A new physician can tailor their practice to their needs and vision. There is a great need, and someone could come in to a well-established and you can make a difference. We have supportive administration, Visa support with an excellent visa attorney, growing organization, North Dakota is ranked #1 place to practice medicine; quality of life is superb and better salary than most. Within two years, I became a chair and medical director; which would have never happened in any other organization; it typically can take up to 10 years to be in these roles; but Sanford allows you to grow and be visible within the organization. Providers are also able to have academic positions with UND and there are always admin positions within the organization, and you do not have to be here long to obtain a spot or to be a part of committees, etc. You can even teach video classes; however, I just do not have time, so not able to do this right now. If a candidate likes to teach or to be a mentor, we have medical students, UND Family Medicine Residents and NP Students that come through for clinical rotations
Clinic runs Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm and in that time, you can expect to see 13-15 patients a day. To help you see patients, the practice has 1 LPN and 2 RN’s and each physician utilizes two exam rooms.
Currently, we do not have a procedure room but currently doing injections and aspirations. We have a Capillary Scope, Microscope, and hope to obtain a musculoskeletal ultrasound in future.
As far as infusion, we do utilize 5-7 chairs, which are in the rheumatology clinic. Dr. Poddar is the Medical Director for the infusion center, however, it is being used by all specialties. The infusion center is right next door to Dr. Poddar’s office; so, it works well for him to be the director, however, it also keeps him very busy as the RN’s are in constant communication/contact with him throughout the day.
There are inpatient duties. Call is currently 1:2; however, the rheumatology providers make the decision if they do a consult or let the hospitalists handle it. Call is very light. They do not get called in to the hospital much, at all. The two providers decide if it is necessary; however, it is not mandatory they go into the hospital. The hospitalist group provide complete support and Dr. Poddar indicated that we have the best hospitalist group, and they work very closely and very well with all of them.
Dr. Poddar likes to see his patients in the hospital, Dr. Hilts, not as much. However, Dr. Poddar indicated that Rheumatologists become very close to their patients and the patient care is priority to them; it is not all about money.
In meeting with Dr. Poddar we asked why he chose to join the practice. He said, “Community, visa friendly, excellent immigration attorney to help a visa provider get through their immigration and paperwork process; but he just about took a position in West Virginia and Bismarck just happened to have Dr. Kumar – the lead of the Indian community which brought him to his final decision of joining Bismarck. Been here going on 4 years.” He went on to say that he has liked the Opportunity to grow, professionally. Bismarck is a very safe community – Midwest hospitality; everyone is courteous and wonderful – Schools are great, even though he has no children in school currently and the community is in constant growth”
St Alexius Health is one of the only other groups providing services to the community. Sanford Health has a stranglehold on the patients in the area with their in network insurance and reputation as the leader in medical care for the area.
