May 2016 Download PDF Here SCMA NEWS Deadline to register for CURES is July 1, 2016 RSVP now for May 19 Wine & Cheese Reception Cast your vote in the annual SCMA election by May 31 Get your 2016 Sonoma County Physician Directory now! AMA House of Delegates report SCMA applicants LOCAL NEWS PRACTICE RESOURCES & CME CLASSIFIEDS SCMA NEWS Deadline to register for CURES is July 1, 2016 Under California law, all individuals practicing in California who possess both a state regulatory board license authorized to prescribe, dispense, furnish or order controlled substances and a Drug Enforcement Administration Controlled Substance Registration Certificate (DEA Certificate) must register to use the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) by July 1, 2016. CMA has compiled a list of educational materials to familiarize physicians with the registration process and key features of the newly upgraded system, CURES 2.0. These resources are available at www.cmanet.org/cures. Physicians who experience problems with the new system should contact the Department of Justice (DOJ) CURES Help Desk at 916-227-3843 or cures@doj.ca.gov. PLEASE report these technical issues to CMA's member service center at 800-786-4262 or memberservice@cmanet.org. CMA recently cohosted a webinar with DOJ to help physicians navigate the CURES 2.0 registration process. The presentation is now available on demand in CMA's online resource library and is free to all interested parties. The webinar, "CURES 2.0: Navigating the State's New Prescription Drug Monitoring Database," provides an overview of key user features of the updated system and tips on how to avoid technical issues. RSVP now for May 19 Wine & Cheese Reception Last chance to RSVP for the gathering at Orpheus Wines in Kenwood on Thursday evening, May 19. Hosted this year by winery owners Dr. Rachel Friedman and her husband, Marc Kraft, the reception runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and features a delightful sampling of fine wines and cheeses. This popular annual event is FREE for SCMA members and their spouse or guest. Cost for nonmembers is $55 per person. To RSVP, contact Rachel Pandolfi at rachel@scma.org or 707-525-4375. Visit www.orpheuswines.com for directions and information about their wines. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase the wines being poured at a 15% discount. Fore more details, see the invitation. Cast your vote in the annual SCMA election by May 31 SCMA election ballots will be mailed by postal mail to all members in May and are due back by May 31. On the election ballot, Dr. Peter Sybert, a Santa Rosa anesthesiologist, has been nominated as SCMA president-elect. Others nominated to the SCMA Board of Directors are Drs. Brad Drexler (treasurer), Patricia May (secretary), Richard Powers (West County district), Peter Sybert and Jan Sonander (Santa Rosa district), James Pyskaty (TPMG), and five nominees for the CMA delegation: Drs. Rob Nied, Richard Powers and Jeff Sugarman (delegates) and Regina Sullivan and Stephen Steady (alternates). Board nominees join the current board of directors, which include Drs. Mary Maddux-Gonzalez, Margaret Gilford, Clinton Lane, Rajesh Ranadive, Marshall Kubota, Jeff Sugarman, Rob Nied, Karen Milman, and Rick Flinders. For more information, contact Cynthia Melody at cmelody@scma.org or 707-525-4375. Get your 2016 Sonoma County Physician Directory now! One of the many benefits of SCMA membership is a free copy of the annual Sonoma County Physician Directory. Extra copies are a hot commodity, and right now is the best time to order. Last year's edition sold out, so don't wait! Each SCMA member has already received one complimentary copy of the 2016 directory. Extra copies are $30 for SCMA members and $40 for nonmember physicians, health care facilities and the general public. To order by phone with a credit card, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375 or rachel@scma.org. You can also purchase online or you can fax or mail the order form. AMA House of Delegates report Dr. Peter Bretan, a urologist and transplant surgeon with offices in Sonoma and Marin counties, is the CMA District X alternate delegate to the American Medical Association. He is also president of the Marin Medical Society. Click here to read Dr. Bretan's report on last fall's AMA House of Delegates. SCMA applicants Welcome, new SCMA/CMA members! Eye Care Institute - 1017 Second St., Santa Rosa Esther Penn, MD, Ophthalmology*, Vanderbilt Univ 1998 Redwood Family Dermatology - 2725 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa Ligaya Park, DO, Dermatology, Western Univ TPMG - 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa Adam Bellinger, MD, Urology*, Univ Texas 2008 * Board certified LOCAL NEWS Dr. Peter Bretan honored by NEPO May is Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and on May 9 the Network of Ethnic Physician Organizations (NEPO) recognized Dr. Peter Bretan for his service as "President of the Marin Medical Society and for going above and beyond to serve people around the world. He frequently travels to the Philippines to help perform life-saving transplants with Life Plant International, the charity organization he founded to promote disaster preparedness, organ donation and early disease screening worldwide. He was presented with the Benjamin Rush Award for Citizenship and Community Service by the American Medical Association (AMA) in 2014. Dr. Bretan's altruism is truly inspiring!" Click here to view the NEPO Facebook page. Jewish Community Free Clinic dinner & auction June 5 Support the Jewish Community Free Clinic by attending the Spirit of Hippocrates Dinner & Auction at Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa, June 5 at 5 p.m. Share delicious food and local wines and celebrate the artistic contributions made to the clinic by local artists Leslie Gattmann and Marsha Connell. Click here for event details. JCFC provides free care to the uninsured in our community, regardless of religious beliefs. Services include primary care, social services, labs and medications. During the past year more than 2,500 adults and children received services from JCFC. PRACTICE RESOURCES & CME New! May 17 seminar: Increasing medical debt recoveries and building a customer service culture This seminar will teach attendees medical debt recovery practices to increase patient satisfaction and recoveries in their office, while highlighting processes to implement ways to build a customer service culture. The seminar cost is $79 and benefits the Center for Well-Being. Click here for more information. New! July 22 seminar: Improve oral health care for pregnant women and infants Sonoma County medical and dental professionals are invited to attend a no-cost educational seminar and workshop focused on oral health care for pregnant women and infants from 8:30 a.m. to Noon on July 22. Emcee: Dr. Jayanth Kumar, DDS, MPH, California State Dental Director. See flier for details. Free CME on Child Abuse Prevention, Recognition and Reporting The Institute for Medical Quality (IMQ) is offering a course on Child Abuse Prevention, Recognition and Reporting. This 75-minute course, is designed for physicians, nurses and other health care professionals who are mandated by law to report suspected child abuse and neglect, but who may not be as familiar with the signs and symptoms or may not know what, when and to whom to properly report findings. This course is free, CMEs available. Pre-registration is required. For more information, contact Leslie Anne Iacopi at liacopi@imq.org. Practice Management Tip of the Month: May Plan ahead to reduce scheduling disruptions and long patient wait times! It's rare that an appointment schedule in a medical office survives a day without any changes. No-shows, cancellations and last-minute emergencies will always crop up and cause shifts and changes. Effectively managing the appointment schedule can have a positive impact on both patient and practice satisfaction. For more information on scheduling strategies visit www.cmanet.org/practice-check-up. Are you receiving CMA newsletters? 1) CMA Alert. CMA publishes a biweekly e-newsletter, CMA Alert, to keep its members up-to-date on critical issues affecting the practice of medicine in California. Click here to view the current issue. 2) CMA Practice Resources. CCPR is a free monthly bulletin from CMA's practice management experts that focuses on critical payor and health industry changes and how they directly impact the business of a physician practice. Each issue includes tips on reimbursement and contracting-related issues along with information on the latest practice management news. Click here to view the current issue. CLASSIFIEDS Seeking full-time medical assistant for busy, small family practice Front and back office experience preferred. Email or fax resume to: nlofficemanager@att.net or 707-782-1163. Steal my practice. I'm retiring. Fall in love with practicing medicine again. Proven, profitable weight loss practice in Marin County. Multiple 6 figures, ready to take it to the next level. Work-life balance, time freedom, financial security, relationship-driven practice. I'm 100% committed to all the support necessary to ensure a smooth transition. Contact for more information or to schedule a visit. Gail Altschuler, MD, 415-309-6258 or drgail@marinweightloss.com. Free classifieds for SCMA members! SCMA members can place free classified ads in News Briefs or Sonoma Medicine. Cost for nonmember physicians and the general public is $1 per word. To place a classified ad, contact Susan Gumucio at susan@scma.org or 707-525-0102. ABOUT SCMA The Sonoma County Medical Association, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association, supports local physicians and their efforts to enhance the health of the community. Founded in 1858, SCMA is affiliated with the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association. © 2016 SCMA, 2312 Bethards Dr. #6, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 May 17, 2016 SCMA News Briefs SCMA News Briefs 0 0 Comment Read More »
April 2016 Download PDF Here SCMA NEWS Register now for CURES 2.0 with streamlined registration Join us for Hidden Talents Art Show May 5 RSVP for Wine & Cheese Reception May 19 at Orpheus Wines Dr. Peter Sybert nominated as SCMA president-elect SCMA applicants PRACTICE RESOURCES & CME CLASSIFIEDS SCMA NEWS Register now for CURES 2.0 with streamlined registration The Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) is a database of Schedule II, III and IV controlled substance prescriptions dispensed in California. Effective July 1, 2016, physicians with an active medical license and a Drug Enforcement Agency certificate must be registered for access to CURES. To register using the new fully automated system, visit oag.ca.gov/cures. Have questions or need help registering? CURES 2.0 webinar: Navigating the State's New Prescription Drug Monitoring Database. This webinar gives physicians an overview of the registration process and key features of the newly upgraded system. The webinar is FREE for members and nonmembers and is available on-demand in the CMA Resource Library. Physicians experiencing problems with the new system can call CMA's member help line at 800-766-4262 or email memberservice@cmanet.org Join us for Hidden Talents Art Show May 5 All local physicians, along with their families and friends, are urged to attend the Hidden Talents Art Show to enjoy the wealth of artistic talent in the local medical community. Sponsored by the SCMA Alliance Foundation, the event will be held at the Paradise Ridge Winery in Santa Rosa on Thursday, May 5, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The show will also include an outdoor stage for performing artists to entertain guests with music, poetry and storytelling. A La Heart Catering will offer a delicious array of appetizers, and complimentary wine will be provided by a generous donation from Kendall Jackson Wines. A silent auction will feature a painting donated by Bob Nugent, well-known artist and former curator of the Imagery Winery Gallery. The winner will be announced during the show. The event is family friendly, with on-site child care and art activities available to SCMA members with children 12 and under. For more information or to purchase tickets ($50), visit the Foundation website. Wine & Cheese Reception May 19 at Orpheus Wines Join your colleagues at SCMA's annual Wine & Cheese Reception, to be held at Orpheus Wines in Kenwood on Thursday evening, May 19. The popular event, hosted this year by Orpheus owners Dr. Rachel Friedman and her husband, runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and features a delightful sampling of fine wines and cheeses. The event is absolutely FREE for SCMA members and their spouse or guest. Cost for nonmembers is $55 per person. To RSVP, contact Rachel Pandolfi at rachel@scma.org or 707-525-4375. For more information about the winery, visit www.orpheuswines.com. Dr. Peter Sybert nominated as SCMA president-elect SCMA President Dr. Mary Maddux-González and incoming President Dr. Regina Sullivan, announce that Dr. Peter Sybert, a Santa Rosa anesthesiologist, has been nominated as SCMA president-elect. Others nominated to the SCMA Board of Directors are Drs. Brad Drexler (treasurer), Patricia May (secretary), Richard Powers (West County district), Peter Sybert and Jan Sonander (Santa Rosa district), James Pyskaty (TPMG), and five nominees for the CMA delegation: Drs. Rob Nied, Richard Powers and Jeff Sugarman (delegates); and Regina Sullivan and Stephen Steady (alternates). SCMA members will receive ballots by postal mail in May. For more information, contact Cynthia Melody at cmelody@scma.org or 525-4375. SCMA applicants Welcome, new SCMA/CMA members! Ryan Kime, MD, Emergency Medicine*, 533 Shagbark St., Windsor Jonathan Rutchik, MD, Neurology*, 20 Sunnyside Ave. #A321, Mill Valley, Hahnemann Univ 1990 * Board certified PRACTICE RESOURCES & CME NEW! 2016 PQRS updates For physician groups subject to payment adjustments, two new documents are available from The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Value Modifier Results and Payment Adjustments Based on Performance on Quality and Cost Efficiency Measures. NEW! Practice Management Tip of the Month (April) Make sure your practice isn't penalized under the new provider directory accuracy law (SB 137). The new law requires payors to maintain accurate and current directories, and also requires physicians to keep information up-to-date. Failure of practices to comply may result in payment delays, removal from directories and contract termination. Click here for more information and how to sign up for the April 27 webinar on SB 137. April 22, Buck Institute seminar Buck's Formal Research Seminar Series on Friday, April 22 features "Lessons from the Worm: Novel Insights for the Nrf2 Cytoprotection Pathways," presented by Sean Curran, PhD. The seminars are held at the Buck Institute for Aging, 8001 Redwood Blvd., Novato, in the Drexler Auditorium from 11 a.m. to Noon. CME April 30, Annual HIV/AIDS Review. This year's annual HIV/AIDS Review will take place on Saturday, April 30 at Finley Community Center from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event features an educational seminar and luncheon for physicians, mid-levels and pharmacists who provide care to people with HIV and AIDS. Click here for details. NEW member benefit! 5% discount on Workers' Compensation rates SSCMA/CMA is pleased to welcome Preferred Employers Insurance Group as the sponsored carrier. Call Mercer at 800-842-3761, email CMACounty.Insurance.service@mercer.com or visit www.CountyCMAMemberInsurance.com for more information. CMA publishes the biweekly e-newsletter, em>CMA Alert, to keep its members up-to-date on critical issues affecting the practice of medicine in California. Click here to view the current issue. CLASSIFIEDS Steal my practice; I'm retiring. Fall in love with practicing medicine again. Proven, profitable weight loss practice in Marin County. Multiple 6 figures, ready to take it to the next level. Work-life balance, time freedom, financial security, relationship-driven practice. I'm 100% committed to all the support necessary to ensure a smooth transition. Call for more information or to schedule a visit. Gail Altschuler, MD, 415-309-6258. Free classifieds for SCMA members! SCMA members can place FREE classified ads in News Briefs or Sonoma Medicine. Cost for nonmember physicians and the general public is $1 per word. To place a classified ad, contact Susan Gumucio at susan@scma.org or 707-525-0102. ABOUT SCMA The Sonoma County Medical Association, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association, supports local physicians and their efforts to enhance the health of the community. Founded in 1858, SCMA is affiliated with the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association. © 2016 SCMA, 2312 Bethards Dr. #6, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 April 15, 2016 SCMA News Briefs SCMA News Briefs 0 0 Comment Read More »
March 2016 Download PDF Here SCMA NEWS Meetings with legislators planned for April 13 NEW! Contract Renegotiations: Making Your Business Case Wine & Cheese Reception May 19 at Orpheus Wines SCMA strategic plan update SCMA applicants Entries needed for Hidden Talents Art Show PEOPLE CME & PRACTICE RESOURCES CLASSIFIEDS SCMA NEWS Meetings with legislators planned for April 13 Want to make your voice heard in state government? If so, you're invited to attend CMA's free Legislative Leadership Conference in Sacramento on Tuesday, April 13. Hundreds of physicians from all over California attend this annual event, which includes speeches by key legislative leaders and meetings with local legislators on health care issues. Speakers haven't been confirmed, but last year Gov. Brown addressed the conference. To RSVP for the conference, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375 or rachel@scma.org. Click here for more information. - Advertisement - NEW! Contract Renegotiations: Making Your Business Case To help physicians prepare to negotiate or renegotiate, CMA has created a new resource, which includes step-by-step instructions on how to create a thoughtful renegotiation request as well as a sample letter. The resource is available FREE for CMA members at www.cmanet.org/ces under "Payor Contracting." The resource is not available to nonmembers. Wine & Cheese Reception May 19 at Orpheus Wines The annual SCMA Wine & Cheese Reception will be held at Orpheus Wines in Kenwood on Thursday evening, May 19. The event, hosted this year by Orpheus owners Dr. Rachel Friedman and her husband, runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and features collegial conversation and a sampling of fine wines and cheeses. The event is absolutely free for SCMA members and their spouse or guest. Cost for nonmembers is $55 per person. To RSVP, contact Rachel Pandolfi at rachel@scma.org or 707-525-4375. For more information about the winery, visit www.orpheuswines.com. SCMA strategic plan update In January all physicians practicing in Sonoma County were invited to participate in a survey regarding issues of professional concern. THANK YOU to all who responded; your feedback will help SCMA better serve our community, physicians, and your practice and patients. The survey responses also helped guide the SCMA Board of Directors when they met on Saturday, March 5, to consider updating SCMA's strategic plan for 2016 and beyond. Watch for a full report in April. - Advertisement - SCMA applicants Welcome, new SCMA/CMA members! NCMA - 3536 Mendocino Ave. #200, Santa Rosa Kimberly Brayton, MD, Cardiovascular Disease*, UC San Francisco 2007 Vishal Patel, MD, Cardiovascular Disease*, Baylor Coll Med 2007 * Board certified Entries needed for Hidden Talents Art Show Physicians, spouses and partners are invited to participate in the Hidden Talents Art Show to share the wealth of artistic talent in the local medical community. The event, sponsored by the SCMA Alliance Foundation, will be held at the Paradise Ridge Winery in Santa Rosa on Thursday, May 5, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Entrants are invited to submit paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, collages, quilts and jewelry: anything artistic. The show will also include an outdoor stage for performing artists to entertain guests with music, poetry and storytelling. April 16 is the deadline for entry forms, attached here. The exhibit is not juried, and there is no fee to enter. The event is family friendly, with on-site child care and art activities available to SCMA members with children 12 and under. For more information, visit the Foundation website or contact Cecile Keefe at hiddentalents@scmaa.org. PEOPLE Parul Kohli, MD, has recently joined Northern California Medical Associates' Santa Rosa Internal Medicine, a group of eight prominent internal medicine physicians practicing in Santa Rosa. Dr. Kohli is now accepting new patients.. CME & PRACTICE RESOURCES CME April 16-17, Family Medicine Clinical Forum. Take a family medicine vacation with your peers in San Francisco. The California Academy of Family Physicians is also offering CMEs, optional workshops, resident poster session, and an exhibit hall. For more information and registration, visit www.familydocs.org. CME April 30, Annual HIV/AIDS Review. This year's annual HIV/AIDS Review will take place on Saturday, April 30 at Finley Community Center from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event features an educational seminar and luncheon for physicians, mid-levels and pharmacists who provide care to people with HIV and AIDS. Click here for more information. NEW member benefit! 5% discount on Workers' Compensation rates SCMA/CMA is pleased to welcome Preferred Employers Insurance Group as the sponsored carrier. Call Mercer at 800-842-3761, email CMACounty.Insurance.service@mercer.com or visit www.CountyCMAMemberInsurance.com for more information. PFMC grant proposals due April 2 NNonprofit health organizations in Sonoma County are encouraged to apply for Community Grants from the Pacific Foundation for Medical Care. The grants, generally in the $10,000 range, are awarded twice a year by the nonprofit foundation to support local projects that enhance health services. The application deadline for the next round of grants is April 2. For application materials, contact Kathy Pass at 707-525-4281 or kpass@rhs.org. For additional information, visit www.pfmc.org. May 13-15, Western Health Care Leadership Academy, San Francisco Save the date for the 2016 Western Health Care Leadership Academy, which will be held at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square from Friday, May 13, through Sunday, May 15. Event details. CMA publishes the biweekly e-newsletter, CMA Alert, to keep its members up-to-date on critical issues affecting the practice of medicine in California. Click here to view the current issue. CLASSIFIEDS For sale: well-established medical weight loss practice in Marin County Fall in love with practicing medicine again. Create work-life balance and achieve financial freedom. Work with highly motivated, capable people, excelling in many facets of their lives, who have struggled with their weight and know clearly that they cannot do it alone. This all-cash practice offers a flexible schedule and provides other income streams besides doctor visits. In addition, the practice presents a significant growth opportunity. This is and will continue to be an active, ongoing practice. The seller will enable a smooth transition. Email now BariatricPracticeForSale@gmail.com. Free classifieds for SCMA members! SCMA members can place free classified ads in News Briefs or Sonoma Medicine. Cost for nonmember physicians and the general public is $1 per word. To place a classified ad, contact Susan Gumucio at susan@scma.org or 707-525-0102. About SCMA The Sonoma County Medical Association, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association, supports local physicians and their efforts to enhance the health of the community. Founded in 1858, SCMA is affiliated with the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association. © 2016 SCMA, 2312 Bethards Dr. #6, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 March 21, 2016 SCMA News Briefs 0 0 Comment Read More »
February 2016 Download PDF Here SCMA NEWS Feedback sought on health insurance mergers by Feb. 12 Help needed to collect signatures for Tobacco Tax initiative Health officer provides Zika virus resources Save the date: Wine & Cheese Reception May 19 at Orpheus Wines Sign up now for April 13 Legislative Advocacy Day at the Capitol Sonoma Medicine now online Call for artists: SCMA Alliance Hidden Talents Art Show Win an iPad through SCMA's "Passport to Participation" Applicants PEOPLE LOCAL NEWS TOP CMA STORIES CALIFORNIA NEWS RESOURCES / WEBINARS / CME CLASSIFIEDS ABOUT SCMA SCMA NEWS Feedback sought on health insurance mergers by Feb. 12 Aetna has reached a $37 billion deal to purchase Humana, and Anthem has agreed to purchase Cigna for $48.4 billion. Regulators want to know the prospective effects of these possible mergers on your practice and patient care. The survey should take about 8-9 minutes to complete. Please take the survey by Friday, Feb. 12. Click here to take the survey. Help needed to collect signatures for Tobacco Tax initiative SCMA is helping CMA collect signatures to qualify an initiative for the Nov. 8 ballot. The initiative, "California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016," will increase California's cigarette tax (one of the lowest in the nation) by $2.00. To help collect signatures: Email your name and mailing address to SCMA@scma.org, and we'll mail you a petition and instructions. Collect the signatures of eight registered Sonoma County voters. By March 31, mail your completed petition(s) to California Medical Association Attn: Molly Weedn, 1201 J Street, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95816. The initiative will help to reduce smoking, save lives, and fund critical health care programs in California. For more information, visit www.SaveLivesCalifornia.com. Health officer provides Zika virus resources Information and guidance regarding Zika virus disease continues to evolve. Recently, the Sonoma County Health Officer, Dr. Karen Milman, shared with practicing physicians the Jan. 19, 2016, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Zika Virus Health Advisory. An updated Health Advisory from CDPH was issued on Feb. 8, 2016, and is posted along with additional materials on the CDPH website. A Sonoma County-specific Health Advisory will be issued by Dr. Milman soon. It will be posted on the Health Department's Health Alerts webpage. Save the date: Wine & Cheese Reception May 19 at Orpheus Wines Mark your calendar for the annual SCMA Wine & Cheese Reception, to be held at Orpheus Wines in Kenwood on Thursday evening, May 19. This popular event, hosted by owners Dr. Rachel Friedman and her husband, runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and features collegial conversation and a sampling of fine wines and cheeses. The event is absolutely free for SCMA members and their spouse or guest. Cost for nonmembers is $55 per person. To RSVP, contact Rachel Pandolfi at rachel@scma.org or 707-525-4375. For more information about the winery, visit www.orpheuswines.com. Sign up now for April 13 Legislative Advocacy Day at the Capitol Want to make your voice heard in state government? If so, you're invited to attend CMA's free Legislative Leadership Conference in Sacramento on Tuesday, April 13. Hundreds of physicians from all over California attend this annual event, which includes speeches from key legislative leaders and meetings with local legislators on health care issues. Speakers haven't been confirmed, but last year Gov. Brown addressed the conference. To RSVP for the conference, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375 or rachel@scma.org. Click here for more information. Sonoma Medicine now online The winter 2016 issue focuses on mental health, featuring articles by local experts that cover mental illness and mass shootings, integrated behavioral health care, advances in child and adolescent psychiatry, and mental health services at the county jail. The magazine was mailed in January and is now available online at www.scma.org. Call for artists: SCMA Alliance Hidden Talents Art Show The SCMA Alliance Foundation is seeking talented artists in the medical community for the 2016 Hidden Talents Art Show. All Sonoma County physicians and their spouses or partners are encouraged to participate in a wide variety of media. Celebrate the creativity that often goes unseen in our community and experience a casual evening featuring the best Sonoma County has to offer: from artistic talent and wine to good food and camaraderie. Savor the spectacular views from Paradise Ridge Winery while enjoying the artwork on display. Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 5, and watch for forthcoming invitations. This is an event not to be missed! For additional information and entry forms with guidelines, contact Cecile Keefe at alliance@scmaa.org or 707-849-4882. All entry forms must be received by March 1, 2016, and artwork must be received by April 28, 2016. Win an iPad through SCMA's "Passport to Participation" To encourage physician collegiality and the advancement of community health, PASSPORT TO PARTICIPATION acknowledges Sonoma County physicians' active engagement with SCMA, CMA and community activities by awarding points for participation. For each participation point, your name is entered into a drawing for a chance to win an iPad. The winner will be drawn at SCMA's Wine & Cheese Reception in May 2016. Last year's iPad winner was Dr. Jeff Sugarman. Applicants Welcome, new SCMA/CMA members! David Kitts, MD, Surgery*, 652 Petaluma Ave. #D, Sebastopol, Med Coll Wisconsin 1985 TPMG - 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa Armand Braun, MD, Psychiatry*, Carol Davila Univ 1982 Hali Sherman, MD, Pediatrics*, UC Los Angeles 2003 Yevgeniy (Gene) Veltman, MD, Urology*, Univ Miami 2008 Annadel Medical Group Amy Shaw, MD, Family Medicine*,121 Sotoyome St., Santa Rosa, UC Davis 1989 * Board certified - Advertisement - PEOPLE Drs. Susan Buren, Don Carlos, Carol Castillo, Gary Coomber, and Parker Duncan are winners of the five $20 VISA gift cards for completing the recent SCMA strategic planning survey, which received a 10 percent response rate. Survey results will help guide SCMA board members as they consider updating SCMA's strategic plan for 2016 and beyond. Sebastopol urologist Dr. Peter Bretan led one of the largest medical missions ever to the Philippine Islands Jan. 17-22. This annual mission, organized by the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California, brought together 50 physicians (including GYN, urology, plastic surgery, general surgery, ENT, ophthalmology, optometry, dermatology, dentistry, pediatrics, internal medicine, anesthesiology, and pharmacy), 125 support staff, and 25 pre-med students from all over the United States. The mission saw 7,500 patients, distributed thousands of prescription eyeglasses, and performed 1,200 surgeries (including hysterectomies; thyroidectomies; tumor, cataract and glaucoma surgeries; incarcerated hernia repairs; and more). Dr. Bretan also practices in Marin (Novato) and Mendocino (Willits) counties. He is serving his first term as PMSNC president, and his fourth term as Marin Medical Society president. Drs. Jason Pope, John Hau, and Michael Yang, featured in the Feb. 9 Press Democrat, are offering a new treatment for chronic pain utilizing a battery-powered device that uses electrical pulses to block pain signals. Click here to read the full story. A front-page profile of Dr. Harry Richardson and his wife Dee in the Jan. 29 Press Democrat described their decades-long philanthropic spirit. Click here to read "For them, it's all about community." Dr. Tetsuro Fujii, who practiced family medicine in Sebastopol for over 40 years, died in January at the age of 90. Born in Fresno, he graduated from UC Berkeley Medical School. After completing residency, he served in post-war Korea as a Captain in the Army Medical Corp. Upon his return to Sebastopol, he set up a private practice from which he retired in 1998. He and his wife Rose enjoyed traveling and watching their children and grandchildren's many activities. Longtime Sonoma County physician, Dr. Laurel Warner, died Jan. 1. Growing up in the Midwest, she traveled abroad as an AFS International Exchange student during high school, graduated from Allegheny College, and earned her MD and PhD from the Medical College of Pennsylvania. She completed her residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in infectious disease at Harvard, becoming board certified in both specialties. She headed the Infectious Disease Clinic at the VA Hospital in San Francisco, practiced infectious disease and internal medicine in Sonoma County, and was married to Dr. Charles Elboim. The Sonoma County Medical Association presented Dr. Warner with the Outstanding Contribution to Sonoma County Medicine award in 2015. - Advertisement - LOCAL NEWS Scope for Hope Fun Run & Walk April 9 Sutter Health's second annual Scope for Hope 5K/10K Fun Run & Walk will be held April 9 at Julliard Park in downtown Santa Rosa. Scope for Hope encourages teams and family-friendly underwear costumes, and holds a hilarious underwear costume contest. Proceeds from this event will fund colonoscopies for uninsured people in our county. For more information, or to register for the event, go to www.sutterpacific.org/events. - Advertisement - KP supporting Petaluma Health Center expansion As part of its continuing Community Benefit program, Kaiser Permanente is supporting Petaluma Health Center's (PHC) expansion at its Rohnert Park site with a $250,000 grant. Kaiser Permanente grants support local efforts to improve access to health care coverage and services, mental health, oral health, and promote healthy eating and active living. PFMC grant proposals due April 2 Nonprofit health organizations in Sonoma County are encouraged to apply for Community Grants from the Pacific Foundation for Medical Care. The grants, generally in the $10,000 range, are awarded twice a year by the nonprofit foundation to support local projects that enhance health services. The application deadline for the next round of grants is April 2. For application materials, contact Kathy Pass at 707-525-4281 or kpass@rhs.org. For more information, visit www.pfmc.org. Annual HIV/AIDS Review April 30 This year's annual HIV/AIDS Review will take place on Saturday, April 30 at Finley Community Center from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event features an educational seminar and luncheon for physicians, mid-levels and pharmacists who provide care to people with HV and AIDS. Click here for more information. TOP CMA STORIES CMA endorses marijuana ballot initiative to regulate and monitor substance The California Medical Association has formally endorsed the ballot measure known as the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act. Click here for details. CMA publishes the biweekly e-newsletter, CMA Alert, to keep its members up-to-date on critical issues affecting the practice of medicine in California. Click here to view the current issue. CALIFORNIA NEWS IMQ surveyors needed Are you looking for a new activity? The Institute for Medical Quality is looking for physicians who may be interested in becoming surveyors for the Ambulatory Care, Corrections, or CME Review programs. The Ambulatory Program accredits surgery centers, offices, and medical groups in California. The Corrections Program reviews the health care in jails and juvenile facilities, and the CME Program reviews providers of CME. Click here for more information or contact Jill Silverman at 415-882-5151 or jsilverman@imq.org, or visit www.imq.org. RESOURCES / WEBINARS / CME Zika virus resources California Department of Public Health Zika virus health advisory Centers for Disease Control Zika virus website WHO emergency committee outcomes summary Pan American Health Organization Zika virus resources - Advertisement - End of Life Option Act On Oct. 5, 2015, California became the fifth state in the nation to allow physicians to prescribe terminally ill patients medication to end their lives. Click here to access CMA's ON-CALL document #3459 "California End of Life Option Act." This document discusses the requirements of the End of Life Option Act. POLST in 2016 NPs and PAs are now allowed to sign Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) forms and make them actionable medical orders. Visit the Coalition for Compassionate Care of California website for more information for health care providers, for patients and loved ones, for 24/7 online POLST training, and to download POLST forms. CMA Webinars (Click here for full list) Feb. 24 - HIPAA Compliance: Key Risks All Physicians Should Know. 12:15 p.m. March 9 - Closing a Medical Practice. 12:15 p.m. Archived webinars are free to SCMA-CMA members and staff. Non-member fee: $99. For more information, contact CMA's member-help center, 800-786-4262 or memberservice@cmanet.org. Western Health Care Leadership Academy May 13-15, 2016 Save the date for the 2016 Western Health Care Leadership Academy, which will be held at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square from Friday, May 13, through Sunday, May 15. Wednesdays at Hospice House ""Folktales of Ever-Lasting Love: Storytelling & Healing Sound." Hear traditional folktales and myths about all kinds of love that warm the heart and nourish the soul. Feb. 17 at Memorial Hospice, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. For details, visit www.sonomacountyhospice.org. Free online CME: Child Abuse Prevention, Recognition, and Reporting When is a child's bruise from an accident or something more? Do you know what, when, and how to report? Take this complimentary course to learn essential signs that should be reported. Free CMEs available. Pre-register for this free course on the IMQ website. CLASSIFIEDS For sale: well-established medical weight loss practice in Marin County, CA Fall in love with practicing medicine again. Create work-life balance and achieve financial freedom. Work with highly motivated, capable people, excelling in many facets of their lives, who have struggled with their weight and know clearly that they cannot do it alone. This all-cash practice offers a flexible schedule and provides other income streams besides doctor visits. A motivated doctor can take advantage of a significant opportunity to continue to grow this referral-based practice. This is and will continue to be an active, ongoing practice. The seller will enable a smooth transition. Email now BariatricPracticeForSale@gmail.com. SCMA members get free classifieds! SCMA members can place free classified ads in News Briefs or Sonoma Medicine. Cost for nonmember physicians and the general public is $1 per word. To place a classified ad, contact Susan Gumucio at susan@scma.org or 707-525-0102. ABOUT SCMA The Sonoma County Medical Association, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association, supports local physicians and their efforts to enhance the health of the community. Founded in 1858, SCMA is affiliated with the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association. © 2016 SCMA, 2312 Bethards Dr. #6, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 February 16, 2016 SCMA News Briefs SCMA News Briefs 0 0 Comment Read More »
