MedEsthetics magazines offers business education and in-depth coverage of the latest noninvasive cosmetic procedures for physicians and practice managers working in the medical aesthetics industry.
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68 APRIL 2014 | Med Esthetics work with other organizations with an interest in energy-based medical technologies to help educate regula- tors and legislators and to comment on relevant proposed regulations or legislation about the safe, effective and ethical use of energy-based devices," said Dr. Hruza. "ASLMS is delighted to have Dr. Hruza, past president of the organization, as the fi rst Public Policy Director. Dr. Hruza brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the position and he will no doubt represent ASLMS very nicely in the area of public policy as it relates to lasers and energy devices," said Jeffrey S. Dover, MD, president of ASLMS. AAPA RELEASES PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT WORKFORCE SALARY REPORT Results of a survey conducted by the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) show that the nationwide median compensation for physician assistants (PAs) who are paid salary only is $90,000, but rises to $100,000 for PAs who re- ceive a base salary plus a bonus. In addition, PAs who work in dermatology report the highest median income at $117,000. Across all practice settings and specialties, nearly half (46%) of PAs report receiving bonuses on top of their base salary. The bonuses are largely determined by performance outcomes such as productivity and quality improvement. Three-fourths (75%) of PAs report their base pay is from annual salary. The remaining 25% are primarily compensated based on an hourly wage (22%) or on productivity measures determined through relative value units (RVUs), patient encounters, and charges or collections (approximately 3%). Higher median compensation levels—which include both salary and bonuses—are found in specialties, such as dermatology ($117,000), emergency medicine ($108,000) and surgery ($105,000), while PAs working in primary care and family medicine report earning less ($94,000 and $93,400, respectively). Employer type is an important factor in PA compensation, according to survey results. Higher median PA base salaries are reported in employer settings such as university hospitals ($93,000) and other hospitals ($95,000), while the lowest compensation is found in solo physician practices ($85,000). Location is also an important salary determinant. The top fi ve metropolitan areas with the highest median PA base salaries include Los Angeles ($97,000); Dallas ($96,500); Houston ($95,500); Atlanta ($94,200); and New York ($93,300). When bonuses are taken into account, the highest median compensation for PAs is found in New York ($105,000); Los Angeles ($103,250); Houston ($103,000); Dallas ($102,500); and Boston ($102,000). SYNERON ACQUIRES NEW STAR LASERS Syneron Medical has entered into an agreement to acquire New Star Lasers, which conducts business as CoolTouch, for approximately $11 million in cash and earn out based on certain milestones of up to $4 million until end of 2015. New Star Lasers develops, manufactures and markets the CoolTouch family of aesthetic devices. "The acquisition of CoolTouch signifi cantly enhances Syneron's product offerings and market opportunity, while also improving the recurring revenue profi le of our business. We believe CoolTouch will add value to Syneron's product offerings by expanding our reach into new markets such as the endovascular treatment of varicose veins and minimally invasive laser-assisted lipolysis," said Shimon Eckhouse, CEO of Syneron. "In addition, the CoolTouch business model also supports our strategy to increase sales of products with recurring revenue streams. We are very pleased to wel- come the CoolTouch team to Syneron and look forward to expanding adoption of their products and technology through our global commercial infrastructure." VALEANT ANNOUNCES APPROVAL OF RETIN-A MICRO .08% Valeant Pharmaceuticals International has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Retin-A Micro (tretinoin) Gel microsphere 0.08% for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris. "We are very pleased that the FDA has approved our new strength of Retin-A Micro as this gives healthcare providers and patients a new option for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris," stated J. Michael Pearson, chairman and CEO of Valeant. "This new strength will provide physicians and pa- tients another effective treatment and should be a welcome alternative to current strengths. We look forward to launching 0.08% Retin-A Micro in the near future." In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions were skin pain, pruritus, skin irritation and subcutaneous irritation, pharyngitis and erythema. DREXEL RESEARCHERS DISCOVER UNDERLYING CAUSE OF ECZEMA Researchers at the Drexel University College of Medicine are providing new insight into what causes the itchiness and rash associated with eczema, the most common form of which is atopic dermatitis (AD). As reported in the online edition of JAMA Dermatology, Herbert B. Allen, MD, professor and chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Drexel University College of Medicine, and colleagues, discovered that staphylococcal bacteria, which are normally found on the skin surface, produce a biofi lm in eczema patients that blocks the sweat ducts. That blockage activates GEORGE J. HRUZA, MD, MBA NEWS & EVENTS N e w E v e n t s M E D 4 1 4 . i n d d 6 8 New Events MED414.indd 68 3 / 1 3 / 1 4 9 : 2 6 A M 3/13/14 9:26 AM