Andrea Klemes With Physician Survival Conference Wants Doctors To “Love Practicing Medicine Again"

Aug. 9, 2012 - PRLog -- Contact:
Lauren Methena
804-762-9600 ext. 203
lmethena@briefingsmediagroup.com

For Immediate Release:  August 9, 2012

Dr. Andrea Klemes joins Physician Practice Survival Conference panel,
hopes doctors can “love practicing medicine again”

Andrea Klemes, D.O., FACE, hopes that doctors who attend the Physician Practice Survival Conference, September 14-15, in Alexandria, VA, will be energized with ideas for reinvigorating their practices and can “love practicing medicine again.” As medical director of MDVIP, Inc., a provider of personalized medicine, she cites a high burn-out rate among primary care physicians as one of the biggest threats to physician practice survival. “Exceptional doctors are so beaten down by the system that they are contemplating leaving medicine.”

Her concern for the future of independent physicians prompted Dr. Klemes to join the Physician Practice Survival Conference as one of five featured speakers who will appear on a panel titled, “Comparing Physician Membership Models.” The membership model of medicine, sometimes referred to as concierge medicine, is just one of many topics to be discussed during the two-day conference that will educate independent physicians about their options for keeping their doors open and even growing their practices.

Dr. Klemes also believes that membership medicine promotes a shift from sick care to wellness and prevention. “We have over 550 doctors working with over 185,000 patients in the MDVIP network,” she says. “Patients and doctors can work together to be proactive and focus on prevention and wellness, not just be reactive and deal with sick care. Our data shows that MDVIP patients have better outcomes, are in the hospital substantially less, have reduced hospitalizations and readmissions, and save the system money.”

In addition to her role as medical director, Dr. Klemes serves as the executive and organizational leader of MDVIP’s Medical Advisory Board. She is board-certified in internal medicine and endocrinology and is a fellow of the American College of Endocrinology. Dr. Klemes received her medical degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. Prior to joining MDVIP, she worked at Procter & Gamble in personal healthcare, women’s health and digestive wellness, and served as North American medical director for bone health. Dr. Klemes spent 10 years in private practice specializing in endocrinology and metabolism, and has held leadership roles with the American Medical Association, Florida Medical Association and as medical director of the Diabetes Center in Tallahassee and Panama City, Florida. She was also chief of the Department of Medicine at Tallahassee Community Hospital.

The two-day Physician Practice Survival Conference will bring together some of the most respected leaders in healthcare, from practicing physicians to industry executives to third-party solution providers, to examine the economic challenges faced by independent physician practices nationwide. A full roster of healthcare thought leaders will also discuss the business models that can answer these challenges and produce long-term economic stability for physicians who wish to remain independent.

The conference speaker line-up includes many more noteworthy physicians, including Kevin Fickenscher, M.D., President and CEO of the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA); Kerry Willis, M.D., chief physician strategist of ACO Subgroup Leadership at Proactive HealthCare USA; and Michael Parkinson, M.D., senior medical director, Health and Productivity, UPMC Health Plan and Work Partners and former president of the American College of Preventive Medicine.

For the full agenda, speakers’ bios, and registration information, visit www.PhysicianPracticeSurvival.com or call 1-800-431-7571.

About the Physician Practice Survival Conference
The Physician Practice Survival Conference was created to promote a healthy discussion of the business models that can help independent physicians build sustainable medical practices and provide quality care to their patients.

Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the Institute for the Advancement of Human Behavior (IAHB) and Briefings Media Group. The IAHB is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement
The IAHB designates this live activity for a maximum of 10.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.