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2019... A LOOK AHEAD...2019... A LOOK AHEAD...2019... A LOOK

Cover Story: A Message from David N. Kenigsberg, M.D.,

President, Broward County Medical Association 2018-2019 South Florida's

Monthly
Continued from page 1 36 years old, he was appointed physician the practice of medicine is the most
In the more than 10 years I have been to the Court of Saladin and also became rewarding career that one can pursue, I do Healthcare Newspaper

in practice, I have witnessed many dra- Head of the Jewish community. understand that there are obstacles and
matic changes: In regards to physician burn out, many things to complain about in PO Box 812708
1. The requirement for physicians to Maimonedes recognized it as an issue for Medicine these days, as well. However, I Boca Raton, FL 33481-2708
transition to EMRs, then HL7 compliant himself: also believe that we can look to these chal- Phone: (561) 368-6950

EMRs, forcing doctors to spend lots of A typical day’s work as follows: “My lenges as road blocks or we can look to
money and resulting in hours sitting in duties to the Sultan are very heavy. I am them as opportunities. If we want to begin Website:
front of a computer screen/a barrier obliged to visit him every day, early in a process of improvement, you must get
between us and our patients the morning; and even if nothing unusu- involved. And getting involved at the www.southfloridahospitalnews.com

2. The annual reduction and bundling al happens, I do not return to Fostat until county level is truly grassroots and gives
of our reimbursement the afternoon. Then I am fatigued and everyone of us the ability to affect change CHARLES FELIX
3. The passage and implementation of hungry. I find the ante-chambers filled locally. CAROL FELIX
the Affordable Care Act aka Obamacare with people ... I converse with and pre- Secondly, I would like to re-establish the Publishers
and its resultant high deductible plans scribe for them while lying down from physician as “the physician” not as a
4. A movement away from private sheer fatigue, and when night falls I am provider and as the leader of the health- NANCY LAMMIE
practice and toward physician employ- so exhausted that I can scarcely speak.” care delivery team. Words are powerful. I Editor

ment models by hospitals, insurance So, many of you have asked, what do I encourage each of you to correct anyone JUDY GRAMM
companies and other corporations propose that we do about these chal- who you interact with moving forward Editorial Manager & Webmaster
5. The renaming of physicians as lenges and obstacles that we face togeth- and insist that they refer to you as Doctor
“Providers” while naming of nurses as er as physicians? What are my goals and or Physician or even Surgeon, but not JMC GRAPHICS
“Doctors” what is my agenda for change as the allow yourself to be called “provider.” Art/Production
6. Constant scope of practice expansion BCMA President? In other words how However, regardless of who you want to lammienancy@aol.com
threats like pharmacists who want to diag- can we affect change together locally? attribute the quote to, Voltaire, Churchill 412-835-5796
nose illness and recommend treatment, for First off, we need to increase physician or Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben (I thought my
example involvement and membership in organ- friend Stewart Slomowitz would enjoy the CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
7. The pill mill debacle and its repercus- ized medicine in general and in the Spiderman comment), I truly believe that Daniel Casciato
sions felt to this day with the eFORCE BCMA, in specific. There are currently “with great power comes great responsibil- Barbara Fallon
mandate almost 3,800 physicians in Broward ity”. We as physicians have the ability to Vanessa Orr
8. Designer drugs ravaging our popula- County, about 1,000 are members of the be able to improve and affect positive heal- Lois Thomson
tion, with our county gaining national BCMA. For us to remain relevant, for us ing in our patients, advocate for our
notoriety for the FLAKKA epidemic to have a voice, for us to have the prover- patients, and do right by them. We must
9. Medical (and recreational) marijuana bial seat at the table, we need to increase accept this responsibility and assume our
legalization membership and physician involvement. roles at the top of the healthcare hierarchy. LOOK FOR OUR
Lurking on the horizon is the confusing I have to mention that in the past year, Finally, I believe we need to do a better
alphabet soup of the new payment model under Dr. Pevsner’s reign, I have seen job to address physician burnout and sui- NEXT ISSUE
acronyms: MACRA, MIPS, Advanced that female physician involvement has cide and promote healthy habits and IN FEBRUARY
Payment Models increased significantly. I would like to lifestyles in our patients. As many of you
All of these occurrences and changes, continue that momentum and see mem- know, I am on a health kick by doing TO REACH US
many of them occurring within the past bership and involvement grow. cross-fit over the past two years and more FOR
few years, have changed the face of medi- In addition, I would like to organize recently complying with a healthier diet.
cine considerably and have introduced Broward physicians to get involved in Medice, cura te ipsum, mā-ˈdē-kā ˌku̇r-ä- ADVERTISING
challenges to all of us who practice. They local politics as they relate to the practice ˌtā-ˈip-ˌsu̇m, a proverb used from the time OR EDITORIAL
interfere with the traditional patient- of medicine in the county, in conjunction of Greek playwright Aeschylus, ES KUH Call (561) 368-6950
physician interaction and have resulted with the BCMA. I encourage our physi- LUS, meaning physician, first heal thyself,
in an increased incidence of physician cians to participate in the PAC. The is more important now than ever before. or e-mail
burnout and physician suicide, both of BCMA sends delegates to the FMA meet- We as physicians need to practice what we carol@southfloridahospitalnews.com

which are at all-time highs. ing annually, the experience is eye-open- preach and be mentally and physically
Interestingly, physician burnout and ing and demonstrates that physicians healthy to be the best we can be for our
fatigue are not new phenomena. An oft- from different back grounds, different patients.

quoted phrase from the Book of parts of the state, different specialties I know I took the BCMA oath before, SUBSCRIPTIONS
Ecclesiastes (written by Shlomo share many commonalities, like dedica- but I will add to that words from the One Year $45
Hamaelach -- King Solomon) sums this tion to our patients and to our profession. Maimonedean Oath that should be words
up nicely: “Ain chadash tachat ha It would be wonderful to see some new of guidance and inspiration for all of us Two Years $70
shemesh,” which means “There’s nothing faces at the FMA meeting, in addition to moving forward: Three Years $85
new under the sun.” our veterans. I would tell those of us who O God, let my mind be ever clear and
As many of you who know me know have yet to attend, that your individual enlightened…For great and noble are
that I consider Moshe Ben Maimon aka voice can be heard and you can make a dif- those scientific judgements that serve the To subscribe,
Moses Maimonides to be one of the most ference, but only if you participate. purpose of preserving the health and lives call (561) 368-6950
influential Jewish scholars of all time. He In order to increase physician involve- of Thy creatures. Give me the strength, the or subscribe online at
was born in Cordova Spain in 1135. ment in the BCMA, we need to do a better will, and the opportunity to amplify my
Until his family fled to Fez in 1159, job of showcasing the benefits of joining knowledge more and more. I prepare southfloridahospitalnews.com.
because of religious persecution, the BCMA. Doctors often ask why should myself now for my calling. Stand Thou by ____________

Maimonides was a pupil of the philoso- I join? Why do you participate? What is me in this great task, so that it may prosper.

pher–physician Averroes (1126–98). the benefit in joining? Is it worth the time All rights reserved. Reproduction
From Morocco the family moved on to commitment? in whole or part without written
Egypt where he practiced medicine to Despite the fact that I believe, and I trust Dr. David N. Kenigsberg can be reached permission prohibited. Copyright © 2019.
support his family. In 1170, when he was that many of you feel the same way, that at dkenigsberg@flahrs.com.

Coming Next Month...
Don’t forget to include
• Annual Salute to Cardiology • Cardiology/Heart Health Month/Profiles • Education Update South Florida Hospital News
• The Prospect of Malpractice Reform • Malpractice Products & Challenges
& Healthcare Report
For advertising information call Charles Felix at 561-368-6950 in your Marketing Plans
or email charles@southfloridahospitalnews.com
Call Charles at 561-368-6950 for a Media Kit

South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com January 2019 15