The
Bulletin Saginaw County Medical Society
Winter 2022 | Volume 80 | No 1
REGISTER NOW!
April Membership Meeting “TED Talks – Overcoming Obstacles in Health Care"
p. 5
Breaking News! Prior Authorization SB 247 Passes House and Senate p. 11 Medical Needs for Ukraine p. 12-13 January Membership Meeting p. 16-17
www.SaginawCountyMS.com
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Bakri Kaakeh, MD Cardiothoracic Surgery
Loai F. Marouf, DO, FACC, FACOI Invasive Cardiology
Hossam Mustafa, MD, MSc, FACC, FHRS Electrophysiology
Mahir Sati, DO, FACC, RPVI, FANC, FASE Invasive Cardiology
Manoj Sharma, MD, FACC, FSCAI Interventional Cardiology
Michael Taipale, DO Cardiology
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Anwar Zaitoun, MD, FACC, FSCAI, RPVI Interventional Cardiology
Covenant Medical Group Cardiology has exceptionally well-trained cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons, offering the region’s most comprehensive heart program with the latest medical innovation in cardiac diagnosis and treatment. CONTACT: 989.583.4700 Tel • 866.800.0995 Toll Free CovenantCardiology.com Bus. Dev. (AQ/RF) Rev. 7/20 13352
The
Bulletin Saginaw County Medical Society
2021-2022 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS President Anthony M. Zacharek MD President-Elect Tiffany K. Kim MD Past President Mildred J. Willy MD Secretary Caroline G.M. Scott MD Treasurer Miriam T. Schteingart MD Board of Directors Mark G. Greenwell MD Christopher J. Allen MD Furhut R. Janssen DO Harvey K. Yee MD Mary J. McKuen MD Kai Anderson MD Bulletin Editor Louis L. Constan MD Resident Representatives Jessica H. Faris MD Lydia T. Mansour DO Mohammed A. Saiyed MD Retiree Representative Caroline G.M. Scott MD Medical Student Representatives Ann Sobell, MD Candidate, Class of 2023 Mary Galuska, MA, MD Candidate, Class of 2024 MSMS Delegates Elvira M. Dawis MD Julia M. Walter MD Anthony M. Zacharek MD Christopher J. Allen MD Miriam T. Schteingart MD Kala K. Ramasamy MD Jennifer M. Romeu MD MSMS Alternate Delegates Caroline G.M. Scott MD Waheed Akbar MD Mohammad Yahya Khan MD Karensa L. Franklin MD Judy V. Blebea MD Elizabeth M. Marshall MD Nicholas E. Haddad MD Peer Review Ethics Committee Waheed Akbar MD, Chair Caroline G.M. Scott MD James R. Hines MD MSMS Region 7 Representative Mildred J. Willy MD MSMS President-Elect Thomas J. Veverka MD Executive Director Joan M. Cramer Administrative Assistant Keri Benkert
contents 5, 32
5, 32 10 11
REGISTER NOW! April Membership Meeting “TED Talks – Overcoming Obstacles in Health Care” SCMS Calendar of Meetings and Events for 2022 Letter from Dr. Tom Veverka MSMS President-Elect
12-13 16-17 18-19
Medical Needs for Ukraine January Membership Meeting SCMS Foundation Golf Outing Sponsorships & Team Registration Now Available!
31
10 Facts About Physician Suicide and Mental Health
SB 247 Passed Both House and Senate for Prior Authorization Reform
4 5 5 6 7 8 9
President’s Letter
11 14
Thank you Advertisers!
Office Space for Sale or Lease Happy Doctors’ Day! From the Editor Retirees Meet for Lunch Barb Smith SRRN Birthdays – Belated February and March, April In Memory – Drs. Shariff, Balcueva, Thomas-Robinson and Love
20
CMU Telehealth Suicide Prevention Toolkit Resource
21
Key Provider of the Month Renue Physical Therapy
22 22 23 23 24 25 25 26 28 28 30 30 32
Applications for Membership New Members MSMS Implicit Bias Training April 4 and May 9 Physician Support Line CMU College of Medicine CMU Health AMA – Debunking Regulatory Myths Free Confidential Counseling For Frontline Healthcare Workers Covenant HealthCare Ascension St. Mary’s Peer Review Ethics Committee Caduceus Meeting Advertiser Index Key Providers for 2022
The Bulletin can be viewed online at www.SaginawCountyMS.com under the Bulletin tab.
COVER PHOTO: DRS. CHRIS AND DAFINA ALLEN EDITOR Louis L. Constan, MD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Joan M. Cramer DESIGNER Lori Krygier
PUBLISHER Saginaw County Medical Society 350 St. Andrews Rd., Ste. 242, Saginaw, MI 48638-5988 Telephone (989) 790-3590 | Fax (989) 331-6720 Cell (989) 284-8884 | jmcramer@sbcglobal.net Hours By Appointment | SaginawCountyMS.com
All statements or comments in the Bulletin are those of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the Saginaw County Medical Society. Contributions are welcome. We publish committee reports, letters to the editor, Alliance reports, public health activities of the members, and some personal items (birthdays, weddings, graduations and like events). The Editor determines which are accepted. Advertisements are accepted as space is available at our going rates. Members may advertise office information, professional services, skills, and procedures, also at our going rates. We do not accept advertisements from nonmembers, or non-Saginaw hospitals. The Bulletin is mailed free of charge to SCMS members as part of their membership. Complimentary copies are sent to various other parties. Others may subscribe at the rate of $50 per year.
The Bulletin | Winter 2022 3
PRESIDENT'S LETTER
Emotional Intelligence in the New Year Anthony M. Zacharek, MD MHA
H
appy New Year 2022! I hope you had a great end to 2021 and that you are looking forward to wonderful things in 2022. As the Saginaw County Medical Society enters its 120th year, there is still a role for this Society in our community. I like to believe that our Medical Society helps physicians of Saginaw County feel more connected and gives all physicians a voice regarding health care in our region and beyond. When it comes to having your voice heard and effectively communicating your opinions, I would recommend this year is as good of a year as ever to improve your emotional intelligence as a means to improving your ability to persuade other people. While we may all have heard about emotional intelligence, it may be difficult to define what it actually represents. According to Bradberry and Greaves, “emotional intelligence is your ability to recognize
and understand emotions in yourself and others, and your ability to use this awareness to manage your behavior and relationships.” (Bradberry, T, Greaves, J. “Emotional Intelligence 2.0”, 2009) The authors of this book also ask the question, “How much of an impact does emotional intelligence (EQ) have on your professional success?” And they answer it simply with the following – “The short answer is a lot! It’s a powerful way to focus your energy in one direction with a tremendous result.” Emotional intelligence (EQ) is arguably more important than your IQ (intelligence quotient) when it comes to handling a wide range of work and life situations. The good news is that you can work to increase your EQ, while it may be more difficult to increase your IQ. EQ is comprised of four skills, two of which fall under the category of personal competence and two of which fall under the category of social competence. The two personal competencies of EQ are
self-awareness and self-management, and the two social competencies of EQ are social awareness and relationship management. Each of these four skills have further subcategories/ strategies, such as for self-awareness, which includes such strategies as seek feedback and observe the ripple effect from your emotions. (Bradberry, T, Greaves, J. “Emotional Intelligence 2.0”, 2009) As this new year begins, I challenge the SCMS to use emotional intelligence (EQ) in all your interactions, both personal and professional. EQ can go a long way to improving the mood in your office to improving your relationships with your friends and family. When it comes to our Medical Society, EQ is a tool we can all use to better learn from each other. Again, happy New Year and best wishes for good health and happiness in 2022.
“Emotional intelligence is your ability to recognize and understand emotions in yourself and others, and your ability to use this awareness to manage your behavior and relationships.”
Read previous issues of The Bulletin at www.SaginawCountyMS.com. under the Bulletin tab 4
The Bulletin | Winter 2022
CALENDAR OF MEETINGS AND EVENTS FOR 2022* MAKE YOUR RESERVATION NOW! Tuesday, April 19, 2022 - Horizons Conference Center, 6200 State Street, Saginaw Board Meeting – 5:30 p.m. Membership Meeting – Social (cash bar) at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner, meeting and program at 7 p.m. Program – “TED Talks – Overcoming Obstacles in Health Care” (inspirational talks that physicians can relate to) Speakers – Sasha P. Savage MD, Family Physician and Chief Health Officer of THRIVE; Mark G. Greenwell MD, Family Physician; Claudia C. Zacharek MD, Nephrologist; and Jisselly Salcedo MD, PGY-3 Psychiatry Resident CLICK HERE TO MAKE AN ONLINE RESERVATION or scan the QR Code Saturday-Sunday, April 30-May 1, 2022 - MSMS House of Delegates at the Radisson in Kalamazoo Tuesday, May 17, 2022 - Horizons Conference Center, 6200 State Street, Saginaw Board Meeting – 5:30 p.m. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING and ANNUAL SCMS FOUNDATION MEMBERSHIP MEETING – Social (cash bar) at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and meetings at 7 p.m. Email meeting notices will be sent in early May. Online reservations are required.
Tuesday, August 16, 2022 - CMU College of Medicine, 1632 Stone Street, Saginaw Board Meeting – 5:30 p.m. There is no Membership Meeting in August. Tuesday, September 20, 2022 - Horizons Conference Center, 6200 State Street, Saginaw Board Meeting – 5:30 p.m. Membership Meeting – Social (cash bar) at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner, meeting and program at 7 p.m. Program – TBD Speaker – TBD Email meeting notices will be sent in early September. Online reservations are required. Tuesday, October 18, 2022 – Location TBD Board Meeting – 5:30 p.m. Membership Meeting – Social (cash bar) at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner, meeting and program at 7 p.m. Program – TBD Speaker – TBD Email meeting notices will be sent in early October. Online reservations are required. Tuesday, November 15, 2022 - CMU College of Medicine, 1632 Stone Street, Saginaw Board Meeting – 5:30 p.m. There is no Membership Meeting in November. *subject to change
Saturday, June 4, 2022 - SCMS Foundation Golf Outing – Saginaw Country Club (See pages 18-19 for more information) Tuesday, June 14, 2022 (second Tuesday) - CMU College of Medicine, 1632 Stone Street, Saginaw Board Meeting – 5:30 p.m. There is no Membership Meeting in June.
OFFICE SPACE FOR SALE OR LEASE
HAPPY DOCTORS’ DAY!
Medical Arts Building I 4705 Towne Centre Road, Suite 204 Saginaw, Michigan 48604 2,450 square feet Call for details (989) 284-2659
Thank You for Being a Member And Serving the Residents of Saginaw County for 120 Years! Joan M. Cramer, Executive Director jmcramer@sbcglobal.net | Cell (989) 284-8884 The Bulletin | Winter 2022 5
FROM THE EDITOR
Look and Listen By Louis L. Constan, MD
Y
ogi Berra, the witty New York Yankees catcher once famously said: “You can observe a lot, just by watching.” Yogi could have been an Instructor in “Physical Diagnosis 101.” We are taught early on in med school: “Look very carefully at the patient;” and “Never take your eyes off the surgical field.” Also: “Palpate, listen, smell, taste, even use intuition if necessary.” In other words, fully engage with the patient. Alas, such observational skills are not part of the repertoire of the ordinary inhabitant of this planet today. Examples: • When given the chance, too many will use the “drive in,” separating themselves from others by a car length. • When forced to stand in a real line, many will stare at their cell phone, rather than interact in any way with those around them. • On my recent purchasing trip to Verizon, the salesman spent so much time peering at his computer and rattling off his “script,” never looking at me to see if I understood anything of what he was saying, that he handed me the wrong model cell phone. I would have walked out of the store with something I did not want had I not interrupted his reverie and asked him to open the box and actually show me, his flesh-and-blood customer, the product I was buying. He seemed stunned that I had realworld needs.
• While checking out of the ER recently, the nurse was so intent on checking boxes on her computer screen that she had no idea that I couldn’t hear her clearly…so that it didn’t matter when she neglected to hand me my prescriptions and I walked out without them. All these scenarios are marked by levels of social isolation, as well as, the increasing inability of ordinary individuals to overcome that isolation. They seem to have lost either the will or the ability to interact with other humans. Will this lead to the decay of civilized behavior…or civilization as we know it? We do indeed live in a troubled age. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and others believe that it is loneliness and social isolation that are the root causes of the exploding levels of depression, suicide, drug abuse, homicide and class conflict we are experiencing. Though I am not sure that Dr. Murthy is completely correct in this, it seems that he is onto something - the problems of the present day are highly personal, highly psychological. They are not going to be solved solely by vaccines, or money, or mandates or legal measures. If they are solved, it will be by helping people with their mental, financial, educational, social, familial or attitudinal issues. And, this is the very, very hardest part of the whole situation…teasing out and fully appreciating those peoples’ underlying problems. And as we all
know, you need to diagnose before you can treat. Thus the need for our friend Yogi’s “observing a lot,” doubtless by the people who have been doing it since “Physical Diagnosis 101.” Another job for the overworked doctor, another job few others can do. Finding that problem sitting behind the “ICD” code, that rootproblem of non-compliance, missed appointments and generally dissatisfied patients. That problem you’d rather not deal with because you don’t believe you have the time, but in your heart of hearts you know that you’ll never treat the patient’s disease successfully unless you do so. If, for example, the real reason your patient’s diabetes is wildly out of control is because she is despondent over a failed marriage (and has given up on all the diet/exercise/medication regimens you’ve prescribed), then you’ll never get her back where you want her unless you acknowledge her pain in some therapeutic way. Taking the time to do this, rather than being a distraction from the work of the patient visit, may actually be central to the patient visit, may actually be what Hippocrates was referring to as the “Art” of Medicine. For some thoughts about how to do this in these crazy times, you’ll have to wait until next month.
Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and others believe that it is loneliness and social isolation that are the root causes of the exploding levels of depression, suicide, drug abuse, homicide and class conflict we are experiencing. 6
The Bulletin | Winter 2022
If you find it difficult to communicate with your doctor; if you find it hard to get personal attention from an 'impersonal healthcare industry'; if you don't understand all those insurance-company rules; if you don't know how to change your bad health habits; if you think you may be on unnecessary medications; if you are perplexed by those annoying health-product advertisements; and if you'd like to know which are your greatest health risks - you'll appreciate this Family Doctor's advice, gleaned from 44 years of practice. Each chapter is illustrated with real-life examples from his and other doctors' practices. Each chapter ends with 'bonus' essays written by the author and published in newspapers and magazines giving the doctor's viewpoint. This will give you a unique perspective and allow you to 'get into the mind' of a doctor. Sweet! Available on Kindle (different cover but same book) and paperback.
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RETIREES MEET FOR LUNCH!
Retired physicians meet for lunch every Wednesday at 12 noon at IHOP, 2255 Tittabawassee Road in Saginaw. Those attending are responsible for their own lunch, and the informal gathering lasts about an hour. Join your retired colleagues whenever you like! If you have questions, please contact Joan Cramer at (989) 284-8884 or Dr. Caroline Scott at (989) 295-2721.
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The Bulletin | Winter 2022 7
Barb Smith Honored
Over the past several months, Barb has been honored by several amazing organizations across the state of Michigan. The SCMS is proud of their relationship with Barb and the Network, and congratulate her!
NAMI Michigan The National Alliance on Mental Illness Michigan, will honor Barb Smith on Saturday, April 9 in Detroit at the NAMI Michigan Honors 2022 – A Tribute to Direct Care Workers. NAMI is the largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness and their families. Founded in 1979, NAMI has become the nation’s voice on mental illness, a nationwide organization with affiliates in every state and in more than 1,100 local communities across the country. Barb has been recognized at the state and national level for her work in training individuals in suicide prevention, and the role played in aftercare for those who have been impacted by suicide. As a survivor of both her brother and sister-in-law’s suicides, Barb took her lived experience from the past 33 years to help find purpose for her pain. Barb is the facilitator of the local Survivors of Suicide Support group, coordinator for the local LOSS (Local Outreach for Suicide Survivors) Team, and a Victims Advocate for the Saginaw County Sheriff’s Department. In 2020, Barb was appointed to the Michigan Suicide Prevention Commission, co-chair of the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Postvention Suicide Recommendation Committee for the state of Michigan, and Advisor for Kevin’s Song (statewide suicide prevention advocacy group).
The ROCK Center for Youth Development On March 10, The ROCK Center for Youth Development honored Barb and the Network at the ROCK 2022 Annual Event. Beverlee Wenzel, President and CEO, said “We were honored to choose Barb Smith and the Suicide Resource and Response Network as The ROCK’s 2022 ‘Friend of The ROCK’ awardee. Our relationship with Barb goes back many years, and it goes to the core of what we hope for our young people. We want to help young people thrive, and yet we understand there are great times of struggle in young people’s lives.
Barb Smith’s organization has done amazing work around suicide intervention, prevention and education. What I love about Barb’s organization is that as much as they focus on intervention when there is an immediate need, they also focus a lot on prevention - and that’s the world we live in at The ROCK. To work with Barb and her Network that is so laserfocused on changing policy and positively effecting the lives of so many people around suicide prevention, a lot of whom are young people, is vitally important.” The ROCK Center for Youth Development is a teen-focused organization that helps youth succeed and thrive. They are an independent, inclusive, non-profit who provides developmental education, after school programs, and community-based activities for middle and high school students. Their goal is to build tangible life skills, instill confidence and sense of belonging, and encourage healthy life choices and relationships in our teens. They are a trusted partner in youth development and an advocate for teens. Programs are proven to help young people develop the assets they need to be confident, self-reliant adults. The ROCK partners with parents and schools offering mentoring, emotional support, academic assistance and positive role models for students, all in a safe, non-judgmental setting. Their staff and volunteers are caring adults whose first priority is the students’ well-being. Adults are available to listen, learn, and laugh along with program participants, helping them to create lasting bonds and lifelong skills.
Support Group is Moving! Our Survivors of Suicide support group is changing locations. We meet on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 6:30-8 p.m. in Saginaw. If you or someone you know has been impacted by suicide, call us at (989) 781-5260 ext. 2 to learn more about our support group.
Consider Adding Survivors of Suicide, Inc., As Your Charity of Choice on Amazon Smile!
Are you in a crisis? Call 800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741.
www.SaginawCountyMS.com 8
The Bulletin | Winter 2022
Anyone who needs help can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 1-800-273-8255 or 1-800-273-TALK. Press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line. Anyone under age 21 can ask to talk to a peer at Teen Link, 1-866-8336546. TTY users can use their preferred relay services or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255.
BIRTHDAYS February Happy Belated Birthday!
Adeel Ahmed MD George F. Ascherl, Jr. MD Chad C. Bambrick MD Anirudha Bhandiwad MD Dennis A. Boysen MD Timothy K. Brown MD Sarah Bunker Student Scott E. Cheney MD Andrew H. Cohen DPM John F. Collins MD Joseph P. Contino MD Kathleen M. Cowling DO Ashley L. Dean Student Fred C. Dunham MD Michal Dusza MD Anu R. Gollapudi MD Ryan Guthrie MD Richard P. Heuschele MD Johnathan Todd Howard DMD Charles E. Jessup DO Jose Mari G. Jurado MD K.P. Karunakaran MD Yuri J. Kim MD Lawrence L. LaLonde MD Kevin J. Lawson MD Renato S. Lee MD James C. Lynch MD Jose V.B. Mangune MD Elizabeth McIntyre MD Dale L. Moliterno DO Debasish Mridha MD John M. O'Grady MD Kennedy J. Oliphant Student Matthew Petruso DO Meena Ramani MD Arup Sarkar MD Biren R. Shah MD Yousif K. Tawadros DO Taylor L. Tesoro DPM Manisha Verma Student Madison L. Waddell Student David A. Wiersema DO Anthony M. Zacharek MD
March Happy Belated Birthday!
Faith Abbott DO Robert P. Ainsworth MD Joseph N. Aquilina MD Jaspreet K. Batth MD Edward S. Bernreuter MD Aditya D. Bulusu MD Louis F. Byrne MD Adriana E. Calderon Student Brenda M. Coughlin MD Jeffrey Cruz Student Jonathon P. Deibel MD Stephanie J. Duggan MD Danielle C. Duncan MD Jessica H. Ledyard Faris MD Maher Ghanem MD Katherine A. Grayden Student Timothy R. Hackett MD Derrek Humphries MD Thomas E. Hyland Student Timothy H. Kaufman MD Asif H. Khan MD Andrew M. LaFleur MD James R. LaFleur MD Veronica E. Lorenzo MD Omar N. Marar MD Luigi Maresca MD Kurt A. Menapace MD Alec Merlington Student Sally T. Nagia Student Nobou Nakagawa MD Sajeda Nusrat MD Kelsey Perry Student A. O. Rajagopal MD Conchita D. Riparip MD Jennifer R. Schmidt DO Maxim Shaydakov MD Alexa M. Shepherd MD Michael J. Slavin MD Wael A. Solh MD Kristine K. Spence DO Eric D. Spencer DO Jared P. Steinberger MD Maya Takagi Student Kyla Walworth MD Scott C. Woodbury MD
Harvey K. Yee MD Yong C. Yoon MD Asim Yunus MD
April
Lauren Aiello Student Meshal M.S. Alsulami MD Sindhura Ananthaneni MD Kathryn A. Becker DO H. Joseph Blair MD Happy Special Birthday! Samuel Borer Student David W.T. Chen MD Raymond Chung MD Seth D. Coombs MD Erinn E. Croco DO Lindsay A. Davis DO Brian C. deBeaubien MD Daniel L. Elieff MD Peter G. Fattal MD E. Malcolm Field MD Natalia E. Fretes Oviedo MD Joseph Haddad MD Theodore B. Hennig DDS Chelsea P. Houthoofd MD Michael Huber Student Mohamed K. Hussein MD C.R. Indira MD M. Sohail Jilani MD Min H. Kim MD Narendra R. Kumar MD H.F. Labsan MD
Phillip W. Lambert MD Peter A. Lassing MD Matthew Lee Student Toby C.J. Long MD Bapineedu Maganti MD Khalid M. Malik MD Joseph F. Marshall MD James McCourt MD Robert M. McNier MD Matthew S. McRae MD Faizan Memon MD Anthony J. Mufarreh Student Felipe A. Pacheco Granda MD Anirudh V. Penumetcha DO Zachary J. Pierson DPM Aida B. Ponce MD Vasantha Rajagopal MD Happy Special Birthday! Sundhar R. Ramasamy MD Clinton E. Rogers MD Miriam T. Schteingart MD Zachary Schwager MD Caroline G.M. Scott MD Constance L. Scott DO Timothy A. Smith MD Jung K. Suhr MD Robert D. Thill MD Vina V. Tran MD Aiden M. Van Loo Student Lisa M. WintonLi MD Michael J. Wolohan MD Samantha A. Wong DO
HIRE ME.
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The Bulletin | Winter 2022 9
Thomas J. Veverka, MD - 2022 MSMS President-Elect The Importance of Organized Medicine On April 30th, I will be sworn in as President of the Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) at the annual House of Delegates in Kalamazoo. I am finding it difficult to get my head wrapped around this fact. I can still remember the first time I walked into the board room of MSMS and saw the photos of all the past presidents, including three from Saginaw County, and thinking how far away that all seemed – and the thought of my photo joining the others did not seem possible. Yet here I am, deeply honored and humbled to serve our state’s physicians in this role, and especially so to serve and represent the great medical community in the Saginaw Bay Region. Organized medicine seems to be on the wane. Perhaps our young physicians don’t understand the forces acting to change their day-to-day practice. Perhaps by becoming employed by large health systems and hospitals we believe that our employers will watch out for our own best interests. Or perhaps we are so burdened with the complexities of daily practice and feel we have no time or the resources to pay dues for another membership. This is unfortunate because there are many forces in play that, if left unopposed, will encroach on our practice freedoms, further burden us with bureaucratic tasks and ultimately drain the joy out of the practice of medicine. This will be my goal as president of MSMS, to oppose those forces that negatively impact our well-being.
MSMS, as well as, the Saginaw County Medical Society (SCMS), have been working hard to address issues such as scope of practice of nurse practitioners and CRNAs, prior authorization requirements and surprise medical billing reimbursements. A wealth of resources are available for managing stress and burnout, meeting CME requirements and management of a private practice. But one of the most important roles that our medical society has always and hopefully will continue to provide is camaraderie, an opportunity to interact and socialize with colleagues, especially in these days when our primary care physicians and hospital-based physicians no longer see each other in the hospital. I am always deeply affected and humbled by the obituaries published in the SCMS Bulletin as I see the names of some true giants from our medical community that have died. I ask that each of you remember that we sit on the shoulders of those giants and recommit to giving back by staying engaged in organized medicine. Reach out to the SCMS leaders and thank them for their commitment and involvement. And always feel free to contact me with any issues of concern and advice moving forward. Respectfully, Tom Veverka, MD
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SB 247 Passed Both House and Senate for Prior Authorization Reform Your membership dues at work! All physicians need to “fund their voice.” There is strength in numbers. Together we are stronger. More than three years ago, physicians, patients and other health professionals and advocacy associations joined together to create Health Can’t Wait. This coalition was formed to develop and enact into law legislation that would put Michigan patients first and end delayed access to vital health care services. Throughout this time, MSMS physicians and our coalition partners shared countless stories of the ways prior authorization caused unnecessary and costly care delays and interfered in medical decision-making. We are happy to report that after years of hard work your voices have been heard! MSMS, SCMS and the Health Can’t Wait.org coalition are pleased to announce on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, the Michigan House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 247 with overwhelming support (103 yes votes and 2 no votes). SB 247 reforms the prior authorization process by reducing wait times and streamlining how physician offices and payers interact, all with a goal of reducing endless paperwork and ultimately improving access to care for patients. “Michigan patients are now one small step away from receiving the timely care and treatment they deserve thanks to the House’s passage of SB 247 - legislation that puts an end to dangerous and devastating delays in health care delivery by
THANK YOU, ADVERTISERS!
The SCMS would like to thank our dedicated advertisers, old and new, for continuing to support publication of The Bulletin. When you have a need for a service, please consider our advertisers first! Andersen Eye Associates Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital Barb Smith Suicide Resource & Response Network Covenant HealthCare Covenant Wound Healing Center Jan Hauck – Century 21 Healthway Compounding Pharmacy Lori Krygier Graphic Designer Peak Performance PC Services Print Express Shields Chiropractic Wellspring Lutheran Services Home Health & Hospice
reforming the prior authorization processes used by insurance companies", said MSMS President Pino Colone, MD. "We applaud the House for recognizing the need for reform and the tremendous amount of good this bill will do for Michigan’s patients. With SB 247 now headed back to the Senate for additional consideration, we are excited to do everything that we can to see that this critical legislation is signed into law.” On March 24, 2022, the Senate also passed SB 247 (106 yes votes and 37 no votes). SB 247 had previously passed the Senate unanimously in April 2021, but has been awaiting movement in the House since that time. Wednesday’s action in the House and Thursday’s concurrence vote in the Senate, marked the final step in the legislative process for this much needed reform. SB 247 now awaits final signature from Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Once it becomes law, this crucial legislation will bring transparency, clinical validity, and most importantly, improved timeliness to the prior authorization process.
Creating a
safety network for our
community Our goal is to save lives through prevention, intervention, and aftercare.
Our Network trains individuals in evidence-based suicide prevention with the hope of destigmatizing suicide, increasing help-seeking behaviors, and caring for those impacted by suicide. To request trainings or resources, contact info@srrn.net I www.srrn.net I 989.781.5260 The Bulletin | Winter 2022 11
MEDICAL NEEDS FOR
Several members and related organizations are collecting money and supplies to aid those in Ukraine. Please consider supporting the following:
Samaritan’s Purse Dr. Tony deBari has deployed to an Emergency Field Hospital in Ukraine. CLICK HERE to watch Dr. deBari’s interview on ABC-12 News on March 23. Samaritan's Purse has set up an Emergency Field Hospital on the outskirts of Lviv, in western Ukraine. Their DC-8 cargo plane airlifted the initial phase of the hospital on March 4 along with Disaster Assistance Response Team members - including doctors, nurses, and logistics and other personnel. After landing in Poland, the team and equipment were transported overland into the war-torn nation of Ukraine. An additional DC-8 flight on March 8 and a chartered 747 flight on March 10 brought more materials for the hospital. A fourth Samaritan’s Purse airlift aboard their DC-8 landed on March 19 with nearly 15 tons of critically-needed supplies and pharmaceuticals for Ukrainian hospitals experiencing vast shortages amid growing need. Dr. Tony deBari, longtime SCMS member and past president, traveled to Ukraine on Tuesday, March 8 to serve. The field hospital has two operating rooms, with capacity for 14 major surgeries or 30 minor surgeries per day. There are 60 inpatient beds, including four intensive care unit beds and four step-down beds. The emergency room can handle 100 patients per day. The facility also has a pharmacy and its own water and sanitation system. Samaritan's Purse has also opened a 24-hour clinic, or medical stabilization point, at a train station in Lviv, and a mobile medical unit at a large stadium housing refugees in Moldova. Also in Moldova, they are providing hygiene kits to refugee families and delivering food to local churches who will distribute it to fleeing Ukrainians. A third medical intervention, an emergency outpatient clinic, has opened in southern Ukraine to provide primary
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and urgent care medical services for up to 200 patients daily. This includes triage, first aid/minor trauma, basic prenatal services, screening and treatment of infectious diseases, and pharmaceuticals. Samaritan's Purse has long been partnering with more than 3,200 churches inside Ukraine. Please consider a financial donation to Samaritan’s Purse so they can continue their work in Ukraine. Please keep Dr. deBari and his team in your prayers. Donations can be made online by clicking HERE Dr. deBari’s interview by Samaritan’s Purse was broadcast by ABC-12 News on March 23 A Saginaw County doctor is in Ukraine, right now, helping care for people displaced in the war-torn country. He is volunteering with the Christian humanitarian aid organization, Samaritan's Purse, which has mobilized an emergency field hospital in the western part of the country. We got a chance to talk with the doctor about the mission. "We are actually on the outskirts of Lviv, which is in the far western part of Ukraine, it’s not too far from the Polish border,” says Dr. Anthony deBari. He is in a video provided by Samaritan's Purse, which has deployed medical equipment and volunteers to Ukraine to help those displaced by the war. They are set up in the basement of a parking garage. "We have a pharmacy, lab, emergency room, trauma room, we have sleeping quarters for all the staff," he says. Dr. deBari is a Saginaw County orthopedic surgeon and has been in Ukraine for about two weeks. He says the hospital has been busy and most of the patients he sees are refugees trying to leave the country. "Our main role here seems to be in supporting the local hospitals with overflow patients; they've had to close down their surgical capacity because of the military patients that they see. A lot of the patients we are seeing are refugees that had to leave the eastern part of the country or are on their way to Poland; a lot of them come from the train station," he says. continued on page 13
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So far, Dr. deBari and the staff there have seen or heard very little military activity. "There have been some air raids but that's about it. I feel absolutely safe; that's one of the beauties of Samaritan's Purse - their primary concern for their employees, I guess they would call us, doctors and nurses, and other staff is security and safety," says Dr. deBari. This is not the first time he has been in a danger zone. He has served with Samaritan's Purse in Iraq, Nepal and other hotspots in the world. Why does he do it? He wants to help those who badly need it. "I became a Christian about 25 years ago, and Jesus changed my life and I think it’s a good thing and actually something that we all need to do is to try and change other people's lives as well," he says. He's part of the Disaster Assistance Response Team, or DART and while most of us can't help the way he is aiding the people of Ukraine, he says supporting any organization, like Samaritan's Purse, is a way to support the warn-torn country. CLICK HERE to watch Dr. deBari’s interview on ABC-12 News on March 23.
Kinachtchouk Family Telephone (989) 493-0409, email kinac1ns@cmich.edu Our family created a non-profit, Medicine for Ukraine which was founded with the goal of providing medical aid for Ukrainians in need. Through fundraising and donation collection, we hope to help the Ukrainian people. Your donations will go to the purchase of tactile medical aid and hospital needs. Once these items are purchased, they will be shipped to Ukraine with one of our partner non-profits, Razom for Ukraine. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Thank you for helping our cause and our people! • Hospital Needs: Adhesive Bandages, Antibiotics, Irrigation Syringes, Sterile Gloves, ACE Bandages, Steroid Creams, Antifungal Cream, Portable Ventilators • Medical Needs: Tourniquets, Burn aid, CPR Masks, Cervical Collars, IV Catheters, Suture Needles, Tongue Depressors, Hemostats, Emergency Blankets
Juliette Perzhinsky, MD, MSc, FACP Telephone (248) 303-7308, email perzh1jm@cmich.edu Given the escalating humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, I am seeking your help. A family in St. Clair Shores, Tony and Lyudmila Pate, are shipping medical supplies and other equipment weekly for resistance efforts and also for urgent humanitarian medical aid for the hospitals in western Ukraine and clinical response tents serving refugees. This is a legitimate humanitarian effort given the atrocities of the unprovoked war. Tony Pate (a U.S. Army veteran) is travelling to Warsaw, Poland regularly to ensure the delivery of supplies to Lviv (near the border of Poland) since the onset of the invasion in Ukraine, which is a catastrophic crisis with global
ramifications in so many domains (health/safety, sovereignty, global food supply, housing, environmental). The Pate family has also been featured on local Detroit news. We are collecting any medical supplies (most are surgical items from the list below) and we will go to any surrounding community in Michigan to procure the items – typically on Tuesdays or Fridays (or weekends). IT IS ACCEPTABLE TO PROVIDE EXPIRED MEDICAL SUPPLIES OR ITEMS NEARING EXPIRATION since the expiration dates are arbitrary and could still be used to save lives! There is also a need for analgesics (acetaminophen, NSAIDs, ASA, blood pressure medications) and pediatric gauge IV catheters especially, as well as, bandages, gauzes, hemostats, scissors, sutures, etc. Please email or text me (248-303-7308) if you are able to help locate or donate items highlighted below – feel free to forward to medical procurement/logistics departments especially if they are not using near-expired surgical equipment or OTC analgesic/other medications that will likely be discarded anyway. Either myself or my husband, Mark Perzhinsky, will arrange a time to pick up the items in your area, and we will deliver them directly to St. Clair Shores or to the warehouse in Hamtramck, MI. Donations of supplies are de-identified. We also appreciate prayers and any acts of mercy at this time. Highest Priority Hemostatic agents Tourniquets Peripheral IV catheter G14-20 Central Venous catheter 7-8 Fr dual-, triple lumen IV Extension lines Foley catheter 12-16 Fr 3-way stopcock IV 50 ml syringes with Luer lock for syringe pumps Endotracheal tubes ID #7.5, 8.0 Analgesics Suture materials Hemostatic sponges Drainage clamps Needle holders VAC devices and consumables Pulse oxygen meters Gauze and bandages, all sizes Medical tape Splints Medical Scissors Alcohol preps Occlusive dressings Adhesive dressings Quick clot IV start kit and saline bags Military style backpacks (black, brown, camo, green)
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IN MEMORY Shiraz H. Shariff, MD Beloved cardiologist, friend, father, grandfather and brother, Dr. Shiraz H. Shariff passed away on December 31, 2021, at the age of 72. The son of the late Habib Rawji and Sherbanu (Nasser) Shariff, Dr. Shariff was born on March 3, 1949, in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. With his dedication to the medical field, throughout his career Dr. Shariff was honored to receive the following Medical Awards: Top Interventional Cardiologist Recipient 2021; Spirit of St. Vincent Award Recipient 2015; Heart of Gold Award Recipient 2006; and 38 years of Excellence at St. Mary’s Hospital. Dr. Shariff was a fellow of the American College of Physicians and American College of Cardiology. The simplest pleasures of life, such as reading, learning, researching and spending time with his family brought him the greatest joy. He could often be found at work, which was his true passion. Dr. Shariff’s longtime legacy will be his kindness, selflessness and generosity to his family, friends and the community. Dr. Shariff is survived by two daughters and one son, Saira Shariff, Chicago; Sabrina (Rahmaude) Shariff – Stringfield, West Bloomfield; Rahim Shariff, Saginaw; his partner Lydia Turan, Tampa; his granddaughter, Zahra Stringfield; sisters Roshan Kassam, Zeenat Pardhan, Shahnaaz Mawji; and brothers Nizar Shariff and Firoz Shariff. A funeral service was held at Wessels & Wilk Funeral Home in Pleasant Ridge, Michigan on Saturday, January 8, 2022. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Aga Khan Foundation c/o 1825 K Street NW, Suite 901, Washington, DC 20006 or www. akfusa.org.
Ernie Porteza Balcueva, MD
Ernie Porteza Balcueva, MD passed away on February 14, 2022, at the age of 76 after living an extremely accomplished and exuberant life. He was born on January 20, 1946, in the Philippines after World War II, to the late Eusebio and Berenguela Balcueva, joining his older siblings, Edgar, Eusebio Junior, Ernesto, Eden, and Ernani Balcueva. Educated in the Philippines, he graduated high school in 1962 as class Valedictorian. He continued his education at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center (UERMMMC) graduating in 1971 as class Valedictorian and a member of the Beta Sigma Fraternity. Ernie immigrated to the United States in 1972, becoming a proud United States citizen in 1986. He accepted a rotating flexible internship at Saginaw Cooperative Hospitals, Internal Medicine residency at McLaren General Hospital and Medical Oncology and Hematology fellowship at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Since 1978, Dr. Balcueva had been an active member of the medical staff and Past Chief of Staff at Covenant HealthCare (formerly St. Luke’s and Saginaw General Hospitals). He was
also an active member of the medical staff at St. Mary’s of Michigan serving as Oncology Research Director from 20012021. In addition to being a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and at Central Michigan University College of Medicine, Ernie was also a Principal Investigator for the Michigan Cancer Research Consortium/Community Clinical Oncology Program at St. Mary’s Seton Cancer Institute. Dr. Balcueva was also appointed to and a member of various medical societies and affiliations, including ASCO, ECOG, SWOG, ACCC and NCORP. He also served as Past President of the Philippine Association of Northeastern Michigan (PANEM). Among his many accolades, he was named to “Best Doctors in America – 1999” by Woodward/White and selected for the 2016 Spirit of St. Vincent (Lifetime Achievement Award) by St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation. He remained very active in the Saginaw medical community, having served as Past President and on the Board of Directors of the Saginaw County Medical Society from 2004-13, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Michigan Cancer Pain Initiative and the American Cancer Society, Saginaw Chapter. Ernie also served as Past President of the Michigan Society of Hematology Oncology (MSHO) from 2004-2006. He remained on the MSHO Board of Directors since 1999 and had recently assumed a new position as the MSHO Foundation President this year. As a solo practitioner since 1978, he brought in the perspective and experience of community oncology practice to MSHO through the years. He served in consulting staff role at West Branch Regional Medical Center for 21 years, Huron Medical Center for 10 years, and Veterans Administration Hospital. Most recently, Dr. Balcueva worked to develop and grow the Cancer Program with Dr. Chad Pederson at Sidney Health Center in Sidney, Montana. Throughout his career, Dr. Balcueva wrote and contributed to over 40 medical articles and publications. Ernie and his wife, Leanne, were married in 1978 and spent the last 43 years building their life around caring for their oncology patients, family and friends. Leanne, a dedicated oncology nurse and office manager, supported her husband in his medical career and all his outreach activities. The Balcuevas especially enjoyed spending time with their four grown children and grandson; Elizabeth (Lorne) Cook of Orlando, Florida; Sarah Balcueva and her son, Ethan Balcueva of Birmingham, Michigan; Dr. Daniel (Alison) Balcueva of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; and Emily Balcueva and significant other, Jake Wojciechowski of East Lansing, Michigan. Ernie was very proud of his children and especially proud of his grandson, Ethan, and very excited to welcome his twin granddaughters into the world in March. They spent much of their time together at their retreat in Northport in the Leelanau Peninsula or at Michigan State University football and basketball games cheering on the Spartans. He is survived by his loving wife, four children, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and grandson; two brothers Dr. Ermelo continued on page 15
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(Julita) Balcueva and Dr. Eden (Dr. Loulie) Balcueva both of the Philippines; sister-in-law Mary Jane Balcueva of Saginaw, sister-in-law Adelina and sister-in-law Linda both of the Philippines; sisters and brothers-in-law Janice (Roy) Piotrowski, Mike Backus, Marlene Gaiser, Joyce (Ben) Conklin, Joe (Delphine) Dubey, Gayle (Bob) Lardie, Betty (Joe) Proulx and many nieces, nephews and family throughout the United States and Philippines. Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Edgar, Eusebio Junior, Ernesto, Ernani Montenegro, and Edmundo; father and mother-in-law Vernon and Edith Dubey; sisterin-law Karen Backus; brother-in-law Harry Gaiser; nephews Eddie, Randy, Ricky and Brad Balcueva; and niece Roxanne Piotrowski. Funeral services took place on February 25, 2022, at Snow Funeral Home in Saginaw. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Balcueva Family to establish a scholarship for medical students in Dr. Balcueva’s name. “What we once enjoyed and deeply love we can never lose, for all that we deeply love becomes part of us.” – Helen Keller
LaTonya J. Thomas-Robinson, MD April 6, 1957 – February 23, 2022 I, Dr. LaTonya Joy Thomas-Robinson, at a very young age accepted Christ into my life and continued to be a faithful steward throughout my life. Growing up, I was raised to be patient, loving and compassionate for others. This upbringing led to my career in medicine. I was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on April 6, 1957. After living most of my childhood in Knoxville, I moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where I completed my secondary education at Walnut Hills High School. Upon graduating from high school, I relocated to Atlanta, Georgia for my undergraduate degree. After completing my Bachelor of Science Degree at Spelman College, I found my passion for helping people and pursued a graduate degree at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. During my studies at Meharry, I met the love of my life, Dr. Kevin Robinson Sr., my husband of 32 years. After completing my residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, I resided in Kankakee, Illinois where I had my first child (Kevin Jr.). After spending a couple years in Illinois, I was placed in Saginaw, Michigan by the National Health Service Corp. where I continued my family and had my other two children (Kenneth and Taylor). While living in Saginaw, I built a reputation of being honest, caring, loving and ethical to all whom I encountered. Having built that reputation, I had a successful practice in which I served many in the community. Other than serving the community, I enjoyed traveling, reading many different genres of books, listening to music, roller skating, skiing, scuba diving, tennis and having a good laugh. I was a self-starter in all I did. I enjoyed being active and spending time with my family and going on vacations. I was preceded in death by my mother (Barbara J. Neal), father (Hayden Thomas), aunt (Mabel Scales), uncles (James
W. Dial and Nathaniel Dial) and grandparents (Wilhemena (Lester) Posey and James Dial). I leave loving memories to my husband of 32 years, Dr. Kevin Robinson, Sr.; my two sons, Kevin Jr. (Jessica) and Kenneth; my daughter, Taylor; my grandson, Kevin III “Trey”; motherin-law, Loretha Robinson; my sister, Tanya Smith; brothers, James Thomas and Reginald Thomas; sisters-in-law YoLynda (Robert) Jamison and Robin Robinson; brother-in-law Rancifer (Jacqueline) Robinson; my nieces and nephews; Samantha Robinson, Rayelle Smith, Deshawn Martin, Vance Martin, and Demetrius Thomas; and several great-nieces including Jada Thomas, Erin Thomas, Cenia Martin, Airyanna Martin, Anijah Martin and a host of other relatives and friends. Tributes to Dr. Thomas-Robinson may be shared by clicking HERE. No funeral or memorial services were announced.
Neil Wallace Love, MD
Neil Wallace Love, MD was born in Fremont, Ohio on November 4,1927. He passed away on March 22, 2022, at the age of 94. The eldest of five siblings, a position he took very seriously, he worked several jobs as a young teenager to help his mother provide for them while his father sought work out-ofstate. He was in a serious accident at 17. It changed the course of his life, inspiring him to ultimately attend medical school at Case Western Reserve, where he was a devoted member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity for 75 years. He served his country by joining the Army at the end of WWII. He served with the U.S. Constabulary in Germany. He was a proud veteran, attending Legion and Constabulary meetings throughout the years, wearing his baseball cap with his veteran status on it until his final days. Neil married Phyllis Love on December 30, 1952. They were married for 68 years until his wife's passing in early 2021. He never recovered from his loss of her enduring love and devotion. He opened a family practice in Frankenmuth after residency at St. Luke's Hospital in Saginaw, where the practice was connected to the family home. He served his community for 18 years. He was the last of a generation of family doctors who did surgeries, delivered babies, and provided counseling, as well as, making late night house calls, his black medical bag at the ready. Upon retiring from family practice, he worked at St. Luke's Hospital in Saginaw as an emergency physician for 26 years. Caring for others, throughout his long career, was his life and his passion. He was an Eagle Scout, an active member of many clubs over the years, and enjoyed fishing, hunting and the great outdoors. He loved good food and the company of his many friends. He had an inquisitive mind and enjoyed the stock market, as well as, reading poetry and prose. Yet, with all his accomplishments, continued on page 24
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SCMS January Membership Meeting Minutes
T
he Saginaw County Medical Society Membership Meeting was held on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at Horizons Conference Center. Anthony M. Zacharek MD, President, called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Dr. Zacharek welcomed Dentists and guests. Dr. Zacharek thanked the following Key Providers in attendance for their ongoing support of SCMS programs: • Bieri Hearing – Jerd Clayton, Cathy Bieri Ryan and Laura Szot • HealthSource Saginaw – Tony Holstine and Scott Taglauer • Healthway Compounding Pharmacy – Larry Greene and Ed Wright Dr. Zacharek then conducted the following business of the SCMS: • The Minutes of the October 19, 2021, Membership Meeting were attached to the Agenda and published in The Bulletin. MOTION: Approve the October 19, 2021, Meeting Minutes as printed. MOTION APPROVED. • Introduced new members attending their first meeting: o Dafina W. Allen MD – Wise Weight Management, Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine o Chet A. Morrison MD – CMU Health-Surgery, Surgery – General, Critical Care o Vishal Saini MD – Sound aSleep Sleep Lab-Saginaw, Family and Sleep Medicine • Advised members of Implicit Bias Training required for licensure now available through CMU CME. All healthcare professionals are required to take the training for licensure.
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• Encouraged members to stay up-to-date with the SCMS by reading The Bulletin which is available on our website www.SaginawCountyMS.com under the Bulletin tab. • Asked everyone to plan on participating in the SCMS Foundation’s Annual Golf Outing on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at the Saginaw Country Club. The Foundation raises money to provide low interest loans to medical students, scholarships and awards for medical student and residents, and assists the Alliance with providing nursing scholarships.
TONIGHT’S PROGRAM William E. Mason DDS MS, introduced speakers, Christopher J. Allen MD and Michael J. Thomas DDS MS who presented a program on “Management of Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders from a Medical and Dental Perspective.” The program was accredited for 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Dr. Zacharek thanked Drs. Allen and Thomas for their presentation, and reminded members to sign in at the registration table and complete the online survey within 30 days to receive CME credit for the program. The next Membership Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at Horizons. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Joan M. Cramer Executive Director
Top row, from left: Key Provider, HealthSource Saginaw Scott Taglauer and Tony Holstine Key Provider, Bieri Hearing Specialists Jerd Clayton, Laura Szot and Cathy Bieri Ryan Middle row, from left: Dr. Tony Zacharek welcomes all to the meeting Catching up with colleagues! Bottom row, from left: Drs. Chris Allen and Mike Thomas Dr. Chris Allen presents Photos courtesy of Drs. Tiffany Kim and Millie Willy
11th Annual Golf Outing – Sponsorship Form Saturday, June 4, 2022 Saginaw Country Club 12 p.m. Registration 1 p.m. Shotgun Start The Saginaw County Medical Society (SCMS) Foundation is the charitable entity of the SCMS and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The Foundation: • Provides low interest loans to medical students with ties to Saginaw; • Forgives loan interest if the recipient returns to Saginaw to practice after completion of their residency; • Forgives 25 percent or a maximum of $5,000 loan principal per year if the recipient returns to Saginaw to practice after completion of their residency and is a dues paying member; • Awards scholarships and mentors Saginaw County high school students who are interested in becoming a physician; • Provides research grants and scholarships to medical students and residents through CMU CoM; and • Assists the SCMS Alliance in awarding seven nursing scholarships each year. Proceeds from this event are used for the above initiatives to help ensure the future of medicine in Saginaw County. TITLE SPONSORS AND GOLF BALL SPONSORS DUE 4/15/22 TO ALLOW PRODUCTION TIME FOR GOLF BALLS Title Sponsor - $6,000 (LIMIT OF TWO) DEADLINE 4/15/22 • Company name in title of Golf Outing (including banner, program, all signage, etc.) • Company choice of (1) sleeve of golf balls with your company logo provided to each golfer; (2) golf towel with your logo provided to each golfer; or (3) ditty bag with your logo provided to each golfer • A representative from your company will be allowed to address the golfers from the podium at the Award Reception • Includes 4-person team Event Sponsor - $3,000 (LIMIT OF FIVE ) • Company name in golf carts and program • Company name on sign at driving range and practice putting green • Recognized from the podium • Includes 4-person team Golf Ball Sponsor - $1,500 (Sleeve of golf balls with your company logo provided to each golfer) DEADLINE 4/15/22 • Company name listed in program Scorecard/Scoreboard Sponsor - $1,500 • Company name on scoreboard and individual scorecards • Company name listed in program
Award Reception Sponsor - $1,000 • Company name listed on sign at reception, table-tents on reception tables and in program Putting Contest Sponsor - $750 • Company name on sign at tee and in program • Company representative on site Lunch Sponsor - $500 • Company name on sign in cookout area and in program Beverage Sponsor - $500 • Company name on sign at beverage stations and in program Team Sponsor - $600 (Payment for four person golf team of your players) • Company name listed in program Medical Student/Resident Team Sponsor - $600 (Payment for four person golf team of medical students/residents) • Company name listed in program Longest Drive Sponsor - $500 (Men & Women) • Company name on sign at tee and in program Closest to the Pin Sponsor - $500 (Men & Women) • Company name on sign at tee and in program Tee/Hole Sponsor - $500 (LIMIT OF TWO PER HOLE) • Company name on sign at tee and in program
We would like to be a sponsor for the 11th Annual SCMS Foundation Golf Outing, as follows: Company Name: __________________________________________________________________________ Contact Person: __________________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________Email: _______________________________________________ Sponsor Level: __________________________________________________________________________ RETURN FORM AND CHECK BY MAY 1, 2022, TO: SCMS Foundation 350 St. Andrews Road Suite 242 Saginaw, MI 48638-5988 Questions? Contact Joan M. Cramer, SCMS Executive Director, at jmcramer@sbcglobal.net or 989-284-8884 Forms are downloadable at www.SaginawCountyMS.com under the Golf Outing tab 18
3/15/22 1:33PM
NOTE: For income tax purposes, the following values are NOT tax deductible: Golf participant, $88 each. An IRS-compliant tax deduction receipt will be provided upon request.
The Bulletin | Winter 2022
11th Annual Golf Outing
Four Person Scramble Saturday, June 4, 2022 Saginaw Country Club 12 p.m. Registration 1 p.m. Shotgun Start
TEAM REGISTRATION FORM Please sign up the following golfers to participate in the 11th Annual SCMS Foundation Golf Outing on Saturday, June 4, 2022. Golfers may sign up as an individual, or as a four-person team. Those that sign up as individuals will be assigned to a four-person team. The charge per golfer is $150, and includes green fees, cart, practice range, cookout lunch, beverages (domestic draft beer, Coke and Pepsi products, bottled water) on the course, two drink tickets (soft drinks, draft beer, house wine) and heavy hors d’oeuvres award reception with prizes. Cash contests include 50/50 and Hit the Green. Mulligans available for purchase. REGISTRATION PRIOR TO THE GOLF OUTING IS REQUIRED! Please sign up the following golfers: GOLFER NAME
PLEASE PRINT! PHONE
1. 2. 3. 4. If team is sponsored, please indicate name of sponsor for program_______________________________ Please return form and check by May 1, 2022 ($150 Per Golfer) to: SCMS Foundation 350 St. Andrews Rd., Suite 242 Saginaw, MI 48638-5988 Call Joan Cramer at 989-284-8884 or email jmcramer@sbcglobal.net with questions. Forms are downloadable at www.SaginawCountyMS.com under the Golf Outing tab If play is stopped because of inclement weather before five holes are completed, there will be no guest fee charged. If play is stopped between five and 13 holes, the guest fee will be the nine-hole rate. Playing 14 holes shall constitute the playing of 18 holes, and guests will be charged the full guest fee. Groups playing less than five holes will still be subject to and responsible for all other non-golfing products and services for which they contracted. The Saginaw Country Club is a spikeless facility and golf course. NOTE: For income tax purposes, $88 of the total per golfer charge is NOT tax deductible: An IRScompliant tax deduction receipt will be provided upon request. 3/15/22 1:38PM
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New Telehealth Suicide Prevention Toolkit Resource! Preview the telehealth toolkit, developed by Central Michigan University. Your input will enhance and benefit the resources for service providers in Michigan! Preventing Suicide in Michigan Men is a five-year, Centers for Disease Control grantfunded program aimed at reducing suicide in men ages 25 and older. To achieve this goal, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has implemented a comprehensive, multi-sector partnership and action plan that targets the male population in the state. The Michigan PRiSMM project is being led by the MDHHS. By 2024, the statewide PRiSMM initiative will work to reduce the number of suicide deaths and attempts among men ages 25 and older by at least 10 percent. From 2014–2018, more than 6,700 Michiganders lost their lives to suicide. Two-thirds of the suicide deaths in Michigan are adult men. CMU’s partnership with the PRiSMM initiative is to create and disseminate the toolkit and, in the process, cultivate a statewide training network for suicide prevention and telehealth. For more information, sign up for an overview, or to give us feedback on the toolkit, please contact the CMU Interdisciplinary Center for Community Health and Wellness at icchw@cmich.edu.
Preview the PRiSMM Telehealth SP Toolkit: med.cmich.edu/prismmtoolkit or Scan QR Code
CMU, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives to increase diversity and provide equal opportunity within its community. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight (see http://www.cmich.edu/ocrie). 20237 MGX 100 qty (10/21)
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The Bulletin | Winter 2022
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APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP FIRST READING: Applications for membership for first reading at the April 19, 2022, Board Meeting: Cecilia E. Kraus-Horbal, DO (CMU Health – Internal Medicine) Specialty: Internal Medicine – Board Certified 2019 Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine at Seton Hill, Greensburg, PA, 2016 Residency: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, Internal Medicine, 2016-20 Sponsors: Doctors Judy V. Blebea and Nicholas E. Haddad George P. Malliaras, MD (Covenant Plastic Surgery) Specialty: Surgery – Plastic, Hand, Reconstructive and Cosmetic – Board Certified 2019 Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine, Portsmouth, West Indies, 2013 Residency: Western Reserve Health Education/NEOMED, Warren, OH, General Surgery, 2013-18; and Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, Plastic Surgery, 2018-21 Sponsors: Doctors Ronald C. Barry and Anthony M. Zacharek Xia Wang, MD (CMU Health-Internal Medicine) Specialty: Internal Medicine – Board Certified 2000 and Clinical Medical Genetics – Board Certified 2002 Medical School: Peking Union Medical University, Beijing, China 1990, and Doctor of Philosophy, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 1996 Research Associate: Wayne State University, Department of Otolaryngology, 1996-97. Residency: William Beaumont Hospital at Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe, MI, Internal Medicine, 1997-2000; and Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI, Clinical Medical Genetics, 2000-02 Sponsors: Doctors Robert F. Battisti and Nicholas E. Haddad SECOND READING: Applications for membership for second reading and approval at the April 19, 2022, Board Meeting: Dafina W. Allen, MD (Wise Weight Management) Specialty: Family Medicine – Board Certified 2014 and Obesity Medicine – Board Certified 2019 Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 2011 Residency: Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Chicago, IL, Family Medicine, 7/11-7/14 Fellowship: Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Family Medicine Faculty Development, 8/14/-9/15 Certification: American Board of Obesity Medicine, 5/19 Sponsors: Doctors Christopher J. Allen and Tiffany K. Kim
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Joshua S. Grant, MD (Great Lakes Eye Institute) Specialty: Ophthalmology - Board Certified 2015 Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine, 2009 Internship: University of South Florida, Internal Medicine, 7/09-6/10 Residency: University of South Florida, Ophthalmology, 7/10-6/13 Fellowship: University of Michigan, Retina, 7/13-7/14 Sponsors: Doctors Farhad Shokoohi and Kamran Shokoohi Daniel J. Lin, MD (Great Lakes Eye Institute) Specialty: Ophthalmology - Board Certified 2006 Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 2000 Internship: Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Flushing, NY 2000-01 Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA, Ophthalmology, 2001-04 Fellowship: Oculoplastics/Neuro-Ophthalmology, preceptorThomas C. Spoor, MD Sponsors: Doctors Farhad Shokoohi and Kamran Shokoohi Vishal Saini, MD (SoundASleep Sleep Diagnostics Lab) Specialty: Family Medicine - Board Certified 2013 and Sleep Medicine - Board Certified 2015 Medical School: Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, India, 2006 Residency: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, Family Medicine, 7/10-6/13 Fellowship: Wayne State University School of Medicine, 7/13-6/14 Sponsors: Doctors Nicholas E. Haddad and Narendra R. Kumar Nicholas D. Shokoohi, MD (Great Lakes Eye Institute) Specialty: Ophthalmology - Board Eligible Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine, 2015 Internship: Wayne State University Department of Surgery, Detroit, MI, 7/16-7/17 Residency: Kresge Eye Institute, Detroit, MI, 7/17-7/20 Sponsors: Doctors Farhad Shokoohi and Kamran Shokoohi
NEW MEMBERS
Michael J. Mishkin, DO Ascension St. Mary's Riverfront Cardiology/MCVI 1015 S. Washington Saginaw, MI 48601-2556 Office (989)-754-3000 | Fax (989)-754-3275 www.mcvi.com Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease)
Anirudh V. Penumetcha, DO Ascension St. Mary's Riverfront Cardiology/MCVI 1015 S. Washington Saginaw, MI 48601-2556 Office (989)-754-3000 | Fax (989)-754-3275 www.mcvi.com Cardiology (Non-invasive)
Implicit Bias Training
Monday Night Medicine - Spring 2022 April 4 and May 9, 2022, from 6:30-8 p.m.
Participation in BOTH sessions fulfills the new LARA requirement for implicit bias training. The day before each session, an email will be sent to all registrants with a link and instructions to join the Zoom webinar. If you don't see an email in your inbox, please check your junk/spam. Monday, April 4 Implicit Bias Training: Session 1 Approved for 1.5 AMA PRA Category Credit(s)™
Registration Fee for EACH session: Members - $75 Non-Members - $100 Member Students/Residents - FREE Statement of Accreditation The Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. AMA Credit Designation Statement The MSMS designates this live activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Monday, May 9 Implicit Bias Training: Session 2 Approved for 1.5 AMA PRA Category Credit(s)™ Presenters for both sessions: • Debra Furr-Holden, PhD, Associate Dean for Public Health Integration, Director, Division of Public Health, Michigan State University • Jennifer Edwards-Johnson, DO, MPH, Assistant Professor, Community Assistant Dean, Michigan State University, Flint
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March 2022 Dean’s Message Dear students, colleagues and friends, March 20th marked the first day of spring - a time traditionally associated with hope and renewal. At Central Michigan University and the College of Medicine, we have much for which to be thankful and great expectations for the future. Two years ago, the country and the state of Michigan locked down to prevent the spread of a dangerous virus. During this time, CMU proved its resiliency by continuing to educate students and keep its community of students, faculty and staff safe. While we are still seeing COVID-19 surges in some parts of the world, the university is now cautiously lessening select pandemic-related restrictions, such as some mask mandates and limitations on public gatherings. As the COVID-19 pandemic recedes, the nation continues to grapple with another pandemic - racism. At the same time, on the world stage, we are watching the atrocities of war in Ukraine. As physicians and healers, we condemn violence, brutality and the senseless loss of human life. It is in this context the College of Medicine sends another group of compassionate physicians into our communities to continue their training. The mission of the College of Medicine is to educate diverse students and train culturally competent physicians to provide comprehensive care to underserved populations (both rural and urban) in Michigan and beyond. We see our mission fulfilled each March on Match Day, the day when medical students learn in which residency programs they will spend the next three to seven years of their lives. We celebrated Match Day on Friday, March 18, 2022, with 105 CMU College of Medicine students participating in the national process. Sixty-four percent of our students matched to primary care residencies. Fifty-two percent matched within the state of Michigan.
This group of CMU medical students is the first to have completed all of their clinical training during a pandemic. Collectively, they do not know how we practiced medicine prior to COVID-19. They were thrust on the front lines during a frightening time for medical workers, and they persevered. Their experiences will serve them well during their residencies and the remainder of their careers. As we move forward toward Commencement in May, I am pleased to announce that, with this year’s class, the College of Medicine will have awarded more than 500 medical degrees. We are grateful to all of our students, alumni, faculty, staff, families, friends and supporters for helping us reach this milestone. We are incredibly proud of our students’ accomplishments and the care they provide to patients in Michigan and beyond. Sincerely, George E. Kikano, MD CMU Vice President for Health Affairs Dean CMU College of Medicine
Continuing Medical Education CME CALENDAR: For a complete list of our CME accredited courses for April 2022 click HERE. CME ONLINE - eLearning Activities: CMU CME ONLINE CLAIM CME CREDIT and CERTIFICATE PROCESS – click HERE CREDIT FOR TEACHING - CMU College of Medicine appreciates ALL that you do in teaching our residents and medical students! To ensure that you adequately obtain your Category 2 Credit for Teaching, all forms (2019 to 2022) and instructions are available on our website at med.cmich.edu/ cmecert under Category 2 Credit Forms. CME COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS - Your comments and suggestions about CME are always invited (and are very important to us). They may be submitted at any time on our website at med.cmich.edu/cme under Team - Comments Suggestions. Email: CMEDCME@cmich.edu | P: 989-746-7602 or 746-7555 | Fax: 989-746-7579
continued from page 15, Dr. Neil Love obituary
he would say that his greatest gift in life were his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He constantly maintained his gratitude for their love and affection. He leaves behind his three children, Jeff Love (Nicole Bertram-Love) of Shady Side, MD; Jill Love (Rodney Marlow) of Pinckney, MI; and Janet Love (Brent Polak) of Superior Twp., MI. He also leaves eight grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren who dearly loved him. He will be interred in a private ceremony at Great Lakes 24
The Bulletin | Winter 2022
National Cemetery in Holly with his wife. A memorial will be held in his beloved hometown of Frankenmuth on Saturday, April 23, at 1 p.m. at American Legion Post 150 on Flint Street in Frankenmuth. Everyone is invited to attend and share a memory. A light meal will be provided afterwards. Friends wishing to honor Dr. Love through donation might consider Hospice, who lovingly cared for he and his wife during their final days, or the charity of their choice. Cards can be sent to P.O. Box 916, Lakeland, MI 48143.
A new service to support and assist frontline healthcare workers with behavioral health services is now available from the Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority.
Debunking Regulatory Myths: Can Physicians Bill for Both Preventive and E/M Services in the Same Visit? The AMA’s regulatory myths series provides physicians and their care teams with resources to reduce guesswork and administrative burdens so they can focus on streamlining clinical workflow processes, improving patient outcomes and increasing physician satisfaction. The latest myth in the series focuses on whether physicians can bill for both preventive and E/M services in the same visit. Physicians are not prohibited from coding and billing for both preventive and problemfocused E/M services when they are performed during the same appointment, and this resource provides helpful information on when and how to appropriately handle this common situation. CLICK HERE TO READ.
Free Confidential Counseling for Frontline Healthcare Workers Free, confidential counseling services are available for healthcare professionals and their immediate family to provide help coping with the stress and anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Professional counselors provide primary care screening, assessment and monitoring of key health indicators. These services are available to those that need extra help coping during this extremely stressful time. There is no shame in talking, in person or virtually, with someone.
Call the Saginaw Community Care HUB at
989.498.2266
for an immediate appointment
Commercial medications not meeting the needs of your patients? We produce customized medications specially suited to meet the patient’s needs; thus, allowing limitless prescribing opportunities. • Liquid solutions • Discontinued medications • Topical medications • Human Identical Hormone Replacement for men and women • Sugar free/dye free medications • Non narcotic pain medications
Key Provider to the SCMS
Healthway Compounding Pharmacy continued on page 13 2544 McLeod Dr. N. | Saginaw, MI 48604 | 989.791.1691 | www.healthwayrx.com The Bulletin | Winter 2022 25
Covenant Rectal Cancer Program Earns National Accreditation for Quality Care Covenant HealthCare has earned a three-year accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC), a quality program of the American College of Surgeons. Covenant HealthCare is just one of two accredited programs in Michigan, and one of only 39 accredited programs nationwide. To achieve voluntary NAPRC accreditation, a rectal center must demonstrate compliance with the NAPRC standards addressing program management, clinical services and quality improvement for patients. Centers are required to establish a multidisciplinary rectal cancer team that includes clinical representatives from surgery, pathology, radiology, radiation oncology and medical oncology. Additionally, the program met standards addressing the clinical services that the rectal cancer program provides, including Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA testing), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Computerized Tomography (CT) imaging for cancer staging which allow patients to start treatment within a defined timeframe. Rectal cancer programs accredited by the NAPRC undergo a site visit every three years and are also accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. “The NAPRC accreditation is an important milestone for our program which helps ensure quality rectal cancer care by bringing together a multidisciplinary team of colorectal surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists and pathologists dedicated to the treatment of colorectal cancer,” says Tareq Q. Kamal, MD, Covenant HealthCare Rectal Cancer Program Director. Accreditation by the NAPRC is granted only to those programs that are committed to providing the best possible care to patients with rectal cancer. The NAPRC provides the structure and resources to develop and operate a highquality rectal center, and accredited programs follow a model for organizing and managing a rectal center to ensure multidisciplinary, integrated, comprehensive rectal cancer services. Congratulations to the entire Rectal Cancer multidisciplinary team at the Covenant Cancer Care Center.
New Year, New Health Goals – Covenant Bariatric Program Can Help What makes the Covenant Bariatric and Metabolic Center an excellent choice for patients? • We accept most insurance, which means more people can afford bariatric surgery
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• We help our patients plan for possible insurance copayments and deductibles with our insurance worksheet • We have a highly-trained team of surgeons who are fellowship trained and board certified • We have the most experienced bariatric surgeons in the Great Lakes Bay Region • We specialize in laparoscopic gastric bypass and laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy • We surround patients with a multi-disciplinary team of experts to support them throughout their journey • Patients in the program receive a dedicated dietitian for lifelong, ongoing treatment, metabolic nutrition education and support to help individuals meet their goals • We provide ongoing support groups for patients before, during and after their transformation
The Most Preferred MBSAQIP Accredited Facility in the Great Lakes Bay Region The Covenant Bariatric and Metabolic Center has been accredited as a Comprehensive facility under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program of the American College of Surgeons and ASMBS. The accreditation demonstrates the surgery center's commitment to delivering the highest quality care for its bariatric surgery patients. The Covenant Bariatric and Metabolic Center is the most preferred accredited facility in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Informational seminars are available and presented by board certified surgeons. For more information, patient success stories or to register for a seminar, call 989.583.4683 or visit www.covenantbariatrics.com today! About the team: Chad D. Ringley, MD, FACS, Medical Director Fellowship Trained / Board Certified Dr. Ringley earned his medical degree from Indiana University's School of Medicine and his undergraduate degree from Manchester College. He completed his general surgery residency with Saginaw Cooperative Hospitals (now CMU College of Medicine) and is fellowship trained in advanced minimally invasive and robotic surgery from the University of Nebraska's Medical Center. He routinely performs bariatric surgery and is a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Christian Medical and Dental Society, and the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. continued on page 27
continued from page 26
Jason E. Kuhn, DO Fellowship Trained / Board Certified Dr. Kuhn earned his medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton, FL and his undergraduate degree from University of Michigan. He completed his general surgery residency with St. John Macomb/Oakland and is fellowship trained in advanced minimally invasive and bariatric surgery from the Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania. Dr. Kuhn is a member of Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and American Osteopathic Association. Libby Palmer, RN, BSN, Bariatric Program Administrator Libby received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saginaw Valley State University and has experience in both clinical and surgical nursing at Covenant HealthCare. She has also received her certification as a Bariatric Coach, Support Group Leader, Back on Track and Success Habits instructor through Bariatric Support Centers International. In addition, Libby is a bariatric patient and understands the pathway to surgery, as well as, the lifestyle changes needed for better health and long-term weight loss. She brings great passion to provide support and guidance to the Covenant Bariatric and Metabolic Center, and looks forward to assisting patients through all of the phases leading up to and following bariatric surgery.
Misty Potts, RDN, Dietitian Misty is a Registered Dietitian with over 10 years of healthcare and wellness experience. She has earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Kinesiology and Dietetics from Central Michigan University. She provides nutrition evaluation and weight management nutrition counseling for patients prior to bariatric surgery, as well as, medical nutrition therapy and counseling for post-bariatric surgery patients. She participates in bariatric support groups to include periodic nutrition and behavior change education. Her training and experience in weight management include a focus on individualized, realistic goal setting for permanent lifestyle changes to aid positive weight management outcomes for improved health and well-being.
120 Years of Serving the Residents of Saginaw County! www.SaginawCountyMS.com
WE LEAD IN HEALING CHRONIC WOUNDS What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy? Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is the administration of 100% oxygen in a pressurized environment. Diffusing oxygen throughout the body promotes angiogenesis, allowing a chronic wound to get the nutrient and oxygen rich blood it needs to heal. Specialized wound care, including HBOT, is often necessary for optimal treatment of chronic wounds. HBOT is an effective adjunctive therapy used in conjunction with advanced wound care. Along with proper attention to nutrition and other underlying medical problems, we achieve greater healing results. HBOT is a proven treatment for: • Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis • Lower Extremity Diabetic Ulcers • Radiation Cystitis/Proctitis or Radiation Necrosis
David Gustavison, DO Medical Director
Covenant Wound Healing Center “There are approximately 6.5 million patients in the U.S. suffering from chronic wounds (e.g. diabetic foot ulcers and pressure ulcers) and approximately 140,000 patients are hospitalized every year with new wounds. Currently, over 23 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes.”* Covenant Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine Center has a team of experts trained to evaluate your patient’s wound and develop a treatment plan. Using the most advanced technology and research, our wound care team can work with you and your patients to heal wounds quickly.
Anthony de Bari, MD, CWSP
Scott Byron, DPM, FAAPSM
Mark Bullock, DPM
Khalid Malik, MD
*https://WWW.NCBI.NLM.NIH.GOV, article PMC6161627 • © 2021 Covenant HealthCare. All rights reserved. PK 5/21 13958
ONLY ACCREDITION IN MICHIGAN; SECOND IN THE U.S. COVENANT WOUND HEALING & HYPERBARIC MEDICINE CENTER 900 Cooper, Saginaw, Michigan 989.583.4401 • covenanthealthcare.com
The Bulletin | Winter 2022 27
Ascension St. Mary’s Introduces New Physicians Non-invasive cardiologist, Michael J. Mishkin, DO, recently joined Ascension Medical Group (AMG) Riverfront Cardiology. Board certified in cardiovascular disease, Dr. Mishkin focuses on the detection and treatment of heart disease in adults 18 and over. During the course of his training, Dr. Mishkin was recognized as the 'Resident of the Year' and recipient of the 'Outstanding Fellow Teaching Award.' Dr. Mishkin attended medical school at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He completed an osteopathic internship at Largo Medical Center in Largo, Florida and his residency and fellowship at the University of South Florida in Tampa. New patients are being accepted. Dr. Mishkin’s office is located at Ascension Medical Group Riverfront Cardiology, 1015 S. Washington Avenue in Saginaw. In-person and virtual appointments are available. Office hours are Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. To make a referral, call (989) 754-3000. Ascension St. Mary’s and AMG also welcome two new thoracic surgeons - James R. Fenton, MD and Christina S. Glenn, MD. They will serve the greater Saginaw and Flint areas, supporting Ascension St. Mary’s and Ascension Genesys. They will see patients and perform surgery at both hospitals. Their office is located at AMG Cardiothoracic Surgical Associates - Saginaw, 1015 S. Washington Avenue, Saginaw . New patients are being accepted. Call (989) 907-4382 to make a referral or receive more information. In the Flint region, the office is AMG Cardiothoracic Surgical Associates - Grand Blanc, One Genesys Parkway, Suite 4642 (located in the Genesys Surgical Specialty Suite inside the hospital), in Grand Blanc. Dr. Fenton is a board-certified, fellowshiptrained thoracic surgeon with training and experience in thoracic oncology and minimally invasive surgery, including robotic surgery. He completed medical school at the University of Kansas and a general surgery residency at William Beaumont Hospital. He proceeded to the University of Utah to complete fellowship training in cardiothoracic surgery, serving as chief resident in thoracic surgery his final year. His training continued when he joined Dr. Robert McKenna in his program as a super-fellow (clinical instructor), gaining additional experience in thoracic oncology and minimally invasive thoracic surgery. Dr. Fenton worked at major health systems in Michigan, lending expertise and developing robotic thoracic surgical programs at each.
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Dr. Glenn is a fellowship-trained thoracic surgeon with board certifications in general surgery and thoracic surgery. She attended the University of Toledo College of Medicine and completed a general surgery residency at William Beaumont Hospital. She proceeded to the University of Louisville for fellowship training in cardiothoracic surgery with a special focus on minimally invasive surgical approaches, heart and lung transplant and surgical critical care. We are proud to introduce and welcome them to Saginaw. Continuing Education Opportunity – Lower Extremity Evaluation and Manipulation – October 15-16 Ascension St. Mary’s is excited to announce that it is cosponsoring a continuing education class in 2022. This class will be available at Ascension St. Mary’s Spine & Rehabilitation location in Saginaw. October 15-16: E1: Lower Extremity Evaluation and Manipulation For more information, please reference the University of St. Augustine website for course descriptions at www.usa.edu You can also contact Pam Kutchuk at 989-498-5114 or Pamela.Kutchuk@ascension.org.
PEER REVIEW ETHICS COMMITTEE The Saginaw County Medical Society has a Peer Review Ethics Committee (“Committee”) which is comprised of Waheed Akbar, MD – Chair, Caroline G.M. Scott, MD and James R. Hines, MD. Members of the Committee are elected by the membership. The following is the definition of the Committee pursuant to Chapter IX Conduct and Discipline of Members of the SCMS Bylaws: Section 5. PEER REVIEW ETHICS COMMITTEE. This Society shall have a standing committee designated the Peer Review Ethics Committee, charged with duties and powers concerning the maintenance of standards of conduct and discipline of members including the duties and powers specifically set forth in this chapter. Whenever any matter of alleged misconduct is referred to the Peer Review Ethics Committee, such Committee shall have the right to conduct investigations and hearings thereon, both informal and formal, and to make findings of fact and recommendations for discipline. If you need to refer a matter to the Committee, please contact Drs. Akbar, Scott or Hines, or Joan Cramer at the Saginaw County Medical Society office. All matters are confidential and are not to be disclosed to the Board or membership.
Welcome New Providers Ascension Medical Group is pleased to welcome the following new providers to our employed medical staff.
Selina Akbar, MD
Toby Blosser, AT
Internal Medicine AMG Primary Care Towne Centre
Athletic Trainer AMG Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Carlyn Hinish, DPM
Jasleen Kaur, MD
Podiatry AMG Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Rheumatology AMG Rheumatology
Pragna Dholakia, NP Cardiology AMG Riverfront Cardiology
Sports Medicine AMG Orthopedic & Sports Medicine
Sports Medicine/Ortho AMG Orthopedic & Sports Medicine
Cardiology AMG Riverfront Cardiology
Electrophysiology AMG Riverfront Cardiology
Angela Ritter, PA
Joginder Singh, MD
Tiffany Wirtz, NP
Family Medicine AMG Family Physicians Gratiot
Taylor Sinda, PA Plastic/
Urology Placed with TriCity Urology
Melissa Fritch, NP
Medical Oncology AMG Medical Oncology & Hematology
Christopher Kukla, PA Alexey Levashkevich, MD Michael Mishkin, DO
Marisa Mohammed, PA Anirudh Penumetcha, DO Amanda Petzold, PA
Neurosurgery AMG Neurosurgery
Leigh Gilpin, DO
Orthopedics AMG Orthopedics
UroGynegology AMG Obstetrics & Gynecology - Genesys
Cardiology AMG Riverfront Cardiology
Sefako Phala, MD
Patchawan 'PorPor' Phunwutikorn, PsyD
Family Medicine AMG Bay City Family Physicians
Psychology AMG Bariatrics
January 2022 The Bulletin | Winter 2022 29
Caduceus Meeting for Recovering Health Care Professionals Third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Zion Lutheran Church 454 7th Street, Freeland, Michigan (Behind Pat’s Grocery Store on Midland Road in Freeland)
All statements or comments in The Bulletin are those of the writer, and not necessarily the opinion of the Saginaw County Medical Society (SCMS).
Caduceus meetings are available to health care industry professionals, and have adopted many of the principles of 12-Step programs.
The Bulletin is made available electronically for members as an informational service. Reliance on any such information is at the user's own judgment.
Caduceus meetings are “closed” meetings for recovering health care professionals including, but not limited to, nurses, doctors, dentists and pharmacists. We engage in group discussions where members may want to speak up, ask questions or share thoughts with fellow members.
The SCMS, its officers and employees, cannot guarantee the accuracy, reliability, completeness or timeliness of any information, and may not be held liable for any individual’s reliance on our web or print publications. For questions or the latest information, please contact Joan Cramer of the SCMS at (989) 284-8884 or jmcramer@sbcglobal.net.
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ADVERTISER INDEX Andersen Eye Associates Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital Barb Smith Suicide Resource & Response Network Covenant Medical Group Cardiology 30
The Bulletin | Winter 2022
When you have a need for a service, please consider our dedicated advertisers first!
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Covenant Wound Healing Center Jan Hauck – Century 21 Healthway Compounding Pharmacy Lori Krygier Graphic Designer
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10 FACTS ABOUT PHYSICIAN SUICIDE AND MENTAL HEALTH 1. Suicide generally is caused by the convergence of multiple risk factors — the most common being untreated or inadequately managed mental health conditions. 2. An estimated 300 physicians die by suicide in the U.S. per year.1 3. Physicians who took their lives were less likely to be receiving mental health treatment compared with nonphysicians who took their lives even though depression was found to be a significant risk factor at approximately the same rate in both groups.2 4. The suicide rate among male physicians is 1.41 times higher than the general male population. And among female physicians, the relative risk is even more pronounced — 2.27 times greater than the general female population.3 5. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death in the 24–34 age range (Accidents are the first).4 6. Twenty-eight percent of residents experience a major depressive episode during training versus 7–8 percent of similarly aged individuals in the U.S. general population.5 7. Among physicians, risk for suicide increases when mental health conditions go unaddressed, and self-medication occurs as a way to address anxiety, insomnia or other distressing symptoms. Although self-medicating, mainly with prescription medications, may reduce some symptoms, the underlying health problem is not effectively treated. This can lead to a tragic outcome. 8. In one study, 23 percent of interns had suicidal thoughts. However, among those interns who completed four sessions of web-based cognitive behavior therapy, suicidal ideation decreased by nearly 50 percent.6 9. Drivers of burnout include workload, work inefficiency, lack of autonomy and meaning in work, and work-home conflict. 10. Unaddressed mental health conditions, in the long run, are more likely to have a negative impact on a physician’s professional reputation and practice than reaching out for help early.
SOURCES 1. Center, C., Davis, M., Detre, T., Ford, D. E., Hansbrough, W., Hendin, H., Laszlo, J., Litts, D.A., Mann, J., Mansky, P.A., Michels, R., Miles, S.H., Proujansky, R., Reynolds, C.F. 3rd, Silverman, M. M. (2003). Confronting Depression and Suicide in Physicians. JAMA, 289(23), 3161. doi:10.1001/jama.289.23.3161 2. Gold, K. J., Sen, A., & Schwenk, T. L. (2013). Details on suicide among US physicians: Data from the National Violent Death Reporting System. General Hospital Psychiatry, 35(1), 45-49. doi:10.1016/j. genhosppsych.2012.08.005 3. Schernhammer, E. S., & Colditz, G. A. (2004). Suicide Rates Among Physicians: A Quantitative and Gender Assessment (Meta-Analysis). American Journal of Psychiatry AJP, 161(12), 2295-2302. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.161.12.2295 4. CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. (2015). 10 Leading Causes of Death by Age Group, United States - 2014 Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/injury/images/lc-charts/ leading_causes_of_death_age_group_2014_1050w760h.gif 5. Mata, D. A., Ramos, M. A., Bansal, N., Khan, R., Guille, C., Angelantonio, E. D., & Sen, S. (2015). Prevalence of Depression and Depressive Symptoms among Resident Physicians. JAMA, 314(22), 2373. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.15845 6. Guille, C., Zhao, Z., Krystal, J., Nichols, B., Brady, K., & Sen, S. (2015). Web-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention for the Prevention of Suicidal Ideation in Medical Interns. JAMA Psychiatry, 72(12), 1192. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2015.1880
afsp.org The Bulletin | Winter 2022 31
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2022 KEY PROVIDERS
These Area Businesses Support Saginaw County Medical Society Membership Meetings. When you have a need for a service, please consider our Key Providers.
CALENDAR OF MEETINGS AND EVENTS FOR 2022* Tuesday, April 19, 2022 Horizons Conference Center, 6200 State Street, Saginaw Board Meeting – 5:30 p.m. Membership Meeting – Social (cash bar) at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner, meeting and program at 7 p.m. Program – “TED Talks – Overcoming Obstacles in Health Care” (inspirational talks that physicians can relate to) Speakers – Sasha P. Savage MD, Family Physician and Chief Health Officer of THRIVE; Mark G. Greenwell MD, Family Physician; Claudia C. Zacharek MD, Nephrologist; and Jisselly Salcedo MD, PGY-3 Psychiatry Resident CLICK HERE TO MAKE AN ONLINE RESERVATION or scan the QR Code Saturday-Sunday, April 30-May 1, 2022 MSMS House of Delegates at the Radisson in Kalamazoo Tuesday, May 17, 2022 Horizons Conference Center, 6200 State Street, Saginaw Board Meeting – 5:30 p.m. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING and ANNUAL SCMS FOUNDATION MEMBERSHIP MEETING – Social (cash bar) at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and meetings at 7 p.m. Email meeting notices will be sent in early May. Online reservations are required.
Saturday, June 4, 2022 SCMS Foundation Golf Outing – Saginaw Country Club (See pages 18-19 for more information) Tuesday, June 14, 2022 (second Tuesday) CMU College of Medicine, 1632 Stone Street, Saginaw Board Meeting – 5:30 p.m. There is no Membership Meeting in June. Tuesday, August 16, 2022 CMU College of Medicine, 1632 Stone Street, Saginaw Board Meeting – 5:30 p.m. There is no Membership Meeting in August. Tuesday, September 20, 2022 Horizons Conference Center, 6200 State Street, Saginaw Board Meeting – 5:30 p.m. Membership Meeting – Social (cash bar) at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner, meeting and program at 7 p.m. Program – TBD Speaker – TBD Email meeting notices will be sent in early September. Online reservations are required. Tuesday, October 18, 2022 – Location TBD Board Meeting – 5:30 p.m. Membership Meeting – Social (cash bar) at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner, meeting and program at 7 p.m. Program – TBD Speaker – TBD Email meeting notices will be sent in early October. Online reservations are required. *subject to change
Joan Cramer/SCMS | Office 790-3590 | Fax 790-3640 | Cell 284-8884 | jmcramer@sbcglobal net | www.SaginawCountyMS.com