CIMRO added two review staff members in 2023: Brandi Woodward, MSN, RN as review coordinator, and Amy Jo Adams as credentialing and review project specialist. Brandi is brand new to CIMRO, while Amy Jo is making a return to the team. Brandi joins the other review nurses in supplying clients with the information and education they need to ensure providers are giving – and patients are getting – the best care possible. She interacts with clients and reviewers all along the journey from assignment of cases to delivering the final product. The Nominating Committee is seeking interested applicants for the CIMRO Board of Directors with its upcoming election in March 2024. Terms are for three (3) years and a Board Director may serve no more than four (4) consecutive terms. Board meetings are either held in Champaign, IL or via Microsoft Teams. Interested parties must submit a current curriculum vitae and complete both CIMRO’s conflict of interest disclosures form and the Illinois Department of Insurance Biographical Affidavit to be considered. Contact April Vogelsang, CEO, at avogelsang@cimro.com or 800.635.9407: ext. 4205 by Thursday, February 15, 2024. High Priority PR Specialty Needs Radiology (especially interventional radiology) Pain Management Orthopedic Surgery Neonatology Medical Oncology Infertility General Surgery Gastroenterology Family Medicine (only those who perform deliveries) Electrophysiology Dentistry Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Behavioral Analyst Hanukkah, which means “dedication,” commemorates the rededication of the Second Jewish Temple in 165 B.C. The rededication of the temple involved lighting of the oil lamps; however, they had only enough oil to light the Temple's candelabrum for one day. But miraculously, the oil continued to burn for a total of eight days. That is why Hanukkah has always been celebrated for eight nights.
During Hanukkah, Jews light the menorah, a special nine-branched candelabrum, by adding one candle each night until all eight candles are lit while reciting prayers. The ninth candle sits in the middle and is larger than the rest. This candle is used to light the others. They also play the dreidel game, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts). Hanukkah represents the triumph of light over darkness, hope over despair, and freedom over oppression, making it a joyous and festive celebration for Jewish communities around the world. Classic Potato Latke Recipe The Dreidel Song This year, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Thursday, Dec. 7, and finishes at sundown on Friday, Dec. 15. A spoiled Prince, he grew up unaware of the harsh realities of life. When he finally witnessed the poverty, suffering and death in his kingdom, he went out in search of the true meaning of life. After years of studying under multiple masters, he was destitute and near death when he sat under the Bodhi tree, a very old fig tree, where he stayed, meditating for a very long time (sources report anywhere from seven days to 49 years). On the morning of the 8th Day of the 12th moon of the year, Siddhartha Gautama awoke from his meditation, staring at the rising Morning Star, Venus. Enlightened. His realizations became the Four Noble Truths. He was now The Buddha, The Teacher.
Bodhi Day is celebrated with calm and peace, often with meditation, prayer, and performing acts of kindness. Some observe the day by studying Buddhist scriptures, reflecting on their personal journey towards spiritual awakening and recommitting themselves to the principles of Buddhism. They also enjoy a meal of cake and tea or rice and milk. Some Buddhists light candles or decorate for Bodhi Day by hanging strings of colored lights on trees or in their homes, representing the many paths to enlightenment. There are actually two Bodhi days each year. The “Secular” Bodhi Day, celebrated on a fixed date in much of the Western World and Japan, is December 8. The Lunar Bodhi Day, which changes dates each year based on the lunar calendar, will be celebrated next in January 2024. To our friends and colleagues celebrating, may the full moon of Buddha Purnima bring you blessings of inner peace, enlightenment, and spiritual awakening. Happy Buddha Purnima 2023! Bodhi Day Rice Porridge Recipe We are proud to join The National Association of Healthcare Quality (NAHQ), and our fellow professionals working in healthcare quality and safety around the world, in celebrating #HealthcareQualityWeek, October 15-21. As we celebrate #HQW2023, we pay tribute to the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly in the pursuit of excellence in healthcare quality and safety. CIMRO is committed to our mission to support improvements in the delivery of quality health care. We are honored to have had the opportunity to partner with clients for more than 50 years, supporting safe, high-quality care delivery and continued improvements through our evidence-based independent external peer reviews. Together, we are a force for quality! Our Peer Reviewers can provide remote mentoring to enhance decision making skills.
In partnership with you, we will work to define the scope of work and pricing.
Phillip M. Rowell II, MJ is an information technology executive with a passion for healthcare currently serving as a Chief Analytics Officer with Health Catalyst’s Technology Enabled Managed Services Division and Vice President of Health Outcomes for Carle. He is an innovative, outcomes-focused and patient centered senior leader with nearly twenty years of experience in health information technology, population health management, and analytic design. Prior to joining Carle, Mr. Rowell was the Director of Technology Consulting with PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia and he also held positions at Cerner Corporation and Avanade, Inc. He obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration, Economics and Master of Jurisprudence, Health Law degrees from Loyola University. Mr. Rowell is a member of AMA, AMGA, and Pacific Health Information Network and co-founder of Willow Grove International, LLC. Yashail Vora, MD, MSc, FRCSC is board certified in neurological surgery and since 2008 has served as attending neurosurgeon with Kaiser Permanente in Oregon and southwest Washington. Dr. Vora completed medical school, obtained a Master of Science degree, and completed his neurosurgery residency at the University of Alberta where he received many honors and awards during medical school. Additionally, he completed a neurosurgical oncology fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Prior to joining Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Vora served as the attending neurosurgeon at the VA Medical Center of Nebraska and Iowa and Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at Creighton University School of Medicine. Dr. Vora has been a CIMRO physician reviewer since 2004 and for Healthcare Quality Strategies, Inc. since 2012. He has authored numerous publications and scientific presentations, and has been invited faculty at several institutions. Dr. Vora is a member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. Healthcare today is more complex than ever. With more advancements, tools, and information at their fingertips, doctors have an overwhelming job to diagnose and treat their patients every day. This is the day to honor the ones who see us 365 days a year. In every city and hospital, in our military, and in our rural communities, doctors pave the way to better healthcare for their patients.
On March 30th each year, National Doctors Day honors the professionals for their dedication and contributions to society and the community. Their dedication puts the patient first time and again. On National Doctors Day, we say “thank you” to our physicians for all that they do for us and our loved ones. February is a month to celebrate our most treasured relationships. For us, that’s you – our clients and partners! Thank you for the kindness shown through our recent Client Engagement Survey. Your overall experience and satisfaction with our services averaged 4.8 on a 5-point scale. Additionally, 82.4% of respondents Strongly Agree, and 17.6% Agree, that the CIMRO team is readily available and communicates timely, effectively, and with professional courtesy. That’s 100% of the time! We loved what some of our clients had to say:
If we can assist with your peer review needs – contact us at peerreview@cimro.com or through our website at www.cimro.com. |