Notice of Data Incident
August 1, 2023

Dear Patients:
We post this Notice pursuant to the United States Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) to inform you about a data incident involving an unauthorized release of patient Protected Health Information (“PHI”), as that is defined by HIPAA, at Gary Motykie, M.D., a Medical Corporation and Gary Motykie, M.D. (“Practice”), a covered entity under HIPAA.

PHI, as defined by HIPAA, is information that is “created, received, maintained, or transmitted by or on behalf of the health care component of the Covered Entity.” § 164.105 (a)(2)(i)(D). Information that is created or received by a Covered Entity and that relates to the past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition of an individual; or the past, present, or future payment for the provision of healthcare to an individual is considered PHI. PHI is required to be protected when transmitted or maintained in any form by a Covered Entity. Individual identifiers (including but not limited to name, address, telephone number, fax, email address, social security number, medical record number, etc.) maintained in a designated record set along with health information (including but not limited to x-rays, images, scans, physician notes, diagnoses, treatment, eligibility approvals, claims, remittances, etc.) are collectively considered PHI.

Event Description:
On or about June 6, 2023, an initial technical analysis of the Practice’s information technology network determined an unauthorized release of PHI occurred to an unknown third party. The initial analysis determined that the unknown third party accessed the Practice’s network. It was further determined that the unknown third party acquired some of the Practice’s patient’s unencrypted PHI and that party was not authorized to do so and did so in an unlawful manner.

The information that may have been accessed or acquired during this unauthorized access included:

  • First and last name 
  • Social Security Number (if provided)
  • Address
  • Driver’s license or identification card number
  • Financial account or payment card number, in combination with any required CVV code
  • Intake forms, which may include medical information and history
  • Images taken in connection with the services rendered at our office
  • Health insurance information (if provided)
Steps Taken to Address:
Upon discovery, the Practice took the following immediate steps to address the situation:
  • Computers and servers replaced
  • Network passwords changed
  • Endpoint detection, virus, and malware detection tools and software installed on workstations and server
  • Limitations concerning Internet access
  • Access controls put in place for users based on role and responsibility
  • Server policies in place
  • Device locking mechanisms
  • Multi factor authentication enabled
  • Network segregation efforts
  • Encryption of devices
  • Additional workforce training
Risk Assessment:

The Practice conducted a risk assessment to evaluate the potential harm to potentially impacted individuals. Based on that assessment, it is determined that there is a high risk of harm. It is essential for potentially impacted individuals to remain vigilant in monitoring their personal accounts and data and promptly report any suspicious activity to law enforcement or their financial institutions.

Assistance and Resources:
Starting on or about June 22, 2023, letters were mailed to patients providing the following resources to assist the potentially impacted individuals, offering at no cost:
  • two (2) years of no cost Triple Bureau Credit Monitoring/Triple Bureau Credit Report/Triple Bureau Credit Score/Cyber Monitoring services.
  • the services also include reviewing whether Information appears on the dark web and alert the individual if such Information is found online.
  • proactive fraud assistance to help with any questions in event a potentially impacted persons becomes a victim of fraud.

Steps to Prevent Future Incidents: We deeply regret any inconvenience or concern this Incident may cause. The Practice is taking numerous steps to help prevent similar Incidents in the future. We will continue to review and enhance our security measures, policies, and employee training.

If you failed to receive your letter in the mail, and/or if there is a concern your mailing address has changed since you were a patient at the Practice, please contact 1-800-405-6108 or call our office immediately at 310-246-2355 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific time, Monday through Friday.

About Dr. Motykie

About Dr. MotykieAbout Dr. MotykieDr. Gary Motykie is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who is highly skilled in breast surgery, body contouring, rhinoplasty and facial rejuvenation as well as numerous other cosmetic surgical procedures. With about 50% of his practice consisting of revising surgeries from elsewhere, Dr. Motykie believes in performing safe, effective plastic surgery that focuses on “doing it right the first time.”

Dr. Motykie’s interest in the form and function of the human body began early in his career while he was a fitness competitor and personal trainer. He earned his Undergraduate Degree in the challenging field of Bio-Medical Engineering during which time he was involved in the development of artificial organs and prosthetic limbs. After graduating with the highest honors and multiple academic awards, Dr. Motykie studied Medicine at Northwestern University and Plastic Surgery at the University of Texas, where he performed surgery at one of the world’s top cancer and burn reconstruction facilities.

Dr. Motykie completed an Advanced Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship in Beverly Hills, California in 2004. Since then, he has spent the past 10 years dedicated to designing an integrative approach to health, wellness, nutrition, and surgery in order to further evolve his practice beyond the current standards.

“I focus on the human body as a whole in my practice. Too many people now want a ‘quick fix’ at the cheapest possible price rather than a quality procedure that will enhance healing time, outcomes, improve overall health and slow the effects of the aging process.” -Dr. Gary Motykie

About Dr. Motykie
View Dr. Motykie’s CV

Dr. Motykie recently expanded his practice to include a fully equipped, state-of-the-art medical spa. Motykie Med Spa allows patients to experience the combined benefits of pre and post- surgical non-invasive treatments that can optimize results and lessen recovery time. Dr. Motykie believes that “Medical aesthetic treatments should be about improving a patient’s overall health and beauty from the inside-out.” In 2008 Dr. Motykie also formed a non-profit charity called The Healing Curve whose primary mission is to help patients who do not have the means to repair acquired physical deformities from birth, cancer, trauma or prior unsuccessful surgery.

Dr. Motykie has been featured in articles in the New York Times, LA Times and Wall Street Journal as well as appeared as a regular surgeon on the E! Channel’s Dr. 90201, Celebrity Plastic Surgery, The Doctors, Marie Show, Dr. Phil, MTV, VH1, EXTRA, ACCESS Hollywood, Inside Edition and the Discovery Channel’s Plastic Surgery: Before & After. Dr. Motykie continues to present his work around the world, appearing on numerous televised programs to discuss a wide variety of plastic surgical topics.

MY PHILOSOPHY

I believe that the most important goal in cosmetic plastic surgery is patient satisfaction, while doing everything I can to ensure their health and wellbeing. Therefore, my primary practice focus is to simply make my patient’s happy. I achieve this goal by listening carefully during my surgical consultations and aligning patient’s desires with realistic expectations. Honesty is my number one policy and I pride myself on providing a thorough, straightforward surgical consultation. I strongly believe that the best plastic surgery results are beautiful, natural and undetectable.

In my professional life, I consistently strive to promote and advance the expanding field of plastic surgery through my consistent involvement in television, radio and written media. It takes extra effort to stay at the forefront of a field that’s constantly changing, but I believe that it is essential in order to keep myself and my patients well-informed about the newest and best surgical techniques available. In this way, I can help to educate and empower patients to make truly informed decisions about having safe, smart and effective plastic surgery.

Through experience and my constant evaluation of emerging technologies, I have engineered surgical techniques that are the safest, least painful and most effective. I have developed a keen artistic eye, extensive scientific knowledge, and skilled surgical hands for the sole purpose of assuring the best possible results. I know that every patient is an individual with different goals, expectations, and aesthetic concerns and I take that into account each and every time a patient puts their trust in my hands.
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