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 »
January 2016 Download PDF Here SCMA NEWS Countywide physician survey 135 new health laws in 2016 Still time to receive a 5% discount on dues Watch for Sonoma Medicine this month SCMA member donations create new scholarship funding high! Join us at the Capitol for Legislative Advocacy Day April 13 Applicants PEOPLE CALIFORNIA NEWS Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine opening in 2019 State launches CURES 2.0 and streamlined registration TOP CMA STORIES RESOURCES / WEBINARS / CME CLASSIFIEDS ABOUT SCMA SCMA NEWS Countywide physician survey As part of SCMA's ongoing commitment to address issues and activities that concern local physicians, we invite you to participate in a brief survey. It will only take a few minutes to complete. Your feedback will help SCMA better serve our community and you, your practice and your patients. Survey results will help guide SCMA board members as they consider updating SCMA's strategic plan for 2016 and beyond. All responses are anonymous. However, if you wish to be entered in a drawing for one of five $20 VISA gift cards, please provide your name and email address at the end of the survey. Card winners will be selected at random. Click here to access the survey. Please complete by Friday, Jan. 29, 2016; the online survey will be closed after that date. Survey results will be published in a future issue of Sonoma Medicine. The report will also include comparisons of results from the 2013 and 1996 physician surveys. Thank you in advance for your valued input! 135 new health laws in 2016 The California Legislature had an active year, passing many new laws affecting health care. In particular, there was a strong focus on health care coverage, public health issues and end-of-life care. Click here to access the list of significant new health laws of interest to physicians (PDF download). Still time to receive a 5% discount on dues Pay your dues by Jan. 15, 2016 and save 5%. The discount is already calculated on SCMA invoices, and you can pay by check or credit card. For questions regarding your invoice, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375 or rachel@scma.org. Watch for Sonoma Medicine this month 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 will be mailed later in January and will also be available online at www.scma.org. SCMA member donations create new scholarship funding high! The Holiday Greeting Card, now celebrating its Golden Anniversary, has almost reached its goal of $50,000 in recognition of funding more than 800 scholarship awards during the past 50 years. This achievement has been made possible by the generosity of donors who raised the bar on their annual giving for scholarships. Three donors joined the Circle of Champions with $1,000 gifts and an unprecedented seven donors gave gifts of $500 each. To date, $19,000 in donations has been received for the card fund. These funds will be added to the $20,000 contribution from SCMAAF's Gala85 and the 2015 Garden Tour. An investment with the Sonoma County Community Foundation will also factor in, as well as a pending grant from the Pacific Foundation for Medical Care. Holiday Greeting Card chair, Barbara Ramsey, thanks everyone for their contributions benefiting local students who pursue a career in medicine. For more information about the scholarship fund and other SCMA Alliance activities, visit www.scmaa.org. Join us at the Capitol for Legislative Advocacy Day April 13 SCMA members, you are invited to join your peers at CMA's annual Legislative Advocacy Day on Tuesday, April 13, at the Sheraton Grand in Sacramento. Attended by more than 400 physicians, medical students and alliance members, this conference provides an opportunity to meet with local legislators regarding pressing health care issues. For more information contact Dr. Brad Drexler at b9drexler@gmail.com, or Cynthia Melody at 707-525-4375, cmelody@scma.org. Applicants Welcome, new SCMA/CMA members! Cuyler Goodwin, DO, Psychiatry, Touro Univ Oreoluwa Ogunyemi, MD, Urology, 6880 Palm Ave., Sebastopol, UC Los Angeles Sonoma County Indian Health Project Meredith Coble, DO, Family Medicine, 144 Stony Point Rd., Santa Rosa, Touro Univ PEOPLE In November, HIFU Prostate Services, LLC, a leading provider of minimally-invasive prostate cancer treatment using High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), announced that physician partner and Medical Director, Michael J. Lazar, MD treated the first prostate cancer patient in California with minimally invasive HIFU, in San Francisco at the San Francisco Surgery Center. This was the second patient ever treated in the country using Sonablate HIFU technology. CALIFORNIA NEWS Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine opening in 2019 Kaiser Permanente announced plans to open the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine as part of the organization's ongoing effort to lead in meeting America's demands for 21st century health care. The school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2019 and will be located in Southern California. Shifts in the U.S. population have created more diverse communities, which require greater cultural competency and understanding. The Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine will teach advanced skills in decision-making, teamwork, the use of technology, evidence-based medicine and communication tailored to specific populations. State launches CURES 2.0 and streamlined registration The upgrade to the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) prescription drug monitoring system was rolled out Jan. 8, 2016. Commonly referred to as "CURES 2.0," it is available to all users in compliance with the system's security requirements. The upgraded database promises an improved user experience and features-added functionalities, including the ability to delegate report queries and new practitioner-identified patient alerts. Also a streamlined, fully-automated registration process enables licensed health care prescribers and pharmacists to request access to CURES and validate their credentials entirely online using a secure web browser. 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 must be registered to use CURES no later than July 1, 2016. To register using the new automated system, visit http://oag.ca.gov/cures. Physicians who experience problems with the new system are encouraged to contact CMA's member help line at 800-786-4262 or email memberservice@cmanet.org. TTOP CMA STORIES 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 RESOURCES / WEBINARS / CME CMA Practice Resources (CPR) is a free monthly e-bulletin from the California Medical Association's practice management experts. It focuses on critical payor and health care 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. View the current issue. New 2016 POLST form Proposed revisions to the California POLST form were approved by the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) Commission at their December meeting, allowing providers to move forward with full implementation of the provisions of Assembly Bill 637. AB 637 (Wolk) authorizes nurse practitioners and physician assistants (under the supervision of a physician and within their scope of practice) to sign POLST forms and make them actionable medical orders. The bill went into effect Jan. 1, 2016. Click here for more information. Upcoming Webinars (click here for full list of titles and descriptions) • CMA Federal Advocacy Update. Jan. 20, 12:15 p.m. • CMA Priorities: Health System Transformation and the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization. Jan. 27, 12:15 p.m. • HIPAA Compliance: Key Risks all Physicians Should Know. Feb. 24, 12:15 p.m. • Closing a Medical Practice. March 9, 12:15 p.m. Archived webinars CMA's archived webinars are free to SCMA members and staff. Nonmember fee: $99. For more information, contact CMA's member-help center, 800-786-4262 or memberservice@cmanet.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. Click here to pre-register for this free course. 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. Click here for more information. CLASSIFIEDS 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 January 27, 2016 SCMA News Briefs SCMA News Briefs 0 0 Comment Read More »
December 2015 Download PDF Here SCMA NEWS Upcoming SCMA online survey offers chance to win a $50 Starbucks gift card Pay your dues by Jan. 15 and receive a 5% discount SCMA Awards Dinner attracts full house Join the fight to protect medicine: be a Legislative Key Contact Save the date: Legislative Advocacy Day April 13 SCMA membership holds steady: directory to publish in February Applicants TOP CMA STORIES PRACTICE RESOURCES CLASSIFIEDS ABOUT SCMA SCMA NEWS Upcoming SCMA online survey offers chance to win a $50 Starbucks gift card In mid-January SCMA will be sending an online survey to all local physicians asking for their thoughts and insights about the medical association and health care-related issues. Survey results will help guide SCMA board members as they consider updating SCMA's strategic plan for 2016 and beyond. The goal of the plan is to ensure that the medical association fulfills its mission of supporting physicians and their efforts to enhance the health of the community. SCMA members who choose to identify themselves will be entered into a drawing with a chance to win a $50 Starbucks gift card. Nonmembers who submit an application form and pay their 2016 dues will also be entered into the drawing. Pay your dues by Jan. 15 and receive a 5% discount Invoices for 2016 were recently mailed to all SCMA members. To receive a 5% discount, simply pay by Jan. 15, 2016. The discount is already calculated on the invoice, and you can pay by check or credit card. In addition to standard dues, the invoice allows members to make additional donations to CMA's political action committee (CALPAC) at a variety of levels. Donations can also be made to the MICRA Education Fund and the CMA Physician's Issues Committee. For questions regarding your invoice, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375 or rachel@scma.org. SCMA Awards Dinner attracts full house The Rose Ballroom at the Vintners Inn was full on Wednesday evening, Dec. 2, as SCMA honored individual physicians and recognized the 50th anniversary of the Holiday Greeting Card. SCMA President Dr. Mary Maddux-González acted as emcee for the event, holding with alacrity the attention of more than 120 doctors, spouses and guests. The first award, for Outstanding Contribution to Sonoma County Medicine, went to Congressman Mike Thompson and Drs. Brad Drexler, Jan Sonander, and Len Klay. Presenters Elizabeth McNeil, CMA's VP of Federal Government Relations, and Stephen Gale, the Congressman's district director, praised the award recipients for their leadership, commitment and determination to fix the California GPCI and abolish the SGR. Dr. Nancy Davidson presented the Outstanding Contribution to the Community award to Dr. Richard Powers in appreciation of his leadership and steadfast commitment to reopen the West County hospital as Sonoma West Medical Center. Retired NORCAL Mutual Insurance claims supervisor Audrey Pulis presented the Outstanding Contribution to SCMA award to the Medical Review Advisory Committee. The committee members were recognized for more than 20 years of dedicated, confidential peer review service to determine factors influencing Sonoma County medical professional liability claims. Dr. Richard Andolsen, longtime MRAC chair, accepted the award. Dr. Mark Sloan presented the Article of the Year award to Dr. Tara Scott for her article "Planned Birth at Home," which appeared in the spring 2015 issue of Sonoma Medicine magazine. Dr. Rob Nied concluded the evening by presenting SCMA's 2015 Recognition of Achievement award to Barbara Ramsey, acknowledging the 50th anniversary of the Holiday Greeting Card that raises money for scholarships awarded to qualified students entering a medically related field. Join the fight to protect medicine: be a Legislative Key Contact Critical issues affecting today's physicians are being decided in the legislative arena. Health care reform, medical liability and insurance regulations are being debated and voted on by decision-makers in Sacramento. CMA has the best lobbyists, lawyers and other advocates in the Capitol, but the most powerful weapon in advancing the cause of physicians and their patients is YOU. Hearing from a physician with experience from the frontlines of medicine can make all the difference for a legislator facing a complicated health care issue. You don't have to be a political expert or know a legislator directly to serve as a Legislative Key Contact. You just need the desire to make an impact, and SCMA/CMA will give you the rest. Click here for more information. You can also contact Dr. Brad Drexler, SCMA Government Relations chair, 707-431-8876, b9drexler@gmail.com, or Cynthia Melody at 707-525-4375, cmelody@scma.org. Save the date: Legislative Advocacy Day April 13 The California Medical Association (CMA) will host its annual Legislative Advocacy Day on April 13 at the Sheraton Grand in Sacramento. Please join your peers meeting our local legislators in their Capitol offices about a variety of pending legislation and health care issues. For more information, visit www.cmanet.org/events or contact Cynthia Melody at 707-525-4375 or cmelody@scma.org. SCMA membership holds steady: directory to publish in February Despite the changes in physicians' mode of practice from solo to group practice, membership in SCMA held steady with 54 percent of market share in 2015. To help keep track of all physicians practicing in Sonoma County, SCMA will be publishing the 2016 edition of its Sonoma County Physician Directory in late February. The directory, a standard reference book for local medical offices, includes photos and complete specialty, address and training information for SCMA members, along with an alphabetical listing of most local physicians, various specialty indexes, and a guide to medical resources (including the entire CMA On-Call Index). Each SCMA member receives one free copy of the directory. Additional copies cost $30 for members ($25 if ordering five or more), $40 for nonmembers, health care facilities and the general public ($35 if ordering five or more). To order, click here for the order form or contact Rachel Pandolfi at rachel@scma.org or 707-525-4375. Applicants Welcome, new SCMA/CMA members! Jen Hayes, MD, Dermatology*, 7064 Corline Ct. Bldg. C, Sebastopol, David Geffen Med Sch 2010 TPMG - 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa Caitlin McCarthy, MD, Internal Medicine, Univ Southern California Annadel Medical Group Steven Kmucha, MD, Otolaryngology*, 108 Lynch Creek Way #7, Petaluma 94954, Univ Chicago 1984 Zachary Lewton, MD, Neurology*, Sleep Medicine*, Neuromuscular Medicine*, Electrodiagnostic Medicine, 1194 Montgomery Dr., Santa Rosa, Univ Rochester Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods Shumaila Syed, MD, Surgery, 34 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa, Virginia Univ * = board certified Italics = medical interest TOP CMA STORIES 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. PRACTICE RESOURCES Webinars and Leadership Academy Upcoming Webinars Dec. 16: Meaningful Use: 2015 and 2016 Modified Rules Jan. 12: Care Integration for Opioid-Dependent High Utilizers Learn how the Center for Integrative Medicine set up a patient-centered and sustainable model for high utilizers of emergency departments, integrating addiction and mental health treatment into primary care, and lowering ED visits by over 50%. Discussions include: Rationale for integrated care models; Comprehensive care and the Center for Integrative Medicine Model; Funding streams for integrated care in California; Setting a foundation for successful implementation; The role of teams in integrated care; and Clinical approaches (medication-assisted treatment, pain management, trauma-informed care, and behavioral health). This all-day seminar runs from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Oakland Marriott City Center, 1001 Broadway, Oakland. Click here for details and registration. Archived webinars CMA's archived webinars are free to SCMA members and staff. Nonmember fee: $99. For more information, contact CMA's member-help center, 800-786-4262 or memberservice@cmanet.org. May 13-15: 2016 Western Health Care Leadership Academy 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. Click here for more information. CMA Practice Resources (CPR) is a free monthly e-bulletin from the California Medical Association's practice management experts. It focuses on critical payor and health care 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. View the current issue. CLASSIFIEDS 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. © 2015 SCMA, 2312 Bethards Dr. #6, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 December 15, 2015 SCMA News Briefs SCMA News Briefs 0 0 Comment Read More »
November 2015 Download PDF Here SCMA NEWS Still time to RSVP for Dec. 2 SCMA Awards Dinner Pay membership dues by Jan. 15 and receive a 5% discount Alliance holiday giving opportunities Applicants TOP CMA STORIES PRACTICE RESOURCES CLASSIFIEDS ABOUT SCMA SCMA NEWS Still time to RSVP for Dec. 2 SCMA Awards Dinner The hour is late, but reservations are still being accepted for the annual SCMA Awards Dinner on Dec. 2. The dinner is free for SCMA members. Spouses, guests and nonmembers are $59. The dinner runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at the Vintners Inn, 4350 Barnes Rd., Santa Rosa. The festivities begin with a social hour at 6, followed by dinner and the award presentations. Award winners include Drs. Jan Sonander, Brad Drexler, Len Klay, Richard Powers, Richard Andolsen and the entire Medical Review Advisory Committee. Congressman Mike Thompson and the SCMA Alliance Foundation Holiday Greeting Card will also be honored. To RSVP and/or to purchase tickets, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375 or rachel@scma.org and indicate dinner choice: either "duet" (short ribs and salmon) or vegetarian. The invitation can be accessed by clicking here. Pay membership dues by Jan. 15 and receive a 5% discount Invoices for 2015 were recently mailed to all SCMA members. To receive a 5% discount, simply pay by Jan. 15, 2016. The discount is already calculated on the invoice, and you can pay by check or credit card. In addition to standard dues, the invoice allows members to make additional donations to CMA's political action committee (CALPAC) at a variety of levels. Donations can also be made to the MICRA Education Fund and the CMA Physician's Issues Committee. For questions regarding your invoice, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375 or rachel@scma.org. Alliance holiday giving opportunities With the holidays fast approaching, the SCMA Alliance and Foundation would like to remind local physicians about two longstanding charitable projects. The Holiday Greeting Card, now in its 50th year, raises scholarship money for local students wishing to pursue medical careers. The scholarships, which are awarded by the SCMA and SCMA Alliance Health Careers Scholarship Committee, provide critical financial assistance at a time when community resources are fast depleting. Since the project began in 1965, scholarships have been awarded to more than 800 local students, including several who went on to become practicing physicians in Sonoma County. Click here to learn how you can make a donation. This year was a milestone for the Give-a-Gift Program and marked the largest number of computers donated so far. With the help of a very generous donor base, the Alliance was able to donate 30 computers to former foster youth attending Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University. The Alliance is currently accepting donations to the Give-a-Gift Program so that more deserving students can receive laptops to help achieve their educational goals. Visit www.scmaa.org and click Donate. Applicants Welcome, new SCMA/CMA members! Emily Conway, MD, Cardiovascular Disease*, 4415 Sonoma Hwy., #D, Santa Rosa, Brown Univ 2003 Danielle Franzini, Third year osteopathic medical student, Touro Univ 2018 John Hau, MD, Pain Medicine, 392 Tesconi Cir., Santa Rosa, Temple Univ 2009 TPMG - 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa Linda Armstrong, MD, Pediatrics*, Tehran Univ 1999 Stephanie Barlin, MD, Emergency Medicine*, Case Western Reserve 2006 Cortney Harper, MD, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Tulane Univ 2005 Lea Hoff Arcand, MD, Family Medicine*, Univ Montreal 2012 Amir Prushani, MD, Internal Medicine*, Dartmouth Med Sch 2003 Adam Ryan, MD, Diagnostic Radiology, State Univ NY Buffalo Med Sch 2009 Annadel Medical Group Brenda Manfredi, MD, Family Medicine*, 8911 Lakewood Dr. #13, Windsor, Virginia Med Sch *board certified TOP CMA STORIES Top story: DMHC fines Blue Shield and Anthem for provider directory inaccuracies On Nov. 3, the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) announced it hadfined two of the state's largest health plans for inaccurate Covered California provider directories. Blue Shield of California was fined $350,000, while Anthem Blue Cross was fined $250,000. Also in this issue: Have you checked your medical board profile recently? CMA urges Congress to fix EHR meaningful use program Supreme Court to hear ACA challenge by religious nonprofits Be prepared for Covered California changes in 2016 CMS changes enrollment requirements for Part D prescribers CMA publishes summary of new health care laws for 2016 Ask the Expert: If an exchange patient fails to pay the premium, is the plan requiredto pay for services? Noridian conducting numerous prepayment reviews Providers who refer, order or prescribe for Medi-Cal beneficiaries must enroll withDHCS CMA supports ballot measure on hospital fee program to stabilize health care accessfor low-income residents Two flu deaths confirmed by CDPH 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. PRACTICE RESOURCES Upcoming Webinars Dec. 2: Medicare 2016-New Rules, Policies and Procedures Dec. 16: Meaningful Use: 2015 and 2016 Modified Rules Archived webinars CMA's archived webinars are free to SCMA members and staff. Nonmember fee: $99. For more information, contact CMA's member-help center, 800-786-4262 or memberservice@cmanet.org. May 13-15, 2016 Western Health Care Leadership Academy 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. Click here for more information. CMA Practice Resources (CPR) is a free monthly e-bulletin from the California Medical Association's practice management experts. It focuses on critical payor and health care 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. VView the current issue. CLASSIFIEDS 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. © 2015 SCMA, 2312 Bethards Dr. #6, Santa Rosa, CA 95405 December 1, 2015 SCMA News Briefs SCMA News Briefs 0 0 Comment Read More »
