(Worthington, OH) — Sarah Abshier, DPM, of Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center has been named to a prestigious panel by the American Medical Association (AMA) Board of Trustees.
Dr. Abshier has been appointed to a four-year term representing the Health Care Professional Advisory Committee on the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Editorial Panel. CPT – which is owned and maintained by the AMA – is a uniform language for coding medical services and procedures that is agreed upon and shared by all medical entities in the United States, including insurance providers, hospitals, physicians and other qualified health care professionals.
Dr. Abshier will be the second podiatrist in history to hold a panel seat and the first female in her profession to do so.
“This was only possible because of my wonderful mentors and the support and encouragement I received along the way,” Dr. Abshier said. “My election is a testament to our national association fostering young leaders and OrthoAlliance supporting their providers’ endeavors.”
The 21-member panel reviews new procedures, services, and technologies and then determines if they meet the criteria to be incorporated. It is also tasked with revising, editing, and deleting existing coding language when appropriate.
“On behalf of OrthoAlliance, we congratulate Dr. Abshier on her nomination,” said Matt Crill, OrthoAlliance Regional Vice President-Central Ohio. “This is validation of the tremendous clinical leadership she brings to advance healthcare in the United States. She demonstrates this expertise in every patient interaction, and I am confident that the AMA will be stronger because she is serving in this role.”
Dr. Abshier has a long-held passion for coding.
“I have been lecturing on coding for many years,” she said. “I enjoy teaching and coding is one of those subjects that can be difficult for people to grasp. The more I can learn and achieve the more I can help my colleagues succeed as well.”
Dr. Abshier explained that coding is an interesting intersection of language and medical practice.
“The written codes need to be interpreted the same across many specialties and provider types,” she said. “The terminology needs to withstand the weathering of time and as medicine progresses the language will continue to evolve along side of it. I find this fascinating and am excited to be a part of it.”
Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center is a member of OrthoAlliance (OA), a Cincinnati-based management services organization formed in partnership with leading Midwest physician practices and Revelstoke Capital Partners, a Denver-based private equity firm. The company is building one of the country’s leading orthopedic management organizations. It provides operations, marketing, and patient experience expertise and resources to partner practices working at the forefront of life-changing advances in orthopedics and sports medicine.
Since 2019, OA has grown quickly to over 200 physicians and over 2,000 employees. It partners now with twelve practices across Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
# # #
Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center, the largest physician-owned practice in our region dedicated to specialized foot and ankle care, is comprised of Orthopedic Surgeons, Fellowship-trained Surgical Podiatrists, Fellowship-trained Clinical Podiatrists and a Certified Wound Care specialist. The innovative combination of physicians ensures all lower extremity (below the knee) care needs are met within one medical group. OFAC has locations in Worthington, Dublin, Grove City and Gahanna.
OrthoAlliance is a nationally leading patient centered, physician led management services organization that helps orthopaedic practices grow and thrive in an ever-changing healthcare landscape. Formed in partnership with leading Midwest physician practices and Revelstoke Capital Partners, a Denver-based private equity firm in 2019, OrthoAlliance’s partner practices features 200+ physicians across all orthopaedics and sports medicine specialties. OrthoAlliance strives to attract the most talented physicians and staff and deliver the highest quality care in the industry.