(January 31, 2012) Grapevine, TX – Dr. Shahid Shafi of Surgical Group of North Texas wins Five Star Spirit Award from Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine.  The award was created because as a health care organization, Baylor’s customers and colleagues expect them to provide safe, quality, compassionate heath care.  They understand that the people of an organization are its biggest asset and this is a way to recognize their best people.

Due to Dr. Shafi’s numerous professional achievements, outstanding notoriety, and commitment to his patients and staff, he is the model recipient for this prestigious award.  In November of last year, Dr. Shafi was awarded his first Gold Star pin for providing Five Star service, a nomination submitted by an employee, patient, physician, or guest describing him as the embodiment of the Baylor Grapevine Five Star Spirit.

Dr. Shafi has been practicing General and Robotic Surgery with Surgical Group of North Texas (SGNT) for over three years. During this time, he has also been performing research for the improvement of surgical care at the Baylor Institute for Healthcare Research and Improvement.

Prior to joining SGNT, Dr. Shafi spent six years as a professor, researcher, and trauma surgeon at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and Parkland Memorial Hospital. He has received many honors and appointments during his notable career so far, including appointments to the North Texas Trauma Regional Advisory Council and the Texas Governor’s EMS and Trauma Advisory Council, was a founder of the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Program, and speaks both nationally and abroad on key surgical issues.

To make an appointment with Dr Shafi, call 817-251-0700 or contact your primary care physician for a referral. For more details on the Surgical Group of North Texas, go to SurgicalGroupNT.com.

Tags: Baylor Institute for Healthcare Research and Improvement, Dr. Shafi, Five Star Spirit Award, Gold Star pin, Shahid Shafi M.D., Surgical Group of North Texas

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, it’s chocolate to the rescue! And not just for your sweetheart…for your heart! In multiple studies from around the world, chocolate is being touted as a forerunner in lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke. So not only can you woo your love with chocolate, you can love your heart with it too.

In a recent study by researcher Oscar H. Franco, MD, PhD, of the University of Cambridge in the U.K., people who ate chocolate had a 37% lower risk of heart disease and a 29% lower risk of stroke, compared to people who did not eat chocolate. Chocolate has also been linked to protecting against high blood pressure and diabetes, both risk factors for heart disease and strokes.

But how does it work? Researchers give credit to polyphenols found in chocolate. These antioxidants increase the body’s production of the chemical nitric oxide, which in turn leads to improvements in blood pressure and blood flow through arteries. Another factor are flavonoids in cocoa. These little sweethearts have antioxidant properties, protecting the body from damage caused by free radicals and suppressing the oxidation of bad cholesterol.

So when you think of getting something for your sweetheart this year, chocolate may be the best bet. And you can be sure your gift goes straight to the heart.

There is only a 1 out of 30 risk of dying of breast cancer, yet it’s well-known that women over the age of 40 need an annual mammogram.  A less-known fact is that 1 out of 3 women will die from some form of cardiovascular disease. Getting your mammogram is important, but screening for cardiovascular risk is even more so.  February is Heart Health month, so do something sweet for your heart by finding out your risk for cardiovascular disease.

The signs of coronary disease are often different in women than in men. For example, while most men present with the classic symptoms of heart attacks that include chest pain that spreads to the arms, women have a tendency to have difficulty breathing, nausea, abdominal pain or extreme fatigue.  These less obvious symptoms can delay proper treatment, increasing the mortality.

We need to focus much more aggressively on reducing cardiovascular risk in women through healthy lifestyle choices and early detection.  Please remember that it’s important to practice healthy habits to prevent the onset of coronary disease, such as:

1. Take the first step to get physically active, as simple as a 30 minute walk daily.

2.  Eat meals that are low in fat, with a focus on fruits and vegetables.

3.  Avoid smoking.

4.  See your doctor for regular check-ups.

5. Take the Framingham 10 year cardiovascular risk calculator. It is available at TuscanCardio.com and will give you an idea of your baseline risk.  It also forces you to “know your numbers.”

At Tuscan Cardiovascular Center, we have the tools to help you maintain good cardiovascular health. I invite you to visit TuscanCardio.com for more educational information related to healthy living and heart disease. Treat yourself this month by taking the time to learn about your cardiovascular risk and start a new habit that is sweet for your heart.

 By Dr. J. Douglas Overbeck  

______________________________

Dr. J. Douglas Overbeck is an Irving-based cardiologist with more than 20 years experience in providing cardiac care to patients in North Texas.  He is the founder of the Tuscan Cardiovascular Center in Las Colinas and also primary cardiologist for the Medical & Surgical Clinic of Irving. To learn more about how you can reach your health and wellness goals, please call us at (972) 253-2505 or visit TuscanCardio.com.

We’ve  all seen  the ads and commercials that spotlight a physician as “ New York’s Top Bariatric Surgeon” or ” among the most highly qualified Neurosurgeon of the south” but recently the Texas Medical Board has set numerous new standards specifically in the advertising field. How do you prove that you are “among the best”  or ” top Surgeon”? Well,  TMB prohibits the use of these slogans unless the physician has objective data to support the comparison of his qualifications to the others in his/her specialty.

The board also states that ” Any statement made about the physician’s professional experience, competence or quality should only be made if it can be supported by facts and any advertising that is “in any way false, deceptive or misleading” is prohibited.

What prompted TMB to roll out these new standards? Would it be the highly publicized medical cases in the media where those doctors portrayed themselves as the best only to be prosecuted for negligence? Or would it be the true need of accountability when marketing a brand new Neurosurgeon vs well recognized/awarded Neurosuergon and both using “best of” advertising?

What does this mean for physician’s whom have spent thousands to market themselves as the best or most qualified but have no data to support those statements?  Well, they’ll have to stop.

But, alas, there are sources of data.  Physicians just need to know where to look.  A few easy ones – any awards – no matter how hokey can be used.

• Voted D Magazine’s Best Doctors 2011  (local publications)
• Voted Texas Monthly’s Super Doctor 2011 (regional publications)

For groups with the exclusive at a hospital, ask for patient satisfaction and physician satisfaction surveys.  You can absolutely quote this.  For example, Ranked 99th percentile for patient satisfaction from Press Ganey Survey at Medical Center Hospital.

Physicians can also do their own surveys of their patients.  Set it up honestly and be sure it’s objective, but then use it!  99% satisfaction from patients.

In addition, many training programs and hospitals will have some kind of accolades, so brag about where you trained or where you worked.  Trained at Teaching Residency, the #1 ranked residency training program in the nation.  Practices at Well Hospital, a Top 100 Hospital.

Basically, the new rule just means we have to work a little harder to brag about ourselves.  But that’s okay, these false advertising laws have always been in place.  Kudos, to the TMB for further enforcing it.  Now, the “real” best doctors can shine!

According to TMB rule 164.5(c) “Advertising or promotion of products from which the physician receives direct remuneration or incentives is prohibited.”

It’s clear what TMB means but it’s unclear where the line is drawn. If you go to an OBGYN for contraceptives they might recommend an IUD or oral medications, would the physician be disobeying this rule to recommend a specific IUD knowing that the patient will pay for it and in return getting a profit from it? What about a dermatologist office recommending Botox for crows feet? Or is the board referring to a third party payment from a company that is linked on the physician’s website or mentioned in a tv commercial?

Regardless,  the board won’t allow any promotion of products that the physician receives “direct remuneration” from.  I suspect we’ll hear much more on this in the coming months, so stay tuned.

Tags: physician advertising

Do you or does your physician use the term “board certified”? If so, there is a new rule from the Texas Medical Board regarding use of the term for advertising purposes.

The rule states that the physician is authorized to utilize “board certified”  in advertising if “the specialty board that conferred the certification and the certifying organization is a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties, or the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists, or is the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.”1  What about certifications from other organizations? TMB says they physician may advertise as long as the organization meets specific TMB advertising requirement rules.

One of the most important changes is that “these rules also expressly prohibit use of the term “board eligible” or “board qualified” in physician advertising . The board has determined that these terms are misleading and cause confusion about a physician’s board certification status.”1 

For a solo physician that is “board eligible,” just leave that out of advertising.  For larger groups wanting to emphasize that all members are “board certified” or “board eligible,” perhaps consider more clear terms such as “in the examination process.”  Or, just steer clear of it altogether.

1: Texas Medical Liability Trust “The REPORTER” 2011 Volume 1

Tags: advertising, board certification, New TMB rules

IRVING, TEXAS, September 27, 2011 – The Medical & Surgical Clinic of Irving (M&SCI) today announced that Karen Bontia MD, a board-certified Neurologist, is joining the clinic.

There has been a shortage of Neurologists in Irving and the nation for several years, so M&SCI is thrilled to have recruited a Neurologist of her caliber.  Dr. Bonita is an experienced Neurologist with specialty training in Neuromuscular Medicine and Electrodiagnostic Medicine. She chose Texas because of proximity to family and Medical & Surgical Clinic of Irving because of their stellar reputation for patient care. 

Dr. Bontia’s office is in the professional building at Las Colinas Medicine Center where she will see patients age 16 and up.  She has staff privileges and will care for inpatients at Las Colinas Medical Center and at Baylor Medical Center at Irving. 

Dr. Bontia received her Doctor of Medicine from University of the Philippines and then completed an Internship at Staten Island University Hospital in New York.  She did her residency in Neurology at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System also in New York.   She went on to do fellowship training in Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.  After completing training, Dr. Bontia was in private practice in Maine for 5 years.

She is board certified in both Neurology and Neuromuscular Medicine by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology.  She is also board certified in Electrodiagnostic Medicine by the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine.  Dr. Bontia is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and a Fellow of the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine.

Her clinical areas of interest include headaches, neuromuscular disorders such as neuropathy, dementia and Alzheimer’s.  She is also fluent in Tagalog (Filipino).

###

About Medical & Surgical Clinic of Irving

M&SCI is one of the largest physician-owned multi-specialty group practices in the metroplex, serving patients from Irving and surrounding communities since 1953. With its focus on high quality, disease prevention, technology advancements and the continuum of medical care, M&SCI is well positioned to meet the challenges of healthcare in the decades to come.  For more information, call 972-253-4200 or visit www.mscitx.com.

Tags: irving, las colinas, Neurologist

Less fat.  Tighter skin. Back to work in two days. Playing sports in one week.  These don’t sound like promises from traditional liposuction.

Typical liposuction is an invasive surgery with general anesthesia that results in extensive bruising, swelling, several weeks of recovery, and the results can be less than what was hoped for.     

“Patient downtime after traditional liposuction surgery is significant,” says Dr. Charles Powell, a physician with FemSmart, located in Las Colinas. “However, with the new laser-assisted SmartLipo TriPlex procedure, my patients are able to return to normal activities in virtually no time at all—healing is significantly accelerated.”

This minimally-invasive procedure is performed in the comfort of a physician’s office with local numbing medication.  Tiny incisions are made (about the size of the tip of a pen) and a laser fiber is used to melt and remove fat deposits.  

The procedure takes less than two hours and results will be seen as early as one week, with continued improvement over 3- 6 months.  And the best part?  SmartLipo permanently destroys the fat cells in the treated area!

“No matter how strict some of my patients’ diet and how much they exercise, many of them just cannot eliminate certain areas of fat, such as around the abdomen or the upper regions of the arms,” explains Dr. Powell. “SmartLipo is ideal for treating these areas and the added benefit of the laser stimulating collagen production leaves the skin firm.

SmartLipo Event
For more information on the SmartLipo TriPlex and to meet Dr. Powell; the only physician in North Texas to have the newest and most advanced SmartLipo TriPlex machine, join us on June 8^th at 5:30pm at our office at 1110 Cottonwood Lane Suite L200 Irving, TX 75038 (across from Four Seasons).  Chance to win Smart Lipo Procedure- $4500 Value, Co2 Fraxel, Botox, Laser Hair Removal, and Photo Facial just for attending.  Call (214) 382-2659 or email info@femsmart.com to register. Space is limited.

Tags: Dallas, lipo, liposuction

Irving, Texas (February  20, 2011) – Dr. Overbeck is honored to be a repeat recipient of the Patients’ Choice physician award – 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Every month, more than 100,000 patients across the U.S. provide online feedback on Vitals.com about their experiences with their doctors. They rate various components such as bedside manner, doctor-patient face time, degree of follow-up, courtesy of office staff, and overall opinions.

While physicians generally receive positive reviews from their patients, only a select few receive uniformly rave reviews across the board.  Those who have received rave reviews with near perfect scores by their patients are awarded this honor.

Dr. Overbeck has been in practice as an Interventional Cardiologist in the Irving/Las Colinas area for over 20 years.  He is the founder of the Tuscan Cardiovascular Center in Las Colinas, an affiliate of Medical & Surgical Clinic of Irving.  The center is committed to providing individualized care in a patient-friendly atmosphere.  For more information regarding Tuscan Cardiovascular Center visit www.tuscancardio.com or call (972) 253-2505.

#     #     #

Sometimes it starts with a twinge. Or maybe a pull. Often, it’s just the wrong turn of the hip that causes debilitating back pain. In most cases, back pain is not caused by serious conditions, but by common, day-to-day actions, yet it’s one of the most common medical complaints.

According to the Mayo Clinic, four out of five people in the United States will experience lower back pain at least once during their lives. It’s one of the most common reasons people miss work. In fact, according to the American Chiropractic Association, one half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year.

In many cases, back pain will eventually subside, but it can often take several weeks for the issue to resolve. And, if it’s not too serious, you should feel some relief within the first 72 hours. So, how do you know when back pain requires medical treatment? Here are a few signals of more serious conditions.

Your pain doesn’t go away within three weeks. This could be considered “chronic” pain, a sign of a progressively worsening condition, which could require immediate medical attention.

Running fever along with back pain. Together, these two symptoms could be an indication of something more serious such as meningitis, which requires immediate treatment.

Pain that radiates down one or both legs, or causes weakness or numbness in one or both legs. This could be a sign of sciatica, a condition that usually results from a herniated disk, which puts pressure and irritation on nerves in the back.

Progressive weakness in the legs along with bladder and bowel problems. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called cauda equina syndrome, where the spinal canal narrows and compresses the nerve roots below the spinal cord. This is sometimes caused by trauma, herniated disk, or inflammatory or infections conditions. This condition requires immediate emergency care.

You recently suffered from a fall or blow to your back. Even if you walked away from the incident seemingly unhurt, you could deal with a variety of injuries, including fractures.

Worsening pain when you bend over or lift your legs. This could be a signal for disk problems, including bulging disks, herniated disks or degenerative disk diseases.

If you experience any of these signs or symptoms, it’s time to visit your doctor.  Listen to your body.  Oh, and if you need a good doctor, let us know.

by Dr. J. Douglas Overbeck

There is only a 1 out of 30 risk of dying of breast cancer, yet it’s well-known that women over the age of 40 need an annual mammogram.  A less-known fact is that 1 out of 3 women will die from some form of cardiovascular disease.  Getting your mammogram is important, but screening for cardiovascular risk is even more so.  February is Heart Health month, so do something sweet for your heart by finding out your risk for cardiovascular disease.

The signs of coronary disease are often different in women than in men. For example, while most men present with the classic symptoms of heart attacks that include chest pain that spreads to the arms, women have a tendency to have difficulty breathing, nausea, abdominal pain or extreme fatigue.  These less obvious symptoms can delay proper treatment, increasing the mortality.

We need to focus much more aggressively on reducing cardiovascular risk in women through healthy lifestyle choices and early detection.  Please remember that it’s important to practice healthy habits to prevent the onset of coronary disease, such as:

1. Take the first step to get physically active, as simple as a 30 minute walk daily.

2.  Eat meals that are low in fat, with a focus on fruits and vegetables.

3.  Avoid smoking.

4.  See your doctor for regular check-ups.

5. Take the Framingham 10 year cardiovascular risk calculator. It is available at TuscanCardio.com and will give you an idea of your baseline risk.  It also forces you to “know your numbers.”

At Tuscan Cardiovascular Center, we have the tools to help you maintain good cardiovascular health. I invite you to visit TuscanCardio.com for more educational information related to healthy living and heart disease. Treat yourself this month by taking the time to learn about your cardiovascular risk and start a new habit that is sweet for your heart.

Dr. J. Douglas Overbeck is an Irving-based cardiologist with more than 20 years experience in providing cardiac care to patients in North Texas.  He is the founder of the Tuscan Cardiovascular Center in Las Colinas and also primary cardiologist for the Medical & Surgical Clinic of Irving. To learn more about how you can reach your health and wellness goals, please call us at (972) 253-2505 or visit tuscancardio.com.

Tags: Cardiology, Heart Health, J Douglas Overbeck, Women

Social Medial in Healthcare – Connect, Communicate, Collaborate by Christina Beach Thielst is a great introduction to social media for healthcare executives. That said, if you have a strong background in social media, pass this one up. It’s definitely Social Media 101 and not Advanced Social Media.

It covers where social media came from and how we got to where we are. It also explains all the catch phrases – SEO, wiki, microblog, widget, etc. Additionally, it gives examples of how health systems are using social media.

If you deal with marketing, but aren’t a big social media person, this book is a great place to start. It will help you have an idea of how to develop a social media plan. It could also be a great resource if you were planning to hire someone to do social media for you. Always good to speak their language!

So, read it if you are a beginner. Skip it if you are familiar with social media.

Blog on!

Tags: book review, healthcare, social media

(November 16, 2010) Irving, Texas— What does it take to be selected as a Texas Super Doctor year after year? Leading-edge knowledge. Personal bedside manner. And the respect of your peers. Colleagues have again nominated Dr. J Douglas Overbeck of Tuscan Cardiovascular Center to the list of Texas Super Doctors as one of the top Cardiologists in the state.

Featured in the December 2010 issue of Texas Monthly, this annual list is a culmination of the top medical talent in Texas. Conducted by Key Professional Media, the company surveys doctors to identify those most highly regarded by their peers. They simply ask, “To whom would you refer a loved one or one of your patients for medical diagnosis and/or treatment?” Then, an independent panel of esteemed physicians reviews the list of nominees and makes the final selections for the prestigious list.

“I am honored to be recognized by colleagues as the Cardiologist they would select to treat their loved ones. This is the highest compliment for a physician,” says Overbeck. “At Tuscan Cardiovascular Center, we pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality care where our patients are treated like family.”

A native of Dallas, Texas, Dr. Overbeck graduated from Texas A&M, and went on to receive his medical degree at UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. He then completed his residency at Vanderbilt University and his cardiology fellowship at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.

Dr. Overbeck has been in practice as an Interventional Cardiologist in the Irving/Las Colinas area for over 20 years. He is the founder of the Tuscan Cardiovascular Center in Las Colinas, an affiliate of Medical & Surgical Clinic of Irving. The center is committed to providing individualized care in a patient-friendly atmosphere. For more information regarding Tuscan Cardiovascular Center visit http://www.tuscancardio.comor call (972) 253-2505.

Tags: Cardiologist, Overbeck, Texas Super Doctor

Here’s the most innovative idea I’ve heard in healthcare in a long time! 
From Journal Watch:

A Little Off the Top: Barbershop Hypertension Intervention

Barbershops may offer an opportunity to intervene against uncontrolled hypertension in black men, an Archives of Internal Medicine study shows. 

Researchers randomized 17 black-owned shops in Texas either to provide pamphlets on blood pressure control or to perform actual blood pressure measurements and refer hypertensive men to clinicians. Barbers were paid for their screening work and also received payment for successful referrals.

At the end of 10 months, independent assessment of average blood pressures in the shops revealed that the intervention group had achieved a greater improvement in the hypertension control rate compared with the comparison group. The absolute difference between groups in improved control was almost 9%.

The authors say, “The public health potential is intriguing.” And an editorialist — himself a patron of a black barbershop — points out that “current systems of health care are not working” for black patients with hypertension.

Archives of Internal Medicine article (Free abstract)

Have you moved offices or changed practices within the last few years?  Added on new physicians?  Google your practice and see how many sites have the wrong information on you.  Patients and referring offices need to be able to find you quickly.  It takes months and even years for online services to pick up new office locations.  We strongly recommend manually updating the following sites that are most used for locating physicians:             

• www.Healthgrades.com                                            
• www.Vitals.com
• www.UComparehealth.com
• www.Vimo.com
• www.Healthline.com
• www.Healthcare.com
• www.Wellness.com
• www.Bing.com 
• www.WebMD.com
• www.Yellowpages.com

While you are at it, you can also add logos, web links, photos, and practice information to many of these sites.  It’s an easy way to showcase the practice.  But, if the thought of all that boggles you down, just update the most vital information like phone number and address. 

In addition, set up a Google alert for each doctor and the practice.  These will alert you to any other sites that may have their information listed, as well as any internet posts containing their names or the practice name.