The Advisor - April, 2015

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SHOPPING FOR HEALTHCARE
A major bank is about to introduce a revolutionary new credit card that allows the
holder to purchase anything they wish for a flat monthly fee determined in advance
by demographic tables and limited only by the items covered by the card agreement
and the stores and distributors participating in the program. Let’s say you are 27
years old and married with one child. You have been employed by the same
company for five years and have only a car payment and a home mortgage. Your
monthly fee for the card would be $800 dollars. But you can use the card to buy
anything you need without regard to cost.
Want to buy groceries for the family? Why not go to that new gourmet store that only the upper class use. Has your washer
conked out? Make sure the new washer you purchase with your card has all the bells and whistles. Why shop at Walmart
for your jeans? You can afford an upscale store now. Simply shop, present your card and let the bank worry about
payment. As long as you use the stores in their shopping network, demonstrate that you need the item and purchase only
items that are covered in the agreement. Interested?
Of course you would be interested. And of course this new credit card is nothing more than my over active imagination.
But what I have just described is our healthcare distribution system and the insurance industry that manages it. If one really
looks closely at healthcare in America it is puzzling that anyone should be surprised that it is a disaster.
You see, health insurance isn’t really insurance at all. It is not designed to only protect us from catastrophic unpredictable
health events. It is merely a mechanism by which we smooth out a lifetime of healthcare expenses by pooling the costs with
millions of others and letting someone else manage the distribution. Once we are part of the system, our insurance
premiums give us a healthcare credit card that we can present whenever we feel that we need services. We do not worry
whether we are getting the most practical, efficient, cost effective care. We just take the word of the provider and let
someone else negotiate the cost. We are absolved of any responsibility.
We don’t worry about unnecessary tests because we have pre-paid. We don’t worry about leading healthy lives and
avoiding risks because we have pre-paid. And now that we have Obamacare the healthcare credit cards we carry are even
more attractive. Insurance companies cannot charge sick people higher premiums than healthy people. They have to cover
an every expanding range of conditions. They cannot deny coverage to people who have an expensive pre-existing
condition. And, although Obamacare theoretically requires everyone to purchase a policy, the tax penalties are so absurdly
low that many healthy young folks are simply saying, “Go ahead and tax me. I’ll get a policy when I get sick.”
Conservatives stick to the mantra that market forces can deliver quality care and keep costs under control. But, as long as
consumers can access services without regard to price or necessity, prices will continue to soar. As long as consumers with
the means to afford insurance can wait till their health deteriorates to purchase it and people who are too poor to afford any
premiums can still access healthcare through their local emergency room without the ability to pay, solutions to our
healthcare dilemma will be impossible to find.
As a consumer you would never agree to purchase a car without knowing what it cost. And you would not order options
that you could not afford, that you did not need and had no intention of using. And that is because you would be picking up
the tab. Right now our healthcare is dispensed by providers who determine their prices based not on what the patient is
willing to pay but rather on what the insurance company is willing to reimburse. As long as the consumer is removed from
the formula, market forces will never control costs or quality.

REALESTATE
Tips & Tools from the world of today’s Realtor
First you slaved away as a medical student, then as a resident and perhaps as a
fellow. And when I say slaved I mean just that. You left your medical
training and entered the real world of medicine and landed a lucrative contract
with a great practice. The future looks bright and it’s time to start rewarding
yourself and your family with some of the perks and possessions that you have
had to do without for oh so many years.
But you have to be creative in finding the funding for the nice things of life. After all, you are still paying down medical
education debt. But everyone is being so nice and so accommodating. You can’t afford the down stroke for a luxury auto,
but a lease doesn’t require much up front. And the wise young doc is not going to lease just his or her own vehicle while the
spouse continues to drive the beater. So add two lease payments to your monthly nut.
And now it’s time to purchase your first home and in order to do that you have to secure financing. Perhaps your family is
willing to help with the down payment. Or perhaps your spouse works and together you have managed to set aside a modest
amount of your own. And you discover to your delight that many of the major lenders have very special loan programs
designed just for young physicians (visit www.mdpreferredservices.com and search for mortgage services).
And then you make a grand discovery. There are folks out there that are willing to lend you a great deal more than you
expected. You may not even have to tap your savings and your family for a down stroke! Wouldn’t it be great to finance
some well-earned luxury items over 30 years at a relatively low interest rate? It’s like getting a consolidation loan up front
before you even have the debts to consolidate! Stop right there. You are about to make two classic blunders that will haunt
you for generations to come.
Number one: you are preparing to make a huge personal investment without the counsel of a professional financial advisor
and without a financial plan. The reason I am certain of this is that any financial planner worth their salt will not permit you
to finance personal luxuries with a completely inappropriate financing vehicle.
Number two: you are preparing to spend pretend money you don’t have for luxuries you may not need and can probably not
afford at this point in your young career. And worse yet you are preparing to burden yourself with a long term liability that
is tied to the vagaries of the real estate market, placing at risk your family’s home. You may be confident that you can
manage the monthly mortgage payment, permitting you to enjoy those baubles and bangles that you have done without for
far too long. But when it comes time to move or refinance you may find that your house is under water and that those nice
folks with the easy terms are unwilling to bail you out.
A home loan is designed to help you put a roof over your head. It is not an ATM for the good life. Get some advice; create
a plan; live the plan; and avoid the blunders that so many of your young colleagues will come to regret.

THE CHANGING DYNAMICS OF
COLLEGE HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS
Unless you have a son or daughter attending college, you have probably
heard very little about health insurance offered by colleges to their
students. For decades now most colleges have folded health insurance
premiums into college tuition costs. This mandatory insurance protected
students from catastrophic health issues and has generally been much less
expensive than private sector insurance. But times are changing.
Obama care is at the center of many of these changes. In the past there was often no choice but to accept the coverage or
provide proof of more expensive coverage from the private sector. Students generally did not have the option of going
without coverage and hoping for the best. And for the most part, despite spiraling college costs, the health insurance
component was a very small part of the payment equation. Because college students are young and healthy they are a highly
desirable demographic for insurance companies and they were very aggressive in signing up colleges with attractive
premiums.
But with Obamacare the equation has change in several very important ways. One provision in the Affordable Care Act
prevents students from receiving subsidies from the new federal and state exchanges when they receive their coverage from
the college. In more and more cases, a student can qualify for free insurance through an exchange. This is particularly
relevant in states that are lowering the bar for Medicaid benefits. Most full time students, even those working part time are
by definition “poor.”
Another result of Obamacare is that young people can stay on their parent’s health insurance until age 26. This is often a
much cheaper option than the cost of a policy offered by the college. And with the rapidly rising cost of private health
insurance, many colleges are simply thinking of getting out of the insurance business altogether.
But the dark side of all of these new options for students and their parents is that the option of going without coverage is
now once again on the table. But whether or not a student choses to risk a big ticket health event by going “naked,” many
colleges can no longer compete on cost alone.
One wild card in all of the changes is that state and federal mandates make coverage plans very rigid and inflexible. Many
college plans still offer wider benefits and choices including lower deductibles. One strategy that works well in some states
that have lowered their Medicaid thresholds is for a student to drop out of their parent’s policy, work part time, apply for
Medicaid in their state of residence and qualify for free insurance. It is perfectly legitimate and increasingly available.
At the end of the day, families with moderate income who make too much to qualify for Medicaid and who are stretching to
afford tuition and room and board are putting the choice of health insurance coverage in the hands of their students. And
with even bare bones, high deductible private plan costing just south of $200 per month, some students cannot pay the
premium.
As states continue to work the kinks out of their state exchanges and their Medicaid programs, and as middle class families
evaluate their insurance options, more and more colleges are going to be taking a very hard look at their student insurance
policies and consider their options as well.

ANOTHER MORAL SWAMP
A recent headline read, “Teen Heart Transplant Recipient Dies in Fatal
Police Car Chase. “ The young black male referenced in the article that
followed was pictured as was the wreckage of his vehicle. And the story
line casts a light on a seldom addressed moral issue relating to organ
transplant lists that often determine who will live and who will die.
Anthony Stokes, 17, received a heart transplant in 2013. He had an
enlarged heart and without a transplant he had less than six months to
live…a sad but not uncommon situation. Except that it was indeed a most
unique and perplexing situation. Although his situation was critical and there was no reason to believe that he would not
survive the procedure, he was taken off the list and refused a transplant by doctors who were convinced he would not
comply with post procedure medical directions.
Anthony’s mother told the media and all who would listen that she was convinced her son was being denied a transplant
because of his low grades in school and “trouble with the law.” The simple fact was that Anthony was in and out of scrapes,
was in numerous fights in school and there was a real chance that Anthony would continue to have social issues after a
procedure. To put a point on it, doctors didn’t think that Anthony deserved a second chance and there was a real probability
that he would squander the gift of a new heart.
Whether or not there was a more “deserving” candidate, the news coverage lead to sufficient pressure to cause doctors to
rethink their decision. In August 2013 Anthony underwent successful transplant surgery. Fast forward to Tuesday night. A
masked gunman shot at an 81 year old woman sitting in her home watching television during a failed burglary. A
description of the car in which the alleged gunman fled matched the description of a car Anthony was driving shortly
thereafter. When police attempted to pull him over, he refused to stop and sped away. Police gave chase. Anthony
eventually lost control, struck a pedestrian and smashed into a pole. Anthony died that night from his injuries.
So, were the doctors right in their original assessment of Anthony’s suitability for a transplant? Although in hindsight the
answer would seem to be yes, at the time that the transplant decision was made, future conduct could only be guessed at.
But are past acts and behavior legitimate issues in medical treatment decisions. Bioethicists who are second guessing those
decisions made two years ago are quick to point out that even convicted felons serving time in prison are sometimes eligible
for organ transplants.
This is unquestionably an isolated event that in no way proves any moral argument. But it does point to the moral issues
that doctors increasingly face as technology provide them with the means to extend life while limited resources force them
to search for objective criteria to determine who lives and who dies.

MD PREFERRED PHYSICIAN CONSULTANTS
Dike Drummond MD is a Mayo trained Family Practice Physician with a unique combination of
ground level experience in medicine, coaching and personal and business development.
Dike’s expertise in personal change was developed through a combination of 11 years as a family
practice doctor and 10 years as a business coach working with physicians and startup entrepreneurs;
he has also developed his own unique, interactive guided imagery practice.

PERSONAL FINANCE
By Michael A Olson, CFP
Most people would like to have more money in their bank accounts,
while working less. Although this may seem like a never-ending
dilemma, there may be a solution. Think about it: The best way to
stretch the money you make without working more hours is to avoid
excess spending in the first place. Some people call this a budget but
you could just as easily call it a spending plan.
Here are 10 tips to help stretch your hard-earned cash in today's
challenging economic climate:
1. Create a spending plan. Many people resist the idea of a budget because they associate it with hardship and
sacrifice. But instead, you can create a monthly “spending plan” for your fixed and discretionary expenses. By
planning your spending, you may find that you spend money more wisely because you're consciously taking
control.
2. Pay yourself first. Put savings at the top of your spending plan. If you wait until the end of the month to save any
leftover cash, you may find yourself without a cushion when you need it most. Be sure to set a savings goal. For
example, strive to save at least 10% of your income before spending the rest.
3. Track your spending. Record your expenditures for a month. Be especially careful about keeping track of any
small, optional items you purchase. You may be surprised to discover how quickly purchases costing only a few
dollars can add up. At the end of the month, review your expenditures and adjust your spending plan accordingly.
Once you see where your money is going, you may decide to make different choices about your spending habits.
4. Live within your means. Many people feel as if they never have quite enough money to live on, yet they
probably know people who successfully manage on less. If your expenses are less than your income, you are
living within your means.
5. Shop for value. Look for opportunities to get more value from each dollar you spend. Join a warehouse or
shopping club to buy items in bulk. Purchase clothing, furniture, and household goods on sale. Big-ticket items
like cars and household appliances often depreciate substantially in the first one or two years. So, you may want
to consider buying a certified, used car with reasonably low mileage or second-hand appliances in good condition
for less.
6. Minimize debt. Keep your debt level low. By reducing debt, you also minimize interest and finance charges.
When you are tempted to charge a purchase, remember that you are committing to pay for it from income you
have not yet earned.
7. Eat In. Dining out can be expensive, since you are paying for the service, as well as the food. Meal taxes are also
added to the bill while liquor and desserts, which you may not ordinarily eat at home, boost the tab even higher.
Therefore, reserve the fine dining for special occasions only.
8. Reduce housing costs. Housing is a major fixed expense. Consider reducing this cost by buying or renting a
smaller place, or one with fewer amenities. If you rent and plan on staying in an area for more than a few years,
consider buying. Owning a home is often more expensive than renting at first, but can be worthwhile in the long
run.
9. Trim transportation costs. Many families now own multiple vehicles and have additional costs for insurance,
repairs, fuel, and parking. Consider using public transportation or carpooling with others, whenever possible. The
savings in vehicle-related expenses may offset any inconvenience.
10. Create a cash reserve. A cash reserve can help you stick to your spending plan and help keep you out of debt
when emergencies, such as a major car repair or short-term disability, arise.
Cutting back on excess spending does not have to mean continually denying yourself life's simple pleasures. Instead, you
may find that with living within your means and paying yourself first, your debts will decrease as your savings grow. A
personalized spending plan can help provide that “extra” income and stretch your hard-earned paycheck a little further.
Michael A Olson, CFP®, C(k)P™ Investment Advisor Representative, Platinum Wealth Solutions, LLC, 6250 North
River Road, Suite 2005, Rosemont, Illinois 60018, 847-698-1542, [email protected], www.michaelaolson.com

THE DOC FIX IS FIXED…more or less
Breaking news…the House acts and the Senate dithers. Wait a second,
that isn’t news; it’s the way things work in Washington. But it would seem
that the long awaited fix to the payment formula for Medicare physicians is
closer than ever to reality. With both Democrats and Republicans on
board, the House passed legislation by a vote of 392-37. That kind of
unity couldn’t normally be mustered in favor of motherhood and apple pie.
The legislation to end the annual “doctor fix” will avoid Medicare payment
cuts to doctors of as much as 21%
In past issues we have delved into the history of the ongoing struggles to create an acceptable formula for Medicare
reimbursement that everyone can live with. The problem has always been money…where will the cuts or funding come
from for increased spending. The fact that the annual cuts in Medicare reimbursement have been deferred each year since
1997 does not seem to make much difference in the minds of conservatives. For years, the GOP has based their approach to
governing on the principle of “no new spending without matching cuts in spending in other areas.”
Now, that is praise worthy philosophy in general. But in some cases, it has hindered the implementation of necessary,
common sense changes to broken programs in the name of continued funding of pet projects and programs. The fact that the
current legislation that now moves from the House to the Senate would add $141 billion to the deficit is a measure of just
how ridiculous the situation has become and how desperate the need for a permanent solution is. Republicans have accepted
the fact that the imaginary cuts that have now been deferred for decades can no longer be justified.
The President has signaled that he is prepared to sign the legislation and there is a growing expectation that the feather
merchants in the Senate, after an appropriate volume of fussing and moaning, will move the legislation along. There are a
few issues remaining. One is the time line. Without a bill signed into law by Wednesday, the deferred cuts will take effect.
And there is no way that the Senate can complete its current dithering with the 2016 budget resolution any earlier than
Thursday. And it is more likely that the debate will slide into next week.
And there is the matter of funding for CHIP a federal program that pays for insurance for low income children whose
parents aren’t poor enough to qualify for Medicaid. The House legislation provides a funding extension of two years.
Democrats in the Senate want four years. The current legislation provides $7.2 billion in funding for community health
centers. Democrats are objecting to the fact that federal funds will still be subject to the Hyde Amendment that says federal
money may not be used for abortions except in the cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. This of course has
been in place for decades but now it is an issue that is being tossed on the table again.
How will the billions of deferred rate cuts and the proposed modest annual increases in doctor, nursing home and hospital
reimbursements going forward be paid for? Well, the fact is it won’t be paid for…at least not for the first ten years or so and
not in its entirety. But one thing that I have been forecasting will happen. The wealthiest 2% of Medicare patients will have
to pay more for their services. It won’t be a huge increase but it is a first step down the slippery slope of means testing.
As far as missing the March 31st deadline goes, Washington will use smoke and mirrors for the next few days to keep any
cuts from being implemented. With all of its blemishes our elected officials may have actually done the people’s work and
produced something of value. But let’s hold the celebration until the ink dries on the parchment.

INDIANA’S “RELIGIOUS FREEDOM” BILL
An objective reading of the legislation (an activity in which most social
commenters customarily do not engage) leaves one with the distinct and uneasy
feeling that it is targeted at the gay community and is distressingly ambiguous in
its definitions of key elements of the bill, namely religion and denial of service.
The bill seeks to provide individuals and corporations with a legal defense when
sued for denying service to an individual based on specific religious tenants to
which the corporation or individual adheres.
There is no doubt that the legislation is treading on very thin ice. There are some pretty extreme and bizarre religious
institutions out there. I myself ride my motorcycle with a group called the Patriot Guard Riders. Many of us are veterans
and we were founded in reaction to the heinous and inexcusable activities of Westboro Baptist Church members who
demonstrate at veteran funerals claiming that God approves of the death of veterans because of our country’s gay and
lesbian citizens. I have no doubt that, were they based in Indiana, they would take refuge in the law each time they refused
to host a same sex marriage ceremony or reception.
Now, what relevance does this legislation have to physicians and the healthcare community? Well, taking the law to the
extreme, would this law provide legal cover to a clinic that refuses abortion services based solely on the religious beliefs of
one or more of the doctors? Could they refuse general medical services to gays and lesbians? Could they claim their
religion somehow proscribes service to descendants of African atheists? Can a catholic doctor refuse to provide services to
a Protestant?
OK, so I’m going a bit over the edge here. But any time you start to mix religion with business in my opinion you are
starting down a road that will often lead to places you don’t want to end up. Perhaps the healthcare industry is largely
immune to business practices limited by religious dogma. But how does legislation like this impact the growing number of
openly gay and lesbian physicians and healthcare professionals? The manner in which they are treated in their communities
cannot help but color their commitment and dedication to the health and wellbeing of a patient who earlier in the day refused
them service or access to their enterprise.
I will give the governor and his PR team credit for creativity for the manner in which they handled the signing ceremony.
The standard official photo of a signing ceremony customarily has the governor front and center at his desk, pen in hand
backed by a crowd of legislators who sponsored or voted for the legislation. And they make sure that the photo’s caption
spells their names correctly. The press is always welcome. This time however, the press wasn’t even allowed in the
building; none of the folks in the picture are identified by name; and only six legislators showed up to stand behind the
governor. The rest of the crowd is comprised of no less than seven nuns, two monks, a priest a rabbi and a minister. Sounds
more like a politically incorrect joke than a legislative victory party.

MD PREFERRED PHYSICIAN CONSULTANTS
Drawing on personal experiences on all sides of health care –as a patient, a physician, a family
caregiver, a business owner and an entrepreneur – Dr. Vicki Rackner helps health care
professionals thrive in the era of ObamaCare.
This former surgeon and nationally noted authority in the doctor-patient relationship helps clients
achieve the personal, professional and financial goals that drew them to a career in medicine. She
offers a bridge between the world of medicine and the world of business.

THE COPERNICUS EFFECT
For centuries before Copernicus posited that the sun not the earth was at the
center of our planetary system mathematicians created marvelous
computations that sought to explain how the objects in the heavens moved
and where they could be found at any moment in time. These models were
incredibly complex and had to be updated continuously as more precise
telescopes kept finding objects where they shouldn’t be. And no matter how
hard they tried, they simply couldn’t come up with a simple mathematical
formula that worked because their underlying principles were wrong.
Enter Obama care 467 years later. And we are faced with the same problem. No matter how hard politicians work to create
a model that will provide universal healthcare at affordable prices they are failing because their underlying principle simply
isn’t accurate. On one side we have liberal Democrats who want a federal system that provides healthcare services through
the government for everyone, controlling access and cost from Washington. On the other side we have conservative
Republicans who adamantly oppose any government intervention in the market place and believe that capitalism can most
efficiently moderate the spiraling rise in healthcare costs.
And to prove their point both sides have created incredibly complex legislation. The Affordable Care Act (ACA or
Obamacare for short) is hundreds of pages of contorted prose and complex formulas that even the authors can’t explain or
defend. And many of those in Congress who voted for the bill never read it before the vote. The conservatives who have
been fighting a five year war to overturn the legislation propose even more complicated and contorted rules and regulations
that make even less sense.
The simple fact of the matter is that no one wants to admit that medicine and healthcare has become a utility. Most citizens
accept that electricity delivery and pricing is a monopoly that is best dealt with through government mandated service
standards and pricing. No one wants to be at the mercy of a profit driven capitalist when they go to draw a glass of water.
Die hard conservatives admit that the market can’t be relied upon to equitably and sensibly regulate every segment of the
economy. And staunch liberals blanch at the thought of healthcare being rationed and priced by the same house of fools that
run the post office, social security and the military industrial complex.
So everyone tries to dance around the issues by proposing models that can never work because they won’t accept the
underlying principles driving costs and access. No one will ever accuse this author of being a liberal. But I am coming to
believe that universal health coverage provided by the government such as exists in varying incarnations in Canada and
Europe may be the only way to address the explosions of technology and pharmacology and enormous costs of training new
physicians.
Yes we are talking about someone stepping up to the plate and saying that some form of healthcare rationing is necessary.
But rationing is already happening through managed care and government mandates. And yes it means that doctors and
hospitals may have to accept that medicine is no longer the path to vast wealth. But many doctors and hospitals are facing
ruin under the current set of rules and regulations. Until we accept that our model of the healthcare universe will never fit
until we put the pieces in their proper orbits around a central authority capable of managing the entire system we will
continue to create increasingly complex and dysfunctional legislation that will do little to manage the challenges before us.

OPERATION CHOKE POINT
In case you haven’t been monitoring the news carefully, you may have
missed the most recent medical procedure introduced by Chairman Obama.
Some are calling it the Obamlich Maneuver. As with most things federal, it
starts out with noble intentions and ends up wreaking havoc on American
freedoms. Here is how this most recent power grab played out.
Operation Choke Point is a recent law enforcement tool that has caused
banks and legitimate businesses across the country genuine concern. And even die hard Obama allies are supporting
Congressional inquiries set to begin in Washington. At the bottom of the outcry is the fact that under these new enforcement
guidelines, banks and financial institutions are being leaned on by the Justice Department (now there’s an oxymoron if ever
I heard one) to choke off access to financial services for targeted businesses.
The original list of companies do indeed seem, at least on the surface, to be comprised of legitimate bad guys…gun runners,
drug dealers, organized crime. But then, when there was little initial opposition, the Obama justice department began to
expand the list to businesses that Obama simply didn’t approve of. And remember this is not enforcement based on the law
of the land. It is based on no current laws or legislation. It is simply a case of the Justice Department telling the financial
community that certain categories of business were not deserving of access to financial services. And the gentle suggestion
that banks should choke off access had the subtle subscript of “or else.”
The target list which rapidly morphed into a “hit list” began to include such businesses as gun stores, casinos, tobacco
distributors, pay day lenders and others. Now, you may or may not agree that smoking is bad for you, that guns kill people
not people kill people and that gambling is a vice. And some Pay-Day loan operations charge usurious fees approaching
200%. But in this country even middle school students who didn’t sleep through social studies class understand that the
legislative branch writes the laws, the administrative branch enforces those laws and the judicial branch protects citizens
from the other two branches.
History has taught us that the Obama administration has seldom been troubled by the absence of laws on the books as he
works to reshape America as he believes it should be. A decision is made that pay day loans are a bad thing; there are no
laws on the books making them illegal; no problem. Just lean on the banks; tell them to choke off their access to bank
accounts, loans and other financial services which all legitimate businesses need to survive and presto…problem solved.
Now, this may be an appropriate way to regulate the economy in say North Korea or Russia. But it set such a dangerous
precedent that even Obama’s staunchest supporters in Congress blanched.
And here is where the healthcare industry might want to pay attention. If the antics of an out of control President and his
legal beagles can squash legitimate gun stores and other businesses without any laws declaring their activities illegal, then
what is to stop them from deciding what medical procedures are in the best interests of society? What if the Justice
Department has a quiet conversation with an abortion clinic’s bankers and suddenly their bank accounts are cancelled and
any business loans they may have are called in. Ridiculous? Couldn’t happen? Nonsense?
It used to be an article of faith that this sort of government abuse was something that only third world dictators attempted.
Now responsible politicians on both sides of the aisle are beginning to worry. Keep your eyes open and talk to your
representatives. It’s time to reign in the man in the White House

THE RECRUITER’S CORNER
Tips and Tools from Today’s Physician Recruiter
I have argued here before and I continue to believe that the only purpose a CV or
resume serves is to get you a phone or personal interview. Even the best CV will
not get you a job. With that said, there are things that should never make it into
your CV that can keep you from getting an interview and ultimately the job you
want. So what blunders should you avoid at all costs?
Practice managers and in-house recruiters don’t need to know your age. They really don’t. If you are a graduating resident
or fellow, they are going to look at the dates of your medical training (college graduating date for one) and do the math. If
you are a practicing physician and list the dates of your medical school, they will still do the math. If you list your training
without dates (my recommendation for practicing docs) you can still invite age discrimination with an opening statement of
“Seasoned physician with over 40 years of practice experience.” Good luck. And for a hospital that is seeking a seasoned
practitioner, including age information might brand you as too young and inexperienced for the job.
A related gaff is to list every job you have ever had. A practice manager or interviewer is not going to be interested in nonmedical part time jobs that you held while in high school. I’m sure mom and dad were proud of your first lemonade stand
but it is not going to help you land a vascular surgery post at an academic hospital. Keep focused and highlight your last ten
to fifteen years of practice experience.
When building your CV honesty is always the best policy…up to a point. Don’t try to hide any bumps in your career road
but don’t focus on the negatives. You will have plenty of time in a site visit or phone interview for that matter to discuss
and explain problems in your past. Remember the purpose of your CV…getting an interview where you can promote your
successes and skills.
There is a fine line between experience and credentials. The effective CV focuses on results not assignments. Holding the
post of chief of surgery is important and impressive. Far more impressive, however are the accomplishments and
contributions during your tenure. What impact did your presence generate? How did your administrative skills positively
impact the profitability of your organization? How many young physicians did you mentor? What clinical breakthroughs
happened on your watch? What positive impact can a potential employer expect if they bring you on board? In other
words, tell me what you have done, not where you have been.
The fact that you enjoy hang gliding and mountain climbing will probably not play a deciding role in your interview success
unless you are going into mountain rescue operations. The fact that you are a female will probably come out during the
interview process. Being Hawaiian or Puerto Rican or Russian for that matter will be of little interest to an interviewer
unless you have Visa issues or unless they are targeting ethnic minorities with language skills. Hobbies and unrelated
passions have no place on your CV. Once again, remember the purpose of your resume…getting an interview. During the
interview if you discover that the senior partner of the medical practice maintains a sail boat at the San Diego yacht club,
you can point with pride at the fact that you crewed on an America’s Cup contender during your youth.
Keep it simple. Keep it relevant. Keep it brief

NEW HEALTHCARE OPPORTUNITIES
Provided by MedicalMatch.org
Emergency Medicine - Atlanta, GA - EmergiNet
You may know Atlanta as the unofficial capital of the South, but there’s more to this city than its southern
location. If you make your home in the Peach City, you’ll find an undeniable mix of Southern charm,
sophistication and traditions. Atlanta continues its reputation as a transportation hub with the world’s largest
airport and easy access to I-75 & I-85. When it comes to Atlanta’s reputation for growth and innovation, health
care tops the list as the city’s facilities expand and improve services across the metro area. Serving some of the
fastest growing hospitals is EmergiNet.
EmergiNet has positions available for BC/BP, EM residency trained physicians for work in hospitals surrounding
the Atlanta metropolitan area. We work as a team emphasizing quality emergency care, dedicated customer
service, professional and personal growth. Highlights include: Fee-for-service model having most MD’s starting
at around $350k with no ceiling; Profit sharing plan after first year including tax-deferred compensation to
supplement 401k(100% vested immediately); Physician-centric practice owned and run by physicians; All
facilities located within 30 minute drive from downtown Atlanta.
EmergiNet provides a full range of clinical and administrative professional services to the facilities we serve. Our
mission is to maximize patient care and facility resources, as well as educate, facilitate and integrate the delivery
of health care within the community. We continually seek ways to enhance the level of excellence and quality in
the services we provide to our clients. To review this and other opportunities E-mail CV to Neil
Trabel, [email protected]; fax 770-994-4747; or call 770-994-9326, ext. 319. Please
visit www.emerginet.com for more information.
Neurologists with stroke experience – Tulsa, OK – AIM Consultants
AIM Consultants is currently recruiting 2 Neurologists with stroke experience to join the Neurohospitalist
program at Hillcrest Medical Center, the flagship hospital of the Hillcrest HealthCare System, licensed for 691
beds and located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We also have a new Neurology position in Oklahoma City!
Staff Physician Needed – Toledo, OH – The Pediatric Center
Staff Physician needed immediately to join an established Pediatric practice. You will be joining a medical staff
that includes 3 physicians, 6 mid-level providers, supported by 12 nurses. The practice is affiliated with 5
hospitals. Our physicians round on newborns only. We do not attend c-sections. We utilize pediatric hospitalists
and/or specialists for patient admissions. Mid-level providers are on call for parents/patients.
Internal Medicine or Family Practice – Columbus, OH – OhioHealth
OhioHealth has an immediate, full-time opportunity for an Internal Medicine or Family Medicine Physician. Join
a team of experienced physicians in a very busy practice. The ideal candidate will be BC/BE in Internal Medicine
or Family Medicine and willing to work in an outpatient setting.

Interventional Pain Specialist – Florida – All Care Consultants
Established Rehab facility seeks full time interventional pain (neurologist, anesthesia, physiatrist, orthopedic
surgeon) physician for outpatient clinics. We have five established locations, and opening a sixth. We are looking
for a physician with good beside manners, strong diagnostic skills, and a team player. Our current clinicians
consist of general physiatrists, interventional pain physiatrist, neurology, primary care, and midlevel providers.
We are equipped with C-Arms, X-Ray, MRI, and technicians to assist physicians.
Managing Physician – Toledo, OH – The Pediatric Center
Managing Physician needed immediately. Established Pediatric office has an immediate need for a Physician to
provide medical supervision for a 4 office, privately owned practice. Position includes development of medical
policies, procedures and practices to be followed by medical staff. Current medical staff includes 4 physicians, 6
mid-level providers, supported by 12 nurses.
Neurology - Central Utah - L Marsh & Associates
Establish a General, adult, solo, private practice in central Utah with possible shared Call. This is a new position.
Both inpatient and outpatient. Hospital employed position with full benefits, paid malpractice and sign-on bonus
or go Private Practice with income guarantee and all overhead expenses paid. Physician will see full range of
neurological conditions including stroke, dementia, movement disorders, headaches, epilepsy, sleep disorders,
chronic pain management, multi sclerosis and neuromuscular diseases. Candidates with a Fellowship in stroke,
epilepsy, sleep EMG, or pain management, etc., are welcome but will also do general neurology and recognize
there is not enough population to support much specialization. BC/BE required. Hospital has CT scanner, MRI,
and Sleep Lab. Call 10 days/month. Practice location is in city of 10,000 one plus hour from Provo.