If you or someone you know has
been in the hospital recently,
chances are you’ve had care
by a hospitalist—a specialist in
inpatient medicine. The hospitalist
has no responsibilities outside of
the hospital, enabling him or her
to focus exclusively on care for
hospitalized or acutely ill patients.
According to the Society of
Hospital Medicine, there are more
than 40,000 hospitalists in the
U.S. Most are board-certified in
internal medicine (internists) or
family medicine. They coordinate
with other specialists involved
in your care, ordering tests and
procedures and monitoring
your condition, ensuring a fast
response or change of treatment
if your condition changes.
You may wonder why your
primary care physician is not in
the hospital to oversee your care.
“We work with your physician
to obtain important medical
history and discuss treatment
plans as necessary,” says Igor
Bidikov, MD, internist and medical
director of RMC’s Hospitalists
Program. “Upon discharge, your
physician will receive a complete
summary of your hospital stay,
test results and other relevant
follow-up information, making
your continued care outside the
hospital seamless.”
These RMC hospitalists serve
patients in our hospitals in
Anniston and Jacksonville.
LOL for
heart health
Laughing can increase
your good cholesterol,
decrease stress hormones
and reduce artery
inflammation, all of which
are good for your heart.
And the effects
of a hearty belly
laugh last 24 hours.
cardiac life support (ACLS) to ensure
patient safety. Regular educational
sessions will assist you in lifestyle
modifications to experience a full
recovery.
Our program also offers strength-
training and flexibility exercises.
Wellness services include a full-service
gym with locker rooms, exercise and
swim sessions in our aquatic therapy
pool, and massage therapy by
appointment.
Sources: American Heart Association; Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
●
●
High cholesterol.
●
●
Obesity.
Be heart smart.
Listen to
your heart, and take steps
to protect it from disease.
Visit the American Heart
Association at
heart.orgto
learn more about what you
can do to optimize your heart
health.
Muzamil
Babiker, MD
Internal Medicine
Anouar
Bakir, MD
Internal Medicine
Igor Bidikov, MD
Internal Medicine
Medical Director,
RMC Hospitalists
Program
Alemna
Free, MD
Internal Medicine
WHAT IS A HOSPITALIST?
Chidiebere
Maquincy Ibekwe,
MD
Internal Medicine
Guarav
Parmar, MD
Family Medicine
Hardik
Satashia, MD
Internal Medicine
NOT PICTURED
Syed Ahmed, MD
Internal Medicine
Harsaajan Singh, MD
Internal Medicine
THINGS TO KNOW
rmccares.org11