Cheryl Gibson Fountain, M.D., FACOG is part of legacy of care started by her father in his own practice over 30 years ago. Now retired, George Wesley Gibson, D.O. began medical school upon return from his service in the Korean War while Cheryl was in high school. The Gibson family took a brief hiatus from their hometown while George studied at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, returning for his internship at Art Center Hospital in Detroit.

George's private practice was opened after his residency at Detroit Macomb Hospital Corporation until he reached the age of 85. Taking an early interest in the medical field, Cheryl listened attentively to stories from her father, watched his interactions with patients and experienced working in his office while attending Wayne State University School of Medicine.

"It was in my blood," Cheryl says, "While working in my father's office I saw the impact he made on his patients - some of them young mothers. I saw how much they needed him and their gratitude for his care."

Cheryl has worked to continue this legacy of care, starting her career at Detroit Riverview Hospital upon its opening in 1987. During her time there she rose to Chief of Staff in the hospital's last three years before closing. She is currently employed at Beaumont Health System in Obstetrics & Gynecology. Cheryl also serves as Assistant Professor at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine to train Resident OB/GYN family physicians.

Leadership rolls with both the American Congress of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Michigan State Medical Society have led Cheryl to work with Michigan Osteopathic Association's CEO Kris Nicholoff on a myriad of issues in the medical field. "The Gibsons are an amazing legacy story. "In my role I am honored to find myself in the presence of people who are able to make such a difference in their communities" said Nicholoff. The MOA is proud to build relationships and collaborate with all physicians as part of a model to improve practices and find the best health care solutions.

"It's not about D.O. verses M.D., its about both sides working together to care for each patient the best way possible," Cheryl states. Under her father's tutelage as an osteopathic physician, Cheryl saw the passion and hard work which she believes drives her as an allopath, and that is what is important. The family hopes to see another M.D. or D.O. carry on this tradition of care, as George's grandson, Wesley, has an interest in becoming a doctor.

This issue's strategic resource is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS. The CMS is currently offering video tutorials and explanations on the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS). This complex system can often be confusing for physicians to navigate, but with the online tools from the CMS, you will be able to learn tips to use PQRS more effectively and ensure physicians are accurately applied to reimbursements in the future. The videos are designed to educate health care professionals on the following topics:

• 2015 PQRS Updates
• 2015 Incentive Payments and 2017 Payment Adjustments
• 2015 PQRS Reporting
• 2015 PQRS: Group Practice Reporting Option (GPRO)
• 2015 Updates to the Value-based Payment Modifier (VM)
• Quality-Tiering Approach for 2017
• 2017 VM Policies for Shared Savings Program Participants, Pioneer ACOs, CPC Initiative, etc.
• Informal Inquiry Process for the Value-Based Payment Modifier
• Physician Compare 

To visit the CMS PQRS webpage, click HERE.

If you have a strategic resource MOA members would find valuable please contact: Todd Ross - tross@mi-osteopathic.org - Ph: 517.827.0615