Richard Isaacs MD: Kaiser’s summer internship program

Kaiser’s summer internship program gives high school students a chance to see if medical field is right for them

Valley High School senior Faith Allison thought she was interested in cardiology when she started a paid internship at Kaiser Permanente’s South Sacramento Medical Center this summer, but she liked the variety she saw in trauma.

Luther Burbank graduate Melany Caldera figured “you can’t go wrong with health care,” but she got dizzy every time she saw blood. Human resources, she likes.

The idea behind the Kaiser internship program is to give underrepresented and low-income students a close-up view of the career promise of health care before they make a career choice. A comprehensive program that focuses on careers in demand, it can also serve as a pipeline for future Kaiser employees.

“It’s really important for people who have an interest to see their destination before they begin their journey,” said Dr. Richard Isaacs, physician-in-chief at Kaiser’s South Sacramento hospital. “Our hope is they will go back to their own community with a better idea of what they can and want to do.”

The Summer Youth Employment Program is one of the community benefits Kaiser offers in exchange for tax-exempt status. There are 215 participants in Northern California this summer, about 30 in the Sacramento area.

Eleven high-achieving students were selected from 150 applicants for internships at Kaiser South Sacramento.

The full-time program runs for eight weeks. Students do workshops, projects and rotations in departments, meet weekly to share information — and get paid $8 an hour at a time when many high school students have trouble getting a job.

Other local health systems offer internship programs for high school students, too. But most are unpaid.

“Any organized professional experience we can expose young people to — and high school seems to be the focus now — can pique interest in and provide direction for college and medical school,” said Scott Seamons, regional vice president of the Hospital Council of Northern and Central California.

A lot of exposure’

Karima Ziyarmal, now 23, was a 2006 summer intern at Kaiser’s South Sacramento hospital.

Howard Marans MD: Common Orthopedic Knee Surgery Costs in California

Orthopedic Knee Surgery

Orthopedic knee surgery may be used to treat knee problems that do not respond to other treatments. If you have a condition that may require surgery, you may want to understand the potential costs so that you can plan for them. Below, we will take a look at what influences orthopedic knee surgery costs, as well as how insurance covers knee surgery.

Types of Orthopedic Knee Surgery

There are two main types of knee surgery: open knee surgery and arthroscopic knee surgery. Open knee surgery is most commonly used to treat more extensive knee problems, such as total knee replacement for arthritis. Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive form of surgery that can be used to treat less extensive knee problems, like meniscus or ligament tears.

It is preferable to use arthroscopic knee surgery whenever possible. Arthroscopic surgery has lower risks and a shorter downtime, making it preferable from the patient's perspective. In addition, arthroscopic surgery usually costs less to perform than open knee surgery.

What Influences Cost

Each case is unique, and knee surgery can cost different amounts depending on the specifics surrounding an individual case. Some of the factors that influence orthopedic knee surgery costs include:

- How high the local cost of living is

- Whether or not open knee surgery is used

- Whether or not a hospital stay is required

- How long is takes to perform the surgery

- How many resources the surgery takes to perform

- What the individual surgeon's rates are

Insurance Coverage

Insurance covers orthopedic knee surgery costs, because knee surgery is only used in cases where it is medically necessary. Insurance policies vary widely in the terms of their coverage, so that patients may have very different out-of-pocket costs depending on their coverage. If you have a high deductible that you have not yet met, you may pay for a large portion of the surgery on your own. If you have a low deductible or no deductible, you may pay very little out-of-pocket.

Thanks to insurance coverage and the widespread availability of patient financing, the majority of patient are able to afford their orthopedic knee surgery costs without issue. If you're out-of-pocket costs are too high for you to handle all at once, you can use financing to spread out the cost of treatment over a longer period of time. Some financing options include credit cards and third-party health care financing companies.

Dr. Howard Marans would be happy to meet with you about your knee health. To schedule your consultation today, please click below and enter your information or call (714) 979-8981.

Howard Marans MD: Tustin, California Best Reviewed Orthopedic Surgeons

Dr. Howard Marans MD – Surgery of any kind can be a major decision. The way to feel confident about the decision is to find the best surgeon possible to aid in the health care treatment of the diseased or injured area. Finding the right orthopedic surgeon near Tustin can be a step toward returning to normal activities. The search should begin with research on the surgeons in the area.

Referrals
 

The best way to find the right orthopedic surgeon near Tustin is to ask for referrals from a variety of sources.
 

·         The best referrals can come from your primary care physician or health care provider. Your doctor understands your medical history and can make a sound recommendation.

·         Consider finding a surgeon within your current insurance provider’s network. Finding an orthopedic surgeon near Tustin within the insurance provider’s network will reduce your out of pocket expenses.

·         Consult with family, friends, and neighbors. Usually, everyone knows a person who has needed an orthopedic surgeon at some point. When a highly qualified surgeon’s name comes up in more than one conversation, consider contacting the orthopedic specialist.

·         Check online resources. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons is a great resource to utilize. The database provides lists of qualified surgeons within specific geographical areas.

Surgeon’s Qualifications

Online reviews, databases, and websites allow a potential patient to check each surgeon’s qualifications and credentials.

·         Online resources allow for review of the surgeon’s education, medical degrees, credentials, and any specialized training. Checking the information can help provide peace of mind to the patient.

·         When picking out an orthopedic surgeon near Tustin, consider the number of years in the practice. An orthopedic surgeon who has been in the same area for a number of years will have an established consistent practice.

Time to Meet the Surgeon

After the compiling a list of qualified orthopedic surgeons near Tustin, start scheduling consultations. The face to face consultation can often be the biggest contributing factor when choosing a surgeon. As a potential patient, feeling comfortable with the surgeon and the staff is a priority for optimal health care.
 

·         Before the appointment, make a detailed list of medical history, pain level, and any questions that pertain to the surgery.

·         Ask questions about the surgeon’s experience with similar cases.

·         Get a detailed timeline of the surgery, follow up care, physical therapy, and recovery.

·         Discuss any pre-existing conditions that may affect the surgery. Diabetes or a trauma to the area may have specific impact on the healing process.

Best Reviewed Orthopedic Surgeon, Tustin, CA

The decision to move forward with an orthopedic surgeon should be made confidently. The right surgeon can make all the difference throughout the treatment and recovery process. Finding the right orthopedic surgeon near Tustin is just a phone call away. Dr. Howard Marans has decades of experience treating patients with a wide variety of injuries and conditions. He would be happy to meet with you to discuss your treatment process. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 714.979.8981.