American College of Cardiology

August 2005
Vol. 1 No. 8

The possibility of having P4P and appropriateness criteria looms on the medical horizon. Has the possibility affected your career decisions? Do you see yourself taking a more active role in guiding how these unfold?

Amish Sura, M.D.
I do focus more on completing database questionnaires such as ACC PCI or carotid or CHF registry forms, and I find that I am more interested in seeing national comparisons of how people/hospitals/regions are performing services as opposed to my just following guidelines as I see fit.

As for being more proactive, I have always thought it critical that physicians take a role in advocating for their interests. The possibilities of P4P and appropriateness criteria only serve to strengthen that thought.

However, I am concerned that payers will not always pay attention to cases where therapies were withheld for justified reasons, and that these health care providers would then be unfairly penalized. I hope that any new payer systems include provisions for physicians to provide their rationale for performing a procedure or not and that payers carefully consider those reasons before making payment decisions.

As cardiology fellows, we are not directly involved with payers, but in terms of learning and preparing for these system issues, we can prepare. The most proactive thing I've done is getting involved with the College as I am now.

I think that's why the FIT committee is so dedicated to fellowship education, training and issues pertaining to fellows in general. For that reason, I proactively encourage other fellows to get involved with the ACC.

ACCF Cardiovascular Board Review for Certification and Recertification, Sept. 7 – 12, 2005, Dallas, Texas. Directed by Kim A. Eagle, M.D., F.A.C.C. and Patrick T. O’Gara, M.D., F.A.C.C. Program is designed specifically to help you with the ABIM boards. Reduced fee for Fellows in Training. Click here for more information.

How to Become a Cardiovascular Investigator, Dec. 2-3, 2005, Bethesda, Md. Directed by Valentin Fuster, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.C. and co-directed by Robert O. Bonow, M.D., F.A.C.C. This well-known program is intended for cardiovascular fellows-in-training or junior faculty planning a career in clinical academic medicine. Registration is FREE to all Fellows in Training.

As March 11 – 14, 2006, in Atlanta, grows closer, activities for the ACC ’06 and the exciting new i2Summit are fast approaching. The abstract submission system for both opens August 31, 2005, and closes Oct. 5. Fellows in training, particularly those applying for the Young Investigator Awards, need to make note of these dates.

YIA Submission Site Opens August 31
Apply for the Young Investigator Awards competition beginning August 31, 2005. Applicants must have a manuscript and abstract summarizing any problem that relates to cardiovascular disease whether it is in etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, or therapy. Award Categories are 1) Clinical Investigations - Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery; 2) Physiology, Pharmacology, and Pathology 3) Molecular and Cellular Cardiology. Applicants may be any physician/scientist presently in a residency or a fellowship training program or who has been in such a program within the past three years; medical students; and Ph.D. candidates.

Apply for the ACCF/BMS Travel Awards August 31 through September 23
New this year, the ACC/BMS Travel Awards applications will be electronic and available on the ACC Web site. Twenty applicants will be awarded travel expenses to the ACC 55th Annual Scientific Session in Atlanta, Georgia, March 11-14, 2006. Judging is based on the applicant's major involvement in research activities leading to presentations and publications during cardiovascular-related subspecialty training.

Russek Travel Award — Applications are being accepted for scholarships of up to $1,250 each will be awarded in a random drawing. The award will cover the reduced FIT registration fee of $535 and up to $715 in travel and hotel costs for the "New York Cardiovascular Symposium" in New York, December 9-11, 2005. For more information, go to: http://www.acc.org/about/award/awardopps.htm#russek

Upcoming Deadline for ACCF Research Awards
For all ACCF Research Awards, the deadline is October 3, 2005. You may apply online at http://acc.gsubmit.net. For more information, please visit http://www.acc.org/about/award/awardopps.htm.

ACCF/Guidant Foundation Fellowship and Career Development Award in Women’s Cardiovascular Health — Both awards provide two years of salary support, at $65,000 per year, to enable individuals to devote time and effort to clinical research that will broaden scientific knowledge related to the mechanisms or treatment of cardiovascular disease in women. Candidates in their final year of fellowship or first year as junior faculty will be eligible for the Fellowship.

ACCF/Merck Research Fellowships in Cardiovascular Disease and the Metabolic Syndrome — Four one-year fellowships of $60,000 each will be awarded to support research in adult cardiology. Preference is given to individuals who have had no more than two years of prior full-time experience either in clinical or basic research.

ACCF/Pfizer Career Development Awards in Clinical or Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine — Two awards are offered at $65,000 per year for three years. The award’s purpose is to encourage the development and promotion of talented physician-scientists in the field of cardiovascular medicine. Research in clinical and/or preventive cardiovascular medicine will be given preference for these awards.

ACCF/GE Healthcare Career Development Awards in Cardiovascular Imaging Technologies and Targeted Imaging Agents — Two awards of $65,000 per year for two years are available to foster the early research career development of junior cardiovascular faculty in the research area of imaging technologies and targeted imaging agents.

ACCF/William F. Keating Career Development Award for Hypertension and Peripheral Vascular Disease — One award of $65,000 for one year is available to foster the early research career development of junior cardiovascular faculty in the research area of hypertension and peripheral vascular disease.

ACCF/Harry B. Graf Career Development Award for Heart Disease Prevention — One award of $65,000 for one year is available to foster the early research career development of junior cardiovascular faculty in the research area of heart disease prevention.

Since 1994 employers and cardiovascular specialists alike have recognized the ACC’s job bank as the “go-to” recruitment resource. On average more than 1,300 candidates contact prospective employers via the ACC’s job bank annually. The site averages about 600 job openings each month.

With more than 30,000 members, the ACC offers the broadest exposure for employers’ job postings, including the entire ACC Cardiology Careers Community.

Candidates in adult and pediatric cardiology and cardiovascular surgery may
• Search hundreds of quality, cardiology-specific job listings
• Post a CV or résumé, confidentially if desired
• Send a cover letter with a CV or résumé
• Receive e-mail notification of new job postings.

Positions Available

EAST
August 2005
Positions Available - Central New York State. 10-person single-specialty Cardiology group seeks additional Cardiologists. Non-Invasive/Invasive (can do Interventions). The group is also looking for an EP candidate. Competitive salary, partnership tract (partners earn in the 90th percentile), and full benefits are offered. The community of 70,000 (specialty service area of 600,000) is economically diverse. Excellent schools (Top 10% of all NY schools), affordable housing, and an abundance of recreational and social amenities. Located just 1 hour from Syracuse, 1 hr. to Albany, 4 1/2 hours to New York City, and 5 hours to Philadelphia. Contact Ken Sammut at (888)372-9415; fax (610)361-7585; e-mail ksammut@cejkasearch.com. ID#23847AI. For more opportunities, visit www.cejkasearch.com. July 2005.

August 2005
Position Available –Passaic County, New Jersey. New Jersey Physicians, LLC: Serving northern New Jersey’s Passaic County for the past 50 years. We are a large internal medicine group looking for an invasive non-interventional cardiologist, nuclear trained or interested in getting nuclear-trained. Joining two other Cardiologists and 15 Internists with subspecialties in gastroenterology, rheumatology, pulmonology and geriatrics. We have three state of the art offices in the Clifton-Passaic area. We are located just 15 miles outside of New York City. Partnership Position with a great benefit package. Openings for August 2005 and July 2006. Fax CV to Donna White (973) 594-1708 or e-mail to donna.white@njpllc.com. June 2005

SOUTH
August 2005
Position Available – Arkansas. Discover the real qualities in life in northwest Arkansas! Interventional or invasive/non-invasive cardiologist. Join multispecialty practice in northwest Arkansas. Great opportunity to partner after one year with approximately 60 physicians in physician-owned practice network. Ranked 7th in the nation as “Best Place to Live and Work” by Forbes magazine, northwest Arkansas is home to the University of Arkansas, WalMart corporate and its major vendors, J.B. Hunt, and Tyson Foods. Draw area of 400,000+. (479)841-1788 or e-mail: btooley@mana.com. For more information, go to http://www.mana.md. July 2005

August 2005
Position Available - Sarasota, Florida, Immediate Availability for a BC/BE Cardiologist for a busy cardiology department within a 50+ physician MSG located in a thriving Gulf Coast city in beautiful SW Florida. Excellent compensation and benefit package with partnership tract and a great call schedule. For confidential consideration send/fax CV to Administrator, Intercoastal Medical Group, Inc., 943 S. Beneva Road, Suite 306, Sarasota Florida 34232; Fax (941) 952-0132. January 2005

August 2005
Position Available – LaFollette, Tennessee. Invasive and/or Non-Invasive Cardiology Opportunity at St. Mary's Campbell County Hospital. St. Mary’s, based in Knoxville, Tenn., is recruiting an invasive or non-invasive B/E or B/C cardiologist to expand services in LaFollette, Tennessee. Employment or income guarantee opportunity. Salary is competitive, with benefits, malpractice, and moving expenses provided. Live in a beautiful area of the country with great recreation on the lake, near Knoxville, TN. Contact: Karen McKinney, (865)545-6529 or e-mail: kmckinne@stmaryshealth.com. July 2005

August 2005
Position Available – Ashland, Kentucky. The Bluegrass State! Practice interventional cardiology plus peripheral procedures with two colleagues. Office is located on a hospital campus with advanced heart services and nationally certified cardiac rehab program. Partnership and superior income offered. Part of a metropolitan Tri-State area of more than 300,000 people, Ashland, Ken. is culturally alive and diverse. Minutes from Interstate 64 straight to the Country Music Highway! Contact Ann Lamb at (800)678-7858, x3486; fax (314)726-0026; e-mail alamb@cejkasearch.com. ID#25421AI. July 2005

August 2005
Position Available – Southeast Texas. Established interventional cardiologist’s practice seeking interventional cardiologist for employment. Competitive salary, incentive and benefits. Thriving practice with well-established patient load. Partnership option within one year. Please send CV to Murlidhar Amin, M.D., 2300 Hwy. 365, Ste. 150, Nederland, Tex. 77627 or fax to (409)729-2696. Please call Mrs. Donice Stephenson at (409)729-0885 if you have any questions or would like further information. June 2005.

MIDWEST
August 2005
Position Available – Iowa. A 52-physician, single specialty cardiovascular group seeks to expand the physician staffs of their rapidly growing Iowa clinics. This highly respected group treated 180,000 patients in 2004. In addition to clinical leadership, the group directs approximately 50 to 60 Phase I through Phase IV clinical studies and research involving both drugs and devices. Clinics are located in a number of moderate-sized communities throughout the state of Iowa and in two major metropolitan areas. Currently, needs include several Interventional/Non-interventional Cardiologists and an Electrophysiologist to staff some of our satellite facilities. Contact: Bob Bregant at bbregant@besmith.com or call (800) 467-9117. July 2005

August 2005
Position available – Michigan. 8-man cardiology group seeks additional interventional or invasive cardiologist. Stable, highly successful group with no competition serving over a 250,000 population. Magnificent office facility with nuclear cameras, stress testing, and echo equipment. Gorgeous Lake Michigan community of 80,000. $300,000-$400,000 base, signing bonus, generous benefits, 6 weeks of vacation, and partnership in 2 years. Contact Todd Dillon at (800)883-7345; fax (402)289-0545; e-mail tdillon@cejkasearch.com. ID#25648AI. July 2005

August 2005
Position Available – Fargo, North Dakota. MeritCare Health System of Fargo, North Dakota, is seeking BC/BE Cardiologists to join its premier practice with a long history of excellence. Participate in research studies, pilot projects and task forces. Current call schedule is 1:9. Interested candidates should contact MeritCare HR at (800) 437-4010, extension 280-4856 or visit our Web site at www.meritcare.com. May 2005

August 2005
Position Available – Ohio. Seeking a motivated cardiologist to join a growing medical community. This opportunity will be shared by two primary hospitals, Mercy Hospital of Tiffin and Mercy Hospital of Willard. Both hospitals are general acute care facilities characterized by their family-centered care, community involvement, and progressive ideas in health care. They have modern facilities, state of the art equipment, highly skilled personnel and a loyal, stable medical staff offering primary care, as well as a wide range of specialist services.

Located in the heart of north central Ohio, Tiffin and Willard are home to a strong industrial base, growing retail businesses and community-oriented residents. Both offer a fair tax structure, excellent child care, strong educational systems and recreational activities. The small town atmosphere blends well with the commercial opportunities, making this area a place where people enjoy living and working. Outdoors lovers will enjoy our close proximity to Lake Erie. Additionally, we are a short driving distance from Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo.

If you are considering hospital-sponsored career opportunities, we would like to speak with you in confidence. Inquiries including curriculum vitae should be addressed to Tom Leeds, Medical Staff Recruiter, Mercy Health Partners, 2200 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, Ohio 43624, or call 1 (800) 837-4664, ext. 3999. April 2005

WEST
August 2005
Position Available — Los Angeles Area, Calif. BC/BE CD to join a busy four-member cardiology group serving the South Bay and Westside communities of LA. Well-established practice serves an economically and culturally diverse population in a busy business and urban setting with offices in Inglewood, Marina del Rey and Torrance. Position includes consultative CD, non-invasive procedures and cath. Competitive salary with benefits and opportunity for partnership. Contact Thomas Togioka, M.D., F.A.C.C., c/o Elvira Burns, Coast Cardiology, 4644 Lincoln Blvd., #408, Marina del Rey, CA 90292, (302) 821-8087; fax (310) 821-3555. August 2005

August 2005
Position Available — Portland, Ore. 12 physician cardiology group seeking Peripheral Interventionalist to join expanding practice based at St. Vincent Medical Center, a 2003 “Top 100” tertiary-care facility, the largest provider of cardiac care in the Pacific Northwest. Requires BC/BE, strong experience in carotid stenting, and echocardiography. Portland, rated the cleanest city in the US, provides a family friendly lifestyle with easy access to the coast and Mt. Hood. Practice recently located. Contact: Maryann Lundin, Columbia Cardiology Associates, 9155 SW Barnes Rd., Ste. 233,Portland, Ore. 97225. Phone: (503)595-6329 or e-mail: maryann.lundin@columbiacardiology.com. August 2005

August 2005
Position Available — Portland, Ore. 12 physician cardiology group seeking Non-Interventional cardiologist for summer 2006, to join expanding practice based at St. Vincent Medical Center, a 2003 “Top 100” tertiary-care facility the largest provider of cardiac care in the Pacific Northwest. Requires BC/BE and echocardiography. NUC certification required. Preference given to recent graduates of fellowship programs. Portland, rated the cleanest city in the US, provides a family friendly lifestyle. Contact: Maryann Lundin, Columbia Cardiology Associates, 9155 SW Barnes Rd., Ste. 233,Portland, Ore. 97225. Phone: (503)595-6329 or e-mail: maryann.lundin@columbiacardiology.com. August 2005