Initial Submission of Verified AMCAS Applications to Medical Schools DELAYED

The delivery of 2014 AMCAS data to medical schools has been DELAYED while AMCAS works with their IT counterparts to conduct additional testing and analysis to ensure the accuracy of the data. Data delivery will be delayed by a minimum of one week, so the earliest date medical schools will begin receiving data is Friday, July 5.

During this period, applicants may continue to complete and submit applications to AMCAS. They will also continue to accept Letters of Evaluation via the Letter Writer Application, VirtualEvals, Interfolio and U.S. mail. Their team is working steadily to process applications, and their work remains uninterrupted.

Should I retake the MCAT?

In most cases, NO! You should think of the exam as a one-shot deal and do your absolute best the first time around! That said, the fact remains that many of you wonder about retaking the test when you find you did not do quite as well as you would have liked. Some questions to consider if you're in this situation:

1. Can I really do better? If you began studying 3-4 months before the exam and did five or six full-length practice tests, then you should have been prepared. While you may have wished for a better score, be careful to jump to the conclusion that a second time around is necessarily better. If you put in sufficient prep time the first time around, retaking the test can backfire.
2. How was my score? To be competitive, a "33 or better" is a good MCAT score. You should check the average scores of the schools you are considering applying to. And remember, these are averages; just because you scored higher than the average does not ensure acceptance, and just because you scored lower than the average does not mean you won't be accepted. You are considered a composite applicant, and your MCAT score is only part of the whole.
3. How are my grades? If your GPA is lower than the averages of the schools to which you want to apply, then ideally you would want to score significantly higher than average on the required entrance exam.
4. In most cases if you are in the midst of applying you'll be retaking the exam sometime during the summer. Be aware of the fact, however, that sometimes as much as 50% of the interview slots at some schools have been filled by the time schools receive those later test scores so, because of rolling admission, you are at a disadvantage.
5. Lastly, there should be no "trial runs" for the entrance exam (other than taking the recommended un-scored practice exams). These entrance exams are to be thought of as one-time events. It is no LESS unpleasant the second time around than it was the first! In addition, many schools average all sets of scores or only accept the most recent set.

Detroit-Area Doctors Charged with Illegal Distribution of Prescription Drugs and Health Care Fraud

An indictment was unsealed today charging Dr. Hussein “Sam” Awada, 43, and Dr. Luis Collazo, 53, with the illegal distribution of prescription drugs and health care fraud, United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today.
McQuade was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Robert L. Corso, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Detroit Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh, Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; and Special Agent in Charge,Robert D. Foley, III, Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The 68-count superseding indictment charges that from December 2010 through 2012, Dr. Awada and Dr. Collazo distributed controlled substances, including the highly addictive drugs Oxycodone, Roxicodone, and Opana ER, outside the course of usual medical practice and for no legitimate purpose. Both defendants were also charged with billing Medicare and other health insurance programs for medically unnecessary testing and procedures.
The superseding indictment alleges that Dr. Awada used recruiters, including co- defendant James Lyons, 39, to bring patients to his Midwest Family Practice at two locations in Warren. After ordering unnecessary medical procedures, Dr. Awada gave controlled substance prescriptions to the recruiter in exchange for cash payments. The recruiter then sold the pills for profit on the illegal street market.
The superseding indictment also charges that Dr. Awada and Dr. Collazo committed health care fraud by billing for unnecessary office visits, submitting patients brought by recruiters to medically unnecessary testing and procedures (including X-rays, nuclear cardiac stress tests, electrocardiograms, blood work, and injections), and by causing Medicare and other insurance programs to pay for unnecessary controlled substances.
According to the superseding indictment, Dr. Collazo participated in the drug diversion and health care fraud scheme while he worked for Dr. Awada at the Midwest Family Practice on 12 Mile Road in Warren.
More than $600,000 in funds and three automobiles were seized during the course of the underlying investigation. The United States will pursue forfeiture of all proceeds and property traceable to the offenses charged.
U.S. Attorney McQuade said, “Health care fraud diverts taxpayer dollars from needy patients to greedy criminals. We hope that our enforcement efforts will deter other doctors from engaging in fraud.”
Robert L. Corso, DEA Special Agent in Charge said, “This indictment is another example of DEA’s determination to combat the troubling prescription drug abuse problem in this country. These two doctors abused their positions of trust and jeopardized the lives of many individuals by illegally distributing highly addictive opiate painkillers. The DEA and our partners in law enforcement will continue to investigate and bring to justice those individuals that are responsible for the illegal distribution of prescription medicines.”
“The improper distribution of controlled substances poses a significant threat not only to the financial health of the Medicare and Medicaid programs but to the well-being and safety of the patients that these programs serve,” said Lamont Pugh, III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General-Chicago Region. “The OIG, along with our law enforcement partners, will aggressively investigate allegations of this nature in order to protect taxpayer dollars and ensure patient safety.”
Robert D. Foley, III, FBI Special Agent in Charge said, “These charges represent a serious abuse of the health care system. Those motivated by greed who unlawfully take from a system designed to care for patients will be tirelessly pursued by the FBI and prosecuted for their crimes.”
Dr. Collazo will be arraigned on the superseding indictment on Friday, June 21. Dr. Awada will be arraigned on Monday, June 24.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by special agents of the DEA, HHS-OIG, and FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Wayne Pratt, Sarah Resnick Cohen, and Gjon Juncaj and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Bidwell.

Chief Research Associate Opportunities

Taking a bridge year and looking for opportunities in research? The National Alliance of Research Associates Programs (NARAP) has opportunities for Chief Research Associates at two clinical sites in Stratford, NJ and Bridgeport, CT. 

The Chief RAs volunteer as middle managers in active clinical research programs in emergency medicine. They direct the day-to-day activities of the line RAs serving their shifts in the emergency department. They may become involved in all aspects of their site's research activities. With about a 20 hour per week commitment, full time employment outside the program is the norm. 

Complete information and application materials can be found on the NARAP website: www.theNARAP.org under the Chief Research Associates tab.


 

OptomCAS Opens July 1, 2013

The 2013-2014 OptomCAS application will be open and available on Monday, July 1, 2013. Make sure to check out the deadlines and other information page to view fees and deadlines listed by school. Additional information can be found on the OptomCAS main website.

Former Director of Cleveland VA Medical Center Indicted on Conspiracy, Fraud, Money Laundering, and Other Charges

The former director of the Cleveland VA Medical Center was indicted on 36 counts, accused of accepting bribes in return for influencing development projects and decisions involving the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, law enforcement officials said.
William D. Montague, 61, of Brecksville, was charged with conspiracy to commit honest services mail fraud, bribery, money laundering, multiple counts of wire fraud, mail fraud, disclosing public contract information, and other charges.
The indictment is part of the Cuyahoga County corruption investigation.
“As a Veterans Affairs Medical Center Director, William Montague misled staff and misused his position to enrich himself and businesses pursuing contracts with the Veterans Administration,” said Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cleveland Office. “The arrest of Montague reflects law enforcement’s continued dedication to root out corruption at any level.”
“Violating the public trust for personal gain cannot be tolerated, particularly at the expense of our nation’s heroes,” said Gavin McClaren, United States Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General, Resident Agent in Charge, Cleveland.
The Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center was approximately the fifth largest in the country, annually serving about 95,000 veterans who lived in 24 counties in Northeast Ohio. Montague began working for the VA in 1975 and served as director of the Cleveland VA Medical Center from 1995 until his retirement in 2010, according to the indictment.
The VA had been operating medical facilities in both Brecksville and the Wade Park neighborhood in Cleveland. In the early 2000s, the VA began exploring the feasibility of consolidating the facilities into one location, known as the VA Development Project. The combined facility would include a domiciliary, office space, and parking, according to the indictment.
The VA selected Business 42 to develop and managed the VA Development Project. Michael Forlani was the sole member of Business 42, and he had multiple other business interests, including as president and part-owner of Doan Pyramid LLC, according to the indictment.
Forlani is currently serving eight years in prison after pleading guilty to racketeering, bribery, and other charges.
On or about January 1, 2010, Business 66 began operations, having purchased Doan’s assets. Business 66 operated out of Doan’s former office space and retained many Doan employees, according to the indictment.
Montague solicited and accepted gifts, payments, and other things of value from Forlani and Business 66, including a consulting contract between Business 66 and House of Montague, a financial services company Montague started in 2008, according to the indictment.
The indictment details numerous instances between 2007 and 2010 in which Montague took actions on behalf of Forlani or others. Those activities include helping expedite getting a bond rating from Standard & Poors and desired ratings, help getting desired legal opinions from the VA, help getting desired parking rates, and other activities.
Montague retired from the VA on February 3, 2010, about a month after Business 66 began operations. On February 15, 2010, Business 66 issued a check to House of Montague for $2,750, the first of many approximately monthly checks. On December 29, 2010, Montague became a member of the Business 66 Board of Advisers, according to the indictment.
From about February 15, 2010 through May 2012, Business 66 paid House of Montague $156,750, according to the indictment.
In a different scheme, Montague entered into a consulting agreement with a company identified as Business 73, headquartered in Virginia. The company agreed to pay Montague $2,500 a day for a minimum of 24 days, between July 1, 2008 and July 1, 2009, while Montague was still employed by the VA, according to the indictment.
Montague emphasized his ability to access key decision makers in the VA quickly and effectively as one of the reasons he could help Business 73 develop joint ventures and/or expand services provided by the VA. Montague told an official at Business 73 that he had consulted with a VA ethics panel and that he had authorization to do the consulting work as long as he took vacation time to perform the work. In fact, Montague had no such authorization, according to the indictment.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Antoinette T. Bacon and Nancy L. Kelley following an investigation by the FBI and United States Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record (if any), the defendant’s role in the offenses, and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentences will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases they will be less than the maximum.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

SOPHAS Virtual Fair July 10th - 11th

On July 10^th-11^th, careereco will host the SOPHAS (Schools of Public Health Application Service) Virtual Fair featuring SOPHAS Public Health Schools & Programs. Participants will be able to interact with admissions representatives from public health programs across the U.S.

Students who wish to participate must register at

http://sophas.careereco.net/students-alumni/virtual-fair-registration/

The registration site provides more detailed information describing the Fair, including a list of participating schools/programs and a virtual fair tutorial.

NOTE: there is no charge for attending the Fair.

AMCAS Application Open June 10th

The AMCAS opened for submissions at 9:30 a.m. ET on June 10th. At this time, the Applicant Relations team is reporting a heavy stream of calls and are working to address applicants' queries as soon as possible. Students are reminded to utilize the resources located on the AMCAS website to assist in their application process. If you have any questions regarding the AMCAS application process, please visit the website or contact amcas@aamc.org or 202-828-0600.

Michigan Doctor Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud

BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Fitzgerald Anthony Hudson, 53, of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Chief Judge William M. Skretny to health care fraud. The fraud related to the defendant lying about his qualifications to practice medicine. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that in August 2008, the defendant submitted an application to Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville, New York, for appointment to the medical staff. Prior to that, Hudson was an undergraduate student at York University in Ontario, Canada, from September 1987 to August 1990; however, the defendant did not obtain enough credits to graduate and did not earn a bachelor’s degree. The defendant then attended medical school at Ross University, after which he worked in the Warren Hospital Family Practice Residency Program in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, from July 2002 until July 2003. At that time, Hudson was suspended from his duties as a resident and dismissed from the residency program due to academic incompetence. This means, in essence, that the defendant never received his medical degree or license and was not legally qualified to practice medicine.
During the course of this prosecution, the government presented evidence that while employed at Jones Memorial Hospital, Hudson treated a 5-year-old child who subsequently died shortly after being treated by the defendant. That case is now the subject of an ongoing wrongful death civil suit in state court.
In addition, from February 2008 to June 2008, the defendant was employed at the Emergency Department at the Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center in Ogdensburg, New York. Hudson resigned in June 2008 due to an unfavorable incident.
“Each and every day, millions of Americans entrust their health to the care of trained medical professionals,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “By misrepresenting his background and education, this defendant put in danger the lives of those who came to him seeking emergency care. This office will continue to vigorously prosecute all fraud, particularly where such crime affects that which is most precious to us all—our health.”
In the application the defendant submitted to Jones Memorial Hospital, he (a) indicated that he disassociated with the Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center because it was “too far away”; (b) indicated that he had never been denied or had suspended or restricted completion of training or certification of completion of training by any healthcare facility; and (c) stated that he earned a bachelor’s degree from York University. Hudson was aware of the false statements and representations at the time he made them and acted knowingly and willfully in submitting the false application to Jones Memorial Hospital.
As a result of the defendant’s false application for medical staff appointment, Hudson was granted privileges at Jones Memorial Hospital in Emergency Medicine. Between August 2008 and November 2009, the defendant worked as a physician at the Emergency Department at Jones Memorial Hospital and, based on that work, payments totaling approximately $227,548.35 were received from Medicare, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, Univera Healthcare, and Independent Health for services rendered by the defendant.
The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Richard M. Frankel, Acting Special Agent in Charge; special agents of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, under the direction of Thomas O’Donnell, Special Agent in Charge; and investigators with the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the New York State Attorney General’s Office.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 9, 2013, at 9 a.m. before Judge Skretny.

Pharmacist Market Trends 2012

Interested in being a Pharmacist? Check out the resource below from manhattanRESEARCH discussing the current trends and landscape of the field. Pharmacist Market Trends 2012

6th NIH Graduate & Professional School Fair

On July 17, 2013, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will host its 6th NIH Graduate & Professional School Fair.  More than 150 colleges and universities from across the U.S. will be sending representatives of their graduate schools, medical and dental schools, schools of public health, and other biomedically relevant programs to the Fair in hopes of recruiting college students and recent graduates to their programs.  The day will also include workshops on getting to graduate or professional (medical/dental) school; MD/PhD programs; careers in public health, psychology, dentistry, and pharmacy; interviewing successfully, as well as expanding career options for PhD’s.

NIH Graduate & Professional School Fair details:

Date: July 17, 2013

Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Location: Natcher Conference Center on the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD

Students who wish to participate must register at https://www.training.nih.gov/gp_fair.  At this site they will also find more detailed information describing the Fair, including a preliminary agenda, a list of participating institutions, detailed directions for getting to the Fair, and suggestions for ensuring successful attendance.  NOTE: there is no charge for attending the Fair.

Thank you in advance for sharing this information https://www.training.nih.gov/assets/GP_Fair_Flyer_2013.pdf

PharmCAS Application is Now Open

The PharmCAS application is now open! Applicants are now able to create accounts and submit applications via www.pharmcas.org.   

Please help us in welcoming our new PharmCAS participating schools:

·         Cedarville University

·         University of North Texas

The PharmCAS 2014 application fee is $150 for the first designation and $55 for each additional designation.  A Fee Waiver Assistance Program is available to students with financial need and applications are taken on a first come first serve basis.  For more information visit http://www.pharmcas.org/applicants/fees.htm.

Please see the below link for a  presentation for updates to the cycle and statistics about the 2012 accepted class.  PHARMCAS PowerPoint