Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/545703
21 Cigna Rejects Latest Takeover Bid From Anthem By Kelly Gooch Lifestyles S ix orthopedic and spine surgeons discuss what music they use in the operation room to pump them up — or calm them down — during cases. Jeffrey Carlson, MD, Presi- dent of Orthopaedic and Spine Center in Newport News, Va.: I don't listen to a lot of music in my regular life but in the OR music helps me and the staff relax during some intense times. Mostly we listen to happy Top 40 with upbeat rhythms. e pace of the music seems to provide a background for moving through the surgical day. Slower music tends to slow the whole day down and slows the pace of surgery. Of course being in Virginia, "Happy" by Pharrel is a favor- ite, but Taylor Swi, Katie Perry and I-G-G-Y play throughout the day. "Closing" music tends to be a bit more lively as we push for the extra energy to finish a surgery or close out the day. Jocelyn Idema, MD, Mid- Maryland Musculoskeletal Institute, Frederick, Md.: Music in my OR is interest- ing because a lot of people I operate with are older than I am. I have a lot of '80s hair bands, including Cinder- ella, Poison and Bon Jovi. If I have older anesthesiologists, sometimes we have classic rock as well, including the Eagles. ere are some rooms that don't get Pandora and the radio station only brings in country music. I like recent country music, like Florida Georgia Lime. I'm eclectic. I like something upbeat; some- thing peppy to keep you moving. Brian Gantwerker, MD, e Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: I have a care- fully curated playlist that I have been building for al- most 10 years. Music, to me, is critical. It keeps people moving, and establishes a flow to the room that keeps people engaged. I appreciate other people's lists and do accommodate other musical tastes. My playlists includes artists like Kings of Leon, A Tribe Called Quest, e Black Keys, e Rolling Stones, Dead- mau5, Morgan Page, e Smashing Pumpkins, Muse, Billie Holliday, James Brown, and Frank Sinatra (a nod to my dearly departed Grandpa). ey are all songs that move me, inspire, or make me smile. at energy is really felt in the OR and to me, makes for a good operation. Daniel Lieberman, MD, Phoenix Spine Specialty Center: I've gotten pat- terned to listening to XM radio in the car and I flag the songs I like best. I download those songs on the playlist. I try to keep 30 songs on the playlist all the time. I'm really surpised at the music — we have '70s disco to folk music to a little bit of classical. I'm sure people in the OR think its nuts, but that's what we do. We also have Pandora songs for pa- tients in their rooms where they wait. Raphael Rey Roybal, MD, MBA, Savannah (Ga.) Spine Institute, Chatham Orthopaedics: e one true music: country western as in Johnny Cash, Avett Brothers, Asleep at the Wheel, Ryan Bing- ham, Flying Burrito Brothers, any of the Hank Wil- liams (Real country, not the poppy junk). Nima Salari, MD, Desert Institute for Spine Care, Phoenix: I usually listen to today's music during cases but often switch it up with classical music for example. Nick Shamie, MD, UCLA Health: Believe it or not, I actually don't bring any music to the OR. I am so focused on the patient and targeting their condition, that even if music was play- ing in the background, I wouldn't hear it. I listen to music on my drive home...and sometime crank it up...like I did when in college! n Cigna rejected Anthem's latest takeover bid, according to e New York Times. e most recent takeover bid from Anthem was $184 a share in cash and stock for Cigna, according to the report, which relied on information from people familiar with the matter. Cigna rejected the offer, calling it "inadequate and not in the best interests of Cigna's shareholders." A key source of contention has been corporate governance issues, specifi- cally, who would run the combined insurer, according to the report. In a statement, Anthem said Cigna has lobbied for its CEO, David Cor- dani, to be immediately appointed CEO of the combined company or that Anthem find an acceptable position for his specific roles and responsibili- ties as well as the timing for a transition to CEO. Cigna, on the other hand, has expressed concerns about the future role of Joseph Swedish, president and CEO of Anthem. Cigna said it is also worried about Anthem's "lack of a growth strategy," complications relating to Anthem's membership in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and the related antitrust actions, and other significant challenges, such as the massive data breach Anthem experienced in Feb- ruary. e news comes amid an endless stream of takeover talks in the health insurance sector: Aetna and Cigna have both shown interest in taking over Humana; Anthem has made numerous takeover bids for Cigna, which Cigna has rejected; and UnitedHealth Group approached Aetna about a takeover deal. n The Best Music to Pump Up or Calm Down Spine Surgeons in the OR By Laura Dyrda