Anesthesia Deconstructed: Science. Politics. Realities.

Meet Annemarie Wiley CRNA!When you think about reality tv and especially the Real Housewives franchise, you probably do not think about adopted small town Canadian girls of Nigerian/Dutch descent raised by a single mom.  Well, not only is that Annemarie, but she is also an athlete, became an RN, worked in Canada and then the U.S. and eventually became a Nurse Anesthesiologist (CRNA)! She is eloquent, intelligent, gregarious and very proud of her chosen profession, Nurse Anesthesiology! In this episode we talk about her background, her experience as an RN and CRNA, the housewives show and her families amazing charity https://projecttransition.org/ with its mission:"To inspire, equip, and support individuals in their journey of transformation, ensuring they not only navigate transitions successfully but also emerge stronger, more resilient, and ready to lead." Enjoy this great conversation with Annemarie and do not make the mistake I made! It is pronounced Annamarie not "Anne-Marie"! Follow us at:InstagramFacebookTwitter/X

Few CRNAs are as well-known as our co-host, Mike MacKinnon, and at times, he’s not been an uncontroversial leader – he’s been on the cutting edge.  Leading off our “5 Questions” Series – we hear from Mike on being criticized as “anti-physician”, on what he’s learned as a leader of the past 10 years, and how he keeps a sustainable edge to remain a high-performance professional for so long. Follow us at:InstagramFacebookTwitter/X

In this series, we will dive deep with some of the most intriguing professionals in the specialty of Anesthesia! Through these five questions, we will be foster important conversations, gain insight into where the specialty is going, and learn how we can influence that future.Tune in next Monday for our first episode of this special series and enjoy the ride!Follow us at:InstagramFacebookTwitter/X

Take listen as Joe interviews the founders of CORE Anesthesia!Follow us at:InstagramFacebookTwitter/X

In an attempt to control the freedom of what other professions call themselves and limit titles in Wisconsin, the medical society introduced SB 143.  On May 24,  Wisconsin Association of Nurse Anesthetists President Jenna Palzkill—as well as Dr. Joe Rodriguez, who was representing the AANA—helped inform and educate the Wisconsin Senate Committee on Health on why proposed SB 143 does NOT help Wisconsinites. If passed, this bill would preclude the use of the title Nurse Anesthesiologist in the state. An attempt of one competitor trying to control another. This is the audio of that testimony that ended this attempt.You can learn more about the genesis of Nurse Anesthesiologist here:  https://www.nurseanesthesiologistinfo.com/Follow us at:InstagramFacebookTwitter/X

Meet Julie Nycum, CPCU, RPLU, ARM, the current director of AANA Insurance Services, providing medical malpractice to CRNAs across the country through Medical Protective (med pro).  Julie worked for Medical Protective (med pro), a Berkshire Hathaway Company writing 2 billion in policies a year for 24 years as Vice President of Underwriting. In 2006 she met with AANA insurance services on behalf of med pro to develop the medical malpractice services AANA uses today.  On this podcast we talk about:Occurrence vs Claims made and how important it is to know the difference related to YOUR risk and why over time claims made is MORE expensiveBuying claims made "tail" isn't as simple as it sounds. Or as good.Time does not start until discovery starts. Might be past your claims-made policy and then YOU are on the hook.Consent to Settle & Hammer Clauses (Scary Stuff)You can be named (and need coverage) for NON-Anesthesia issuesPolicies may cover a lot more than you are aware of like lost wages etc.What does "1 million per occurrence and 3 million aggregate" coverage mean?Why 1/3 mil vs 250/500K  per claim/aggregates are different in different states? Should you get a 1/3 policy anyway?What happens if a claim went OVER the max/occurrence (1 million) policy? You pay that is what happens. Why does Admitted vs Non-Admitted matter? The Oceanus StoryDoes AM Best matter to providers or facilities?How the size of an insurance company impacts the lawyers you get access toIf you own an anesthesia company should you have special insurance for your contractors for vicarious liability?If you are covered by a groups policy should you also have your own to protect your interest?Does a settlement result in you being reported to the national practitioner databank? Is there any increased cost for med mal for an independent CRNA to the CRNA?Is there extra cost for the facility or surgeon working with an independent CRNA?Is there decreased cost for the CRNA or facility when working in an Anesthesia Care Team with a physician anesthesiologist? "liability shield"If you do ketamine clinics, medical aesthetics, IV infusion work does your CRNA medical malpractice cover these things?Medical Malpractice rates have not increased for CRNAs at Med Pro for 14 years. Now they are increasing, why and what does that mean?When do you have to report to the med mal company? Can you self-trigger coverage by hearing something might happen or when an event occurs? Can claims made do this?Whats the process and length of time of a claim?Addendum: If you are threatened with a claim (lawsuit) you should report that to medpro in writing ASAP.Follow us at:InstagramFacebookTwitter/X

Anesthesia Deconstructed host Joe Rodriguez talks to a rare professional: Dr. Rhea Temmerand, CRNA who is a pharmacology PhD and actively involved in bench research while maintaining a clinical practice.  We talk about everything from what it is like to be known as a Scientist and as a CRNA, and why CRNAs often do little bench research. Follow us at:InstagramFacebookTwitter/X

Simon Willman, JD, former in-house counsel for CORE Orthopedics and Current owner of McDowell Mountain Law, speaks about non-competes and their impact on Anesthesiology Professionals, which touches every practicing provider, 1099 or W2.  The bad information out there on this topic is rampant – Simon lends his expertise as a healthcare business and contract lawyer to give us a brief introduction.  Send us your questions so we can discuss them with Simon again in the future!Follow us at:InstagramFacebookTwitter/X

Meet Mr. Silberman JD from the BENESCH law firm! We talk about the New Hampshire ruling and Nurse Anesthesiologist, Qui Tam lawsuits and anti-trust, The risk of medicare fraud with medical direction and TEFRA, if Extubation is part of emergence as it related to TEFRA based on the Donegan v. Anesthesia Associates of Kansas City, PC, Liability of surgeons with CRNAs in the ACT or independently and MUCH more! A little about Mark:Mark is an experienced trial lawyer, health care attorney and litigator. His practice focuses on helping health care professionals and businesses navigate the complex and changing landscape of health care with an emphasis on achieving governmental and regulatory compliance.Mark concentrates on managing internal and external health care investigations, False Claims Act cases, white collar criminal defense, all forms of health care litigation, and all aspects of the Illinois Certificate of Need program.Mark handles audit, compliance, investigations and enforcement actions involving HHS-OIG, the Medicare/Medicaid programs, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board (Certificate of Need). He advises clients regarding managing and avoiding allegations of health care fraud and health care-related criminal conduct, addressing concerns related to the Anti-Kickback Statute, and pharmacy and pharmaceutical related litigation. He provides counsel and litigation services for physicians, facilities and pharmacies engaged with any federal agency, along with handling Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement issues, False Claims Act/Qui Tam defense, and various health care transactional matters. Mark also served as the outside General Counsel to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.More about Mark can be found hereFollow us at:InstagramFacebookTwitter/X

In this episode, you will hear from Mr. James Laubham CPA, owner of Capital Accounting,  PC on why Nurse Anesthesiologists and Physician Anesthesiologists are turning to 1099 to maximize their career benefits. He goes through the ins and outs as well as what you need to know when deciding to go 1099. Learn from a CPA who is an expert in anesthesia business accounting!Learn more at the Capital Accounting website https://www.capitalacctpc.com/Follow us at:InstagramFacebookTwitter/X

Meet the former AANA CEO and now Chief Anesthetist Officer of Northstar Anesthesia Dr. Randall Moore DNP, MBA, CRNA. We talk about ALL the things in this 3 part interview! Topics range from anesthesia reimbursement, the impact of the pandemic, the difficulty recruiting, why he left the AANA, culture, what his new role entails at Northstar, and what it takes to build a functional anesthesia team!There is an incredible amount of information packed into this 3 part interview from a leader in one of the leading companies in anesthesia services in the United States.https://northstaranesthesia.com/our-culture/leadership.htmlFollow us at:InstagramFacebookTwitter/X

Meet the former AANA CEO and now Chief Anesthetist Officer of Northstar Anesthesia Dr. Randall Moore DNP, MBA, CRNA. We talk about ALL the things in this 3 part interview! Topics range from anesthesia reimbursement, the impact of the pandemic, the difficulty recruiting, why he left the AANA, culture, what his new role entails at Northstar, and what it takes to build a functional anesthesia team!There is an incredible amount of information packed into this 3 part interview from a leader in one of the leading companies in anesthesia services in the United States.https://northstaranesthesia.com/our-culture/leadership.htmlFollow us at:InstagramFacebookTwitter/X

Meet the former AANA CEO and now Chief Anesthetist Officer of Northstar Anesthesia Dr. Randall Moore DNP, MBA, CRNA. We talk about ALL the things in this 3 part interview! Topics range from anesthesia reimbursement, the impact of the pandemic, the difficulty recruiting, why he left the AANA, culture, what his new role entails at Northstar, and what it takes to build a functional anesthesia team!There is an incredible amount of information packed into this 3 part interview from a leader in one of the leading companies in anesthesia services in the United States.https://northstaranesthesia.com/our-culture/leadership.htmlFollow us at:InstagramFacebookTwitter/X

Everyone wonders what a lobbyist is, what they do, and do you NEED one? There is always a lot of demonizing lobbyists and their role in the media but what is the truth? On this episode, we interview Kelsey Lundy, Managing Partner at Compass Strategies in Arizona, and talk about lobbyists, grassroots involvement, Political Action Committees, how politics work, and how a good lobbyist can be critical to your legislative goals. We also discuss how to find and interview a  firm as well as how to assess the effectiveness of one you have. There are so many pieces of the puzzle when it comes to getting a bill across the finish line and Kelsey has been critical for more than 20 years in guiding many clients to success!You can learn more about Compass Strategies at https://www.compassstrategiesaz.com/ Follow us at:InstagramFacebookTwitter/X

Dr. Jeff Gadsden is a Physician Anesthesiologist who did a large portion of his residency with Dr. Admir Hadzic at the New York School of Regional Anesthesia (NYSORA) where his love of regional anesthesia was born.  He has since brought that passion and expertise to Duke University where he currently serves as the Chief, Division of Orthopedic, Plastic & Regional Anesthesia. Dr. Gadsden is not only an expert at regional anesthesia but passionate about it which comes across in every video he does, to every trainee he mentors and in this podcast!We talk about everything regional anesthesia from the movement away from epidurals, new blocks, the utility of the nerve stimulation, new drugs, adjuncts in nerve blocks to nerve injury, and the evidence! If you love regional anesthesia you do not want to miss this one!You can see his phenomenal regional anesthesia videos on his youtube channel titled "Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine" located here https://tinyurl.com/y8zt37odYou can also follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/jeffgadsden and with the hashtag #DukeRAPFollow us at:InstagramFacebookTwitter/X

On this episode we talk to John Martin, MD the Chief Medical Operator at Butterfly Network, Inc. about the utility, future and applications of the powerful Butterfly IQ+ portable ultrasound probe. We discuss the butterfly iQ+ built in educational videos teaching point of care ultrasound (POCUS) and how it is all three probes in one right on your hip. Will this be the replacement of the stethoscope and be on everyone's hip? Listen and find out! Learn more at https://www.butterflynetwork.com/iqFollow us at:InstagramFacebookTwitter/X

In this episode we talk to Lee Austin, a former Anesthesiologist Assistant who went back to school to become a CRNA. Lee explains how different the educational programs were, how different the focus is on training between the independent practice trained CRNA to the  assistant role of the AA and how that difference really resulted in professional fulfillment for her. We also discuss the Texas Christian University AA to CRNA bridge program and how Lee feels every AA should consider it!This is a great insight from someone who has been through both programs and worked as both types of provider. Listeners can learn more about the TCU AA to CRNA bridge program HERE !Follow us at:InstagramFacebookTwitter/X

On this podcast we talk about the title 'Nurse Anesthesiologist' it's genesis, the movement within the CRNA community that pushed it into the spotlight, why it is important to CRNAs and patients, some of the misconceptions related to it and the controversy surrounding it. This is the inaugural episode with Dr. Joseph Rodriguez as a co-host talking about this topic.As a special addendum we add some clarifying information about the ASA President's letter to the ASA members on the topic which came out after this recording.Follow us at:InstagramFacebookTwitter/X

Meet rural surgeon Dr. Nathaniel M. Wolkenfeld a general surgeon who has worked in both rural and urban practices. On this episode he talks about the difference between rural and urban general surgery as well as the resources, challenges and benefits of practicing in a rural area. We also get his thoughts on independent CRNA practice after having the opportunity to work for 7 years with them.This is a rare view into the world of rural medicine and CRNAs from a surgeon who has actually been there and seen it! Do not miss this one!Follow us at:InstagramFacebookTwitter/X

Please join me for Part 2 of this discussion with Joe Rodriguez MSN CRNA where we talk about the trials and tribulations of building an anesthesia company, being successful at it and all the pitfalls in between! Learn the ropes in this 2 part series! Follow us at:InstagramFacebookTwitter/X