According to the American Cancer Society’s website, September is an awareness month for the following: Prostate Cancer, Childhood Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Gynecologic Cancer, Leukemia and Lymphoma, and Thyroid Cancer. Different organizations have launched campaigns supporting each of these causes, including fundraising events for cancer research, a wig drive, medical examinations, disease tests, donation collections, victim and family support groups, and much more.

On August 30, 2013, President Barak Obama released three Presidential Proclamations regarding one similar subject; cancer awareness. The President declared September 2013 to be National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. In each proclamation he explains statistics regarding survival and diagnosis rates, as well as the support of his administration to those affected by these three diseases.

Jeff Gordon’s Children’s Foundation launched its “Kick It for Children’s Cancer” campaign and stated that over 13,000 kids under the age of 15 are diagnosed with cancer each year. Other statistics include one in five kids diagnosed with cancer will die, one in 300 boys will develop cancer before the age of 20, and one in 333 girls will develop cancer before their 20^th birthday. The foundation explains how important it is to raise awareness and to take action against pediatric cancer.

Over 22,000 women are diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer each year and approximately 15,000 will die, according to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC). There is not a specific medical test that detects Ovarian Cancer, therefore most cases aren’t caught until the later stages, lowering the survival rate.

One in six men are affected by Prostate Cancer, making it the most common non-skin cancer in the US. The Prostate Cancer Foundation explains that this disease affects mostly older men. For example, one in 10,000 men under the age of 40 will be diagnosed with Prostate cancer but one in 38 men ages 40-59 will develop the disease and an astounding one in 14 over the age of 60 will be diagnosed.

The key to preventing not only cancer but most health issues in general, is to take good care of yourself and your loved ones. Eating healthy and exercising, getting enough sleep and most importantly, getting the proper medical exams, are all ways to ensure you’ll be at your healthiest.

So how can we make a difference? Volunteer at a children’s hospital, walk in a cancer fundraiser, take your kids and other family members for their annual check-up; for physicians, encourage your patients to do all of the above, donate what you can, join a support group, and help raise awareness.

The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) offers a Fellowship in Integrative Cancer Therapies (ICT), directed by Mark Rosenberg, MD. The Fellowship allows any healthcare practitioner to enroll and learn improved cancer treatments and how to overall improve the quality of life for cancer patients. Topics included in the Fellowship are Cancer Prevention, The Biology of Cancer, Immunology of Cancer, Targeted Cancer Therapies, Case Histories, Integrative Cancer Therapies, Dietary Treatments of Cancer, Nutritional Integrative Cancer Therapies, Detoxification, and New Radiological Treatments and Stem Cell Therapies. For more information, visit http://www.a4m.com/fellowships.html

Hundreds of medical professionals from a variety of specialties, convened at the JW Marriott- LA Live last weekend, August 16^th and 17^th, to extend their medical education. The main objective of the course was to inform practitioners on the relationship between food and the manifestation of diseases into the body and how to better their patients’ overall well-being.

The two-day symposium featured several expert medical faculty who presented scientific research as well as a question and answer session to better relate to the attendees.

David Brady, ND, DC lectured on “Autoimmune Disease: Leaving the Era of Reaction and Entering the New Proactive Era of Prediction.” William Davis, MD covered the topic of his New York Times bestseller “Wheat: The Unhealthy Grain.” Tania Dempsey, MD presented “A Single Bite: Living with and Healing from Gluten Related Disorders.” Board certified neurologist, David Perlmutter, MD, FACN, ABIHM, covered “The Leading Edge of Functional Neurology.” Alessio Fasano, MD presented “New Concepts of Celiac Disease Pathogenesis: From Innate Immunity to Autoimmunity.” Lastly, Joel Kahn, MD spoke about “The Role of Food Sensitivity and Bowel Disease.”

“This conference had excellent information all packing in a great little bundle! The conference was well organized and had plenty of healthy refreshments to help the time fly by! Great job, A4M!” offered physician Lauren Chavez, MD from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Each day wrapped up with a Q&A session conducted by the entire course faculty. Attendees experienced a hands-on learning opportunity allowing them to confidentially treat their patients and prevent diseases caused by food related issues.

For upcoming Gut, Brain, and Autoimmune Disorder events, please visit www.a4m.com

Once a month, we will be doing a spotlight on A4M’s upcoming Practice Management Certification Program. Part 1 will take place as a pre-conference workshop at the Las Vegas conference December 12, 2013. Part 2 will be in Orlando, May of 2014. An exam will follow each day of the course, successful completion will result in the achievement of a Certification in Medical Business Management from The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M).

First, WHY IS PRACTICE MANAGEMENT IMPORTANT?
There is far more to a successful medical practice than diagnosing and treating patients. Both brand new and veteran practices can benefit from this course and will walk away confidently knowing the A-Z’s of opening and maintaining a thriving Anti-Aging practice.

Topics covered in this certification course will include: business operations, financial management, marketing & communications, website creation, human resource management, information management, organizational governance-legal, patient care systems, quality management, and risk management.

AUGUST PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SPOTLIGHT

Featuring:
-Business Operations
-Financial Management

Business Operations:
A medical practice may not be thought of as a typical business by many outside the profession, however medical practices need proper organization and business operations just as much, if not more than other businesses. Doctors care for other people’s lives, making business operations very crucial.

Topics to be covered within the course:
1. Develop, implement, and monitor business operation plans
2. Develop, implement and oversee systems for the purchase of materials and equipment
3. Manage facilities planning and maintenance activities
-Design, layout to ensure efficient work flow, storage, patient flow and patient safety
-Utility requirements and maintenance inspection schedules
-Regulatory compliance OSHA and ADA
5. Organization and Operations of a Medical Group Practice

Financial Management:
Every business; whether industrial, technological, or medical; needs correct financial management in order to function properly.

Topics to be covered within the course:
1. Develop and implement the organization’s budget
2. Understand types of accounting- financial, tax and managerial
3. Understand budgeting
4. Oversee accounts payable and accounts receivable
5. Depreciation
6. Understand accounting software systems
7. Capital financing
8. Payroll
9. Analyze and monitor financial performance
10. Insurance carriers/ negotiations
11. Coding
Stay tuned for next month’s spotlight on what to expect from this special and beneficial pre-certification program.

For more information on the Las Vegas Practice Management Pre-Conference workshop, please visit www.a4m.com.