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Press Releases from The Michigan Institute of Urology
Michigan Institute of Urology grows in expertise, services FOCUS: HEALTH CARE
By Jay GreeneDETROIT BUSINESS April 7, 2008
Drs. Alphonse Santino and Brian Guz have 69 years of combined experience treating patients with urology concerns. During that time, the practice has changed immensely from the early 1960s, when men didn't have routine prostate exams to the advent of minimally invasive robotic surgery for prostate cancer in 2001. " We used to see advanced stages of prostate cancer. Since 1990, PSAs (prostate-specific antigen tests) and DREs (digital rectal exams) have helped. We now discover prostate and bladder cancer earlier," said Santino, 73, founder, president and CEO of the Michigan Institute of Urology in the group's main office in St. Clair Shores. "We don't have to do as extensive surgery as 15 years ago." Founded In 1991, the Michigan Institute of Urology, a single specialty group with 30 physicians in nine offices, is one of the nation's largest urology groups. It plans continued growth by adding doctors and offering new treatment options.
MIU's 220 employees include nurse practitioners, registered nurses and medical assistants. The group also has offices in Utica, Troy, Pontiac, Dearborn, Clarkston, Commerce Township and two in West Bloomfield Township. In 2007, the institute's revenue totaled $30 million compared with about $28 million in 2006. "We have seen a steady increase as we have grown, " Santino said.
Last month. MIU announced it would merge with three-physician Preferred Urology Associates, Southfield, in a noncash transaction. Santino said most of the practice's growth has come through recruitment, but he expects to add several more groups over the next few years. "We don't grow just to get larger," said the former Army major who served as a urologist and general surgeon during the Vietnam War. "We grow to add expertise or to add services to an uncovered area. " The institute's larger size allows it to offer a wide range of diagnostic, laboratory and ancillary services that smaller groups can't afford, he said. "It is financially beneficial to our group, but it also cuts down on health care costs because we can do it at a lesser rate than a hospltal" Santino said.
Having a larger practice also gives the group lower prices on such bulk purchases as medical and office supplies, he said. Moreover, while each physician is rated individually, MIU saves money purchasing medical malpractice insurance as a large group.
"You need good quality doctors, low liability and few lawsuits, and if yoU have that you get a better price,” he said. "Our annual rate is about $15,000 per doctor." Dr. Mani Menon, director of the Vattikuti Urology Institute at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, said MIU has steadily grown over the years and has a reputation for quality. "They are a very successful independent group and their physicians provide high quality care, " Menon said. "Several of the physicians at MIU were Henry Ford residents." The institute's 30 urologists are trained to evaluate, diagnose and treat a variety of medical issues, including problems with the kidneys, bladder, genitals, prostate and testicles.
For example, Guz and others treat common disorders of the urinary system, such as urinary tract infections, incontinence, cystitis (inflammation of the bladder) and kidney stones. Urologists also specialize in the treatment of disorders related to the male reproductive system, including infertility and impotence. "Several years ago if men had erection problems they didn't talk about it," said Guz. "We used to say that it was 90 percent psychological and 10 percent medical. Now we know it is exactly the opposite." Patients also now have procedures and tests available that can be performed on an outpatient basis, which can save them time, money and hassle, Santino said. "We have many new options for patients with urinary incontinence problems, impotence and painful bladders," said Guz. 48, who has been practicing with Santino since 1990. Infections of the urinary tract are very common, accounting for 8.3 million doctor visits each year. Although not as common in men, one in five women will develop such an infection in her lifetime. "She should have a work-up to find out why," Santino said. "It could be a small tumor."
For men, Guz recommends an annual prostate screening exam every year after age 40. "People are much more aware of their health in the past five to 15 years," Guz said. "They are better educated and use the Web to research articles. Some aren't, though. We spend 10 minutes or an hour with them." MIU's urologists and others also conduct a variety of procedures including prostate and kidney cryosurgery, minimally invasive treatments for prostate enlargement and microwave thermotherapy to treat some prostate problems with heat. "We have a new urethral sling procedure for mild to moderate incontinence that is available on an outpatient basis at a surgery center," Guz said. "You used to be in the hospital for three days. Now you are done in the same day."
Earlier this year, the institute began participating in drug and device clinical trials for issues that include overactive bladder, prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate gland). "We can offer the latest innovations to our patients, and that is one reason they come here," Guz said.
"If it works here, others will use it."
Jay Greene: (313) 446-0325;
jgreene@crain.comUrology Group Adds Practice By Jay Greene CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS March 17, 2008
Michigan Institute of Urology, a 27-member single specialty group based in St. Clair Shores, has agreed in principal to assume the three-physician Preferred Urology Consultants in Southfield in a non-cash transaction. Founded in 1991, Preferred Urology includes senior partner Dr. Michael Lutz, Dr. James Relle and Dr. Brian Seifman. The group, which employs 15, also has an office in Rochester Hills. Already one of the largest independent urology groups in the nation with 220 employees, MIU has nine offices: in St. Clair Shores, Utica, Troy, Pontiac, Dearborn, Clarkston, Commerce Township, and two in West Bloomfield Township. “We have known them for some time and always thought very highly of them. They share the same principles of high quality for our patients as we do,” said Dr. Alphonse Santino, MIU’s founder, president and CEO. In October, Preferred’s Southfield office will close and move to MIU’s newly renovated West Bloomfield Township office at the Beaumont Medical Building, Lutz said. Renovations on the West Bloomfield Township clinic will double its size to about 9,000 square feet, he said. “We think the future for small groups is to merge into a larger practice because it affords us greater diversity, depth and expertise,” Lutz said. MIU doctors practice at 16 hospitals, including William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak and several affiliated with Warren-based St. John Health and Detroit-based Henry Ford Health System. The Preferred Urology doctors primarily practice at Beaumont’s Royal Oak and Troy hospitals.
Jay Greene: (313) 446-0325;
jgreene@crain.comIn February of 2008, Michigan Institute of Urology, P.C. is Undertaking Major Initiatives to Remain First-in-line at Cutting Edge Treatments for Urological Disorders.
Michigan’s Leading Urology Practice Announces Two New Widespread Programs Dedicated to Research Initiatives and Patient Education.
St. Clair Shores, Michigan-February 7, 2008 - Beginning in February, 2008, Michigan Institute of Urology, P.C. initiated a major increase of its longstanding research department. In a collaborative effort with selected pharmaceutical companies, we will be initiating approximately one new Clinical Trial per month. “All of us at MIU are extremely excited to be engaging so many of our patients in these Phase II, Phase III and Phase IV Clinical Trials. A major benefit to our patients will be excellent medical care and perhaps specialized treatments available to them much sooner than the general public.” says Danielle M. Pitman, MIU’s Director of Research. Already underway are both drug and device based clinical trials in therapeutic areas of Overactive Bladder, Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Prostate Cancer.
In a second announcement, MIU will be offering monthly patient seminars to address increased patient education and awareness throughout all of 2008 and on into 2009. These seminars will concentrate on critical, urologic related issues and growing medical concerns such as urologic cancer, kidney and bladder disease, infertility, urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Also, through the use of MIU’s user-friendly web-site links are provided to numerous, patient information resources, including WebMD, which provides understandable education especially for patients at MIU. Patients will be able to access valuable information covering virtually all aspects related to urologic disorders.
From its inception, Michigan Institute of Urology has been recognized and respected, for its leadership position in urological care. This one of a kind complement of 26 General and Fellowship/Subspecialty trained urologists, combined with MIU’s extensive State-of–the art internal laboratory and research department capabilities are delivering the most complete and comprehensive treatment protocols available in this area.
Today, MIU is uniquely positioned to conduct an ever increasing range of research, clinical trials and urologic related therapies. This is due in part, to its attracting and recruiting physicians trained and educated at the nation’s most recognized medical centers and institutions of higher learning. Each board certified physician and healthcare provider at MIU has completed additional training, beyond the normal requirements for Urology Certification. The physicians at MIU practice at 9 offices conveniently located throughout the tri-county area and are affiliated with, and on staff at 17 local hospitals and medical centers. The combined capabilities of MIU’s staff, an accelerated research department, laboratory facilities and state-of-the-art technology, allow it to perform numerous on-site diagnostic evaluations and procedures. These factors enable MIU to function in a virtually similar fashion as that of a university medical school program.
Dr. Alphonse M. Santino, MIU’s President and Chief Executive Officer, continues his original vision; a process to recruit the most qualified, caring and compassionate physicians. Dr. Santino was quoted, “All of us at Michigan Institute of Urology are exceptionally pleased to announce our new research related clinical trial program and the most current patient education opportunities. It is the culmination of diligence and dedication of all of our associates and partners.”
About Michigan Institute of Urology: Michigan Institute of Urology, P.C., is one of the oldest and largest Multi-Specialty Urology practices in Michigan dedicated to providing its patients with the most up-to-date, quality and cost effective urologic care. It is comprised of twenty-six General and Fellowship/Subspecialty trained Urologists who practice all aspects of Adult and Pediatric Urology at its 9 locations across the Metropolitan Detroit area.
http://www.michiganurology.com
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