"I support and encourage these kinds of discussions," commented NYCC President Dr. Frank Nicchi. "They tend to promote dialogue and creatively explore optimal means for implementing effective integration health care models."
Scheduled topics of discussion include emergency room chiropractic care; collaborative geriatric care; chiropractic care and internal medicine; and chiropractic care in military hospitals. In addition to Dr. Nicchi, other featured keynote speakers will include Woodson C. Merrell, MD, executive director, Beth Israel Continuum Center for Health and Healing; David M. Eisenberg, MD, director, Harvard Medical School's Osher Institute; Michael H. Cohen, JD, director, Osher Institute Legal Programs; William C. Meeker, DC, MPH, director, Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research; and Anthony L. Rosner, PhD, director, Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research.
For more information, contact NYCC's department of postgraduate and continuing education at (800) 434-3955, extension 121.
CMS to Accept Noncompliant Electronic HIPPA Transactions
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Sept. 11 that it will implement a contingency plan to accept noncompliant electronic transactions after the Oct. 16, 2003 compliance deadline. The plan will ensure the continued processing of claims from thousands of providers who were unable to meet the deadline and otherwise would have had their claims rejected.
"Implementing this contingency plan moves us toward the dual goals of achieving HIPAA compliance while not disrupting providers' cash flow and operations, so that beneficiaries can continue to get the health care services they need," remarked CMS administrator Tom Scully.
CMS implemented the contingency plan after statistical analyses revealed "unacceptably low" numbers of compliant claims being provided. The new plan permits CMS to continue to accept and process claims in the electronic formats currently in use, giving providers additional time to complete the testing process. CMS declined to state how long the contingency plan will remain in effect, but it will regularly reassess the readiness of its trading partners to determine if and when the plan will be repealed.
TCC's Loss Is National Cancer Institute's Gain
Texas Chiropractic College's Hasnaa Shafik, MD, PhD, has accepted a position at the National Institutes of Health's National Cancer Institute (NCI). Dr. Shafik, head of TCC's department of pathology and microbiology, will work as a program officer in the Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine (OCCAM).
The OCCAM works to increase quality cancer research and information about the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by promoting CAM research in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer; coordinating CAM research and information activities; coordinating collaboration with other organizations on CAM cancer issues; and interfacing with health practitioners on CAM cancer issues.
According to NCI Director Andrew C. von Eschenbach, MD, the institute's goal is a bold one: to eliminate cancer-related suffering and death by 2015. "This is quite a challenge, and I am looking forward to being part of the team to achieve that goal," said Dr. Shafik.
Dr. Shafik joins her husband, Mostafa Nokta, MD, PhD, at the NIH in Bethesda, Md., where he directs the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research AIDS program.
Life West Teaches Backpack Safety at 7th Annual Back-to-School Drive
In August, Life Chiropractic College West held its 7th annual "BACKpack Drive," during which students, staff and faculty collected new backpacks to distribute to local at-risk children in time for the start of the new school year.
The event was held in conjunction with a school supply drive sponsored by the Family Emergency Shelter Coalition (FESCO), a nonprofit organization that provides food, shelter and other resources to low- and moderate-income families. Local businesses and organizations donated school supplies to fill the backpacks; Life West students helped children choose their new backpacks and individually adjusted the backpack straps to ensure ergonomic correctness.
"Thanks to Life West, we were able to meet our growing demands [for] backpacks this year," said Nubia Giles, FESCO program director. "This year, we supplied 225 packs to our clients. Due to a tough economic year, we were worried if we could raise enough packs, but we did it!"
131st APHA Meeting and Expo Right Around the Corner
If you haven't done so already, mark your calendar for the 131st Annual American Public Health Association Meeting and Exposition, to be held Nov. 15-19 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco. Among other topics, public health leaders will gather to address public health preparedness; emerging infections; and chronic disease prevention. Additionally, the convention will feature scientific sessions, round-table workshops, policy debates and panel discussions.
Invited speakers include U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Julye Gerberding; World Health Organization representative David Heymann; U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi; and Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA). For more information, visit www.apha.org.
Sherman College Launches "My Scholarship" Program
Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic recently introduced "My Scholarship," a program that establishes scholarship funds in the names of chiropractors and others who refer students to Sherman to pursue their education.
"The 'My Scholarship' program is our way of showing appreciation for the extraordinary support our referrers provide to Sherman College," remarked Vice President for Planning, Assessment and Enrollment Services Susan Newlin. "Chiropractors and friends of the college can leave a legacy by creating scholarships in their name for future doctors of chiropractic."
The program grants $1,000 scholarship credit to each person who refers a student to Sherman, once the student is enrolled. When the fund reaches $5,000, referrers can award all or portions of the scholarship to a new student (or students) of their choice. Highland Park, N.J., doctor of chiropractic Robert G. Berkowitz, has referred several students to Sherman since he graduated from the college in 1981. "I wish this program [had been] in place 20 years ago," he said. "It's a fine way to see the far-reaching effects of what we can do today for a better tomorrow."
For more information, contact Sherman College at (864) 578-8770, ext. 1242.
Correction
In the Sept 24 issue, we reported that Roger Combs, DC, from Libby, Mont., had been elected to the board of trustees of Western States Chiropractic College. We failed to clarify that Dr. Combs was actually elected chairperson of the board. (He has been a member of the WSCC board of trustees since 1992.) Dynamic Chiropractic apologizes for this omission and any confusion it may have caused.
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