Physician-owned Jefferson Physician Group (JPG) was founded in 1995 by primary care physicians in Dallas, Texas who believe that healthcare choices should not be dictated by insurance plans, but by the decisions made between a personal physician and their patient.  The name "Jefferson" was chosen in honor of the author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, whose insatiable curiosity and quest for knowledge in almost every discipline embodies the spirit of today's primary care physician.  Being both a maverick and a leader, Jefferson fiercely defended independence and personal freedom, much as physicians defend patients and their ability to care for them.  JPG's Board of Directors consists of eleven family practice and internal medicine physicians.  Dr. Guy Culpepper is the group's CEO and president; Lisa Jackson is chief operating officer.  JPG currently has 220 primary care member physicians and continues to grow.
 
In keeping with its dedication to both patients and physicians, JPG recently launched a free program called the Jefferson Independence Card that will assist uninsured patients.   This program will provide little-known discount rates that many physicians often offer to patients dealing with financial crisis as well as for patients who pay out-of-pocket for their own medical care.  The Jefferson program is not charity care (offered to needy patients for free or at a loss to the provider), but is a healthcare program for hard working, uninsured Texans - mechanics, plumbers, waitresses, students, entrepreneurs - who will pay for their healthcare but need a fair price and an understanding of what it will cost (prices are posted on Jefferson's website).  Card holders go to member-physicians/facilities and are charged for medical care at rates which member-physicians/facilities are getting reimbursed by government payers or commercial insurance payers, the lowest at which the doctors can provide services and still stay in business.  Dr. Culpepper hopes the program will help to build awareness for the discounts that are already available to patients, and will help the average person see that healthcare is more affordable than they realize, even if they are uninsured.  Unlike traditional medical discount card programs that generally charge a monthly fee to participate, the Jefferson Independence Card is free to all.  Dr. Culpepper sees the discount program as a "local grassroots healthcare reform initiative" that allows physicians to be involved in the solution to healthcare problems.  "We don't perceive those answers come from the top," he said.  "I think the most powerful answers come from the grassroots of America, and from those who are dealing with healthcare issues on a daily basis. . . .  We believe that every American needs a primary care physician regardless of insurance."  (This is not health insurance.  It is a discount program created in the spirit of compassion.  There is no cost to join, no membership fee, and no requirement to use any service.)
 
If you would like to sign up for the free Jefferson Independence Card, go to www.jeffersonicard.com.  For more information about Jefferson Physician Group, go to www.jeffersonmed.com.   (Printed with permission of Jefferson Physician Group)

 

 

The carved pumpkin, lit by a candle inside, is one of Halloween's most prominent symbols in America, and is commonly called a jack-o'-lantern.  Originating in Europe, these lanterns were first carved from turnips or rutabagas.  Believing that the head was the most powerful part of the body containing the spirit and knowledge, the Celts used the "head" of the vegetable to frighten off any superstitions.  The name jack-o'-lantern can be traced back to the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, a greedy, gambling, hard-drinking old farmer.  He tricked the devil into climbing a tree and trapped him by carving a cross into the tree trunk.  In revenge, the devil placed a curse on Jack, condemning him to forever wander the earth at night with the only light he had:  a candle inside of a hollowed turnip.  The carving of pumpkins is associated with Halloween in North America, where pumpkins are readily available and much larger, making them easier to carve than turnips.  Many families that celebrate Halloween carve a pumpkin into a frightening or comical face and place it on their home's doorstep after dark.  In America the tradition of carving pumpkins is known to have preceded the Great Famine period of Irish immigration.  The carved pumpkin was originally associated with harvest time in general in America and did not become specifically associated with Halloween until the mid- to late 19th century.

 

 

Sixteen states currently require Notaries to record each notarial act they perform in a bound record book or journal.  Each of these states has its own procedure for the Notary to follow in disposing of the seal and journal at the end of the Notary's commission term or career.  In Texas, the record book must be delivered to the County Clerk's Office.  (And remember, Texas Notaries are prohibited from recording any identification card numbers, passport numbers, or personal identification numbers that are associated with the signer in their record book.)  If you or someone you know is a Notary in a state other than Texas, you can contact your state's Secretary of State for record book procedures at the end of your notary term.
 
If you resign your Notary commission, move to a new address or change your name due to marriage, it may be necessary to replace your seal. But don't throw it away intact - someone may take it from the trash and use it for fraud!  Before discarding an old ink seal, the rubber face should be cut or otherwise defaced so that it cannot be used again. A metal embosser may need to be disassembled or have the embossing plate otherwise removed before disposal. Pieces should be disposed of separately or in different locations.  Remember, a seal is an important tool, and even an old one needs to be kept out of the hands of people who might use it for the wrong reasons.
 

If you have notary questions, please contact:  National Notary Association, www.NationalNotary.org.

 

 

Oct. 5: Child Health Day; Oct: 6: Physician Assistant Day, National German-American Day; Oct 8: National Childrens Day; Oct 9: Leif Erikson Day; Oct. 12: Columbus Day; Oct. 14: Peace Corps Birthday; Oct 16: National Boss Day, Dictionary Day; Oct. 17: Sweetest Day; Oct. 24: United Nations Day; Oct 25: Mother-In-Law Day; Oct. 27: Navy Day; Oct. 31: Halloween, Nevada Day, Reformation Day.
 
Notice:  Mazon offices will be closed on Monday, Oct. 12th in observance of Columbus Day.  We will resume normal business hours of 8:30a.m. to 5:00p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13th.  You may still submit invoices during our closed hours via fax, e-mail or drop-slot to be processed on Tuesday.