Suspect Allegedly Caught Coaching How to Fake Depression

Court documents released today include a transcript of a suspect in an alleged multi-million dollar fraud coaching a New York City employee on how to fake depression and anxiety.

The call allegedly recorded Joseph Esposito, 70, advising the person to "pretend" to have "panic attacks."

He also "coaches" the employee on how to behave when faced with a medical panel considering the application for disability benefits:

"Okay. When you get there, usually the first question they ask you is "How did you get here?" You're gonna say "My sister drove me." The next question they generally ask is "Who does the cooking, cleaning, shopping in your house?" You're gonna say "My mother" and your sister. They, they drove [U/I] for you. When you get to see the doctor, he's gonna ask you questions. He's not trying to trick you. He, uh, they ask these questions, different variations for everybody. They just want to see if you can concentrate. They'll say to you, "But what do you do with yourself all day? How do you spend your day?" You're gonna tell 'em "I don't sleep well at night. I'm up three, four times. Usually, I, I nap on and off during the day. I put the television on, you know, I keep changing channels 'cause I, I can't concentrate on the television. Just, just to hear a voice in the house." And they're liable to say, "From the word—spell the word "world," so you go "W-R-L-D." Then they're gonna say "Spell it backwards." You think about it, and you can't spell it backwards. Then they're liable to say "From a hundred, subtract seven." You know, a hundred, ninety-three, and then you're trying to concentrate, and make it to eighty-six or eighty-five, you know. You're not too sure. Then they might tell you, uh—"I'm going to tell you three things to remember. A spoon, a fork, and a dish," and they're going to ask you later on in the conversation to remember them. You remember one of them. No jewelry, no cellphone – uh, when you're talking to the guy, don't look directly at him. You know, put your head down now and then, don't answer right away. You know, pause for a second. You're just trying to show that, you know, you're depressed. You, you can't, you, you don't have any desire for anything, and if can, you pretend you have panic attacks?

More than 100 current, former NYC employees to be charged with disability scam

A law enforcement official says more than 100 current and former city workers, including dozens of police officers and firefighters, are being charged with faking psychiatric problems in order to get federal disability benefits.

Arrests in the sweeping case began early Tuesday morning. An afternoon news conference is planned at Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr.'s office. Arraignments are expected to begin Tuesday.

The official says the scam stretched back more than two decades, with the ex-officers and other workers claiming mental health problems so severe that they couldn't work at all.

The official wasn't authorized to discuss the case and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Huge 9/11 Fraud Case Accuses Retired New York Cops, Firefighters

Scores of retired New York City police, fire and corrections officers were arrested today in a crackdown on disability fraud stemming from the Sept. 11 terror attacks. The fraud cost taxpayers millions of dollars, prosecutors claim.

The Manhattan district attorney's office accuses the retired workers, along with their lawyers and doctors, of faking work-related stress, including feigned psychiatric disorders related to 9/11.

Among those busted today was John Minerva, the disability consultant for the Detectives Endowment Association, officials said.

Today's arrests cap a two year investigation, aided by federal investigators, the city's Department of Investigation and the NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau.

The alleged fraud cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in improper Social Security benefits.

None of the accused actually suffered from debilitating stress, officials claim. Many were caught working after retirement, a violation of disability benefits.

And some of the retired officers retained their gun permits. Retired officers cannot possess guns if they are being treated for stress.

The 9/11 attacks took a heavy toll on the city's cops, called "New York's Finest," and firefighters, dubbed "New York's Bravest." The casualty count from the terror attacks included 23 police officers and 343 firefighters.

Most of the arrests in the fraud sweep took place in the city, with others being busted in Florida and elsewhere in New York State.

It was the second 9/11 scam to be revealed this week. On Monday, two New Jersey men pleaded guilty to raising and keeping $50,000 for a Sept. 11 charity that was supposed to help families who lost loved one in the catastrophe.

Thomas Scalgione and Mark Niemczyk never gave any of the more than $50,000 in proceeds to the victims' families or to charities as promised, they told the court.

VEMA Scribe Program

The following is a message from the VEMA Scribe Program.

“Virginia Emergency Medical Associates is recruiting applicants to join our highly competitive scribe program in Northern Virginia, where we are affiliated with two emergency departments: 1) Inova Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax, and 2) Fauquier Hospital in Warrenton. We are seeking motivated and hardworking individuals who are eager to work as medical scribes. Our scribes gain significant first-hand exposure to patient care in a fast-paced emergency room setting. If you would like more information about our program and our requirements, please visit our website: http://www.vemascribes.com/

This is a full-time, paid position for individuals seeking admission to medical, PA, or nursing schools. If you are graduating in May 2014 (or have previously graduated) and are able to commit one continuous year to the program, we invite you to apply. We also offer part-time positions as well, which require a continuous 18-month commitment. Applications for the 2014-2015 cycle are now available on our website. 

The role of the scribe:

• Recording patient histories in an electronic medical record (EMR)
• Transcribing details of the physical exam and patient orders in the EMR
• Documenting procedures performed by the physician
• Continuously monitoring laboratory tests, imaging studies, patient progress, and other evaluation studies
• Recording physician dictated diagnoses, prescriptions, and instructions 

Our scribes accompany ER physicians to the bedside for the evaluation and treatment of all patients. Scribes observe medical resuscitation for cases of cardiac and respiratory arrest as well as other emergency procedures including central lines, lumbar punctures, conscious sedations, and chest tube placements.

Our program offers the advantage of working with a small group of physicians. VEMA scribes build close relationships with our physicians who offer mentorship, teaching, and insights into a career in medicine. Our physicians are open to conducting mock interviews to help scribes prepare for admissions season. As a VEMA scribe, you will be able to strengthen your application with letters of recommendation from physicians who know you personally and have worked with you extensively.

Thank you for your interest in our program.

Raj Chand, MD

VEMA Scribes Contact Information

Senior Scribe: Megan Stangeby
Email: scribeprogram@gmail.com
Website/Application: http://www.vemascribes.com”

GoDental Intern Opportunity

GoDental, an American Dental Education Association (ADEA) program dedicated to providing resources and networking opportunities to predental and prehygiene students from all backgrounds, including those who are from a disadvantaged or diverse background, is looking for a creative and enthusiastic intern to spread the word about the GoDental web and programmatic efforts to reach a diverse applicant pool for dental schools across the country as a GoDental Brand Ambassador. The chosen intern will attend the 2014 ADEA Annual Session at no cost to the student and be able to participate in a number of engaging educational sessions about dental education and “the science of learning.”

Click Here for more information.

Columbia University Virtual Info Session; Friday, January 10th 5:00PM

Virtual Info Session

 

Hosted by

The Office of Diversity & Multicultural Affairs

Columbia University

College of Physicians & Surgeons

Presentation Agenda

NERA MedPrep Program - 5:00pm to 5:30pm EST

Summer Medical & Dental Education Program - 5:30pm to 6:00pm EST

Summer Public Health Scholars Program - 6:00pm to 6:30pm EST

 

RSVP here!

For more information about the Virtual Info Session, please click here.

Please e-mail oda-ps@columbia.edu if you have any questions.

VCOM Letters of Recommendation Change

The following is a message from VCOM regarding letters of recommendation.

"If your student applies to VCOM and has not shadowed a DO, he/she may submit a letter from an MD to complete his/her file. This will be sufficient to be considered for an interview. If accepted, the student would then be required to shadow a DO after acceptance but prior to matriculation. We will help that person locate a DO if he/she cannot find one from among DOs we have had prior students shadow. 

Of course, if the applicant has time and can shadow a DO (i.e., your applicants for the August 2015 cycle) that is beneficial for them to do, as it shows their commitment to the profession. However, we know that applicants at this time of year may have a difficulty scheduling and “getting in” to shadow a DO and we don’t want them to delay getting in their application completed right away. Therefore, we will accept a letter from either an MD or DO which demonstrates their understanding of what it is like to be a physician and will be considered for an interview and acceptance.

I hope this helps your applicants. The most important thing is to apply or complete the application process now for this cycle. Our seat are filling up and after we are filled wait list spots will only be available."

Boyfriend Charged in Pregnant Teen's Killing

The suburban Chicago boyfriend of a pregnant teenager fatally shot on Christmas Day and his brother were denied bail Sunday and will remain in jail after being charged with first-degree murder in the death.

Eva Casara, whose baby survived and remains hospitalized, wasn't an intended target when an apparent robbery spiraled out of control, the Chicago Sun-Times ( http://bit.ly/KeoXnB ) reported.

Charged are her boyfriend, Anthony Lee, 16, and his brother, Diante Lamont Coakley, 21, both from Dolton, a suburb south of Chicago. It wasn't immediately clear if either Lee or Coakley had lawyers.

The 17-year-old Casara was "just in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong company," Dolton Police Chief John Franklin told the Sun-Times on Saturday. Franklin said it appeared to be part of a drug deal or robbery gone wrong.

A message left with Franklin by The Associated Press was not immediately returned. It wasn't immediately clear whether Lee would be tried as an adult.

On Sunday, Assistant State's Attorney Christina Kye offered more detail, saying that Lee, Coakley and a third brother headed out to rob someone — and Casara went along. At some point, Casara ended up in the car of the robbery target — and shots were fired at the car as it sped off, Kye said.

Kye said the intended robbery victim only understood Casara was in the car when he heard gurgling sounds behind him, then pulled over and left her. A passerby later came across Casara's body, she said.

Casara, who was 5 1/2 months pregnant, was pronounced dead early on Thursday — several hours after the Wednesday shooting. But doctors were able to save the Calumet City teen's baby.

While Casara was not the intended target in the shooting, the police chief stopped short of calling her death an accident.

"It's hard to call it an accident when you're firing a gun in the direction of people," he said.

Casara's aunt, Melody Vargas, told the Sun-Times, "She was just a victim of their stupidity, and they need to pay for it."

Suspect in 3 Colorado Slayings Captured in Okla.

A month long hunt for a man accused of killing three people in Colorado and then setting a house on fire to cover it up has ended with his capture in Oklahoma.

Harry Carl Mapps, 59, was arrested at a motel in Roland, Okla., on Saturday night, authorities said Sunday.

Mapps faces charges of first-degree murder and arson in the shooting deaths of Kim and Reggie Tuttle and their adult daughter, Dawn Roderick. Their bodies were found in the Tuttles' home in the southern Colorado town of Rye after it was damaged by fire on Nov. 27.

A booking photo showed Mapps with a swollen lip and large red patch on his right cheek, but authorities said there had been no struggle during his capture. No other details of his arrest were released.

Pueblo County, Colo., Sheriff Kirk Taylor said Mapps was found using information developed by the U.S. Marshals Service in Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas. Mapps had lived in Texas.

The Marshals Service had issued a fugitive warrant for Mapps and said authorities were searching for him nationwide.

It wasn't immediately clear if Mapps had an attorney, and authorities did not yet know if he would fight extradition to Colorado.

The fire at the Tuttles' house was ruled arson, and Taylor said it was meant to cover up the shootings.

Three days after the fire, deputies said Mapps was their primary suspect. Authorities said he had been living with the Tuttles and was working for a trucking company owned by Reggie Tuttle, 51.

Taylor said money appeared to be the motive for the shootings. Authorities claimed Mapps stole checks made out to one of the victims and cashed them on the day of the fire. He also faces theft, identity theft and forgery charges.

Pueblo County sheriff's investigators arrived in Oklahoma Sunday and hoped to speak to Mapps, said Lisa Shorter, the sheriff's spokeswoman.

Mapps wasn't armed when he was arrested, but investigators did not yet know whether there were any weapons in the motel room or Mapps' vehicle, said Charles Ahmad of the Marshals Service in Denver.

Ahmad said the firearm used to shoot the Tuttles and Roderick had not been recovered, and investigators believed Mapps still had it. Ahmad declined to identify the weapon.

Shorter and Ahmad said they did not yet know where Mapps had been while he was a fugitive. He once worked as a long-distance trucker, and authorities had said he was familiar with little-used back roads.

Friends called the Tuttles generous and caring.

"Kim and Reggie would help anyone who needed it," Winnie Owens, a friend and neighbor, told the Pueblo Chieftain. "The hearts of everyone in this valley go out to that family."

Kim Tuttle, 55, worked on the culinary staff at Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo.

Roderick, 33, lived in nearby Pueblo and had a husband and three children. Authorities haven't said why she was at her parents' home.

———

Time Running Short for Teen Declared Brain Dead

Without further court order, a California hospital could unhook a 13-year-old girl declared brain dead from a breathing machine.

Alameda County Superior Court Judge Evelio Grillo's current order allows Children's Hospital of Oakland to remove Jahi McMath from a ventilator at 5 p.m. Monday.

The family was pinning its hopes on a New York facility to care for the child after two California care homes withdrew offers to accept her.

Jahi underwent a tonsillectomy at the hospital on Dec. 9 to treat sleep apnea. After she awoke from the operation, her family said, she started bleeding heavily and went into cardiac arrest.

Doctors at Children's Hospital and an independent pediatric neurologist from Stanford University have concluded the girl is brain dead.

The hospital wants to remove her from life support, but the family said they believe she is still alive.

Chris Dolan, the family's attorney, said he was waiting to hear from the New York hospital after its facility director and medical director speak.

"The family is together, and today everybody is praying and being together," Dolan told the Associated Press Sunday. He said no decisions had been made about legal options for Monday, and would not comment on progress with the New York facility.

On Sunday, the hospital said it had not heard from the New York, or any other, facility about a transfer.

"We need to be able to talk to the other facility to understand what it is they are capable of doing," Cynthia Chiarappa, a hospital spokeswoman, said. "This is not transferring an individual in a vegetative state, but a dead body."

The hospital also said it would need to confirm there is "lawful transportation" included in any plan to transfer Jahi, and written permission from the coroner.

Dolan said previously that the family views the New York site as it's "last, last hope." He has also has said it was possible the family could ask Grillo for more time, or file a federal appeal.

Two Miami Women Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Conspiring to Pay Health Care Kickbacks

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Michael B. Steinbach, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; and Christopher B. Dennis, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG), Miami Regional Office, announce that U.S. District Judge Federico A. Moreno sentenced Yiral Cardona, 39, of Miami, and Susan Chi, 42, of Miami, to 10 years in prison, stemming from their leadership roles in a conspiracy to pay health care kickbacks.
At trial, Cardona and Chi were convicted on October 22, 2013, of one count of conspiracy to pay health care kickbacks and to defraud the United States, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, and three counts of unlawful payment of health care kickbacks, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 1320a-7b(b)(2)(A).
According to the evidence presented at trial and the sentencing hearing, Cardona and Chi owned Vista Home Health Services Inc. (Vista), a Miami-Dade based home health agency that purportedly provided skilled nursing and home health services to Medicare beneficiaries. The defendants illegally obtained Medicare patients by paying bribes and kickbacks of at least $141,000 to patient recruiters to induce the referral of Medicare patients to Vista for home health services. Cardona and Chi billed the Medicare program for home health services that were not medically necessary and/or not provided. Between approximately May 15, 2009 and April 26, 2012, Medicare paid Vista more than $4.1 million in claims. The court ordered the defendants to pay more than $733,000 in restitution.

Des Moines University Health Professions Advanced Summer Scholars Program

Des Moines University is now accepting applications for our 3-week summer Health Professions Advanced Summer Scholars program. Health P.A.S.S. is geared toward rising sophomores and juniors from populations underrepresented in medicine and health care, including under-represented minority, low-income and/or first-generation college students. The program provides participants with perspectives on what it is like to be a student in osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine, physical therapy, and physician assistant studies. DMU covers all costs for participants, including housing, meals, and transportation. Enrollment is limited to 12 students, and applicationsare due March 1, 2014.

If after reviewing the materials, there are any additional questions, please call 515.271.7864 or email healthpass@dmu.edu.

Drexel University School of Public Health Class Visit Days

Drexel University School of Public Health will host 2 Class Visit Days in the early spring. These visit days are for students who are interested in graduate programs in public health.

Students will have the opportunity to sit in on the first year course, Principles of Epidemiology, tour Nesbitt Hall and the University City campus and have lunch with our current students.

 

The dates for these visits are as follows:

Thursday, January 16^th

9 am – 1 pm

RSVP - http://deptapp.drexel.edu/em/visits/detail.aspx?ID=3420

Thursday, February 20^th

9 am – 1 pm

RSVP - http://deptapp.drexel.edu/em/visits/detail.aspx?ID=3421

 

Multicultural Recruitment Day Conference

The Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs at Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons is sponsoring the 36^th Annual Multicultural Recruitment Day Conference entitled “Medical School: Challenges and Opportunities.” The purpose of this annual conference is to provide underrepresented and disadvantaged premedical high school, undergraduate, and postgraduate students with pertinent information about medical school.  Each year, we have over 300 students in attendance. Admission to the conference is free and lunch will be provided.

Through a series of workshops and a keynote address, conference participants will become informed about:

• Medical School Admissions
• Financial Aid
• Research Opportunities
• Transition to Medical School
• Other Related Topics

The program will take place on Saturday, March 1, 2014 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Alumni Auditorium on the 1^st floor of the Black Building. The Auditorium is located at 650 West 168^th Street at Ft. Washington Avenue in Manhattan. A campus map can be accessed at: http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/about/cumc_map.html

For more information and to register, please visit our website at www.oda-ps.cumc.columbia.edu/mrdc. Interested participants must register for the conference by February 7, 2014.

Please make this information available to your students. Should you or your students have questions, please e-mail oda-ps@columbia.edu or call our office at (212) 305-4157.

MCW 2014 Summer Enrichment Programs

 

The Office of Student/Affairs Diversity at the Medical College of Wisconsin will again offer our summer program for students underrepresented in medicine and biomedical research. DSHREP is a 10-week summer program supported through an R25 research education grant funded by National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute (NHLBI), an agency of National Institutes of Health (NIH). All research is conducted by MCW faculty, focusing on cardiovascular, hematological, and pulmonary diseases. Interested students should be available from May 28, 2014 to August 1, 2014.

 

 

Apply Today Unique program opportunity for students to develop biomedical research skills through the Medical College of Wisconsin   Before you START your application  You will need to request an official transcript. Transcripts should be mailed directly to the Office of Student Affairs/Diversity using the address provided under the contact information. Before beginning your application, you will need the following information about your recommenders: Name, Title, E-mail Address and Phone Number.   The application process should take about half an hour, please be sure to allot ample time to complete the form without interruption. Once you begin the application, it is recommended that you complete it in its entirety.   Are you ELIGIBLE? View complete application requirements for  DSHREP Diversity Summer Health-related Research Education Health Program (DSHREP) DSHREP: May 28-August 1 Application Deadline: Saturday, February 1, 2014 5PM CST

AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer Opportunity

AmeriCorps VISTA position:
Start date: February 25, 2014
Length of service: 12 months, full-time

Project Description:
Pocahontas Memorial Hospital is a small Critical Access Hospital in beautiful Pocahontas County, West Virginia. The selected applicant will be based in PMH, working closely with PMH staff (including physicians, nurses, and administration) to achieve NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition for the PMH Rural Health Clinic (more information on PCMH recognition can be found here: http://www.ncqa.org/Portals/0/Programs/Recognition/PCMH_2011_Overview_5.2.pdf). PCMH is becoming the standard model for primary care. Major aspects of the project include a mastery of the clinic Electronic Health Record, the analysis and improvement of clinic processes, and being able to work within a team to improve patient care and outcomes. The selected applicant will also organize health outreach events in the community.  This opportunity is ideal for anyone interested in a career in healthcare or public health with a desire to improve primary care in a small, rural community.  In addition to  a modest monthly living stipend, AmeriCorps Volunteers receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of ~$5,645 upon successful completion of their year of service. This Education Award can be used to repay qualified student loans or pay costs at eligible post-secondary educational institutions.

Interested in applying?:

Please feel free to call or email Claire Groth for position-specific questions:

cgroth@pmhwv.org; (304)799-7400 ext. 1005.

Those interested may apply for the position and find additional information at the following webpage: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?idR068&fromSearch=ue

AAMC Post-Bacc Database Maintenance

The AAMC Post-Bacc database is currently down for maintenance. The database will be unavailable for the next three days (starting 12/19) while repairs are taking place.

New Jersey Opthalmologist Admits Lying to Federal Agents During Fraud Investigation About Reuse of Lucentis Vials

NEWARK—An ophthalmologist with a medical practice in Englewood, New Jersey admitted today to lying to federal agents during a health care fraud investigation into the reuse of single-use vials of prescription Lucentis medication for multiple patients, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Bernard J. Fowler, 68, of Mahwah, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with making false statements to federal agents with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). He entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Fowler was a licensed and board-certified ophthalmologist operating his own medical practice called Retina Vitreous Consultants, when he was interviewed by HHS-OIG special agents on July 27, 2011. Fowler no longer operates the practice.
During his guilty plea, Fowler admitted that in 2008 and 2009, he had administered injections from one vial of Lucentis to more than one patient on multiple occasions but told the investigating agents that he had not. Fowler admitted he knew the statement was false and he intended to deceive the agents.
In addition to the potential health risks of reusing single-use vials on multiple individuals, such reuse can generate fraudulent billings to patients and insurers based on the approximately $2,000 cost of a full vial.
The false statements charge carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss caused by the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for March 24, 2014.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of HHS-OIG, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas O’Donnell, and the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford, for the investigation leading to the guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott B. McBride and R. David Walk of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Health Care and Government Fraud Unit.

Part Time Job Opportunity with the Department of Health

Public Health Outreach Worker #TJ040 (TJ)
Dept of Health - Charlottesville, VA

Promotes services provided by the Community Health Navigator Program. Recruits participants and partner support, announces activities of the program to the community, participates in collaborative committees, efforts, or events with community partners, organizes community events, communicates with network of volunteers or trainees, communicates with community agency networks, receives feedback or observations from community members, program participants, partners, and agencies. Under the direct supervision of a supervisor, expresses program vision and direction, organizes continuing educational events for trainees, shares assessment data with outside partners, advocates for the program goals with outside parties or other internal departments, assists with logistical coordination of training courses, maintains data on program participants, maintains data collection of community events, service hours and outreach. Minimum Qualifications Basic computer programs - Microsoft Excel and Outlook Skilled in customer service Must possess a valid driver's license. Preferred Qualifications Speak both Spanish and English fluently and have excellent written communication skills in both languages Knowledge of local community resources Bachelors degree in human services, public health or related field Experience in human services and health education Special Requirements A criminal record check and a background investigation are required. Virginia Jobs - 15 hours ago   View or apply to job

Lake Monticello Volunteer Rescue Squad Opportunities

Lake Monticello Volunteer Rescue Squad is looking for volunteer EMTs and drivers. If you are a Virginia-certified EMT or hold a Virginia-issued EVOC certificate, please consider joining Lake Monticello. Since we are a rural county, with long transit times, you will have lots of opportunities for extended patient care, and you will gain valuable patient care experience.

Lake Monticello is hosting an EMT class starting on January 2, 2014. It will be held from 6:00 to 10:00 PM on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and every other Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. The cost is $750, but scholarships are available for anyone who agrees to join either Lake Monticello Volunteer Rescue Squad or Fluvanna County Rescue Squad. For more information, please call Chief Ashley Roberts at 434-589-4108.