JANUARY 2023

LUBBOCK CMS PHYSICIAN NEWSLETTER

VOLUME 55

WWW.LUBBOCKCMS.ORG

3419 22nd St. Lubbock, TX 79410 806.796.3000 www.LubbockSpineInstitute.com

Bolkar Sahinler, M.D., FIPP Ethan Dalley, M.D., FIPP John Hirsch, M.D. Shiraz Yazdani, M.D., FIPP Jeremy Jones, M.D., FIPP

INTERVENTIONAL PAIN MANAGEMENT Fellowship trained in interventional pain management and certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology or American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with added qualification in pain management.

January 2023

The Newsletter

DSHS Testing Information DSHS COVID-19 Vaccine Management Resources and Ordering TMA COVID-19 Resource Center TMA PPE Vendor List TMA Knowledge Center Submit Your Questions to the TMA Knowledge Center Mental Health Support 24/7 HHSC Statewide COVID19 Mental Health Support (833) 986-1919

FEBRUARY COMMUNITY & MEMBER RELATIONS Thursday, February 2nd 6:00pm ALLIANCE BOARD MEETING Monday, February 20th 6:00pm LUBBOCK CMS BOARD MEETING Tuesday, February 21st 6:00pm

Greetings, Dr. KJ Oommen's Newsletter, Neuroscience News. Dr. Sameer Islam's blog, "Let's Talk About Poop" A letter from the President Recommended Reads Get to know your LCMS Member: Tammy Camp, M.D. In Memoriam: Frank Ryburn, Jr., M.D. TMA The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text, blogs, links or newsletters, belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the Lubbock County Medical Society.

Welcome to 2023! We hope you have had a wonderful holiday and we are looking forward to all of the positive things that will happen this new year. One change we are excited to announce is our 2023-2024 physician directory. We will no longer have hardcopies. The directory will be accessible to all, on our LCMS website. There is a print function for anyone still wanting a physical copy. If you are interested in learning about our committee's or joining, contact Juanema or Elizabeth. We encourage sharing with us, any ideas for fun things, in Lubbock that all our members can do. Call us at (806) 7857917 or email us ([email protected], [email protected]) with your suggestions.

-LCMS 2204 A Ithaca Ave., Lubbock, Texas 79410| www.lubbockcms.org

A letter from the President

January 2023

My respected colleagues and friends, It is my honor to serve as your 2023 Lubbock County Medical Society president. I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season and are ready to start the new year with renewed energy and enthusiasm. I would first like to thank Dr. Melinda Schalow for her exceptional leadership as last year’s LCMS president. She blazed the trail for LCMS to grow in new directions and has been an incredible mentor to me. I would also like to congratulate the newest members and chairs of our committees – your dedication to advancing the mission of the medical society is very much appreciated! Congratulations are also in order for our new assistant director, Elizabeth Polk! She started with us last year under Juanema’s wing and has been doing an incredible job. Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank our executive director, Juanema Christensen, for her continued exceptional commitment to our medical society, its goals, and the physicians throughout our community. We faced many challenges in 2022, including the disastrous damage to our beloved medical society building. Juanema and Elizabeth have worked tirelessly in the ongoing case to get the roof repaired and getting fair compensation for the damage to the building. I am hopeful that we can be back in the building before the end of the year! As we continue advancing in the post-COVID era, our goals continue to evolve. The greatest asset to any medical society is its members. Our membership numbers have always been strong, but our society’s growth unsurprisingly slowed during the peak of the pandemic. As we continue to reach out to our robust physician community, one of my primary goals this year is to increase involvement in the events that are led by our various committees. This is especially important in a legislative session year, where we need as much participation as possible! Thank you again for your commitment to our medical society, our community, and our patients.

Best, Shiraz Yazdani 2023 LCMS President

RECOMMENDED READS January New Grant Applications Open to Help Promote Vaccines

Applications are now open through March 1 for the first round of the 2023 Local Impact Grants, which award up to $3,500 to fund vaccination activities. TMA member physicians, county medical societies, TMA Alliance chapters, and medical student chapters are eligible. Apply now.

2023

www.lubbockcms.org Overall Cancer Mortality In US Has Decreased 33% Since 1991, Report Says

USA Today (1/12, Rodriguez) says, “A report from the American Cancer Society released Thursday shows continued decreases in cancer deaths but health experts say more could be done regarding cancer prevention.” The “annual Cancer Statistics projects over 1.95 million people will be diagnosed with cancer and nearly 610,000 will die of cancer in 2023, an uptick from 2022 projections.” Still, the findings showed “overall cancer mortality has decreased 33% since 1991, an estimated 3.8 million lives saved from cancer.” USA Today adds, “Among the major findings: Lung Two Bills Filed In Texas House Aim To and colorectal cancers cause the most deaths, prostate Require Insurers To Cover HIV Testing, cancer is rising among men, and cervical cancer rates have Treatment seen an ‘astounding’ drop among young women.”

The Austin (TX) American Statesman NBC News (1/12, Carroll) reports the findings published in CA: (1/16, Villalpando, Subscription A Cancer Journal for Clinicians showed prostate cancer “rose Publication) reports, “Two bills filed in by 3% yearly between 2014 and 2019 after two decades of the Texas House would require decline, with the increase mostly driven by diagnoses of insurance companies to cover HIV advanced disease.” testing and some additional treatment options.” House Bill 526 “would require ABC News (1/12, Westman, Miao) reports the findings also insurance companies to provide showed that “Black men and women are more likely to die coverage of HIV testing” and “would from prostate, uterine and breast cancer compared to other allow blood taken for medical races.” screenings to be tested for HIV unless a person opts out of that testing.” The CNN (1/12, Howard) says, “The report attributes this steady second measure, HB 839, “aims to progress to improvements in cancer treatment, drops in prevent insurance companies and smoking and increases in early detection,” as well as HPV Medicaid from requiring prior vaccinations. authorization for prescriptions to prevent infectious diseases” which The Wall Street Journal (1/12, Abbott, Subscription “would include PrEP, PEP and Publication) and The Hill (1/12, Shapero) also report. antivirals.”

COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Appears To Reduce Mortality Risk In Immune-Compromised Patients, Systematic Review Shows

CNN (1/12, Cohen) reports COVID19 convalescent plasma “does work well for people who are immune-compromised, according to” findings of a systematic review and metaanalysis published in JAMA Network Open. The research “found that immunecompromised” patients with COVID-19 “were 37% less likely to die if they got convalescent plasma.” While “it’s legal to use convalescent plasma to treat” patients with COVID-19 “who are immune-compromised, as inpatients or outpatients, government guidelines are neutral about whether the treatment works, so some hospitals offer it but others do not.” CNN also highlights the difficulties some patients have in accessing the treatment.

Medicine Achieves Reduction in Medicare Physician Pay Cut Amid Push for Reform

After a concerted advocacy campaign by TMA and others in organized medicine, Congress lessened a Medicare physician pay cut that took effect Jan. 1. Meanwhile, TMA experts continue to analyze other provisions of the extensive spending law that averted the cuts and its specific implications for Texas. Read more.

CMS Outlines Changes To Speed Up, Align Prior Authorization Process

Healthcare Finance News (1/18, Morse) reports, “The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services outlined changes that will be made to speed up and align the prior authorization process across all payers, during a press call on Tuesday.” One “reason for implementing the changes is physician and clinician burnout, said” Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, as current prior authorization “causes delays and sometimes results in patients abandoning care, he said.” The agency “estimates that efficiencies introduced through these policies would save physician practices and hospitals over $15 billion over a 10-year period.”

Use Of Robotic-Assisted Heart Surgeries Growing In Houston Hospitals

The Houston Chronicle (1/17, Gill) reports on the “growing popularity of robotic-assisted heart surgeries in Houston.” Such tools “have become a mainstay in specialties, such as urology and gynecology, but have been slower to gain acceptance in cardiac surgery,” as physicians “disagree over their usefulness compared to other minimally invasive options, and the machines present a steep learning curve.” But “as the technology improves and surgeons become more experienced...Houston hospitals are warming up to the idea of using the machines to treat severe heart disease.”

TAMMY CAMP, M.D.

Get to know your LCMS members Specialty: Pediatrics Practice: TTUHSC Lubbock Medical Education: TTUHSC SOM Hometown: Marble Falls, Texas

Why did you become a physician? As a 7th grader, I had an interaction with a pediatric orthopedic surgeon who had to give me difficult news (in my mind at the time) - that I would need to wear a back brace. As a competitor in sports this was devastating. His compassion was remarkable and was so influential. I determined then that I wanted to be a physician so that I could help others in the same way in the future.

What is your favorite weekend activity? Spending time with my husband....hiking, working, skiing, worshiping, playing games.

Why did you choose pediatrics as your specialty? Thought I would go into Orthopedics, but then realized I enjoy long-term relationships with patients. I have spent all of my life working with children...it seemed a natural fit. Was the best decision I could make... I love my job. I get to wake up every morning, go to work, and interact with kids!

Favorite Book: Pride and Prejudice

What advice would you give to a young person who is considering the practice of medicine? Recognize this is a career that will require hard work, and sometimes personal sacrifice that can even affect your family, but it is incredibly rewarding. It requires personal commitment to the job, but a strong commitment to maintaing the other important aspects of your life....take time for faith and family.

Hobby: Hiking & Skiing Personal Hero: My dad, who was also my coach

Most influential quote: "When the going gets tough, the tough get going" First Job: Camp Counselor at Camp Blue Haven First physician job was TTUHSC Pediatrics Biggest Challenge: Saying No! Biggest Personal Accomplishment: With my husband, raising two children who are faithful, successful adults.

In Memoriam

Frank McCutchan Ryburn, Jr., M. D., 99, of Lubbock, died suddenly on January 8, 2023, of complications following surgery. His life revolved around his practice as a physician, his participation in the life and work of First Presbyterian Church, and his leadership of a loving family.

He was born April 23, 1923, to Rev. Frank M. Ryburn and Nancy Reed Ryburn, and he grew up in South Charleston, West Virginia, with older sisters Emily and Jean and younger brother Sam. He attended Hampden-Sydney College for two years before going into the Army Specialized Training Program during WWII where he was assigned to medical school at the University of Virginia. On September 17, 1949, he married Mazie Allen Hall whom he met when she was a nursing student, and he was an intern at Baylor Hospital in Dallas. He began general practice in Jacksonville, Texas, but soon he was drafted into the Korean War and served as the commander of the base hospital at Red River Arsenal, New Boston, Texas. He then returned to Baylor for a residency in internal medicine. Upon completion of his training, he moved the family to Lubbock and established his practice, caring for patients and serving the medical community for the rest of his career. After retirement at the age of 70, he was called to a part time position as Medical Director of Hospice of Lubbock, continuing his career for more than a decade.

Frank and Mazie traveled extensively in the United States and to many international destinations. They loved to explore new cultures and to attend the graduations and weddings of their children and grandchildren. At home, Frank cultivated a garden and many fruit and nut trees; he loved to share the bounty with friends and family.

Mazie died two years ago, and Frank moved to an assisted living apartment at Carillon where he made new friends and appreciated the dedicated care of the staff. He was blessed just last month to spend Christmas with every one of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in their home of 65 years. He is survived by his brother, Sam Ryburn, and many nieces and nephews as well as these family members who loved him as a wonderful Daddy, Frank, or Papa: Mac Ryburn of Lubbock, his ex-wife Nancy, and his partner Linda Collins. Cullen Ryburn of Billings, Montana, and his fiancée, Katelyn Keating. Sarah Hopkins of Midland and her husband Zach.

Stephanie Rodda of Memphis, TN, and her husband Thad. Duke Rodda of St. Paul, MN, and his wife Meghan and daughters Ryan and Ivy. Emily Rodda of San Francisco, CA, and her husband Zack Zweber and sons Zane and Zander.

Scott Ryburn of Midland and his wife Amy. Allie Strand of Midland and her husband Andrew and daughters Andie and Anna Claire. Ben Ryburn of Dallas and his wife Sarah and their baby expected in February. Chris Ryburn of Midland and his wife Amy and their children Carter, Sonny, and Lane. Courtney Ryburn of Midland.

Debi Cook of New Braunfels and her husband Robert. Amanda Oberbeck of Dallas and her husband Mike. Casey Cook of Austin and her daughters Lily, Natalie, and Emily. Marcy Vreeland of Fredericksburg and her husband Charles and their baby expected in April.

Visitation will be Sunday, January 22, 2023, from 4:00-6:00 pm at Combest Family Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 23, 2023, at 10:30 am, at First Presbyterian Church, 3814 130th Street followed by burial at Resthaven Memorial Park under the personal care and direction of Combest Family Funeral Home. Reverends Betsey Heavner and Elizabeth Abraham will be the officiants.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church, Meals on Wheels, Hospice of Lubbock, or South Plains Food Bank.

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TMA Alliance Monthly Memo

Libby White

President, TMA Alliance

What’s on Your Mind? Tell TMA

Listening and responding to physicians and their concerns are what drive TMA's programs and initiatives. Do you have an idea to share or an opinion about how we can do something better? We want to hear from you. Visit the TMA Feedback portal to tell us about your experiences with TMA, ask questions about TMA advocacy or services, and more.

Employment Opportunities The LCMS will post employment opportunities here and on our Facebook page for those needing to find employment and those who want to list jobs available. You can email your information to [email protected] and please Cc [email protected].

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Managed Care Suzanne Beck, M.D. Melinda Schalow, M.D. TTUHSC Dept. of Surgery