Dr. Joyce Simpson replaces Dr. Robert Tomec as president of The Medical Foundation

At the 2015 annual meeting The Medical Foundation board of directors voted in Dr. Joyce Simpson to serve as President of the organization beginning June 8.  Dr. Simpson replaces Dr. Robert Tomec following his retirement after 35 years.

As president, Dr. Simpson will oversee the multiple facets of the organization that provides clinical and pathology services in four states, more than one hundred hospitals and thousands of physicians. She will lead over 700 employees and 20 pathologists.

Dr. Simpson is a graduate of Indiana University School of Medicine, completing her residency at Methodist Hospital of Indiana. She has a Fellowship in Surgical Pathology and is certified in anatomic and clinical pathology and cytopathology. She joined The Medical Foundation staff in March 2007 and was named the Executive Vice President in 2013.

“I have the utmost confidence about turning over the organization to a smart, capable leader that will take the organization through future changes in healthcare,” said Dr. Tomec. “Dr. Simpson is a person who truly cares about the patients and clients we serve and values our many long-term loyal staff.”

At the same time, Dr. Amobi Ezenekwe will become The Medical Foundation’s Executive Vice President, replacing Dr. Simpson. Dr. Ezenekwe is a graduate of the University of Nigeria College of Medicine, Enugu-State, Nigeria. He completed his Pathology Residency and his fellowship in hematopathology at St. Louis University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, Missouri.  He is certified in anatomic and clinical pathology by the American Board of Pathology. Dr. Ezenekwe has been a staff pathologist since 2005.

 

 

Jamie shares his story: Gluten-free isn't so bad...

Blood Donor Attendant Jamie McGraw wanted to share his story
about being diagnosed with celiac disease with those who have
lab work completed at The Medical Foundation.

Jamie McGraw has had a few battles to fight in his 28 years, but has developed into a rather independent, hard-working young man. His latest battle? Celiac Disease.

Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune disease that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food.

The Medical Foundation Blood Donor Attendant noticed some problems with his stomach several years ago and sought medical advice. 

“I had to have a blood test because the doctor thought maybe I had celiac.  I got the blood test and it didn’t even hurt,” said Jamie.

Following the blood test, which triggered a positive result, Jamie endured two scopes and a biopsy at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. Soon after, Jamie began a gluten-free diet.

“I’m gluten-free and it’s not that bad, I’m doing well being gluten-free,” said Jamie.

Jamie, who dreams of one day being a flight attendant, mentioned that he doesn’t even have trouble getting a good gluten-free snack on a flight.  According to him, “Delta and United both serve gluten-free items.  I had a granola bar, oh my God it goes well with Sprite,” he said with a little laugh and a huge smile.

Celiac is a condition he shares with his mother, who has also changed her eating habits over the last few years. But according to Jamie, she’s a great cook and makes a mean Quinoa salad, which happens to be his favorite unless Ian’s gluten-free chicken nuggets are on table!

Before his change in diet, Jamie said he felt, “lousy, my stomach would hurt every night.”

According to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, approximately 1 in 133 Americans has celiac disease, which affects both men and women across all ages and race. This number is probably a bit skewed, since about 83% of Americans who have the disease are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions.

The first step in being diagnosed with celiac disease is doing exactly what Jamie did by getting a blood test. Recommendations from the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness include tests offered in the CeliacPanel offered by The Medical Foundation for $150.  To view the description of the test and for more information on ordering the test, please click here.

Are you unsure if you have celiac disease? If so, don’t make dietary changes until after you have diagnosed.  The Medical Foundation has added a blood test, celiac serology profile, to our Direct Access Testing website at www.YourDirectTest.com.  Take the first step in managing your health by ordering the test. If the test is positive, we recommend you visit your primary physician who can follow up with further testing including a biopsy.

 

 

Counting Down To ICD-10: Implementation "Go Live" Date is October 1, 2015

After several years of delaying the implementation of ICD-10, healthcare providers, payers, clearinghouses and billing services should be ready to finally implement the new system on October 1^st, 2015. 

The International Classification of Disease, or ICD, is a list created by the World Health Organization (WHO).  It is mandated that anyone using the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA), should also use the ICD-10 system of disease classification.

The new system is being implemented because ICD-9 procedures limit data regarding patient medical conditions and hospital inpatient procedures.  The current ICD-9 system is over 30 years old, had outdated terms and is inconsistent with current medical practices; hence, the need for the updated ICD-10 system which allows the collection of a plethora of information regarding patients.

The ICD-10-PCS will be used in the United States for inpatient settings only.  The codes will use 7 alphanumeric digits instead of the current system which consists of 3 or 4 numbers.  The additional numbers will allow physicians to include the category of disease, etiology of disease, body part affected and the severity of the illness.  Having a uniform structure of code used throughout the United States will allow for better tracking of illness and disease.

If you have any questions about the role The Medical Foundation plays in ICD-10 or our preparedness for the October 1^st deadline, please contact Joel Fletcher at jfletcher@sbmf.org or 574.234.4176 *64529.