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The 2015 JPMS Board Takes Flight

On Friday, January 16th, Dr. Ralph Katz was formally installed as the 57th President of Jefferson Parish Medical Society. The recently restored Terminal at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport was the setting for the annual dinner-dance where members and guests enjoyed this Art Deco architectural masterpiece featuring artwork by Enrique Alferez and Xavier Gonzales while small planes took off and landed just outside.

Dr. Katz is an Orthopedist and Spine Surgeon practicing in Marrero. Joining him in the leadership are Dr. Greg Sossaman, a Pathologist at Ochsner serving as Vice President, Dr. Pablo Labadie, a Urologist at West Jefferson Medical Center as Secretary, Dr. John Wales, director of Emergency Medicine at East Jefferson General Hospital as our new Treasurer, and Dr. Gabriel Rodriguez-Rivera, a Nephrologist with New Orleans Nephrology Associates who practices on the west bank as the Chair of the Board of Censors, our membership committee. The two members-at-large to the Board are Dr. Tanya Busenlener, a Pediatrician who practices at Ochsner Children’s Metairie Clinic on Veterans and Dr. Mark Rice, an Emergency Medicine specialist at West Jefferson Medical Center who begins his first year on the Board.

– continued on page three

Vol. 48, No.1 Spring, 2015

Ralph P. Katz, M.D., President

Progress NotesOFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF JEFFERSON MEDICAL SOCIETY, INC.

The 2015 JPMS Board of Directors pose for a group photo during the January Installation Gala (first row left to right) Dr. Beau Raymond, Immediate Past President; Dr. Ralph Katz, President; Dr. Greg Sossaman, Vice President; (back row left to right) Dr. Mark Rice, Member-at-Large; Dr. Gabe Rivera-Rodriguez; Chairman of the Board of Censors; Dr. Tanya Busenlener, Member-at-Larger; and Dr. Pablo Labadie, Secretary. Missing from the photo are Dr. John Wales, Treasurer and Dr. Robert McCord, Second District Councilor.

2 JPMS | SPRING 20122 JPMS | SPRING 2015

Patient advocacy and professional development through physician leadership

Who Will Decide Your Fate?Membership is the single most important issue we face.

Without members we cannot exist. With limited membership we can only accomplish so much. Some simple facts! The Jefferson Parish Medical Society membership has declined every year since 2005. In 2005, active membership was approximately 500. At our height in membership in 1996, we had nearly 600 members. Data from Louisiana State Medical Society (LSMS) shows there are roughly 1348 MD’s in Jefferson Parish of which only 394 are current members of JPMS, just 29%. Of the 1348 approximately 340 are employed. This should be cause for concern.

This problem is not isolated to the JPMS. The Orleans Parish Medical Society is going through tough times as well. The LSMS has struggled with membership too. Since 2004, LSMS membership was down almost 20% across the state and only represents 34% of practicing doctors. This should be cause for concern.

First let me state the obvious, because you are reading this, you have made the commitment to participate and I as well as the JPMS Board thank you. This article is directed to the 950 physicians who have not made the decision to join JPMS. So please hear me out and take this message back to them.

I realize that all of us have allegiances and memberships to other medical societies that require both time and money. But in the end, I believe it’s the grass roots organizations that can help all physicians improve our ability to practice. Dues are expensive and to be a member of the JPMS and LSMS it costs $650 a year ($250 for JPMS and $400 for LSMS). Heck, my specialty Society only costs $900 a year for membership. So, there is strong competition for your limited resources.

All physicians have limited budgets. Some have more restricted budgets than others like the employed physicians. In the past, we have tried to get the hospitals to cover their membership with only limited success. There is also a large group of private MD who are not members. So, I ask: Is it the cost of membership that is preventing these doctors from joining? Maybe, but I think it’s deeper than just the cost. Some physicians choose not to be part of JPMS because they do not feel it offers them value. Other physicians may feel that their single voice does not matter. Some feel the legislature does what it wants and does not really care what we think. Here in lies the problems. Budgets, apathy, lack of interest, value, and the list goes on.

My question to you is; how do you convince a fellow physician there is meaning and value in making the decision to join? I would answer by saying that local medical societies help formulate and influence legislation that affects all of us.

An example of this is the resolution that JPMS put forth to defining and differentiate a physician-MD from others who call themselves doctors. This resulted in legislation. Other resolutions that led to legislative successes prevented bundling of reimbursements for episodes of care to hospitals which precluded independent billing by physicians and penalties for frivolous lawsuits. Unfortunately the legislature has the authority to expand scope of practice for allied health care providers. Case in point was the debacle with the legislation that gave the optometrist’s expansive scope of practice. It was demoralizing and costly. It was not our finest hour. One can assume that if we had more members that participated in a call to action this may have been averted. To its credit, the Louisiana Orthopedic

Association has repeatedly defeated the physical therapist attempts to gain direct access to patient care. Similarly, JPMS has influenced legislation that has had positive effects. This is value.

As a group of physicians we should have a common goal to support the practice of medicine, regardless what specialty we are in. If we cannot help ourselves, we cannot expect anyone else to help us. If we do not increase our membership, we may

be forced to take a hard look at how we function as a medical society. We are circulating regular action alerts during this Legislative Session to members and non-members. Maybe 950 non-member doctors will respond to our call to action. As for the cost, we may have to consider restructuring or offer additional incentives such as discounts at restaurants, etc.

In closing, bring this message to all non-members, all those not pictured in our directory or listed on the JPMS website directory. Ask them to join if not for themselves but for their patients. Do it for the good of our profession and our patients. JPMS is planning to be more active in local politics. We can host forums for political candidates and possibly support candidates that will help our causes. Will non-members be motivated to join? If anyone has any other suggestions I asked that you forward your suggestions for creating more value to me or to Charlene at the JPMS office. Your Board wants to hear from you.

The stakes are high, medicine is changing, and it’s more important than any other time to be active in deciding our fate. Thank you for listening.

Ralph P. Katz, M.D. President

PRESIDENT’S NOTES

Dr. Beau Raymond passes the gavel to 2015 JPMS President, Dr. Ralph Katz

JPMS Board – continued from page oneOther Board members recognized were Dr. Beau Raymond,

an Internal Medicine specialist who recently was named Vice President, Physician Practice Administrator and Chief Medical Information Officer at East Jefferson General Hospital, and Dr. Robert McCord, an internist practicing in River Ridge, our representative to the LSMS Board as 2nd District Councilor.

Following an important tradition, JPMS presented scholarships to 2 deserving medical students. The scholarship fund was established in 1978 to assist medical students with the financial demands of medical school. Your donations each year make this possible. Applications were solicited from medical students statewide. We received applications from 43 extremely talented future colleagues who were involved in leadership in organized medicine, at their respective institutions, and/or in our community. JPMS proudly presented the scholarships to two impressive fourth year students Jake Trahan, III who will graduate from LSU Health Science Center and Nadine Kakas who finishes at LSU Shreveport in May.

A delicious gourmet menu and dancing to the music of The Wise Guys propelled JPMS members and guests through this memorable evening. A grateful JPMS thanks our generous platinum sponsors Blue Williams,

LAMMICO, and Medtronic along with our gold sponsors AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana, Eagle Capital Management, MRI of Louisiana and The Practice Protection Fund. Their support created a perfect evening from takeoff to landing.

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JPMS Past Presidents at the 2015 Installation (bottom row, left to right) Dr. Kate Sullivan, Dr. Beau Raymond, and Dr. Dolleen Licciardi; (middle row, left to right) Dr. Harris Blackman, Dr. Tim Irwin, Dr. Bennie Nobles, and Dr. Tod Engelhardt; (back row, left to right) Dr. Bart Farris, Dr. Robert Chugden, Dr. Mohammed Suleman, Dr. Andy Leonard and Dr. Robert Brousse.

Dr. Vijay Patel and Dr. Adil Fatakia and guests enjoying an evening of networking at Mid-City Lanes on Friday, March 6th at the JPMS-OPMS Rock N Bowl Party.

JPMS Networking

Dr. David and Angela Klibert and Dr. Elise and Mark Nicaud visit at the JPMS Wine tasting at the Oak Wine Bar

4 JPMS | SPRING 2015

The 2015 Legislature AssemblesMonday, April 13th marked the

opening of the 2015 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. The session continues until the gavel falls at 6 p.m. on June 11th. Tough challenges face our elected officials charged with balancing a budget with a $1.6 shortfall for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. Fiscal issues are debated by our Legislators in odd-numbered years. Reductions in refundable tax credits and state workers along with funding for universities and health care are among the items up for discussion to balance the 2015-2016 budget.

The LSMS Council on Legislation under the chairmanship of Dr. Robert Bass of Alexandria and Jennifer Marusak, LSMS Vice President of Governmental Affairs is following 85 pieces of legislation and has sponsored the introduction of 3.

HB 573 by Representative Chris Hazel of Pineville establishes procedures for the investigation and adjudication of alleged violations by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. These procedures clarify the causes for the suspension or revocation of a license to practice, requires that the complaint be in writing, and that an expert panel be

convened to examine the complaint and provide a written report of findings.

SB 256 by Senator Danny Martiny concerns the worker’s compensation closed formulary and provides that the director shall appoint the members of the Closed Pharmacy Formulary Oversight Panel which shall develop and update the formulation of a closed pharmacy formulary. With the assistance of the Closed Pharmacy Formulary Oversight Panel, the director shall promulgate

rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, to establish, maintain, and update a closed pharmacy formulary. HCR 10 by Representative Richard Buford from

Stonewall suspends rules of the La. Board of Pharmacy that invalidate prescriptions with computer generated electronic signatures. This concurrent resolution addresses concerns that the state rule goes beyond national standards and imposes additional expenses on the pharmacy and the medical provider.

JPMS will provide regular updates and alerts during the session by email and fax. Information will also be posted on the JPMS website (www.jpms.org).

You can’t change anything unless you get involved. Thanks in advance for your involvement in this important activity of organized medicine.

Patient advocacy and professional development through physician leadership

Publication of the Jefferson ParishMedical Society

K. Barton Farris, M.D., Editor

Charlene Baudier, Associate Editor

4937 Hearst St., Suite 2B Metairie, LA 70001

504-455-8282

Progress Notes

JPMS delegates Drs. Robert Chugden, Beau Raymond, Harry Vorhaben, Robert McCord, Mark Rice, Rick Paddock and new LSMS President, Dr. Dolleen Licciardi were among the physicians who formulated medicine’s legislative agenda.

Tough challenges face our elected officials charged with balancing a budget…

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SPOTLIGHTSn Good As Gold are the JPMS members who graduated

from medical school in 1965 and celebrating their Golden Anniversary this year. We salute Dr. David A. Debessonet, Dr. Louis J. Escalada, Dr. John J. Finn, Jr., Dr. Thomas Irwin, Jr., Dr. Juan Labadie, Dr. Jimmie L. Mains, Dr. I. Ricardo Martinez, Dr. William Pusateri, and Dr. Janos Voros.

n JPMS is grateful to the following physicians who traveled to Baton Rouge January 30th and 31st to represent us at the 2015 LSMS House of Delegates meeting: Drs. Luis Arencibia, Robert Brousse, Tanya Busenlener, Vernon Carriere, Jr., Robert Chugden, Candace Cutrone, Janet Higgins, William M. Long, Ricardo Martinez, Harold Miller, Beau Raymond, Mark Rice, Gabe Rivera-Rodriguez, Ken Smith, Kate Sullivan, and Harry Vorhaben, with special delegates Drs. Bart Farris, Stormy Johnson, Dolleen Licciardi, Robert McCord, Rick Paddock and Greg Sossaman. Thanks for your personal time and able representation.

n Congratulations to JPMS Health Care Heroes Dr. Fortune Dugan, Dr. Stephen LaGuardia, and Dr. Bennie Nobles all among the 10 physicians being honored on May 15th by New Orleans CityBusiness for giving back to the community in volunteerism.

n JPMS recognizes the accomplishments of several JPMS spouses. Katherine Raymond (Dr. Beau), current president of the Junior League of New Orleans who proudly accepted the Junior League Award for Vision presented by the Association of Junior Leagues International. Lorraine Cucchiara (Dr. Charles), current president of the East Jefferson General Hospital Auxiliary, is leading the fundraising activities of this important organization working for the betterment of our community since 1971. Anna Arshad (Dr. M. Kaleem) supports Girls First that offers sports and movement activities to underserved girls in our area. Kathleen Robert (Dr. Kearny) and Dee Long (Dr. William M.) sing praises for the N.O. Opera Association and the Opera Guild and their fundraising activities including the Opera Ball and the Mad Hatter’s Luncheon. JPMS thanks these dynamic individuals on behalf of our entire community made better by their work.

n Dr. Ken and Patricia Roy welcomed Mary Margaret Wogan as their daughter-in-law when she and their son Dr. Alexander Philip Roy, a medical officer with the U.S. Navy, married this spring.

n Dr. Edward and Karen Soll were honored by the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana with the Tzedakah Award for their unselfish and meaningful service to the community.

n Dr. Juan Gershanik was recognized for his service to the community outside of the practice of medicine with the Louisiana State Medical Society’s Community Service Award. His activities are often spotlighted in this section and this issue is no different. Dr. Gershanik was among the organizers of the March of Dimes Signature Chef Auction where one lucky bidder will enjoy a five-course dinner in the penthouse above Restaurant August complete with opera singers.

n Have you received a new certification or expanded areas of interest within your specialty? Your patients and potential patients want to know. Please mail, fax (455-7388) or e-mail (email@jpms.org) information about your practice to Progress Notes. JPMS will be better able to direct new patients to your practice and your editor would like to ‘’Spotlight’’ your accomplishments.

Fondly known as our JPMS princess, Dr. Dolleen Licciardi was installed as President of the LSMS at the January meeting of the House of Delegates.

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NEW MEMBERSDr. Barbara A. Brunet PediatricsPediatric Clinic Westbank151 Meadowcrest St., Suite FGrenta, LA 70043(504) 392-9298

Dr. Wesley A. ClarkOrthopedic Surgery/Adult ReconstructionJefferson Orthopedic Clinic920 Avenue BMarrero, LA 70072(504) 349-6804

Dr. Jacob B. DaigleGeneral SurgerySouthern Surgical Specialists1200 Avenue GMarrero, LA 70072(504) 349-6713

Dr. John T. FrisbeeOphthalmologyEye Surgery Center of Louisiana3900 Veterans Blvd., Suite 203Metairie, LA 70002(504) 887-7660

Dr. Milton Edwin Hammerly Family PracticePeoples Health 3838 N. Causeway Blvd.,Suite 2200Metairie, LA 70002(504) 849-4500

Dr. Brett M. HymelGastoenterologyMetropolitan Gastroenterolgy Associates1111 Medical Center Blvd.,Suite S-450Marrero, LA 70072(504) 349-6401

Dr. Oksana I. NimkevychNephrologyKidney Consultants, LLC200 W. Esplanade Ave., Suite 103Kenner, LA 70065(504) 464-8712

Dr. James L. Perrien, Jr.Cardiovascular DiseaseCardiovascular Specialists, Inc.4224 Houms Blvd., Suite 500Metairie, LA 70006(504) 455-0842

Dr. Brian W. PetersonNeurologyEast Jefferson Neurological Associates3800 Houma Blvd., Suite 205Metairie, LA 70006(504) 885-7337

Dr. Enrique SeguraNeurologyEast Jefferson Neurological Associates3800 Houma Blvd., Suite 205Metairie, LA 70006(504) 885-7337

Dr. Barton L. WaxOrthopedic SurgeryJefferson Orthopedic Clinic920 Avenue BMarrero, LA 70072(504) 349-6804

Dr. Mia Jovon Weber PediatricsWestside Clinics4225 Lapalco Blvd. Marrero, LA 70072(504) 391-7337

ADDRESS CHANGESDr. Moises A. Arriaga2nd address:Our Lady of the Lake Hearing & Balance CenterBaton Rouge, LA 70808(225) 765-7735

Dr. David A. Beary2nd address:8050 W. Judge Perez Dr.,Suite 3200Chalmette, LA 70043(504) 340-8544

Dr. Scott A. BuhlerDr. John B. CazaleCrescent City Orthopedic Clinic3600 Houma Blvd.Metairie, LA 70006(504) 309-6500

Dr. Richard L. CoralesDr. Justin M. LundgrenDr. Kevin R. Martinez

Dr. Lucien S. MiranneDr. Najeeb M. ThomasDr. Rand M. Voorhies Southern Brain & Spine, LLC.4770 S. I-10 Service Rd. W.,Suite 110Metairie, LA 70001(504) 454-0141

Dr. Michael E. GrahamNew suite number:4720 S. I-10 Service Road,Suite 340

Dr. Archibald L. MelcherEast Jefferson Neurological Associates3800 Houma Blvd., Suite 205Metairie, LA 70006(504) 885-7337Dr. Kelly Mizell4220 Houma Blvd., PathologyMetairie, LA 70006(504) 503-5683

Dr. Katherine Judson RoseAzalea Medical Clinic3400 Bienville St.New Orleans, LA 70119(504) 467-5748

CHANGE TO RETIRED:Dr. Chris DeGradoDr. Robert GrunerDr. Howard NelsonDr. Meade PhelpsDr. Kamalakant ThalyDr. Mack Thomas

Patient advocacy and professional development through physician leadership

Changes/Additions to the 2014-15Pictorial Membership Directory:You can access the directory online at www.jpms.org and click on “Physician Directory” and search for your name.

Please contact JPMS with any changes to your listing (504-455-8282).

In partnership with Jefferson Parish Medical Society,the Jefferson Physicians’ Foundation proudly coordinates volunteers to addresshealth disparities and emergency preparedness in our community.

I would like to support the Jefferson Physicians’ Foundation by:n Volunteering my time and talents n Donating in-kind items and services n Making a monetary donationName: _______________________________________________________________________________________Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________Phone: _________________________________ E-mail: _______________________________________________

Checks payable to:Jefferson Physicians’ Foundation4937 Hearst Street, Suite 2B • Metairie, LA 70001

You will receive a letter acknowledging your tax-deductible donation (Tax I.D. #47-0954038)

PLEDGE CARD

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In MeMorIaMJPMS notes with sadness the passing of the respected colleagues listed below

Dr. Stanley D. Bleich1955-2014

JPMS Member since 1989

Dr. Adolphus W. Dunn1922-2014

JPMS Member since 1966

Dr. David W. Euans1948-2014

JPMS Member since 1997

Dr. Joseph M. Perret, Jr.1922-2014

JPMS Member since 1946

Dr. Frank A. Riddick, Jr.1929-2014

JPMS Member since 1967

Dr. Daniel Scullin1939-2014

JPMS Member since 1996

Dr. Arthur Stamler1925-2014

JPMS Charter Member JPMS President in 1966

Dr. Armant C. Touchy1922-2015

JPMS Member since 1958

— PRACTICE MATTERS —SGR is now history with the passage of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act that was signed into law on April 16. We can thank our Louisiana Congressional Delegation who all supported this measure that stabilizes the Medicare program and makes it more sustainable for future generations by providing the support for physicians to adopt innovative health care models that will improve quality of care and reduce costs. It also extends funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program and community health centers that serve some of our nation’s most vulnerable populations. Be sure to thank our 2 U.S. Senators and your representative when you have the opportunity.   •    Sen. David Vitter (R) •    Sen. Bill Cassidy (R) •    Rep. Steve Scalise (R,1st District)  •    Rep. Cedric Richmond (D, 2nd District) •    Rep. Charles Boustany (R, 3rd District) Also supporting this legislation were Representatives John Fleming (R, 4th district), Ralph Abraham (R, 5th District), and Garret Graves (R, 6th District)

What your practice should do to prepare finan-cially for ICD-10 How ready is your practice for the financial impact of imple-menting the ICD-10 code set? With the Oct. 1 implementation date less than five months away, visit the JPMS website (www.jpms.org) for information from the AMA Wire for practices pre-paring to make the switch and to get ready for what will happen following the deadline.

Follow JPMS on Facebook: Don’t miss the latest postings by JPMS on Facebook and Twitter. Go to www.jpms.org where you can easily like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

JPMS Website: Visit www.jpms.org for information on upcoming events and to link to member benefits. Check the accuracy of your listing in the “Physician Directory” section. Contact the JPMS office (455-8282 or email@jpms.org) with changes or complete an “Update Your Information” form under the Membership tab and fax it to JPMS at 504-455-7388.

Is your Office Manager a member of the Greater New Orleans Chapter of the Louisiana Medical Group Management Association? This valuable organization was formed in 1995 to further the personal and professional development and improve the medical practices of practice managers in our area. Annual dues are $75 that includes quarterly educational luncheons. The JPMS office can email or fax application information to you or visit www.mgma-nola.org/

HAVE YOU ADDED A NEW PHYSICIAN TO YOUR PRACTICE? Contact JPMS (504-455-8282 or email@jpms.org) with the names of your new colleagues and we’ll take care of the rest. If you prefer, retrieve an application under the Membership tab on the JPMS website www.jpms.org. Physicians in the 1st or 2nd year of practice receive a dues discount. LAMMICO will cover the membership dues of new physicians insured by LAMMICO.

EDITORIAL OFFICE4937 Hearst St., Suite 2B

Metairie, LA 70001

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