New Surgeon At Fallon???

Does anyone know anything about this new surgeon Dr. Potter? Hes Dr. Arcands partner, but I never heard of him before my meeting on the 11th. I like knowing as much as I can about a Dr. and it makes me nervous. Can you request a certain Dr.? thanks everyone,,,you're all great. Lauren

Don't see why not, Lauren, although you may get the old "you can get in to see the new guy sooner" routine. But it should be your right. I used to work for Fallon when I lived up there, and my mom and dad are still patients so I know things haven't changed - you can request any MD that's in network. Good luck, and let me know how you made out!

Hi, Dr. Potter finished his residency 3 years ago (2004) from U Mass.  He is not Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery (that is the one that counts; the Am Board of Medical Specialties  that Potter belongs to is not the proper certifying Board for bariatric surgeons), nor is he Board Certified in Bariatric Surgery. You will have access to  better, more experienced surgeons with special training in Bariatric Surgery if you can get out of Fallon Health Plan.  You should check this link to the Mass. Board of Registration in Medicine:    http://profiles.massmedboard.org/MA-Physician-Profile-View-Doctor.asp?ID=54117 There are lots of well trained bariatric surgeons in Mass. with lots of experience.  Make sure that you get one.  Good luck! P.S.  I copied Fallon's new doc for you below:

Back  |  Home  | How to Read a Profile

Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine Physician Profile

Michael W. Potter, M.D.

I.            Physician Information                    (The information in sections I - VI has been provided by the physician.)

License Status: Active License Issue Date: 8/25/1999 Accepting New Patients: Yes Accepts Medicaid: Yes Primary Work Setting: Partnership or Group Practice Business Address: Worcester Medical Center 123 Summer Street Worcester, MA  01608 Phone: (508) 852-0600 Translation Services Available: Trans. Service Insurance Plans Accepted: Numerous Plans Accepted Hospital Affiliations: Saint Vincent Hospital at Worcester Med. Ctr. (Active)

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II.            Education & Training

Medical School: University of Massachusetts Medical School Graduation Date: 1997 Post Graduate Training: UMass Memorial Medical Center - General Surgery (7/1/1997-6/30/2004)

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III.            Specialty

Area of Specialty: General Surgery

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IV.            Board Certifications

American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Board Name General Certification Subspecialty Surgery  Surgery

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V.            Honors and Awards

This physician has reported no awards.

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VI.            Professional Publications

This physician has reported no publications.

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VII.            Malpractice Information

Some studies have shown that there is no significant correlation between malpractice history and a doctor's competence. At the same time, the Board believes that consumers should have access to malpractice information. In these profiles, the Board has given you information about both the malpractice history of the physician's specialty and the physician's history of payments. The Board has placed payment amounts into three statistical categories: below average, average, and above average. To make the best health care decisions, you should view this information in perspective. You could miss an opportunity for high quality care by selecting a doctor based solely on malpractice history. When considering malpractice data, please keep in mind: Malpractice histories tend to vary by specialty. Some specialties are more likely than others to be the subject of litigation. This report compares doctors only to the members of their specialty, not to all doctors, in order to make individual doctor's history more meaningful. This report reflects data for the last 10 years of a doctor's practice. For doctors practicing less than 10 years, the data covers their total years of practice. You should take into account how long the doctor has been in practice when considering malpractice averages. The incident causing the malpractice claim may have happened years before a payment is finally made. Sometimes, it takes a long time for a malpractice lawsuit to move through the legal system. Some doctors work primarily with high risk patients. These doctors may have malpractice histories that are higher than average because they specialize in cases or patients who are at very high risk for problems. Settlement of a claim may occur for a variety of reasons which do not necessarily reflect negatively on the professional competence or conduct of the physician. A payment in settlement of a medical malpractice action or claim should not be construed as creating a presumption that medical malpractice has occurred. You may wish to discuss information provided in this report, and malpractice generally, with your doctor. The Board can refer you to other articles on this subject.

	Dr. Potter has not made a payment on a malpractice claim in Massachusetts in the past ten years.

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VIII.            Disciplinary and/or Criminal Actions

Criminal Convictions, Pleas and Admissions: The information in this section may not be comprehensive. The courts are now required by law to supply this information to the Board. Dr. Potter has had no criminal convictions in the past ten years. Hospital Discipline: This section contains several categories of disciplinary actions taken by Massachusetts hospitals during the past ten years which are specifically required by law to be released in the physician's profile. Dr. Potter has no record of hospital discipline in the past ten years. Board Discipline: This section includes final disciplinary actions taken by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine during the past ten years. Dr. Potter has not been disciplined by the Board in the past ten years.

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Additional information about a physician, including closed complaints, may be available by calling the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine Phone 617-654-9830 Toll Free Number (Massachusetts only) 1-800-377-0550

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Return to Physician Profile Search Direct questions and comments about these results to Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine 560 Harrison Avenue, Boston MA 02118 Phone 617-654-9800 For direct response please use Email

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With all due respect to the previous post, I don't think you can assume that Dr Potter is not ABS certified based on the Mass Med Board Profile website.  I have been searching MD profiles on this website, and all of the bariatric surgeons I have checked only state the ABMS cert, with Surgery listed under the Board.  And Bariatric Surgery is not one of the listed specialties you can choose on the menu, so they are all listed as general surgery. I would suggest checking your surgeon's background by meeting and interviewing him, and also calling the Mass Med Board directly for credentials Good luck with your search!