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ASSOCIATIONS

New DCMA President Outlines Goals –

Quality Is Front and Center

BY BARBARA FALLON Initiative, which is an this community, we have pitals treating the full range of neurologi-
effort to enhance public some of the best physi- cal diseases and disorders across the state.
The newly installed president of Dade transportation within cians in the United States FCN has the full range of neurological
County Medical Association (DCMA), Miami’s health corridors to who can provide world- subspecialists and provides the highest
Antonio Mesa, D.O., is the first Doctor of assist community resi- class care for all of these quality care that serves as a model for the
Osteopathic Medicine to hold the posi- dents to remain healthy by patients. These are inter- national neurology specialty societies.
tion. He envisions strengthening affilia- making it easier to get to nationally recognized “Too often physicians are generically
tions with national medical societies their physicians and med- physicians who practice catalogued by insurance companies. We
from Latin America and the Caribbean in ical treatments. It also medicine at the highest all know not every engineer, lawyer,
the United States. Working together with means serving on local level available anywhere accountant, auto mechanic, or chef is the
organizations such as the Dominican boards and task forces to and in every medical spe- same. Why let an insurance company
Health Care Association of Florida, the help create solutions for cialty and subspecialty,” determine which specialists are equiva-
Nicaraguan American Medical Assoc - substance abuse, lending he said. “No one should lent? Physicians need to determine
iation, and the Haitian American Medical expertise to projects such Dr. Antonio Mesa lack access to care as a when, how, and which specialist can best
Association helps each organization pro- as STEM outreach for high result of their unfamiliari- treat their patients. That is a quality indi-
vide its members with improved benefits school students, behav- ty with the expertise in cator that requires a professional clinical
and allows cooperation to achieve long- ioral health education for law enforce- their own back yard.” definition – not in esoteric or economic
standing goals to improve both access and ment and stress management for our Dr. Mesa is a recognized neurologist terms – but in a way that is meaningful
quality of care for their patients. members, according to Mesa. who subspecializes in interventional to a laymen’s understanding of the best
A Floridian since the age of four, Dr. On legislative concerns, he describes pain management. He earned dual board plan of care,” Dr. Mesa emphasized.
Mesa followed the footsteps of many fam- the physician’s role as translating health certifications and was the first neurolo- The DCMA is the organization of
ily members and earned undergraduate needs for state and local officials to cre- gist in Florida to complete the interven- physicians who advocate for patients and
and graduate degrees in engineering. He is ate manageable solutions which target tional pain management fellowship in for the quality and sustainability of the
a licensed professional engineer in addi- the real need. anesthesiology. He is a prominent mem- practice of medicine. DCMA strives to
tion to being a licensed physician. His “As clinicians on the front line, we can ber of First Choice Neurology (FCN), support members in their practices pro-
work in forensic engineering spiked an identify social issues that hinder health the largest adult and pediatric neurology moting ethical, educational and clinical
interest in biomedical engineering, which care access. We can provide knowledge- practice in the country. standards to enhance the integrity of the
eventually led to a decision to pursue a able direction and support community or With more than 41 facilities in six patient/doctor relationship.
career in medicine at the Kansas City legislative resolve to improve the health Florida counties, FCN has more than 80
University of Medicine and Biosciences. and welfare of our diverse communities, adult and pediatric neurologists and 120 For additional information visit
He outlined three specific goals for his whether that addresses multi-lingual or affiliated clinical experts at 35 major hos- www.miamimed.com.
DCMA 2019 term which dovetail with his bi-cultural care, transportation, behav-
quest for quality standards that positively ioral health or housing issues,” he said.
impact patient care and value … under- The DCMA also aims to provide
standable quality criteria; enhanced educa- enhanced CME opportunities for doctors
tional opportunities for clinicians; and to expand their knowledge and skills and
adapting the DCMA communications to stay abreast of current medical tech-
publication into a medical journal. nique and philosophies of care. In keep- “ You can’t separate the clinical
“Too often quality measures are tainted ing with that goal, Dr. Mesa hopes to
by the economic considerations of special transform Miami Medicine into a and the fi nancial – not anymore.”
interests. Financial influences on quality Medline searchable scientific journal.
issues do not benefit either physicians or Medical professionals practice an art and People who know Healthcare, know BDO.
patients. As a profession we need to care- a science and have a need to access and
fully consider what is truly of value to our share scholarly publications of their
patients rather than the interests of some research.
nebulous concept like ‘the healthcare sys- Furthermore, Dr. Mesa prescribes cre-
tem.’ We must always be an advocate for ating a deeper awareness of the high level
our patients as individual human beings,” of quality care in South Florida. “South
Dr. Mesa explained. Florida is a microcosm of the world. We
This advocacy includes involvement in have multi-generational cultural issues
social issues such as the Healthy City and language barriers yet, right here in

The BDO Center for Healthcare Excellence & Innovation
As the healthcare industry enters an era of unprecedented transformation, anticipating and
understanding the future state model of healthcare is more important than ever. From advising on
Designate DCMA
complex joint ventures, to M&A services, to healthcare redesign, BDO’s multidisciplinary teams help
organizations plan for and implement the fi nancial and clinical changes needed to transform their
Our Community. Our Profession. institutions — and thrive in the years to come.
Alfredo Cepero, 305-420-8006 / acepero@bdo.com
Angelo Pirozzi, 646-520-2870 / apirozzi@bdo.com

@BDOHealth www.bdo.com/blogs/healthcare
Accountants | Advisors | Doctors
Physicians have many choices when it comes to association membership, but www.bdo.com/healthcare
few organizations can have the local impact of your County Medical Society.
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Designate DCMA as one of your organizations and join your local colleagues
working together to advance the practice of medicine in our community.

www.miamimed.com

South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com August 2019 11