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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The ‘Thut’: The Newest Body Problem Area | The Doctors TV Show

The “thut” is being touted as the newest body problem. Do you have one? And, how do you get rid of it? Watch the Video Now with Dr. Motykie on The Doctors
The ‘Thut’: The Newest Body Problem Area | The Doctors TV Show

The ‘thut’ is a unique term coined to describe the loss of definition in the hip area. Many experts blame the sedentary lifestyles, which contribute to a growing number of people losing the definition between their thighs and buttocks. In specific terms, the ‘thut’ is said to occur when the muscles on the back of a woman’s legs are under-developed, which results in the buttock and thigh to appear a single anatomical unit.

As an experienced plastic surgeon, Dr. Gary Motykie tells patients that it is possible to improve this condition with appropriately monitored fitness training and exercise programs. Dr. Motykie suggests that patients should avoid body contouring surgery or liposuction procedure to get rid of the ‘thut’ condition. The condition is not an issue of the physical anatomy, which could be corrected with surgery. But it is a condition caused by a lack of targeted muscle tone.

Muscle Laxity in the Butt

Dr. Motykie says that concerns of excess fat and loose skin in the buttocks are different from the issue of the thut. If the buttocks are lifted, and the hamstrings are well developed, there will be definition in the overall hip area. Muscular origins of the thut are a part of the postural support group that helps determine walking, standing and lifting movements. The laxity of muscles in this group, or lack of muscular development may be attributed in large part to a sedentary lifestyle.

The gradual shifts in working culture over the years have led to a situation where a majority of working people perform their jobs while seated in a desk chair for most part of the day rather than working in physically laborious occupations. To counter this kind of work life, it is important for a person to exercise regularly. Muscle laxity can cause a situation where the butt appears to drop down into the leg, and causes a loss of lift.

Not a Genetic Condition

Dr. Motykie says that the thut is not hereditary. It is essentially a product of definition and muscle tone. If the problem was genetically linked, it may have been much more difficult to correct the shape of muscles. However, the thut is largely a problem of muscle tone and active use. Therefore, the problem is entirely treatable if the individual focuses on targeted and appropriate physical exercises and activities.

Awareness about the Thut

The thut has been widely recognized among fitness experts over the last few years. Especially since 2011, the condition has been commonly discussed among fitness enthusiasts and experts alike. The first mention of the word ‘thut’ in the Urban Dictionary came way back in 2007. However, many people are still unclear about what the term means, and how the condition can be corrected.

The precise exercises and activities that can improve the thut condition are also not widely known. Some of the leading fitness experts suggest that an individual should focus on ‘squats and lifting’ as a practical solution to the thut. Some other experts say that any floor exercise that involves placing the legs behind the body, with the practitioner raising them in gravity can help.

To see more services and treatments provided by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Motykie in Beverly Hills | Los Angeles and his team please visit:

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