"You know you're getting old when all the names in your black book have MD after them."--Harrison Ford

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Personal Connections
Even when patients at Fullerton's St. Jude Medical Center are too sick to speak, they can communicate with their caregivers through the innovative, uplifting My Story program. The program is centered on a simple brochure--filled out by family and friends--that shares details about a patient's children, pets, hobbies, favorite things and more.

My Story was created by Doreen Dann, RN, chief operating officer, after her husband was in a car accident that ultimately took his life. She wanted his caregivers at a local trauma center to have an understanding of the person they were treating. So she wrote down personal information about her husband and asked doctors and nurses to read it.

Patients, families and medical professionals alike appreciate the program because it recognizes the healing power of a life story and strengthens the community of caring around each patient.

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In Stitches
Which new CMA leader's name serves as a punch line? Richard Frankenstein, MD, CMA president-elect. Media from the Los Angeles Times to Modern Healthcare poked fun at the notion of a medical association electing a "Dr. Frankenstein." They could not resist referencing Mary Shelley's ominous character when they delivered the news of his appointment in October. Richard's evocative surname was also the subject of a wry trivia question on NPR's "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me," an impossibly intellectual radio quiz show.

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80% of all healthcare spending is linked to the 42% of Americans with chronic medical conditions.--California HealthCare Foundation

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Mystery Patients
Could your next patient be faking her flu? She just might be if she works for Examine Your Practice, a mystery shopping service for the medical industry. The company is the brainchild of Jodi Manfredi, a San Diego businesswoman determined to address the sagging customer service reputation of healthcare providers. Physicians contract with the company to have mystery patients evaluate all aspects of their practices. See www.examineyourpractice.com.