN requesting a copy of their medical records are referred to their provider to fulfill this request. etHIN will assist its participating providers when requested.
Request for Changes in Medical Records: As an HIE, etHIN does not alter, change, or remove patient data received from its participating providers. Patients must contact their providers directly to request changes or alterations to their records. When requested by the participant provider, etHIN will work with the provider to confirm that any submitted record changes are reflected in etHIN.
If you have any questions about etHIN’s role pertaining to your patients, please contact us at 865-691-8433.
Knoxville Area Project Access would like to give a big shout out and thank you to the band Whiskey Compass for selecting KAPA as their benefit nonprofit from the Sixteenth Ultimate Battle of Physician Bands. “Doc Rock for Health” is an annual fundraiser for local health related nonprofits. KAPA is honored that Whiskey Compass supports KAPA to make a positive im-
KAMA has been busy impacting the welfare of our community and promoting health education programs while encouraging friendships among our members.
At our December meeting, our Health Promotions Committee led by Sheila Barnett and Robyn Doiron organized a holiday gift bag drive for Vine School Health Center. In total, KAMA donated 840 individual personal care items to fill 100 bags that were so very much appreciated by the staff and their patients! In addition, KAMA members provide supplies for the Vine School Health Center as an ongoing project.
KAMA is also excited to have resumed our First Hand outreach at the Ronald McDonald House. Participation had been suspended due the pandemic. Members led by Juliann Chavez and Tom Walker are glad to be able to once again prepare a monthly meal for the residents.
In January, members responded to an emergency call from the MDC to help assemble naloxone kits. Several members have also at-tended naloxone administration classes conducted by MDC.
Our Holiday Sharing card raised $8962.50 that will be dispersed to our four endowed scholarships: UT Medical $2469.78, UTK Nursing $2513.10, TN Wesleyan Nursing $1673.17 and our newest endowment, Quillen $2326.45. Special thanks to Cynthia Gash and Virginia Bieber for their dedication to this program and to the Knoxville medical community who so generously donate to these scholarships.
In January, Doc Rock returned with a bang. Well over 500 people
pact in the communities we serve. Since 2006, KAPA has coordinated more than $385 million dollars in donated care to the uninsured in East Tennessee. KAPA is a program of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine Foundation.
For more information on KAPA and partnership opportunities please visit kapatn.org.
attended this year’s event raising more than $65,000 for local charities and medical scholarships. Doctor Zoster and the Pox playing for Metropolitan Drug Coalition was the winner. KAPA, Family Justice Center, Interfaith Health Clinic, and St. Mary’s Mobile Health Clinic will also receive a portion of the proceeds. I would like to thank all of the doctor bands that participated: B.B.S, No Recall, Remedy and Whiskey Compass. Thank you for putting on a great show and for your continued support of KAMA. A special thank you to our event sponsors and to all who came out to support Doc Rock. Lastly, I would like to thank event chairperson, Mary Weiss, and her team of volunteers for planning a fantastic evening.
The Doctor’s Day Luncheon returned this year thanks to the hard work of Ellen Evancho and Robin Hutchins. This year’s event was held at Sequoyah Presbyterian Church on March 29.
Our membership drive led by Jackie Booth and Jacque Prince began in January. Membership forms are available on our website: kamalliance.org and can be printed and mailed into the KAMA PO Box. Membership hosted a “Just for Fun” event in February at Top Golf and plans a KAMA Kulture evening in March where members will share food, customs, and music from their diverse backgrounds.
Our annual KAMA Retreat was held at Ancient Lore Village April 2-3, 2023. At the meeting, President-Elect Jen Ollis shared her vision for the coming year.
The Knoxville Academy of Medicine and Region 7 recently participated in the 189th TMA Annual House of Delegates Meeting in Nashville. We are pleased to announce that Region 7 once again had the largest turnout of delegates in attendance, ensuring that physicians’ voices were heard from East Tennessee. This an-
nual event is our opportunity to help shape the direction of the state organization by presenting resolutions that affect the practice of medicine and patient advocacy. If you would be interested in attending as a delegate in 2024, contact Kim Weaver, KAM CEO at kweaver@knoxvillemedicine.org.
Match Day is a highly anticipated event for medical students across the country as it determines where they will continue their medical training as residents. This year, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHS) Knoxville campus celebrated Match Day 2023 in a unique way. Rather than a traditional ceremony, the students gathered at Maple Hall Bowling Lanes to await their match results.
This year's Match Day at UTHS Knoxville was a memorable event that brought students, families, and faculty together to celebrate the hard work and dedication of the medical students. All UTHS Knoxville campus students matched with residency programs and 2 of the students will remain in Knoxville! Congratulations to the UTHS Knoxville Class of 2023 on their successful match results!
The Tennessee Community Resource Network (TCRN) is a new initiative of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine Foundation in partnership with Knoxville Area Project Access and the East Tennessee Health Information Network (etHIN).
TCRN is a state-wide referral platform to connect community based organizations, traditional health care providers, and behavioral health providers in order to enhance the health and well-being of Tennesseans. The initiative was developed after experiencing positive health outcomes for uninsured patients enrolled in the KAPA program by connecting them with both medical and social needs.
Much work by KAMF, etHIN, and the community has gone into the development of this platform. In the last year TCRN has
formed a Community Advisory Committee, formed a Community Consent workgroup, developed and finalized a TCRN Community Consent, developed and finalized a TCRN Data Sharing Agreement, launched the TCRN platform, integrated with etHIN’s Master Person Index, on-boarded and trained organizations/users, entered our first clients, and have continued to provide much outreach and awareness on TCRN.
There is still work to be done including an Admission, Discharge, Transfer (ADT) integration, a Single Sign On integration with etHIN, a resource directory integration, and much more!
For more information on TCRN or for pricing, contact Danielle Sims at dsims@knoxvillemedicine.org or 865-531-2766 ext. 2430.
just filled out my umpteenth survey this month on a recent store purchase. We get asked everything these days from hotel stays, flights, to how our restaurant meal was. academia, this is the new research tool that is convenient, and low-cost. all have a feeling that we affecting a beneficial change we respond, and having voices heard. IS this really case?
The Knoxville Academy of Medicine (KAM) once again partnered with the TMA for the Doctor’s Day on the Hill event, held on March 7th, 2023. As an organization representing physicians in the Knoxville area, KAM physicians play a critical role in advocating for important healthcare policies that affect their patients and their community. KAM physicians use their expertise and firsthand experiences to educate lawmakers about the issues
pitals and the government. Such ratings, and the folks who use the ratings, are not face to face with the patient. The surveys are not timely, and they are often used to decide remuneration. We feel powerless because many of the things that impact our patients, and their responses, are system-related and beyond our ability to change.
facing Tennessee's healthcare system. Doctors often bring reallife examples of patients who have been impacted by the policies they are advocating for, and these stories can be powerful tools for persuading lawmakers to take action. Through events such as this, KAM physicians are able to make their voices heard and help shape the future of healthcare in Tennessee. We are truly grateful for all those that participated in this year’s event.
Everyone should read the Viewpoint in the December issue of JAMA about PaSatisfaction Instruments.
(JAMA 328(22): 2209-10). In it spells out the exact reasons such surare not only not efficacious in determining improving care but detrimental to physicians. Quoting Edward Demming himself – such rat“build fear, demolishes teamwork and nourishes rivalry and politics “(ibid). It’s not so much the asking patients for their opinions, but rather the way it is asked, and importantly, the way it is used by our hos-
We all agree communication is the key and could be improved by all practitioners. A former mayor of New York City, Ed Koch, was known for walking the streets and asking “How’m I doin’?” It was personal, actionable, and very much point of care. It encourages communication and conversation at the person level. For the sake of our patients, and for our sake, let’s not worry about the surveys, but rather how we’re seen in that moment by that patient. We need to act to make changes at the individual level and ask “How’m I doin’?
