Masters Classes for Endocrine Physicians to Learn Ethanol and Radiofrequency Ablation

December 12, 2013

RE: Dr. Richard Guttler
1328 16th St
Santa Monica, CA 90404

To Whom It May Concern:
Dear Sir or Madam:

This letter is based on the time I spent with Dr. Richard Guttler attending his Master Class in Thyroidology in 2013. He is one of the first endocrinology physicians who introduced the use of ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of thyroid disorders in the United States.

Additionally, he has extensive knowledge in the field of cytopathology and histopathology.

Needless to say, the time I spent with Dr. Guttler was very educational. This process included hands on experience in diagnostic ultrasounds, on phantoms as well as live subjects. This included preparing high quality smears of fine needle aspiration biopsy specimens with on-site determination of the adequacy of the specimen (EROS).

I was very impressed by the extensive library of thyroid ultrasound images and cyto/histopathology slides. He has a remarkable collection which includes some of the rarest conditions pertaining to the thyroid that one can think of. During the time that I spent at his office, I had free access to this extensive library to enhance my knowledge.

In addition to ultrasound-related procedures, Dr. Guttler offers training in nuclear medicine as well. Almost one full day of the master class is dedicated to nuclear medicine. This also included direct patient care, under Dr. Guttler’s supervision, performing I-123 uptakes and scans.

He pays meticulous attention to detail, ranging from major aspects such as the type of ultrasound machine used to the gauge of the needle used for different types of procedures and even the type of ultrasound probe covers used. In fact, he gives a trainee every single detail necessary to set up a thyroid practice.

As impressive as all this is, there are two other factors which truly made my experience worthwhile. The passion and sincerity with which Dr. Guttler approaches the management of patients with thyroid disorders is definitely noteworthy. Last, but not least, this whole educational experience takes place in a very casual and friendly setting. Dr. Guttler and his assistant were both very friendly and down-to-earth and made me feel at home while I was there. On the whole, it was a very enjoyable educational experience, not to mention lunch at some of the fine local restaurants.

I would be delighted to go back at some point for further training with Dr. Guttler. I would highly recommend his master class to any candidate who is interested in gaining experience with thyroid ultrasounds and related procedures, and also nuclear medicine procedures relating to the thyroid gland.

Sincerely yours,
/s/
Ganesh Nair, M.D., F.A.C.P, F.A.C.E
GN/lls

To Whom It May Concern:

I recently attended Dr. Richard Guttler’s thyroid seminar. It was quite informative and I am happy to say that I have learned and am currently using Dr. Guttler’s techniques within my own clinic.

I highly recommend attending his courses in how to establish a successful thyroid clinic.

Sincerely,
/s/
Dr. Oscar Castro

February 18, 2011

Dr. Richard B. Guttler
Santa Monica Thyroid Diagnostic Medical Group, Inc.
1328 16th Street
Santa Monica, CA 904040

Dear Dick,

Thank you so much for the wonderful tutorial experience in your office this past December. It was an intense three days, but very valuable to me as a general clinical endocrinologist.

Although I have years of experience doing thyroid FNA, I have recently upgraded to utilizing ultrasound guidance. The time I spent in your office really improved my expertise in ultrasound-guided FNA techniques, reading ultrasounds, and of course lymph node mapping and biopsy for the evaluation and treatment of metastatic thyroid carcinoma. Courses run by our national organizations have been helpful, but lack the individualized attention a one-to-one preceptorship such as yours offers.

My exposure to nuclear medicine and thyroid cytopathology has given me new insight into what can be accomplished by the clinical endocrinologist. I intend to work on obtaining certification in those areas as well.

Thank also for your travel, accommodation and restaurant recommendations. Your advice did not disappoint, although I find it hard to imagine not having a great time in Santa Monica!

Please express my appreciation to your fine staff and the lovely patients I met. I will be back soon for another Cytopathology lesson!

Warm regards,
/s/
Elaine C. Drobny, MD, FACE

1/25/2010

Re: the 1-week rotation at the Santa Monica Thyroid Center in December 2009

Dr. Guttler,

Thank you for allowing me to work for a week with you at the Santa Monica Thyroid Center this past December. I appreciated the opportunity to observe the inner workings of a thyroid only practice model. I found it very educational to review both benign and malignant thyroid pathology from your extensive slide library. It was valuable to review the lectures from recent thyroid pathology conferences as well. I had ample time and the generously provided materials to practice slide preparation and to work with the thyroid biopsy phantom. Additionally, thyroid grand rounds at USC was a good educational experience.

Thank you for your hospitality, the time you took to teach and for allowing me to observe your practice for the week. I am grateful for the experience.

Sincerely,

Richard,

I think it is very fine what you are doing with the thyroid mentoring program and I hope many take you up on this. It is innovative and cutting edge in medical education. I have often thought that experienced clinicians like you are under-appreciated and that some of these academicians who write more than they have read often give bad advice in text books. For me, it’s probably too late but it sure sounds like fun.

Cordially,
Bill, MD, FACP, FACE

June 24, 2010

Dear Dr. Guttler,

Thank you for the opportunity to observe your thyroid practice first hand.  I had a wonderful learning experience over three days.  I appreciated learning about performance of thyroid uptake and scans, thyroid ultrasound identification of lymph nodes and parathyroid glands and different ways for preparation of slides for FNA, first look techniques for observation of FNA slides under the microscope and the longitudinal FNA approach.  Further, I really appreciated you taking the time to go over FNA Cytopathology, billing issues regarding thyroid related procedures, and other didactic materials. I enjoyed the “thyroid only practice” atmosphere of your office and enjoyed interacting with your staff.
As an endocrinologist in practice it is heartening to learn of alternate practice models like yours.

Keep up the good work.

Best regards,

Dr. Richard Guttler’s Masters Class in Clinical Thyroidology

Announces:
The First Master Graduate in Clinical Thyroidology

Kathleen Hands MD, FACE, ECNU

I am honored to have spent last week with Kathleen Hands, ACT member from San Antonio Texas. She was the first to be certified in endocrine neck ultrasound, ECNU by AACE.

She is the first 100% clinical thyroidologist I personally certify as a master. She worked on needle placement with Ace Needleme, smearing technique, PEI technique with the blue phantom, did two thyroid uptakes and imaging toward her practical experience toward nuclear certification. She learned nuclear safety protocols, on-site slide preparation for quality assessment, “first look” concepts to be able to look at the thyroid biopsy slides before the pathologist, reviewed all the Santa Monica Thyroid Centers protocols for treatment of cancer, cysts, goiters with RAI/131 and Ethanol. She obtained all codes needed to start a thyroid practice. She is opening a thyroid only practice in San Antonio after years of seeing thyroid patients at the university. She is the local expert on all things thyroid in that Texas city. She will be in private practice by September.

As a master class graduate she will be ask to submit her practice information to my webmaster to be included on my website, thyroid.com, where her paid practice announcement will be seen by millions surfing the web for thyroid information. I have only authorized addition to the website of true thyroid only clinicians who have spent at least a week with me. The website does not accept any other ads. The endocrinologists must be ECNU certified, and plan to have a CLIA thyroid lab, on-site quality assessment, “first look” concept with microscope, digital camera, and be certified in nuclear thyroidology by AACE. The goal is to be a self-contained full service thyroid center. The week at my “store” will teach you the skills needed to have your dream come true. No night call, coverage, hospital patients, and free weekends to enjoy your family.

Congratulations to our ACT member Kathleen, as she is fulfilling her dream of becoming a clinical thyroidologist in Texas.

Dick