Sunday, September 30, 2012

Autism research initiative is a coup for state | Georgia Health News

Autism research initiative is a coup for state | Georgia Health News

Overcoming Fear Is Not Easy For Teens

Overcoming Fear Is Not Easy For Teens

92 Percent Of The Top 50 Television Programs For Children Ages 2-11 Show Social Bullying

92 Percent Of The Top 50 Television Programs For Children Ages 2-11 Show Social Bullying

6 in 10 Physicians Would Quit Today

6 in 10 Physicians Would Quit Today

Follow-Up Lacking for Babies After Hepatitis B Vaccination: CDC

Follow-Up Lacking for Babies After Hepatitis B Vaccination: CDC

Americans urged to get vaccinated as flu season nears | Reuters

Americans urged to get vaccinated as flu season nears | Reuters

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Doctors' Intuition May Be Key to Spotting Infections in Kids

Doctors' Intuition May Be Key to Spotting Infections in Kids

Branding Health Insurance Exchanges To Make The Sale - Kaiser Health News

Branding Health Insurance Exchanges To Make The Sale - Kaiser Health News

Kaiser rated tops again in commercial health plans | Georgia Health News

Kaiser rated tops again in commercial health plans | Georgia Health News

In Both The US And England, Minority Children Are At Increased Risk For Weight Problems

In Both The US And England, Minority Children Are At Increased Risk For Weight Problems

TV for Kids Filled With Social Bullying, Study Finds

TV for Kids Filled With Social Bullying, Study Finds

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

U.S. Antibiotic Prescribing Rates Highest in South: Study

U.S. Antibiotic Prescribing Rates Highest in South: Study

Use Of Corticosteroid For Children Undergoing Tonsillectomy Does Not Appear To Increase Risk Of Serious Bleeding

Use Of Corticosteroid For Children Undergoing Tonsillectomy Does Not Appear To Increase Risk Of Serious Bleeding

Obese Pregnant Women With Sleep Apnea May Have More Delivery Complications

Obese Pregnant Women With Sleep Apnea May Have More Delivery Complications

Stress Linked to Greater Weight Gain in Black Girls, Study Finds

Stress Linked to Greater Weight Gain in Black Girls, Study Finds

$8.3M NIH grant brings Autism Research Center of Excellence to Atlanta


$8.3M NIH grant brings 

Autism Research Center of Excellence to Atlanta

Atlanta Business Chronicle by Maria Saporta, Contributing Writer

Date: Monday, September 24, 2012, 2:29pm EDT
An Atlanta-based coalition of institutions will receive a $8.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to create an Autism Research Center of Excellence -- one of only three in the United States.
Gov. Nathan Deal will announce the “transformational grant” on Sept. 27 at 10:30 a.m. in the north wing of the Georgia State Capitol.

The grant reinforces the work underway on autism research and treatment through an Atlanta coalition that includes the Marcus Autism Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Department of Pediatrics at Emory University’s School of Medicine and the Yerkes National Primate Research Center at Emory.

A driving force behind the coalition is Dr. Ami Klin, who relocated his research and his team from Yale University in January 2011. The extensive team effort included philanthropist Bernie Marcus, the Georgia Research Alliance, top state officials and leaders from Emory and Children’s Healthcare.
Klin is the principal investigator and director of the new Autism Center of Excellence. He also serves as director of the Marcus Autism Center, and he is a GRA eminent scholar and a professor of pediatrics in theEmory School of Medicine.

The ACE grant will study the risk and resilience for autism in infants and toddlers through fundamental research and new screening programs in early infancy.

The research program will seek to diagnose autism in children at an age as early as just a few months old to allow early intervention by parents and professionals to minimize the impact the disability has on children and adults.

It is estimated one in every 88 children is affected by autism and related disorders nationally. The Marcus Autism Center, which worked with 5,676 children in 2011, is the largest autism center in the world by far, serving eight times as many children as other leading centers, Klin said.
At a talk to the Rotary Club of Atlanta on Monday, Klin said Atlanta is positioned to become the leading hub in the country because of the collaboration between all the various partners.
When he was at Yale, Klin had 69 members on his team. In less that two years, the Marcus Autism Center has a team of 182 clinicians and researchers.

The other two national centers receiving NIH grants are the University of California, Los Angeles and Boston University.

Boom In Trauma Centers Can Help Save Lives, But At What Price? - Kaiser Health News

Boom In Trauma Centers Can Help Save Lives, But At What Price? - Kaiser Health News

Monday, September 24, 2012

The Next Frontier For Elite Med Schools: Primary Care - Kaiser Health News

The Next Frontier For Elite Med Schools: Primary Care - Kaiser Health News

New System for Patients to Report Medical Mistakes - NYTimes.com

New System for Patients to Report Medical Mistakes - NYTimes.com

Public health approach: Physicians aim to prevent gun violence - amednews.com

Public health approach: Physicians aim to prevent gun violence - amednews.com

"Sesame Street" has Muppet doctor in the neighborhood - amednews.com

"Sesame Street" has Muppet doctor in the neighborhood - amednews.com

Affirmative action: High court may rewrite med school admission policies - amednews.com

Affirmative action: High court may rewrite med school admission policies - amednews.com

Research Lacking on Drugs for Older Children With Autism, Study Finds

Research Lacking on Drugs for Older Children With Autism, Study Finds

Doctors to Parents: No Trampolines

Doctors to Parents: No Trampolines

Stress linked to heavier teen girls - UPI.com

Stress linked to heavier teen girls - UPI.com

Thursday, September 20, 2012

4-day workweek popular for doctors' flexible scheduling - amednews.com

4-day workweek popular for doctors' flexible scheduling - amednews.com

Backers planning push for Medicaid expansion | Georgia Health News

Backers planning push for Medicaid expansion | Georgia Health News

Study suggests tie between BPA and child obesity | www.ajc.com

Study suggests tie between BPA and child obesity | www.ajc.com

Health Reform 2.0: States Balking at New Insurance Exchanges

Health Reform 2.0: States Balking at New Insurance Exchanges

Discussion of healthcare economy turns to Medicaid expansion | Online Athens

Discussion of healthcare economy turns to Medicaid expansion | Online Athens

Health Reform 2.0: Governors Pushing Back on Medicaid Expansion

Health Reform 2.0: Governors Pushing Back on Medicaid Expansion

Obese Children Less Sensitive to Tastes | MyHealthNewsDaily.com

Obese Children Less Sensitive to Tastes | MyHealthNewsDaily.com

Group seeks to keep Augusta in new university's name | The Augusta Chronicle

Group seeks to keep Augusta in new university's name | The Augusta Chronicle

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Hemophilia program could get the budget ax | Georgia Health News

Hemophilia program could get the budget ax | Georgia Health News

Unchecked Rise In Obesity Will Be Costly To States, Report Says – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Unchecked Rise In Obesity Will Be Costly To States, Report Says – Capsules - The KHN Blog

More Kids Opting Out of School-Required Vaccinations: Study

More Kids Opting Out of School-Required Vaccinations: Study

Describing Vegetables With Catchy Names Increases Affinity For Greens

Describing Vegetables With Catchy Names Increases Affinity For Greens

Pacifier Use Can Lead To Emotional Problems In Boys

Pacifier Use Can Lead To Emotional Problems In Boys

Family Physicians Reject Suggestions To Have Nurses Lead Practices – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Family Physicians Reject Suggestions To Have Nurses Lead Practices – Capsules - The KHN Blog

Maternal Vitamin D Linked to Infant Development --Doctors Lounge

Maternal Vitamin D Linked to Infant Development --Doctors Lounge

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Medical licensure: State lines pose daunting barriers - amednews.com

Medical licensure: State lines pose daunting barriers - amednews.com

Medicaid expansion could come at a big cost to states - amednews.com

Medicaid expansion could come at a big cost to states - amednews.com

BPA in Food Packaging Tied to Child Obesity: Study

BPA in Food Packaging Tied to Child Obesity: Study

Urgent Care Centers Are Booming, Which Worries Some Doctors - Kaiser Health News

Urgent Care Centers Are Booming, Which Worries Some Doctors - Kaiser Health News

More Docs Hope to Call D.C. Home

More Docs Hope to Call D.C. Home

Exec compensation grows at children's hospitals - FierceHealthcare

Exec compensation grows at children's hospitals - FierceHealthcare

Monday, September 17, 2012

Gestational Exposure To Urban Air Pollution Linked To Vitamin D Deficiency In Newborns

Gestational Exposure To Urban Air Pollution Linked To Vitamin D Deficiency In Newborns

CMS: Medicaid Pay Hike Plan Coming Soon

CMS: Medicaid Pay Hike Plan Coming Soon

ACOs transform to a nurse-centric model - FierceHealthcare

ACOs transform to a nurse-centric model - FierceHealthcare

New program helps overweight kids lose weight – USATODAY.com

New program helps overweight kids lose weight – USATODAY.com

U.S. Kids Eat Nearly As Much Salt As Adults, Putting Health At Risk : The Salt : NPR

U.S. Kids Eat Nearly As Much Salt As Adults, Putting Health At Risk : The Salt : NPR

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Second Hand Smoke During Pregnancy Harms Neurodevelopment In Babies

Second Hand Smoke During Pregnancy Harms Neurodevelopment In Babies

LA doctors, patients sue Health Net for denying claims | Reuters

LA doctors, patients sue Health Net for denying claims | Reuters

New York OKs nation's first ban on super-sized sugary drinks | Reuters

New York OKs nation's first ban on super-sized sugary drinks | Reuters

U.S. McDonald's to put calorie counts in lights | Reuters

U.S. McDonald's to put calorie counts in lights | Reuters

DTaP's Pertussis Protection Waned After 5 Years : Family Practice News

DTaP's Pertussis Protection Waned After 5 Years : Family Practice News

Ga. uninsured rate remains high; U.S. number dips | Georgia Health News

Ga. uninsured rate remains high; U.S. number dips | Georgia Health News

New President and CEO at Central Georgia Health System/The Medical Center of Central Georgia

New President and CEO at Central Georgia Health System/The Medical Center of Central Georgia  MACON, GA (September 12, 2012) – Central Georgia Health System (CGHS) and The Medical Center of Central Georgia (MCCG) announced today the selection of Ninfa M. Saunders, PhD, MBA, MSN, as its incoming President and Chief Executive Officer.
The Search Committee, comprised of community board members and physicians, with the assistance of a national search firm, was delegated active management of the search for the CGHS/MCCG President/CEO. A profile of core competencies that met the Board’s goals for the organization’s vision and strategy was established, and qualified candidate interviews were conducted to narrow down the finalists in this process. Administrators, other board members, and members of medical executive and physician's advisory committees, physician department heads, and academic physician leaders participated in the review of the final two candidates. The committee's selection was ratified by both the CGHS and MCCG boards of directors meeting jointly on Wednesday, September 12, 2012. Dr. Saunders will join CGHS/MCCG on October 1, 2012. With almost 40 years of hospital administrative and clinical experience, Dr. Saunders was most recently the President and COO of Virtua Health, the largest health system in southern New Jersey, which operates four hospitals, two rehabilitation centers, senior services, home care, ambulatory and outpatient services.
 “We are very excited and fortunate to have someone with Dr. Saunders’ experience and credentials join the Central Georgia Health System team,” said Ray Pippin, Chairman of the Macon-Bibb County Hospital Authority. “We look forward to her continuing the leadership that has been set forth by Don Faulk.”
 “We offer our many thanks and congratulations to Don Faulk on his long and successful service to our hospital system. The search for his successor has been both extensive and intensive, and has involved an excellent cross section of physicians, board, and staff, “ stated Dr. Bill Tift, Chairman of the Medical Executive Committee and Co-chair of the Search Committee. “Ninfa Saunders has emerged as the clear choice to build on the strong foundation created by Mr. Faulk, his leadership team, and the physicians and staff of MCCG. She is very well-educated, has vast clinical and administrative experience, and has the enthusiasm and energy to lead us through the exciting changes taking place in healthcare. With the dedicated support of the medical staff, Dr. Saunders can and will lead the Central Georgia Health System in our quest for high quality, safe, consistent, patient-centered service to our community.” Under Faulk’s leadership, MCCG has grown to be the second largest hospital in Georgia, one of five level one trauma centers in the state, and nationally recognized by U.S. News and World Report for excellence in nursing, cardiology and nine other adult specialties.
 “Don Faulk, through his leadership, has left a legacy of a top-rated institution that performs as an industry leader in healthcare,” said Starr Purdue, Chairman of the CGHS Board of Directors and Co-chair of the Search Committee. “Our newly selected CEO has the background and experience needed to maintain CGHS's solid foundation and to take us to new heights.”
Dr. Saunders completed her Doctorate in Healthcare Administration at the Medical University of South Carolina, earned a Master’s of Business Administration from Emory University in Atlanta, a Master’s of Science in Nursing from the Rutgers University in Newark, N.J., and a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Concordia College in Manila, Philippines. Dr. Saunders was recently appointed as Dean's Professor at the Mayers School of Business and serves in the Board of Visitors of the University Sciences of Philadelphia. She is a Distinguished Faculty at Emory University in Atlanta. She is also an Associate Professor at Rutgers University, N.J.
 “The clinical and administrative experience, coupled with the energy, vision, and dedication to patients that Ninfa Saunders brings to MCCG make her uniquely qualified to lead our hospital and system,” said Nancy Anderson, Chairman of the MCCG Board of Directors. “We are very excited to have her on our team as we face the numerous challenges ahead in this uncharted era of healthcare reform. CGHS and MCCG are well-positioned for this future thanks to Don Faulk's outstanding leadership over the last several decades. Now we must build on that legacy."
Retiring after 39 years of service at MCCG, outgoing CEO Don Faulk set the process in motion last winter when he announced his intention to retire this fall.
“The Search Committee has done an extremely conscientious job in surveying a wide range of excellent candidates to find the next president for CGHS,” said Faulk. “Dr. Saunders brings a clinical background combined with broad administrative experience. This should couple well with the great team of professionals at MCCG and propel the organization forward.”
Often recognized for her dedication to advanced medical care and clinical quality, Dr. Saunders was awarded the 2012 Outstanding Citizenship and Good Neighbor Award by the American Red Cross and named by South Jersey Magazine as a “Woman to Watch in New Jersey” in 2012.   
“I am honored to accept the position of President and CEO of this remarkable organization,” said Dr. Saunders.  “I am also humbled by the opportunity to follow the exceptional leadership of Don Faulk. He has positioned this organization to be one of Georgia’s best. I look forward to working alongside a passionate, committed group of board members, physicians, employees, and healthcare executives to serve the needs of this community.” 
 About Central Georgia Health SystemCentral Georgia Health System (CGHS) was incorporated on November 17, 1994, as a nonprofit corporation whose primary purpose is to coordinate The Medical Center of Central Georgia (MCCG) and other affiliated entities, in their mission of providing a comprehensive range of high-quality, reasonably priced health care services to the central and south Georgia community. Currently, these other entities include Medcen Community Health Foundation, Central Georgia Rehabilitation Hospital, Central Georgia Home Care Services, Health Services of Central Georgia, and Carlyle Place. About The Medical Center of Central GeorgiaThe Medical Center of Central Georgia (MCCG), an entity of Central Georgia Health System (CGHS), is a tertiary regional teaching medical center, a designated Level I Trauma Center, a perinatal center, and is one of 42 twice-designated Magnet® hospitals for nursing excellence. MCCG serves a primary and secondary service area of 30 counties and nearly 750,000 persons in central and south Georgia. It has over 4,600 employees and a medical staff of over 590 physicians. MCCG is the second largest hospital in Georgia with a capacity of 637 beds including medical-surgical, obstetric, pediatric, psychiatric, and specialized individual intensive care units for neurology, pediatric, neonatal, surgical trauma, cardiac and cardiac surgery. The Emergency Center, with helipad capability and three urgent care centers, treats over 120,000 visitors per year. MCCG provides a broad range of community-based, outpatient diagnostic, primary care, extensive home health and hospice care, and comprehensive rehabilitation services. MCCG is the primary teaching hospital for Mercer University School of Medicine, providing residency and fellowship programs for over 100 residents and fellows, and is affiliated with multiple universities as a clinical education site.  

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

6 tips for marketing a practice outside social media - amednews.com

6 tips for marketing a practice outside social media - amednews.com

Babies' Ability To Detect Complex Rules In Language Outshines That Of Adults

Babies' Ability To Detect Complex Rules In Language Outshines That Of Adults

Direct pay: An ounce of prevention or a pound of trouble? - FiercePracticeManagement

Direct pay: An ounce of prevention or a pound of trouble? - FiercePracticeManagement

New ICD-10 start date doesn't stall practice training, upgrades - FiercePracticeManagement

New ICD-10 start date doesn't stall practice training, upgrades - FiercePracticeManagement

Extended office hours lower care costs by 10% - FiercePracticeManagement

Extended office hours lower care costs by 10% - FiercePracticeManagement

More hospital errors when kids have chronic ills | Reuters

More hospital errors when kids have chronic ills | Reuters

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Deal: August revenues up 1.9 percent | Governor Nathan Deal Office of the Governor

Deal: August revenues up 1.9 percent | Governor Nathan Deal Office of the Governor

Gov. Deal forming advisory panel of teen drivers - The Times-Herald

Gov. Deal forming advisory panel of teen drivers - The Times-Herald

Head US nun chastises Republican governors on Medicaid opt-out - The Hill's Healthwatch

Head US nun chastises Republican governors on Medicaid opt-out - The Hill's Healthwatch

Pediatricians' Group Urges Flu Shot for Kids Aged 6 Months and Up - US News and World Report

Pediatricians' Group Urges Flu Shot for Kids Aged 6 Months and Up - US News and World Report

Maternal Depression Linked To Shorter Children

Maternal Depression Linked To Shorter Children

Health News Articles | News for Physicians & Medical Professionals

Health News Articles | News for Physicians & Medical Professionals

Risk-Glorifying Video Games Linked To Reckless Driving

Risk-Glorifying Video Games Linked To Reckless Driving

Monday, September 10, 2012

Doctors who view medicine as a calling are more satisfied - amednews.com

Doctors who view medicine as a calling are more satisfied - amednews.com

Public health approach: Physicians aim to prevent gun violence - amednews.com

Public health approach: Physicians aim to prevent gun violence - amednews.com

Infant Sleep Training Methods Are Safe And Effective

Infant Sleep Training Methods Are Safe And Effective

Pediatricians call for uniformity on kids' essential benefits - amednews.com

Pediatricians call for uniformity on kids' essential benefits - amednews.com

Obese Teens Eat Fewer Calories Than Their Peers

Obese Teens Eat Fewer Calories Than Their Peers

Some Vaccination Targets Met

Some Vaccination Targets Met

Children's Poor Reading Could Improve With Omega-3 Supplements

Children's Poor Reading Could Improve With Omega-3 Supplements

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Popular Kids Smoke More

Popular Kids Smoke More

Gov. Cuomo signs two laws to protect children from nicotine addiction; one of the measures bans the sale of electronic cigarettes to youth under the age of 18  - NY Daily News

Gov. Cuomo signs two laws to protect children from nicotine addiction; one of the measures bans the sale of electronic cigarettes to youth under the age of 18  - NY Daily News

Laundry Packs Tempting to Children

Laundry Packs Tempting to Children

Rockdale Citizen | Shape Month focuses on kids' fitness

Rockdale Citizen | Shape Month focuses on kids' fitness

Rockdale Citizen | Shape Month focuses on kids' fitness

Rockdale Citizen | Shape Month focuses on kids' fitness

Report: US health care system wastes $750B a year - SFGate

Report: US health care system wastes $750B a year - SFGate

From golf courses to schools, progress on smoking | Georgia Health News

From golf courses to schools, progress on smoking | Georgia Health News

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Is the physician shortage a myth? - FierceHealthcare

Is the physician shortage a myth? - FierceHealthcare

Pressuring Children To Eat Increases Risk Of Obesity

Pressuring Children To Eat Increases Risk Of Obesity

The Developing Vision of Primary Care — NEJM

The Developing Vision of Primary Care — NEJM

From Sick Care to Health Care — Reengineering Prevention into the U.S. System — NEJM

From Sick Care to Health Care — Reengineering Prevention into the U.S. System — NEJM

Health Problems in Teens Linked with Worse Cognitive Skills | Metabolic Syndrome & Cognition | MyHealthNewsDaily.com

Health Problems in Teens Linked with Worse Cognitive Skills | Metabolic Syndrome & Cognition | MyHealthNewsDaily.com

Small 'Button Batteries' Pose Big Risks For Kids : Shots - Health Blog : NPR

Small 'Button Batteries' Pose Big Risks For Kids : Shots - Health Blog : NPR

Teen Vaccinations Found to Be Increasing As Recommended --Doctors Lounge

Teen Vaccinations Found to Be Increasing As Recommended --Doctors Lounge

Health News Articles | News for Physicians & Medical Professionals

Health News Articles | News for Physicians & Medical Professionals

Monday, September 3, 2012

Hospital group adjusts position on block grants | Georgia Health News

Hospital group adjusts position on block grants | Georgia Health News

Nearly half of physicians struggle with burnout - amednews.com

Nearly half of physicians struggle with burnout - amednews.com

Protecting a practice against embezzlement and theft - amednews.com

Protecting a practice against embezzlement and theft - amednews.com

Will male circumcision guidance reverse trends in the procedure? - amednews.com

Will male circumcision guidance reverse trends in the procedure? - amednews.com

Study Explores Medical Exemptions From School Vaccination Requirements Across States

Study Explores Medical Exemptions From School Vaccination Requirements Across States

Obesity Can Lower Children's IQ

Obesity Can Lower Children's IQ