John Connolly Ed.D,
President and CEO, Castle Connolly
Medical, Ltd.
Dr.
John Connolly has an extensive
background in management and healthcare.
Originally trained in college
administration, he was one of the
youngest college presidents in the U.S.
before transitioning from academia to
healthcare. For more than a decade, he was President
of New York Medical College where he
successfully revitalized the school
while insuring its financial security.
Dr. Connolly is extensively involved in
healthcare activities including serving
as a director of the New York Business
Group on Health, as founder, a director
and past chair of the American Lyme
Disease Foundation, as a member of the
Presidents Advisory Council of the
United Hospital Fund of New York, and as
a Fellow of the New York Academy of
Medicine.
He has also served on the boards of two
hospitals and as chairman of the board
of one and is currently chairman of a
bio-tech genomics company, Alpha Gene.
He also is a frequent guest on regional
and national TV and radio shows,
including 20/20, CNN and Good Morning
America.
(Translation:
"The NYMC (college) was failing
financially and I so sold out to Kaiser,
:-) Then Kaiser helped me set up
this "front" known as the American Lyme
Disease Foundation. Then Kaiser
helped me set up CastleConnolly.com,
which is another Managed Care "front,"
but people think we publish 'TOP
DOCTORS.' LOL.")
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Top Stories
Mayersohn Pushes Changes In
Treatment Of Lyme Disease
Assemblywoman Nettie
Mayersohn of Flushing has been
instrumental in changing state
regulations regarding the treatment
of Lyme disease. Five years ago, several people
who suffered from the debilitating
disease brought their concerns to
her for further investigation.
Apparently, some physicians were
being penalized by insurance
companies for prescribing extended
antibiotic treatment for patients.
At that time, long-term
antibiotic treatment for Lyme
disease was not so common, although
now it is a routine procedure. As a
result of complaints by insurance
companies over rising costs, several
doctors treating Lyme disease faced
charges and serious discipline, one
even had his license revoked,
according to Mayersohn. She and other legislators
contacted Governor George Pataki to
discuss the problem. Over the next
few years, in conjunction with the
Office of Professional Medical
Conduct, they worked out ways to
protect these doctors while also not
hindering the ability of the state
to prosecute and discipline bad
practitioners. In June, OPMC Director Dennis
Graziano issued a memorandum noting
that it is contrary to the policy
and practice of his agency “to
identify, investigate, or charge a
physician, physician’s assistant or
specialist assistant based solely on
that practitioner’s recommendation.”
However, those physicians who may
actually hurt a patient will still
be subject to strict disciplinary
action. The memo specifically refers to
the treatment of Lyme disease and
other tick-borne diseases. Lyme
disease can cause serious joint
problems and other health issues if
not treated quickly or effectively.
Although more common in rural
areas, the city Department of Health
reported 357 cases in the city last
year, but it is believed that 85
percent of them were contracted
outside the city. Infected deer
ticks are usually found in high
grass. The disease is spread when the
tick bites a human. Often the gorged
bodies of the ticks remain on the
skin until removed. To prevent infection, wear
light-colored clothes, tuck pants
into socks and wear closed-toe shoes
when walking in brush-covered areas.
The ticks are most prevalent from
the spring through the fall. The city DOH recommends that
while outside in rural areas, people
should use DEET insect repellent.
After returning from outdoors, check
skin for attached ticks. Ticks should be removed carefully
with tweezers. Do not handle them.
Wash the area of the bite after
removal. The disease is named after Old
Lyme, Connecticut, where it was
first discovered. Symptoms include a
bull’s-eye ring around the bite,
headaches and joint aches. Dr. Joseph Burascano, a Lyme
disease specialist, applauded the
new state policy. “The pressure is
now off Lyme-treating physicians in
New York and is certainly a reward
for all the hard work and efforts of
the Lyme community.” Mayersohn promises to make sure
the policy is carried out as
written. Her efforts were praised by
the Lyme Disease Association and
Voices of Lyme/NY.
I was
totally crippled from Lyme and
long term aggressive antibiotic
treatment brought me back to
life. If the witch hunt had been
successful before I got my
treatment I'd be dead now.
Pataki vetoed the OPMC reform
bill but change WILL come!!!
Janice McMann
Sep, 24 2005
I have been
bitten by deer ticks often over
the years and been tested with negative
results every time; however, in
the past few years, I've noticed
severe pain in every joint of my
hands and most recently in my
right knee also. No amount of
benjay, aspercreme, ice or heat
helps. I am in agony with the pain and after
xrays my general practioner has
no solution for me, except to
say that it's arthritis. I need relief desperately and
feel so helpless to help myself
out of this dilemma. Generally
speaking, I've been healthy all my life with the
exception of high cholestrol for
which I take 20 mg. Lipitor
every day for the last dozen or
so years.