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October 2008- Vol 1, Issue 3 |
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Quick Reminder |
To schedule appointments
call (510) 208-4700
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| Upcoming Events |
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10/8 PIWC Conference in
Fresno
10/15 Armstrong Law Firm
Seminar in Pleasanton
10/17 SF ICA Golf Tournament
in Walnut Creek |
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"FALL"-ow the Road... |
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to Newton Medical Group!!
Here comes the FALL season again! This fall, we encourage you to try this: FALL into the habit of using Newton Medical Group.
FALL in line for appointments at Newton Medical Group.
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Best of All...get ready to FALL off your chair when you receive a report less than 30 days!!! | |
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| NOTES FROM NEWTON |
 Introduction: Hello! It is delightful for me to have this opportunity to speak to you - our referrals - in this direct manner. My intent in this monthly column will be to communicate my ideas, opinions, and observations about a variety of topics. Our newsletter is evolving, and I anticipate some columns that will be of interest and value to you; for example, in each issue we will be highlighting a medical case example one of the more important recent WCAB decisions. I also want you to get to know our physicians a bit better, so one of them will be showcased each issue.
If this newsletter isn't useful to you, there is an opt-out option at the bottom. Conversely, if it is useful, please feel free to pass it on to your colleagues and give us their e-mails. I would greatly appreciate your feedback on our efforts, and you can always reach me personally at drnewton@newtonmedicalgoup.com.
Keeping Newton Medical Group at the forefront of writing AMA Guides-compliant reports
For the past 25 years, physicians at Newton Medical Group have been striving to produce high quality *AME reports. I believe that we have provided in excess of 25,000 such reports! Still, much has been changing and the replacement of the 1997 PDRS in particular, along with LC 4663/4664 Apportionment has created many new avenues for refining and expanding a report writing approach of excellence.
The practical use of the Guides has been the proverbial "work in progress" and much has happened over the past year or so ( some admittedly quite controversial). The Applicant Attorneys and Defense Attorneys have differing views on various approaches that have been promulgated. This makes the task of the AME challenging to say the least.
It is my goal that our clinicians work at the cutting edge, and are sufficiently knowledgeable to truly "set the standard" ( the byline we use in our print materials.). Therefore, I have arranged for an internal Newton Medical Group Seminar next month titled "AMA Guides and Apportionment- Updated Concepts 2008" to help our clinicians stay ahead of the curve. We are delighted to have input from Mr. Bradley Chalk of CAAA, Ms. Jennifer Callans of Armstrong Law Group, and Ms. Annalisa Faina of the Disability Evaluation Unit. I firmly believe that it is only through full exposure to the differing views of both sides that we as physicians can develop and hone our AME critical thinking, analytical, and report writing skills. | |
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| Appointments with Dr. Newton - BULLETIN!!! |
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I have always taken the input of the referral community seriously. Over the last few years, I had heard that there was considerable frustration about not getting clients in sooner due to my waiting list. I fashioned an alternative approach using newer colleagues at Newton Medical Group (who were part of the AME mentoring program) to work with me on a collaborative report. The idea was that you would get an earlier appointment, yet still have my thoughts, opinions, co-authored and cosigned report.
This concept quite frankly met with mixed results - some of you were literally enamored of the idea while others were, shall we say, not so keen on it. Upon year-end reflection and discussions with my Scheduling Department and Public Relations personnel, I have decided to revert back to the more traditional and widely accepted practice of making myself personally available for any and all re-evaluations, whatever the reason.
To meet the demands of the referral community, I have decided to commit more of my time to seeing patients (while still trying to accommodate those pesky depos)! You will, therefore, be pleasantly surprised to find out that this results in appointment availability with far less waiting time than you may have thought was the case.
-Dr. Newton |
| Featured Physician of the Month: MICHAEL F. CHARLES, M.D. |
 Newton Medical Group is pleased to feature, Michael Charles, M.D., Orthopaedic Surgeon.
Dr. Charles, born and raised in San Franisco, has been in the Workers' Compensation industry since the mid 80s as an IME, QME and now as an *AME. Dr. Charles is also one of our senior physicians that assists with the AME Mentoring Program.
Dr. Charles was a treating surgeon for 23 years in Sports Medicine, specializing in shoulder and knee injuries. He has treated over 16,000 patients and this experience gives him the upper "shoulders and knees" with surgical knowledge on Workers' Comp cases.
Outside of Worker Compensation evaluations, Dr. Charles likes to dedicate his time as a motivational speaker. He has done numerous presentations and will be speaking at another event this month: The 2nd Annual Universal Sisters Celebrating Health and Soul on October 11, 2008. The Mills-Peninsula Health Services and the African Americal Community Health Advisory Committee (AACHAC) invited Dr. Charles as a Breakout speaker on "Your Joint Pain is Personal...So is Your Treatment."
Dr. Charles is also on the board of several organizations, including the Physician Medical Forum, Sinkler Miller Medical Association and the J. Robert Gladden Society (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons). Dr. Charles is currently the President for the Physician Medical Forum.
For more information on Dr. Charles, please visit www.newtonmedicalgroup.com or contact the Public Relations Department. |
| New Physicians at Newton Medical Group |
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This month we have two new physicians joining the Newton Medical Group team. We are excited to add a neurosurgeon and physiatrist (PM&R) to our physician list.
Dikran Bairamian, M.D.- Neurosurgery
Dr. Bairamian, our newest neurosurgeon, received his Doctorate in Medicine in Syria and has over 20 publications regarding his research on Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and MRI scanning of CNS disorders. Dr. Bairamain has already taken appointments and will be attending the Armstrong Law Firm Seminar on October 15th. Be sure to introduce yourself!
Hussam El-Gohary, M.D. - PM&R
Dr. El-Gohary, our newest physiatrist, received his Doctorate of Medicine in Egypt and is a certified QME. Dr. El-Gohary has a private practice in Oakland, is the Medical Director for the Rehab Services at Alta Bates in Berkeley, and is Department Chair for the Alameda County Medical Center. Please help us welcome him to Newton Medical Group!
For more information, CVs or scheduling, visit www.newtonmedicalgroup.com. Physicians are also available for presentations or seminars, so please contact the PR Department to coordinate accordingly. |
| October: National Spinal Health Month & Spinal Health Tips from Moses Jacob, D.C. |
  Along with National Breast Cancer Awareness month, October is also National Spinal Health Month.
In attempting to make spinal health improvements, it is important to consider the factors that impact our spinal health and quality of life. We need to change our spinal habits including posture,
spinal related exercises, diet, ergonomics, and sleeping habits.
Slouched posture and anterior head carriage are extremely common spinal health problems. Below are some tips to help avoid these problems.
Moses Jacob, D.C., who has been in the Workers' Compensation industry for over 30 years, offers the following tips for spinal health and wellness:
Bending: Don't lift by bending over. Instead, bend your hips and knees and then squat to pick up the object. Keep your back straight, and hold the object close to your body.
Lifting: Don't twist your body while lifting. Pushing: Push, rather than pull, when you must move heavy objects.
Sitting: If you must sit for long periods, take frequent breaks and stretch.
Walking: Wear flat shoes or shoes with low heels.
Exercising: Exercise regularly. An inactive lifestyle contributes to lower-back pain.
"The goal of a doctor of chiropractic is to offer the highest-quality, professional health care, while teaching patients how to maintain their physical well being and a healthful lifestyle,"
says ACA's national spokesperson, Dr. Jerome McAndrews. "Spinal Health Month is the perfect time to take control of your health by discovering this natural approach to wellness." | |
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To schedule an appointment, please call
*In compliance with applicable regulations, in particular 8CCR Sections 153-155, past performance is not a claim of ongoing appointment or status as an AME by any doctor affiliated with NMG.
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