COVID-19 and Health Equity - The Kansas City Medical Society
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
SPRING 2021
JOURNAL OF THE NEW KANSAS CITY MEDICAL SOCIETY
COVID-19 and Health Equity
health equity
Overcoming Vaccine Hesitancy
Community-Engaged Approach
Fixing the Digital Divide
features
Q&A with Stephen Reintjes, Sr., MD
John Hagan, III, MD, and
Sheila McGreevy Discuss Service
Heart-Healthy Resources
How to Avoid Information Blocking
#1 RATED
REHABILITATION
CLINIC IN KANSAS CITY!
Where you choose to go for therapy has a big impact on your outcomes and
overall therapy experience. Come see why Blue Valley Physical Therapy is the top
rated rehabilitation clinic in the KC Metro area with over 639 5-Star Google Reviews.
No referral is needed and the cost is covered by insurance.
Don’t let pain or injury keep you from living your life to the fullest.
2020 2020
OVER 639 5-STAR
PHYSICAL THERAPISTS
IN
OLATHE
PHYSICAL THERAPISTS
IN
OVERLAND PARK
GOOGLE REVIEWS
4713 Rainbow Boulevard 10396 South Ridgeview 11940 W. 119th St. 6885 W. 151st St. Suite 102
Westwood, KS 66205 Olathe, KS 66061 Overland Park, KS 66213 Overland Park, KS 66223
913-789-0888 913-599-4600 913-563-5500 913-897-1100
BLUEVALLEYPT.COM
— spring 2021 —
from the editor
03 supporting public health, medical expertise and health equity
By Michael O’Dell, MD, MSHA, FAAFP
from the president
04 kcms carries momentum into 2021
By Scott W. Kujath, MD, FSVS, FACS
editorially speaking
06 is a healthy diet really good for us?
By Charles W. Van Way, III, MD, Editor Emeritus, Kansas City Medicine
09 leadership
09 q&a with stephen reintjes, sr., md, ceo, north kansas city
hospital and meritas health
10 reflections on organized medicine, care for the underserved
health & wellness
14 heart-healthy resources for your patients
By Joseph LeMaster, MD, MPH
16 keep moving and avoid surgery
legal issues
17
14
information blocking: a practical perspective
By Erica Ash, JD; Wakaba Tessier, JD; and Kelsey Toledo, JD
covid-19 and health equity
21 overcoming vaccine hesitancy: an opportune time to address
health equity
By Qiana Thomason
24 addressing covid-19 using community-engaged approaches in
vulnerable kansas city, mo. communities
By Jannette Berkley-Patton, PhD; Carole Bowe Thompson; Tacia Burgin; Rev. Eric
Williams; Pastor Cassandra Wainright; Frank Thompson, MS; Bridgette Jones, MD;
Mary Anne Jackson, MD
28 why fixing the digital divide in kansas city is important to public
health
By McClain Bryant Macklin, JD, MBA
31 truman medical centers/university health conducts vaccine
31
outreach in underserved communities
clinical information
32 case study: primary synovial chondromatosis
By Dennis Heaton, DO, and Nebiyu Beteselassie, MD
34 ethical pain control in the elective surgical patient
By Armand Edalati, BA
kansas city medicine 1
Vol. 114, No. 1 Spring 2021
Official publication of the new Kansas City Medical Society
www.kcmedicine.org Kansas City Medical Society Board of Directors 2021
CONNECT WITH US Scott Kujath, MD, FSVS, FACS, President
SEND A LETTER TO THE EDITOR. COMMENT | editor@kcmedicine.org Carole Freiberger-O’Keefe, DO, President-Elect
SUBMIT AN ARTICLE | editor@kcmedicine.org. For author guidelines, editorial Betty Drees, MD, FACP, FACE, Past President
calendar and deadlines, visit www.kcmedicine.org/journal. ADVERTISE | Visit Jennifer Bernard, MD, Secretary
www.kcmedicine.org/journal for advertising rates and specifications. Contact Jim Gregory K. Unruh, MD, FASA, Treasurer
Braibish, managing editor, for information, editor@kcmedicine.org
FACEBOOK: @KCMedSociety
TWITTER: @KCMedSociety Mark Brady, MD Brian Mieczkowski, DO
Cassie Dietrich, MD Joseph Reuben, MD
Kansas City Medicine (ISSN 2473-327X) (USPS 227-680) is published quarterly by Chris Dixon, MD Stephen Salanski, MD
the Kansas City Medical Society, 300 E. 39th St., Kansas City, MO 64111, phone (816) Sarah Hon, DO Jim Wetzel, MD
315-0164. Subscription price $10.00 per year to physicians and $50.00 per year to
all others. Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, MO, and additional mailing offices. Michael O’Dell, MD, MSHA, FAAFP (Ex. Officio)
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Kansas City Medical Society, 300 E. 39th St.,
Kansas City, MO 64111. Copyright © 2021 Kansas City Medical Society.
Leadership Council 2021
The Kansas City Medical Society in no way endorses opinions or statements contained in (Board of Directors plus the following)
this publication except those that accurately reflect official action of the Society. Accep-
tance of advertising in this publication in no way constitutes professional approval or
Thomas Allen, MD Thomas Lovinger, MD
endorsement of products or services which may be advertised. The Kansas City Medical
Society reserves the right to reject any advertising material submitted for publication. Jim Appelbaum, MD Patricia Meier, MD
Megan Baumgardner, DO Nikki Miller, MD
Colleen Buchinger, MD Atul Patel, MD
Editor Tejal Desai Shervin Razavian, MD
Michael L. O’Dell, MD Morgan Dresvyannikov Andrew Schlatchter, MD
Stephanie Ellison, MD Jon Schultz, MD
Editor Emeritus Jack Erkmann, DO Fariha Shafi, MD
Charles W. Van Way, III, MD Brad Garstang, MD Kirk Sloan, MD
Lancer Gates, DO Arthur D. Snow, Jr., MD
Associate Editors Rishi Grewal, MD Alessandra Tozzi
John C. Hagan, III, MD Keith Jantz, MD Ravi Yarlagadda, MD
John Sheldon, MD Heather Kort, MD Azkaa Zaman
Karl Stark, MD
Joanne Loethen, MD
David A. Voran, MD
Managing Editor Kansas City Medical Society Foundation Board of Directors 2021
James Braibish
Officers
Medical Society Staff Jim Wetzel, MD, Chair
Annette Small, RN, BSN, Interim Executive Director Jim Appelbaum, MD, Chair-Elect
Karole Bradford, Foundation Chief Program Officer Stephen Salanski, MD, Past Chair
Amy Falk, Secretary-Treasurer
Send all advertising inquiries to: Jim Braibish Terry Rosell, PhD, DMin, Chair, Charitable Care
editor@kcmedicine.org
Casey Murray, JD, Officer-at-Large
All communication should be sent to: Kansas City Medical Society,
300 E. 39th St., Kansas City, MO 64111, or 10000 Marshall Dr., Members
Lenexa, KS 66215. Erica Andrade Scott Kujath, MD
Daphne Bascom, MD Sheila McGreevy, MD
Chris Dixon, MD Wael Mourad, MD
Betty Drees, MD Michael O’Dell, MD
Tierney Grasser, CPA Mary Redmon, DO
Betsy Green Karole Bradford
Karen Highfill, RN CEO (Ex Officio)
Keith Jantz, MD
from the Editor
Supporting Public Health, Medical Expertise and
Health Equity
By Michael O’Dell, MD, MSHA, FAAFP
Thirty-five years ago, I published a
review of two books for the New England
As physicians, we are a diverse group, but surely we
Journal of Medicine. Both books touched
on the roles and relationships of prima- can reach a high level of agreement about revitaliz-
ry care physicians and the communities
they serve. I wish my last sentence in that
ing public health services.
review didn’t also reflect the present state:
Physicians cannot make the naïve assump- to ask, “What is a higher priority, wellness to this threat and future threats than we
tion that support from the residents of their or health care?” The two are not synony- need to be. As physicians and citizens, we
community exists or can be engendered mous, although they necessarily co-exist. all gain in health and wellness when the
when other community issues take prece- Upton Sinclair provides a pithy quote ap- community highly values medical exper-
dence over health care.1 plicable to our willingness to lack knowl- tise, public health and parity for all in the
Community issues drive the rejection edge about social determinants of health: community. �
of expert advice present among anti-vaxx- “It is difficult to get a man to understand
ers and those who mistake the protections
of a mask for a political statement. Like
something when his salary depends upon his 8
not understanding it.”3 I am stepping away from the role of Editor
Aesop’s fabled grasshopper, our commu- The hospital can isolate us from the as I retire from teaching and practice this
nity chose its spending priorities poorly reality of the surrounding neighborhood. year. This will be one of my last issues of
by catastrophically underfunding public Our work with illness can seem endless. A Kansas City Medicine. Serving as your edi-
health infrastructure, which then was trip to understand the source of diseases tor has been a joy! So many thoughtful and
starving for resources during the pandem- might seem a waste of treatment time. But talented professionals have volunteered
ic.2 And the wrongs inflicted on those of physicians are uniquely positioned to iden- their time, thoughts and wisdom over the
color in our community manifest their tify clusters of illness, find their common years. I thank all of them once again. The
tragic course in excess morbidity, mor- origin, and work to eliminate that source. talents of Jim Braibish as managing editor
tality and distrust of even the medical We need modern Dr. John Snow's work- have allowed me the freedom to consider
profession. ing with city councils in removing today’s content and write with Jim doing the hard
As physicians, we are a diverse group, Broad Street pump handle, even if that work of layout, following up on those
but surely we can reach a high level of pump handle is now inadequate housing.4 behind on providing content, etc. Angela
agreement about revitalizing public health The current pandemic seems to be Bedell and the board have always helped
services. The issues surrounding health drawing toward a stalemate regarding by holding the journal as an important
disparities are painful to us but well rec- what the community currently values. member benefit and providing budget
ognized, even if approaches to resolution Some experts now feel COVID-19 and its and other support. You next editor can
remain debatable. As a medical society, variants are here for the long term. Booster anticipate wonderful backup. Thank all of
what is our responsibility in participat- vaccinations are now under discussion as you contributors and readers for inter-
ing in deciding what takes precedence well as additional vaccines to address new est in Kansas City Medicine and for your
in our community? What are we willing variants.5 The permanent presence of this guidance.
to advocate for, tolerate, or ignore in our virus will occur due to a lack of commu- (references on pg. 5)
community? nity resolve to take the steps needed to
A good first question for us would be eliminate it. We remain more vulnerable
kansas city medicine 3
from the President
KCMS Carries Momentum into 2021
society pursues strategic priorities developed through the leadership
council
By Scott W. Kujath, MD, FSVS, FACS
The year 2020 and COVID-19 chal- program, which will feature local physi-
lenged us like nothing before. I am proud cians sharing advice with patients via video
to say that KCMS rose to the occasion,
Physician leadership recordings hosted on the KCMS website.
being there as a constant source of infor- is critical if health care If you or one of your colleagues would be
mation and resources to help members willing to participate, please contact our
navigate these uncharted waters. I would is going to be interim executive director, Annette Small,
especially like to thank our 2020 presi- patient-centered, and at asmall@kcmedicine.org.
dent, Betty Drees, MD, for her steady and The Society will also continue to
poised leadership and her commitment to KCMS is prioritizing elevate the physician voice in health care.
delivering value to KCMS members. developing physician We are being contacted by the media for
Among our special initiatives in 2020, statements more often, and the Endorsed
we presented webinars on COVID-19 leaders. Experts program will be beneficial in pro-
leadership and Medicaid expansion in viding information. We will also continue
July, followed by a preview of COVID-19 to issue policy statements as we did in
vaccines in December. Each of these a year with unforeseen challenges, the 2020.
webinars featured outstanding leaders Society continued to pursue our priorities, Physician leadership is critical if health
from medicine and the community. We with advocacy for Medicaid expansion care is going to be patient-centered, and
held our Annual Meeting and awards pre- in Missouri and Kansas at the top of the KCMS is prioritizing developing physi-
sentation in a virtual format, again making list. Along with our Foundation, we ran cian leaders. In late May, we will host a
sure that KCMS continued to be there for full-page ads in the Kansas City Star and Leadership Book Study, led by Drs. Sarah
members despite the pandemic. Kansas City Business Journal featuring the Hon and Betty Drees. I would highly
Our communications efforts ramped names of local physician supporters. encourage you to participate, as this is a
up with a bi-weekly electronic newsletter This year, Medicaid expansion in terrific opportunity to learn from these
along with a new COVID-19 resources Kansas remains on our minds and we are two leadership experts. I’ve worked closely
section on our website, backed up by working closely with the Kansas Medical with them on the KCMS board and they
social media posts. These kept members Society. Dr. Mark Brady, our past president are remarkable.
informed about the latest COVID updates. and the KMS president-elect, will help If you have thoughts about these pro-
And, we must also mention those physi- keep our state and local efforts aligned. We grams or others the Society might under-
cians who created the fantastic “Wear a also are watching the situation in Missouri take, or would like to get more involved, I
Mask” videos that went viral on social me- after the Legislature eliminated funding for encourage you to contact me at drkujath@
dia. Finally, KCMS created a series of “Get expansion. kcmedicine.org, or Annette Small at
Care” graphics to help members remind At the top of the priority list for 2021 is asmall@kcmedicine.org.
patients not to delay their regular medical education about the COVID-19 vaccina- I look forward to each of you becoming
care needs. tion. The KCMS Leadership Council had a part of our work to improve the health of
long discussion about the need to over- people throughout Kansas City in 2021!
2021 PRIORITIES turn myths and offer scientific facts to our
Looking ahead to 2021, our KCMS Scott W. Kujath, MD, FSVS, FACS, is a vascular
patients and community. One program that
surgeon with Midwest Aortic & Vascular Institute.
Leadership Council met to update our will address this is our “Endorsed Experts” He can be reached at drkujath@kcmedicine.org.
strategic priorities. Though 2020 was
4 spring 2021
SUPPORTING PUBLIC HEALTH 2. The Ant and the Grasshopper. Wikipedia. April 26, 2021, 4. 1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak. Wikipedia. March
(continued from page 3) 05:55 UTC. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_ 2, 2021, 12:50 UTC. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/
Ant_and_the_Grasshopper&oldid=1019927813. Accessed May index.php?title=1854_Broad_Street_cholera_outbreak&ol-
REFERENCES 3, 2021. did=1009819002. Accessed May 3, 2021.
1. O’Dell ML. Book Review: Improving Rural Health: Initiatives of 3. Upton Sinclair Quotes. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved May 5. Adam D. SARS-CoV-2 Isn’t Going Away, Experts Predict.
an Academic Medical Center & Recent Advances in Community 3, 2021, from BrainyQuote.com. https://www.brainyquote. The Scientist. Jan25, 2021. https://www.the-scientist.com/
Medicine. New England Journal of Medicine. 1986. 314(9): com/quotes/upton_sinclair_138285 news-opinion/sars-cov-2-isnt-going-away-experts-predict-68386.
589-590. Accessed May 3, 2021.
Michael O'Dell, MD, MSHA, Plans to Retire as Journal Editor
other experts to contribute articles. Within 2018 in a merger of the society-affiliated
each issue theme, he has emphasized charitable care programs in both states.
content reflecting leadership, innovation At the state level, he has been a KCMS
and advocacy within the Medical Society. delegate to the Missouri State Medical
“Dr. O’Dell has overseen achieving a Association.
high level of editorial quality that makes Dr. O’Dell has held his positions at
Kansas City Medicine a great source of UMKC and Truman since 2010. Prior
pride for our Medical Society,” said KSMS to that, he was director of the Family
2021 President Scott Kujath, MD. “The Medicine Residency Program at North
journal has earned national awards the Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo,
Dr. O'Dell and his wife, Kristi.
past two years.” Miss., and also served as chief quality
Michael O’Dell, MD, MSHA, will retire Dr. Kujath also emphasized Dr. O’Dell’s officer and interim chief medical officer.
later this year from his service as editor of overall service to KCMS. “Dr. O’Dell has In retirement, Dr. O’Dell and his wife,
Kansas City Medicine after helming our been an exemplary leadership volunteer. Kristi, look forward to spending time with
journal for the past four-plus years. After serving as president in 2015, he their six grandchildren ages 1-11.
This coincides with his June 30 continued an active role on the board Thanks also to Charles W. Van Way,
retirement from his full-time positions at and was a key member of the task force III, MD, who began the revitalization of
the University of Missouri-Kansas City, that worked out the 2018 merger of the KCMS’ publication into the current Kansas
where he is chairman of the Department Wyandotte-Johnson County Medical City Medicine in 2015 when it replaced
of Family and Community Medicine, and Society with the former Kansas City the former Bulletin. To view past issues of
Truman Medical Center-Lakewood, where society. He spelled out a vision of what one Kansas City Medicine back to 2015, visit
he is associate chief medical officer. metro medical society could become.” kcmedicine.org/journal. �
As editor, Dr. O’Dell guides the overall In addition, Dr. O’Dell has served
editorial direction and content of the on the board of the Kansas City Medical
journal. He also recruits physicians and Society Foundation since it was created in
MEMBERS NEEDED FOR KCMS EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Would you like to help continue the excellence of our award-winning journal, Kansas City Medicine? Members are needed for our Editorial
Committee where you will help develop ideas for content and articles. You are not required to write articles as a committee member, but
simply be attuned to important developing issues that impact the practice of medicine and the health of the Kansas City community. For more
information, contact Jim Braibish, managing editor, at editor@kcmedicine.org.
kansas city medicine 5
Editorially speaking
Is a Healthy Diet Really Good for Us?
recommendations evolve on daily carbohydrate intake
By Charles W. Van Way, III, MD, Editor Emeritus, Kansas City Medicine
For many years, we have been guid- with diabetes, either Type I or Type II.6
ed by the healthy diet recommendations The metabolic syndrome can also be treat-
from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.1 Most people consume ed effectively with low-carbohydrate diets,
Not surprisingly, these recommendations even without inducing weight loss.7
center on maximizing the use of farm
50-55% of their daily Some people go further. Let us delve
products. Since the introduction of the calories as carbohy- into what we might call “pop anthropolo-
Food Pyramid in the 1970s, and progress- gy.” The basic narrative is that our distant
ing through the transition to the current
drates. Many nutrition ancestors lived by hunting and gathering,
guidance system, MyPlate, there has been scientists are saying resulting in a high-protein, high-fat and
an unremitting focus on grains and vege- low-carbohydrate diet. When the Agricul-
tables as the foundation of a healthy diet.
now that it’s too much, tural Revolution came about, the human
And with the current general popularity of especially in people who diet shifted away from protein and fat,
vegetarian diets, that focus has sharpened. and became dominated by carbohydrates.
So, how as that worked out for us? Ac- are obese, overweight According to the narrative, it didn’t work
cording to the Centers for Disease Control and/or diabetic. well. People became smaller, lived shorter
and Prevention, 74% of American adults lives, and became subject to epidemic dis-
are overweight or obese and 15% diabet- eases. Today, industrial agriculture churns
ic.2 Sometimes both, of course. Now, the called the Low Carb Action Network.3 Yes, out great amounts of carbohydrates, much
usual excuse is that this isn’t the fault of the everyone today is an activist for something. of which is converted to so-called junk
well-intentioned folks at the USDA. No, it’s food. For a current exposition of this
not their advice. It’s all those pesky people HISTORY OF LOW-CARB DIETS narrative, see Mark Bittman’s forthcoming
who eat a lot of things that aren’t good for The arguments in favor of low-carbohy- book, Animal, Vegetable, Junk.8 He actually
them. But no matter how we look at things, drate diets go back a long way. Starting with uses the term, “suicidal agriculture.” Be
the great American diet has clearly failed the Atkins diet in the 1970s, there have been warned. It’s not cheerful reading. It cer-
the test of time. Perhaps, some people say, countless so-called ketogenic diets advo- tainly is biased, but it does make one think.
it’s time to take another look. cated for weight loss. The basic idea is to Along with this narrative, some feel
Currently, the USDA prescribes around cut carbohydrates and promote protein and we should adopt the diet of our distant
45-50% of calories as carbohydrates, de- fat. In an extreme keto diet, the patient will ancestors. The paleo diet emphasizes meat,
pending on which choices are made. In the actually have ketone bodies in their urine. unprocessed foods, fruits and vegetables,
real world, most people consume 50-55% Such a diet will produce weight loss, as has while cutting out dairy products, beans
of their daily calories as carbohydrates. been shown in many well-done studies.4,5 and grains. Like the keto diet, this is a
Many nutrition scientists are saying now It will also, among other things, lower both low-carbohydrate diet. And both diets
that it’s too much, especially in people who insulin levels and insulin resistance. condemn “junk food.” So does the USDA,
are obese, overweight and/or diabetic. These effects have attracted attention for that matter. The paleo diet emphasizes
Which, as noted above, is most of us. There well beyond weight loss clinics. Since this a high-protein diet, whereas the various
is a strong argument that carbohydrates isn’t an academic review, let me spare you forms of the keto diet may also be high
should be less than 35% of a healthy diet, the details. But studies in patients with protein, but also use a lot of fat. In prac-
perhaps much less. There is even a group diabetes have shown clearly that low carbo- tice, there is less difference between the
hydrate diets are very effective in patients two than it appears. But there is a lot more
6 spring 2021
Editorially speaking
most of us little better than one composed
of doughnuts, cake and Lucky Charms.
Moderation in diet, as in most things,
remains a virtue.
To conclude, as physicians, we should
realize that we and our patients aren’t
doing so well right now. Changes need to
be made.
Bon appétit! �
Charles W. Van Way, III, MD, is editor emeritus
academic research on keto diets, which erate more greenhouse gases than raising of Kansas City Medicine and is emeritus profes-
have been around much longer. Paleo diets vegetables. Whether this is actually true is sor of surgery at the University of Missouri-Kan-
are the new kid on the block. And the so- another matter. Growing vegetables also sas City. Dr. Van Way is a past president of the
American Society for Parenteral and Enteral
called carnivore diet, which is exactly what produces carbon dioxide. But the public Nutrition, and has written several books on nu-
it sounds like, is probably a short-term image of methane-producing cows is out trition support. He can be reached at cvanway@
enthusiasm. there. And let’s not talk about commercial kc.rr.com.
All of this has caused much public hog farms. In the name of climate change,
interest. Google “keto diet,” and you’ll could a current or future administration REFERENCES
get 200 million hits. There are articles in mandate a vegetarian diet for everyone? Or 1. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. U.S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/
national newspapers.9,10 While I doubt that perhaps levy a large tax on meat produc-
many of us will join the Low Carb Action tion? It’s not as far-fetched an idea as it was 2. Fast Stats, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/default.htm
Network, we do need to be aware of these a few years ago.
dietary trends. Honestly, if your patients As physicians and citizens, these larger 3. Low Carb Action Network. Website, https://lowcarbaction.org/
aren’t asking you about these issues, per- policy questions concern us. But what 4. Bueno NB, de Melo IS, de Oliveira SL, da Rocha Ataide
haps you should be educating them. do we tell our patients? This seems to be T. Very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet v. low-fat diet for
long-term weight loss: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled
much clearer. Most of our patients want trials. Br J Nutr. 2013 Oct;110(7):1178-87.
RESISTANCE TO LOW-CARB to lose weight (as do many of us, as well).
5. Batch JT, Lamsal SP, Adkins M, Sultan S, Ramirez MN.
The forces against low-carbohydrate, And the message from the diet literature Advantages and Disadvantages of the Ketogenic Diet: A Review
high-fat/protein diets are formidable. For is very clear. Whatever ill effects there Article. Cureus. 2020;12(8):e9639.
one thing, meat-eating is not politically may be of too much fat and/or protein, 6. Shaminie J. Athinarayanan L , Adams RN, et al. Long-Term
correct. Enthusiasm for animal-free diets cutting carbohydrates is essential to losing Effects of a Novel Continuous Remote Care Intervention Including
is growing, especially among the young weight. Lowering carbs to 35% or less of Nutritional Ketosis for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes: A
and sensitive. Vegetarian alternatives are caloric intake has proven successful. Cut 2-Year Non-randomized Clinical Trial. Frontiers in Endocrinolo-
gy, 2019, 10:1-22. (followup from #4)
considerably more attractive than they bread, cut rolls, omit sandwiches, and give
were only a decade ago. Veggies can still up doughnuts. It’s not a mystery. Even 7. Hyde PN, Sapper TN, Crabtree CD, LaFountain RA, Bowling
ML, Buga A, Fell B, McSwiney FT, Dickerson RM, Miller VJ,
be low carbohydrate, so this isn’t a major vegetarians can accomplish this, although Scandling D, Simonetti OP, Phinney SD, Kraemer WJ, King SA,
objection. For another, raising animals for it’s admittedly more challenging. Obesity is Krauss RM, Volek JS. Dietary carbohydrate restriction improves
meat is less efficient than raising vegetables a major health issue today. As physicians, metabolic syndrome independent of weight loss. JCI Insight
or grains. You have to grow vegetables first, we should know enough to advise our 2019, 4:e128308:1-16.
then feed them to the meat animals (yes, patients. 8. Bittman, M. Animal, Vegetable, Junk. 2021. Houghton
grass is also a vegetable). Third, American Should we advocate more extreme Mifflin Harcourt. 364 pages.
agriculture is dominated by grain and positions? The Atkins diet and all of its 9. Reddy, S. Should Americans Get Half Their Calories from
vegetable monoculture on large commer- ketogenic variations are still going strong Carbs? Two Camps Battle it Out. Wall Street Journal, November
25, 2020.
cial farms. Agribusiness, as they call it, has after five decades. The paleo diet? Even the
immense economic and political power. carnivore diet? But a diet composed entire- 10. Taubes, G. What If Meat Is Our Healthiest Diet? Wall Street
Journal, January 30-31, 2021.
Lastly, animal husbandry is said to gen- ly of steak, salmon and broccoli seems to
kansas city medicine 7
COVID-19 Vaccine:
Now Is the Time
Resources for Physician-Patient Education
PATIENTS: Why get the vaccine?
• It’s safe. Over 150 million vaccine doses have been administered in the U.S. to date.
• Protect your family. Avoid infecting family members, especially those with health risks.
• Protect yourself. Don’t risk serious illness.
• Protect the community. The sooner most of us get immunized, the sooner that life can return
to normal.
Where can I get the vaccine?
• Hospital Systems • Pharmacies
• County Health Departments • State Vaccine Finders
See a complete list of vaccine providers in the Kansas City area:
https://kcmedicine.org/covid/vaccine/where-to-find-vaccine or https://www.vaccinatekc.org/
ATTENTION PHYSICIANS: Please encourage your patients to get the COVID-19 vaccine. During the coming
weeks, it will be critical to vaccinate as many people as possible—so we can reach that much-desired goal of
herd immunity (75-80%) as quickly as we can. Join Kansas City’s Two Million Arms Campaign in promoting
vaccination to our community.
kan sas ci t y
MEDICAL SOCIE TY
8 spring 2021Leadership
An Eventful First Year for Physician CEO
q & a with stephen reintjes , sr ., md , president and ceo of north kansas city hospital and
meritas health
It has been over a year since Stephen L. Northland coalition that’s administered
Reintjes, Sr., MD, was appointed president over 97,331 vaccines to eligible Missourians.
and CEO of North Kansas City Hospital In addition to meeting the ever-changing
in January 2020. To provide a smooth needs of our COVID-19 patients and
transition, retiring President and CEO the community, we continued to provide
Peggy Schmidt served in an advisory role lifesaving stroke, trauma and heart attack
until July 2020—as COVID-19 brought treatment, eventually earning The Joint
new and unplanned challenges. Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and
Dr. Reintjes shares his thoughts on his certification for Comprehensive Cardiac
first year as NKCH CEO, the COVID-19 Center, Advanced Total Hip and Total Knee
pandemic and physician leadership with Replacement, and Primary Stroke Center.
Kansas City Medicine. Equally important, we took care of our own,
A neurosurgeon, Dr. Reintjes has been avoiding employee furloughs and raising the
(Photo by North Kansas City Hospital)
a respected and engaged member of the minimum base wage to $15 per hour.
North Kansas City Hospital medical staff exposure to leaders from all corners of
for 30 years. Prior to his appointment the community, which was an invaluable What do you find most satisfying about
as CEO, he held numerous executive experience. leadership?
leadership positions at the hospital, I take great satisfaction in working with
including director of spine surgery and How does having a physician CEO benefit a talented team of professionals who are
medical staff president. the hospital? dedicated to fulfilling our mission. When
Dr. Reintjes, a Kansas City native, As a physician, I worked alongside care hospitals around the country struggled
graduated from the University of Kansas providers and spent time at the patient’s to care for COVID-19 patients, everyone
School of Medicine and completed his bedside. This experience helped me pitched in to adapt to the needs of our
neurosurgery residency at KU Medical understand what care providers want and patients, employees and the community.
Center. His undergraduate degree is from patients need. As CEO, I use this knowledge Then, when our COVID-19 census dropped
Georgetown University. to balance the needs of staff and the and we saw an uptick in available vaccines,
community we serve. we rose to that occasion, too, partnering
How have you prepared yourself for with Operation Safe to vaccinate the
leadership positions? During the COVID-19 pandemic, what’s community. To serve with this group of
Throughout my medical career, I been your North Star in managing the compassionate, capable individuals is an
participated in various health care and civic hospital’s response? honor.
initiatives. In 2008, I was president of the During the pandemic, we entered
Kansas City Medical Society (at the time uncharted territory. At times, it felt like a lot What is the biggest thing you’ve learned
named the Metropolitan Medical Society). to navigate. But, as long as we continued to in the past year as CEO?
Prior to that, I worked with a coalition of run toward the sick and serve those in need, I’ve had a firsthand look at the bravery
physicians to change Missouri’s tort reform I knew we were doing the right thing for the of care providers and the dedication of
laws in 2004. While these roles gave me a right reason. health care leaders. When it comes to caring
deeper understanding of leadership in the for their patients and the community, I’ve
health care space, serving on the boards What have been your successes? learned they’ll stop at nothing. �
of BioNexus KC, Midwest Transplant Most recently, I’ve taken great pride in
Network and Saint Luke’s Hospital provided our contributions to Operation Safe, the
kansas city medicine 9Leadership
Reflections on Organized Medicine, Care for the
Underserved
two longtime leaders completed their terms on the kcms board of directors in 2020
The Kansas City Medical Society appreciates the many years of service of John C. Hagan, III, MD, and Sheila M. McGreevy,
MD, FACP, to the Society as well as organized medicine and charitable care efforts. Their terms on the KCMS board ended
December 31, 2020.
Though they won’t be on the KCMS board, neither is going far. Dr. Hagan continues to serve as editor of the highly regarded
Missouri Medicine journal, which he has helmed for the Missouri State Medical Association since 2000. Dr. McGreevy
continues as a board member of the Kansas City Medical Society Foundation, which oversees charitable care programs for the
underserved.
In the following interviews, both reflect on their backgrounds in organized medicine and charitable care and offer their
thoughts on the future.
john c. hagan, iii, md 20 years. Under his leadership, Missouri tional levels for over 40 years. Knowing the
The contri- Medicine has become nationally recog- importance of mentoring, I have served as
butions of John nized, including being indexed by PubMed such for young physicians.
C. Hagan, III, and Medline. He also has been active in
MD, to orga- his specialty societies, and was president Are there physicians you would consider
nized medicine of the Missouri Society of Eye Physicians mentors in organized medicine or had
span over four and Surgeons in 1998-99. Dr. Hagan is the key influences on you?
decades. He was recipient of numerous awards. A native My first partner in North Kansas City,
president of the of Mexico, Mo., he obtained his medical Truman Schertz, MD, introduced me to
former Clay- degree from Loyola University of Chicago leadership in the Clay County Medical Soci-
Platte County Stritch School of Medicine. He interned at ety and the Missouri State Medical Associa-
Medical Society in 1981-82 and served Milwaukee County General Hospital and tion and encouraged me to be active.
for six years on its executive committee. completed residency at Emory University.
After helping to facilitate Clay-Platte He served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force What was your role in the merger of Clay-
joining with the Jackson County Medical Medical Corps from 1970-72. Platte into Metro Med in 2000?
Society to form the Metropolitan Medical The Clay County Medical Society was
Society of Greater Kansas City, he was the How did you first get involved in orga- quite active, but the Platte County Medical
society’s president in 2010. Dr. Hagan has nized medicine? Society was frankly inert, so the physicians
remained continuously on this board since During my residency at Emory Univer- in that county were not represented. I helped
then, including Metro Med’s renaming as sity, both the Georgia Medical Association other physicians interested in the merger to
the Kansas City Medical Society and the and the Atlanta Medical Society had lead- obtain a signature petition from physicians
2018 merger with the Medical Society of ership programs for young, in-training phy- in Platte County, develop enthusiasm for the
Johnson and Wyandotte Counties to create sicians and were very welcoming. I learned merger from Clay County physicians and
today’s KCMS. His capstone achievement, from experienced physicians the importance coordinate the merger with MSMA approv-
however, has been serving as editor of of advocacy, and how and when to speak al. It has worked out well and, of course, the
Missouri Medicine, the Missouri State with a legislator. I have actively pursued later integration of Jackson, Clay and Platte
Medical Association journal, for over physician advocacy at local, state and na- counties produced a stronger organization,
10 spring 2021Leadership
as did the recent merger with Medical Soci- The extensive content of every issue of we hope to counteract the ultra-powerful
ety of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties. Missouri Medicine has to be a great source trial bar. Let’s not forget the United States
of pride, along with the journal being has more lawyers than the rest of the world
What do you consider your biggest ac- listed on PubMed. Thoughts? put together and they almost all aspire to
complishments with KCMS, Metro Med Recertifying for PubMed was the most seven-figure incomes. I’m very happy with
and Clay-Platte? difficult project in the past 21 years. Being the role KCMS and MSMA have played
I think helping all physicians in the indexed by PubMed, Medline and archived in passing tort reform twice. Much of the
Kansas City metro area realize that we at PubMed Central are crucial to any problems this country has can be traced to a
would be far more effective advocating medical journal. Several years ago, PubMed glut of lawyers.
for our patients and our profession if we changed their technical specifications for up-
weren’t separated into disparate geographic loading; they also said any journal approved What is your view of the future of orga-
areas. Merging of the five county medical before 1985—including our journal—had to nized medicine?
associations was huge. KCMS milestones be re-certified. We had to retain a techni- It is challenged. When I came to Kansas
include revising the bylaws several times, cal firm in New York to re-package all our City in 1975 and began practice in Clay
strengthening the finance committee, and content for uploading. We had to undergo County, it was a stigma not to belong to the
shoring up the organizations financials and a vigorous scrutiny of our content, our medical society. New members had to have
administrative management and oversight peer-review process, and validate the quality an endorsement of two existing members.
of the same. of our editorial and specialty editorial No advertising was allowed, just a taste-
board. They looked at over two years’ pre- ful ad in the newspapers for several weeks
You’ve been editor of Missouri Medicine vious issues. While we were confident of the announcing the opening of a new practice.
since 2000. How did you get involved quality of Missouri Medicine, failing had Hospitals did not employ physicians—even
with Missouri Medicine? such dire consequences that it was a stressful ER, anesthesia and pathology were private
I have always enjoyed writing. After I year. One requirement was to change all practice. Fast-forward to where we are now.
joined MSMA, I wrote the editor and said current and past issues to open access; we New physicians are increasingly employees
if a position on the editorial board came were happy to do so. We were re-certified of hospitals and health systems; new phy-
up in ophthalmology I would be honored and also accepted into PubMed Central sicians have to be convinced of the benefits
to be considered. Later I was appointed to Archives. By most any objective criteria, of organized medicine. Advertising was
the board. Missouri Medicine was a far cry Missouri Medicine is among the top three supposed to bring down the cost of medical
from the national journal it is now. About state medical journals. care. It didn’t; anyone with the money can
1998, I wrote a very critical letter to the go on TV and say, “I am the greatest doctor
then-editor and MSMA Executive Director What is your view of the value that KCMS in the world.” Also, every medical and sur-
C.C. Swarens. I outlined how content and and organized medicine bring to physi- gical specialty has a “doctor-wanna-be” that
presentation could and should be improved. cians and the community? would like to legislate themselves into the
In 2000, the physician editor left for a posi- The most important value is improving full scope of medicine without going to med-
tion out of state. Mr. Swarens called me and our patients’ care and the contributions of ical school. Without organized medicine,
said if I thought I could do a much better time, money and services to people with optometrists would be doing eye surgery,
job it was mine to try. It was a very difficult inadequate or no insurance. Making sure in- and nurses would be independently practic-
turnaround. However MSMA wanted a surance payments to physicians are fair and ing the full scope of medicine and surgery.
better journal and they hired Liz Fleenor as promptly paid helps not only the medical An appendectomy by Dr. Nurse is not off
managing editor. She is ultra-competent and community but also the patients we serve. the table with them. Without educating
almost as obsessive as I am. We have worked Missouri and Kansas, like most states, each physicians-in-training and young physicians
cordially together for almost 20 years. The has a vicious tort bar. Every day, you hear of the importance of organized medicine to
other major factor was developing issues them on television trolling for clients looking their personal and professional well-being,
around medical themes put together by the to sue physicians, hospitals and pharma- organized medicine could wither and die.
leading departments of Missouri’s six medi- ceutical companies. Only by organizing into
cal schools on eight campuses. groups like KCMS, MSMA and KMS, can
kansas city medicine 11Leadership
What advice do you offer young physi- served through Duchesne Clinic? help serve the uninsured, if they could do so
cians on why they should get involved? When I moved to Kansas City in 1996, within the framework of a well-organized
The greatest benefit of getting involved in I was one year out of residency. I joined a program. In 2005 or so, we presented our
organized medicine is to you, your practice, private practice in Kansas City, Kan., with plan to the Medical Society of Johnson and
your patients and your family. Do your wonderful, community-focused mentors Wyandotte Counties and asked them to take
part—as a minimum, belong to all local such as Robert Potter, Ann Allegre and on the administration of the program. The
and state organizations like KCMS, MSMA, Ann Haddenhorst. Dr. Haddenhorst was Medical Society physician leaders took a
KMS. Consider being involved in leadership the medical director of Duchesne Clinic, courageous leap of faith and said “yes.” That
positions. Be generous with your time and and our group took care of Duchesne Clinic was the start of my active participation in
money when it comes to advocating for your patients when they were admitted to the organized medicine.
profession. hospital. When I resigned from the practice
in 2002, after the birth of my fourth child, What do you consider your biggest ac-
sheila m. mcgreevy, md, facp I started volunteering at Duchesne Clinic complishments in KCMS and its prede-
Through once a week. Eventually I became part of cessors?
much of her their staff, staying for about 10 years and I would consider two accomplishments:
career, inter- serving as their medical director for most of One, I was part of the leadership of the
nal medicine that time. society during the transition from two local
physician Sheila medical societies divided by the state line to
McGreevy, MD, How did the creation of Wy Jo Care come one bi-state society in Kansas City. Although
FACP, has been about? not without hiccups, I believe that change
committed to Practicing medicine in a safety net clinic was overall to the benefit of the society. Two,
care of the poor is eye opening. The first realization is wow— I have been part of an ongoing evolution
and under- we can provide a solid level of primary care of purpose in the medical society. If I have
served. After six years in private practice, for people for very little cost. It takes a lot of helped our organization re-imagine itself
she served with Duchesne Clinic, which cobbling together of resources, but import- as a powerful community change agent,
provides care for the uninsured in Kansas ant, lifesaving work goes on every day in especially as pertains to physicians helping
City, Kan., from 2003 to 2013. She was the modest exam rooms of safety net clinics. vulnerable people, then that would most
medical director for eight of those years. In The second realization is yikes—what we likely be the biggest accomplishment of my
2013, she joined the faculty of the Univer- do within this clinic is not enough. Patients time with the medical society.
sity of Kansas School of Medicine, where need specialty care which is frustratingly out
she now is a clinical associate professor. of reach. Orthopedic procedures, eye exams, What is the importance of physicians
She played a lead role in the formation of gallbladder and hernia surgery, skin cancer stepping up to ensure that the poor and
the Wy Jo Care program in 2005; that pro- removals, colonoscopies, hysterectomies, underserved receive needed medical care?
gram coordinates donated specialty care cancer care, heart procedures—all these ba- Physicians hold positions of respect in
for the uninsured and is now part of the sic medical treatments are widely available the community and in health care systems.
Kansas City Medical Society Foundation. in Kansas City, but were often unobtainable I believe it is our obligation to push back
She has continued to be closely involved to our patients at Duchesne Clinic. against a purely profit-driven model of care
with Wy Jo Care, and she was the second Soon after I started at Duchesne Clinic, and to use our voice to continually reiter-
chair of merged KCMS Foundation board Sr. Ann, the executive director, asked me ate the importance of service and access to
in 2019. Dr. McGreevy is a graduate of the to join a small group of safety net clinic health care for all.
Creighton University School of Medicine, providers in Wyandotte County who were
where she also completed residency and working to improve access to specialty care. What are some of the most impactful
was chief resident. After some stops and starts we eventual- questions you hear from safety net pa-
ly put together a business plan for Wy Jo tients?
How did you become involved in provid- Care, building on the idea that specialists • If I have ovarian cancer and no access to
ing medical care to the poor and under- throughout Kansas City would be willing to cancer care, is it better to stay here with
12 spring 2021Leadership
my husband and 3-year-old child, or is it Mary’s food kitchen, what is the best insu- shelters and other nonprofits, churches and
better to say good-bye to them and go back lin regime for me? schools. If the time commitment of direct
to Mexico, knowing I may never see them • If I go blind, then will I finally get Medi- patient care is too much—which is totally
again? care? understandable given the stress of a medical
• If I have colon cancer and I am turned practice and family obligations on young
away from the front desk of a surgeon’s How can organized medicine (KCMS, physicians—consider advocacy on behalf
office because I do not have the money for KMS, etc.) support the improvement of of the uninsured instead of direct patient
the visit, is it better to swallow my pride care for the poor and underserved? care. Most of all, don’t stress about not doing
and go back and plead my case, or just Direct care, through organizations such enough. Take the long view and try to do
wait to see if Medicare comes through, as Wy Jo Care, but also through advoca- what you can within your time constraints.
even though the cancer may spread in the cy for system change at all levels: health �
meantime? systems, state governments and federal
• I can’t afford the surgery the neurosurgeon programs.
recommended. How do I keep this aneu-
rysm in my head from bursting? What advice do you offer to young phy-
• Should I buy insulin or pay my rent? sicians on how they can get involved in
• How will I know when my potassium level charitable care or safety net work?
is high enough that if I go to the emergen- There are all sorts of avenues to find the
cy department, they will give me dialysis, right service opportunity: the Medical So-
but not high enough that it would kill me? ciety, medical schools and their free clinics,
• If I eat one main meal per day at the St. community safety net clinics, community
Saving Lives and Limbs
Midwest Aortic & Vascular Institute physicians
diagnose and treat a wide variety of vascular disorders,
from complex aortic aneurysms to varicose veins.
Recognized for their innovative surgical techniques,
commitment to education and awareness, and research
to advance treatment options, its board-certified
surgeons work as part of a comprehensive team
of specialists to deliver the highest quality care. L-R: Michael K. Deiparine, MD, FSVS, FACS;
Jonathan E. Wilson, DO, FACOS, FSVS, RPVI;
Mike L. Waldschmidt, MD, FACS;
2750 Clay Edwards Drive, Suite 304 | North Kansas City, Mo. Austin J. Wagner, DO, FSVS, RPVI;
Scott W. Kujath, MD, FSVS, FACS;
4200 Little Blue Parkway, Suite 350 | Independence, Mo.
Karl R. Stark, MD, FSVS, FACS;
2521 Glenn Hendren Drive, Suite 112 | Liberty, Mo. Robert R. Carter, MD, FSVS, FACS, RPVI
( 8 1 6 ) 8 4 2 - 5 5 5 5 | m a v i . l i f e | f a c e b o o k . c o m / M AV I F O R L I F E
kansas city medicine 13Health and wellness
Heart-Healthy Resources for Your Patients
programs in johnson county support patients toward lifestyle modification
and heart health
By Joseph LeMaster, MD, MPH
Treating hypertensive and pre-hyper-
tensive patients often requires a balance
between medical intervention and lifestyle
modification. As health care providers, we
have much more control over a patient’s
treatment plan than we do over their desire
to engage in lifestyle change. Research con-
firms that modest changes can have a big
impact on chronic disease management
and prevention. The reality is, however,
that lifestyle change often requires mul-
tiple touchpoints and ongoing support.
Fortunately, Johnson County has a robust
network of organizations offering pro-
grams and resources designed to help pa-
tients work to adopt a more heart-healthy existing curriculum. As you know, reduc- and includes the newest heart health data.
lifestyle. Take a look at these four local ing risk for one chronic condition often For more information, contact Erin Gabert
organizations and encourage your patients results in reduced risk for multiple chronic at erin.gabert@heart.org.
to connect with them to help support their conditions. For more information or to
wellness efforts. connect patients to this program, contact K-STATE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION
Anne Hayse at anne.hayse@jocogov.org. OFFICE
JOHNSON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF The Johnson County K-State Research
HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION and Extension office offers a variety of
Chronic disease self-management The American Heart Association Kan- health-related services, including infor-
programs are workshops for adults with at sas City affiliate has a variety of informa- mation on sodium-reduced diets, heart-
least one chronic health condition, which tion, resources and guidance for patients healthy classes taught by Master Food
may be hypertension. The group-based to help lower blood pressure, including Volunteers and programs that focus on
workshops focus on disease management finding heart-check foods in the grocery physical activity, such as Walk With Ease
skills including decision making, prob- store, resources on better sleep and stress and Walk Kansas. For more information
lem-solving, and action planning. For reduction and a collection of free exercise or to connect patients, contact Crystal
more information or to connect patients videos available through the Move More Futrell at crystal.futrell@jocogov.org.
to this program, contact Alison Wiley at Together initiative.
alison.wiley@jocogov.org. They also have programs to help JOHNSON COUNTY PARK AND
The Johnson County Health Depart- patients with high blood pressure manage RECREATION DISTRICT
ment has been providing the National and track their conditions, including the Did you know that Johnson County has
Diabetes Prevention Program to Johnson Check. Change. Control. program. CCC over 450 miles of trails? Providing pa-
County residents since 2015. Trained life- has been around for almost 10 years, but tients with the Johnson County Park and
style coaches lead the program and have the AHA has recently launched a new Recreation District’s comprehensive trail
incorporated blood pressure monitoring CCC platform sans the tracking feature. guide is an easy way to encourage physical
and heart health education into the CDC’s The new platform is more user friendly activity at no cost to the patient.
14 spring 2021Health and wellness
Heart-Healthy Opportunities in the Kansas City Area
Opportunities to connect patients with health promotion and Kansas State University Research and Extension
recreation activities are available throughout the metropolitan https://www.johnson.k-state.edu
area. Here are a few:
Area hospitals also offer a wide range of health education and
HEALTH PROMOTION promotion programs.
Health Departments
WALKING & BICYCLING TRAILS, RECREATION PROGRAMS
Johnson County
https://www.jocogov.org/dept/health-and-environment Regional – http://bit.ly/KC-trails
Wyandotte County – http://www.hcwyco.org/what-we-do-2 Johnson County – https://www.jcprd.com/592/Trail-Guide
Kansas City, Mo. – http://bit.ly/kcmo-health Johnson County 50-Plus Program
Jackson County
https://www.jcprd.com/170/50-Plus
https://jacohd.org/initiatives/building-a-healthier-jackson-county Wyandotte County
Clay County – https://www.clayhealth.com
https://www.wycokck.org/Parks/Recreation.aspx
Kansas City, Mo. – https://kcparks.org/about-recreation/trails/
Community Organizations Jackson County – https://www.makeyourdayhere.com
American Heart Association Kansas City Clay County – http://bit.ly/clay-trails
https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/kansas/kansas-city
YMCA/Diabetes – http://bit.ly/ymkc-diabetes
YMCA/Chronic Disease Management
http://bit.ly/ymkc-chronic
In addition to multiple parks and a In the News In Memoriam
robust trail system, JCPRD has an en- Saint Luke’s Health System Donald Kuenzi, MD, passed away
tire department dedicated to providing President and CEO Melinda L. on March 14 at the age of 94. Dr.
programs, events and resources to Johnson Estes, MD, was named one of Kuenzi was a past president of
Modern Healthcare's 100 Most the former Metropolitan Medical
County residents age 50 and over. JCPRD’s
Influential People in Healthcare for 2020. Dr. Society (now part of KCMS) and the former
50 Plus Program offers an extensive menu
Estes served as chair of the American Hospital Clay County Medical Society. Board certified,
of exercise classes for all abilities, medita-
Association in 2020. he practiced family medicine in the Northland
tion for stress reduction and technology
from 1954 until his retirement in 1991. He was
guidance classes designed to assist older KCMS member and a board member of Health Teams International,
adults with using the internet, smart- gastroenterologist Farid through which he served on medical missions.
phones and phone applications so they can Namin, MD, is opening a
better access information and resources. personal protective equipment Sherman Steinzig, MD, died on
To learn more, contact Michelle Alexander manufacturing plant. PPE MFG USA’s December 4, 2020, at the age
at michelle.alexander@jocogov.org. � 16,000-square-foot plant in Riverside will of 95. A cardiologist in private
produce N95 masks and surgical masks along practice, he founded the KCMS
Joseph LeMaster, MD, MPH, is a professor of with head and shoe covers. Osler Society, which serves as a mentoring
family medicine at the University of Kansas program for medical students at the University
School of Medicine and is public health officer of Kansas and University of Missouri-Kansas
for Johnson County, Kan. This article also can be
City. He received both his undergraduate and
viewed online at https://kcmedicine.org/heart-
medical degrees from the University of Kansas.
healthy-resources-for-your-patients.
kansas city medicine 15You can also read
