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.

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Cheek Augmentation Surgery

Cheek Augmentation SurgeryCheek implants offer contour and volume to depleted cheeks. Cheek augmentation plastic surgery is beneficial for individuals with weak cheek anatomy, a narrow or flat face, or those who have lost volume in the cheeks due to the process of aging. 

Cheek enhancement surgery offers an appealing cosmetic solution to many individuals due to the simplicity of the procedure and its high success rate. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides cheek implants to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations.

 

Cheek Bone Implants

Cheekbone implants have a proven record of safety and success in aesthetic enhancement. These implants have been in use for more than 60 years. Various synthetic materials, ranging from very rigid to pliable, are used to create cheekbone implants. These implants come in many shapes and sizes. 

It is possible to customize most cheekbone implants to individual facial anatomy. Cheek implants, such as those comprising silicone, do not fuse with the tissue and can readily be extracted at a later date, if required. Conversely, cheekbone implants made of hydroxyapatite fuse with the natural tissue, becoming a part of the cheek structure. 

 

Cheek Enhancement Surgery

In case the patient decides to undergo cheek enhancement along with another facial cosmetic surgery, such as eyelid lift, brow lift, nose reshaping, or facelift, the surgeon can insert the cheek implants using common incisions. 

In case cheek augmentation is the only procedure that the patient is undergoing, the surgeon can place the implants via small incisions made in the mouth or lower lids. The surgeon will create small pockets in the cheek tissue to place these implants. 

After placing the incision, they will then close the incision with sutures. The sutures will be removed in ten days, and if they are absorbable, they will dissolve in around the same duration if placed inside the mouth.  

 

Suitable Candidates

Cheek enhancement is most suitable for individuals who share some or all of the following qualities:

  • Sunken hollows beneath the eyes
  • A downturned mouth
  • Deep nasolabial folds
  • Loose facial skin
  • Prominent jowls or facial folds
  • Poorly defined cheek area

 

Cheek Augmentation Procedure

In general, patients receive cheek augmentation surgery in an outpatient surgical center or a hospital. The duration of the procedure will depend on its extent and the type of implants being used.

The surgeon will make an incision and create a pocket to hold the implant. The incisions are usually placed inside the mouth or through an opening just beneath the lower lash allowing the incision to blend with the lash line in an inconspicuous manner. 

The incisions underneath the skin are closed using absorbable sutures while cuts on the skin’s surface are typically sealed with removable sutures. The implant type being used determines the positioning of the implant. Malar implants are placed in the outer upper cheek area, and it offers the patient a high cheekbone appearance. 

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for cheek implants.

 

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Cheek Augmentation Surgery

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