What We Do

Utilize cost effective, proven, and easily accessible technology to reach the children and adults with rare genetic disorders in often under served areas.

Frances D Kendall, MD

Dr. Frances Dougherty Kendall, who trained and was on staff at Boston Children's Hospital plus Harvard Medical School for a number of years, was the previous 50% owner of a successful genetic laboratory/healthcare provider (Horizon Molecular Medicine) and currently serves on the Medical Advisory Board to MitoAction.org, has extensive experience in the diagnosis and management of children with a wide array of inborn errors of metabolism. She brings this vast experience to Virtual Medical Practice, LLC, as President and founder. Dr. Kendall is both a Pediatrician and Biochemical Geneticist. Dr. Kendall has authored numerous research articles on various rare diseases that include Nieman Pick Type C and mitochondrial disease and has a long term interest in research and clinical aspects of rare metabolic diseases.

	Biopsies National phone in presentation to MitoAction.org memebers
	Mitochondrial & Its Association with Autism Presentation to a Autism Support Group. John's Creek Hospital, GA
	Mitochondrial Disorders: A General Overview. Presenation to GA State School Nurses. Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta & Emory University
	Mucopolysaccharidoses Medical Care for Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities Textbook
	Metabolic Testing in Mitochondrial Disease Seminars in Neurology

more listed under Resources tab

A FEW WORDS ABOUT VIRTUAL MEDICAL PRACTICE

Although the price tag for healthcare continues to rise, we are devising innovative processes that keep our overhead low enabling us to pass on the savings to you. We believe in being green by our recycling efforts and by utilizing readily available technology to eliminate paper, communication expenses and employee overhead.

“We are accepting the challenge to improve healthcare through technology and believe that the future of medicine is indeed now,” Dr. Kendall stated. Virtual Medical Practice, the brainchild of Dr. Fran Kendall, former owner of a successful biotech company, is geared towards the diagnosis and management of children and adults with rare genetic disorders.

Utilizing a number of innovative services such as webcam and Skype technology, EMR (electronic medical records), and an internet based phone and fax system, the practice can provide excellence in healthcare to an underserved population in a cost-effective fashion. In the past, because of the rarity of these disorders and the lack of specialists to care for the population, many patients needed to travel far distances to see a medical expert -- losing wages and engendering airfare, hotel and other travel costs. Others simply found the process cost prohibitive, resulting in no access to necessary medical information and care. “Many areas of the country do not have qualified specialists. Those specialists have limited or no experience at all with these disorders,” explained Dr. Kendall. Since understanding the disease process and implementing preventative measures can have a drastic impact not only on quality of life for an affected individual but for their healthcare costs in general. Gaining access to a medical specialists is vital and the key component of this healthcare model.

“Not all areas of medicine are amenable to this model,” says Dr. Kendall. “However, a large component of genetics involves education and that can be done in a patient’s living room utilizing technology.”

To keep costs contained, VMP does not employ staff to schedule patients or collect billings from insurance companies. The practice is a fee for service model and assists patients in filing for reimbursement through their insurance companies much like dental offices. Shortly after your office visit, you will receive the physicians note of your visit and a form which explains in detail the charges incurred. This form is accepted by most insurance companies as the "physician's statement or Form 1500 " when you submit your claim to them. We understand that a fee for service may be difficult for some families at times; therefore, our patient advocates will be happy to discuss payment arrangements with you.

However, the long-term goal is to have a number of patients qualify for “free care” through non-profit partners and industry support. “We can charge reasonable fees,” Dr. Kendall explains,” because we have limited overhead. Overall, we are able to provide more care to a greater number of patients at a dramatically lower cost to the healthcare system.”

“I am very excited about the widespread impact this type of model can have on patients and their quality of life. Instead of limiting a practice to a specific office, we can now provide increased access using technology,” Dr. Kendall relayed.

Indeed, the future of medicine is now for many previously overlooked patients.

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