Non-Clinical Careers for Physicians

By Michael J. McLaughlin, MD

Dr. McLaughlin will recount his path from a practicing surgeon to a non-clinical executive to becoming the owner of his own highly successful medical communications company. He will explain the potentially large personal, professional and quality of life upside of non-clinical careers. Dr. McLaughlin will review the numerous lucrative non-clinical careers physicians are enjoying and the reasons to consider switching to a non-clinical career. Questions and Answers

Michael J. McLaughlin, MD is Chief Scientific Officer of Peloton Advantage, a medical communications company that he co-founded in Parsippany, NJ in 2005. He brings to Peloton Advantage more than 15 years of clinical and medical communications experience. After graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Harvard College he received his medical doctorate degree from Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. McLaughlin completed residencies in general surgery and in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City, followed by a fellowship in hand surgery and microsurgery at the University of Utah. Dr. McLaughlin then spent four years in clinical practice in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he still lives with his wife and three children. He has conducted research and has published and presented work across several therapeutic areas. In 2001, Dr. McLaughlin entered the field of medical communications as a Medical Director for Interlink Healthcare Communications. Working across numerous therapeutic areas, he played a key role in business development as a member of the New Business Task Force. He then joined Cardinal Health as Director of Business Strategy and subsequently became Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer. During his two years as CSO, he managed Cardinal Health’s Scientific Affairs Division, comprising Medesta Publications Group, MES Publications, the Clinical Services department (responsible for medical education content), and the Medical Direction team supporting these groups. Dr. McLaughlin was instrumental in expanding Scientific Affairs to nearly 60 staff members working across more than 50 accounts. Active in new business development, he directed the scientific components of pitches for the company’s Medical Communications Services. Currently, in his position at Peloton Advantage, Dr. McLaughlin oversees the medical staff and frequently interviews and counsels physicians considering a career change.

By Deborah Wile Dib, CPBS, CCMC, CCM, NCRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC

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Deb Dib, known as the CEO Coach, enthusiastically helps visionary, gutsy, fun executives with a conscience build great careers, lead great companies, and even change the world a bit. As one of the world’s first Certified Personal Branding Strategists, Deb is a passionate proponent of executive branding and branded resumes. A careers-industry professional since 1989 and the holder of 8 certifications in personal branding, coaching, and resume writing, she is an expert in executive job search, career management, and coaching for very senior executives, professionals, and entrepreneurs. Deb is a contributor to more than 30 career books, serves on the BOD of Career Masters Institute, appears nationally as a keynote speaker and workshop presenter, and was a founding member of the National Resume Writers’ Association. Her latest project is co-authoring The Executive Branding Manifesto with William Arruda, founder of Reach Communications Consulting, the global leader in personal branding. Deb can be reached at www.advantageresumes.com or www.executivepowercoach.com.

By Patrick J. Beecher, MD, MPH, MBA

Dr. Beecher will review what it takes for physicians to succeed in corporate America. He will explain the type of education and training that companies value. Dr. Beecher will discuss developing a plan for career change with annual goals, understanding and adapting to the corporate culture, developing corporate sensitivity and survival skills. Dr. Beecher will offer practical suggestions that physicians can adopt to facilitate their career transition and corporate success. Questions and Answers

Patrick J. Beecher, MD, MPH, MBA, is currently Group Medical Director-Corporate Medical Operations, for General Motors Corporation, and former Medical Director-Occupational Health and Safety, for Ford Motor Company. He received his BA, BS, and MPH from the University of Washington, his MBA from City University, and his MD from the George Washington University Medical School. Dr. Beecher is Board Certified in Occupational and Environmental Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Dr. Beecher is a Past President of the Michigan Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association.

By Constantine (Dean) Gean, MD, MBA, FACOEM, VP/CVM, CMO UNUM Provident

Dr. Gean will review the nature of the disability and insurance industry, including:

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Constantine (Dean) Gean, MD, MS, MBA, FACOEM, is Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Unum Provident Corporation in Glendale, Calif., a $44 billion Fortune 500 company and the largest disability provider and is Associate Clinical Professor, Volunteer Faculty at the University of California at Irvine. Dr. Gean received his BS from the University of California, his MD from the University of Santo Thomas, and his MS and MBA from the University of California at Irvine. Dr. Gean has had extensive experience in the areas of Independent Medical Exams, short term disability, long term disability and family and medical leave disability. Dr. Gean is a physician-executive and medical director with strong insurance industry experience.

By Douglas Pousma, MD, MBA

There are numerous opportunities for healthcare professionals, including physicians, in the field of medical informatics, including the use of the electronic medical record (EMR), clinical decision support or artificial intelligence, and smart prescription tools. This presentation will describe the emerging role of and rationale for medical informatics in healthcare. In addition, this presentation will describe general and specific opportunities that leverage a physician’s expertise in content development, software product specifications, physician behavior change, clinical outcomes analysis, management, and sales and marketing support. There are well-compensated opportunities that provide bona fide career paths for persons interested in medical informatics and part-time projects for those primarily interested in direct patient care. Dr. Pousma is an Internal Medicine doctor with experience as a Medical Director for Cerner Corporation, Medical Director of Multum Information Services, Physician Executive at TheraDoc, Inc, and consultant to major pharmaceutical companies and continuing medical education (CME) providers. Questions and Answers

Dr. Douglas Pousma is President and Founder of Metrixx, a physician driven continuing medical education outcomes company in Highlands Ranch, Co. Doug Pousma, MD, MBA attended Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, IL and completed a residency in Internal Medicine from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. He received his MBA summa cum laude from the University of Phoenix. Dr. Pousma has served in the U.S. Air Force and then as Assistant Medical Director of a 5,000-subject clinical trial before helping to start Multum Information Services, Inc. (www.multum.com). After Cerner Corporation (www.cerner.com) acquired Multum in 1998, he became Medical Director of Cerner-IQHealth. With his interest in real-time systems that improved clinical and financial outcomes, Dr. Pousma, joined TheraDoc (www.theradoc.com), a company that produced an expert knowledge engine that provides real time, high quality, evidence-based solutions that reduce medical errors, lower treatment costs and improve the quality and safety of patient care. Dr. Pousma was Medical Director and Senior Vice President of Jobson Education Group, a privately-held medical education and communications company (MECC) in Englewood, CO. He is an active member of the Alliance for CME. Dr. Pousma has an extensive background and expertise in medical informatics.

By Larry J. Miller, MD

Dr. Miller will discuss how he turned his passion for inventing and saving lives into several highly successful inventions and businesses. He will explain how physicians can protect their ideas/rights, and the type of help and team that is necessary to achieve success. Dr. Miller will demonstrate how physicians can turn their ideas and concepts into inventions that are lucrative and help make a difference in many people’s lives. Questions and Answers

Larry J. Miller, MD is founder, Chairman, and Chief Medical Officer of VidaCare, a San Antonio medical device company. Dr. Miller received his undergraduate degree from Wheaton College in Illinois and his MD from the University of Michigan. In 1982, Dr. Miller partnered with a friend, who invented wheelchair carriers that sit on top of vans. Over the next several years and through the development of other firms, Miller and his partners continued research and development of mobility products. In 1990, Dr. Miller’s company, LifeQuest Medical, Inc. acquired the rights to develop the Osteoport, an implantable device aimed at better delivering chemotherapy to patients through the hip bone. The company was eventually sold. Over the next several years, he continued his research on products providing intraosseous vascular access, or delivering medicines through the bone. The entrepreneurial and research efforts culminated with the development of EZ-10, which is marketed by his company VidaCare Corp.

By Charles N. Brooks, MD

Dr. Brooks will review the varied opportunities for physicians in the medical-legal arena including: independent medical examinations, record (file) reviews, expert witnessing, and consulting. He will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the many different options for physicians considering getting involved in forensic work, and compare these with the merits and drawbacks of a more typical clinical practice of medicine. Dr. Brooks will also offer practical advice on how to acquire the necessary skills and training to do IMEs and record reviews. He will discuss the certifying and membership organizations in the field, and how to initiate and maintain a successful practice doing forensic work. Questions and Answers

Charles N. Brooks, MD is an independent medical examiner and record reviewer who practices in Bellevue, Washington and Anchorage, Alaska. Dr. Brooks received his BA from Denison University and his MD from Wayne State University. He is board certified in orthopedic surgery and independent medical examination. In addition he is a fellow of the American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians. Dr. Brooks has written and lectured extensively on the American Medical Association’s Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, IMEs, causation, apportionment, impairment, and disability. Dr. Brooks is a member of the advisory board for the Guides Newsletter published by the AMA, and a reviewer for the upcoming 6th Edition of the Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment. Dr. Brooks is highly experienced in conducting IMEs and record reviews as well as testimony.

By Michael J. McLaughlin, MD

Dr. McLaughlin will review how the medical communications industry works and describe how to identify opportunities for physicians. He will explain what physicians in the industry do on a day to day basis and how these physicians can have a wide positive impact. Dr. McLaughlin will offer practical advice on how physicians can best position themselves for success and pitch their experience to medical communications companies. Questions and Answers

By Kirsten Dixson, CPBS, JCTC, CEIP

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Kirsten Dixson is an authority on building credible online identities for career and business success. She is the co-author of Career Distinction: Stand Out By Building Your Brand (Wiley 2007) and the founding partner of Brandego® and the Reach Branding Club. Kirsten is a contributor to more than 15 career books, serves on the board of Career Masters Institute, appears nationally as a speaker, and is frequently quoted in articles about career-related technology. As one of the first Reach-Certified Personal Branding Strategists, a Certified Job & Career Transition Coach, and an employment interview expert, she has successfully helped hundreds of high-achievers market themselves for new careers. Kirsten earned a BA degree from Vassar College and a Certificate in Adult Career Planning and Development from New York University.

By Deanna Lites, DPM

Dr. Lites will recount how she went from a practicing Podiatrist to an award winning healthcast reporter. She will discuss developing a viable action plan and having the will to implement the plan. Dr. Lites will explain the opportunities available for physicians in the media, and describe the lifestyle and working conditions. Dr. Lites will offer practical insight into how to break into this field. Questions and Answers

Dr. Deanna Lites is the healthcast reporter for WHDH the NBC affiliate in Boston and for NBC News Channel, the affiliate news service for NBC news. Prior to that, Dr. Lites was the primary health reporter for the NBC-owned WMAQ in Chicago where she anchored the station’s “Healthwatch” segments. While in Chicago, Dr. Lites received four Emmy nominations for her work. Prior to her reporting in Chicago, Dr. Lites was the medical reporter for WFOR, the CBS station in Miami. While there, she received multiple awards and honors for her reporting, including an Emmy nomination, two American Heart Association awards and The Florida Hospital Association’s Jack Hardy Communicator of the Year for the state. In Miami, Dr. Lites also reported on general assignments, covering many national stories, including the Gianni Versace murder, the Elian Gonzalez saga, Hurricane Floyd and the September 11 terrorist attacks. Lites holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition from Michigan State University and earned a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from the Dr. William Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, Ill. She completed a surgical residency at Phoenix Community Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.

By Wendy J. Terwelp, Career Coach

It’s not what you know; it’s who you know that gets you hired. We’ve all heard this phrase so many times our ears are bleeding. Here are the facts: 61% to 85% of people land new careers through networking. Ms. Terwelp’s three-step system makes networking easy and fun so you won’t have to beg for your next career. During this fun and action-packed presentation you learn to identify who’s in your network - and who is not; the three things that must be said when networking; and you get to apply the 3-step process immediately. If you have ever had to say or hear, “Do you know anyone who’s hiring?” this workshop is for you. Wendy offers pragmatic advice to physicians on how to get hired faster in a new career. Want to build your network? Do it now! Questions and Answers

Wendy J. Terwelp is President of Opportunity Knocks™, a career management firm in Wisconsin (www.knocks.com). As an internationally certified Career Coach and one of the world’s first Personal Branding Strategists, Wendy has more than 18 years’ experience in the career management field. An expert in career management, Wendy has been interviewed by The Chicago Tribune, The Business Journal, The Philadelphia Inquirer, radio shows, and other news and university media. She’s authored numerous career articles for www.milwaukeejobs.com, www.thecareernews.com, Career Hub blog, Rock Your Career blog, Net-Temps, and Careerbuilder.com. Wendy is a professional speaker, author, and founder of Rock Your Network® - the three-step system that helps you network without begging. To date, nearly every person attending her Rock Your Network® workshops has landed a new gig (http://www.knocks.com/Rock.html).

Dr. Klepper will discuss the motives for going into clinical medicine and how to deal with the guilt of leaving direct patient care.  He will explain the honest self appraisal that physicians need to undertake to determine why they do not enjoy their current situation.  Dr. Klepper will review the need to find work you are passionate about and how this will help both you and your family.  He will offer practical advice on risk assessment, being open to alternative careers, the need for intellectual stimulation and joining industry in an organized and systematic way.  He will discuss how physicians who leave clinical medicine can fulfill their need to be creative.

Michael J. Klepper, MD is Vice President of Safety and Pharmacovigilance at RTI-HS.  He received his BS from Bradley University and his MD from the Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University.  Dr. Klepper received board certification in emergency medicine and internal medicine.  He has more than 20 years of global pharmaceutical experience. As vice president of safety and pharmacovigilance at RTI-HS, he provides expertise in medical consulting, benefit-risk assessments, risk management, and training. In addition, he oversees all medical writing, coding, and pharmacovigilance services. In 1996, he founded Integrated Safety Systems, Inc. (ISS, Inc.), which was acquired by RTI-HS in 2006. Before founding ISS, Inc., Dr. Klepper was senior director of corporate safety and medical services for the Knoll Pharmaceutical Company (formerly Boots Pharmaceutical). He has also held global clinical development responsibilities with Abbott Laboratories. Of particular importance to him are data quality issues and the impact those issues have on the ability of the medical reviewer to provide relevant product benefit-risk assessments. He also has a keen interest in the evaluation and application of new technological tools pertaining to enhancing activities related to ongoing risk assessment.

By Charles S. Carignan, MD

Dr. Carignan will review the numerous well-paying non-clinical positions available to physicians in these large industries. He will discuss the types of physicians, specialties, qualifications and expertise most in demand. Dr. Carignan will review how physicians can best position themselves for careers in Pharma, Biotech and Medical devices. Dr. Carignan will offer practical advice to physicians on how to locate and obtain these non-clinical positions. Questions and Answers

Charles S. Carignan, MD brings extensive experience in clinical, regulatory and medical affairs with more than 14 years dedicated to medicine and the health care industry. As Chief Medical Officer, Endosurgery and Minimally Invasive Therapies at Boston Scientific, Charles led all aspects of medical and clinical affairs for the Endosurgery group, including women’s health, urology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, and oncology. His team supported sales, reimbursement and regulatory strategies with well-designed clinical trials, peer-reviewed journal publications and physician support to increase the speed of new product development. As a strategic executive, Charles evaluated new technologies and companies for potential alliances, partnerships and acquisitions to expand the breadth of Boston Scientific’s offerings. At Conceptus, Inc., he was Vice President, Clinical Research and Medical Affairs, responsible for large multicenter clinical trials, leading to expedited review and PMA approval by the FDA of a new female contraceptive device. Charles has conducted physician training in more than 50 countries and participated on various committees of the World Health Organization, the Population Council, the United Nations and the U.S. Agency for International Development. He is credited with numerous peer-reviewed publications focused on women’s health. Charles earned his undergraduate degree from Yale University, received his M.D. degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University and trained in general surgery at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center.

By John Howard, MD

Dr. Howard will discuss the numerous employment opportunities for physicians in non-clinical positions in the Federal and State Government. He will present an overview of the types of positions that need to be filled, how to locate specific positions, the pay range and benefits, and how to best land the position desired. Dr. Howard will offer practical advice to physicians who desire to explore the myriad of non-clinical opportunities for physicians with the government. Questions and Answers

John Howard, MD is the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Howard received his BS from the University of San Diego, his MD from the Strict School of Medicine, Loyola University, his MPH from Harvard University and his JD from the University of California School of Law. Dr. Howard has written and lectured extensively on numerous timely occupational health and safety issues. He is the Coordinator, United States Department of Health and Human Services World Trade Center Programs. Dr. Howard is an Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine and is a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine, and the American Board of Preventive Medicine.

By Kenneth M. Lankin, MD, MBA, MPH

Kenneth M. Lankin MD, MBA, MPH is President ,CEO and founder of Dr. Lankin’s Specialty Foods, LLC a family-based business that specializes in all-natural flavor roasted almonds for the natural foods marketplace. He is also an Occupational Medicine Physician, Clinical Director and consultant for five regional occupational health clinics in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.  

Dr. Lankin received his BA in History from Connecticut College, an MD and MPH from the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, MD, and an MBA from the University of New Haven.  He is Board Certified in Family Practice and Board Eligible in Occupational and Environmental Medicine.  Dr. Lankin has taught for the Yale School of Nursing, George Washington University and presents frequently at the American Occupational Health Conferences.

By Rita S. Meek, MD, MSOD

Dr. Meek will discuss:
-The need to achieve a  balance between the two roles of the Hospital Medical Director -- representing the clinicians and the patients when interacting with administrators, and representing the viewpoints of the Administration when interacting with physicians
-The advantages and disadvantages of this position, which is essentially a “bridge” between two worlds within the hospital

She will review the key responsibilities of the organized Medical Staff, and discuss how the Hospital Medical Director is involved in each of these activities. Topics to be covered include:
·        Medical Staff Affairs,
·        Credentialing of members of the Medical Staff,
·        Development of Medical Staff Policies and Procedures
·        Education of the Members of the Medical Staff
·        Peer Review
·        Graduate Medical Education
·        Interactions with the Board of Managers or Board of Directors of the Hospital

Dr. Meek will discuss:
· The participation of the Hospital Medical Director in the critically important areas of Patient Safety, National Patient Safety Goals,  and Quality of Care
· The functions of the Hospital Medical Director with regards to Regulatory Affairs, including JCAHO and unannounced surveys
· The development of a Hospital Disaster Preparedness plan, including the creation of key roles for physicians
· The participation of the Hospital Medical Director in a variety of medical and administrative committees

She will offer practical advice on how to work effectively in a collaborative fashion with the other disciplines involved in patient care, such as Nursing, Laboratory, other support services.

Rita S. Meek, M.D., M.S.O.D., is the Hospital Medical Director for the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, a 180 bed pediatric facility in Wilmington, Delaware.  She is Board Certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.   Dr. Meek’s current interest is in developing programs to support physicians through the stress of malpractice litigation and serious adverse events.  Prior to becoming the Hospital Medical Director in 2001, she was the Division Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology for fifteen years. Before that she was in private practice in pediatric hematology/oncology for ten years.  She has been a Clinical Associate Professor at Thomas Jefferson University Medical School for twenty years. During her career as a medical administrator, academic pediatric hematologist-oncologist, and private practitioner, she has been the Chairperson of numerous committees and task forces. She has received numerous awards for her work including the 2004 Trailblazer Award for the outstanding woman in Delaware, the Outstanding Teacher Award from the Thomas Jefferson University Pediatric Residents, and was featured on the cover of “Top Docs for Delaware” in 1998.   

Dr. Meek did her undergraduate work at New York University where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She graduated from the George Washington University Medical School where she was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, and did her pediatric residency and pediatric hematology-oncology fellowship at the Children’s Hospital National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.  Dr. Meek received a Masters in Organization Development from American University in 2001.

By Sidney N. Kahn, MD, PhD

Dr. Kahn will offer practical advice for physicians considering moving into the consulting arena. He will describe how he started and developed a successful consulting practice and offer advice on how to apply medical knowledge and understanding to areas outside those most familiar to practicing physicians. He will discuss:

Sidney N. Kahn, MD, PhD, has started two successful consulting companies within the past five years: Pharmacovigilance & Risk Management, Inc. (PvRM) and Quadrant eLabeling Services. He obtained his medical training at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, followed by postgraduate study in London (Ph.D., University of London; specialist certification in Chemical Pathology of the Royal College of Pathologists). After 17 years in academic laboratory medicine as a laboratory director and basic researcher in clinical biochemistry and neuroimmunology, he joined the pharmaceutical industry to work on the safety assessment of medicinal products. During his subsequent 12-year pharmaceutical industry tenure, he was an active participant in US and international working groups in pharmacovigilance, risk assessment, risk management, and product labeling, and continues to be a leading figure in those areas.

By Marc M. Edelstein, MD, PhD, FAAP

Dr. Edelstein will review the numerous and varied non-clinical opportunities for physicians in the managed care industry. He will discuss:

Dr. Edelstein will offer practical advice on the best ways physicians can locate and land non-clinical jobs in the managed care industry. Questions and Answers

Marc M. Edelstein, MD, PhD, FAAP is the Chief Medical Officer and Co-Director for the Tufts Health Care Institute (THCI) and Tufts University School of Medicine Office of Continuing Education (TUSM/OCE). With the Executive Director, Dr. Edelstein is responsible for business development, content and program oversight, and management of related operations. He has a lead role as liaison with the leadership and others at TUSM and its affiliated hospitals. He represents THCI in public forums and with professional organizations, clients, and sponsors. Dr. Edelstein has more than 25 years experience in both clinical and administrative health care. He served as Chief Executive Officer for Primary Care, LLC, a community-based Physician Organization of almost 200 physicians in Greater Boston and southeastern Massachusetts. At AvMed Health Plan, a Florida-based, not-for-profit Managed Care Health Plan, Dr. Edelstein served as Chief Medical Officer, Senior Vice-President for Network Contracting and Operations, and Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs and Quality. He has practiced medicine in a number of clinical environments and was a full time faculty member of the University of Miami School of Medicine. He received his MD from the University of Miami and completed a Rotational (“Family Practice”) Internship and Residency in Pediatrics at the Naval Hospital, San Diego, CA. Dr. Edelstein also earned a PhD in Philosophy/Medical Ethics from the University of Miami. He has served on several institutional Ethics Committees and taught courses in both the Philosophy of Medicine and Medical Ethics.

By Michelle Mudge-Riley, DO

Dr. Mudge-Riley will discuss the numerous issues facing physicians who are considering transitioning out of clinical medicine including:

Dr. Mudge-Riley will utilize her personal experiences to offer practical advice to physicians considering career transition. Questions and Answers