President’s Message

THE BULLETINTHE BULLETINTHE BULLETIN

WESTERN CAROLINA MEDICAL SOCIETY

Frank Moretz, MD

Volume XXIV * Issue I

(Continued on page 2)

Increasingly corporations, hospitals, and even

government officials are speaking for physicians.

Physicians are capable of speaking for and should speak

for themselves. We are not widgets, we are service-

oriented providers of health care. The challenge for us is

that we are a diverse group who struggle to find

commonality. I feel that a medical society is an

excellent venue for physician voices to be heard and can

represent physicians as a whole with concerns that affect

all of us.

One of the most important things that a medical society can do is to advocate

for the practice of medicine, particularly as it relates to patient safety and

positive health outcomes. We physicians assume that the community, its

hospitals, and the government know the importance of what we do for

patients. They do not always fully appreciate the importance of the doctor-

patient relationship and the special responsibility we hold in that regard, so

we must market what we do and become involved with legislation. We must

also advocate for the health and well being of the people of WNC and for

access to quality healthcare.

As we move forward with accountable care, team-based health care is going to be the new norm, where non-physician medical

providers work with physicians to maximize skills of various team members. While non-physician care yields efficiencies and

drives down costs, some non-physician advocacy groups are introducing legislation to legalize their ability to perform services

that require a higher level of training than these groups currently possess. All “doctors” are not the same: an MD or DO is very

different in background and training than a DC, DPM, PhD, or most recently a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice). The public

should be fully aware of the differences in education and skill level, and make their choices accordingly.

Due to the diligent work by individual physicians and medical societies, meaningful liability reform was passed last year. More

remains to be done, and the trial lawyers have made the repeal of last year’s legislation the number one issue on their agenda.

Because of this legislation, several physicians who were going to retire or limit their practice because of liability are still

practicing fully, and all physicians have seen a decrease in their liability premiums. To stay abreast of current legislative issues,

visit our website here.

The Affordable Care Act presents many challenges as well as opportunities. We physicians must be knowledgeable about the

issues and take appropriate steps to see that patients’ best interests are represented and that physicians will be able to practice

medicine ethically and responsibly. To stay abreast of the ACA, visit our website here. If you’ve read WCMS’ 2013 Strategic

Frank Moretz, MD

In this issue… President’s Message ................................. page 1

Foundation Chair Report ......................... page 2

Foundation Update................................... page 3

Calendar of Events ................................... page 5

Association Update .................................. page 6

WCMS Announces Circle of Friends ...... page 8

The Physicians’ Voice ................................ page 9

WNC Interpreter Services ....................page 10

2013 Annual Campaign ........................page 11

2013 Marketing Options ......................page 11

Physicians’ News .....................................page 12

The Cutting Edge (New) .......................page 14

Public Health Corner ..............................page 17

Welcome New Members .......................page 18

2

Foundation Chair Report Winfield Word Sims, MD

(Continued from page 1)

Frank Moretz, MD

WCMS Association President

(Continued on page 3)

Plan (http://www.mywcms.org/About), you will see that our focus is on growing physician leadership, conducting legislative

advocacy, and supporting vulnerable populations. The WCMS plans to promote leadership development for physicians who are

interested. Hospital administrators, corporate executives and government officials have had training to be leaders and negotia-

tors. Most physicians have not had similar training and are at a disadvantage when negotiating with these entities.

Mental health has been ignored for too long and must be addressed. Currently there is no safety net other than hospitals and

jails. Another issue is that medical conversations between physicians and their patients are confidential and must not be

regulated by the government. These are patient-focused advocacy issues that WCMS will be championing in the coming

months.

The bottom line is that physicians are ultimately about the patient. If our own practice concerns take precedence over patient

care, our profession is doomed, but if we take the high road and put patient care and access to quality healthcare first and

foremost with physician advocacy and legislative involvement, the practice of high-quality medicine will be secure.

Will the physicians of Buncombe County continue to provide leadership in caring for the poor?

Physicians and other medical providers in Buncombe County have for 18 years provided a model of

how to improve health care availability for the poor.

Project Access was started by physicians here in cooperation with Mission Hospital and other medical

providers. Its administrative operations, including direct services such as patient eligibility screening,

enrollment, navigation and interpreter services, are sustained by the Western Carolina Medical

Society through its charitable arm, the WCMS Foundation, thanks to very generous grants from

Buncombe County, Mission Hospital Community Benefits, TD Bank, and HealthNet, as well as funds from individual donors.

Prior to Project Access , physicians used to see uninsured, low-income patients pro bono in their practices, but if their patients

needed anything outside of the practice—a referral to a specialist, a medication, crutches, blood glucose monitors, a language

interpreter—physicians had to spend inordinate amounts of time trying to advocate for each patient (read: beg, ask favors, make

endless phone calls) to gain access to these services. Project Access opens doors for patients in need. Project Access saves

physicians time and energy and, as many long-time PA physician volunteers will tell you, allows them to “practice medicine the

way it was intended.”

Project Access is a coordinated network, with participation by most physicians from most specialties and with wraparound

services to insure that patients can follow through on their treatment plans. Patients are able to get primary and specialty medical

care, labs, x-rays, physical therapy, medications, durable medical equipment, interpreter services, and other services without

having to wonder if they are going to be financially ruined, shamed in their efforts to get these services, or turned away

altogether.

This great effort of providing for our neediest citizens is in the deepest spirit of what brought many of us to the practice of

medicine: the desire to pay attention to suffering and to relieve it when we can.

What is the role for this in an era of “insurance exchanges,” budget shortfalls and a sluggish economy?

Winfield Word Sims, MD

3

Foundation Update Sharon Lewis, Director of Foundation Programs

Winfield Word Sims, MD

WCMS Foundation Chair

In the short term, it would appear that the NC legislature’s decision not to expand Medicaid eligibility will ensure there are

plenty of very poor, sick people who will continue to need urgent access to these critical services. Without Project Access ,

these patients will take on crushing debts, based on the Alice-in-Wonderland world of health care pricing ($20 for Tylenol,

$20,000 for an appendectomy, etc), or they won’t get the care they need and get even sicker until they land in Mission’s

emergency room in very bad shape.

With no Medicaid expansion, those who make 100% of the federal poverty level –OR LESS – will not be eligible for federal

help buying insurance through the exchanges. The expectation was that the poorest would be covered by the Medicaid

expansion, and it is estimated that without that expansion, only 20% of the currently uninsured will be eligible for coverage

through the insurance exchanges. Moreover, it is certain that some of those people who we think would be eligible for the health

insurance exchange will end up being exempt from the mandate because the premiums will be unaffordable; they, too, will go

uninsured.

So, the poor of Buncombe County will still need Project Access for the foreseeable future. Will we be there for them?

This requires so many moving pieces to work together!

It requires ongoing operations from the WCMS and its charitable arm, the WCMS Foundation;

It requires ongoing willingness by the physicians of Buncombe County to provide charity care from individual

providers and practices;

It requires grant support from Buncombe County, and other funding organizations (the program’s direct services and

overhead cost $650,000);

It requires support from Mission Hospital, and

It requires a host of volunteers, from board members to fund raisers.

As the incoming chairman of the WCMSF board, I am deeply appreciative of all the people who have made Project Access

work.

For the providers, it is living by ideals that we like to claim for ourselves, or that we feel are claimed upon us by our Maker. For

the patients, it is in many cases a matter of avoiding financial ruin, needless suffering or even death. Let’s keep it going.

(Continued from page 2)

ACCESS TO CARE

WCMS CEO Miriam Schwarz continues to arrange the very popular and welcome specialty provider-led discussions for the

primary care providers at WNCCHS including Asheville Gastroenterology, Asheville Pulmonary Associates, Blue Ridge Bone

and Joint, Cancer Care of Western North Carolina, and Asheville Eye Associates in 2012. Presentations in 2013 will focus on

dermatology, cardiology, and urology. We are finding that specialists discussing referral issues directly with PCPs is a

beneficial tool for both PCPs and specialists to work more effectively together. Specialists discuss how to diagnose and treat

various illnesses in primary care, when to refer, how to prep the patient for referral and what to communicate to the specialist. If you are a specialist interested in making such a presentation, please call Miriam Schwarz at (828) 274-2267 or email her at

miriam@mywcms.org.

We’ve made a number of significant improvements with our Project Access® program to enhance its alignment with the original

mission and enhance patient accountability:

(Continued on page 4)

4

(Continued on page 5)

(Continued from page 3)

Beginning December 11th, 2012 the Prescription Committee of the Foundation Board has been collaborating with

Community Care of Western North Carolina to analyze 2012 medication utilization patterns by Project Access®

physician volunteers, and to assist CCWNC with their consultancy dedicated to improving the treatment of chronic

pain. Recommendations will be presented at the next Foundation Board meeting on May 15th, 2013.

On Monday, February 11th, 2013 WCMS launched a new Project Access® Navigator co-location agreement with our

biggest safety net partner, Buncombe County’s Federal Qualified Health Center, Western North Carolina

Community Health Services. The arrangement features a newly hired bilingual PA Navigator and a ceiling on

referrals of 96 per month, for now, which should be more than enough to meet historical needs while enabling

WCMS to deliver the quality of service to which we aspire for our partners, our patients and ourselves.

We are planning a May 2013 launch date with Community Care of Western North Carolina to develop a

collaborative process enabling Project Access® Navigators to cross reference our system, fhases, with Medicaid

databases to prevent dual enrollments.

We are continuing to explore with our key partners locally, regionally and state-wide various scenarios for what

Project Access® may look like in the years to come as the Affordable Care Act continues to be implemented, and

will keep you apprised of the details as they become clear.

On a lighter note, HeartStrings, the Foundation’s key fundraiser of the year benefitting Project Access® and the

charitable programs of the Foundation, took place on Saturday, February 22nd at the Asheville Racquet Club. The total amount

raised so far is about $17,000!

A great time was had by 11 corporate, non-profit and family teams, many individuals and volunteers on Saturday as everyone

exercised for health and gave from the heart. Mission Sports Medicine and Mission Stroke Outreach Center did blood pressure

and BMI and gave out great advice! ARC staff, including childcare and group exercise leaders donated their time and ARC

graciously opened their doors to WCMS. Healthy snacks were provided by Earthfare and event promotion was provided by Clear

Channel and the Asheville Radio Group. Everyone participating received a goody bag and certificate of participation. A shout

out to all of our HeartStrings sponsors who supported the event:

Presenting Sponsor/Champion of Access - Mission Health System

Host Sponsor - Asheville Racquet Club Downtown

Gold Friend of Medicine sponsor - Wells Fargo

Friend of Medicine sponsor - Asheville Anesthesia Associates

Friend of Medicine sponsor - CarePartners

Friend of Medicine sponsor - Mountain Sleep

Friend of Medicine sponsor - Paragon Financial

Society Advocate sponsor - Four Seasons CFL

Gold HeartStrings Supporter sponsor - Insurance Services of Asheville

HeartStrings Supporter sponsor - Great Beginnings

HeartStrings Supporter sponsor - Blue Ridge Bone & Joint

HeartStrings Supporter sponsor - Broker & Hamrick, P.A.

HeartStrings Supporter sponsor - Asheville Breast Center

HeartStrings Supporter sponsor - McGill Associates, P.A.

If you have questions, comments or concerns about Project Access®, please contact Sharon at (828) 274-2267 ext. 305 or

sharon@mywcms.org.

HEALTH PARITY

The WNC Interpreter Network is now the WCMS Interpreter Network…but still WIN!

Doctors are increasingly making WIN a part of their team. They do not hire interpreters as a mere courtesy to their Limited

English Proficient (LEP) patients. They hire interpreters for many reasons including better communication and patient

5

April 18 ............................ Women In Medicine Social, 5:30pm, Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar

May 3 ................................................................................... Development Council Meeting, 12:00noon, MAHEC

May 14 .......................................................... Quarterly Emeritus Luncheon, 11:30am, DoubleTree Biltmore Hotel

May 15 ........................................................................................... Foundation Board Meeting, 6:00pm, MAHEC

May 16 ................................................................... Early Career Physicians’ Section, 6:00pm, Highland Brewery

May 27 ................................................................................................................ Memorial Day, WCMS Closed

June 7 .................................................................................. Development Council Meeting, 12:00noon, MAHEC

June 20 .......................................................... Women In Medicine Social, 5:30pm, Dr. Donna Burkett Residence

June 24 .......................................................................................... Association Board Meeting, 6:00pm, MAHEC

July TBD ..................................................................................................................................... Emeritus Summer Social, TBD

Calendar of Events

(Continued from page 4)

compliance, to provide confidentiality and protect patient privacy. However, they also do so to protect themselves from a host of

liability issues and to protect patients from abuse. The following is a true story:

Medical professionals know that even when there is no language barrier, it is not uncommon for the person who accompanies a

patient to try to control their partner, parent, friend or follower (in cases of religious leaders) and filter the information shared

between doctor and patient; in LEP situations, the English-speaking companion has undue control of their patient.

There are routine safety net questions that medical professionals, social workers and law enforcement always ask when no one

other than the patient is present. Having the partner as the interpreter in many situations is often out of the question.

Interpreters insure transparency, which means that everyone in the room is hearing what is being said at all times. Remind your

staff that WIN interpreters are part of your medical team and they are there to interpret for YOU and your staff!

WIN EXPANSION As you may have read in the Mountain Xpress, the Western Carolina Medical Society Foundation has been

awarded a Janirve Legacy grant to expand into Henderson and Transylvania Counties! The aim of the grant is to educate the

medical community and the Limited English Proficient (LEP) public about professional interpreter services. Services will be

donated and/or offered at a reduced rate to 24 area practices that see uninsured patients. Currently WIN is working with

Henderson County’s Federally Qualified Health Center, Blue Ridge Community Health Services, to reach the LEP community

with educational resources.

Contact Mary-Jo Dukas at mary-jo@mywcms.org or 828-274-6627 ext. 307 for more details on how your practice can benefit

from this opportunity.

Over a period of a few months a patient’s husband refused interpreter services for his non-English

speaking wife at two different practices. He said that he would interpret for his wife and that he

did not ask for or need an interpreter. Unfortunately, not knowing what else to do, practice staff

dismissed the interpreters.

When a third practice called WIN to schedule a visit for the same patient, WIN staff spoke with

the practice manager who asked the doctor how he wanted to handle the situation. The doctor sent

a clear message to the family “I will not see the patient without my WIN interpreter present!”

6

Association Update Donna Wiedrich, Director of Member Services

EVENTS

We held our annual Newcomers’ Picnic on Sunday, October 14 at Claxton Farms and what a great event it was! We featured live

music by Deep River, great food, children’s activities, fishing, and horse drawn wagon rides all of this complemented by the

breathtaking beauty of Claxton Farms!

Many thanks to our sponsors:

Our 2012 Fall Conference was held on November 14th at MAHEC. This year’s conference theme was “KISS- Keep it Simple

and Sweet: how to stay underwhelmed in an overwhelming environment. Some of the topics included an update on the Afforda-

ble Care Act by Carolyn Coward, RVUs-drilling down the numbers, Social Media (compliance and marketing), The Lighter Side

of Healthcare: a comedy relief by Denise Price Thomas (aka Gladys Friday) and more. Folks

were rolling in the aisles after Gladys Friday’s comedy performance! A big thank you to our

Fall Conference Planning Committee: Lisa Wheeler of Pathways Medical Management,

Barbara Iles of Allayant Pain Management, Dan Keller of MedOasis, Amanda Early of East

Asheville Family Medicine, and Donna Wiedrich and Nancy Caine of WCMS.

Many thanks to our sponsors:

WCMS held its fourth Women In Medicine social on October 18th at the home of Dr. Shannon Hunter in Haywood County. The

focus of the discussion was Growing Women Leaders in Medicine in WNC. Approximately 15 women physicians came out for

this event, representing a wide range of ages and specialties. The February Women In Medicine social was hosted by Dr. Lorena

Wade at her home with over 20 women attending. The next WIM will be our one-year anniversary of the program and is

scheduled for the evening of April 18th at the Battery Park Book Exchange. We are also excited to announce that we will be

launching our newest affinity group, “Early Career Physicians” in the next few months! For more information contact Nancy

Caine, Member Services Coordinator, at 828-274-2267 ext. 310 or email nancy@mywcms.org (Continued on page 7)

2012 Newcomer Families

Gladys Friday demonstrating the importance of teamwork.

7

(Continued on page 8)

(Continued from page 6)

The WCMS 2013 Annual Celebration was hosted by BMW of Asheville on January 26. Attendees enjoyed great food catered by

Frankie Bones and relaxing music by local musician Chris Rhodes. 2013 WCMS Association and Foundation Board members

were approved (click here for the lists). We also had some great prizes (compliments of BMW) including a trip for 2 to the

BMW Performance Center in SC.

Many thanks to Steve Gordon and BMW for hosting and sponsoring our

2013 Annual Celebration!

ADVOCACY

Mental Health Focus

WCMS is focusing its attention on mental health this year. Mental health has been an area of concern for many physicians

throughout WNC for many years. We are in the process of developing an initiative to help expand access to mental health

services in WNC. We will be sharing our plans with you as we move forward so please stay tuned.

White Coat Wednesdays

Each year NCMS organizes Legislative Advocacy Days (aka White Coat Wednesdays) for physicians to travel to Raleigh and

spend the day talking with their legislators. WCMS would like to organize a team of WNC physicians to travel to Raleigh on

May 29th. You can travel together (road trip!) or separate, and meet at the NCMS office in the morning for a briefing on the

current legislative issues and talking points. Then, you will head to the legislative buildings to spend the afternoon with

legislators and head home by 4pm. For more information please visit the NCMS website here.

VALUE ADDED BENEFITS

Special Pricing on Group Purchasing In collaboration with WCMS, the WNC Health Network is pleased to offer its Group Purchasing program to all WNC

physicians. The program is in conjunction with the Premier Purchasing Partners national contracting group and McKesson

Medical Distribution. The contract portfolio covers items from cotton balls to office supplies to copiers. The sign-up process is

simple and the savings potential for small to large practices can be significant. For more information, please contact Tim Bugg,

VP of Group Purchasing Member Services for the WNC Health Network, at 828.667.8220 or tim.bugg@wnchn.org.

To learn more about Provider Select MD Group Purchasing program, click here (Word document).

To learn more about clinically-related supplies, click here (Excel document).

To learn more about non-clinically related supplies, click here (Excel document).

To learn more about high risk medical malpractice coverage, click here (PDF file).

Special Pricing on EHR/PM Systems

WNC Health Network in conjunction with WCMS is pleased to offer your practice special pricing on your EHR/PM system.

Each practice's needs are different and we encourage your practice to diligently survey the marketplace for an

appropriate fit. We have obtained special pricing with:

Allscripts

Greenway

eClinicalWorks

Please contact Tim Bugg and WNC Health Network for pricing terms at 828-771-4223 or tim.bugg@wnchn.org.

8

(Continued from page 7)

Welcome WCMS Circle of Friends

For more information about The Van Winkle Law Firm go to www.mywcms.org

Click here to learn more about the WCMS Circle of Friends program and how you can participate.

Miriam Schwarz, CEO and Donna Wiedrich, Director of Member Services are pleased to announce that The Van Winkle Law

Firm is an inaugural member of the WCMS Circle of Friends Program. A by-invitation-only opportunity from the WCMS

members and approved by the WCMS Association Board, participation has many advantages, including numerous opportunities

to spend time with physicians.

If, as a WCMS member physician, you’d like to recommend a company to join the Circle of Friends Program or have comments

about companies in this program, please contact Miriam Schwarz, CEO/Executive Director of the Western Carolina Medical

Society at Miriam@mywcms.org.

Endorsed Vendors

Check out our Endorsed Vendor program! Member practices can save money using our endorsed vendors and WCMS receives a

revenue stream in return to help fund our physician-focused activities and programs. For more information contact Donna

Wiedrich at 828-274-2267 ext. 313 or email donna@mywcms.org or visit our website at http://www.mywcms.org/About/Partner

-with-us/Vendors.

ADN (Advanced Data and Network Solutions) (IT Management)

OneWhoServes, Inc. (IT Management)

Charter Communications (T1, WAN, Fiber Internet, Fiber Circuits to data centers)

The Technology Services Group of JPS (Accounting, Consulting & Technology Services)

Management Services on Call EMR Partners Consulting (EHR selection/implementation, Meaningful Use),

Pathways Medical Management (Practice Management)

Carolyn Coward, Van Winkle Law Firm (Healthcare Law)

Evolution Healthcare Consulting (Practice Management)

REGIONALIZATION

As part of our new strategic plan WCMS will be visiting practices out in the region to reach out to WNC physicians and identify

the challenges they are facing within their practices, then determine how WCMS can assist. We will have some exciting new

features to share with physicians and hope that we can build new relationships throughout the region and continue to provide

excellent services to our members. This is an exciting time of growth for our organization and we look forward to serving all

WNC physicians. If you are interested in having WCMS staff visit your practice please email Donna Wiedrich, Director of

Member Services, at donna@mywcms.org.

9

"The Physician's Voice" Media Series Highlights WCMS Physicians

The Physicians’ Voice is a media-based educational resource comprised of information provided by WCMS members, and

disseminated to media outlets throughout western North Carolina, on healthcare, medical and community topics that are relevant

and important to our general community.

Print articles and web posts are published in various media outlets, including: Asheville Citizen-Times, Mountain Xpress, The

Mountaineer, Hendersonville Times-News, Mitchell News Journal, Yancy Common Times Journal, The Yancey County News

and Smokey Mountain News, La Voz Independiate, WLOS, Asheville Radio Group and Clear Channel.

In 2012 and to date in 2013, the following WCMS physicians contributed to The Physician Voice. Listed are the doctors, their

practice and their topics:

Dr. Brent Jeffries, Asheville Gastroenterology Associates - Colon Cancer

Dr. Robin Matthews, Haywood Women’s Center - Cervical Cancer

Dr. Sesalie Smathers, Mountain Radiation Oncology - Breast Cancer Awareness

Dr. Kate Queen, Mountain Medical Associates/ Haywood Osteoporosis Center at MedWest - Osteoporosis

Dr. David Clements, Carolina Internal Medicine Associates - Cholesterol

Dr. Jon Morris, Palliative Coordinator, Four Seasons - Palliative Care

Dr. Todd Walenius, WNC Community Health Services - Infectious Diseases/HIV/Aids

Dr. Elise Rackoff, Advanced Dermatology and Skin Surgery - UV Safety

Dr. Lydia Jeffries, Asheville Women’s Medical Center - Menopause Awareness

Dr. Shannon Dowler, Family Physician and Chief Medical Officer , Blue Ridge Community Health Services –

Minority Health Awareness

Dr. Melissa Thingholl, Olson Huff Center for Child Development/Mission - Vaccines

Dr. Jim Cumming, Blue Ridge Premier Medicine - Nutrition

Dr. Rhoda B. Brosnan, Asheville Cardiology Associates - Women’s Heart Health

Dr. Susan Mims, VP for Women’s and Children’s at Mission Hospital/Medical Director for Mission Children’s

Hospital - Nutrition for Children

Dr. Kenneth Leetz, Biltmore Associates in Psychiatry and Psychology - Post Traumatic Stress

We thank our WCMS physicians for their participation!

It’s win-win-win

WIN!

The WCMS Interpreter Network

(WIN)

WIN provides professional interpretive services in over 20 foreign languages

and ASL to WNC health care providers, government agencies and businesses. WIN

helps patients communicate with their health care providers, while providing medical professionals with low-cost,

stress-free access to interpretive services.

Don’t let a language barrier

come between you and

providing quality

care to

your patients!

Call us today at 828.274.0950

WCMS Interpreter Network (WIN) 304 Summit Street • Asheville, NC 28803

Mary Jo Dukas, WIN Coordinator, maryjo@mywcms.org

WWW.MYWCMS.ORG

Professional WIN Interpreters

complete your medical team.

WIN:

makes it easy for your staff.

empowers your patients.

takes your interests to heart.

provides interpreters you can

trust.

WIN provides interpretive services in over 20 foreign languages, ASL, ASL Tactile (for blind and deaf ), Albanian, Arabic,

Chinese, Farsi, French, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Hungarian, Japanese, Korean, Moldovan, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Visaya.

11

2013 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN HELPING OUR COMMUNITY NAVIGATE HEALTHCARE CHANGE

The Western Carolina Medical Society serves our vulnerable populations and is helping our community navigate the changing

healthcare environment.

Our community’s needs during these uncertain times include:

Project Access® in Buncombe County. Can we continue to offer free health care in 2013 in order to serve those in

greatest need?

WCMS Interpreter Network. Can we help more of our low-income, limited English proficient community in WNC

communicate with their providers?

Charles Blair Health Parity Scholarship Fund. Can we grow the scholarship fund for minorities who want to go to

medical school?

2013-2015 WCMS Strategic Plan business and physician initiatives. Can we bring physicians, businesses, and

community members together to connect patients to wellness, prevention and health promotion offerings?

The WCMS Foundation - Helping our Community Navigate Healthcare Change

Learn More / Log in now http://mywcms.org/wecare

Watch for our mailing to your home this month. We urge you to Care About Our Healthcare

Future and give generously to the WCMS Foundation Annual Campaign when it arrives or go to

http://mywcms.org/wecare donate.

Help us help our community navigate the changes in healthcare - now and in the future!

Take Advantage of Marketing Opportunities with WCMS and the Community

Preferred Position Advertisers for the Bulletin Advertiser receives 1/8 page (vertical or horizontal) promotional ad space located in our most popular sections of the Bulletin: President’s Message, Foundation Chair Report, Foundation Update, Association Update, Physicians’ News or Welcome to New WCMS Members. Distributed to 1,500 WNC physicians, practice managers, health care leaders, business leaders, legislators, and more! *WCMS Member Special- receive 20% discount

Vital Signs E-Newsletter—ONLY A FEW ISSUES LEFT!

Community Pulse E-Newsletter — SOLD OUT! Provides timely information about the Western Carolina Medical Society, its Foundation and Association programs and critical announcements geared specifically to non-WCMS members and community members, supporters and leaders across WNC. Distributed monthly - 3000+ non- member physicians, donors & supporters, community leaders and volunteers

Code Combo Package $1,500 BEST VALUE* Four (4) Vital Signs E Newsletter exclusive ad sponsorships Twelve (12) months exposure on WCMS Website Home Page Cube Two (2) Community Pulse E Newsletter exclusive ad sponsorships (we will substitute Bulletin Preferred Position advertising space)

Click here to view these and all 2013 WCMS Sponsorships and Marketing Opportunities

12

Physicians’ News

(Continued on page 13)

WNCPA Holds Its William Bruce Awards Dinner for Physicians and Psychologists

On Wednesday, February 27, the Western North Carolina Psychological Association

hosted the “William Bruce” awardees and local physicians at a dinner honoring

Dominique Huneycutt, J.D., Ph.D. and Cindy Brown, M.D. at the Grovewood Café. The

dinner began in 1994 and has become an annual event to gather Western North Carolina’s

psychologists and physicians interested in the art of interdisciplinary collaboration. Karen

Marcus, Psy.D., WNCPA president, was emcee.

Drs. Huneycutt and Brown were honored with this year’s William Bruce Award, as have

been others of the two disciplines and two members of the Asheville media over the 17-

year history of the event. In 1996, William Bruce, Ph.D. was the award’s first

psychologist recipient, along with a physician colleague with whom he helped to foster

interdisciplinary cooperation within the MAHEC Family Practice residency-training

program in Asheville, among psychology, mental health, and behavioral medicine. The

dinner and award ceremony have come to be called informally “the M.D.—Ph.D.

dinner.”

Collaboration with physicians has been an extensive part of Dr. Dominique Huneycutt’s clinical practice. Additionally, she has

collaborated with attorneys in the forensic aspects of her practice with children and families. WNCPA is in her debt for her

unstinting leadership of the association over the past few years.

Dr. Cindy Brown is a dynamic physician who performs and oversees child-abuse evaluations for Buncombe County. She

helped create and grow the child-focused approach used in the County, and she values the contribution of psychologists and

other mental-health providers for abused children.

In addition to remarks from the two awardees, the attendees also had the treat of hearing WNCPA member, Dr. Ed Hamlin’s

talk about the neuropsychology of trauma and stress resilience. Dr. Hamlin is a specialist in applied neuroscience and director

of the Center for the Advancement of Human Potential in Asheville.

WNCPA seeks ways of strengthening collaborative relationships with members of other professions and groups, too, whose

concerns for our mutual patients or clients overlap with those of psychologists.

Reprinted from The North Carolina Psychologist, with permission.

Local physician appointed to leadership roles with international organization

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the preeminent provider of musculoskeletal education

to orthopaedic surgeons and others in the world, has appointed local orthopaedic surgeon Gordon I. Groh,

MD, to several leadership roles with the organization.

A board-certified specialist in shoulder, elbow and hand surgery at Blue Ridge Bone & Joint in Asheville

and Hendersonville for the past 18 years, Dr. Groh has been named to the AAOS Shoulder and Elbow

Program Committee, an educational body of select leading national and international orthopaedic surgeons

who specialize in surgery of the shoulder and elbow.

He has also been reappointed to the Education Subcommittee for the 2013 AAOS annual meeting to be held in Chicago in

March. In addition, he will present a course on “Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty – Beyond the Basics,” at that meeting, the

Gordon Groh, MD

Dominique Huneycutt, JD, PhD

& Cindy Brown, MD.

13

(Continued from page 12)

Karen L. Dedman, MD Asheville-based Family practitioner Retires After 28 Years of Practice

Dr. Karen L. Dedman of Cannon Family Health has recently announced her retirement from private practice. After a sabbatical

she will pursue other ways to serve the medical needs of our community.

Dr. Dedman started her professional journey in medical school at Rush Medical

College in Chicago, and then completed her residency at MAHEC. She began medical

practice at the Valley Clinic in Bat Cave in 1984 through the National Health Service

Corp. In 2009 she returned to Asheville and started Community Family Practice with

Drs. Martha Salyers and Robert Kline. In 2009 Dr. Dedman joined Cannon Family

Health.

“After 28 years of practice I am stepping back from private practice to pay more

attention to my own practice of good health- eat better, exercise and enjoy my

grandchildren. The demands of a full time practice have brought me to this important

decision, and it’s time for me to move into a new stage in my life,” notes Dedman.

“We live in a fabulous medical community and I am so grateful to Dr. Cannon and our staff and to all of my patients over the

years. I am also grateful for my husband’s support throughout my career. As bittersweet as it is to retire, I look forward to

practicing what I have been advocating all these years for others.”

Her medical partner, Daniel Cannon M.D. commented on her departure “Dr. Dedman will be missed by staff and patients. Her

excellence in care and conscientious, personal approach, have been a boon to Cannon Family Health. I wish her well in her

future endeavors.”

Dr. Dedman conveyed the following. “In Family Medicine I have had the privilege of working with patients of all ages, some

for decades, through pregnancy, birth, infancy, childhood, adulthood and until death. What a tremendous honor to be entrusted

with the care of these families”.

Dr. Dedman is married to Tennessean Scott Dedman who is the Executive Director of Mountain Housing Opportunities. They

have two sons - Jesse who lives with his wife and two children in Puerto Rico (with one on the way) and Ben who resides in

China. “I am happy to be able to spend more time with my grandkids and children,” added Dr. Dedman.

largest gathering of orthopedic surgeons in the world, with some 30,000 attendees expected.

Dr. Groh is recognized nationally for his expertise, having been named one of the 65 Outstanding Shoulder Surgeons and

Specialists in the country by Becker's Orthopedic, Spine & Pain Management Review. He is also one of only four orthopaedic

surgeons in the nation to hold memberships in the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) society as well as the

American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH).

He is Assistant Editor for the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, the official publication for eight leading specialty

organizations focusing on medical, surgical, and physical techniques for treating injury and disease of the upper extremity, and is

a reviewer for the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, a twice-monthly peer review journal for orthopaedic surgeons and

researchers.

Karen Dedman, MD

(Continued on page 14)

14

(Continued from page 13)

(Continued on page 15)

Asheville Anesthesia Associates has been recognized by the Medical Group Management Association

(MGMA) for its “Superior Performance” compared with similar medical groups nationwide. The

MGMA award is given to medical practices that have demonstrated superior performance in cost

management, productivity, capacity and staffing, and patient satisfaction. This is the second

consecutive year that Asheville Anesthesia has received this award. The MGMA’s Performance and Practices of Successful

Medical Groups report has been the nationally recognized benchmarking standard among medical groups for more than a decade.

“Our practice is dedicated to providing the highest quality of anesthesia services to the people of Western North Carolina,” said

Dr. Rodney Pugh, President and Chair of Asheville Anesthesia Associates. “This MGMA award recognizes the efforts of our

staff and our practice’s commitment to the patients, hospitals and surgical facilities that we serve.”

Asheville Anesthesia has served Western North Carolina for over 40 years and provides anesthesia and perioperative

management services to area hospitals and surgery centers throughout the region. MGMA member medical practices represent

more than 40 percent of the physicians providing healthcare services in the United States.

WCMS’ Cutting Edge highlights WNC physicians, practices and programs that are on the cutting edge of healthcare

transformation, both big and small. WCMS supports local physician members who are change agents by recognizing them and

sharing among other WCMS members and the general community information about these local innovations. If you know of

such a physician or practice, please contact Donna Wiedrich at or Nancy Caine WCMS and we will check it out.

________________________________

The Western Carolina Medical Society recently interviewed WCMS member Dr. S. Mark McNeill from Trillium Family Medicine as the first in a series highlighting health innovation practices in Western NC. The Perfect Practice

Early in the morning before the first patient arrives and after the patient portal and emails are

checked, Trillium Family Medicine starts with “the huddle.” Sole practitioner Dr. Mark McNeill,

practice manager Jill LaBelle, and medical assistant Tammy Jessup gather to plan and prioritize

for the day. Trillium is one of a number of independent small practices in WNC that are

successfully challenging conventional thinking about the capacity of small practices to be

financially stable while growing and delivering quality care in a cost-efficient manner.

Why Trillium? Why Now?

Dr. McNeill lives by the credo “Think out of the box and embrace change.” Dr. McNeill’s journey began when he worked in

New Zealand in their healthcare system, where average overhead is significantly lower than in

the United States. In the family medicine practices where Dr. McNeill worked thereafter, he

became an “electronic czar,” enjoying the EHR experience, becoming known as the “Agent of

Change.” These experiences evolved into the idea and model for his “perfect practice.” His

goal was to establish a low-overhead model right here in WNC, using technology as his key

tool.

McNeill starts by saying, “The days of running a practice as in the past are long gone. I sought

to create a low overhead office using the technology available. The key is to train patients to

use a web-based patient portal as their primary form of communication instead of the

telephone. The patient portal is the pivotal component. It is a customized/modified version of E-Clinical Works – a product that

suited my needs.”

The Cutting Edge (New!)

Dr. McNeill’s goal was to

establish a low-overhead

model right here in

WNC using technology

as his key tool.

“The key is to train patients to

use a web-based patient

portal as their primary form

of communication instead

of the telephone. “

-S. Mark McNeill, MD

Asheville Anesthesia Associates recognized for superior performance

15

(Continued on page 16)

(Continued from page 14)

Trillium’s Mission

Trillium Family Medicine is committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered, high-quality care that is available to

patients from children through adulthood. Through efficient use of office staff and information technology, they believe that they

are able to offer exceptionally accessible and personal care in a comfortable atmosphere.

A technology-based practice means patient-centered workflow with less staff and with greater

efficiency. Dr. McNeill finds that the accessibility created by the use of the patient portal

significantly reduces patient anxiety and improves the doctor-patient relationship. Pre-

appointment interviews are done via the web patient portal. The staff reviews patient

information ahead of time, which saves documentation time; since the online documents are tied

to the EHR, the practice achieves great time savings and efficiency. Because most of the patient’s

health data is collected via the portal, during the actual patient appointment Dr. McNeill spends

most of his time talking directly with the patient, making eye contact, and strengthening the physician-patient relationship,

instead of entering data in the exam room.

The Patient Portal- Access is the Answer

Patients may login 24/7 to schedule their own appointment at their convenience. “Patients are

trained on the portal at their first visit and encouraged to use it. 70% of our patients use the patient

portal for scheduling appointments and information uploads. This number continues to grow. This

approach appeals to the younger generations as well as older patients so inclined to use

technology,” says Dr. McNeill. Dr. McNeill and his staff at Trillium Family Medicine highly value

accessibility. McNeill continues, “We have an ‘open access’ schedule which is different than

most practices in the area. This means we do not fill up the schedule weeks ahead of time like most

practices. We make sure that there are same day and next day appointments available every

day. Same day sick appointments will not be turned away. In addition to this you will always see your physician rather than

being passed around to whichever doctor is available when you feel ill.”

“Only needing to see 16 patients on average a day allows us greater flexibility in the schedule,” adds McNeill. “We encourage

our patients to make their follow up appointments only a few days in advance to avoid having my scheduled booked out days or

weeks. This eliminates no-shows considerably and the need for re-scheduling. With availability being one of our core values

having a flexible open access schedule is crucial to what we are trying to create.”

Use of the patient portal also allows patients unprecedented access 24/7 to their primary care physician. Dr. McNeill uses

secured emails on the patient portal to communicate with his patients. He says that they love it because they get to hear from him

directly rather than being passed through nurses and other personnel. He responds to all emails himself and finds it is not hard or

time-consuming. The emails are checked early in the morning then every 2 hours

throughout the day for a timely response.

McNeill adds, “By using the latest technology in the form of a secure patient portal,

you can get what you need quickly by securely messaging me, including

prescription refill requests, lab requests and routine questions. During our business

hours these messages are dealt with the same day and quickly. The portal also

allows our patients to schedule their own appointments. This means no waiting for the office to open and waiting on hold.”

What does “growth” mean to Dr. McNeill? Growth occurs when 1) the Trillium mission is

fulfilled for his patients 2) Trillium maintains its high-value level of service as the practice

expands 3) in the future others can follow such models successfully—it will be a victory for

independent practices to be able to not only survive but thrive in an era of healthcare reform.

How is Trillium positioning itself to handle or manage various aspects of healthcare reform? Dr.

McNeill answers by saying, “We know there will be a flood of people looking for doctors.

A technology-based

practice means patient-

centered workflow with

less staff and with

greater efficiency.

“70% of our patients use

the patient portal for

scheduling appointments

and information uploads. “

-S. Mark McNeill, MD

“By using the latest technology in the

form of a secure patient portal, you can

get what you need quickly …”

-S. Mark McNeill, MD

Others can follow such

models successfully—it will

be a victory for

independent practices...

16

(Continued from page 15)

Being able to do electronic visits through the portal will be crucial to accommodate the

influx. Common issues - such as urinary tract infections, colds, and high blood pressure

follow-up - can be ideal for electronic visits. Also, the type of care we give is the type of

high value care that will be incentivized more in the future by both private and public

payers.”

Trillium is not a boutique practice; the practice takes Medicare and Medicaid patients.

According to practice manager Jill Labelle, “All insurances that Dr. McNeill took at his

previous practices he is taking now. Dr. McNeill provides care to the uninsured and participates in all of the insurances—both

public and private—offered in the region. His payer mix is estimated as 35% Medicare/Medicaid, 5% uninsured and the rest

private insurance.”

Who were helpful influencers in creating Trillium? McNeill credits some other national and local innovators with his success. “Dr. Steven Crane was a huge influence. Also, Dr.

John Bachman at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Allen Wenner in Columbia, SC, former MAHEC colleague Dr. Betsey Sorenson, and East

Asheville Family Health were extremely helpful and had good ideas.”

We asked Dr. McNeill what advice he would give to other independent practices struggling to find ways not only to serve but

thrive as healthcare reform takes hold.

1. Collaboration. The ideas are there. Good literature on the subject is available. “You do not need to re-invent the

wheel.”

2. Use models of innovation. “I feel good knowing there are exciting options available… seek them out.”

3. Keep lean with low overhead. “This allows you more flexibility on how to run your office."

4. Embrace technology. “This is the key to maximizing efficiency, so build your processes around it.”

5. Think out of the box and embrace change.

Trillium Family Medicine, PLLC

S. Mark McNeill, MD

675 Biltmore Ave, Suite F

Asheville, NC

http://www.trilliumfamilymedicine.com

828-772-8673

“We know there will be a flood of

people looking for doctors. Being

able to do electronic visits

through the portal will be crucial

to accommodate the influx. “

-S. Mark McNeill, MD

Embrace technology. It is the key

to maximizing efficiency.

Be sure to visit and contribute to the WCMS Cutting Edge Blog!

We have launched a new strategic effort that highlights health innovations throughout the region via

our new Cutting Edge blog. We will be featuring WNC physicians, practices and programs that are on

the cutting edge of healthcare transformation, both big and small. WCMS supports local physician

members who are change agents by recognizing them and sharing among other WCMS members and

the general community information about these local innovations. Our first featured practice was

Trillium Family Health, founded by Dr. Mark McNeill. Check out the Cutting Edge blog here.

If you know of any physicians or practices that are stepping outside of the box, please contact Donna

Wiedrich at donna@mywcms.org or Nancy Caine at nancy@mywcms.org and we will check it out. S. Mark McNeill, MD

17

Public Health Corner

Jennifer Mullendore, MD Buncombe County Department of Public Health

Tdap Clinics for Rising 6th Graders in Buncombe County

Per NC General Statute (130A-152) and Administrative Code [10A NCAC 41A .0401 (a) (1) (C)], all

public school students entering the 6th grade who have had their last tetanus/diphtheria vaccine five or

more years ago must have a booster dose of the Tdap vaccine before the first day of school.

At the start of the 2012-13 school year, 1373 or 59% of Buncombe County sixth-graders did

not have their Tdap.

Most of these students received their Tdap during the following 30 days, but this

resulted in long lines and wait times at the BCHD Immunization Clinic as well as

many phone calls and last minute visits to your offices.

Any student who has not provided written documentation of this booster dose of Tdap (or a valid medical or

religious exemption to this vaccine) to their school within 30 days after enrollment in the 6th grade will be excluded

from school until documentation is provided.

In an effort to make it easier for parents to meet this state requirement prior to the start of the school year, the Buncombe

County Department of Health will be offering Tdap vaccines to all rising sixth-graders at each of the Asheville City and

Buncombe County public schools and charter schools during April 2013. Unlike last year when these clinics were held in the

evening, this year we will be administering the vaccines during the school day based on written parental consent.

While we also would like to offer each of these students the recommended adolescent vaccines against meningococcal disease

and human papillomavirus (HPV), issues with payment make provision of these vaccines in the school setting a bit more

complicated. This year we will pilot offering the Tdap, meningococcal (Menactra) and HPV (Gardasil) vaccines in one

charter school and one Asheville City school to determine whether this is something we could offer to all schools next year.

The Buncombe County Department of Health strongly supports primary care and the patient-centered medical home. We know

that the most important factor in a patient’s or a parent’s decision to immunize themselves or their child is a

recommendation from their doctor. In our letter to parents about these clinics, we inform them that other vaccines are

recommended for children at this age and that they may take their child to their private doctor for these vaccines if they prefer.

However, we all know that preteens and teens often fail to see their primary care providers regularly. By providing these

vaccines in the school, we are offering parents an easy way to make a healthy choice as well as meet a state requirement. If

primary care providers do not want their patients to participate in these clinics, we are asking them to contact these patients in

advance.

If you have any questions or comments about our vaccination efforts, please contact me at

Jennifer.Mullendore@buncombecounty.org or (828) 250-6308.

Jennifer Mullendore, MD, MSPH

Medical Director

Buncombe County Department of Health

Jennifer Mullendore, MD

18

Welcome New WCMS Members—Buncombe County

Robbie Buechler, MD (Sleep Medicine) Dr. Buechler received his Medical Degree from Chicago Medical School. Dr. Buechler completed his internship and

residency with Duke University Medical Center. He also completed a fellowship at The Mayo Clinic. Dr. Buechler is

associated with Mountain Sleep.

Megan Daw, MD (Obstetrics/Gynecology)

Dr. Daw received her Medical Degree from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Dr. Daw completed her internship

and residency at University of California at San Francisco. She also completed a fellowship at Advocate Lutheran General

Hospital. Dr. Daw is associated with Western Carolina Women's Specialty Center, PA.

Todd Hodges, MD (Family Medicine) Dr. Hodges received his Medical Degree from The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. Dr. Hodges

completed his internship at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Department of Family Medicine. Dr. Hodges is associated

with The Family Health Centers.

Stephen Hoover, Jr., MD (Hand Surgery) Dr. Hoover received his Medical Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. Dr.

Hoover completed his residency at UNC Memorial Hospital. He also completed a fellowship at Mary S. Stern Hand

Fellowship. Dr. Hoover is associated with Carolina Hand & Sports Medicine.

Renju Joseph, MD (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) Dr. Joseph received his Medical Degree from Ross University. Dr. Joseph completed his internship and residency at

University of Cincinnati. Dr. Joseph is associated with Carolinas Center for Advanced Management of Pain.

Ellen Kaczmarek, MD (Geriatrics) Dr. Kaczmarek received her Medical Degree from SUNY Syracuse New York. Dr. Kaczmarek completed her internship and

residency at Rochester General Hospital. Dr. Kaczmarek is associated with Mission Hospital Senior Services.

Nicole Groves, MD (Pediatrics)

Dr. Groves received her Medical Degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School - Minneapolis. Dr.

Groves completed her internship and residency with University of Minnesota. Dr. Groves is associated with

Mission Children's Specialists.

(Continued on page 22)

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19

Welcome New WCMS Members—Buncombe County (Cont.)

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Welcome New WCMS Members—WNC

Javid Baksh, DO (Anesthesiology)

Dr. Baksh received his Medical Degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Dr. Baksh

completed his internship at Sisters of Charity and his residency at SUNY Buffalo. Dr. Baksh is associated with

Swain Hospital Pain Management Clinic.

John Caldemeyer, MD (Diagnostic Radiology)

Dr. Caldemeyer received his Medical Degree from Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Caldemeyer

completed his residency at NC Baptist Hospital. Dr. Caldemeyer is associated with Hendersonville Radiological.

Brie Folkner, MD (Family Medicine)

Dr. Folkner received her Medical Degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine. Dr. Folkner

completed her internship and residency at MAHEC Family Medicine. Dr. Folkner is associated with Chad

Smoker, MD.

Aysha Inankur, MD (Internal Medicine - Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism)

Dr. Inankur received her Medical Degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Dr. Inankur

completed her internship and residency at Kettering Medical Center. Dr. Inankur is associated with Park Ridge

Health Endocrinology.

Zane Kalter, MD (Pediatrics)

Dr. Kalter received his Medical Degree from New York University School of Medicine. Dr. Kalter completed his

internship and residency at NYU - Bellevue Hospital Center. He also completed a residency at NYU - Bellevue

Hospital Center. Dr. Kalter is associated with McDowell Pediatrics.

Leigh Anne Schwietz, MD (Allergy and Immunology)

Dr. Schwietz received her Medical Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. Dr.

Schwietz completed her internship and residency at David Grant USAF Medical Center. She also completed a

fellowship at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center. Dr. Schwietz is associated with Allergy Partners.

Emile Karl Ventre III, MD (Anesthesiology)

Dr. Ventre received his Medical Degree from Louisiana State University Medical Center. Dr. Ventre completed his

internship and residency at Lafayette Charity Hospital. He also completed his anesthesiology residency at Louisiana

State University Hospital. Dr. Ventre is associated with Asheville Anesthesia Associates.

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20

Gary Mauldin, MD (Anesthesiology)

Dr. Mauldin received his Medical Degree from Medical College o Georgia. Dr. Mauldin completed his internship and

residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch - Galveston. Dr. Mauldin is associated with Sylva

Anesthesiology, PA.

Donna McGee, MD (Family Medicine)

Dr. McGee received her Medical Degree from UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine. Dr. McGee completed her

internship at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center and residency at Family Medicine at Spartanburg Regional

Medical System. Dr. McGee is associated with Park Ridge Medical Associates.

Thomas McGee, Jr., MD (Dermatology)

Dr. McGee received his Medical Degree from the University of Tennessee. Dr. McGee completed his internship and

residency at Methodist Hospital, Memphis. He also completed a fellowship at Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.

Dr. McGee is associated with McGee Dermatology Clinic.

Ananda Vieages, MD (Family Medicine)

Dr. Vieages received her Medical Degree from The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. Dr.

Vieages completed her internship and residency at MAHEC Family Medicine. Dr. Vieages is associated with Family

Medicine-Glenwood.

Betsy Walker, MD (Hospice & Palliative Medicine)

Dr. Walker received her Medical Degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Walker completed her

residency at Anderson Area Medical Center. Dr. Walker is associated with Four Seasons Compassion for Life.

Welcome New WCMS Members—WNC (Cont.)

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Introducing the

Early Career Physicians’ Section of the WCMS

The Early Career Physicians’ Section of the WCMS is our newest physician-led affinity group

focusing on physicians within their first eight (8) years of professional practice after residency

and fellowship training. The ECPS will consist of social and/or informational events giving

physicians who are early in their career—many new to our region—an opportunity to meet,

network, and lend support as they transition into practice.

Ananda Vieages, MD, WCMS Board Member and 2011 MAHEC graduate, affiliated with

Family Medicine of Glenwood will be helping to spearhead the ECP Section.

If you are a WNC physician within your first eight years of practice, save the date, and come

out and join your peers for a pint on May 16th at Highland Brewing Company at 6:00pm. More

details and RSVP information coming soon.

For questions or more information about the Early Career Physicians’ Section contact Nancy

Caine, Member Services Coordinator, at 828-274-2267 ext. 310 or nancy@mywcms.org.

Thursday, May 16th, 2013 6:00—8:00pm

Highland Brewing Company Asheville, NC

Early Career Physicians’ Section of the