Realizing The Dream is the first-ever Lifestyle Medicine practice management conference. Many physicians and other health care professionals want very much to practice “treat the cause” health care, but have no idea how to get paid for doing so. We convened the best experts in the country with tangible knowledge and systems for financially sustainable Lifestyle Medicine services.

You will hear the inspiring success story of John Principe, MD, with his transition from a burned out physician planning to get out of medicine and a traditional internal medicine practice to a re-energized practitioner with a wellness-based practice.  He still takes insurance and is booked out 4 months. Dr. Principe shares the factors leading to his success in an enjoyable presentation.

You will learn from Auden Utengen, MBA, the leading-edge application of technology, use of the internet and social media, and how to utilize them appropriately professionally for Lifestyle Medicine practice. Auden’s presentation received very high marks from those who attended in person, and he has created a rich and very useful website resource to go along with his presentation.

Edward Noffsinger, PhD, gave what he describes as the best and most complete presentation on billable group visits he has ever given. This is significant in that he is the “father” of the billable group visit, was recruited to be a Vice President of Group Visits in the Harvard-Vanguard health care system, and has presented to over 1,000 professional audiences worldwide. Dr. Noffsinger said that his four hour workshop was the first time he had presented this topic completely enough that he felt the audience was prepared to go home and implement group visits.

You will learn about how to get paid for nutrition services, how to integrate services with behavioral health professionals, options for successful integration with fitness services, opportunities in health care reform, and much more. See our agenda and roster of national caliber speakers for further details.

Supporting Partners:

Lifestyle Medicine Institute Loma Linda University

John Principe, MD

Founder and Medical Director of WellBeingMD™ and A RoadMap to Wellness™

Dr. Principe co-founded WellBeingMD™ in 2008 after attending Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives in 2008.  Recognized as the most comprehensive internal medicine and wellness provider in the Chicago region, WellBeing MD™ is a conventional internal medicine practice that uses principles of Lifestyle Medicine.  Dr. Principe’s A RoadMap To Wellness™, a six-week course for creating wellness and transforming lives, is the cornerstone of the practice.  Like Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives, the billable six-week course incorporates elements of nutrition, physical activity, and mindfulness to lead patients to more healthful lifestyles. The success of the program ignited the construction of the WellBeingMD Center for Life™, a unique 2,400 square-foot space housing a teaching kitchen, educational center, and functional movement studio.  Based on the premise that community is the currency of wellness, Dr. Principe joined forces with Chef Paul Boundas, owner of Country House Restaurant, to foster transformative eating practices in society one healthy plate at a time.

1. Define the inherent problem in “Processed Medicine”
2. Recognize Lifestyle Medicine as an up-and-coming field
3. Gain perspective on integrating Lifestyle Medicine and primary care
4. Describe how a practice can be structured for success and financial sustainability
5. Define key roles within a Lifestyle Medicine Team
6. Develop a vision for one’s own practice of Lifestyle Medicine

Mauricette Montredon, MBA, MA

Consultant with The Fox Group, specializing in assisting physicians and other health healthcare providers and systems achieve strategic and operational goals

Her experience, focus on outcome, and record of success has established Ms. Montredon as a leader in the healthcare industry.  She brings over 20 years of experience in executive leadership in both academic and independent clinical settings and in hospital operations, with skill in financial management, budgeting, forecasting, strategic planning, and cost reporting.  Other strengths include selection and implementation of electronic health records technology, successful compliance review and implementation, with expertise in systems and operational processes designed to achieve improved financial and quality performance.

1. Describe the foundations of practice management
2. List core elements needed for practice success
3. Learn about common errors that negatively impact practice success
4. Create an action plan for transitioning from an existing practice to a Lifestyle Medicine-focused practice   
    

Sandra Lawson, MBA

Executive Director, Institute of Lifestyle Medicine

With an MBA from Harvard Business School and over 25 years of experience in health care services and consulting, Sandra Lawson is an expert in Health Care Reform regulation and reimbursement opportunities.  Executive Director for the Institute of Lifestyle Medicine, she oversees mission critical activities as well as strategic planning, fundraising, and financial management of the Institute.  Prior to joining the ILM she consulted with health care organizations to improve clinical and financial performance as well as define new product offerings and technologies for the marketplace.  As senior executive for a $2B post-acute care company, she was in charge of quality improvement, program development, and outcome measurement systems.  She developed an executive education program to train site managers in clinical and financial operations.  A mentor for MBA students pursuing careers in health care, Ms. Lawson is a member of the Collaborative Care Technology Work Group and is on the advisory board for the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council.

1. Articulate mandated requirements in conducting the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
2. Identify the appropriate billing codes associated with the first and subsequent visits
3. Understand the requirements imposed on Medicare Advantage Plans for providing Annual Wellness Visits
4. Create an action plan for educating staff, modifying job responsibilities, implementing documentation requirements, and reaching out to eligible beneficiaries
5. Create an action plan for tracking required screenings, preventive services, and other health care providers
6. Create an action plan for providing lifestyle medicine intervention within the requirements of the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
    

Jerry Morris, PsyD, MSPharm, MBA, ABMP, ABPP, NCSP, ABBHP, CCM, NBCC

Foremost expert in the creation and management of successful models of collaborative health care

Dr. Morris is recognized for his work in developing systems that support medical and behavioral professionals working together in ways that best benefit patients and are financially profitable.  Clinical Psychologist and President of the American Board of Medical Psychology, Dr. Morris is board certified in Medical Psychology, Family Psychology, Behavioral Healthcare, School Psychology, Addiction Psychology, and Case Management and holds a post graduate MBA, and MS in Clinical Pharmacology.  He is the director of behavioral healthcare for the Bates County Memorial Hospital and primary care clinics and the affiliated comprehensive community health center and is housed in the primary care center and is a member of the medical staff.  He is currently a board member of the psychology national practitioner association, former member of the council of representatives of the American Psychological Association and the APA Finance Committee managing in excess of $100 million budget.  He has developed and owned psychiatric hospitals, mental health centers, and integrated care clinics, served as a Vice President of a doctoral program in clinical psychology, and supervised training programs and clinical placements for psychologists, physicians, psychiatric nurse practitioners, social workers, professional counselors, and substance abuse counselors.  He has taught psychology and economics in graduate and undergraduate educational institutions.  Dr. Morris has published books and scientific and professional articles and has been a long-term advocate of Integrated Care and multidisciplinary healthcare based on comprehensive diagnoses and early intervention and related savings.  
 

1. Define the relevance to LM in the nations need for health cost balance
2. Understand the basic components in Integrated Care Models and Healthcare Reform as they relate to the practice of LM
3. Explain the translation of healthcare research on integrated care models into a business plan
4. Understand the recruitment and retention of various LM team members
5.  Understand variances in state laws regarding practice
6. Describe the necessary attributes of the CEO, Medical Director, Psychologist leadership triad and their relationship to the medical staff and support personnel
7. Understand the coming changes and trends in healthcare planned for implementation between now and 2016
    

Auden Utengen, MBA

The Fox Group, Developer of Fox e-Practice

With a Master’s in Business Administration, and a BSc in International Marketing, Auden Utengen is lead developer of Fox e-practice, bringing providers and practices into the social shift identified as web 2.0 and health 2.0, converging to become one of the most powerful shifts in health and human behavior in the last generation. Utengen leads the creation of dynamic and SEO friendly “online presence”, including highly customized medical websites, and a web 2.0 platform upon which to anchor a healthcare provider’s online presence, featuring a content management system for keeping the website dynamic via blogs and site updates.

1. Learn to take advantage of the opportunities for lifestyle medicine brought on by Web 2.0, healthcare social media and empowered patients, while mitigating the threats and complying with HIPAA rules.
2. Learn what technology to use to connect with and attract new lifestyle medicine patients online, how you should engage them, and what pitfalls to avoid.
3. Learn about the healthcare provider’s online role, and how you leverage your knowledge efficiently across several platforms to maximize your impact while minimizing use of your resources.
    

Edward B. Noffsinger, PhD

Pioneer of group medical visits and originator of the Drop-in Group Medical Appointment (DIGMA) and the Physicals Shared Medical Appointment (PSMA) models

Recently named by Health Spottr's as one of the Top 100 Health Care Innovators , Dr. Noffsinger is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in the area of group visits, and an adviser to medical groups and health care organizations around the country and worldwide. His book, Running Group Visits In Your Practice is a definitive work on group visits.  The book is a self-contained toolkit with an accompanying DVD that includes training videos and examples of all the forms and promotional materials needed to launch a successful shared medical appointment program.  Dr. Noffsinger served as Vice President of Shared Medical Appointments and Group Based Disease Management at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates/Atrius Health.  Widely published in the field, his work in the area of group visits has been featured in numerous medical journals.  Dr. Noffsinger has given well over a thousand invited presentations in the private, public, and governmental healthcare sectors nationally and internationally. He has also been featured in Time Magazine, U.S. News and World Report, The Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, San Jose Mercury News, CNN, CNN Headline News, PBS Healthweek, several television stations, newspapers around the country, and in public radio broadcasts both locally and nationally.

1. Understand today's major group visit models and identify the model that best serves the attendee's needs
2. Recognize the broad applicability of group visits in one's own practice for chronic disease management, new appointments, and follow-up visits
3. Provide a cross-section of outcome data on group visits
4. Learn the basics regarding how to implement group visits in one's own practice--and common "beginner's mistakes" to avoid
    

Edward B. Noffsinger, PhD

Pioneer of group medical visits and originator of the Drop-in Group Medical Appointment (DIGMA) and the Physicals Shared Medical Appointment (PSMA) models

Recently named by Health Spottr's as one of the Top 100 Health Care Innovators , Dr. Noffsinger is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in the area of group visits, and an adviser to medical groups and health care organizations around the country and worldwide. His book, Running Group Visits In Your Practice is a definitive work on group visits.  The book is a self-contained toolkit with an accompanying DVD that includes training videos and examples of all the forms and promotional materials needed to launch a successful shared medical appointment program.  Dr. Noffsinger served as Vice President of Shared Medical Appointments and Group Based Disease Management at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates/Atrius Health.  Widely published in the field, his work in the area of group visits has been featured in numerous medical journals.  Dr. Noffsinger has given well over a thousand invited presentations in the private, public, and governmental healthcare sectors nationally and internationally. He has also been featured in Time Magazine, U.S. News and World Report, The Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, San Jose Mercury News, CNN, CNN Headline News, PBS Healthweek, several television stations, newspapers around the country, and in public radio broadcasts both locally and nationally.

1. Understand today's major group visit models and identify the model that best serves the attendee's needs
2. Recognize the broad applicability of group visits in one's own practice for chronic disease management, new appointments, and follow-up visits
3. Provide a cross-section of outcome data on group visits
4. Learn the basics regarding how to implement group visits in one's own practice--and common "beginner's mistakes" to avoid
    

John Gobble, DrPH, RD, LD, MCHES

Founder, Medical Nutrition Therapy Northwest

Dr. John Gobble is founder of Medical Nutrition Therapy Northwest, a provider of disease management and therapeutic lifestyle change services.  He’s also author and developer of technical and educational solutions for health behavior change including the MNT Assistant Software for Medical Nutrition Therapy.  He works with registered dietitians in outpatient and private practice medical group settings throughout the nation in an effort to make Medical Nutrition Therapy an integral part of 21st Century health care. Earning his Doctor of Public Health in Preventive Care and a Master of Public Health from Loma Linda University School of Public Health, he is a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Dietitian in the state of Oregon, a Master Certified Health Education Specialist through the American College of Sports Medicine, and a Certified Intrinsic Coach®.
 

1. Explain at least 3 ways nutrition may be incorporated into a LM practice
2. Discuss MNT and Nutrition Care Process with a compassionate approach.
3. Compare and contrast the RD and the advanced trained RD
4. Explain at least 2 group MNT delivery options that will enhance a LM practice
5. Discuss specific payer plans that will pay for MNT
6. Utilize the appropriate CPT codes and ICD9 codes for the delivery of MNT
7. Identify the features of EHR that are required for MNT documentation
8. Discuss 2 ways an RD may be integrated into your LM Practice
9. Assess RD recruitment resources available to your practice
10. Train your billing staff to accurately bill for eligible MNT services
     

David Gans, MSHA, FACMPE

Vice President, Research & Innovation, Medical Group Management Association

An expert in healthcare management, reform, and changes underway in healthcare, David Gans administers research and development at the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) and its research affiliate, the MGMA Center for Research.  In addition to his management responsibilities, he is an educational speaker, authors a monthly column in MGMA’s journal and serves as the association’s staff resource on all areas of medical group practice management.  Current research focuses on patient safety and quality; administrative simplification, cost efficiency, and the dissemination of best practices; information technology; and preparation for health care reform and a transformed health delivery system.
Mr. Gans received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from the University of Notre Dame, Master of Science degree in Education from the University of

1. Describe how Lifestyle Medicine is a critical component of the Patient Centered Medical Home and the Accountable Care Organization – the new models of care delivery in the post Accountable Care Act environment
2. Describe how a Lifestyle Medicine practice can leverage its care model to become a concierge or retainer fee practice when the demand for primary care services exceeds the available supply of providers.
3. Identify the metrics a Lifestyle Medicine practice can use to evaluate productivity and improve financial performance
    

Cary Wing, EdD

Director of Business Development, Fitmarc

Dr. Cary Wing has been in the health and wellness field for more than 25 years.  Directly involved in the development and management of medically integrated health & fitness centers, she's a frequent speaker and writer on the medical fitness industry industry, the medical fitness model, physician referral programs, and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.  Dr. Wing is Chair of the Inclusive Fitness Coalition Health & Fitness Club Workgroup, a contributing blogger and writer at the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability, and a contributing author for Club Insider.  She served on the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Industry Advisory Panel for two years and was a member of the Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences committee. For ten years, Dr. Wing served as the Executive Director of the Medical Fitness Association.  She is currently Director of Business Development for Medical Fitness at Fitmarc, a fiifrm specializing in fitness and wellness solutions.  She holds a MA in Physical Education and Sport with a concentration in Fitness Management from New York University, and an EdD in Applied Physiology from Columbia University.
 

1. Measure the PAVS (Physical Activity Vital Sign) and apply the principles of exercise prescription to their patients
2. Recognize the key standards required of fitness professionals and fitness centers to initiate a referral process for the continuum of care
3. Identify options available to integrate exercise in the lifestyle medicine practice
    

Sunnie Southern, MS, RD, LD

Founder and CEO, Viable Synergy

A seasoned healthcare industry professional with expertise in market preparation and new product launches, Sunnie has worked in a wide range of healthcare environments from primary care to the Department of Defense and with pharmaceutical, medical supply and HITECH companies.  As a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s degree in Human Nutrition and Foods, she has a passion for health and wellness and is dedicated to finding new ways to improve healthcare delivery by leveraging technology. Sunnie is committed to improving health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities while building viable and sustainable business solutions.  Her areas of expertise include developing new channels to reach customers, creating and improving usage of health care products, bridging online and in-person marketing, and maximizing community resources for growth.  Sunnie's objective is to work with great people who share her passion for using innovative approaches to empower people to improve their health, the health of their families and of their communities ultimately making the world a healthier place for all.
 

1. Describe your current practice
2. Create a vision for your ideal practice
3. Describe your current patient panel mix
4. Define the ideal patient type for your ideal practice
5. Begin to develop a high level success plan for building your ideal practice
    

Anne Nedrow, MD, MBA

Associate Professor at Oregon Health & Science University

Anne Nedrow is board certified in internal medicine, fellowship trained in integrative medicine, has a special interest in lifestyle medicine, and completed her MBA from Babson College.  She believes that assisting patients toward healthier lifestyles is the central approach in improving quality of life whether it relates to chronic illness or general health.  Dr. Nedrow directed LifeChoice, the largest academic retainer model lifestyle medical home practice in the United States for the past six years.  Dr. Nedrow chose academic medicine due her career long interest in physician professional satisfaction and the opportunity to assist students in creating sustainable careers.  Dr. Nedrow will share the lessons learned in the process of transitioning a conventional internal medicine practice to a retainer model, the growth and finances of the program over a six year period, and recommendations for clinicians considering such a transition.

1. Explore ways to redesign their practice revenue model to realize the marketplace demand
2. Learn about and define their value proposition
3. Define and identify how to best serve their patient population
4. Gain perspective on how to successfully implement a private medicine model