Cigna and Health Choice Launch Collaborative Accountable Care Program

Cigna (NYSE:CI) and Health Choice, a Physician Hospital Organization (PHO) affiliated with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, have launched a collaborative accountable care initiative to expand patient access to health care, improve care coordination, and achieve the “triple aim” of improved health outcomes (quality), lower total medical costs and increased patient satisfaction. Collaborative accountable care is Cigna’s approach to accountable care organizations.

Cigna’s program with Health Choice is the first patient-centered accountable care program in the Memphis area involving a group of independent medical practices and a health plan.

The program is focused on approximately 17,000 individuals covered by a Cigna health plan who receive care from among 29 doctors at seven participating physician practices.

The participating physician practices will monitor and coordinate all aspects of an individual’s medical care. Patients will continue to go to their current physician and will not need to do anything to receive the benefits of the program. There also are no changes in any plan requirements regarding referrals to specialists.

Key to the program are registered nurses, employed by Cigna and Health Choice, who serve as clinical care coordinators and help patients with chronic conditions or other health challenges navigate their health care system. The care coordinators will enhance care by using patient-specific data provided by Cigna to identify patients being discharged from the hospital who might be at-risk for readmission, as well as patients who may be overdue for important health screenings or who may have skipped a prescription refill. The care coordinators will contact these individuals to help them get the follow-up care or screenings they need, identify any issues related to medications and help prevent chronic conditions from worsening.

Southwind Medical Specialists Joins Methodist

Southwind Medical Specialists is now a part of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare (MLH).  Southwind’s nine physicians and 60 employees have become MLH associates.

Southwind physicians and associates will continue to serve patients at their 3725 Champion Hills Drive location as well as at 5182 Sanderlin, Suite #3.  Primary care physicians in this practice are: Drs. Laurie Baker, Tiffany Hall, Debbie O’Cain, Paul Dang, Hays Brantley, Lawrence Whitlock, CB Daniel, and Lamar Bailey. Also in the practice is Ron Michael, M.D. (gastroenterology).

West Clinic Announces Formation of Comprehensive Breast Center

The West Clinic is pleased to announce the formation of The West Clinic Comprehensive Breast Center, a multidisciplinary breast center, which will be the first center of its kind in the region.  The newly formed Comprehensive Breast Center at The West Clinic will partner with The Breast Clinic of Memphis and its breast surgical oncologist, Michael P. Berry, M.D., FACS.  The newly formed partnership will add a vital component to The West Clinic’s multi-disciplinary team of medical oncology and radiology.  The Center will add two additional leading breast surgeons from the area: Roy M. Oswaks, MD, and Russell H. Patterson, III, MD, FACS to its staff, creating a breast surgical team unmatched in the region. 

The West Clinic Comprehensive Breast Center will integrate breast imaging and surgery into its multi-disciplinary, patient-centric cancer care model.  The Breast Center will provide complete breast care with state-of-the-art digital screening and diagnostic mammography, sonography, percutaneous biopsy, genetic counseling, surgical therapy, chemotherapy and clinical research. Patients will have access to both national and local clinical trials.

Dr. Michael Berry is a nationally respected Breast Surgical Oncologist who founded The Breast Clinic of Memphis nearly a decade ago.  He was the first fellowship trained Breast Surgical Oncologist in the Mid-South and was the director of The Breast Clinic of Memphis.  He is Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery and received his Fellowship of Breast Surgical Oncology through the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Fellowship of Breast Surgical Oncology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

Dr. Berry is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the Society of Surgical Oncology

Dr. Roy Oswaks completed medical school and surgical training in Buffalo, New York. He went on to serve two years as a surgeon in the U. S. Army and two additional years at the United States Public Health Service Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia.  Dr. Oswaks entered private practice in Virginia Beach and was later appointed Chief of Surgery at Sentara Bayside Hospital.  After relocating to the Memphis area in 2002, he began specializing exclusively in breast surgery and treatment.  Dr. Oswaks is with The Breast Clinic of Memphis and currently serves as Chief of General Surgery at St. Francis Hospital, while also serving as a Cancer Commission Liaison.  He is a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons and also the American Society of Breast Diseases.

Dr. Russell Patterson, III is one of the Mid-South’s leading breast surgeons. Dr. Patterson received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee, Memphis after graduating from Vanderbilt University.  Upon completion of his post-graduate surgical training, he began practicing with his father, Dr. Russell Patterson, Jr.  After more than 25 years of practicing general surgery, Dr. Patterson focused his specialty to the treatment and surgery of diseases of the breast.

Crittenden’s Jamie Carter To Join Methodist Healthcare

Jamie Carter, currently president and chief executive officer of Crittenden Regional Hospital (CRH) in West Memphis, will join Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare as CEO of Methodist’s Olive Branch hospital.  In addition, he will serve as interim chief operating officer for Methodist University Hospital (MUH).  With the 100-bed Olive Branch hospital not opening until summer 2013, Carter will be able to devote significant time to his MUH responsibilities.

As CEO of the 150-bed CRH since 2005, Carter has overseen significant initiatives in the areas of patient- and family-centered care, physician recruitment and facility renovations.  He was also instrumental in crafting a state-wide trauma network for Arkansas.  A fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Alabama, and an MBA from the University of Mississippi.  He is a volunteer firefighter and EMT in his spare time.

David Baytos, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare senior vice president of Mississippi and International Services will continue in his role overseeing Methodist’s growing regional and international initiatives. He will continue to serve on the planning team that will oversee design and construction of the Olive Branch hospital.

Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis Appoints Shappley Associate Administrator

Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis has appointed Robert B. Shappley as its new Associate Administrator. The appointment follows Shappley’s completion of an Administrative Residency at Saint Francis Hospital.

Shappley, a former associate attorney for Black McLaren Jones Ryland & Griffee PC, is now responsible for Engineering, Environmental Services, and Food and Nutrition Services, as well as Contract Administration, for Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis.

He has a Master of Business Administration with a dual concentration in Healthcare and Consulting from Wake Forest University’s School of Business and a Juris Doctor from the University of Memphis’ Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.

Surgical Oncologist Joins UT Medical Group

Dr. Gitonga Munene has joined the department of surgery at UT Medical Group, Inc.in Memphis and Germantown, where he specializes in surgical oncology.

Dr. Munene has a broad range of experience in innovative surgical treatments for most cancers, including pancreatic, hepatobiliary, melanoma, breast, sarcoma, endocrine, and peritoneal-based malignancies, as well as general surgery.

Munene earned his medical degree at Northwestern University and completed general surgery residency at Georgetown University Hospital. He furthered his training with a surgical oncology fellowship at the University of Calgary’s Tom Baker Cancer Center and a research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Munene is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and is assistant professor of surgery at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

American College of Surgeons Names Le Bonheur Level 1 Trauma Center

Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital has been named a Level 1 Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS).  Le Bonheur is the first accredited pediatric ACS Level 1 Trauma Center in the region. The closest pediatric centers are in Lexington, Ky., and Dallas.

 While Le Bonheur is already designated as a children’s trauma center on the state level in Tennessee and Arkansas, the ACS accreditation is a national designation that requires both high quality clinical care and research in the field of trauma with continued innovation. Pediatric surgeons, emergency physicians and nursing staff provide outreach and education to partner facilities throughout Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi as part of the designation.

 In June, an on-site review was conducted by a team of reviewers experienced in the field of trauma. The ACS Committee on Trauma’s verification program confirmed that Le Bonheur has demonstrated its commitment to providing the highest quality trauma care for all injured patients.

 Le Bonheur joins the ranks of only 33 pediatric ACS Level 1 Trauma Centers in the country.

Pershad Named Medical Director of Le Bonheur Children’s PediFlite, Transfer Center

Jay Pershad, MD, has been named medical director of Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital’s PediFlite and Transfer Center. Pershad, who also works as an attending physician in Le Bonheur’s Emergency Department (ED), will focus on providing oversight, training and outreach to improve the quality of PediFlite’s medical transport service in his new role.

PediFlite’s volumes continue to grow, says Pershad. PediFlite performed approximately 2,100 transports in 2010, and communication specialists receive nearly 1,200 emergency referral calls each month.

Specifically, Pershad plans to review and develop clinical guidelines that conform with current standards of care. He also plans to provide educational opportunities to staff and enact periodic ride-alongs to coach in real experiences.

Methodist Hospital Ground Breaking

On October 19th, Methodist Healthcare held a “Groundbreaking Ceremony and Blessing of the Grounds” at the location where its newest hospital will be built in Olive Branch, MS.  Several dignitaries took part in the ceremony including Congressman Alan Nunnalee, Representatives Tommy Woods and Forest Hamilton, Senator Merle Flowers, Olive Branch Mayor Sam Rikard, and Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant.

 Gary Shorb, Methodist Healthcare President and CEO, told the crowd that Methodist is already serving thousands of patients in North Mississippi.  Shorb said that the new 100-bed hospital, a $125 million dollar project that has been fifteen years in-the-making will be environmentally sustainable and will be built according to US Green Council standards.

Senator Merle Flowers called Methodist Healthcare “World-class Le

Saint Francis Medical Partners Opens New Locations

Saint Francis Medical Partners recently added six new physicians to its primary care network.  The addition of Dr. Karima Causey, Dr. Jerry Floyd, Dr. Joseph C. Garbarini, Dr. Jeffrey Hoover, Dr. Robert Kulinski and Dr. Monica Warhaftig brings the total employed and affiliated physicians in the Saint Francis Medical Partners Network to approximately 30.

Dr. Causey joins Saint Francis Medical Partners at 1144 N. Houston Levee.  Dr. Floyd joins Saint Francis Medical Partners at 7662 U.S. Highway 51 in Millington.  Both will be fully supported by the resources of Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett.

Dr. Kulinski, Dr. Garbarini and Dr. Hoover will continue seeing adult patients at Kulinski and Associates, located at 3787 Summer Ave. in Memphis. Dr Warhaftig is based at the Perkins Extended Saint Francis Medical Partners-East office.

The Saint Francis physician network now includes Saint Francis Medical Partners-Bartlett, Saint Francis Medical Partners- Millington, Saint Francis Medical Partners-Perkins Extd., Saint Francis Medical Partners –Summer Ave., Saint Francis Medical Partners-Houston Levee, Saint Francis Medical Partners -Memphis Medical Specialists, Saint Francis Hospital Inpatient Physicians, and the Saint Francis Center for Surgical Weight Loss.

UT Medical Group Names Physicians to Executive Leadership Team

Dr. James C. “Chris” Fleming and Dr. Steve Miller have been appointed associate chief medical officers for UT Medical Group Inc.

Fleming is a UTMG ophthalmologist at the Hamilton Eye Institute, the Phillip M. Lewis professor of ophthalmology, and vice-chair of ophthalmology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. He also directs the Orbit Center, which offers expanded patient services for complex eye diseases.

Miller, a Memphis internist, is the medical director for medical education and research at Methodist University Hospital and the Pearce professor of medicine at the UT Health Science Center.

UT Medical Group is the private group practice affiliated with the UT Health Science Center College of Medicine faculty.aders,” and congratulated them for “keeping the faith to stay the course against the odds.”

The new hospital is expected to be completed in the summer of 2013.

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