State finalists

By John Johnston
Managing Editor

Chairman Steve Geller, and CEO, Dr. Edward Goldman are finalists in the 2008 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award.  The men are principals in the Boca Raton health services firm MDVIP.

“These finalists are an exceptional group who embody the unique spirit of entrepreneurism,” says Michael J. Brennan, Florida Host of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year program.  “They have a positive impact on our region in many ways, including innovation, the creation of jobs and contribution to community growth and development.”

MDVIP was also a finalist last year.

“And it’s an honor to be recognized by Ernst & Young again,” said Geller.  “How wonderful to be involved in a business where I meet people in the community everyday who thank me for helping to provide exceptional healthcare that really makes a positive difference in their lives."

MDVIP CEO Dr. Edward Goldman told the Boca Raton News: "Being selected as finalists this year demonstrates our continued dedication to transforming primary care practices to focus on highly personalized prevention that enhances patient care, rather than just treating illness."

MDVIP launched its service in 2000 with a radical new approach to individualized health care. MDVIP's doctors agree to limit a practice to 600 patients versus a primary care physician's average caseload of 3,000. In return for providing more time and a more personalized service, the doctors receive a flat fee each year from each patient.

MDVIP said it works with physicians to provide the tools needed to practice preventive and personalized healthcare for patients who consider health a priority.  The MDVIP model is based on three principles: “exceptional doctors, exceptional care, and exceptional results,” according to Dr. Goldman. MDVIP is now a national network of physicians who practice preventive and personalized healthcare, not just the detection and treatment of disease as in most traditional primary care practices.

With prevention as the cornerstone of its program, MDVIP has proven that its carefully chosen affiliated physicians provide exceptional care and achieve exceptional outcomes. These outcomes include lower hospitalization rates, Dr. Goldman said.

 MDVIP currently serves more than 75,000 patients through over 225 affiliated physicians located in 22 states plus the District of Columbia (Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C.).

MDVIP patients pay a membership fee of $125 to $150 a month annualized at $1,500 to $1,800. Patients receive the state-of-the-art MDVIP physical, which includes personal and family history, identification of risk factors, laboratory testing, EKG and screenings related to mental status, exercise, nutrition and sleep; vision, hearing and pulmonary function testing; and a review of all medication.

Florida award winners will be announced Thursday, June 5 at the awards banquet, Gaylord Palms Resort, Orlando.

An independent judging panel comprised of regional business, academic and community leaders selected entrepreneur finalists.  Florida winners will join other regional award recipients in eligibility for consideration in the 2008 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year national program. National award recipients will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, CA Nov. 8.