Becker's Spine Review

10 SPINE LEADERSHIP Give Everyone Skin in the Game — Dr. Richard Kube on Physician Independence & The Business of Healthcare By Megan Wood H ealthcare mirrors every other industry in that it's a business enterprise. Acknowledging this fact is the first step towards creating true value-based care, according to Richard Kube, MD, of Prairie Spine & Pain Institute and Prairie SurgiCare in Peoria, Ill. "As we continue to think of medicine as entitlement, it will continue to skyrocket in price," says Dr. Kube. "When people think of it as a bottomless pit of money that they feel entitled to dip into, there's no accountability." In addition to a culture of privilege and instant gratification encompassing the healthcare industry, Dr. Kube believes employed physicians can also step up their roles by ensuring patients receive the best possible care. Everyone must have skin in the game and shoulder some of the responsibility of pushing costs down and quality up in the healthcare industry. Being a businessman and physician As an independent physician, Dr. Kube experiences the business aspect of healthcare daily. Running his own business means he's reliant on the number of patients walking through his practice's door. "When our model is going toward value, I really need to be able to provide more for less," says Dr. Kube. "If I can control my time, efficiency and freedom to try new products, I can drive that value needle." Employed physicians don't experience this same stress of running a business, or the same liberties of serving as their own bosses. Dr. Kube sees this instilled ideology as damaging CNN Names 'Undercover Physician' and Orthopedic Surgeon Top Heroes of 2015 By Erin Marshall A fter nominations closed in September, CNN has released its list of the Top 10 Heroes of 2015. Each of the heroes will receive $10,000 and be recognized at the globally broadcast "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" program on Dec. 6. This year, two physicians have made the list: one an "undercover doctor for the homeless" and the other a "'battering ram for patients." Here are the two physicians who made the list. 1. Jim Withers, MD, has been walking the streets of Pittsburgh for 23 years, offering free healthcare services to the homeless. To make a connection with his patients, Dr. With- ers seeks them out. He wanders under bridges and through abandoned buildings dressed liked a home- less person to gain their trust. "When I started, I was actually really shocked how ill people were on the street," said Dr. Withers. "It was like going to a third-world country." His mission transformed into a citywide program called Operation Safety Net, which has treated over 10,000 patients since 1992. The group, which also runs a mobile medical van and drop-in centers, also helps the homeless get insurance and housing. In addition, Dr. Withers started Street Medicine Institute, a nonprofit organization that helps com- munities around the world establish street medicine programs. 2. Daniel Ivankovich, MD, brings aid to people living in Chicago's most underserved communities. An orthopedic surgeon, he saw numerous under- and uninsured patients in Chicago who were victims of violent crimes. They were put on wait lists while their injuries worsened. "I just said, 'Enough is enough,'" Dr. Ivankovich recalled. In 2010, he co-founded OnePatient Global Health Initiative, a nonprofit that treats orthopedic conditions in underserved populations regardless of ability to pay. The program has benefited more than 100,000 individuals. Dr. Ivankovich now runs three clinics in Chicago where he performs over 600 surgeries per year. "I know I can't fix everybody," he said. "My goal is to be the battering ram to help break down the bar- riers to get these patients the care and the resources they need." n SPINE LEADERSHIP Dr. Richard Kube

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