InterviewODwire.org Radio

Acuvue Oasys 1-Day: New Product Launch, Exclusive Interviews: Laura Angelini, Millicent Knight [#R050-1]

In this first interview with Laura Angelini, President, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. and Dr. Millicent Knight, Head of Professional Affairs, JJVC we talk about Acuvue Oasys 1-Day, what makes this product launch different from all others, and what it will mean to clinicians and patients.

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InterviewODwire.org RadioPractice Management

Dr. Faive Kovalis, SmartOD.com: Striving to be the “Zappos” of your Optical [#R049]

In this ODwire.org Radio Show, we interview Dr. Faive Kovalis, the founder of SmartOD.com.

The company provides an online site for eye care professionals to directly order frames and lenses WITHOUT the need for sales rep visits or ‘boots on the ground’. This removes a great deal of cost.

Using Zappos as a model, docs can go to the SmartOD.com web site, order product that they want to evaluate, and return any product they don’t want in a pre-paid box.

We get into:

  • The history of SmartOD — Why it was founded
  • How the SmartOD business model keeps costs low and improves profit margins for docs on frames and lenses
  • How Dr. Kovalis and SmartOD have incorporated feedback from ODwire.org members as the company has evolved
  • How the “force of habit” in purchasing is preventing docs from saving money in their opticals
  • Updates on the latest frame lines that they now carry
  • How docs can get started with SmartOD.

If you have any questions for Dr. Kovalis, please post them here!

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InterviewODwire.org Radio

Managing Your Financial Profile – Tom Baker, Wells Fargo Practice Finance [#R045]

In this episode, Adam & Paul continue their conversation with Tom Baker, Business Development Manager at Wells Fargo Practice Finance.

We discuss your financial profile — which is the “snapshot” that banks use to determine your eligibility for loans, as well as the interest rates you’ll pay.

Tom gives advice on how to “tune up” your profile, how to detect (and correct) inaccuracies, and the types of entries that impact your profile the most positively and negatively.

This is a great talk, and not just for folks currently going after a loan!

Ask Tom any follow-up questions in this thread.

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InterviewODwire.org RadioPractice Management

Assembling your Professional Team – Tom Baker, Wells Fargo Practice Finance [#R044]

In this episode, Adam & Paul continue their conversation with Tom Baker, Business Development Manager at Wells Fargo Practice Finance.

When starting a new practice, you need help — and lots of it!

Professionals such as: Lenders, Attorneys, Accountants, Insurance brokers (… and more) are critical to getting your practice off the ground.

We discuss how to assemble your professional team with Tom, and give you tips for finding the right folks.

Ask Tom any follow-up questions in this thread!

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InterviewODwire.org Radio

Using the Keratograph 5M to Build your Practice – Dr. Barry Eiden [#R040]

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Barry Eiden to discuss how he’s built his dry eye practice.

We focus on a particular instrument, the Keratograph 5M, an advanced corneal topographer, and how he uses it to:

  • Evaluate dry eye
  • Track disease progression
  • Educate patients

He discusses tips for building your own dry eye practice, and I ask him a tough question:

Should it be the standard of care to perform a thorough meibomian gland evaluation on all dry eye patients?

(Our thanks again to long-time ODwire.org Supporter OCULUS for sponsoring this show!)

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InterviewODwire.org Radio

Blepharitis, Tea Tree Oil & Cliradex — with Dr. Walter Whitley [#R039]

Blepharitis remains a significant source of discomfort for patients, and over the years docs have tried a variety of therapeutic approaches to treating the problem.

In this ODwire.org Radio show, we talk with Walter O. Whitley, OD, Director of Optometric Services at Virginia Eye Consultants about:

  • The etiology of blepharitis
  • Current therapies
  • The use of tea tree oil
  • Tips to improve patient compliance
  • Dr. Whitley’s experience with Cliradex and in-office treatment with the NEW Cliradex Complete

Please share your experience with ODwire.org members in the thread below, and if you have any questions for Dr. Whitley, ask them here.

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InterviewODwire.org RadioTechnology

Biologic Therapies and PROKERA with Dr. Nick Colatrella [#R038]

Biologic therapies (using substances made from living organisms to treat disease) are the latest cutting-edge tool that you can implement in your practice to improve patient outcomes.

In this ODwire.org Radio show, we sit down with Nick Colatrella, OD, FAAO to discuss:

  • What biologic therapies are
  • How he uses them in his private practice in Minnesota
  • How clinicians who want to get started with biologic therapies can do so & build them into their practices.

We also talk more in-depth with Dr. Colatrella about PROKERA®, a biologic corneal bandage composed of preserved amniotic membrane tissue.

Docs who want to provide leading-edge care to their patients & differentiate themselves should take a listen to this show!

Please discuss your experiences with biologic therapies in the thread below, Dr. Colatrella can answer any follow-up questions here!

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InterviewODwire.org Radio

When Equal is Not Equal: Issues with Prescribing Generic Drugs [#R037]

We’re taught in school that generic drugs are identical to their brand-name equivalents.

But is that true? Are generics actually identical, or do differences in their composition and production processes lead to different clinical outcomes?

In this important ODwire.org Radio show, experienced clinicians Drs. Mel Friedman and Agustin Gonzalez talk about their research into this issue, and what you as a clinician should know when you write for generics vs. branded pharmaceuticals.

If you engage in patient care (or regularly take pharmaceuticals yourself), this is one episode you won’t want to miss!

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InterviewODwire.org RadioPractice Management

Profiting From the Affordable Care Act & Joining an ACO [#R036]

Frequent ODwire.org contributor Dr. Richard Frankel discusses how ODs can profit from the Affordable Care Act, and the nuts-and-bolts of joining an Accountable Care Organization (ACO), which is a critical program for expanding your patient base & ensuring you won’t be left behind.

*** IMPORTANT: The deadline for clinicians joining an ACO & participating in 2015 is August 17, 2014. You need to hurry up & get the process started to avoid being left out.

Listen to the radio show for instructions on how to get started & read the discussion thread.

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