January 2015 Round-up Magazine

To learn more visit www.mcmsonline.com

MEMBER PROFILE: Meet Dr. Ryan Stratford, MBA, MCMS 2015 President. Learn more about what he believes are the challenges MCMS and organized medicine face, the opportunities that exist, and the commitment it will take from our members to truly make a difference. Page 8.

Celebrating 60 Years

- 015 1955 2

round-up Volume 61

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Number 1

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January 2015

Providing news and information for the medical community since 1955.

The Society received a much needed facelift to the building and courtyard, page 20.

PRESIDENT’S PAGE: editorial of the new year he formally takes the reins from Dr. Miriam Anand and describes his vision to keep MCMS moving in a forward, positive direction.

Page 14.

MCMS 2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Meet the physicians that lead your Society.

Page 16.

A CLOSER LOOK: Round-up sat down with Dr. Jeff Mueller, a MCMS member and ArMA’s President, and asked him about the role of physicians in the legislative process and what to expect during this year’s Legislature.

Page 26

FEATURE ARTICLES: We asked Rep. Heather Carter and Sen. Kelly Ward to share their thoughts on the importance of physician involvement in the health policy-making process and how the physician community can get involved.

Pages 28 & 30.

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from your mcms executive director What’s Inside?

It’s hard to believe 2014 is already in our rearview mirror. With a new year comes a new slate of bills that will very likely impact healthcare here in our state. The 52nd Legislature kicked off on January 12th and has the potential to be one of the most difficult in recent years. Hopefully, cooler heads will prevail when our lawmakers consider legislation that impacts how care is provided here in Arizona.

A new year also brings new leadership at the Maricopa County Medical Society, with a new executive committee and four new directors. We thanked Drs. Elizabeth McConnell and Suzie Whitely for their service as they termed off the board last month, and welcomed Drs. Shane Daley, Ross Goldberg, Marc Lato, and Tony Lee as new board members. We also welcomed Dr. Ryan Stratford as our new president. He is poised to take the reins from Dr. Miriam Anand and keep the Society moving in a positive direction.

Jay Conyers, PhD MCMS, Executive Director CEO, Business Services E: jconyers@mcmsonline.com P: 602-251-2361

So what are we bringing you this month in Round-up? Well, for starters we aim to get you acquainted with our new board president and what he has in store for the year. Round-up sat down with Dr. Stratford and spoke with him about the challenges we face, the opportunities that exist, and the commitment it will take from our members to truly make a difference. We hope you enjoy our interview with him.

We also sat down with Dr. Jeff Mueller, a MCMS member who also happens to be the current president of the Arizona Medical Association. We asked Dr. Mueller about the role of physicians in the legislative process and what to expect during this year’s Legislature. No physician in Arizona will have a greater impact on health-related legislation this year than Dr. Mueller.

Sticking with our legislative policy theme for the month of January, we also reached out to the dedicated people that Arizona citizens elect to pass laws intended to make our state a better place to live. Specifically, we asked House and Senate leadership to address the physician community and the importance of their involvement in the health policy-making process. We hope the messages provided by Representative Heather Carter and Senator Kelly Ward resonate with our readers and encourage the physician community to take on a more active role in crafting policy.

In addition to these articles we have some before and after shots of our recent building facelift, an entertaining viewpoint from Dr. Rudi Kirschner, MCMS new members, and more.

While you’re reading this issue we’ll be diligently at work on the February issue, which will focus on Technology. We have a great slate of articles in the works, and will be profiling Dr. Paul Berggreen, a physician who truly embodies technology in the way he cares for his patients.

As we journey into 2015, we thank you again for your support of the Society and wish you all a Happy New Year!

Until next time, Jay

2 • Round-up • January 2015 • A monthly publication of the MCMS

STAY IN CONTROL OF YOUR TRAVEL

HEALTHCARE Take trips. Not chances.

round-up

january 2015

Providing news and information for physicians and the healthcare community since 1955.

Published by the Maricopa County Medical Society.

2 8

14 16 20 26 28 30 32

from the executive director What’s inside this issue of Round-up? member profile Ryan R. Stratford, MD, MBA president’s page Happy New Year!

mcms 2015 board of directors Meet the physicians that lead your Society.

what’s new at mcms?

The Society received a much-needed facelift!

a closer look A Q & A with Dr. Jeff Mueller, ArMA president. feature article Dr. politics.

feature article Physician engagement.

viewpoint Totally useless cogitations.

In every issue In Memoriam ....................................................................................................................................................................6 Opinion/Letters to the Editor ............................................................................................................................................7 MCMS New Members ....................................................................................................................................................24 Marketplace ....................................................................................................................................................................34 MCMS Board of Directors Meeting Minutes ................................................................................................................36

4 • Round-up • January 2015 • A monthly publication of the MCMS

On the cover: The beautiful re-designed MCMS courtyard.

Photo by Mike Paulson, Paulson Photo/Graphic Office: 602-230-1550 • Mobile: 602-799-7471 • photo@paulson.com • www.paulson.com

Round-up Staff

Editor-in-Chief Ryan R. Stratford, MD, MBA Editor Jay Conyers, PhD

MCMS 2015 Officers President

Ryan R. Stratford, MD, MBA President-Elect

Adam M. Brodsky, MD

Advertising, Design and Production Candice Scheibel

Vice President

Advertising

Secretary

To obtain information on advertising in Round-up, contact MCMS.

phone: 602-252-2015 advertising@mcmsonline.com Postmaster

Send address changes to: Round-up, 326 E. Coronado Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85004 mcmsonline.com

facebook.com/MedicalSociety twitter.com/MedicalSociety

linkedin/MaricopaCountyMedical Society Periodicals postage paid at Phoenix, Arizona.

Volume 61, No. 1, January 2015.

Round-up (USPS 020-150) is published 12 times per year by the Maricopa County Medical Society, 326 E. Coronado, Phoenix, AZ 85004.

To subscribe to Round-up Magazine please send a check for one-year subscription of $36 to Round-up Magazine, 326 E. Coronado Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85004 or visit mcmsonline.com/subscribe.

John L. Couvaras, MD Kelly Hsu, MD Treasurer

Mark R. Wallace, MD

Immediate Past-President Miriam K. Anand, MD Board of Directors 2013-2015

R. Jay Standerfer, MD

Steven R. Kassman, MD Shane Daley, MD

Anthony Lee, MD 2014-2016

Lee Ann Kelley, MD May Mohty, MD

Richard Manch, MD Anita Murcko, MD 2015-2017

Ross Goldberg, MD

Jennifer Hartmark-Hill, MD Tanja L. Gunsberger, DO Marc M. Lato, MD

Celebrating 60 Years

- 015 1955 2

Round-up is a publication of the Maricopa County Medical Society (MCMS). Submissions, including advertisements, are welcome for review and approval by our editorial staff at roundup@mcmsonline.com.

All solicited and unsolicited written materials and photos submitted to Round-up will be treated as unconditionally and irrevocably assigned to and the property of MCMS and may be used at MCMS’ sole discretion for publication and copyright purposes and use in any publication, website or brochure. MCMS accepts no responsibility for the loss of or damage to material submitted, including photographs or artwork. Submissions will not be returned.

The opinions expressed in Round-up are those of the individual authors and not necessarily of MCMS. Round-up reserves the right to refuse certain submissions and advertising and is not liable for the authors’ or advertisers’ claims and/or errors. Roundup considers its sources reliable and verifies as much data as possible, but is not responsible for inaccuracies or content.

Readers rely on this information at their own risk and are advised to seek independent legal, financial or other independent advice regarding the content of any submission.

No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission by the publisher. All rights are reserved.

A monthly publication of the MCMS • January 2015 • Round-up • 5

in memoriam

Honoring those we lost...

Robert (Buzz) Ackerman, MD

Dr. Ackerman, 80, of Phoenix, AZ, passed away in December 2014. He began life February 13, 1934 in Jackson, Minnesota; the second son of Robert and Elaine Ackerman.

From the beginning he was precocious and adventurous. He met his future wife, Pat Petersen, in grade school; but she found him to be a bit of a “wild man” at that time.

Dr. Ackerman worked hard in high school, graduating valedictorian and developing his passion for hot rods and collecting. After concluding his business degree, he convinced Pat to say “yes,” and she joined in the adventure! A short stint in the corporate world convinced him to go back to school to become a medical doctor at the University of Minnesota where he, Pat and their three children lived in a tiny quonset hut in married housing. Upon graduation the Ackerman family moved to Phoenix, AZ, which was home to Dr. Ackerman until his passing.

Dr. Ackerman was drafted into the Army for two years and served as an anesthesiologist in Vietnam. He worked hard and played hard, instilling these life habits in his children. He really enjoyed caring for people, and had a thriving medical practice in Maryvale for 26 years. He had a tremendous laugh and a quick wit. He loved quality time with friends and family, and had an endless curiosity and a deep appreciation of nature’s beauty. His adventures took him and his family far and wide. He knew he was blessed to have found the “rock” of the family - Pat. He truly lived by the motto, “The scenery is always the same if you are not the lead dog.”

Dr. Ackerman was always there to show his loved ones the way, and his passing leaves a large void in the hearts of his wife, Pat, his children, Vicki Ackerman Beard, Bob and Beverly (Bowers) Ackerman, and Tom and Jean (Moon) Ackerman, his 7 grandchildren, and all his wonderful relatives, friends and neighbors. ru

James J. Kennedy III, MD

Dr. Kennedy, 74, of Phoenix, AZ, passed away January 12, 2015. He was born June 18, 1940 in Houston, Texas to Jeff and Sybil Kennedy. He graduated from Southwestern University in 1962 and Baylor College of Medicine in 1966; he completed a residency in ophthalmology at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas in 1975.

Brigadier General Kennedy practiced ophthalmology in the USAF and then in private practice in Phoenix, AZ. In addition, he was Chief Medical Officer and Interim CEO at Maricopa Medical Center.

Dr. Kennedy is survived by his wife Nancy E. Kennedy of Phoenix, AZ and two daughters, Tara E. Kennedy of Phoenix, AZ and Kristin M.K. Herndon (Mike) of San Diego, CA, as well as four grandsons: Nicholas Gager, Brenden Kennedy, Matthew Herndon and Jackson Herndon. ru

Arnold R. DeMarco, MD

Dr. DeMarco, MD, 82, of Phoenix passed away on January 18, 2015.

Dr. DeMarco was born January 16, 1933. He grew up in Highland Park, New Jersey and graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1954. He later graduated from Hahnemann Medical College in 1958. Dr. DeMarco served his internship at Hahnemann Medical College in 1959. He went on to Pensacola, Florida where he earned his wings to fly, becoming a Flight Surgeon for the United States Army. Dr. DeMarco had his private practice in general surgery in Somerville, New Jersey from 1966-1972. He later relocated to Kingman, AZ where he continued his private practice from 1973-1985. Thereafter, he went into Industrial Medicine in Phoenix. His medical career concluded working for the Military Entrance Processing Station (M.E.P.S.).

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Arlene, brother Joseph DeMarco of North Brunswick, New Jersey, children Nicky, Donna, Arnold Jr., grandsons Justin and Jaggar, daughter-in-law Debra DeMarco, nieces Diana Battaglia, Denise DeMarco-Crutchley and nephew Anthony DeMarco. ru

6 • Round-up • January 2015 • A monthly publication of the MCMS

opinion Comment:

Dear Editor:

While a change in by-laws of MCMS would seem to alleviate the burden of election rules as now constituted, I believe a better use of the Board’s efforts should be directed toward the underlying reason members do not cast their votes at all. Could it be that the Society is no longer relevant to the professional practice of the members? If that then is indeed the case some deep and penetrating soul searching is in order instead of merely changing by-laws.

Mark G. Kartub, MD MCMS Member since 1971

Connect with your Society.

Letters and electronic correspondence will become the property of Round-up, which assumess permission to publish and edit as necessary. Please refer to our usage statement on pg. 5 for more information.

Editor: Ryan R. Stratford, MD, MBA rstratford@mcmsonline.com Managing Editor: Jay Conyers, PhD jconyers@mcmsonline.com

Response: Dr. Kartub:

Thank you so much for your letter of concern. You raise a valid point that has had many of us on the board considering what it is we can do to enhance the Society’s relevance and value to its members. Without a doubt, the luster of organized medicine has waned in recent decades. However, I believe – as do our dedicated Board members – that the physician community needs a unified voice now more than ever.

As in any non-profit membership organization, we are governed by bylaws that tell us what we can and cannot do on behalf of our members. Unfortunately for us, however, our bylaws are severely outdated and in need of revision, especially if we are to provide service to our membership as a board. Just as the landscape of medicine is ever changing, an organization such as ours should possess the flexibility and nimbleness to adapt and change in order to address the needs of today’s physicians. I would hope that you agree that those needs have changes considerably over the years.

The Society’s ‘voter turnout’ has been consistent with what other organized medicine groups see from year to year.

Looking outside of organize medicine and you will see numbers not too far off from what we have seen in years past with our elections. In last year’s general election, our nation had a 36% voter turnout, with Arizona slightly less at 33%.

A recent study published by an online elections software developer – whose business it to design tools to enhance voter turnout – reported that, of 50 randomly selected election in

2013, average voter turnout was 39%. However, the study points to the reliance on the size of the voter pool. For example, one end of the spectrum reported 92% turnout with an organization comprising 59 eligible voters casting their votes. The other end was a trade organization that saw a mere 4% participation from its 4,374 eligible voters.

The Society only asks its members to vote once a year when it elects a new slate of officers and directors each fall.

On average, we receive completed ballots from 25% of members eligible to vote. While this is not too far off from what other organizations similar to us in size and geographic distribution, it is insufficient to meet the requirement of 50% voter participation as set forth in our current bylaws.

Our current by-laws would restrict us form doing many of the ambitious, high-value activities that have been adopted as part of our 2015 strategic plan. Having the ability to change the bylaws accordingly will allow us to better serve you and the rest of our members. We were fortunate that our members saw the value of this and cast their vote. Nearly 52% of our members voted in favor of the amendment submitted to the membership for consideration.

We are confident that the Society can now more easily adapt to the needs of our member physicians and help rebuild the relevance that you likely saw throughout your more than forty years of service in our organization.

We welcome any suggestions you may have as to how we can better serve the physician community!

Ryan R. Stratford, MD, MBA MCMS President

A monthly publication of the MCMS • January 2015 • Round-up • 7

member profile

Physician Profile: Ryan Stratford, MD, MBA, FACOG Round-up Staff

W

ith a new year at the Society comes new leadership, and with that, new ideas. In 2014, Dr. Miriam Anand helped usher in a new brand for Round-up and enhance communication with our members.

As we moved into January 2015, she left the Society in great shape and well positioned for continued momentum. Many of the ideas she developed with the help of last year’s Board will be championed by this year’s President, Dr. Ryan Stratford.

Round-up sat down with Dr. Stratford and learned why he sees such value in physicians participating in organized medicine.

“As President-Elect last year, Ryan chaired our Policy Committee and was conscientious and thoughtful in his approach to issues that the Society was asked to address. I feel confident that the Society will be in good hands under Ryan’s leadership.” — Miriam K. Anand, MD

8 • Round-up • January 2015 • A monthly publication of the MCMS

member profile Dr. Stratford specializes in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) and has headed the Women’s Center for Advanced Pelvic Surgery in Mesa for more than a decade. He is heavily involved in his specialty Society, serving as the Treasurer of the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS), and has been a member of the Maricopa County Medical Society (MCMS) since 2005 and on the Board of Directors since 2013.

Stratford spent his early years moving to wherever the Air Force stationed his father. Once the elder Stratford completed his commitment to the military, and after stops in Mississippi and Texas, the family headed to Northern Utah.

Stratford’s father had a younger brother there that was suffering from renal failure due to a strep infection, and was the best HLA match for donating a kidney to his brother. Despite receiving a kidney from Stratford’s dad, Stratford’s uncle passed away a year later, but the family stayed planted and called Northern Utah home for the five Stratford children.

Stratford attended Brigham Young University and graduated with University Honors majoring in Business Man-

agement & Finance, minoring in Spanish and Chemistry.

Midway through college, however, he served a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which sent him to Santiago, Chile. Upon returning, he completed his degree but knew that a career in business was unappealing to him.

“I felt unfulfilled when considering a career in business, where success was based on the basic economic premise that everyone acts in their own self interest,” Stratford recalled.

“Serving as a missionary for two years, thinking about others rather than myself, gave me a great sense of happiness and joy in life. I wanted to work in an environment that fostered selfless service. Medicine was a good fit. I shifted my area of study and completed the required courses to attend medical school while continuing my training in finance.”

After graduating from BYU, Stratford headed east to attend the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.

While there, he applied for and was accepted as a graduate student in the Graduate School of Business at the University of Chicago.

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member profile

“I believe that MCMS has unique perspective about the specific needs of physicians that cannot be obtained by participating solely in a national specialty society. MCMS can provide tremendous direct value to physicians who are trying to manage the constant change occurring in their community.” — Ryan Stratford, MD “I enjoyed learning about business and I hoped to combine my knowledge of business and medicine to improve the delivery of medicine in the complicated healthcare environment,” he said.

career in academic medicine given that most reputable departments throughout the U.S. were seeking specialists in the new field of FPMRS. However, he put family first and went down a different path.

“When considering all subspecialty fields of surgery, I most enjoyed the challenge of surgery for gynecologic cancers. In residency, I was introduced to a new and growing subspecialty field of FPMRS. The challenge of complicated vaginal surgery and the reward of helping women with debilitating functional problems with the pelvic floor excited me.”

Stratford soon hung his shingle in Mesa, setting up a subspecialty practice called The Woman’s Center for Advanced Pelvic Surgery (www.TheWomensCenter.com). Originally, there was no American Board of Medical Specialties-recognized certificate for his line of work, but two years ago, FPMRS became a board certified sub-specialty under the Board of Urology and the Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. As a result, the recognition of the complexities of the conditions associated with pelvic floor disorders has grown.

That is something Stratford is proud to be a part of.

Despite many offers to work for consulting firms as he forged ahead in his medical education, he continued to pursue his desire to work in medicine and accepted a residency in Ob/Gyn at the University of California, San Diego. Technically, this was a deviation from his original plan. Prior to medical school, Stratford assured himself he would pursue a career in anything other than Psychiatry or Ob/Gyn. But the field of Gynecologic Oncology eventually enamored him and he loved surgery.

Thus, he embarked on a fellowship to learn the craft, training with world-renowned surgeon Dr. Bob Shull in Temple, Texas. In his mind, Stratford was on his way to a

Stratford said, “My wife, who grew up in Phoenix, wanted to return to Arizona, where there was not an academic center. I was fully committed to going wherever she desired as she had sacrificed a lot to support me through my training. Boy, was that a good decision. I have loved living in Arizona!”

He said, “I especially feel lucky to take care of women who typically have sacrificed most of their lives in serving others and raising families and are in need of help later in life with debilitating conditions such as urinary and fecal incontinence, which • Flexible Service Schedule I can treat. I consider myself very lucky Including On-Call Service to be a physician. I love what I do!”

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10 • Round-up • January 2015 • A monthly publication of the MCMS

Today, Stratford is one of a handful of board-certified FPMRS specialists in Maricopa County. He has pursued his interests in academic medicine and is a clinical faculty member of the university of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix. He has become heavily involved in residency training, working

member profile full time with two rotating residents from the Banner Good Samaritan/University of Arizona Ob/Gyn residency training program.

Last fall he expanded his blossoming practice and recruited Dr. Kelly Kantartzis, who had just completed a fellowship in FPMRS at the Magee-Women’s Hospital of the University of Pittsburg Medical Center, to join TWCAPS. Seeing the value of strength in numbers, he also sold Dr. Kantartzis on the benefits of joining the Society, and we are now lucky to count Dr. Kantartzis among our membership.

A busy work schedule and a business to run leaves little free time, especially when you have a family with five children. However, Stratford still finds time to set aside to help strengthen organized medicine. When asked, he explains the importance of defining quality measures, protecting the practice of medicine, and communicating the government-mandated changes in how healthcare is financed to the physician community. To do so, he believes physicians need be more aware of the issues that impact medicine even though many of them are rooted in policy and economics, something physicians don’t necessarily go to school to learn.

“I was interested in the economics of medicine and studied healthcare policy during my years at the University of Chicago,” Stratford explained. “I took courses in the school of public policy and economics courses in the business school, completing a certificate in Healthcare Administration and Policy. From those courses, I analyzed different healthcare systems using complex economic models and learned the complexity and difficulty of finding a perfect healthcare delivery system.”

ability and nimbleness that has never before been required.”

As President-Elect in 2014, Stratford had the opportunity to observe the Society as it went through a growth period, and became more acquainted with the issues that most concerned our member physicians. He chaired the Policy Committee this past year and is in a great position to help continue the progress created under Dr. Anand’s leadership last year.

When asked by Round-up what he saw as the Society’s biggest challenge this year, he explained, “After the substantial and significant work that Dr. Anand completed last year in putting our Society back on stable ground, our focus this year should be the reach of the Society to all physicians practicing in the county, especially among employed physicians.”

He adds, “MCMS has largely been a society focused on helping physicians manage their private practices, but now the majority of physicians in Maricopa County are employed. The greatest value MCMS provides its members is the insight and information it provides about how to navigate through the dynamic changes in healthcare delivery.”

Stratford sees this as the reality for both employed and non-employed physicians. “I strongly believe that there is great value in belonging to a local medical society because that society provides perspective, guidance, and help through the eyes of a physician on how to manage the myriad changes in healthcare delivery. Although I recognize the value in joining together in one voice on some issues,” Stratford explained. “I think the greatest value is less so in providing a voice and more so in providing information and

Stratford helps advance his specialty through his work with the AUGS. With over 1,500 members representing all subspecialties of FPMRS, Stratford serves as Treasurer of AUGS and oversees $4-5 million in annual revenue that goes towards helping define quality measures, identifying new reimbursement tools, and maintaining a registry – by request of the FDA – to better monitor the complications associated with trans-vaginal mesh for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse.

Stratford adds, “Financial success in medicine is requiring significant adapt-

A monthly publication of the MCMS • January 2015 • Round-up • 11

member profile perspective to physicians about what matters to them every day – how to deliver high quality healthcare to their patients amid the restrictions of the healthcare system.”

He knows he has big shoes to fill in his role as President of the Society in 2015. When asked what he hopes to accomplish, Stratford replied, “I stand on the shoulders of giants who have gone before me, including close friends like Dr. William Horsley, MCMS President in 2000. I hope to build on all of the work that has gone on before, but MCMS has to adapt to major shifts in the dynamics of physician practices.”

He continues, “My key area of focus will be to foster a strong volunteer commitment from members of the Society by opening avenues for each member to get involved and participate. This can be done through improved efficiencies in managing the Society. With my involvement on other medical society boards, I have gained perspective on effective ways of fostering and growing volunteer service. I hope to expand the growth of committees to include many more members of the Society.”

He points to the extensive work done in recent years to provide direction to address the needs of the MCMS membership, but says it’s now time to grow the committees and foster volunteer work by physicians who see value in supporting each other in our effort to navigate through the difficulties of practice.

When asked what he would say to members of the Society who have yet to become involved, Stratford said, “Physicians and practitioners should become involved because they see value in being a member of the Society. So often I feel that medical societies try to grow membership by appealing to physicians’ altruism or touting the value of organized political voice without offering direct, tangible value to its membership.”

“I believe that MCMS has unique perspective about the specific needs of physicians that cannot be obtained by participating solely in a national specialty society,” he continued. “MCMS can provide tremendous direct value to physicians who are trying to manage the constant change occurring in their community.”

Stratford, like many, recognizes that the Society can’t do this alone, and needs the help of others to make our state a more attractive place for physicians to practice. He points to the need for enhanced fostering of research and academic medicine, a tough sell given the financial climate of a state

with a billion dollar budget shortfall looming. Early indicators already point to higher education as one of the few ‘big buckets’ from which budget cuts can be realized. Despite this, attracting more healthcare resources, including physicians, can help offset any budget cuts and ensure that research and academic medicine continue to grow here in Arizona.

Stratford believes the uniqueness of Arizona gives it a strong change to survive in today’s every changing healthcare landscape.

“Arizona is a wonderful place to live and to practice medicine. However, it is also one of the fastest growing populations in the country and patients’ needs often outstrip physician resources. Some of the communities in Maricopa County swell to twice their baseline population in the winter months. The population growth gives Arizona a unique opportunity to evaluate and treat people from all over the country. Arizona should have one of the greatest healthcare systems in the world, as it is a destination for healthcare for so many of its citizens.”

Despite the optimism, he believes that physician response to the state’s growth has been reactionary and not cross-disciplinary. He applauds the critical mass of excellent physicians and providers in Arizona, but believes that in order for our state to become a world leader in medicine delivery, we need to attract more academic healthcare resources and physicians.

“Because of the independent, free market system that Arizona was able to maintain while other areas of the country moved to managed care and organized medicine, Arizona attracted physicians who are entrepreneurs and less adverse to risk taking. With an entrepreneurial type of mindset among physicians, Arizona is best positioned to lead the country in creative ways to manage the complexities of the Affordable Care Act. The opportunity is great and I believe the outcomes will also be great, but I believe we need more resources and breadth of backgrounds among our physicians in order to be successful,” said Stratford.

The Society is looking forward to Dr. Stratford’s vision and leadership in 2015, and hopes that we can help engage our member physicians more to help strengthen medicine here in Arizona. ru

12 • Round-up • January 2015 • A monthly publication of the MCMS

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president’s page

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

By Ryan R. Stratford, MD, MBA

W

e begin this new year by setting personal goals. Sometimes, the uncertainty of the future creates concern and makes it difficult to set realistic goals, but the lack of certainty can make goal-setting more creative and insightful. The greater the unpredictability, the greater the opportunity. As I look forward to this year for the Maricopa County Medical Society, I am confident that the future is bright!

MCMS President 2015 Ryan R. Stratford, MD, MBA Dr. Stratford specializes in Urogynecology/Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery.

He joined MCMS in 2005.

Contact Information: The Woman's Center for Advanced Pelvic Surgery 1432 S. Dobson Road Suite 509 Mesa, AZ 85202 phone: 480-834-5111 rstratford@mcmsonline.com

For most of my career, discouragement was all I heard when discussing organized medicine. I remember being required to take a course in medical careers as an undergraduate if I wanted to apply to medical school. The class was a series of lectures by physicians who briefly explained their specialty in medicine, then spent the rest of the lecture detailing the pitfalls of medicine. They complained about the atrocities of managed care, the complexities of navigating insurance claims, the lack of autonomy with patients, and the loss of the “good old days” of medicine. The class was clearly designed to discourage bright-eyed, “naive” students from choosing medicine as a career. I remember thinking then, “Why are they discouraging us from choosing medicine? We don’t even know what the ‘good old days’ are like. We just want to be doctors.”

Now, almost 25 years later, I still ask, “Why all of the discouragement?” Practicing medicine is the best career in the world! Yes, it can be very discouraging. Yes, we are heavily regulated. Yes, we lack autonomy.

Yes, we face unique challenges navigating the Accountability Care Act. But through it all, we get to help people every day. We play a role in the lives of others that very few are privileged to hold. We are very lucky.

Let’s make it even better. As physicians, we are more capable of improving healthcare than any other group of people in the world. In my studies in healthcare policy as a graduate student at the University of Chicago, I discovered through modeling every type of healthcare system invented that there is no perfect healthcare system. I also learned that some systems work much better than others. We need to combine the genius of great ideas tempered with real life experience and implement them

14 • Round-up • January 2015 • A monthly publication of the MCMS

president’s page in the complicated environment we work in. No one is better prepared to do this than we. There is a lot we can do.

What can we expect in 2015? What will we learn in our individual fields of medicine? What scientific discoveries will occur? What new federal requirements will be implemented this year? What changes will we make in our daily practice to accommodate those changes? How will patients we treat affect the way we look at life, the way we treat our families and those closest to us? Most of the answers to these questions depends squarely on our attitude and approach to the future.

As I step into the role as the president of MCMS, charged with the responsibility of serving you through your board of directors, I want you to know that we stand on stable ground as a society. Our Immediate Past President, Dr. Miriam Anand and our Executive Director, Jay Conyers, PhD did a tremendous job last year safely navigating the society through very uncertain financial waters. Through Jay’s talented leadership, the Greater Arizona Central Credentialing Program (GACCP) was awarded a contract to audit medical licenses for the Arizona Medical Board. The Bureau of Medical Economics (BME) has improved its business operations to become significantly more effective and profitable. Roundup Magazine has been re-tooled to provide more meaningful content to members. And we now have the financial stability to begin executing the Society’s objectives. Not only is it more financially grounded, but the organization made widesweeping changes in how it wishes to organize and operate.

As members of MCMS, you recently voted to give the Board of Directors the ability to make much needed updates to the bylaws and structure of leadership within the society.

We are now in a position to organize ourselves in much more efficient ways to capitalize on the strengths of the society and to harness the tremendous volunteer service we each can provide.

My primary goal as your president will be to establish an organizational structure that opens the door widely for you to volunteer your ingenuity and expertise in areas you consider most important to you.

Our four primary objectives are Advocacy, Quality, Public Health and Policy. Our goal is to advocate for healthcare providers locally and nationally, help our members to foster high-level quality of care and professionalism, encourage improvements in public health, and positively affect changes in healthcare policy. To achieve these objectives, the board

of directors has laid out a strategic plan that requires member volunteers to implement the objectives through organized committees. With the help of many volunteers, I am certain we will successfully achieve the society’s objectives.

“Our four primary objectives are Advocacy, Quality, Public Health and Policy.

Our goal is to advocate for healthcare providers locally and nationally, help our members to foster high-level quality of care and professionalism, encourage improvements in public health, and positively affect changes in healthcare policy.

To achieve these objectives, the board of directors has laid out a strategic plan that requires member volunteers to implement the objectives through organized committees. With the help of many volunteers, I am certain we will successfully achieve the society’s objectives.”

– Ryan Stratford, MD, MBA

As a volunteer in other medical societies and volunteer organizations, I have witnessed that when given a clear objective, detailed expectations and an opportunity to report back, physicians are better capable than anyone I have ever worked with at accomplishing the unimaginable. I have tremendous faith in what great things we can accomplish this year.

We are all in medicine together. We love being healthcare providers but there are many things we want to improve. As a group, we can accomplish more together than we can alone. We can be inspired by those around us. You are a member of the Maricopa County Medical Society for a reason and that reason will soon become clearer as you consider what excites you. I hope you will join me in finding something you feel activates you to give your precious time in the service of this wonderful career we are privileged to work in every day. ru

A monthly publication of the MCMS • January 2015 • Round-up • 15

mcms 2015 board of directors Meet Your Board of Directors We never lose sight of the fact that we’re a dues-driven, non-profit professional organization for physicians. The MCMS board of directors is dedicated to providing the leadership needed to get you the best return on your membership investment, and work to promote excellence in the quality of care and the health of the community, and to represent and serve members by acting as a strong, collective physician voice.

2015 Officers President Ryan R. Stratford, MD, MBA Urogynecology; Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery Medical School: University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine Internship & Residency: University of California, San Diego Fellowship: Scott & White Memorial Hospital/Texas A & M University MCMS Member since 2005

Vice-President John L. Couvaras, MD Reproductive Endocrinology Infertility Medical School: University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio Residency: Baylor College of Medicine Affiliated Hospitals; Parkland Hospital MCMS Member since 1993

Treasurer Mark R. Wallace, MD Internal Medicine Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine Internship & Residency: Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center MCMS Member since 1993

President-Elect Adam M. Brodsky, MD, MM Interventional Cardiology Cardiovascular Disease Internal Medicine Medical School: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Residency: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine Fellowship: Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine MCMS Member since 2005

Immediate Past-President Secretary Kelly Hsu, MD Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation; Acupuncture Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Internship & Residency: University of Cincinnati Medical Center MCMS Member since 2010

Miriam K. Anand, MD Allergy & Immunology Internal Medicine Medical School: George Washington University Medical School Internship: Mayo Clinic Arizona Residency: Mayo Clinic Arizona; National Jewish Center for Immunology & Respiratory Therapy MCMS Member since 1998

16 • Round-up • January 2015 • A monthly publication of the MCMS

mcms 2015 board of directors 2015 Directors Shane M. Daley, MD Urology Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine Internship & Residency: Mayo Clinic Arizona MCMS Member since 2009

Ross Goldberg, MD General Surgery, Hepatobiliary Disease/Cancer, Gastrointestinal Cancer Medical School: New York Medical College Residency: St. Vincent's Catholic Medical Center; Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Fellowships: Mayo Clinic - Florida Member since 2014

Tanja L. Gunsberger, DO General Surgery Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences Residency: SUNY – Downstate/ Lutheran Medical Center Internship: University of California Davis School of Medicine MCMS Member since 2012

Jennifer Hartmark-Hill, MD Family Medicine Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine Residency: Mayo Clinic Arizona Fellowship: University of Arizona Faculty Development MCMS Member since 2012

Steven R. Kassman, MD Orthopedic Surgery Medical School: University at Buffalo, SUNY School of Medicine & Biomedical Science Internship: Mercy Hospital of Buffalo Residency: State University of New York at Buffalo Affiliated Hospitals MCMS Member since 1998

Lee Ann Kelley, MD Psychiatry Medical School: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine Internship: University of Oklahoma Tulsa Medical College Residency: University of Kansas School of Medicine MCMS Member since 2013

Marc M. Lato, MD Family Medicine Administrative Medicine Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine Internship & Residency: St. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center MCMS Member since 1981

Anthony A. Lee, MD Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation; Pain Medicine Medical School: Mercer University Internship: Medical Center of Central Georgia Residency: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Fellowship: Southwest Spine & Sports MCMS Member since 2007

A monthly publication of the MCMS • January 2015 • Round-up • 17

mcms 2015 board of directors

Richard A. Manch, MD Internal Medicine Gastroenterology; Hepatology Medical School: University at Buffalo, SUNY School of Medicine & Biomedical Science Internship: Buffalo General Hospital Residency: Maricopa Medical Center MCMS Member since 1977

May Mohty, MD Pediatrics Medical School: American University of Beirut Internship & Residency: University of Maryland MCMS Member since 2001

Anita Murcko, MD Internal Medicine Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Residency: Indiana University Medical Center; University of California MCMS Member since 1989

R. Jay Standerfer, MD Cardiovascular Surgery Thoracic Surgery Medical School: Oregon Health Science University School of Medicine Internship: University of Oregon Health Sciences Center Residency: The Oregon Health Sciences University MCMS Member since 1985

18 • Round-up • January 2015 • A monthly publication of the MCMS

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what’s new at mcms?

A Much Needed Facelift!

Last year was a year of change for us in many ways, even here at our building.

The Society has been calling 326 East Coronado Road home for nearly thirty years, but had not invested much in the upkeep of the beautiful 22,000 sq. ft. Spanish Mission complex. The courtyard had become an eyesore with a collection of unkempt shrubs, a broken fountain, dead limbs and trees, and visible stucco cracks.

And that’s just the outside…

20 • Round-up • January 2015 • A monthly publication of the MCMS

what’s new at mcms?

Inside we had visibly stained carpets, broken restrooms, and an AC system that was on its last leg. The last few summers had come with numerous water-source heat pump failures, leaving many of our employees – and our tenants – suffering through intolerable indoor temperatures.

Conference Room – Before

So last summer, we embarked on a remodel of our facility and just recently finished. We focused on fixing the building exterior with a repair of the stucco cracks and a fresh coat of paint.

We cleared out the courtyard, removing all the old shrubs and dead trees, and brought in new landscaping that features drought-tolerant shrubs and synthetic turf that allows us to cut our water bill in half.

We replaced the outdated carpet with tile that looks and feels like wood, yet is virtually indestructible. We painted the walls, replaced many fixtures, and updated much of the furniture viewable to the public. We also remodeled all four bathrooms with conservation in mind. High-efficiency toilets, automated foaming soap dispensers, and hand dryers were installed. We also invested in some attractive display cases to better show off the wonderful medical antiques collection brought to us by MCMS member Dr. Bob Kravetz.

Our board room was gutted and renovated with cabinetry, a conference table that can accommodate 18-20, and a state-of-the-art audio/visual system capable of receiving presentations wirelessly from any Windows, Mac OS, or Android device.

Last, but not least, we overhauled the physical plant and associated HVAC system. This entailed replacing 24 of 33 water-source heat pumps, in-

Conference Room – After

Photo on page 20 and the “after” photos on pgs 21-22 by Mike Paulson, Paulson Photo/Graphic Office: 602-230-1550 • Mobile: 602-799-7471 photo@paulson.com • www.paulson.com Before photos courtesy of Pat Walton, M.A.K. Construction www.makconstruction.com • 800-821-3288 A monthly publication of the MCMS • January 2015 • Round-up • 21

what’s new at mcms? stalling a new cooling tower with high-efficiency pumps, and central control system for automation of the building zone temperatures.

The investment in 326 East Coronado Road – paid for through a refinance of our building loan at a much cheaper rate – ensures that the Society will continue to provide business services to our member physicians and carry on the tradition of representing those who deliver care here in Maricopa County.

We are planning an Open House the evening of March 12th and hope to see many of you there. Please mark it on your calendar and stop by if you can.

If you cannot join us that night, please look for one of the many social events we will be hosting at our building throughout the year. We want our location to be a gathering place for the physicians of our community, and hope you can stop by sometime before another New Year is upon us! ru

Before

After

22 • Round-up • January 2015 • A monthly publication of the MCMS

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new members

There’s no place like the Maricopa County Medical Society.

Welcome! MCMS would like to recognize our new members for helping us become a stronger, more unified, voice for our community’s physicians. Please reach out to one or more of our new members and welcome them aboard, and share with them your insight into how the Society can be of service.

SHANA CYNAMON Medical School: A.T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Mesa, AZ Graduation Year: 2018 ESTEBAN GOMEZ, MD Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Medical School: Geffen School of Medicine – UCLA, Los Angeles, CA Residency: Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ Fellowship: Children’s Hospital & Research Center, Oakland, CA Practice: Phoenix Children’s Hospital, 1919 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85016 Website: http://www.phoenixchildrens.org/ Phone: 602-933-0920 MILAD HAKIMBASHI, MD Ophthalmology Medical School: University of WI School of Medicine, Madison, WI Internship: Harbor – UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA Residency: UC San Diego Shiley Eye Center, San Diego, CA Fellowship: Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL Practice: Retinal Consultants of Arizona, 1101 E. Missouri, Phoenix, AZ 85014 Website: www.retinalconsultantsaz.com Phone: 602-222-2221

CHRISTOPHER IANNOTTI, MD, PhD Neurological Surgery Medical School: St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis MO Residency, Fellowship and Internship: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH Practice: AZ Neurosurgery & Spine Specialists, PC, 1331 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85006 Website: www.azneurosurgery.com Phone: 602-254-3151 KELLY KANTARTZIS, MD, MS Urogynecology Medical School: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA Residency: University of Pittsburgh/Magees-Women’s Hospital Fellowship: Magee Women’s Hospital Practice: The Woman’s Center For Advanced Pelvic Surgery, 4344 E. Presidio Street, Mesa, AZ 85215 Website: www.twcaps.com Phone: 480-834-5111

24 • Round-up • January 2015 • A monthly publication of the MCMS

new members LUIS W. LU, MD Ophthamology Medical School: Cayetano Heredia Peruvian Iniversity Residency: Harlem Hospital Center, NY; and Lutheran Hospital, MD Fellowship: Harlem Hospital Center and New York Medical College, NY Practice: Luis W. Lu, MD, 2490 W. Ray Rd. Chandler, AZ 85224 Phone: 814-594-6868

VIMALA RAMACHANDRAN, MD Orthopaedic Surgeon Medical School and Residency: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH Fellowship: University of Minnesota, MN Practice: OrthoArizona – Phoenix Orthopaedic Consultants, 19636 N. 27th Ave., Ste. 401 Phoenix, AZ, 85027 Website: www.orthoarizona.org Phone: 602-298-8888

SAMMY ZAKHARY, MD Vascular Surgery Medical School: Albany Medical College, Albany, NY Residency: Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA Fellowship: Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Fellowship: Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX Internship: General Surgery, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA; OBGYN, University of Oklahoma Health Science, Oklahoma City, OK Practice: Valley Vein and Vascular Surgeons, 18700 N. 64th Dr., Suite 108, Glendale, AZ 85308 Website: www.veinandvascularsurgery.com Phone: 623-258-3255

TINA MARINO, MSN, NP Acute Care/Cardiology Education: Grand Canyon University Practice: Banner Health Website: www.bannerhealth.com

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A monthly publication of the MCMS • January 2015 • Round-up • 25

a closer look

Q & A with MCMS Member:

Jeff T. Mueller, MD

What is your educational background and training?

I completed my undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Tulsa and received my medical degree at the Washington University School of Medicine. I completed my internship and residency at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.

Why did you choose Anesthesiology as your specialty?

Everything about my medical school rotation in anesthesiology just clicked. I enjoyed working with the anesthesiology faculty and residents in the perioperative environment, and I had a strong interest in the subject matter. I had an encouraging Anesthesiology Department Chair at my medical school, Dr. Bill Owens. His guidance and mentoring made a big difference. Caring for patients during a vulnerable and critical interval of their healthcare experience continues to be a very rewarding privilege.

Was there a defining moment in your life that influenced you to pursue medicine?

No, my professional goal as an undergraduate was to work as an engineer. It wasn’t until I was working in my chosen profession in the aerospace industry that my career aspirations switched to medicine. During that time I spent Sundays as a hospital volunteer, in part to gain access to the advice and counsel of physicians regarding their profession.

Once a decision was made to pursue medical school I completed the necessary undergraduate prerequisites. I entered medical school three years after graduating from engineering school.

What’s unique about Mayo?

Mayo Clinic is a physician-led, integrated healthcare system engaged in practice, education, and research; in all three areas, the interests of the patient come first. While Mayo Clinic in Arizona certainly is an academic medical center, that label doesn’t adequately describe our organization. Drs. Will and Charlie Mayo were “patient-centered” leaders long before that term existed.

What was the deciding reason you chose to work as an employed physician versus private What’s your role at Mayo? practice?

I think the “employed vs. private practice” distinction is incomplete. For example, there are employed nonpartner/non-shareholder physicians working within private practices. Much more important than the business model or compensation scheme is the role of meaningful physician leadership and authority within a practice environment.

I spend the majority of my time engaged in the clinical practice of anesthesiology and also serve as the Medical Director of Mayo Clinic Hospital in Arizona and the Associate Dean for Hospital Practice for our 23 hospital system located in six states. The combined clinical and nonclinical roles work due to a very collaborative physician-administrator partnership with our Hospital Administrator Ms. Ann Meyers.

26 • Round-up • January 2015 • A monthly publication of the MCMS

a closer look

Currently, you serve as President of the Arizona Medical Association (ArMA). Have you enjoyed your tenure?

It’s been very positive and worthwhile. The ArMA President is a member of an excellent team that includes the ArMA staff, Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

For me, as a member of a motivated and dedicated team working toward common objectives, it is one of my professional life’s most enjoyable experiences.

How and why should physicians become more involved in legislative policy or advocacy?

The primary reason for physicians to be engaged in advocacy is because our patients depend on us to do so. The patient-physician relationship is the keystone of high quality healthcare. If we don’t promote and preserve that relationship, nobody else will. The clinical benefits resulting from all that makes up our profession – the research, publications, medical schools, residencies, certifications, CME, etc – can all be made irrelevant to patients by the actions of regulators and legislators. Stated another way, if we’re not at the table, we’re likely to be on the menu.

Participation in advocacy starts by joining your medical and specialty societies. Those that do not choose to personally participate in “hands-on” advocacy work should recognize and support their practice partners that do contribute time and effort. Personal involvement includes sending messages of concern to legislators when they are considering important healthcare issues. In Arizona, ArMA – working with the Maricopa County Medical Society and other professional physician associations – provides call-to-action when direct physician communication with legislators is necessary. No individual physician can personally monitor and engage on all the regulatory and legislative concerns which might arise, which is why the collective representation and action of our medical societies and associations is indispensable. Trial lawyers, insurance executives, and other healthcare groups seem to intuitively understand that reality. If we are to preserve the patient-physician relationship, physicians must also collectively engage in advocacy.

As a physician working at a hospital, why do you participate in organized medicine?

Supporting the collective efforts of organized medicine is a mandatory component of the complete physician.

Implicit in being a professional is taking care of the profession of medicine.

Patients are relying on us to ensure that they will have access to the care of physicians and that team-based care will be physician-led, team-based care.

Are there any specific legislative considerations that Arizona physicians should track this year, both on the state and federal levels?

At the time of this interview the Arizona legislature has just convened, so it’s too early to predict specific concerns.

However, it is clear that there will be substantial budget challenges in our state. Within healthcare there is increased potential for change due to the Supreme Court’s consideration of federal subsidies paid through federal insurance exchanges; the Arizona lawsuit regarding Medicaid expansion/restoration and the hospital tax/assessment; and AHCCCS [Arizona’s Medicaid program] revenue deficits.

Other potential areas of concern include ongoing problems regarding Arizona medical licensure and the proliferation of trauma centers in Maricopa County. ru

Dr. Mueller joined MCMS in 2014. Contact him at mueller.jeff@mayo.edu.

A monthly publication of the MCMS • January 2015 • Round-up • 27

feature article

Dr. Politics

By Senator Kelly Ward, DO, MPH

Senator Kelli Ward, DO, MPH Senator Ward began her political journey in 2005 with her appointment to the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants. In 2012, she won her first election, becoming an Arizona State Senator, representing Legislative District Five. She was re-elected in 2014.

Senator Ward serves as Chair of the Education Committee and Vice-Chair of the Committee on Health and Human Services. She is also a member of the Public Safety and Appropriations Committees. Senator Ward was recently elected the 2013 Class President of the Western Legislative Academy and named a Legislative Champion by the Arizona League of Cities and Towns and the Leader of the Year by the Lake Havasu Chamber of Commerce.

Phone: 602-926-4138 Fax: 602-417-3265

“We don’t have enough physicians involved in politics.”

You’ve probably heard that many times.

The fact is, physicians are generally busy taking care of patients and trying to jump through all of the hoops that the government, insurance companies, hospitals, and other organizations set for them. Doctors are known for putting their heads down and getting to work. I know, I’ve done it for almost 20 years.

28 • Round-up • January 2015 • A monthly publication of the MCMS

feature article Don’t get me wrong – I’ve always been politically active in the medical profession – taking on national leadership roles in student organizations, serving as Chief Intern, taking time for involvement in my professional organizations as a member and a leader, but getting involved in the political process outside medicine wasn’t something I thought about. September 11, 2001, changed all that. That was the day I “woke up” politically. I wondered what was going on in the world and in our country that could allow such a terrible event to take place.

I had to educate myself. Like most docs, I am a lifelong learner. As I learned more, I started to have higher expectations for those who were supposed to be representing me. I’d write letters or emails and make phone calls and usually I was disappointed in what I got back. I would throw my hands up and ask myself, “Why doesn’t someone do something?”

Finally, I looked at my hands and thought, “Why don’t I do something?”

I have talents, skills, and abilities and I shouldn’t hoard them for my family or my patients, but I should use them to help even more people. As I was reaching this awakening, the “Affordable Care Act” was being introduced. This piece of legislation is the biggest thing to touch medicine in my lifetime – affecting patient care and physician practice. It was the final push I needed to make a leap into politics.

You may or may not have found the issue that has pushed your buttons to the extent that you want to get involved.

Once you do, you will be unstoppable!

I took a giant leap by leaving my practice and running for and getting elected to legislative office. There are many other ways to make a real difference in

the lives of your patients, the way you practice medicine, and the way you live your life.

First, get to know who represents you. Build those personal relationships.

Become the expert that is called upon when there are questions from legislators. As an elected official, I am expected to know or learn about a myriad of issues. I need people I can count on to tell me how a prospective bill will work in the real world. For me, I can generally answer my own medical questions; however, the majority of the other legislators need someone to turn to.

Next, contribute time and/or money to campaigns. Once you know what you’d like to accomplish politically, you can align yourself with a candidate who best represents you. Candidates always need help – making phone calls, knocking on doors, having events that are full of voters. Financial backing is also a necessity and often the hardest thing for

candidates to ask for. Offer to host an event at your home or office so your friends or patients can get to know a candidate or an elected official. Be proactive – don’t wait to be asked, make an offer! Contribute to your profession’s PAC (political action committee) – this increases the volume of your argument if they are fighting for what you believe.

Submit possible legislation to your representatives – if you have a great idea for a new law or a way to streamline government, let us know.

Attend a legislative session at the Capitol. This is an opportunity to learn how to advocate for issues that are important to you as well as a great way to get to know your representative (or solidify a relationship you’ve already built).

Finally, run for office. We need more in-the-trenches physician representation in government. As I said, “we don’t have enough physicians involved in politics.” You CAN make a difference! ru

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A monthly publication of the MCMS • January 2015 • Round-up • 29

feature article

Physician Engagement

By Representative Heather Carter

Representative Heather Carter Representative Heather Carter is the state representative from North Phoenix, Cave Creek, and North Scottsdale. Currently, she is the Chairperson of the House Health Committee, and serves on the Elections Committee as well as the Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

In her professional life, she is a well-respected educational leader in her community, working as a clinical associate professor at Arizona State University, preparing teachers and leaders for Arizona Schools. She also works with local school districts on educational reform issues. She was a 7th grade teacher in the Paradise Valley Unified School District and currently serves as a parent/community representative on many committees for Cave Creek Unified School District and Paradise Valley Community College.

Phone Number: 602-926-5503 Fax Number: 602-417-3107

From my first day serving in the Arizona State Legislature, I recognized the importance of citizen engagement in the legislative process.

As the current Arizona House Health Committee Chairwoman, I continually work to include more and more people in the process to help me make the best decisions for citizens and the State of Arizona. This is where you can help: I need to hear from you and you need to be involved. For example, some of the most contentious debates at the Capitol are the debates over scope-of-practice issues, and other issues important to you as a professional. The policy decisions we make impact the health and well-being of Arizona as well as your own medical practice.

30 • Round-up • January 2015 • A monthly publication of the MCMS

feature article There are many ways you can participate, but many people don’t realize that there are two parts to the process: the political process and policy process. Let’s start with the political side. Make sure you are registered to vote, and exercise that right each and every election. An active citizen is an influential voice at the Capitol. I encourage you to remind all of your friends, family, co-workers, and acquaintances to vote as well. If you build a strong grassroots campaign during the election around an issue, you will be more effective during the legislative session. You can ask questions to truly understand how the candidates stand on issues that are important to you.

Next, in terms of the public policy process, educate yourself with a basic understanding of the legislature and executive branches of Arizona government. Visit the State Capitol.

We have an excellent website that provides information and allows you to participate online at www.azleg.gov. Every legislative committee meeting is streamed live online and then

archived on the website. You should also get to know your legislators personally and build a strong relationship with them. In today’s day and age, it is extremely easy to communicate using technology via email or even social media.

You do not have to leave the comfort of your office to have your voice heard at the Capitol. You simply need to register with the Request to Speak system. You can do this in person by coming down to the Capitol or I am willing to help! Just send an email to my office at hcarter@azleg.gov and we will get you registered into the system. Once you are registered we will email you the directions on how to access it from your computer.

In summary, we need to hear from you! We need to know how our decisions will affect citizens of Arizona. We want Arizona to be the best place to live, learn, work, raise a family, and retire. ru

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A monthly publication of the MCMS • January 2015 • Round-up • 31

viewpoint

Totally Useless Cogitations

By Rudi Kirschner, MD

It has always puzzled me why so many utterly disjointed and unrelated thoughts come to me while showering.

Rudi Kirschner, MD Dr. Kirschner is a retired Family Practice physician. He has been a member of the MCMS since 1959 and a widely popular contributing author to Round-up for many years.

He can be reached at rkirschnermd@cox.net.

I will of course write some of them down when I get out of the shower, but the trouble is by that time I have forgotten most of them. There may be some truth to not being able to remember recent events but vividly recalling occasions of long, long ago — at least at my age.

While the computer has some desirable characteristics, it also has some annoying ones. Pithy sayings from unknown sources on the internet amuse this writer and often come to my mind in the shower.

If I copy them here without giving proper credit would that be plagiarism? Perhaps if I give credit to “anonymous” that would absolve my possible violation.

Read on...

32 • Round-up • January 2015 • A monthly publication of the MCMS

viewpoint

“Pithy Thoughts”

• Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the Ark. Professionals built the Titanic.

• Conscience is what hurts when everything else feels so good.

• Talk is cheap because supply exceeds demand.

• Politicians and diapers have one thing in common: They should be changed regularly for the same reason.

• There will always be death and taxes; however death doesn’t get worse every year.

• It’s frustrating when you know all the answers but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.

• Age doesn’t always bring wisdom; sometimes age comes alone.

• The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

Of course there are many more epigrams just like these which are collected by many. I’ll attribute them by sticking with plagiarism or the anonymous author.

My son sends me occasional throughs for entertainment. He knows that I enjoy them and you might too.

You are participating in a race. You overtake the second person. What position are you in?

First. Right? WRONG.

If you overtake the second person and you take his place, you are second.

Think before answering the next one but not too long. This is a pop quiz not a timeless exam. If you overtake the last person, then you are?

Second to last. Right? WRONG.

How can you overtake the LAST person?

You can do better!

You are not doing so well today. One more chance: Mary’s father has five daughters: 1- Nana, 2 – Nene, 3 – Nini, 4 – Nono. What is the name of the fifth daughter? Nunu? Of course not – it’s Mary.

You did better this time because by now you caught on that there is a catch somewhere and you noticed.

End of a totally futile attempt at anything but I hope you enjoyed it. ru

A monthly publication of the MCMS • January 2015 • Round-up • 33

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34 • Round-up • January 2015 • A monthly publication of the MCMS

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A monthly publication of the MCMS • January 2015 • Round-up • 35

mcms board of directors meeting minutes The Maricopa County Medical Society

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES November 10, 2014 • 6 pm

BOARD MEMBERS Drs. Miriam Anand, Mark Wallace, Ryan Stratford, Adam Brodsky, John Couvaras, Tanja Gunsberger, Jennifer Hartmark-Hill, Kelly Hsu, and May Mohty were present. Jay Conyers, PhD, MCMS Staff, was also present.

The meeting was called to order at 6:08 pm.

OLD BUSINESS The Board discussed the new website and the recent launch, with Jay doing an on-screen demo. The Board discussed the September issue of Round-up, which was distribute to all practicing physicians in the county as a membership recruitment tool. The Board also discussed the progress of the building remodel and reviewed the construction budget and timeline.

Dr. Anand presented the results of the annual elections, announcing the new officers and directors. For 2015, officers elected to one-year terms were Adam Brodsky (presidentelect), John Couvaras (vice president), Mark Wallace (treasurer), and Kelly Hsu (secretary). Directors elected for one-year replacement terms (2015) were Shane Daley and Anthony Lee, while Ross Goldberg and Marc Lato were elected to a three-year term (2015-2017).

BME UPDATE Jay updated the Board on the performance of the Bureau of Medical Economics, focusing on the recovery rate of assigned accounts.

GACCP Jay updated the Board on the performance of the Greater Arizona Central Credentialing Program, focusing on the status of the medical board contract and progress to date.

FINANCE COMMITTEE The Board reviewed financials for the Society and businesses, comparing year-to-date performance with budgeted amounts.

ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:08 pm.

December 8, 2014 • 6 pm

BOARD MEMBERS Drs. Miriam Anand, Ryan Stratford, Adam Brodsky, Kelly Hsu, Lee Ann Kelley, and May Mohty were present. Drs. Elizabeth McConnell, Mark Wallace, John Couvaras, Tanja Gunsberger, and Jennifer Hartmark-Hill participated by phone. Jay Conyers, PhD, MCMS Staff was also present. The meeting was called to order at 6:07 pm.

OLD BUSINESS The board discussed an amendment to the bylaws. The amendment, if approved, would give the board the authority to modify the bylaws as needed without going to the active membership for approval of such modifications. No members from the general membership were in attendance to discuss the proposed amendment that was published in the October Round-up.

Jay explained the process for how the ballots would be mailed and counted after two weeks. A motion to approve the single amendment and put it to the active membership for a vote was put forth. The motion carried.

The board discussed the proposed modifications to various sections of the bylaws. The board agreed to have a non-profit governance attorney review the bylaws to ensure that the proposed changes were consistent with state law.

COMMITTEES Dr. Anand announced committee assignments for 2015.

A motion was made to approve the committee assignments.

The motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS Dr. Anand reminded the board of the legislative reception scheduled for January 26th at the Arizona Medical Association building. Dr. Stratford proposed changing the board meeting time and date to later in the month. A motion was made to have Jay poll the 2015 board members to find a suitable date and time for 2015 monthly meetings. The motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6:59 pm.

36 • Round-up • January 2015 • A monthly publication of the MCMS

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2014 MICA announces tenth consecutive year of dividends.

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This is our 10th consecutive dividend and our 24th dividend since MICA’s founding.

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Dividends declared for a given policy year reflect the Company’s financial performance during that year. Past performance does not guarantee future dividends.