Greater Boston Urology: The Best of 2018

Every December, we like to look back on the year that was and share highlights. Needless to say, it's been a busy year at Greater Boston Urology. 

GBU Expands Patient Services

We're always looking for ways to make life easier for patients, whether it involves making an appointment, making a payment, or managing care. To that end, we've made the following enhancement to patient services in 2018:

• We introduced HealthWatch, a program for managing chronic care conditions for Medicare patients
• We introduced SolutionReach, our virtual communication system. Through SolutionReach, we can do a variety of things, including texting patients with appointment reminders.
• We added a Patient Portal and Bill Pay to the GBU website. Through the secure Patient Portal, people can see test results, care summaries, and other helpful information. And the Bill Pay functionality makes paying bills fast and easy.
• We became involved in Medicare's MIPS (Merit-based Incentive Payment System). This trial year was focused on quality, cost savings, and patient satisfaction. 

GBU Embraces Enhanced Diagnostics & Treatment Protocols

Our philosophy is that you should be able to come to GBU and get everything you need regarding your urologic care. As part of this endeavor, we're continuously assessing new equipment and treatments and adding what makes sense for our patient community. Here are some updates from this last year:

• We introduced MonaLisa Touch vaginal rejuvenation therapy (available in our Women's Health Center in Dedham).
• We introduced SpaceOAR® Hydrogel – a new product designed to minimize damaging side effects for patients undergoing radiation therapy.
• We added new state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment to our Framingham and Milton Care Centers.
• We added new cystoscopy equipment to our North Easton Care Center.
• We introduced Theralogix, research-based nutritional supplements for our patients. 

GBU Physicians Educate & Inspire

Our physicians enjoy giving back to the community through educational talks and seminars. Here's a sampling (click through for videos and/or additional articles!):  

• Ryan Frankel presented a patient education seminar about benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
• Natalya Lopushnyan presented a patient education seminar about erectile dysfunction (ED).
• Angel Marie Johnson along with Coloplast presented a patient education seminar about bladder leakage and pelvic organ prolapse.
• Johnson also addressed attendees at the MetroWest Conference for Women.
• Michael Donovan and Dr. James Lin introduced shockwave lithotripsy for treatment of erectile dysfunction 

GBU physicians don't simply educate patients, either. They're constantly educating themselves on the latest research, treatment, and regulations regarding urologic conditions.

• GBU physicians attended the annual meeting for the New England Section of the American Urological Association in Hartford, Connecticut.
• Michael Curran and Les Cavicchi (our COO) attended the BlueCross BlueShield of Massachusetts OB/GYN and Urology Practice and Standards Meeting.
• Curran, Geffin, Bleiler, and Iorga along with Mr. Cavicchi attended the annual Large Urology Group Practice Association meeting in Chicago. 

GBU Says Hello to New Family (Along with One Farewell)

We've had several new members join the GBU family in 2018. Our Falmouth office welcomed a new physician, Dr. Michael E. Corea. Our North Easton Care Center welcomed a new physician assistant, Molly Winiecki, and a new practice manager, Kate Froio. At our Plymouth Care Center, we said goodbye to Dr. Ted Morgan as he headed out west for a new adventure, and we said hello to physician assistant, Kristina Leedham. 

In other staff news, Dr. Michael Geffin was appointed GBU's first Chief Medical Officer. Les Cavicchi, our chief operating officer, was appointed to the Board of Trustees for the Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition. Drs. Curran, Geffin, and Liu obtained privileges at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth. 

GBU Gives Back

GBU became the premier sponsor of the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) fundraising and awareness walk in Boston, which was held on May 5. In August, GBU sponsored its first "Free PSA" blood screening event at the Dedham Care Center. And in honor of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, GBU was once again the lead sponsor of the ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk held in Newton on September 9. Over 500 people participated and over $120,000 was raised! Check out this recap video. 

GBU Makes the News

We had a lot of news coverage in 2018. Here's a sampling...

• Michael J. Curran interviewed by Healthline for Early PSA Test for Prostate Cancer Recommended for African-American Men
• Curran interviewed by Shields MRI for Prostate Cancer: How Shields MRI Plays a Role in Better Biopsies
• Curran interviewed by OncLive: Urology Practice Keeps Up With Technology Through Physician-Owned Business Model
• Inside Norwood: Dr. Michael J. Curran on Norwood Cable Access
• Natalya Lopushnyan interviewed by Health.com for 10 Weird Things You've Always Wanted to Know About Penises
• 'Vas Madness': Why Boston urologists love the NCAA tournament – Boston Business Journal
• Boston Urology works to create environment where patients feel more at ease – Dedham Wicked Local 

GBU Looks Ahead to 2019

• In January, we'll be offering pelvic floor physical therapy to women and men in our Dedham Care Center.
• We're currently in the process of opening a new Care Center on the campus of Steward Carney Hospital in Dorchester.
• We look forward to our continued involvement with ZERO and BCAN as we collectively push to find cures for prostate cancer and bladder cancer. 

And, of course, this is an incomplete list. There will be much more to come next year, so stay tuned! 

In the meantime, on behalf of all of us at GBU, we wish you and your family a joyful holiday season and a healthy and prosperous 2019. 

Read past highlights here:

• Greater Boston Urology: The Best of 2017
• Greater Boston Urology: The Best of 2016