Francesca Mathewes

Author's posts

3 resident physician union updates in March

Here are three updates on unionization efforts by resident physicians and fellows in March, as reported by Becker’s: 1. Resident physicians at the University of Minnesota have voted to unionize, filing for recognition March 24 with the Committee of Interns and Residents. 2. On March 17, 1,200 resident physicians and fellows at Montefiore Medical Center […]

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5 possible policy changes affecting the healthcare workforce

Here are five federal policy issues that could impact the healthcare workforce in 2025: 1. Mark Meador, President Donald Trump’s nominee to fill the third Republican seat on the five-member Federal Trade Commission, recently told a Senate panel that the agency will focus on technology regulation and noncompete agreements in employment contracts in 2025.  2. […]

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Florida physician’s license restricted after hepatitis cluster

Florida health officials issued an emergency order to restrict the license of Li Voepel, MD, an interventional pain management physician, after three of her patients contracted a “very rare strain” of hepatitis C, Florida Today reported March 22.  According to the report, Florida health officials believe that the cases may have been caused by unsterilized […]

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What is, isn’t working in anesthesia 

Five leaders in anesthesia recently joined Becker’s to discuss things that are and are not working in the world of anesthesia. Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length. What is working: Steve Wilstead, CRNA. University Medical Center Southern Nevada (Las Vegas): Allowing independence from anesthesiologist supervision for CRNAs. We are trained […]

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Where physicians pay the most for malpractice 

A new study has found that physicians in Illinois have the highest malpractice payments in the country, The Center Square reported March 21.  Using data from the National Practitioner Data Bank, researchers from Noll-Law.com found that the average payment in Illinois is $746,186. Massachusetts was second at $690,405.  Minnesota was the only other Midwestern state […]

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3 physicians facing lawsuits in 1 week

Here are three updates on physicians facing in lawsuits since March 13, as reported by Becker’s: 1. An Iowa appeals court has sided with Matthew Kettman, MD, after he was sued for defamation by a former Cedar Falls police officer who resigned amid a prescription painkiller investigation.  2. Tonya Becker, RN, a former employee of […]

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The technologies, developments, deals shaping anesthesia

Here are nine recent updates in the technological, clinical, legal and business aspects of the anesthesia industry: Technology and clinical care  1. As the demand for outpatient procedures increases and anesthesia care expands beyond the traditional operating room setting, anesthesia leaders are exploring new technologies to support more comprehensive pain management.  Vijay Sudheendra, MD, president […]

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5 ASC leadership shakeups in 2025

Here are five leadership moves affecting the ASC industry since Jan. 17, 2025: 1. Michelle Soto, MD, was appointed medical director of ambulator care at NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx in New York City.  2.  Corwin Harper exited his role as CEO of Shreveport, La.-based Ochsner LSU Health and was appointed president of Kaiser […]

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The ‘tug-of-war’ over patient billing in New York

A law passed in New York last year sought to prohibit medical practices from requiring patients to sign consent-to-pay forms before receiving treatments or discussing costs.  But state officials, patient advocates and health professionals remain embroiled in a “tug-of-war” over the policy, according to a March 20 report from KFF Health News.  Here are 10 […]

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The country’s highest-performing ASCs, by specialty: US News

U.S. News & World Report collaborated with CareJourney to evaluate more than 4,300 surgery centers in four specialties for its 2025 Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers ratings. The specialties included colonoscopy and endoscopy, ophthalmology, orthopedics and spine and urology.  The publication used factors such as cost of complications, emergency department visits and inpatient admissions to rank […]

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