Articles

In May of this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval for the first time for a cancer treatment based on a common biomarker rather than the location in the body where the tumor originated. The drug, Keytruda (pembrolizumab), which was first tested at START in San Antonio’s Medical Center, is now approved for treating solid tumors in any organ so long as the malignancy bears a specific genetic signature.

New advances in hematology testing offer parameters useful in assessing challenging conditions such as thrombocytopenia. The immature platelet fraction (IPF) is an available parameter on analyzers in some laboratories. When used with patient information and platelet counts, the IPF can help the clinician with the differential diagnosis of thrombocytopenia.

Many business executives use a professional coach to enhance their skills and improve their bottom line. There are physicians in the San Antonio area who have a coach, and perhaps it’s time for the practice manager to have a coach, too. It doesn’t matter whether the practice manager has two years or 20 years of experience. Having a third-party coach allows the practice manager the opportunity to talk with another medical practice executive in a non-threatening setting to discuss concerns and ideas they may not otherwise discuss with any other staff member, including the physician.

I know you’re thinking to yourself: “the year-end is still pretty far away…” Speaking from experience, this is a great time of year to review how your year is shaping up and what can be done to avoid larger than necessary tax bills. With that in mind, this article will discuss a few tax planning ideas as you start thinking year-end.

As a 21-year veteran of banking and mortgage, I am frequently asked about the status of current rates. The answer should always be tailored to the buyer’s objectives.

The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio’s innovative Culinary Health Education for Families (CHEF) program combats childhood and adolescent obesity through education that combines the science of nutrition with the art of cooking.

University Health System’s Texas Diabetes Institute combines superb care, education, prevention and research to combat a deadly chronic disease.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), along with the U.S. Department of Justice, has launched a massive effort to identify and prosecute tax evaders from the medical profession. A major emphasis is to initiate criminal investigations and perform audits of thousands of healthcare providers, focusing on issues such as tax shelter schemes, concealment of income and excessive deductions.

Opening in October, Rapid Recovery Center by Mainstreet Health will transform short-term rehabilitation in San Antonio, making a 5-star hotel-like experience — including high-end restaurant-quality food — central to patients’ recovery from major illness and surgery.