Special Section: Spotlight on Independent Medical Providers
March 2019
In this Special Section, we wanted to celebrate those independent practitioners that have bucked the trend of consolidation in the healthcare industry and chosen to remain independent. Each day these independent
providers serve their patients with state-of-the art care and a commitment to providing a personal touch to their patients. We ask that you support these independent providers.
Nicholson Orthodontics
Providing Exceptional Care as an Independent Healthcare Provider for Over 36 Years
Submitted article Photography // Theresa Skutt
Nicholson Orthodontics, located in downtown Zionsville, is a shining example of an independent medical practice that enjoys a long history of service and independence while also providing its patients with state-of-the-art service and technology.
James Nicholson, D.D.S., M.S., has been providing his patients with exceptional comprehensive orthodontic care since 1982. Dr. Nicholson and his staff strive to give their patients the best orthodontic care available in a friendly and relaxed environment. At Nicholson Orthodontics, you will find the staff is highly trained and experienced, which is just the beginning of what their office has to offer.
Dr. Nicholson and his staff’s level of care goes above and beyond the boundaries of their office. As part of their commitment to serve Zionsville and West Carmel families, they offer free transportation in the Bearable Grins® Brace Bus. That means they can get your child from school to their appointment and back without inconveniencing you!
Patients of Dr. Nicholson have access to the latest state-of-the-art technology in imaging and impressions as well as treatment options.
Dr. Nicholson offers both Invisalign® and ceramic braces for patients with aesthetic concerns. Invisalign® straightens your teeth without wires and brackets using a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners. It’s virtually undetectable.
An orthodontist who has been trained and certified by Align Technology can diagnose and treat with the Invisalign® system. Invisalign® is not appropriate for every patient. A skilled and experienced clinician, like Dr. Nicholson, can determine if this treatment is an effective option for you.
Patients of Dr. Nicholson also have access to the latest state-of-the-art technology in imaging and impressions. Nicholson Orthodontics uses the iTero® digital impression system by Align Technology. Using a digital scanner, the experienced staff takes 3D digital images, or impressions, of the patient’s teeth and bite.
Dr. Nicholson is proud to offer his patients the highest quality orthodontic services that also includes the use of digital radiographs, or x-rays, in his offices.
Staying on the cutting edge of orthodontics and the technology that is evolving within the industry is a priority for Dr. Nicholson.
INFO BOX:
Nicholson Orthodontics
Zionsville Office
95 E. Oak St.
Zionsville, IN 46077
Phone: 317-873-6927
Fax: 317-873-0195
Email: [email protected]
Center for Sight: Innovative Eyecare with a Compassionate and Individualized Approach
Writer // Janelle Morrison Photography // Theresa Skutt
What if you could have clear vision without the aid of corrective lenses or eyeglasses? Are you considering Carmel LASIK surgery but are not sure if you’re a candidate for it? If you’re in need of the best comprehensive ophthalmologist in central Indiana, then look no further than Dr. Michael Behforouz at the Center for Sight in Carmel.
For more than 15 years, Dr. Behforouz has been improving the quality of his patients’ lives by providing them with specialized ophthalmology treatment plans and individualized one-on-one care.
Dr. Behforouz, a Muncie native and graduate of Indiana University, specializes in Carmel LASIK Surgery, Custom Cataract Surgery and Dry Eye Treatment. His practice, Center for Sight, is in Carmel where Dr. Behforouz and his wife, Maryjane, reside and are raising their two daughters.
Behforouz is certified through the American Board of Ophthalmology. He completed his ophthalmology residency at the prestigious Emory Eye Center in Atlanta, Georgia, and has been in private practice since 2000.
Behforouz started his own practice in 2003 and expanded his facility to include his outpatient clinic in 2013 where he and his staff of 14 manage and treat patients with diabetes, macular degeneration and glaucoma.
“I joined a private practice right out of residency,” Dr. Behforouz said. “After that, I decided that I wanted to do things differently for my patients, and I deviated from the traditional private practice model a bit.”
Private practices are becoming scarcer in today’s medical field. We asked Dr. Behforouz why and why he has been successful without the support of a major healthcare system.
“In the context of physician-owned practices, to put it into perspective, the loan that I had to take out to start this practice was eight times more than my medical school loan,” Dr. Behforouz bluntly stated. “I think part of the reason why physician-owned practices are less commonplace these days is because you have to treat it like any other business. You must create a product that by itself is going to be in demand. If you want to own your own business, you have to be a proficient marketing person and be willing to make that extra effort in running your practice like a business and conquer the fear of failure.”
Dr. Behforouz admitted that many physicians don’t want to deal with running a business; they just want to practice medicine and do what they diligently studied to do. Most physicians also appreciate the job security that comes with working within a network and the overall risk aversion that private practices are not shielded from.
“What most physicians don’t realize is that they give up a whole lot of freedom,” Dr. Behforouz said. “I don’t have a corporate person telling me how many patients I’m supposed to see and how to code it. I don’t have someone telling me how to practice an art; that’s what medicine is. There is science to what I do, but there is also art to it, and it’s about treating people the way that I would want to be treated.”
Another reason why Dr. Behforouz has been successful in growing his practice – having just recently treated his 30,000th patient – is his appreciation for evolving technology and his keen sense on if and/or when to implement it.
“Ophthalmology is unique in the sense that it is very technology-driven,” he said. “New equipment is coming out every six months. It’s high cost to get the new hardware and software, but it’s worth the investment. There is no extra cost to my patients. The reward for me is that I am going to do the best job, and my patient is going to see better and tell all their friends. Our biggest referral source is word of mouth. My adaptation of technology has always been to look for new technology and how it will make a difference. You have to be discerning. Just because it’s new doesn’t mean that it’s better.”
Last May, Dr. Behforouz acquired the fastest laser on the market that has allowed his practice to offer traditional PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) surgery and LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) surgery at his outpatient clinic. While both procedures treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and/or astigmatism, each varies in procedure, recovery and cost per eye.
“The faster the laser, the better,” Dr. Behforouz emphasized. “The way we measure the eye has changed too. We can take a digital fingerprint of the eye, so to speak, and that guides the laser to create a round shape, which is the most desirable shape to get all the light rays into focus at one point in the eye. Not everybody is a candidate for Carmel LASIK. Again, just because you have the technology doesn’t mean that it applies to everybody, so I still do the ‘old’ PRK as well as the ‘new’ LASIK, depending on the patient.”
Dr. Behforouz explained that the ideal candidate for Carmel LASIK is between 25 and 40 years old, lives an active lifestyle and doesn’t have dry eye. While he will treat patients after the age of 40, he stressed that he has a different conversation with these patients as it comes down to realistic expectations.
“The ideal age is 25 only because these patients are going to get 15 years without glasses and/or readers,” he said. “They’ll get more bang for their buck the younger they have it done.”
Trusting your ophthalmologist is essential before any kind of treatment or procedure, and building that trust is equally as important to Dr. Behforouz.
“I’ve been in practice for more than 15 years, and we do all of our procedures onsite,” he said. “I’m the only person that you see pre- and post-op. We have a very customized approach to all our surgeries, especially the cataract surgeries. These have really been niche for the last 15 years. We dedicate the time to have a discussion before surgery to find out what the patient wants and needs and what they can really have because everybody’s eyes are different.”
Behforouz concluded, “Our individualized approach, compassion and communicativeness is what separates our practice from others. For me, trust is a big deal. I appreciate your trust. That’s the ultimate gift that a patient can give me.”
For more information on Center for Sight or to schedule a no-obligation consultation, visit caringforeyes.com.
ZIONSVILLE PHYSICAL THERAPY: Bringing Back the Joy of Movement
Writer // Cindy Argentine • Photography // Laura Arick
Zionsville Physical Therapy (ZPT) is an independent practice centrally located in Boone Village Shopping Center.
Elaine Ritter Morrison, a licensed physical therapist, owns and manages ZPT. Morrison and her team provide expert
and individualized care to each person who enters.
Recognizing her success, the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce named Morrison “Business Professional of the Year” for 2018. Dozens of testimonials further validate ZPT’s achievements. Framed on the office walls, these statements
from former clients express how great it feels to overcome physical pain and regain freedom of movement.
As Morrison says, “People often come in with a sense of loss—they are physically unable to do something that used to bring them joy. But I picture them as the healthy person they can become. I think: ‘We can do this!’ I want them to
know that with diligence and personalized attention, we can often bring back the joy.”
Personal and Personable Care
Morrison’s optimism, enthusiasm and sincerity are at the heart of ZPT. As the only single, locally-owned physical therapy practice in Zionsville, ZPT offers patients a unique model within the modern healthcare system.
“Our goal is to be personal and personable,” Morrison says. “We allow the time needed to do that.” Many times, sessions with a therapist last an hour or more. That allows time to listen, evaluate and treat using hands-on techniques.
Many different issues lead people to ZPT. Back pain, knee pain and shoulder and neck problems are common issues. Some patients are preparing for or recovering from surgery. Others have sustained an injury. Teens may be affected by playing sports. Young adults may suffer from poor posture or prolonged computer use. Older adults may have impaired balance.
Whatever the situation, a physical therapist at ZPT designs a program of exercise to stretch and strengthen the
correct muscles, enabling the patient to regain strength and mobility.
Welcoming Environment
The ZPT staff includes three licensed PTs: owner Elaine Morrison, Marissa Barbee and Emina Alicusic-Karic. There
are several PT technicians: Taylor Kerr, Amanda Raines, Katia Pena Garcia and Preet Sidhu. Christi Johnson, office
manager, greets guests as they arrive and artfully handles billing and scheduling.
Morrison personally specializes in women’s care. She has successfully treated many issues women face, including urinary incontinence, pelvic pain and concerns related to pregnancy and intimacy. Morrison hopes women will realize that there are effective PT treatments for many conditions.
ZPT’s office is designed to feel safe, comfortable and welcoming. The gym area, open to the reception space, hosts weights, benches and other exercise equipment. It offers plenty of daylight and space to move. Conversation
flows easily between patients and providers as they work side-by-side, creating a family-like atmosphere.
Part of the Community
Morrison has lifelong ties to the Zionsville community. She graduated from high school here as did her children.
In between those years, she attended Purdue and IUPUI and gained experience at a rehab institute in Louisville,
a hospital in northern Indiana and several nursing homes and corporate outpatient PT clinics. When an opportunity
arose at ZPT in 2005, Morrison embraced it. About a year later, when ZPT’s founder decided to move on, Morrison purchased the practice. Morrison and her staff are committed to being life- long learners in their field.
Through in-depth consultation and assessment, they are able to pinpoint underlying issues others may have missed.
They often share their experience and knowledge with the community by offering free workshops at ZPT. On March
16, ZPT will host a workshop on hip and pelvis concerns.
Becoming a Patient
Morrison welcomes referrals from medical doctors. She believes that collaboration between a doctor and therapist often benefits patients. However, if patients have not seen a doctor concerning their issue, they may still seek physical therapy. Under Indiana law, a patient may receive physical therapy for 24 days through direct access without a doctor’s order. (An exception is that Medicare requires a physician to be involved.)
Morrison believes it is ethical and important to give patients a choice of providers. She recognizes that many therapists are affiliated with a hospital or larger healthcare network. As an independent provider, ZPT does not receive the built-in referrals such systems provide, but patients are free to request independent providers.
Physical therapy is often covered by insurance, and ZPT works with several insurance plans. As Morrison says, it is worth a phone call to find out.
Learning More
To learn more about ZPT –its staff, mission and upcoming events – visit their website at ZionsvillePT.com. You can
also subscribe to their free e-newsletter, which clearly explains common musculoskelatal concerns and offers tips for staying healthy.
To subscribe, call 317-873-2033 or email [email protected].
77 Boone Village,
Zionsville, IN 46077
(317) 873-2033
ZionsvillePT.com
[email protected]
ZIONSVILLE EYECARE: 40 Years of Independent Service to its Community
Submitted article and photography
An independent optometry practice for nearly 40 years, Zionsville Eyecare can serve all your family’s eyecare needs under one roof. This area mainstay ties together wellness and community with services and products that are produced and delivered with convenience and great value.
As a fully licensed, full-service, comprehensive eyecare provider, the doctors and staff take great pride in offering every patient the best in vision care. Zionsville Eyecare owners Dr. James Haines and Dr. Nicholas Garn have assembled a team of experienced and caring professionals who are dedicated to providing personalized, high-quality care. In addition to Drs. Haines, Garn, Ami Fraser, Julia Blank and Matthew Clark, the owners were pleased to add Dr. Matthew Weinheimer in mid-2018.
A Sullivan native, Dr. Weinheimer attended Indiana University and the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago. After completing optometry school, he served in the U.S. Navy in Okinawa, Japan. During his tour, he served as the department head on the island’s only full-scope optometry clinic that cared for military members, families, veterans and civilians. From 2017-2018, he was stationed at Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C., where he spearheaded equipment modernization efforts for their military optometry clinic. Learn more about Dr. Weinheimer and all of Zionsville Eyecare’s optometrists by visiting zeyecare.com.
Zionsville Eyecare offers a complete range of eyecare services with the most up-to-date technology. The comprehensive exams can uncover hidden, “silent” eye disease or issues not found by simple vision screenings.
During an exam, patients can take advantage of the Optomap®, which is a widefield digital scanning ophthalmoscopy, in place of dilation. The Optomap® captures more than 80 percent of your retina in a single image while other traditional imaging shows only 15 percent. Unlike dilation, the Optomap® is fast, comfortable and allows a permanent record for comparing future changes. Dilation drops, which add 20-30 minutes to an exam, also leave patients with light sensitivity and blurred vision for six to 12 hours.
Zionsville Eyecare doctors also diagnose and treat many issues from conjunctivitis (pink eye), cataracts and age-related macular degeneration to glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and dry eyes. Zionsville Eyecare is an accredited tear-testing lab using the latest diagnostic technology and treatment options to address dry eyes. Based on your diagnosis, the doctor may recommend a wide variety of approaches, including improved nutrition, prescription medications or medical procedures.
The optometrists also treat various ocular injuries and can recommend specific types of eyewear to prevent future injury. Zionsville Eyecare also offers after-hour coverage for eye emergencies.
AdaptDx® is another new technology Zionsville Eyecare has added to help early detection of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The doctors may recommend this non-invasive test to patients age 50 and older who have been identified with potential indicators or symptoms. AMD is the leading cause of severe vision loss in adults over age 50. AMD, if detected early, can be treated, but it cannot be cured.
For the youngest patients, Zionsville Eyecare offers InfantSEE® examinations, which are free of charge for infants 6-12 months old. Eighty percent of everything children learn is by sight, yet many parents don’t have their children’s eyes checked. Many eye conditions have no symptoms, and early intervention is important for successful development.
For people interested in contact lenses, Zionsville Eyecare offers all the latest and best options, including daily replacement soft lenses, rigid gas permeable, multi-focal, astigmatism correcting, scleral and myopia (nearsightedness) controlling contact lenses. The practice also is a preview site for new-market contact lenses and related products. Contact lens technology is always developing and improving, so Zionsville Eyecare optometrists are successful in fitting a wider range of patients of all ages. For added convenience, Zionsville Eyecare also stocks many contact lenses for sale.
If you’re looking for a new pair of glasses, Zionsville Eyecare has a large variety of the newest, high-quality frames and sunglasses to meet all patients’ needs and budgets. Zionsville Eyecare is proud to offer frame lines including Barton Perreira, MYKITA, Oakley, Maui Jim, Etnia Barcelona, Lafont, l.a.Eyeworks, Burberry, Versace, Silhouette and Ray-Ban, among others.
Opticians assist patients with choosing and fitting new eyeglasses as well as adjusting and repairing existing frames. The in-practice lab offers a faster delivery time for single-vision glasses, which in many cases, can be ready the same day. Zionsville Eyecare also provides a one-year eyewear warranty and the doctors’ prescription-accuracy guarantee.
A new chapter began as Dr. Haines and Dr. Garn formed a partnership with Greg and Kim Storen of Storen Financial
and broke ground in October 2018 on construction of a new building in Zionsville. Zionsville Eyecare and Storen Financial will be the primary occupants of the new 27,000-sq. ft., two-story building at 1120 W. Oak St. A few businesses are currently in discussions to lease space in the building; officials say there is space available for rent. The 1120 West building is expected to be completed in fall 2019.
1375 Parkway Dr,
Zionsville, IN 46077
(317) 873-3000
Zeyecare.com
Indiana Vein Specialists: Cutting-Edge Technology with First-Rate Care
Writer // Janelle Morrison Photography // Laura Arick
Do you or someone you know suffer from chronic issues associated with varicose vein disease or chronic venous insufficiency? Did you know that with the latest technological advancements in this field, a patient’s “down” time has decreased to only a matter of hours versus days? You can have your procedure completed in the morning and be back on your feet that afternoon.
Jeffery Schoonover, Diplomate, American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine with Indiana Vein Specialists and family medicine physician, opened Indiana Vein Specialists in Fishers in 2011 and his west Carmel location in 2014. His practice specializes in venous and lymphatic medicine. Dr. Schoonover is dedicated to treating varicose vein disease and related disorders with minimally invasive treatments, such as Endovenous Ablation Treatment, Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy, Surface Laser Treatment, Lymphatic Compression Pump Therapy and Compression Stocking Fitting as well as the latest in cutting-edge technologies, VenaSeal and Varithena. Indiana Vein Specialists is one of only a few practices that offer these two treatments.
Since our first visit, Dr. Schoonover’s staff has grown to 18 between the two locations. His staff is much like his extended family, and that level of care and respect carries over to the practices’ patients as well as the communities in which they serve. Indiana Vein Specialists proudly sponsors multiple community activities, such as the Carmel Marathon and other events.
Last fall, Indiana Vein Specialists welcomed Natalie Dereka, a certified lymphedema therapist, to the practice. This month, they welcomed Dr. Joseph Spahr, a hematologist.
While Indiana Vein Specialists works with a vast network of hematologists and lymphedema therapists, Dr. Schoonover recognized the advantage of having these services and treatments available in-house to better accommodate his patients’ needs, an advantage made possible by being an independent practice.
“There are multiple challenges being an independent practice,” Dr. Schoonover said. “There is the challenge of reimbursement and of having overhead like any business, but because we are still small, we can navigate those challenges more quickly than a larger organization. One thing that is very unique about our practice is our innovative way of providing detailed cost estimates for our patients prior to any procedures. There are so many different types of insurance plans, and with the Affordable Care Act, people are having to take on more financial responsibility and have higher deductibles. Our highly trained staff walks the patients through the process and helps them understand where they are from a deductible standpoint.”
Dr. Schoonover emphasized that not one patient is exactly like another, and not every patient that walks in his door is going to need Endovenous Laser Ablation, Varithena or VenaSeal.
“We custom-tailor to whatever needs the patient presents with,” Dr. Schoonover said. “We treat the patient’s conditions very respectfully and take the time to understand how they impact our patients.”
Another advantage for Dr. Schoonover’s patients that is rather unique is his background in family medicine. He can assess the entire picture and not just a snapshot of the patient’s overall health.
“This type of [holistic] approach is in the DNA of the practice as well,” he concluded. “For me, from an intellectual component, it’s been a lot of fun being a part of a new and growing specialty.”
For more information about Indiana Vein Specialists and a comprehensive list of services, visit indyveins.com or call 317-348-3020.
New Franchise Helps with Sleep and Relaxation
Submitted article Photography // Laura Arick
Recent surveys have shown that more than half of Americans have trouble sleeping at some point during every month. Reasons for sleep problems can vary, but often, the cause is stress. If you have trouble sleeping because of stress or perhaps you have had a physical or mental trauma that has interrupted your sleep pattern, there is help.
Cereset, a wellness company that uses a non-invasive all-natural technology called BrainEcho to help people achieve restful and restorative sleep, has opened a franchise in Carmel at 160 W. Carmel Dr., Suite 186. This is the first franchise in the state of Indiana and is owned by Brenda Hanning who served clients in the Indianapolis area for five years with the previous generation of Cereset’s technology under the name Balanced Matter. 
Hanning sought out the technology when her son began to struggle with anxiety and panic attacks and was unable to go to school. After two years of treatment by psychiatrists and therapists and being on medication, Hanning decided to try a new noninvasive technology she heard about, which relaxed stress and trauma patterns in the brain. She took her son to the closest provider in Chicago.
“A month after his sessions, he was back in the land of the living. He was able to go back to school, and he was able to do the work of learning coping skills through therapy,” she says. Being under stress herself with the ordeal, Hanning also participated in the sessions in Chicago and had the same positive results.
“I clearly remember driving during a bright beautiful day, and a feeling of bliss came over me. It was a feeling of gratitude that I hadn’t been in touch with for a few years.” Hanning felt compelled to bring the technology to Indianapolis and became a licensed provider. With advancements in technology and a franchise model being established, she decided to take the step of becoming a franchisee. “It was a logical next step for me to upgrade to the newest version of the technology,” she says.
Hanning points to studies that have shown that stress can cause the brain to become unbalanced, leading to anxiety, inability to focus, feelings of restlessness and trouble sleeping. People suffering from many other conditions can benefit as well.
The founder of Cereset, Lee Gerdes, developed the technology after a traumatic and violent attack left him unable to sleep for many years. Using his expertise in physics, mathematics, computer software and psychology, he discovered the power of the brain’s self-healing properties.
Cereset’s technology uses sensors to detect brain rhythms, which echo as audio tones played back to the client. The BrainEcho™ process happens in real-time between the computer and the brain to produce a relaxed brain, which can manage stress and support restful sleep.
The technology basically empowers the brain to reset itself as it hears and “sees” its own reflection, enabling the brain to fully relax and reset itself to its natural balance from the inside out. There is no outside intervention, stimulus or medication of any kind. The brain does all the work while the client naps or relaxes in a comfortable chair.
Cereset, whose name comes from the words Cerebrum (brain) and the word reset, has been used successfully with more than 130,000 clients in 25 countries. Hanning calls it a life tool for everyone.
“My clients have been professionals looking for peak performance, individuals wanting to overcome lingering effects from accidents or sports activities, kids struggling with focus and behavior challenges, stressed-out parents and people with sleep issues,” she says, adding that it is also for people who just want to perform better. “There’s a lot of professional athletes that use it. Perhaps they have had concussions or lingering effects of concussions. Or maybe they just want to perform better. They want a stronger mind/body connection. They don’t want the anxiety that they might experience when they are performing, so it helps them find that inner calm.”
“Owning a Cereset franchise is personal to me,” she says. “After utilizing the Cereset technology, the positive results were so significant, I felt compelled to bring this technology to my community to help more people take back control of their lives,” she says. “I am committed to getting the word out about Cereset, so the community knows there is a new safe and highly effective technology in town that helps their brain reset, relax and get unstuck.”
Cereset is not a medical procedure and is not covered by health insurance. However, Cereset may be eligible for health savings account (HSA) funds.
Hanning describes the technology as difficult to explain but easy to experience, so she has a limited time Grand Opening offer for a free consultation and mini session so that you can experience it for yourself. She works by appointment only and can be reached at 317-922-7588 or [email protected]. You can also visit cereset.com for more information.