Welcome to a New Year of Vein Magazine!
by Jana Acciacca
While our industry has experienced landmark growth over
the past several years, at no time has it been more exciting to
be a part of the Phlebology community. The array of new technologies,
advances in treatment and initiatives to grow the specialty
is amazing, and it’s all happening right before our eyes.
There is no shortage of news and information we bring to
this issue, and on that note we’ve got some news of our own at
VEIN. I’m delighted to return to VEIN as the Editor and just as
excited about the addition of Steve Elias, MD as our new Medical
Director. Steve is no stranger to the publication with his
Education feature, and now he will be driving content throughout
each issue with his own unique, in-the-trenches view of Phlebology. In addition,
we are truly fortunate to continue working closely with Marlin Schul, MD who, despite
his increased responsibilities to the 2011 AC P Annual Congress, has graciously
agreed to continue on with VEIN as Medical Advisor. Our team looks forward to
providing even more engaging content on the treatment of venous disease in 2011.
As with every issue, VEIN highlights the upcoming events and provides in-depth
reviews from recent meetings of significance within the vein community. In addition,
this issue features a time-sensitive call to action by the AC P for your participation
in the MGMA Benchmarking Survey for Phlebology. This is an excellent opportunity
to give your own two-cents worth about your experience and role within the
specialty and to help pave the way for future advances.
The New Year also brings about a slightly more urgent call to action if you, like
most of your colleagues, are hoping to cash in on some of those stimulus dollars set
aside for physicians who begin the migration over to EMRs. As a follow up to Part I
of his article from Fall 2010, Maged Mikhail presents Part II, providing additional advice
for phlebology-specific EMR software evaluation and implementation that will
meet the criteria for government reimbursement while improving your practice’s
overall efficiency and performance.
These constant advances in technology create a need for up-to-date marketing advice
and tips for promoting your practice in the ever-growing digital age. With this issue,
we welcome Ricardo Casas, CEO of Fahrenheit Marketing in Austin, Texas, who
weighs in on best practices for your business website. Part I in a two-part series follows
expert insights into the nuts and bolts of building - or rebuilding - your patient’s
user experience for a more effective tool to draw new and increased clientele.
When searching for a health care provider who embraces the cutting edge of technology,
we needn’t look any further than West Palm Beach, Florida, and The Vein
Center of the Palm Beaches. Our Featured Doctor, Dr. Z Catherine Navarro, tells
us what sets her practice apart and provides us with an innovative high-tech solution
to the issues surrounding patient compliance of compression stocking usage.
And finally, we are proud to feature our Cover Story on the official launch of the
new American Venous Registry. For the first time ever, phlebologists have the ability
to share crucial patient diagnosis and treatment data through this newly developed
registry, specifically designed and maintained by the American Venous Forum.
Eileen Masciale guides us through the process that has undeniably produced one of
the most important advances in the practice of Phlebology in the United States.
We are at the crest of a huge wave of innovations, advances and new information
and we aim to be the ship that helps you navigate these waters to successfully grow
your practice. Let us know what you think at editor@veindirectory.org, and thank
you for your support!