The IndeDocs Podcast

ACES National Surgical Team: An Alternative Model of Care

In this episode, Dr. Marcelo Hochman and Dr. Ronen Elefant discuss how ACES National Surgical Team is carving new pathways in providing surgical care through a method which serves patients better both geographically and financially. DR. RONEN ELEFANT Dr. Ronen Elefant is a double board-certified surgeon specializing in Acute Care Surgery. As the founder of ACES National Surgical Team, he is reimagining how surgical care is delivered through bundled direct surgical pricing, physician-centered autonomy, and uncompromising standards of excellence. Born in Israel, Dr. Elefant immigrated to the United States at the age of nine, when his parents sought the opportunities and upward mobility of the American dream. That early transition instilled in him the resilience, drive, and clarity of purpose that define his work today. Dr. Elefant currently serves as Trauma Medical Director and Chief of Acute Care Surgery at a major regional hospital in the northeastern United States, In addition to his clinical leadership roles, he has held academic appointments and remains active as an invited lecturer, educator, and contributor to professional societies. With advanced training not only in medicine but also in engineering and business, Dr. Elefant brings a rare multidimensional perspective to surgical care. At ACES, Dr. Elefant leads a national team of elite surgeons committed to expanding access to high-quality outpatient surgery through existing ambulatory surgery centers. The mission is simple but transformative: restore the surgeon-patient relationship, elevate the standard of care, and bring clarity and value back into American healthcare. DR. MARCELO HOCHMAN Dr. Hochman, Immediate Past President of IndeDocs, is a double board-certified head, neck, and facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, founder of Charleston’s Facial Surgery Center, and Past President of the Charleston County Medical Society. He has continuously been listed in “The Best Doctors in America” and has received The Order Of The Palmetto – South Carolina’s highest award for his medical work. Specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive facial surgery, Dr. Hochman provides pro-bono care for children with vascular anomalies as the Founder and Medical Director of the Hemangioma International Treatment Center.   Dr. Hochman and his wife of 20 years are parents to three adult sons and currently live in Charleston, South Carolina. When he’s not in the operating room, teaching, or championing healthcare reform, you can find him enjoying the perfect glass of wine or coffee, occasionally indulging his love of fine cigars, and listening to all genres of music on his porch. INDEDOCS: IndeDocs (Independent Doctors of South Carolina) is an organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting the doctor/patient relationship through the independent practice of medicine in South Carolina. Our goal as a non-profit 501 (c)(6) organization is to provide a network of support and connection for the South Carolina medical community so that independent providers can practice autonomous, patient-centered medicine while also benefiting from the advantages of being part of a larger group, with access to exclusive resources, networking avenues, pooled purchasing power, legislative advocacy, and more. To learn more about our mission, our membership, or sponsorship opportunities, please visit us online at IndeDocs.com [http://indedocs.com/] or contact us at IndeDocs.com/Contact [http://indedocs.com/Contact] for more information. Thank you for tuning in!

Finding the “Pinch Points” : How to Protect the Health of Your Independent Practice

In this episode, IndeDocs podcast producer Jenna Leith and TrackableMed founder Zed Williamson discuss the strategy of elevating your bottom line and the patient experience simultaneously, the game-changing power of understanding your own metrics, and how “designing failure” can lead to your greatest successes. ZED WILLIAMSON After spending years in advertising, Zed Williamson founded TrackableMed [https://www.trackablemed.com/] in 2011, a comprehensive medical growth platform grounded in neuroscience. Originally from Silicon Valley, Zed grew frustrated by lack of accountability in the advertising industry as a whole and decided to start TrackableMed to focus on results. Today, you can find him reading, spending time with his wife and family, and running a highly innovative business that helps private medical practices and med-tech companies overcome constraints and get the optimal outcomes for growth. JENNA LEITH Jenna is most in her element when creating things, whether a project gameplan, a magazine layout, or a podcast!  She has an extensive background in theatrical and event production, small business operations, and project management, among other endeavors.  In addition to heading the IndeDocs Podcast and its other publications, she runs daily operations for the organization and proudly supports its mission to preserve, promote, and protect the practice of independent medicine. Jenna loves movies, logic puzzles, estate sale treasure hunts, and playing with cute animals. INDEDOCS: IndeDocs (Independent Doctors of South Carolina) is an organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting the doctor/patient relationship through the independent practice of medicine in South Carolina. Our goal as a non-profit 501 (c)(6) organization is to provide a network of support and connection for the South Carolina medical community so that independent providers can practice autonomous, patient-centered medicine while also benefiting from the advantages of being part of a larger group, with access to exclusive resources, networking avenues, pooled purchasing power, legislative advocacy, and more. To learn more about our mission, our membership, or sponsorship opportunities, please visit us online at IndeDocs.com [http://indedocs.com/] or contact us at IndeDocs.com/Contact [http://indedocs.com/Contact] for more information. Thank you for tuning in!

Saving Private Practice (Part 2 of 2)

In Part 2 of a 2-episode conversation, IndeDocs President Dr. Marcelo Hochman talks with Dr. Arlen Meyers, President and CEO of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs (SoPE) about the path to medical entrepreneurship, the personal, organizational, and systemic challenges that affect it, and some changes we can make to support the goal of saving private practice. For Part 1, please visit https://indedocs.com/podcast/saving-private-practice-part-1/ [https://indedocs.com/podcast/saving-private-practice-part-1/] DR. ARLEN MEYERS Dr. Arlen Meyers is a professor emeritus of otolaryngology, dentistry, and engineering at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, faculty at the University of Colorado-Denver Business School, and President and CEO of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs (SoPE). He helps people get their biomedical ideas to patients by teaching, working with entrepreneurs and leading a global not for profit biomedical and clinical innovation and entrepreneurship network. The Society of Physician Entrepreneurs (SoPE) is a global biomedical and healthcare innovation network with membership open to all healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs and industry stakeholders. Members include doctors, nurses, dentists, healthcare entrepreneurs, investors, engineers, academics, IT professionals and industry representatives. SoPE provides a platform for members to accelerate and catalyze innovation, as well as a separate supporting 501(c)(3) tax-exempt Foundation for scholarship and philanthropic endeavors to advance healthcare.   SoPE’s peer-to-peer network empowers entrepreneurs by providing the education, connections, experience and funding opportunities necessary to commercialize ideas, inventions and discoveries. SoPE accelerates healthcare innovation by encouraging investment and support for new therapies and approaches, including drugs, devices, diagnostic tools, vaccines, digital health products, or business process innovations. To learn more, please visit www.sopenet.org [http://www.sopenet.org/]. DR. MARCELO HOCHMAN Dr. Hochman, President of IndeDocs, is a double Board-certified head, neck, and facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, founder of Charleston’s Facial Surgery Center, and Past President of the Charleston County Medical Society. He has continuously been listed in “The Best Doctors in America” and has received The Order Of The Palmetto – South Carolina’s highest award for his medical work. Specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive facial surgery, Dr. Hochman provides pro-bono care for children with vascular anomalies as the Founder and Medical Director of the Hemangioma International Treatment Center.   Dr. Hochman and his wife of 20 years are parents to three adult sons and currently live in Charleston, South Carolina. When he’s not in the operating room, teaching, or championing healthcare reform, you can find him enjoying the perfect glass of wine or coffee, occasionally indulging his love of fine cigars, and listening to all genres of music on his porch. INDEDOCS: IndeDocs (Independent Doctors of South Carolina) is an organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting the doctor/patient relationship through the independent practice of medicine in South Carolina. Our goal as a non-profit 501 (c)(6) organization is to provide a network of support and connection for the South Carolina medical community so that independent providers can practice autonomous, patient-centered medicine while also benefiting from the advantages of being part of a larger group, with access to exclusive resources, networking avenues, pooled purchasing power, legislative advocacy, and more. To learn more about our mission, our membership, or sponsorship opportunities, please visit us online at IndeDocs.com [http://indedocs.com/] or contact us at IndeDocs.com/Contact [http://indedocs.com/Contact] for more information. Thank you for tuning in!

Saving Private Practice (Part 1 of 2)

In Part 1 of a 2-episode conversation, IndeDocs President Dr. Marcelo Hochman talks with Dr. Arlen Meyers, President and CEO of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs (SoPE) about the path to medical entrepreneurship, the personal, organizational, and systemic challenges that affect it, and some changes we can make to support the goal of saving private practice. For part 2, please visit: https://indedocs.com/podcast/saving-private-practice-part-2/ [https://indedocs.com/podcast/saving-private-practice-part-2/] DR. ARLEN MEYERS Dr. Arlen Meyers is a professor emeritus of otolaryngology, dentistry, and engineering at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, faculty at the University of Colorado-Denver Business School, and President and CEO of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs (SoPE). He helps people get their biomedical ideas to patients by teaching, working with entrepreneurs and leading a global not for profit biomedical and clinical innovation and entrepreneurship network. The Society of Physician Entrepreneurs (SoPE) is a global biomedical and healthcare innovation network with membership open to all healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs and industry stakeholders. Members include doctors, nurses, dentists, healthcare entrepreneurs, investors, engineers, academics, IT professionals and industry representatives. SoPE provides a platform for members to accelerate and catalyze innovation, as well as a separate supporting 501(c)(3) tax-exempt Foundation for scholarship and philanthropic endeavors to advance healthcare.   SoPE’s peer-to-peer network empowers entrepreneurs by providing the education, connections, experience and funding opportunities necessary to commercialize ideas, inventions and discoveries. SoPE accelerates healthcare innovation by encouraging investment and support for new therapies and approaches, including drugs, devices, diagnostic tools, vaccines, digital health products, or business process innovations. To learn more, please visit www.sopenet.org [http://www.sopenet.org/]. DR. MARCELO HOCHMAN Dr. Hochman, President of IndeDocs, is a double Board-certified head, neck, and facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, founder of Charleston’s Facial Surgery Center, and Past President of the Charleston County Medical Society. He has continuously been listed in “The Best Doctors in America” and has received The Order Of The Palmetto – South Carolina’s highest award for his medical work. Specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive facial surgery, Dr. Hochman provides pro-bono care for children with vascular anomalies as the Founder and Medical Director of the Hemangioma International Treatment Center.   Dr. Hochman and his wife of 20 years are parents to three adult sons and currently live in Charleston, South Carolina. When he’s not in the operating room, teaching, or championing healthcare reform, you can find him enjoying the perfect glass of wine or coffee, occasionally indulging his love of fine cigars, and listening to all genres of music on his porch. INDEDOCS: IndeDocs (Independent Doctors of South Carolina) is an organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting the doctor/patient relationship through the independent practice of medicine in South Carolina. Our goal as a non-profit 501 (c)(6) organization is to provide a network of support and connection for the South Carolina medical community so that independent providers can practice autonomous, patient-centered medicine while also benefiting from the advantages of being part of a larger group, with access to exclusive resources, networking avenues, pooled purchasing power, legislative advocacy, and more. To learn more about our mission, our membership, or sponsorship opportunities, please visit us online at IndeDocs.com [http://indedocs.com/] or contact us at IndeDocs.com/Contact [http://indedocs.com/Contact] for more information. Thank you for tuning in!

Women in Medicine

In honor of Women in Medicine Month, in this episode IndeDocs Vice President Dr. Eveline (“Dede”) Waring talks with fellow female physicians Dr. Emily Darr, Dr. Piave Pitisci Lake, Dr. Joni Mazza, and Dr. Fiona Rahbar about how to navigate challenges, optimize resources, and find your superpowers as a woman in medicine. DR. EVELINE WARING Dr. Eveline “Dede” Waring has been practicing medicine since 1996 and since her board certification in 2001 has limited her practice to the specialty of endocrinology. From 2009 to 2013, she worked at Roper Physician Partners, heading up the Medical Subspecialty Committee. In 2014, Dr. Waring joined Palmetto Primary Care and started their Mount Pleasant office of Palmetto Endocrinology. In 2016, Dr. Waring purchased Carolina Endocrine Associates, a practice in existence for more than twenty years and located near Trident Hospital in North Charleston. Dr. Waring is a leader in her professional community, serving as Past President of Carolinas Society of Endocrinologists and as a current board member of IndeDocs. When she is not seeing patients, Dr. Waring enjoys spending time with her husband and son as well as family and friends. Her hobbies are hiking, tennis, fly fishing, cooking, reading, traveling and music.  To learn more about Dr. Waring, visit https://glanddocs.com/providers/ [https://glanddocs.com/providers/]  DR. EMILY DARR Dr. Emily Darr is a physiatrist with a special interest in Spine. After injuring her shoulder playing volleyball as a student athlete, Dr. Darr became interested in Sports Medicine. She attended the University of Virginia, where she was trained in Physiatry, followed by the Medical University of South Carolina, where she went on to work in Orthopaedic Surgery and Physical Medicine for 10 years before transitioning to the South Carolina Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center.  Dr. Darr is a recipient of the College of Charleston Alumnus of the year award as well as teaching excellence awards from the college of medicine at MUSC. In her free time, Dr. Darr enjoys maintaining the ties to her athletic roots by playing beach volleyball multiple times a week. She is happily married with two children, aged 5 and 7. To learn more about Dr. Darr, visit https://scsportsmedicine.com/our-team [https://scsportsmedicine.com/our-team]  DR. PIAVE PITISCI LAKE Dr. Piave Pitisci Lake is a board-certified physician and psychiatrist who has maintained a private practice in the Charleston, SC area since January 2002. Dr. Lake specializes in treating the unique needs of individuals dealing with infertility, experiencing perinatal and postpartum mood problems, and mood disorders linked to hormonal changes.  Dr. Lake earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Italian Literature from Bryn Mawr College in 1999 and her M. D. from Tulane University School of Medicine in 1997. She completed her residency in General Adult Psychiatry at the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University in Chicago in 2001 where she served as Co-Chief Resident during her fourth year of training. Dr. Lake also maintains membership in the American Psychiatric Association, the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, and the Mental Health Professional Group of ASRM. Dr. Lake served on the Executive Committee and Board of the MHPG from 2011-2018 and as Chair of MHPG in 2014-2015. To learn more about Dr. Lake, visit https://drpiave.com/ [https://drpiave.com/] DR. JONI MAZZA  Dr. Joni Mazza is a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Mara Dermatology. She completed her internship and dermatology residency at The Mount Sinai Hospital, where she also served as Chief Resident. She began her academic career as a founding member of the Northwell Health Dermatology Department in Long Island NY, where she also functioned as Assistant Program Director. In 2015, Dr. Mazza accepted a position at the Medical University of South Carolina. In addition to caring for patients, she worked closely with the residents and medical students and remains highly invested in their training and education as an Affiliate Clinical Assistant Professor for the University. She currently works for the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center at the Naval Health Clinic Charleston and is proud to treat both active duty service men and women and veterans.   Dr. Mazza has numerous publications in peer-reviewed medical journals. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. She was awarded Best Dermatologist in Charleston in HealthLinks Charleston Magazine in 2021 and 2023 and Teacher of the Year by the MUSC Family Medicine Residents in 2023. She lives in Mount Pleasant with her husband and 3 children. To learn more about Dr. Mazza, visit https://maradermatology.com/our-physicians [https://maradermatology.com/our-physicians] DR. FIONA RAHBAR  Dr. Fiona Rahbar is a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Mara Dermatology. She completed undergraduate studies in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology at the University of Pennsylvania and Emory University and earned her medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Her residency training in dermatology was with the University of Virginia, where she served as Chief Resident. Upon completion of training Dr. Rahbar gained experience in Virginia and NYC before building roots in South Carolina, where she co-founded Mara Dermatology. In addition to providing quality care for her patients, Dr. Rahbar has published in medical journals and spoken at dermatology conferences. Her passion lies in caring for underserved populations, having volunteered internationally in Haiti and Uganda as well as locally at the Barrier Island Free Medical Clinic.  Dr. Rahbar is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology. In her free time she loves to spend time outdoors with her friends and family, including her two daughters and dog Luna. She is a certified yoga instructor and has an interest in integrative medicine.   To learn more about Dr. Rahbar, visit https://maradermatology.com/our-physicians [https://maradermatology.com/our-physicians] INDEDOCS: IndeDocs (Independent Doctors of South Carolina) is an organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting the doctor/patient relationship through the independent practice of medicine in South Carolina. Our goal as a non-profit 501 (c)(6) organization is to provide a network of support and connection for the South Carolina medical community so that independent providers can practice autonomous, patient-centered medicine while also benefiting from the advantages of being part of a larger group, with access to exclusive resources, networking avenues, pooled purchasing power, legislative advocacy, and more. To learn more about our mission, our membership, or sponsorship opportunities, please visit us online at IndeDocs.com [http://indedocs.com/] or contact us at IndeDocs.com/Contact [http://indedocs.com/Contact] for more information. Thank you for tuning in!