Clinician's Roundtable

Guest: Emil Kakkis, MD, PhD Host: Bruce Bloom, DDS, JD Host Dr. Bruce Bloom welcomes Dr. Emil Kakkis, an advisor at BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. and author of numerous published articles on mucopolysaccharidosis I, or MPS I, to discuss current treatment options. They discuss the benefits and risks of enzyme replacement therapy with laronidase. Don't miss these other programs on MPS I, with host Dr. Bruce Bloom: Challenges in Management of MPS I Immune System Irregularities in Lysosomal Storage Disorders Musculoskeletal Aspects of MPS I: Diagnosis and Management Considerations

Guest: J. James Rohack, MD Host: Michael Greenberg, MD If you've been following the health care reform debate as closely as we have, you may be suffering from a case of whiplash, with so many proposals and so little time to wade through all the back-and forth on each of them. As Congress heads into its customary August recess, we'll take a step back to examine the issues that could make or break the various proposals for overhauling our health care system. For one perspective on the progress toward reform, host Dr. Michael Greenberg welcomes American Medical Association (AMA) President Dr. James Rohack. Dr. Rohack addresses a range of issues, including the nuances of AMA's recent support for House bill HR 3200, the effectiveness of AMA in representing the interests of all physicians in this reform debate, and the prospects for true medical liability protections in the final reform bill.

Guest: Alfred Casale, MD Host: Bruce Japsen As President Barack Obama touts what is right and wrong with the nation's healthcare system, hardly a week goes by when you don't hear him or one of this surrogates mentioning Geisinger Health System. So what does Mr. Obama see in this large Pennsylvania based medical care provider? Dr. Alfred Casale, director of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Geisinger Health System tells host Bruce Japsen about the Pennsylvania system's years of experience measuring quality and improving patient care to keep costs low.

Guest: Joseph Golbus, MD, MBA Host: Bruce Japsen The economic stimulus package signed into law by President Barack Obama provides doctors money to get their offices set up for electronic medical records over the next few years. But there are actually a few health care systems ahead of the curve on electronic medical records with systems installed and benefits being realized. Host Bruce Japsen talks with Dr. Joseph Golbus, president and CEO of the NorthShore University Health System medical group about achievements made after implementing electronic medical records several years ago.

Guest: Sharon Treat, Ms. Host: Bruce Japsen More and more states, and even the federal government, are moving to ban drug industry gift-giving practices. So how is this legislation working, and what does it mean for physicians and their patients? Sharon Anglin Treat, executive director of the National Legislative Association on Prescription Drug Prices, tells host Bruce Japsen about states moving to ban or curtail gifts from drug makers to physicians and how the effort is working in states like Vermont, Minnesota and Massachusetts.

Guest: Stan Roberts Host: Lisa Dandrea Lenell, PA-C, MPAS, MBA Federal law mandates that commercial truck drivers pass a medical exam in order to stay behind the wheel. Physician assistants have been authorized by the Department of Transportation to conduct these exams since 1992. But stricter certification recommendations proposed by an advisory board to the government may change the role of the PA in this process. Stan Roberts, a commercial driver medical examiner for the past 17 years, joins host Lisa D'Andrea Lenell to sort out the issues related to medical certification and US truck drivers every year.

Guest: Chip Phillips Host: Bruce Japsen Retail health clinics, looking to expand their services, are going beyond care of routine maladies to physicals, injections of specialized drugs and management of chronic conditions. Chip Phillips, president of Minute Clinic, a subsidiary of CVS Caremark Corp., tells host Bruce Japsen about what physicians and their patients should expect from this new push by retailers.

Guest: Robin Hunter Buskey, PA-C Host: Lisa Dandrea Lenell, PA-C, MPAS, MBA Physician assistants are often a vital part of the team delivering medical care to prison inmates. Robin Hunter Buskey, the 2009 PA of the Year and a senior clinical PA at the Butner Federal Corrections Complex in Butner, North Carolina, joins host Lisa D'Andrea Lenell to discuss how working in a federal prison differs from a community health system.

Guest: George Collins, PA-C Host: Lisa Dandrea Lenell, PA-C, MPAS, MBA The opportunities for physician assistants in their practices are evolving. In practices all around the country PAs are not only seeing patients they are helping to run the offices and manage employees. PA George Collins chief physician assistant and PA director for Orthocarolina in Charlotte, North Carolina, joins host, Lisa D'Andrea Lenell to discuss his leadership role and the unique business model at the large orthopedic group where he works.

Guest: Ken Aldrich Host: Bruce Japsen Expanded guidelines for stem cell research have favored federal financing for embryonic stem cell development. But some researchers in the field are looking beyond embryonic stem cells. Ken Aldrich, chief executive officer and co-founder of International Stem Cell Corporation, tells host Bruce Japsen about pluripotent stem cell research, not yet eligible for federal funding.