The Scope of Family Medicine - Alabama Academy of Family Physicians
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The Scope
Fourth Quarter 2017
of Family Medicine
A Publication of the Alabama Academy of Family Physicians • www.alabamafamilyphysicians.org
Telehealth Helps Patients
Overcome Barriers to
Health Care
PG 7
Social Media and
Electronic Communication:
Assets or Liabilities?
PG 8
The Scope
of Family Medicine
Winter 2018
Officers
Tracy Jacobs, MD, President*
Deanah Maxwell, MD, President-Elect*
Vikus Gupta, MD, VP Southeast (’19)
Laura Satcher, MD, VP Northeast (’20)
Boyd Bailey, MD, VP Southwest (’21)
Julia Boothe, MD, VP Northwest (’18)
Drake Lavender, MD, Treasurer (’18)*
Jeffrey E. Arrington, Executive Vice President
(*indicates member of the Executive Committee)
Board of Directors
Jarod Speer, MD, Board Chair*
Allen Perkins, MD, Gulf Coast Branch
Michael Goodlett, MD, At Large (’20)
David Bramm, At Large (’19)
Contents
Steve Donald, MD, At Large (’18)
Nelson Cook, MD, Calhoun County Branch
John Meigs, MD, Ex Officio
Jamie Bishop, DO, Resident Chapter President
Charlotte Linder, Student Representative News from the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners:
(*indicates member of the Executive Committee)
Questions About the New RMS Rule...........................................4
District Representatives
James Henderson, MD Primary Care Physician Opportunity............................................4
Kim Owens, MD
Holly McCaleb, MD
Telehealth Helps Patients Overcome Barriers to Care.................7
Jeremy Thompson, MD Social Media and Electronic Communication:
Colleen Donohue, MD
Cathie Scarborough, MD Assets or Liabilities?.......................................................................8
AAFP Delegates 2017 University of Alabama Rural Medical Scholars XXII........10
Tonya Bradley, MD (’19)
Steve Furr, MD* (’18) 12th Rural Medicine Program.....................................................12
AAFP Alternate Delegates
2018 Physicians’ Alabama Opportunity Fair...............................14
Beverly Jordan, MD (’18)
Jerry Harrison, MD (’19)
Scope Managing Editor
SAVE THE DATE
Jeffrey E. Arrington
Alabama Academy of Family Physicians
19 South Jackson Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
334-954-2570
Toll-free: 877-343-2237 2018 Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium
Fax: 334-954-2573
alafamdoc@charter.net June 21-24
www.alabamafamilyphysicians.org Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
Mission: The Scope of Family Medicine is intended
to provide timely and useful information of interest
to our chapter members, as well as provide informa-
tion about the policies and activities of the chapter.
Advertising Policy: Advertising is accepted that is
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Published December 2017 • 2017/4
ucts is expressly prohibited. Additionally, material
that is found to be unethical, misleading or morally The Scope of Family Medicine is published by Innovative Publishing.
objectionable is also not permitted. 10629 Henning Way, Suite 8 • Louisville, Kentucky 40241 • Phone 844.423.7272 • Fax 888.780.2241
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The views and opinions expressed in Scope do not Please direct all inquiries to Aran Jackson, aran@innovativepublishing.com.
necessarily reflect the policy of the Alabama Acad-
emy of Family Physicians.
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News from the Alabama
Board of Medical Examiners
Questions About the New RMS Rule
Recap of the Rule so RMS should be used as one element of a • Controlled substances prescribing practices
The rule requires the use of medically appro- physician’s “best practice” when prescribing • Recognizing signs of the abuse or misuse of
priate risk and mitigation strategies (RMS), controlled substances for any reason. controlled substances
which will vary from patient to patient. • Controlled substance prescribing for chron-
However, the rule requires use of these ic pain management
Examples of risk evaluation and mitigation strategies only when prescribing controlled
strategies include, but are not limited to, pill substances for the treatment of pain. Con- For Physician Assistants
counts, urine drug screening, prescription cerning the use of RMS in the treatment of and Nurse Practitioners
drug monitoring program (PDMP) checks, cancer patients with controlled substances, Qualified Alabama Controlled Substances
consideration of abuse-deterrent medica- the Board is of the opinion that the best prac- Certificate (QACSC) holders (PAs/CRNPs/
tions, monitoring the patient for aberrant tice when prescribing controlled substances CNMs) are required to obtain, every two
behavior, providing a patient with opiate for the treatment of acute, chronic or cancer years, four AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM
risk education prior to prescribing con- pain includes the use of medically appropri- or equivalent continuing medical education
trolled substances and using validated risk ate RMS, which will vary from patient to credits through a board-approved course or
assessment tools. patient at the discretion of the physician. courses. Note: Beginning with the 2018 re-
newal application, QACSC holders will be
It is not expected that a physician would use all For Physicians required to input the name and date of the
RMS with all patients on every visit. Beginning January 1, 2018, all Alabama course(s) taken and upload documentation
Controlled Substances Certificate (ACSC) of course completion.
The Board received comments regarding the holders must earn or obtain, every two
use of RMS when prescribing controlled sub- years (for current registrants, during 2018- Please see the Board’s webpage, “Prescribing
stances for treatment of conditions other than 2019, 2020-2021 and so on), two AMA PRA Controlled Substances FAQs,” for more informa-
tion: www.albme.org/csfaq.html.
chronic pain, such as psychiatric conditions, Category 1 CreditsTM or equivalent continu-
cancer and end of life. All controlled sub- ing medical education credits in at least one
stances carry some risk of abuse or misuse, of the following areas:
Primary Care
Physician Opportunity
Established, growing practice in Chero- Visit our practice website at perrymedicalclin-
kee County, Alabama, has an opening for ic.com for additional information. Cherokee
a board-certified primary care physician. County is located on Weiss Lake, surrounded
Our diverse practice includes a full range by the Appalachian Mountains. Cherokee-
of ancillary services for pediatric through chamber.org provides information about our
geriatric patients. Our physicians and staff location and other resources. Send résumé
have been providing quality health care for or inquiries to perrymedadministrator@
more than 35 years in Centre, Alabama. tds.net.
4 The Scope of Family Medicine
Telehealth Helps Patients
Overcome Barriers to Health Care
Access to health care is the leading concern of Alabama embraced the new technology, and it is slowly
becoming part of our culture as the technol-
rural citizens, and a survey of rural health providers showed ogy is incorporated into our daily work activi-
that appointments were often not kept because of lack of ties,” Smith explained.
transportation. This major barrier to health care was also Sixty county health departments now have the
identified in community health assessments conducted throughout required bandwidth capacity for telehealth.
“And while we presently have 23 county
the state. Through telehealth, medically underserved Alabamians, health departments with telehealth carts,”
especially in rural communities, can access specialty care right Smith continued, “we are in the process of
deploying an additional 30 carts over the next
down the street rather than traveling long distances. few months.”
The lack of reimbursement for telehealth
T he Alabama Department of Public
Health (ADPH) began pursuing tele-
health in 2014, using its technical expertise
The Public Health Telehealth Network
presently facilitates telehealth encounters/
appointments for the following conditions:
services in Alabama is a financial barrier
for health care providers. Alabama has no
parity coverage laws that would require re-
with video production, distance learning HIV/AIDS, mental health counseling, sexu- imbursement by health plans for telehealth
and video conferencing for the public health ally transmitted disease interviews with services at the same rate as those paid for
workforce. In 2015, the department initiated clients, routine nephrology appointments in-person visits. Adopting parity legislation
the Public Health Telehealth Network. for home dialysis patients, and nephrol- in Alabama would incentivize health care
ogy consultations. The network currently professionals to use telehealth.
Telehealth can increase access to preven- has five active partners: AIDS Alabama,
tive and specialty care, address health dis- the Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) However, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
parities, and save money. Transportation Division of the Bureau of Communicable recently adopted reimbursement for telehealth
costs are not only reduced, but efficiency is Disease, The University of Alabama at Bir- services for six conditions: cardiology, der-
increased because of shared health profes- mingham Medical Center, the University matology, infectious diseases, behavioral
sional staffing through telehealth. of South Alabama School of Medicine, and health, nephrology and neurologic diseases,
the Department of Veterans Affairs. In ad- including stroke. More health conditions are
The need is great. Fifty-four of Alabama’s 67 dition, the number of telehealth collaborat- expected to be added in the coming months.
counties are considered rural, and there is a ing partners as well as the services soon to The department is working with the The Uni-
large population of medically underserved be offered are growing rapidly. versity of Alabama Medical Center and other
residents. Alabama’s health professionals are institutions to engage partnerships with pro-
unevenly distributed throughout the state. Telehealth encounters are encrypted and viders and health systems as well as to estab-
While about 75 percent of health care provid- compliant with the Health Insurance Por- lish a statewide coordinating council.
ers are located in Jefferson County, only about tability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
25 percent of the state lives there. Each ADPH custom cart includes a com- Telehealth may actually encourage more phy-
puter; a high-definition pan, tilt and zoom sicians to locate in rural areas because they
“Telehealth is a perfect opportunity to bring video camera and codec; two 24-inch can more easily refer their patients to out-
specialty care into a community while saving monitors; a 3M Bluetooth stethoscope; of-town specialists who would treat patients
time and travel expense,” said Michael Smith, and a JedMed handheld examination cam- remotely at the county health department
director of the Distance Learning and Tele- era with three lenses. through telehealth.
health Division. Public health departments
are especially desirable sites for patients be- “A telehealth program requires agency com- For more information, please contact Michael
cause they offer a neutral point of entry for all mitment and staff participation from through- Smith at michael.smith@adph.state.al.us or Dr.
Jessica Hardy at jessica.hardy@adph.state.al.us.
health care services, are available to the pub- out the organization — a teamwork approach
lic statewide, and have clinical and technical to make it successful — and ADPH staff have
staff available.
Alabama Academy of Family Physicians 7
Social Media and
Electronic Communication:
Assets or Liabilities?
by ProAssurance Indemnity Company, Inc.
You may have heard the adage, “Don’t put When asked about the topic, Hayes V. Whi- • Frequently monitor privacy settings and the
anything on the internet that you wouldn’t teside, MD, chief medical officer and senior page itself.
want tacked to a bulletin board in the town vice president of risk resource at ProAssur- • Create guidelines or policy for staff re-
square.” Thanks to smartphones and their ance, said, “As a physician, I understand the garding who may post updates to the page
applications, that adage is easier than ever perceived value of the ways in which patients and under what circumstances, including
to ignore. Over the past several years, there tend to rely on Facebook to communicate who will redirect questions on the page to
have been numerous news stories of physi- with family and friends. However, we physi- appropriate physicians for follow-up when
cians being reprimanded after inadvertently cians need to be sure of a couple of things: a question is not general enough to be an-
identifying patients on social media, nurses One, communication about a patient’s thera- swered on the practice’s page, or when do-
being fired for posting photos taken during peutic course happens face-to-face and, at ing so would compromise patient privacy.
surgeries, etc. So what may a physician do times, is supplemented with phone conversa- • Ensure patient confidentiality. Refrain from
to minimize liability risk when using smart- tions, with the common thread of give-and- publicly posting any protected health in-
phones? There are many areas of concern take interaction, and two, ethically, that we formation — whether in discussion with a
— social media, email, text messages and don’t blur the line between therapeutic care patient or other physician on the practice’s
smartphone applications. While these may and the social relationship.” Facebook page. Doing so could result in a
be viable tools for communicating with pa- Health Insurance Portability and Account-
tients, there are inherent risks — confidenti- Generally, the best advice is to keep your pro- ability Act (HIPAA) violation.
ality, data security and the potential for email fessional and personal lives separate when us-
and text to replace open communication. The ing Facebook — and not accept friend requests The American Medical Association (AMA)
following tips may help minimize your risk. from patients. Facebook friends typically have has issued “Opinion 9.124 – Professionalism
access to all other friends, to photos posted, and in the Use of Social Media,” and it may be
Social Networks also to notes and messages posted on your wall. found here: http://journalofethics.ama-assn.
Social media has exploded from Face- No matter how tightly you lock down your pri- org/2015/05/coet1-1505.html.
book and its ancestor MySpace to Twitter, vacy settings, there’s no guarantee of privacy.
LinkedIn, Pinterest — the list goes on — Communicating Via Email and Text
and according to Facebook’s third-quarter If you decide to use Facebook or other social While email and, to a certain extent, texts
2017 earnings, more than 2.07 billion peo- media professionally, it’s a good idea to set up may be viable tools for communicating with
ple use Facebook monthly1, and 1.37 billion an account for your practice only and consider patients, there are some inherent liability
are active users. these suggestions: risks. Issues such as confidentiality, data secu-
• Add a disclaimer statement along the lines rity and the potential for email to replace open
You’ve heard ad nauseam that patients who of, “Our clinic cannot give medical ad- communication are examples of those risks. If
perceive they have a good relationship with vice to any individual over Facebook. This email or text is used, risk management experts
their physicians are less likely to sue, even in Facebook page is for general informational recommend physicians refrain from sending
the event of an adverse outcome, and heard purposes only and should not be used in time-sensitive, highly confidential or emer-
more times than you can count that communi- place of a consult with your regular medical gency information. Information concerning
cation is the cornerstone of your relationships provider. The information presented here prescriptions, normal lab results regarding
with your patients. But that advice is proffered is not intended to be used as a diagnosis or nonsensitive medical issues, appointment re-
for the therapeutic, professional setting. treatment. If you need emergency medical minders and routine follow-up inquiries may
attention, please call 911 or go to the nearest be appropriate to transmit via email.
So how do you navigate the boundary be- emergency room. If you need to be seen in
tween therapeutic and personal — or social? our office by a physician, please call [tele- Confidentiality and security become issues
phone number] for an appointment.” of primary concern. Who will be process-
8 The Scope of Family Medicine
ing the messages? Will physicians obtain The AMA’s opinion may be found here: Regardless of whether a smartphone app
informed consent from patients regarding http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine. transmits, stores or simply accesses patient
transmission of information via email? Who com/medical-economics/content/tags/hipaa/ health information, physicians should ensure
has access to the email account? To the com- text-messaging-patients-steps-physicians- the apps are HIPAA- and Health Information
puter where emails are stored? If email is must-take-avoid-liabil?page=full. Technology for Economic and Clinical Health
used, risk management experts recommend Act (HITECH)-compliant.
physicians refrain from sending time-sen- Smartphone Apps
sitive, highly confidential or emergency in- With 84 percent of physicians using smart- Tips to Keep in Mind
formation. Information concerning prescrip- phones for professional purposes2, it’s wise to • HIPAA requires data security and proper
tions, lab results, appointment reminders and be concerned about potential risk management destruction and/or file retention of patient
routine follow-up inquiries are generally ap- implications. While such medical apps are health information when appropriate.
propriate to transmit via e-mail. Physicians great tools, there are innate risks — the unse- • Physicians should remove patient health
should print emails to and from patients and cured smartphone, for example. Risk manage- information from devices with apps before
place them in the patient’s medical record. ment experts recommend evaluating the types discarding/replacing the device.
of information stored on a personal device. • Wireless apps should be reviewed to ensure
The AMA, in its “Opinion 5.026 – The Use Research apps such as Epocrates should not security at all levels.
of Electronic Mail,” recommends physicians be subject to HIPAA risks if used for research • A security policy addressing mobile devic-
don’t establish a relationship via email and purposes only. However, apps allowing mo- es and apps that can be used, along with the
notes that the same ethical obligations that bile dictation of information that can be trans- appropriate use and destruction of patient
apply to any other encounter apply to com- ferred to an electronic medical record may be, health information, should be in place.
munication via email. as they may contain confidential patient health • Work closely with information technology
information. Another consideration is secu- personnel to address security issues.
Regarding texts, medical/legal experts note rity. Apps that transmit information may be
that they are subject to the same consider- vulnerable to hacking. Some medical apps bill ProAssurance-insured physicians and their practice
ations and parameters as emails when it comes themselves as HIPAA-compliant. It is wise to managers may contact Risk Resource for prompt an-
swers to liability questions by calling 205-802-4712
to privacy and protected health information, examine an app’s privacy policy and take rea- or by emailing riskadvisor@proassurance.com.
such as incorporation into the medical record. sonable steps to verify security. It’s also wise
Risk management experts recommend avoid- to keep in mind that no apps — especially free Sources:
ing using text messaging to communicate pa- ones — are 100 percent secure. 1
www.statista.com/statistics/264810/number-of-
tient information, treatment advice, etc. monthly-active-facebook-users-worldwide/
2
www.statista.com/statistics/416951/smartphone-
use-for-professional-purposes-among-us-physicians/
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This material was originally created by the American Academy of Family Physicians and funded by Qsource, the Quality Payment Program Small,
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(CMS), a federal agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Content does not necessarily reflect CMS policy. 17.SURS-QPP.05.005
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Alabama Academy of Family Physicians 9
2017 University of Alabama Rural
Austin Brooks Charity Cypert
Austin Brooks was raised in Cleburne County, Charity Cypert is the daughter of Mr. and
Alabama, where he graduated from Cleburne Mrs. Jody Cypert. She graduated from Wil-
County High School. As an undergraduate, son High School in Florence, Alabama, be-
Brooks attended The University of Alabama, fore attending The University of Alabama.
where he majored in biology, on a Presidential While pursuing her degree, Cypert served as
Scholarship. While at UA, Brooks conducted the director of Alpha Epsilon Delta’s CAPS
research in the Earley Lab. He completed his mentoring initiative and co-founded The So-
Bachelor of Science in biology and graduated ciety of Women in Medicine. She also served
cum laude with university honors and honors as a lead undergraduate research assistant and
in biology. Brooks is currently employed by has volunteered for several organizations, in-
Northstar EMS in Tuscaloosa and by Cleburne County EMS as an cluding the American Cancer Society and Best Buddies. Cypert
emergency medical technician. graduated from UA with honors and received a Bachelor of Sci-
ence in biology. Cypert first became interested in medicine after
Bailey Bryant her grandmother was diagnosed with an advanced stage of lung
Bailey Bryant is the daughter of LeAnne and Jeff cancer. Her passion for medicine continued to grow as she shad-
Bryant of Albertville, Alabama, where she gradu- owed physicians and became more involved in the prehealth com-
ated from Albertville High School. Bryant earned munity at UA.
her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Jackson-
ville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama. McKenzie Donald
She practiced as a registered nurse at Huntsville McKenzie Donald is the daughter of Dr. Steve
Hospital in the surgery and trauma intensive care and Karen Donald of Chatom, Alabama. She
unit and the Gadsden Regional Medical Center graduated from Jackson Academy and cur-
emergency department before enrolling at The rently attends The University of Alabama. She
University of Alabama at Birmingham to pursue plans to graduate with a Bachelor of Science
a graduate degree. She holds a Master of Science in nursing and has in food and nutrition, with a minor in biol-
practiced as an adult and gerontologic acute care nurse practitioner ogy. Donald is an undergraduate research as-
with the hospitalist and emergency physicians groups at Marshall sistant in the UA nutrition department and is
Medical Center North. Bryant went on to practice as a pulmonary and the current president of the UA chapter of the
critical care nurse practitioner in the intensive care unit of Gadsden Alabama Student Rural Health Association.
Regional Medical Center. She has worked as an office assistant in her father’s clinic and has
shadowed in family medicine, hospice and palliative care. In her
Jeb Cowen community, Donald has volunteered with Relay for Life and the
Jeb Cowen is the son of Dr. Gary and Julie Cowen Washington County Hospital and Nursing Home.
of Jasper, Alabama. He graduated from Walker
High School before attending Samford Univer- Kathryn Gray
sity in Birmingham, Alabama, where he earned Kathryn Gray is from Alexander City, Ala-
his Bachelor of Science in sports medicine. While bama, and graduated from Benjamin Russell
there, Cowen participated in Alpha Epsilon Del- High School before attending Troy Univer-
ta, a pre-medical society; Gamma Sigma Alpha, sity in Troy, Alabama. While there, she was
an academic honor society; and the American a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta honor so-
Chemical Society. Cowen has volunteered with ciety, Alpha Lambda Delta honor society,
Hope for Women and Habitat for Humanity, Mortar Board honor society, Phi Kappa Phi
along with a number of community churches and nursing homes. He honor society, Beta Beta Beta honor society
received the Chemistry Academic Excellence Award his freshman year and the American Medical Student Associa-
and the Most Outstanding Sports Medicine Student Award his senior tion. Aside from shadowing physicians in her
year at Samford. Cowen also participated in a medical mission trip to hometown, she was also able to spend a few weeks overseas learn-
the Dominican Republic and spent a summer shadowing an internal ing about the health care system in Spain. Gray graduated summa
medicine physician in his hometown. cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in biology.
10 The Scope of Family MedicineMedical Scholars XXII
Brionna McMeans Ashlyn Shields
Brionna McMeans, of Fort Deposit, Alabama, Ashlyn Shields is the daughter of Scott and
is the daughter of Angela McMeans and Jackie Melissa Shields of Hokes Bluff, Alabama, and
Williams. After graduating as salutatorian of graduated from Hokes Bluff High School. She
The Calhoun School, she attended Stillman earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from
College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where she was The University of Alabama. Shields interned
active in the Student Government Association with Project Health at UA’s Student Health Cen-
and the Pre-Alumni Association. McMeans ter for five semesters, during which she worked
then completed a nursing assistant certification to educate her peers about health topics relevant
course at Shelton State Community College, to college-age students. She participated in the
which she says provided her with insight to the Huntsville Rural Pre-Medical Internship, where
role of a health care professional and the functionality of a health she learned about health care disparities in rural Alabama. Shields
care team. has volunteered with Sewing Seeds of Hope in Marion, Alabama,
through which she assisted in providing blood pressure and blood
Peyton Powell sugar screenings for that community. She also worked with the Sal-
Peyton Powell is the son of Mark and Dr. An- vation Army to give nutrition and health counseling to the homeless
gela Powell of Monroeville, Alabama. He grad- population of Tuscaloosa.
uated from Monroe Academy and participated
in The University of Alabama Rural Health Robert Weaver
Scholars program prior to attending UA. As Robert Weaver is the son of Dr. Randall Weaver
an undergraduate, Powell was a member of the and is from Alexander City, Alabama. He grad-
American Institute of Chemical Engineers and uated as valedictorian from Benjamin Russell
he received a Bachelor of Science in chemical High School, where he participated in various
engineering. He now works as a medical scribe volunteer organizations that include Key Club,
at University Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, National Honor Society and Boy Scouts of
Alabama, in the pediatrics and family medicine clinics. America, through which he attained the rank
of Eagle Scout. While attending The University
Kristin Pressley of Alabama, Weaver was a member of the pre-
Kristin Pressley is the daughter of Eddie and health honors society Alpha Epsilon Delta and
Eurica Pressley of Harvest, Alabama, and grad- volunteered with the Center for Service and Leadership (CSL). He
uated from Sparkman High School. She gradu- was an assistant team leader with the CSL and served as weekly vol-
ated cum laude from The University of Alabama unteer coordinator for the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
with a Bachelor of Science in general health Weaver graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in
studies. She performed research under SCOPE biology from UA and has shadowed with several former Rural Medi-
(Scholars for Community Outreach, Partner- cal Scholars in various locations of rural Alabama.
ship and Engagement) through the Center for
Community-Based Partnership. Pressley is also
a member of various honor societies, including
Golden Key and Sigma Alpha Lambda. She has volunteered with
the Benjamin Barnes YMCA and Oak Hill School-Stillman Heights,
and hopes one day to serve women and children in her professional
career. Pressley has shadowed several Huntsville and Tennessee Val-
ley physicians in a variety of fields, including family medicine and
OB-GYN, in addition to nurses and other allied health professionals.
Alabama Academy of Family Physicians 1112th Rural Medicine Program
Adam Bashir Sydney Blankenship
My name is Adam Bashir, and I was born and My name is Sydney Blankenship. I was raised
raised in Selma, Alabama. I attended Auburn in Abbeville, Alabama. I attended Auburn Uni-
University, where I double majored in chemis- versity and received a Bachelor of Science
try and biomedical sciences. While at Auburn, degree in biomedical sciences with a minor in
I conducted research into the design and char- English. While at Auburn, I served as a Camp
acterization of novel MRI contrast agents for War Eagle orientation counselor, a High School
three years. My passion for rural medicine was Leadership Conference mentor, a Panhellenic
sparked by witnessing the effects of poor health Cabinet member and a member of Omicron
care access in the Black Belt. After completion Delta Kappa honor society. Additionally, I have
of my residency, I hope to return to Selma to volunteered at the local nursing home for the
practice family medicine. last four years. These service and leadership activities have each
played a large role in establishing my passion for working with oth-
Janison W. Hunter ers. I look forward to one day continue serving my local community
My name is Janison W. Hunter, and I am proud through working as a physician.
to be from Cedar Bluff, Alabama. I completed
my undergraduate coursework at The Univer- Bess Rhodes Butler
sity of Alabama and received a Bachelor of Sci- My name is Bess Rhodes Butler, and I grew up
ence in biology. While at UA, I was involved in in East Limestone, Alabama. I received a bach-
Alpha Epsilon Delta, Al’s Pals, undergraduate elor’s degree in chemical engineering from The
research and extensive shadowing. I am also an University of Alabama. While at Alabama, I
active member of Cherokee County Carpenters worked as a resident adviser and was involved
for Christ, which is a community service min- with the College of Engineering’s Mentor UPP
istry that helps build and renovate churches. I program, which is a program that helps under-
was blessed with the opportunity to spend time with a local family classmen assimilate to campus and also to the
medicine doctor, which solidified my commitment to rural family engineering curriculum. I worked for a couple
medicine. I look forward to completing my medical training and be- of years in the defense industry but ultimately
ing able to return to rural Alabama and establish a family medicine felt called to pursue a career in medicine. I shadowed a recent Rural
practice. I hope to provide quality care while being fully integrated Medicine Program graduate practicing in my hometown and knew
into all aspects of the community and maintaining its health. that this program and family medicine would be the perfect fit for
me. After completing the program, my husband and I plan to settle
Lee Butler and practice in rural Alabama.
My name is Lee Butler, and I grew up in
Haleyville, Alabama. I received my bachelor’s Chirag Patel
and master’s degrees from The University of My name is Chirag Patel, and I am from En-
Alabama in electrical engineering. While at terprise, Alabama. I received my undergraduate
UA, I worked for two years in a laboratory degree in biomedical sciences from The Univer-
researching devices and materials for both sity of Alabama in Birmingham. I am currently
medical and military applications. I then worked a junior Board member in the UAB National
as an engineer for five years in the defense in- Alumni Society. During my time at UAB, I was
dustry and became involved with various forms the president of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, execu-
of community service. After shadowing a tive director for the University Programs Board,
rural family physician, I decided to pursue a career in medicine so vice president of finance for the Undergraduate
I can serve my community full time. After graduation from medical Student Government Association, and worked
school and completion of my residency training, I plan to return to in a lab for three years that focused on pain perception/management
rural Alabama to practice family medicine with my wife. in people with knee osteoarthritis. Through these experiences, I
learned the meaning of servant leadership, which will help me make
a positive impact in a community like I was raised in.
12 The Scope of Family MedicineHannah Howard Paul Morris
My name is Hannah Howard, and I am from My name is Paul Morris, and I grew up in
Lowndesboro, Alabama. I graduated summa Sylacauga, Alabama. I received my undergrad-
cum laude with an undergraduate degree in uate degree in biology from Troy University.
biochemistry from Huntingdon College. At I was involved in Alpha Epsilon Delta, Delta
Huntingdon, I was the treasurer of the Student Kappa Epsilon fraternity and Habitat for Hu-
Government Association, a cheerleader, and in manity. While at Troy, I worked in an organic
Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. During my sopho- chemistry research lab synthesizing a new
more year, I volunteered at Medical Outreach type of antidepressant. After graduating from
Ministry, a health care clinic for people without Troy, I spent time shadowing a group of family
health insurance, which taught me the great im- medicine physicians in Sylacauga. This is when
portance of patient-centered family medicine. Upon completion of I realized that I wanted to practice family medicine after the com-
medical school and residency, it is my goal to return to a small rural pletion of medical school. My goal is to practice medicine in rural
town to practice family medicine. Alabama and eventually serve as a preceptor for medical students.
Austin Martindale Wallace Timms
My name is Austin Martindale. I am from Rus- My name is Wallace Timms, and I am from
sellville, Alabama. I attended The University Elmore County, Alabama. I graduated from
of Alabama for undergrad, where I received a Huntingdon College in Montgomery with a ma-
degree in biology. During my time at Alabama, jor in biochemistry and a minor in religion. In
I worked in a laboratory that researched bacte- addition to being an offensive lineman on the
riophage therapy as an alternative to antibiotics Hawks football team, I was the president of
and as a combatant against antibiotic-resistant external affairs for the Huntingdon Collegiate
bacteria. Upon graduation from medical school Exchange Club, a member of the Huntingdon
and residency training, I would like to return to College Chapter of American Chemical Society
a rural area and give back to a community like and a third-degree black belt in taekwondo. In
the one that shaped me into the person I am today. my sophomore year, I was fortunate to be able to participate in the
Huntsville Rural Pre-Medical Program. I have been fortunate to be
Yesenia Lopez able to spend time shadowing in small family practice clinics and a
My name is Yesenia Lopez, and I grew up in metro emergency room. Each shadowing experience was different
Crossville, Alabama. I completed my bachelor’s but highlighted the necessity for excellent primary care and how a
degree in biomedical sciences at The University shortage of care in rural Alabama truly is a crisis in the making. I
of Alabama at Birmingham. During my under- look forward to making a difference in these communities.
graduate years, I worked at a family clinic as
a translator, volunteered at the Veterans Affairs
hospital, and, as a member of Alabama Student
Rural Health Association (ASRHA) and Alpha
Epsilon Delta, was involved with Spirit of Luke,
a free mobile clinic that serves the Black Belt of
Alabama. Upon graduation from medical school and completion of
residency, I plan to practice family medicine in a rural area.
Alabama Academy of Family Physicians 13Physicians’ Alabama
Opportunity Fair
February 17, 2018
Physicians’ Alabama Opportunity Fair show- in 1990 as a vehicle to match small Alabama “This is a wonderful way to see all the dif-
cases more than 30 of Alabama’s rural com- communities with primary care physicians, ferent opportunities that are out there for
munities as well as Alabama’s primary care PAOF is a partnership of the following: primary care residents. It is a must-see! The
residency programs! • Alabama Academy of Family Physicians location is wonderful, and the participants
• Alabama Chapter of the American Acad- are informative and friendly.”
If you are considering a rural or small-town emy of Pediatrics – Charlene Grigsby, former chief resident, fam-
medical practice, or want to learn more • Alabama Department of Public Health ily medicine, University of South Alabama
about practicing in rural Alabama, join us • Alabama Family Practice
on February 17 to explore the opportunities Rural Health Board
available to you. • Alabama Hospital Association
• Alabama Medical Education Consortium
Who Can Participate? • Alabama Primary Health Care Association Communities That Have Hired
• Primary care residents • Alabama Public Health Association
Physicians as a Result of PAOF
• Medical students in their third or fourth • Medical Association of the
year (limited number) State of Alabama
• Licensed physicians currently practicing • TAHEC, Inc.
• Boaz • Hartselle
but interested in relocating to a small or • The University of Alabama School of • Cullman • Lawrence
rural community Medicine • Evergreen • Ozark
• University of South Alabama College of • Fayette • Rockford
What Is PAOF? Medicine • Geneva • Sardis City
The 26th annual Physicians’ Alabama Op- • Guntersville • Selma
portunity Fair (PAOF) will be held at the For more information and to get registered, • Hartford • Wedowee
Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, visit www.paof.info.
Alabama, on Saturday, February 17, 2018.
PAOF is sponsored by 12 health care orga- What Former Residents
nizations interested in helping rural Ala- Have to Say About PAOF
bama communities facilitate the excellent “Absolutely wonderful weekend. I met
health care they deserve. Each year, more many great potential employers and learned What Community Practitioners
than 30 rural Alabama communities high- more about areas of Alabama I would like Have to Say About PAOF
light the resources of their areas and offer to practice in. Can’t imagine a better use of “PAOF is a unique opportunity to showcase
the opportunity to come and practice medi- my weekend.” the many positive attributes of practicing
cine in a small-town environment. Created – Past resident/student participant medicine in a smaller community. The event
provides an economical format to gain one-
on-one time with future practitioners and
their families in a relaxed atmosphere.”
– Jennie Rhinehart, CEO, Community Hos-
pital, Tallassee, Alabama
Schedule “Dr. Agustin Flores filled a very impor-
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m..Kickoff Luncheon: Featuring Keynote Speaker Julia tant position as staff physician at Sardis
Booth, MD, FAAFP, Pickens County Primary Care, Reform, Alabama City Medical Center. We would never have
1-4 p.m. Adjourn to Exhibit Hall known about him had it not been for PAOF.
This carefully organized event is critical to
4-5 p.m. Reception keep our medical school graduates and Ala-
5 p.m. $250 Grand Prize Drawing bama residency graduates in this state.”
– Amelia Wofford, Quality of Life Health
Services, Inc.
14 The Scope of Family MedicineWWW.ALABAMAFAMILYPHYSICIANS.ORG
Family Medicine • Internal Medicine
Pediatrics • Urgent Care
Emergency Medicine • General Medicine
Occupational Medicine • Hospitalist
Competitive remuneration, mileage, lodging
and malpractice insurance provided
LOCUM TENENS AND PERMANENT JOBS FOR PHYSICIANS
Karen M. Belk, CEO
KBelk@BelkStaffing.com
www.BelkStaffing.com • 1.888.892.4DRS
Send CV to Fax 256.389.9000
Alabama Academy of Family Physicians 15Alabama Academy of Family Physicians 19 South Jackson Street Montgomery, AL 36104
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