PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

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, FACS

ADVERTISING: 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

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.