The SMLMA ensures local physicians have a voice in shaping healthcare policy.
The Mendocino-Lake County Medical Society, a component medical society of the California Medical Association, supports local physicians and their efforts to enhance the health of the community. MLCMS and CMA offer a wide array of legal, collegial and advocacy benefits to their members, and they are involved with several health initiatives.
Founded in 1938, MLCMS is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association governed by a board of directors composed of local physicians. MLCMS welcomes all physicians, respects diverse interests and acts as a unifying force in the community.
In January 2022, MLCMS officialy merged with the Sonoma County Medical Association to become the Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake Medical Association.
SMLMA enhances the health of the community by helping local residents gain the knowledge, motivations and opportunities needed to make informed decisions about their health. The medical society supports local, state and national efforts to promote healthy behaviors, create healthy environments and increase access to high-quality health care.
SMLMA members serve in leadership positions for many local health organizations, including the Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency Advisory Board, Partnership HealthPlan, Community Care Management Corporation, Coastal Valleys EMS, Howard Memorial Hospital Board, and the Heberden Telemedicine Foundation.
Free medical-legal information. SMLMA/CMA members can call the CMA Member Help Center at 800-786-4262 or visit www.cmanet.org for assistance with general, legal and reimbursement issues. In addition, members can access the CMA Medical-Legal Library, an online resource containing over 3,000 pages of medical-legal, regulatory and reimbursement information. These documents are free to members; nonmembers pay $2 per page.
Collegial Events. MLCMS encourages physician collegiality in Mendocino and Lake counties by sponsoring at least two annual events. The Fall/Winter Membership Dinner features a speaker on a topic of interest to physicians. An informal Reception, held at a different location each spring or summer, allows physicians to interact with their colleagues in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere.
CMA Meetings. SMLMA/CMA members regularly participate in meetings sponsored by the California Medical Association. Each fall, delegates from MLCMS attend the House of Delegates, which establishes the policies that guide CMA. During the spring, SMLMA/CMA members enroll in the CMA Leadership Academy, which helps physicians develop leadership skills and understand the latest trends in health care.
Legislative Advocacy. Physicians consistently indicate that influencing public policy is a top priority. SMLMA/CMA members regularly meet with local representatives and with candidates for public office. Members are also invited to participate in the annual Legislative Day, when physicians from around the state convene in Sacramento to meet with legislators and other government officials.
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