That's Derm Good!

Elizabeth Johnson is the CEO of MedicoCX, President of NAMAPA, and co-founder of the Healthcare Advocate Summit. This fun episode is about Elizabeth's love for karaoke and how it can connect people. Elizabeth has a nursing background and discusses the importance of loving what you do in healthcare.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or health advice. This podcast does not substitute medical treatment. Always consult a doctor or dermatologist regarding medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

Elizabeth Johnson likes to network, party, and advocate. The CEO's primary goal is to empower and support healthcare workers because she believes that her legacy is helping them become more efficient and effective in their roles. Elizabeth Johnson aims to equip them with the necessary education and resources to excel and become heroes for their patients. 

Elizabeth Johnson highlights the challenges nurses face working in hospitals, which led her to seek a position with more manageable hours. She stumbled upon an allergy position on Craigslist, thinking it would be a straightforward job dealing with runny noses. However, she quickly realized that allergy immunology encompasses many conditions and treatments and fell in love with the specialty.

As the President of NAMAPA (National Association of Medication Access & Patient Advocacy), Elizabeth knows how authenticity, empowerment, and resiliency can improve healthcare. As the President of this organization, Elizabeth can advocate for patients and healthcare advocates on a large scale.

This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for small business owners.

Dr. Hannah Kopelman appreciates that your skin tells a story about other reactions within your body. In this episode, Dr. Kopelman, a dual-trained dermatologist specializing in skin cancer and hair loss, explains how your liver, nails, hair, and feet can tell a story about your health and how she enjoys researching and identifying the reactions. 

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or health advice. This podcast does not substitute medical treatment. Always consult a doctor or dermatologist regarding medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

Dr. Kopelman took proactive steps to gain experience and knowledge in dermatology. She sought dermatology research opportunities and ran the dermatology club at their medical school. However, she realized she needed more hands-on experience, so she began rotations across the United States. This required significant effort and resources, as she had to travel long distances and face the disappointment of being turned away from some rotation sites. Despite these challenges, she did not give up.

The individual's persistence is also evident in their post-graduate journey. After completing their intern year, she took two to three years to focus solely on dermatology research and clinical fellowships. Dr. Hannah Kopelman wanted a strong foundation and felt competent in the field. She continued to seek opportunities for growth and learning, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

ADVERTISER: Looking to equip your dermatology office staff better? Work with BC Educators offers in-office training and virtual biologic coordinators to create a single point of contact for everything from prior authorizations to prescription acquisition and patient follow-up. To ensure patients have access to the medications they need, visit bceducators.com.

Dr. Hannah Kopelman adapted to the circumstances by engaging in teledermatology and working as a medical assistant despite already having a medical license. Their commitment to their dream career was unwavering. 

One of the exciting developments in dermatology is the emergence of accessible teledermatology platforms for patients. This podcast transcript highlights the efforts of an individual working on such a platform called Derm On Demand. This platform aims to offer accessible care to patients anywhere at any time.

This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for small business owners.

Janelle Ball interviews Brooke Hazy, a dermatology Registered Nurse (RN), who shares her passion for wound care and patient education. Brooke's journey into the field of dermatology began during her vocational program in high school, where she had the opportunity to shadow at a dermatology clinic. This experience sparked her interest in skincare and wound care, leading her to pursue a career as an RN specializing in dermatology.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or health advice. This podcast does not substitute medical treatment. Always consult a doctor or dermatologist regarding medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

Brooke's dedication to wound care stems from her desire to educate patients on proper wound care techniques. As a dermatology RN, she encounters various surgeries, including excisions and Mohs surgery. One of her primary responsibilities is explaining how to care for their wounds and emphasizing the importance of using pressure dressings, especially for elderly patients on blood thinners. By educating patients on wound care, Brooke aims to prevent bleeding, reduce the risk of hematoma formation, and minimize the chances of infection.

One aspect of wound care that Brooke emphasizes is the importance of keeping the wound moist. Many patients mistakenly believe that allowing a scab to form is necessary for proper wound healing. However, Brooke educates patients on the benefits of using Vaseline or Aquaphor-based products to keep the wound moist. While this may prolong the healing process slightly, it ultimately yields the best cosmetic results. Patient education plays a crucial role in wound healing, and Brooke ensures that her patients understand the rationale behind each step of the care process.

This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for small business owners.

Todd Bello wants you to overcome psoriasis. Todd is patiently waiting for the day when he can say he’s cured of the autoimmune disease that has drastically impacted his life. In this episode of That’s Derm Good!, listen as Todd explains why he created a peer-to-peer community for people impacted and affected by psoriasis.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or health advice. This podcast does not substitute medical treatment. Always consult a doctor or dermatologist regarding medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

Todd Bello discusses his initial psoriasis diagnosis and how the disease literally changed his life—forcing him from his role as an EMT and firefighter. For over a decade, Todd has met with countless doctors and dermatologists, participated in clinical trials, and tested specialty medications as he overcomes psoriasis. 

Todd manages an award-winning blog called Overcoming Psoriasis. This peer-to-peer community allows psoriasis patients to discuss their medical conditions, explore the concept of hope, and flaunt images of their flare-ups.

ADVERTISER: Looking to equip your dermatology office staff better? Work with BC Educators offers in-office training and virtual biologic coordinators to create a single point of contact for everything from prior authorizations to prescription acquisition and patient follow-up. To ensure patients have access to the medications they need, visit bceducators.com.

Todd Bello also addresses the devastating impact of psoriasis on quality of life, noting that its severity can vary. Some individuals experience mild symptoms on their elbows and knees, while others have more severe cases. Todd Bello mentions the potential strain on personal relationships when psoriasis affects sensitive areas like the groin. They also highlight the connection between psoriasis and depression, explaining that the same cytokines responsible for psoriasis can also exacerbate depressive symptoms.

Overall, Todd is now an expert in psoriasis. From the numerous speeches that he has given to the presidents of medical organizations and his extensive knowledge about gene-targeted medications, this episode proves why psoriasis patients must learn to advocate for themselves. 

The role of a biologic coordinator is crucial in the healthcare industry, particularly in dermatology. Angela Lee is a biologic coordinator and Chief Operations Officer of BC Educators. This organization offers in-office training and virtual biologic coordinators to create a single point of contact. In Episode Four of That’s Derm Good, listen as Angela explains why prior authorizations, MIPS, and proofreading allow her to excel in her roles. 

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or health advice. This podcast does not substitute medical treatment. Always consult a doctor or dermatologist regarding medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

The role of a biologic coordinator is crucial in the healthcare industry, particularly in dermatology. Angela Lee is a biologic coordinator and Chief Operations Officer of BC Educators, which offers in-office training and virtual biologic coordinators to create a single point of contact.

ADVERTISER: Looking to equip your dermatology office staff better? Work with BC Educators offers in-office training and virtual biologic coordinators to create a single point of contact for everything from prior authorizations to prescription acquisition and patient follow-up. To ensure patients have access to the medications they need, visit bceducators.com.

Dermatology office staff must appreciate the importance of gathering patient information, such as their medication history and any tried and failed therapies. This information is crucial for insurance companies to determine the medical necessity of a prescribed treatment because having a vast knowledge of the patient's medical history benefits the patient and their care.

Angela explains that one of the critical aspects of being a biologic coordinator is the ability to navigate the complex landscape of biologics and specialty medications. These medications often require prior authorizations, which involve gathering and submitting documentation to insurance companies to demonstrate the medical necessity of the specialty medication. 

One aspect of a biologic coordinator's role is managing the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). The MIPS program aims to transition physicians from fee-for-service to value-based care. It incentivizes high performance and penalizes those who need to meet program requirements. The biologic coordinator is crucial in ensuring that the office achieves high performance in MIPS and receives the associated incentives.

Shayli Nagelkerk discusses the importance of healthcare professionals being present and available to patients, which is emphasized. Shayli discusses the significance of establishing a connection with patients and assuring them that healthcare professionals are there to support them. This can be achieved through various means, such as introducing oneself and providing contact information through a welcome call or in person by giving out business cards. The goal is to ensure patients feel supported and not alone in their healthcare journey.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or health advice. This podcast does not substitute medical treatment. Always consult a doctor or dermatologist regarding medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

The episode also addresses the challenges healthcare professionals face in providing comprehensive education and support to patients. It acknowledges that healthcare offices can be busy, with medical assistants having multiple responsibilities. Shayli Nagelkerk explains the importance of healthcare professionals taking on the responsibility of educating patients about their treatment processes and ensuring they are well-informed. This may involve contacting patients remotely or taking a few minutes to provide the necessary information during an in-person visit. By taking on this role, healthcare professionals can set their patients up for success and ensure they receive the best possible care.

ADVERTISER: Looking to equip your dermatology office staff better? Work with BC Educators offers in-office training and virtual biologic coordinators to create a single point of contact for everything from prior authorizations to prescription acquisition and patient follow-up. To ensure patients have access to the medications they need, visit bceducators.com.

Education must impact the office staff and biological coordinators, too. The office staff can push and prod the patients while only providing a certain amount of information and education. Both Janelle and Shayli agree that it is essential to establish a process that sets patients up for success. This involves educating the office staff on the process and ensuring they have all the necessary information to inform patients properly. The participants also acknowledge their role in educating patients, as they often need to reach out and ensure patients know the details of their treatment.

This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners.

Melissa Paige is the co-founder of the Healthcare Advocate Summit. This summit was created to combine everything Melissa and co-founder Elizabeth Johnson enjoyed about conferences and include everything they missed in prior conferences. The Healthcare Advocate Summit is full of exciting events, like karaoke, dinner parties, and speaker panels, where advocates can interact with each other, find friends, let their guards down, and relax around other people who understand their roles. 

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or health advice. This podcast does not substitute medical treatment. Always consult a doctor or dermatologist regarding medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

With a licensed pharmacy tech background, Mesliaa enjoyed working in pharmacies and learning to handle difficult conversations with patients. Melissa Paige explains how she learned to “mirror patients” and gained a deeper empathy for patients. After taking a break from pharmacy to care for a loved one, Melissa discovered another level to being a health care advocate. Melissa explains how biologic coordinators and healthcare advocates do what needs to get done, including hour-long calls to insurance companies to get the required medication. Melissa has found that most people work in healthcare because they’ve had a personal or family experience that drew them to help others. 

ADVERTISER: Looking to equip your dermatology office staff better? Work with BC Educators offers in-office training and virtual biologic coordinators to create a single point of contact for everything from prior authorizations to prescription acquisition and patient follow-up. To ensure patients have access to the medications they need, visit bceducators.com.

To learn more about the Healthcare Advocate Summit or attend, visit https://www.healthcareadvocatesummit.com/. Remember that you are an advocate! Melissa Paige believes that everyone along the journey from patient to physician is a healthcare advocate, including medical social workers, healthcare workers within the system, reimbursement managers, independent treatment workers, family members, and office staff. 

Welcome to That's Derm Good! 

That's Derm Good is an interview-based podcast with insights and practical tips about dermatology. Host Janelle Ball, a popular speaker and biologic coordinator consultant, is talking to leading experts about current trends in dermatology, access to medication, medication affordability, derm conditions, and advocacy.

With fifteen years in the medical field, host Janelle Ball helps offices gain a better understanding of gaining access to specialty medications. For the last nine years, Janelle has worked as a biologic coordinator and decided that it was time to discuss affordability, advocacy, and the accessibility of medications with a broader audience. Janelle created That's Derm Good to share interviews with leaders in the medical and dermatological field, share her passion for public speaking, and inform you about what's happening in dermatology. 

Subscribe to That's Derm Good today for fun discussions about treatment, specialty medications, dermatology, careers, and consulting. For questions or to suggest a topic, contact [email protected]. Thanks for listening!

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or health advice. This podcast does not substitute medical treatment. Always consult a doctor or dermatologist regarding medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.