Vanderbilt, Seaside Therapeutics Develop New Drug-Like Molecule to Treat Most Common Genetic Cause of Autism

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in collaboration with Seaside Therapeutics in Cambridge, Mass., have achieved a milestone in the development of a potential new treatment for fragile X syndrome, the most common genetic cause of autism.

Drug-like molecules developed at Vanderbilt are undergoing the final pre-clinical studies required by the FDA before entering clinical testing at Seaside Therapeutics and could be ready for human testing in early 2012, said Jeffrey Conn, PhD, co-director of the Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery and a member of Seaside Therapeutics’ advisory board.

Vanderbilt also is participating in clinical trials of another drug candidate developed by Seaside Therapeutics called STX209 (arbaclofen), which may decrease social withdrawal, a core symptom found in people with fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Fragile X syndrome, also the most common inherited form of intellectual and developmental disabilities, is relatively rare, affecting approximately 90,000 people in the United States. Research conducted by the founders of Seaside and others suggest excessive signaling through a receptor called mGluR5, which binds the neurotransmitter glutamate, may contribute to manifestations of fragile X syndrome. In 2008, Seaside Therapeutics awarded Vanderbilt a $4.5 million grant to develop drug-like compounds that can improve fragile X symptoms by “tuning down” receptor activity.

Reaction to Latest U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation

Last month, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued a draft recommendation statement against routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer in asymptomatic men. The Task Force gave a “D” recommendation to the practice, meaning there is moderate or high certainty that PSA-based screening results in small or no reduction in prostate cancer-specific mortality and is associated with harms related to subsequent evaluation and treatments, some of which might be unnecessary. The recommendation was made based on a review of clinical trials involving PSA-based screening. The public comment period runs through Nov. 8.

Reaction was swift from Raoul Concepcion, MD, a board-certified urologist who is director of Clinical Research at Urology Associates PC, president of the Large Urology Group Practice Association and part of the Baptist Hospital medical staff.

“These recommendations were made by a panel that does not include urologists or oncologists and is not supported by any new credible research or other data. To the contrary, we know that PSA tests and other screenings have contributed to drastic reductions in deaths from prostate cancer. It is clear that early detection is the key to cancer survival; I cannot comprehend why our policymakers would even consider limiting access to life-saving screenings,” Concepcion said.

“As a practicing urologist I cannot condone needlessly jeopardizing the health of countless Americans. I am disappointed and confused why this Task Force would even pursue it, especially given the outcome of its similar recommendations related to breast cancer just two years ago. There are no downsides to allowing PSA screening, if we are truly focused on the patients. Prostate cancer is still the second leading cause of cancer death in men. If these recommendations take hold in Washington then the progress we have made in reducing deaths from prostate cancer will quickly be reversed.”

Centennial Medical Center Unveils Latest in Breast Cancer Imaging Technology

Women who undergo mammograms at Centennial Medical Center will now have the latest 3-D imaging technology available to them. Centennial is one of the first breast centers in the United States and the first in Middle Tennessee to offer breast imaging with digital tomosynthesis, or 3-D mammography, with the Hologic Selenia Dimensions-3-D.

The medical center began conducting 3-D imaging trials in April and now offers this imaging technology to a range of women meeting specific criteria. Breast tomosynthesis, which received FDA approval earlier this year, obtains images on the same type of equipment as conventional 2-D images and often during the same compression. Women who have an abnormal finding on their traditional mammogram can then receive a tomosynthesis scan at Centennial Medical Center to further investigate the abnormalities on the initial mammogram. The high quality images produced by tomosynthesis scans can greatly reduce the call back rate. It’s also revolutionizing the practice of mammography through its ability to yield high-quality images with low dosages of radiation.

Corbeil to Replace Kloess

HCA has announced the company is relocating the leader of its Kansas City network to replace the soon-to-retire Larry Kloess as president of the company’s Nashville-based TriStar Division. In his new role, Stephen Corbeil, who has been president of HCA's Midwest Division since 2007, will now have oversight of TriStar’s 17 hospitals and nine surgery centers in Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia.

Corbeil, who began his hospital administrative career as assistant administrator at Lutheran Medical Center in St. Louis in 1985, has held senior level positions with both HCA and Tenet Healthcare. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics/political science from the University of Michigan and a master's in hospital and health administration from the University of Iowa.

Vanderbilt Expands Through Affiliation Agreements

In late September, Vanderbilt University Medical Center announced affiliations with Williamson Medical Center, Maury Regional Medical Center and NorthCrest Medical Center. The affiliation agreement formalizes and strengthens existing collaborative relationships and establishes an operational framework to broaden the scope of healthcare services within Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky.

The agreement is anticipated to create a more cost effective regional healthcare delivery system. This affiliation puts into place the immediate ability to form jointly operated clinical programs between the community hospitals and VUMC and to partner on educational programs and clinical research, although each party also can continue to pursue individual initiatives.

Local Medical Practices Join to Form Health Innovation Specialists

Last month, eight local medical practice groups announced the formation of a new physician network, Health Innovation Specialists (HIS). An initial objective of HIS is to collect and manage clinical data in a fashion that facilitates collaboration across the care continuum. The network will investigate ways to move from a fee-for-service payment environment to a value-based reimbursement structure that rewards physicians for delivering high quality care.

The founding members of HIS practice are Anesthesia Medical Group, Howell Allen Clinic, Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee, Premier Radiology, Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance, Tennessee Women’s Care PC, The Surgical Clinic and Urology Associates PC. Charles Eckstein, MD, of Urology Associates has been named chair of HIS.

Delta Dental Presents Check to Meharry for Simulation Center

On Sept. 30, Delta Dental presented officials of Meharry Medical College with a check for $770,000 to establish a new dental simulation center. Construction was to begin immediately on the center, which will be designed to provide reality-based skill development for Meharry’s dental students. The 3,300-square-foot Delta Dental of Tennessee Simulation Center will be housed on the fourth floor of the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. The lab is anticipated to open by January 2012.

Delta Dental’s total contributions to Meharry Medical College now exceed $1.5 million. In 2009, Delta Dental presented the school with a $780,233 contribution for the Delta Dental Oral Diagnostic and Imaging Clinic.

Flulapalooza Shatters World Record

On Oct. 6, Vanderbilt University more than doubled the current world record for the total number of vaccinations given in an eight-hour period. From 6:50 am until 2:50 pm, 12,647 University and Medical Center faculty, staff and students received free influenza vaccinations at Flulapalooza, a mass vaccination drill and simultaneous attempt to break the current Guinness World Record.

Organizers of the event, who won’t know until paperwork is submitted whether Guinness will officially award the world record to Vanderbilt, said the turnout exceeded expectations. The current world record stands at 6,215 and is held by Kaiser Permanente. Flulapalooza had surpassed 6,300 vaccinations within the drill’s first four hours.

Saint Thomas Hospital Adds Latest Version of daVinci

In mid-September, Saint Thomas Hospital announced it has added the most advanced robotic surgery system available, the da Vinci Si High Definition Surgical System, to its operating room. Surgeons at Saint Thomas Hospital will use the system for cardiothoracic, urologic, gynecologic and head and neck procedures. Conditions including coronary artery disease, mitral valve prolapse, and urologic, gynecologic, lung, thyroid and throat cancers will be treated with the minimally invasive option when appropriate.

WMC Foundation Presents $88,000 to Surgery Department

Williamson Medical Center Foundation recently gifted $88,000 to WMC’s Surgery Department to fund the purchase of state-of-the art surgical equipment designed to increase comfort and safety for patients.

Additions to WMC’s Surgery Department include the Stealth 360º Orbital PAD System, manufactured by Cardiovascular Systems Inc. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration earlier this year, the $25,000 catheter-based system treats peripheral arterial disease in the lower legs by sanding away plaque buildup without damaging soft tissue. The donation also funded instruments for hip arthroscopy and the addition of SonoSite, a handheld ultrasound device to assist in administration of regional anesthesia following extremity procedures.

Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About!

Awards, Honors, Recognitions

Dawn Rudolph, president and CEO of Saint Thomas Hospital, has been named one of the “291 Hospital and Health System Leaders to Know” and one of the “56 Women Hospital and Healthcare Leaders to Know” by Becker’s Hospital Review. Leaders are selected for inclusion on the lists based on nominations, inclusion in previous Becker’s Hospital Review lists and research conducted by the Becker’s editorial team. Rudolph began her duties as president and CEO of Saint Thomas Hospital in November 2010. Previously, she served as chief executive officer of St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.

General Sessions Judge Daniel B. Eisenstein was honored with the 2011 Friend of NAMI Tennessee award by the National Alliance on Mental Illness Tennessee during the organization’s recent annual conference in Nashville. 

The 2011 Vanderbilt Prize in Biomedical Science has been awarded to Titia de Lange, PhD, of Rockefeller University, whose research on telomeres, the protective ends of chromosomes, has received international acclaim. Established by Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 2006, the prize honors nationally and internationally known women scientists who have a stellar record of research accomplishments and have contributed to the mentorship of other women in science. de Lange will receive the prize on Feb. 23, 2012, when she is scheduled to give a Vanderbilt Discovery Lecture.

Carlos L. Arteaga, MD, professor of Medicine and Cancer Biology and associate director for Clinical Research at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, has been named one of the winners of this year’s Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Brinker Awards for Scientific Distinction. Established in 1992 to recognize the efforts of pioneers in clinical research, they are the highest awards of merit given by the breast cancer organization. Arteaga will receive the honor for his work explaining the role of several key proteins and growth factor receptors in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. His translational research helped provide the rationale for several new targeted cancer therapies.

Sanford H. Herman, MD, FACEP, has received the John A. Rupke Legacy Award, which is given for outstanding lifetime contributions to the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). Herman is an emergency physician and government affairs liaison for the Emergency Services Network in Nashville, as well as the Tennessee regional medical director for Valley Emergency Physicians Medical Group. Currently, Herman is president of the Tennessee Chapter of ACEP and has served the organization on a national level, as well.

Dan Slipkovich, co-founder and CEO of Capella Healthcare, has been named recipient of the National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award. He and three others in the mid-state were chosen from 13,000 Eagle Scouts for the inaugural year of this award presentation. The four will be honored at a reception on Nov. 10.

For the fourth straight year, Nashville-based KraftCPAs PLLC has been named one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work for” according to Accounting Today magazine and Best Companies Group. The list is made up of 100 companies nationwide, and KraftCPAs was one of only two Tennessee-based firms to be recognized.

Last month, the Centennial Pediatrics Foundation presented the first annual Champions for

Children’s Health Award to Mayor Karl Dean and the Healthy Nashville Initiative.

The Tennessee Justice Center (TJC) has been awarded a $32,966 grant from Baptist Healing Trust (BHT) to support TJC’s Legal Advocacy, Education, Services, and Empowerment (LEASE) program, which works to ensure access to medical care for children in middle Tennessee. Since 2008, BHT awarded TJC more than $100,000 in support of LEASE.

Recent Certifications, Accreditations & Commendations

NorthCrest Medical Center and Summit Medical Center have been named among the nation’s top performers on key quality measures by The Joint Commission based on reported data on evidence-based clinical processes to improve care for heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, and surgical care. StoneCrest Medical Center was also recognized as a top performer in heart attack and pneumonia. Additionally, Nashville-based HCA had 77 of its facilities and Franklin-based Capella Healthcare had two of their hospitals recognized. Only 405 hospitals and critical access hospitals in the nation earn the top performer distinction.

The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Commercial PPO product line has received “Excellent” accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for the third consecutive year, with an average score of 92 out of 100 points across all criteria.

Maury Regional Medical Center was recently recognized as one of the country’s Top 100 Hospitals for Patient Experience based on female patient satisfaction by WomenCertified®, the collective voice of the female consumer and a trusted referral source for top businesses and brands identified among women.

Judy Leverette, palliative care nurse practitioner at Middle Tennessee Medical Center, has received certification from the National Board of Certification for Hospice and Palliative Nurses to become an Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse (ACHPN). She is among only 11 nurses in Tennessee to have the certification.

Shareable Ink^®, a leading provider of cloud-based software to aid the transition from paper documentation to electronic health records (EHR), announced last month that it has achieved 2011/2012 EHR Modular* ONC-ATCB Certification. The award designates the software as capable of supporting providers with Stage 1 Meaningful Use measures required to qualify for funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). 

Cuffe Appointed President, CEO HCA Physician Services

Nashville-based HCA, which operates 164 hospitals and 111 ambulatory surgery centers, recently announced Michael Cuffe, MD, would become president and CEO of Physician Services for HCA, effective Oct. 26. This is a new role created as part of the internal reorganization HCA announced in February.

Cuffe, who most recently served as a vice president and chief medical officer of Duke University Health System, reports to Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, president of HCA’s Clinical and Physician Services Group and CMO.

Cuffe, who held various leadership positions with Duke including vice dean for Medical Affairs at the Duke University School of Medicine, is a graduate of MIT and received both his master’s and medical degrees from Duke, where he also completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in cardiology.

YMCA & Southern Hills to Open Wellness Center, Rehab Facility

The YMCA at Southern Hills Medical Center will soon take over more than 4,900 square feet of currently unoccupied space on the SHMC campus. The vacant office space will be transformed into a state-of-the-art wellness center and cardiac/pulmonary rehab facility.

The center will be operated by the YMCA of Middle Tennessee and will offer all the holistic health and wellness services associated with a traditional Y membership, but SHMC personnel will also provide on-site cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services, for which Y membership will not be required.

Centerstone Implements Supportive Services for Veteran Families

Last month, Centerstone announced the launch of a new Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program, which is being implemented in Middle Tennessee thanks to a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Centerstone will help more than 200 very low-income veteran families in 14 Middle Tennessee counties, who are at risk for homelessness, transition to or maintain permanent housing.

U.S. HealthWorks Acquires 11 Nashville-area Medical Centers

California-based HealthWorks, an operator of urgent care and occupational healthcare centers nationwide, recently announced the acquisition of four medical centers and seven worksite locations operated by Tennessee Urgent Care Associates. The centers are the company’s first in Tennessee.

LifePoint Promotes Hogston

LifePoint Hospitals® recently announced the promotion of Sandy Hogston to the position of senior director, Homecare and Hospice Services. Hogston has been with LifePoint since 2008, most recently serving as regional director, Homecare Services. 

Hogston has more than 10 years of home health and hospice leadership experience. During the last three years, she has provided direction and support to multiple home health and hospice agencies throughout the LifePoint system. Previously, Hogston was president of Preferred Home Health Service, Inc. 

CCG Acquires Louisiana Medical Center & Heart Hospital

Nashville-based Cardiovascular Care Group (CCG) announced it has finalized the acquisition of Louisiana Medical Center and Heart Hospital from MedCath Corporation. The acquisition is the first in CCG’s effort to create a national network of innovative and comprehensive cardiovascular care delivery systems. CCG is led by a team of veteran healthcare executives, including Harry R. Jacobson, MD, chairman of CCG’s Board.

Howard Named Principal at Cumberland Consulting

Cumberland Consulting Group recently announced the promotion of Tom Howard to principal. He joined the firm in October 2010 with nearly a decade of health information technology and systems implementation experience.

Prior to joining Cumberland, Howard led implementation projects for healthcare companies across the country in various roles for Accenture and CapGemini Ernst & Young. Howard holds a degree in Information Management & Technology from Syracuse University. He is a member of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) and the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Monroe Carell Wins $100,000 Grant

Hyundai Hope on Wheels and Nashville-area Hyundai Dealers awarded Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt with a $100,000 Hope Grant to support research related to the development of methods essential for individualizing chemotherapy dosing in children with cancer to improve efficacy and survival while minimizing toxicity. Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital is one of 71 recipients of Hyundai Hope on Wheels’ 2011 Hope Grant program, where $7.1 million will be awarded to support research and programs in honor of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September.

Centerre Healthcare Promotes Blank

Nashville-based Centerre Healthcare Corporation, a leading provider of inpatient acute rehabilitation services, announced the recent promotion of Rudy Blank, CPA, to chief strategy and development officer.

Blank joined Centerre in 2008 shortly after its relocation from St. Louis and most recently served as the organization’s chief financial officer. In his new position, Blank will lead the strategy development and growth activities for the company with a focus on cultivating partnerships with the country’s top acute care hospitals and health systems.

Blank earned an undergraduate degree in accounting from Middle Tennessee State University and holds a MBA from Tennessee Tech.

Capella Appoints Kunkel Senior VP, General Counsel

Capella Healthcare has announced the appointment of Neil W. Kunkel, JD, as senior vice president, general counsel, and secretary effective at the beginning of last month.

Kunkel comes to Capella from LifePoint Hospitals, where he has been vice president and associate general counsel since the company’s founding in 1998. Prior to that, he was affiliated with HCA.

Kunkel is on the Board of Governors for the Federation of American Hospitals and is chair of the Health Facilities Interest Group of the American Bar Association’s Health Law Section. He earned his undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and his law degree from the University of Louisville Law School.

Nashville Health Care Council Announces New Staff Roles

The Nashville Health Care Council recently announced new responsibilities for two employees and the addition of a new administrative assistant.

Jamie Lee was promoted to vice president, Operations and Events. Lee joined the Council as director of events and sponsorships in 2008. She is responsible for the organization’s internal process and support functions, as well as the execution and implementation of Council and Leadership Health Care (LHC) events including sponsorship retention and fulfillment.

Jenni Bradley has taken the new role of program manager after serving as project coordinator for the past year. In this capacity, Bradley provides logistical support for Council and LHC events and assists with special projects. 

Susan Hanson has joined the Council as administrative assistant. In this position, she supports Council and LHC programming and manages office administrative duties.

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Names Greene CFO

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. recently appointed Rick S. Greene chief financial officer. Greene, a long-time financial advisor to the company, has served as interim vice president of Finance & Accounting since April. He has more than 20 years experience in financial management and reporting.

Greene served as market leader for Crowe Horwath’s Tennessee healthcare practice. He and his team supported Cumberland’s accounting department in the preparation of the company’s Initial Public Offering, as well as Cumberland’s ongoing financial statement preparation and SEC reporting. 

iPractice Group, Inc. Acquires Doctors Access

iPractice Group announced in late September that it has successfully completed the acquisition of Doctors Access, Inc., a Nashville-based healthcare IT provider specializing in practice management software and billing services for small to mid-sized independent practices.

The acquisition provides an immediate expansion to iPractice Group’s product offering, while enhancing the geographical presence of the company’s physician base by more than 20 states. Doctors Access will be operated as a wholly owned subsidiary, and plans are already in place to double the support staff in order to better serve its current client base.

Strickland Joins Jarrard Phillips Cate & Hancock

Communications veteran Tim Strickland recently joined healthcare public affairs firm Jarrard Phillips Cate & Hancock, Inc.

A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, he previously was senior vice president, overseeing all marketing, communications, public relations and community relations functions for Onslow Memorial Hospital in North Carolina. Strickland, who began his career as a journalist, earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in mass communications from the University of Tennessee.

When he joined the company in September, he became the fourth addition in as many months as Brentwood-based Jarrard Inc., which has been independently ranked among the top healthcare communication firms in the country, continues expanding.

Nelson Opens Murfreesboro Dermatology Practice

Ronald ‘Junior’ Nelson, MD, recently opened Stones River Dermatology in The Gateway in the Waterstone Professional Building overlooking the Greenway Art Pavilion. Nelson is a board certified dermatologist and a graduate of Vanderbilt and Stanford Universities. He is also a former Air Force flight surgeon.

Aegis Names VP of IT

Last month, Aegis Health Group announced Bill Walker has been named to serve as the company’s vice president of information technology services. In this role, he will be responsible for supporting the creation of customized software applications for the company.

Previously, Williams worked in product development with Medkinetics and has spent time at Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he developed applications to establish connections between provider credentials and quality data.

Cogent Hires McMackin as Senior VP, Physician Services

Hospitalist company Cogent HMG announced the hiring of Kent McMackin to be senior vice president of Physician Services. Previously, he was a vice president with HCA with oversight for physician services, hospital-based programs and physician strategic sourcing.

McMackin, who has more than 20 years healthcare experience, will oversee Cogent's aggressive national recruitment and retention plans. The Brentwood-based company, which is currently home to more than 1,000 physicians and other providers, plans to recruit no fewer than 400 physicians in 2012.

Three Join Skyline Medical Center Staff

Last month, Skyline Medical Center announced the addition of Kristin Dobay, MD, who is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, to the medical staff. Dobay received his medical degree from Michigan State University: College of Human Medicine. He then completed his residency and internship at San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium: Brooke Army Medical Center/Wilford Hall Medical Center.

Other recent additions to the medical center are board certified vascular surgeons Billy Kim, MD, and Tif Siragusa, MD.

Both Kim and Siragusa received their medical degrees from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and completed surgical residencies at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Kim completed his vascular surgery fellowship at New York University Medical Center. Siragusa did his vascular surgery fellowship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Tennessee Oncology Investing Millions in Technology

Last month, Tennessee Oncology announced the practice is making major investments in its 30 locations across the mid-state to maintain its position among the nation’s most advanced cancer care providers. The office on White Bridge Road recently installed a new 16-slice PET/CT scanner capable of delivering the most detailed, reliable scans available in the Nashville area. The GE Discovery ST scanner, which carries a price tag of more than $1 million, produces smooth images of body shape to show a contrast of the anatomy against a radioactive isotope.

Executives with Tennessee Oncology said the company’s investments in technology, equipment and clinical expertise is ongoing. Additional technology upgrades at various locations are planned through the remainder of this year.

ANOVA Announces Patent Application

Brentwood-based ANOVA Orthopaedic Solutions recently announced the filing of a non-provisional patent application for processes that reduce costs, increase hospital-physician alignment and improve efficiencies across the orthopaedic supply chain and facility orthopaedic service lines.

“We believe the methods and processes described in this pending patent represent game-changing, paradigm-shifting approaches to the orthopaedic supply chain and perioperative processes that reduce costs and inefficiencies and maintain quality,” said ANOVA founder and CEO, Walter Spires.

While details of the pending patent are confidential, ANOVA has had success executing the business model for more than two years. With millions of baby boomers and their parents lining up for more care and services that will strain an already overburdened system, ANOVA considers the model both timely and strategic.   

SRMC Physicians Embrace Innovative Heart Catheterization Procedure

Interventional cardiologists Reginald Dickerson, MD, Nicholas Lippolis, MD, and Jung Lee, MD, and vascular surgeon Chad Swan, MD, at Sumner Regional Medical Center have begun using a transradial, rather than transfemoral, pathway to the heart for some patients. The physicians have embraced using the wrist rather than groin to gain access to the arteries for either diagnostic or interventional purposes as a way to reduce the risk of complications, improve patient outcomes and to significantly improve the overall experience.

“For certain types of patients, including obese patients, women and the elderly, and patients with peripheral vascular disease, transradial access provides documented reductions in bleeding complications, including swelling, less back pain and quicker recovery,” said Lippolis, who is co-medical director of the SRMC Cardiac Catheterization Lab. 

Patients treated with transradial access are able to sit up and walk around almost immediately after the procedure. As a result, these patients are more likely to be discharged faster than those treated with transfemoral access. 

Pao Assumes New Role as Vanderbilt Hematology Oncology Leader

Effective Oct. 5, William Pao, MD, PhD, associate professor of Medicine and director of Personalized Cancer Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, assumed the role of director of the Division of Hematology and Oncology in the Department of Medicine.

Pao completed his undergraduate education at Harvard University and his medical and graduate education at Yale University before completing residency training at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill-Cornell School of Medicine. 

As a fellow working in the laboratory of Nobel Prize recipient Harold Varmus, MD, Pao first identified EGF receptor mutations that convey sensitivity to gefitinib and erlotinib in lung cancers in non-smokers. This landmark work has been cited more than 1,440 times since its publication in 2004. He joined the faculty at Vanderbilt in 2009. In addition to his leadership roles at Vanderbilt, Pao is also the co-founder, with Mia Levy, MD, of MyCancerGenome, an online tool to enable a genetically informed approach to cancer medicine.

Komen Grant Helps STH Provide Free Mammograms

The Greater Nashville Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure recently awarded a second-year grant of nearly $61,000 to Saint Thomas Health’s African American Breast Health Outreach program, helping provide free mammograms to qualifying African American women.

The first grant helped launch Saint Thomas Health’s African American Breast Outreach program in 2010. The program is an effort by the Saint Thomas Family Health Center West to bring breast healthcare education, low-cost screenings and assistance to an at-risk population in Davidson County’s medically underserved communities. More than 33 percent of the clinic’s patients are African American.

Photos from Gold Skin Care, but I frankly don’t see much difference so you may or may not want to include a picture here.

Gold Skin Care First in U.S. to Announce Clear + Brilliant Technology

Advanced Aesthetics Medical Spa of Gold Skin Care Center, announced in September that they had become the first in the country to make the new Clear + Brilliant laser aesthetic technology available to patients. The new fractional laser technology is an effective treatment to tighten and smooth skin tone and defines a new category of laser aesthetic treatments designed to attract younger patients looking to take control of their aging process.

Clear + Brilliant falls in the skin care continuum between over-the-counter or spa treatments and more aggressive laser offerings such as Fraxel and is targeted toward consumers who want to refresh skin and obtain a more youthful appearance but are not yet in need of the full transformative benefits of a more aggressive laser skin resurfacing procedure. The procedure requires virtually zero downtime and patients see the most optimal results with six 30-minute treatments.

NuScriptRX Closes $13 Million Finance Package

NuScriptRX, a Nashville-based mail order institutional pharmacy with a business model of supplying prescription medications to long-term care facilities, has closed on a $13 million financing package, including an $8 million Series C led by Council Capital and a $5 million credit facility from Square 1 Bank.

In addition to Council Capital, the Series C includes four existing investors: Clayton Associates of Nashville, Council Operating Partner Linwood A. (Chip) Lacy, Jr., an additional strategic investor, and Council & Enhanced Tennessee Fund, a TNInvestco fund affiliated with Council Capital. Four new investors in the round include Envest of Virginia Beach, Va. and three other TNInvestco funds – Nest-TN of Tullahoma, Tennessee Angel Fund of Nashville (an affiliate of Nashville Capital Network) and Innova of Memphis.

Golden Triangle Announces New Pharmacy Program

Brentwood-based Golden Triangle Specialty Network, LLC, a specialty healthcare network and services company, recently launched a new cost containment pharmacy program under the direction of Polli B. Yount, senior vice president and COO.

“Pharmacy savings may be obtained on unpaid or (recently) paid claims and our review includes both in and out-of-network claims. Any J-code you think you’ve paid too much on or where you simply think the charges are too high we can help,” said Yount. “We are not limited to any specific type or class of drugs. We’re working with each client to help them identify where they may be missing opportunities to cut expenses on medications; including re-sourcing the meds through our system for even greater savings.”

Mintel, Wilburn Join LBMC

Recently, Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain, PC (LBMC) announced the addition of two accountants to its Nashville office.

Lisa Acuff Mintel, CPA, has joined the accounting firm as a senior accountant in the tax services group. She has five years of public accounting experience in the healthcare and construction industries, as well as with high-wealth individuals. Mintel is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University.

Neil Wilburn has joined LBMC as a senior in the tax services group. He has experience providing tax services for self-employed individuals, as well as those in the entertainment industry. Wilburn is a graduate is Lipscomb University.

VEI Study Finds Common Eye Treatment Can Promote Antibiotic Resistance

Overexposure to antibiotics has long been a concern in the medical community – most specifically the development of antibiotic resistant infections as a result of repeated use. According to a study released in mid-September in the Archives of Ophthalmology, ophthalmologic antibiotics promote antimicrobial resistance too, prompting a call from Vanderbilt Eye Institute (VEI) physicians to be more judicial in the administration of certain classes of antibiotics.

“The use of topical antibiotics is promoting antimicrobial resistance, prompting an emergence of resistant strains,” said Stephen Kim, MD, assistant professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. “This finding is very important for all practicing physicians to be aware of and understand. This information is broadly applicable to everyone.”

With intravitreal injections being the fastest-growing procedure in ophthalmology, Kim and VEI researchers were concerned an increased use of antibiotics to ward off post-injection eye infections could lead to antibiotic resistance. “This is the first perspective study looking at this, and we were able to convincingly show cause and effect. There needs to be more rational thought when using topical antibiotics.”

AHA Services Endorses nTelagent

AHA Services, Inc. (AHASI), a subsidiary of the Arkansas Hospital Association (AHA), has announced nTelagent, Inc. as an endorsed provider of financial and reimbursement services.

“Part of our mission at AHASI is to identify best-in-class solutions for our member hospitals,” says Tina Creel, vice president of AHASI. “For those facilities seeking to streamline point-of-service processes and adjust to today’s payment landscape, nTelagent offers a proven solution.”

nTelagent’s services allow participating members of the AHA to leverage the company’s total point-of-service package to increase collections, decrease bad debt and better communicate with their patients regarding financial matters on the front end. nTelagent allows hospitals to settle all patient accounts – insured, uninsured and those qualifying for financial assistance – on the front end.

Qualifacts Signs Colorado Addiction Services Providers

Nashville-based Qualifacts Systems Inc., announced in September two of the largest agencies in the Signal Behavioral Health Network collaborative will implement Qualifacts’ electronic health record. Signal is the largest managed services organization in Colorado, serving 19 substance abuse agencies across the state, and Crossroads' Turning Points and Addiction Research and Treatment Services/University of Colorado Denver are the first of their agencies to take part in this collaborative implementation project.

“Signal represents a significant milestone in our company’s storied history as they are the largest network of substance use providers that we can proudly call customers,” says Jason Medlin, vice president of sales for Qualifacts. “And now that we are the exclusive EHR vendor partner for the State Associations of Addiction Services (SAAS), the largest national association representing substance use providers across the country, we are very well-positioned to grow our substance use customer base in this important era of healthcare reform.”

MidSouth eHealth Alliance Rolls Out ICA’s CareAlign® 1.0 Health Information Exchange

ICA and the MidSouth eHealth Alliance (MSeHA), announced in late September that MSeHA’s 16 hospitals and multiple ambulatory clinics in the greater Memphis area have moved to CareAlign 1.0 for its increased functionality and adoption capabilities. Nashville-based ICA is providing the technology and infrastructure for a densely populated regional health information exchange (HIE) that serves over 2.8 million patients in the Memphis metro area.

In other news from ICA, the company signed a contract in October with the Central Illinois Health Information Exchange, which will serve approximately 1.3 million people in 20 counties.

Rockcastle Regional Uses HMS’ Connex^SM to Exchange Data with Kentucky’s HIE

Last month, Healthcare Management Systems Inc.® (HMS) announced that long-time customer Rockcastle Regional Hospital and Respiratory Care Center recently became one of the first hospitals to share clinical data with the Kentucky Health Information Exchange (KHIE). The hospital is using the HMS Connex interoperability platform to securely exchange Continuity of Care Documents (CCDs) with KHIE and is actively using those CCDs to make more informed patient-care decisions.

Hospitals use HMS Connex to link with HIEs, which enable the sharing of vital data among providers regardless of the clinical applications they use. HMS Connex uses open-source technology and is completely integrated with the HMS enterprise platform of applications and hardware that comprise its certified electronic health record (EHR). With a single sign-on, Rockcastle Regional physicians can view data from KHIE within the HMS application as part of their normal workflow.

HCA Acquires Full Ownership of HCA-HealthONE® in Denver
On Oct. 14, HCA announced the completion of its purchase of the Colorado Health Foundation’s approximately 40 percent ownership of the HCA-HealthONE® LLC joint venture for $1.45 billion. The system, which was created in 1995 as a joint venture between non-profit the Colorado Health Foundation and HCA, includes seven hospitals and 13 ambulatory surgery centers in the metro Denver area.

“HealthONE has been a vital part of the Denver community for 16 years, and during that time HCA has invested significantly to improve access to high-quality patient care,” said Jeffrey A. Dorsey, president of HCA’s Denver-based Continental Division. “We are pleased to complete this purchase, and we look forward to continuing HealthONE’s long-standing tradition of excellence and service.”

HealthONE is the largest healthcare system in the metro Denver area with 8,700 employees and 3,000 affiliated physicians.

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