December 2013 Stat: RSVP for Awards Dinner by Nov. 27 Dr. Silver Chalfin to resign from Health Officer post Update or verify your Physician Directory listing by Dec. 15 Pay your dues by Jan. 15 and receive 5% discount Philippine Medical Society needs donations for typhoon victims SCMA Alliance Holiday Cocktail Party set for Dec. 7 Top stories from CMA Alert PEOPLE MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS RESOURCES CLASSIFIEDS APPLICANTS ABOUT SCMA Stat: RSVP for Awards Dinner by Nov. 27 The Dec. 5 SCMA Awards Dinner is just around the corner, but the RSVP deadline is even closer: Wednesday, Nov. 27. Tickets are free for SCMA members; spouses, guests and nonmembers are $50 each. Seating is limited, so time is of the essence. To RSVP, or to purchase tickets, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375 or rachel@scma.org. Please indicate dinner choice: “duet” (chicken and fish) or stuffed portobello mushroom. The dinner, which runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 5, will be held at the Vintner’s Inn, 4350 Barnes Rd., Santa Rosa. Outstanding Contribution awards will be presented to Dr. Robert Mims, a retired endocrinologist, Dr. Peter Brett, a medical oncologist, and Dr. Walt Mills, a family physician and former SCMA president. The Article of the Year award will be given to Dr. Ted Hard for “Into the Valley of Wolves,” which appeared in the Spring 2013 issue of Sonoma Medicine, and a Lifetime Achievement award will be presented to Dr. James Lowy, a longtime family physician. Finally, a special Recognition of Achievement will be bestowed upon the Northern California Center for Well-Being. For more details, click on the link below. SCMA Awards Dinner flyer Dr. Silver Chalfin to resign from Health Officer post Dr. Lynn Silver Chalfin, who became the Health Officer for Sonoma County early last year, is resigning her post in the first week of December. She will be replaced temporarily by Dr. Karen Holbrook, the current Deputy Health Officer, pending a nationwide search for a new Health Officer. In an email to the SCMA board of directors, Dr. Silver Chalfin wrote that she was leaving her post to “move on to new challenges,” but she didn’t give any specifics. She also thanked her colleagues for being such avid supporters of public health, writing, “The county is an extraordinary place, beyond its obvious physical beauty. The residents are engaged in trying to create a better community in a way I have not seen anywhere else I’ve lived. … SCMA is one example of that engagement. As a medical association, it places the well-being of the community on a par or higher than its many legitimate concerns for the well-being of the profession.” Born and raised in New York City, Dr. Silver-Chalfin served as the city’s assistant commissioner of public health fornearly a decade before moving to Sonoma County in 2012. She was actively involved in several of New York’s widely publicized health initiatives, including a trans-fat ban, a calorie labeling law for restaurants, and a salt-reduction effort. Dr. Silver Chalfin’s accomplishments in Sonoma County include mobilizing a $3.5 million community transformation grant for prevention, working to increase the healthfulness of the food supply, and launching a school-based dental sealant program. She also advanced “baby friendly” hospital policies to promote breastfeeding, launched a diabetes prevention program with the local YMCA, and required healthcare workers to get flu shots or wear a mask during flu season. Update or verify your Physician Directory listing by Dec. 15 The one-page verification form for the 2014 Sonoma County Physician Directory has been mailed to all local physicians and should be returned to SCMA by Dec. 15. The form allows doctors to update or verify their listing in the Directory, a standard reference guide used at medical offices throughout the county. Because the Directory is sold to the public and posted on the Internet, please do not list your personal phone number, home address or personal email address. SCMA strongly recommends that you list only your office phone, office address and office email. The Physician Directory, entering its 57th edition, features photographs and detailed listings for all SCMA members, including their specialty(s), special medical interest and medical training. Specialty, city and phone for nonmember physicians are included as well. If you’re a nonmember and want a more detailed listing, contact Rachel Pandolfi at rachel@scma.org or 707-525-4375 about joining SCMA. You can also join online at www.scma.org/join.asp. Pay your dues by Jan. 15 and receive 5% discount Invoices for 2014 were recently mailed to all SCMA members. If you want to receive a 5% discount, simply pay by Jan. 15, 2014. The discount is already calculated on the invoice, and you can pay by check or credit card. In addition to the 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 on your invoice, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375 or rachel@scma.org. Philippine Medical Society needs donations for typhoon victims The Philippine Medical Society of Northern California is already providing medical care for victims of Typhoon Haiyan and is seeking donations for a medical mission to the Philippines in January. In addition to financial donations, the medical society is accepting sealed, unexpired pharmaceuticals. The society, a 501(c) charity (EIN #94-2922490) has coordinated annual medical missions to the Philippines for almost 30 years. To make a financial donation, write a check to the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California and put “Typhoon Haiyan Victims” on the memo line. Checks should be mailed to Dr. Peter Bretan, PMSNC President-Elect, 165 Rowland Way #303, Novato, CA 94945. Contributions will only be used for food, clothing, and medical and pharmaceutical supplies. Before donating pharmaceuticals, contact Dr. Bretan’s office at 415-892-0904 to see which drugs are needed. SCMA Alliance Holiday Cocktail Party set for Dec. 7 It’s beginning to look a lot like … the SCMA Alliance & Foundation Holiday Cocktail Party! Please join us at the home of Dr. Patrick and Karen Caskey in Santa Rosa on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 6 to 9 p.m. We’ll be serving “heavy hors d’oeuvres” prepared by culinary students from Healdsburg High School, along with a full bar and other beverages. Please RSVP by Monday, Dec. 2 to Sally Ebrahim at 318-458-0955 or events@scmaa.org. You will receive the address after you RSVP. Top stories from CMA Alert Here are the top stories from the latest CMA Alert, the California Medical Association’s biweekly email newsletter. For a free subscription, visit www.cmanet.org/cma-alert. CMA calls for improvements to the new Medicare SGR reform proposal New MICRA brochure available for patients Covered California leads the nation in exchange enrollment CMA files amicus brief to protect patient privacy in CURES prescription data CMA Medi-Cal Survival Guide helps physicians understand numerous program changes PEOPLE Dr. Chuck Meltzer, an otolaryngologist, has been appointed assistant physician-in-chief for outside services at Kaiser Santa Rosa. Dr. Meltzer, who joined Kaiser San Francisco in 1990 and transferred to Santa Rosa in 2004, has held several leadership positions, including chief of head-and-neck surgery, chief of health information management and Medicare lead for specialty services. Dr. Jaime Molden, a cardiologist and electrophysiologist, has joined Fountaingrove Cardiology in Santa Rosa. He was previously medical director of electrophysiology at the Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, Utah. Operation Access, which arranges medical care for uninsured patients, has given its annual Spirit Award to Dr. James Harwood, a Santa Rosa surgeon, and its Champion Award to Dr. Gary Barth, a Santa Rosa ophthalmologist. MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS The Redwood Community Care Organization has received permission from Medicare to form an accountable care organization (ACO) to serve about 7,000 Medicare patients at federally qualified health centers in Sonoma, Marin, Napa and Yolo counties. The ACO will enable the health centers, all of which belong to the Redwood Community Health Coalition, to receive financial rewards from Medicare’s “shared savings” program, which encourages providers to improve quality of care and patient experience while reducing costs. The new ACO is the second to be formed locally; the first was established earlier this year by the Meritage Medical Network. Three local hospitals--Kaiser Santa Rosa, Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa and Sonoma Valley Hospital--have been recognized as Top Performers on key quality measures by the Joint Commission. All three received top marks for pneumonia and surgical care. Kaiser and Sutter garnered additional accolades for treating heart attacks and heart failures. Healdsburg District Hospital plans to lay off 30 employees in both direct-care and support staff positions. The layoffs will reduce the hospital’s 360-person workforce by 8%. In a statement, hospital CEO Nancy Schmid wrote, “These changes are being made to ensure the long-term strength of our hospital and our ability to serve this community.” RESOURCES Physicians needing help with substance abuse, stress, depression and other mental health issues are urged to contact the Physicians’ and Dentists’ Confidential Line. This longstanding service, sponsored by CMA and the California Dental Association, connects callers to a physician or dentist with extensive experience in helping health professionals cope with these pressing issues. Callers receive the support and referrals needed to better manage their situation. All calls are completely confidential. The number is 650-756-7787. A free oncology workshop for both doctors and nurses is being offered at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco on Saturday, Dec. 14. The topic is “contemporary strategies for management of solid tumors.” For more details, or to register, visit www.med-iq.com. The workshop has been approved for Category 1 credit. CMA has added two website resources at www.cmanet.org. The Exchange Resources page provides a wealth of information for physicians about Covered California, the state’s new health insurance exchange. The MICRA page tracks the latest developments in CMA’s campaign to defend California’s landmark Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act. Other resource pages on the website cover the Affordable Care Act, health information technology and accountable care organizations. The following CMA webinars are scheduled for December. Webinars, which are typically worth one CEU credit, begin at 12:15 p.m. and run until 1:15 or later. To register, visit www.cmanet.org. Seminars are free for CMA members and their staff; cost for nonmembers is $99 per person. ICD-10 Documentation for Physicians: Part 1 (Dec. 5) Updates on Key Developments Within California's Health Benefit Exchange (Dec. 10) ACA and the Insurance Impact on You as a Small Business Owner (Dec. 11) ICD-10 Documentation for Physicians: Part 2 (Dec. 12) ICD-10 Documentation for Physicians: Part 3 (Dec. 19) CLASSIFIEDS Primary care/immediate care physicians needed Physicians and MD medical director needed for new primary care/immediate care facilities located in Pittsburg/Antioch and San Rafael. Ideal for semi-retired MDs or if part time work desired. 6 hr shifts--7 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1-7 p.m. Prior supervision of NP/PAs and Medi-Cal existing provider credentialing a plus. Send CV and inquires to MD@practiceconsultants.net. FOR SALE: SF Boutique-Style Family and On-Call/Urgent Care Practice Average revenue $407,000; very high profit margin. No third-party plans; all cash. Strong growth potential. The practice is approximately half urgent care and half primary care. Real estate also available. Practice Consultants, info@PracticeConsultants.com or 800-576-6935. 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 Linda McLaughlin at Linda@scma.org or 707-525-4359. APPLICANTS Omar Ferrari, DO, Emergency Medicine, 1165 Montgomery Dr., Santa Rosa 95405, Touro Univ 2013 Jeffrey Kuhn, MD, Anesthesiology*, 837 Fifth St., Santa Rosa 95405, Univ Chicago 1985 Emily Wilkinson, MD, Family Medicine, 3569 Round Barn Cir., Santa Rosa 95403, Univ Arizona 2013 * = board certified; italics = special medical interest 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. © 2013 SCMA, 2901 Cleveland Ave. #202, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 December 1, 2013 General, SCMA News Briefs scma 0 0 Comment Read More »
November 2013 • RSVP now for SCMA Awards Dinner on Dec. 5 • The Big 3: Medicare, Obamacare, MICRA • Partnership HealthPlan to absorb Medi-Cal rate cuts to local physicians • Time to update or verify your Physician Directory listing • Donations needed for health careers scholarships • SCMA Alliance seeking gardens in Healdsburg and Windsor for annual tour • CMA delegates meet to discuss critical health care issues, set policy • Message from CMA President Dr. Richard Thorp • PEOPLE • MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS • RESOURCES AND EVENTS • CLASSIFIEDS • APPLICANTS • ABOUT SCMA RSVP now for SCMA Awards Dinner on Dec. 5 All local physicians are encouraged to RSVP for the annual SCMA Awards Dinner, which runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5. The event will be held at the Vintner’s Inn, 4350 Barnes Rd., Santa Rosa. Tickets are free for SCMA members; spouses, guests and nonmembers are $50 each. Outstanding Contribution awards will be presented to Dr. Robert Mims, a retired endocrinologist, Dr. Peter Brett, a medical oncologist, and Dr. Walt Mills, a family physician and former SCMA president. The Article of the Year award will be given to Dr. Ted Hard for “Into the Valley of Wolves,” which appeared in the Spring 2013 issue of Sonoma Medicine. Finally, a special Recognition of Achievement will be bestowed upon the Northern California Center for Well-Being. The evening begins with a social hour at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards presentation. Dinner choices include “duet” (chicken and fish) or stuffed portobello mushroom. To RSVP, or to purchase tickets, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375 or rachel@scma.org. Mail orders can be sent to SCMA, 2901 Cleveland Ave. #202, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. Please indicate dinner choice. For more details, click on the link below. SCMA Awards Dinner flyer The Big 3: Medicare, Obamacare, MICRA The current federal and state landscape for healthcare has three dominant features, according to chief CMA lobbyist Elizabeth McNeil: Medicare payment reform, implementation of Obamacare, and a nascent attempt to gut California’s Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA). Speaking to about 80 physicians, spouses and guests at the Fountaingrove Inn in Santa Rosa on Oct. 23, McNeil offered a whirlwind tour of all three features, pausing at times to describe some of their intricate details. The meeting was emceed by SCMA President Dr. Stephen Steady, and McNeil was formally introduced to the crowd by local CMA Trustee Dr. Peter Bretan, a urologist with offices in both Sebastopol and Novato. Encouraging his colleagues to be more politically active, Dr. Bretan observed that modern life is no longer “survival of the fittest,” but rather “survival of the most politically allied.” McNeil began with a recap of the recent government shutdown, expressing the view that Congress is even worse than it looks, and that it’s not fixing anyone’s problems. The challenge, she said, is getting Congress to do something productive, particularly in the face of determined Tea Party activists who are trying to dismantle the government. She praised local congressmen Jared Huffman and Mike Thompson, noting that Thompson serves on the powerful Ways & Means Committee and is a Medicare expert. The House Energy & Commerce Committee did unanimously pass a Medicare SGR (sustainable growth rate) overhaul in July, explained McNeil, but the legislation has been languishing, with several obstacles to clear before it can come to a vote in the full House and Senate. McNeil emphasized that without the overhaul, physicians may face up to a 30% pay cut from Medicare. The bill also includes the long-awaited “GPCI fix” that would raise Medicare reimbursement rates in Sonoma County by at least 3%, and in Marin County by at least 5%. Turning to the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, McNeil noted that the Covered California website is faring significantly better than its much-maligned federal cousin, www.healthcare.gov. Nonetheless, the initial physician directory on Covered California was rife with errors and has been taken down until mid-November. She offered the example of one doctor who was incorrectly listed as speaking Arabic, Turkish, Spanish, Russian and Farsi, and she urged physicians to check their listings once the directory goes back up. McNeil’s tour concluded with a MICRA update. Trial lawyers have begun collecting signatures to put their anti-MICRA initiative on the November 2014 ballot. Besides raising the current $250,000 cap on non-economic damages to more than $1.1 million, the measure would mandate physician drug testing. The anti-MICRA campaign has already turned vicious, said McNeil, describing how one group recently circulated a flyer accusing recent CMA President Dr. Paul Phinney, a Sacramento pediatrician, of being a drug addict. Both McNeil and Dr. Bretan urged physicians to donate to the pro-MICRA campaign. Dr. Bretan explained that if donations are made via medical staff organizations, hospitals will match them two for one. Donations can also be made to the Californians Allied for Patient Protection website at www.micra.org. McNeil’s speech was followed by a lively question-and-answer session, with topics ranging from the role of specialty societies to implementation of a single-payer system. Partnership HealthPlan to absorb Medi-Cal rate cuts to local physicians Partnership HealthPlan, which operates the managed Medi-Cal program throughout the North Bay, will absorb the mandated Medi-Cal rate cuts to physicians during the next year. “The state’s fiscal crunch has always been a challenge to us,” said Partnership CEO Jack Horn, “but we’re very happy that we can keep these cuts away from our doctors for the time being.” Legislation mandating the cuts was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2011, but they are only now being implemented. Because Partnership is a county-organized health system, it can use its resources to absorb some of the cuts. The state has also exempted certain specialties from the cuts. “Moving forward,” said Horn, “we’re confident that our managed care initiatives will bring even more savings which we can use to help our providers.” Time to update or verify your Physician Directory listing The one-page verification form for the 2014 Sonoma County Physician Directory will soon be mailed to all local physicians and should be returned to SCMA as soon as possible. The form allows doctors to update or verify their listing in the Directory, a standard reference guide used at medical offices throughout the county. Because the Directory is sold to the public and posted on the Internet, please do not list your personal phone number, home address or personal email address. SCMA strongly recommends that you list only your office phone, office address and office email. The Physician Directory, entering its 57th edition, features photographs and detailed listings for all SCMA members, including their specialty(s), special medical interest and medical training. Specialty, city and phone for nonmember physicians are included as well. If you’re a nonmember and want a more detailed listing, contact Rachel Pandolfi at rachel@scma.org or 707-525-4375 about joining SCMA. You can also join online at www.scma.org/join.asp. Donations needed for health careers scholarships Local physicians can support students pursuing health careers by donating to the annual Holiday Greeting Card project sponsored by the SCMA Alliance & Foundation. Physicians and others who contribute to the project have their names listed on the greeting card, which is sent to the entire medical community. Project chair Barbara Ramsey said, “The Alliance is proud to create opportunities for donors to effect real change in the life of a student who has the ambition and vision of becoming a healthcare professional.” Earlier this year, the Alliance awarded $28,000 to 10 local students, using money raised from the greeting card and other projects. They hope to surpass that total for the next round of grants. A mailing about the scholarship fund will be arriving in local offices shortly. Physicians can donate by returning the enclosed pledge card or by visiting the Alliance website at www.scmaa.org. SCMA Alliance seeking gardens in Healdsburg and Windsor for annual tour Next year’s SCMA Alliance Garden Tour, an annual fundraiser, will be held in Healdsburg and Windsor, and the Alliance is seeking gardens of any size to include on the tour. If you have a garden that you would like to display, or know someone who does, please contact Meta Lightfoot at alliance@scmaa.org. The tour usually takes place in May. CMA delegates meet to discuss critical health care issues, set policy More than 500 California physicians convened in the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on Oct. 11-13 for the 2013 House of Delegates, the annual meeting of the California Medical Association. Each year, physicians from all 53 California counties, representing all modes of practice, meet to debate resolutions related to healthcare policy and to elect CMA officers. Delegates at this year’s meeting: • Approved a resolution that encourages increased reporting of patient immunizations to the California Department of Public Health for purposes of vaccination, disease control and prevention. • Voted to support revision of HIV consent requirements to allow all health care providers to order a test for HIV when appropriate and to encourage routine HIV testing for all patients who are evaluated for other sexually transmitted diseases. • Called on CMA to support the use of graphic image labeling on cigarette and other tobacco packaging that warns of the health impact of smoking. • Endorsed the National Transportation Safety Board’s 2013 recommendation that the legal blood alcohol limit for operating a motor vehicle be decreased from .08 percent to .05 percent or lower. • Directed CMA to promote that providers need to identify children and adults who are food insecure to avoid detrimental development and comorbidities and refer them to appropriate programs and services. • Directed CMA to request that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services eliminate its “outpatient patient observation” status, which is placed upon patients whose anticipated hospital stay is 48 hours or less. Delegates noted that this practice places undue financial burden on patients and creates administrative hassles for physicians. • Called on CMA to support efforts to develop benefit designs in the health benefit exchange that appeal to the young and healthy to boost the risk pool; and to support legislation allowing federal and state income tax deductibility of all out-of-pocket health care expenses. • Asked that CMA support legislation requiring health insurance companies to pay physicians for telephone or other electronic patient management services. • Called on CMA to support the development of a secure, interoperable, nationwide health information exchange network. The full actions of the House of Delegates are available to members on the Documents tab at www.cmanet.org/hod. Message from CMA President Dr. Richard Thorp [Dr. Thorp, a Paradise internist, was installed as CMA president during the recent House of Delegates meeting in Anaheim.] In October, I was honored and humbled to stand before more than 400 delegate physicians from across geographies, specialties and modes of practice at the California Medical Association (CMA) Annual House of Delegates meeting in Anaheim. I want to share with you the messages I shared with our colleagues, as I believe it is important to be unified as one voice moving forward in this tumultuous time of change in healthcare. First and foremost, we can agree that this is an incredible time to be part of our profession. We are living history as new models of integrated care and innovative technologies become a thing of the present, rather than a dream of the future. Patients will have access to treatment and medicine that they have never been exposed to, and with our work and research, we can offer our patients additional years, if not decades, with their loved ones. Although we are at the pinnacle of discovery in the treatment of disease, this profession is also under serious attack, and so we must work more diligently than ever before. We cannot make the mistake of tempting our adversaries with complacency. I practice in Paradise, a small town in Northern California, just a few hours outside of Sacramento. I can tell you first hand, as the medical director of a rural health clinic and as president/CEO of a private multispecialty primary care group (internal medicine, family medicine, hospitalist medicine and pediatrics), that communities like mine are feeling the changes ahead of us the most. Between cuts to California’s Medicaid program (Medi-Cal) and the Congressional stalemate that continually threatens the future of Medicare, running a practice is a constant challenge. As attacks on California’s Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA) continue and unknown curveballs are thrown our way, we must stand together with one voice--that is the only way that we will prevail. My hope for us in this next year is that physicians of California remember and are inspired by how far the profession has come as we face the new challenges of the future. We live in the golden age of medicine: a time when the future of medical treatments is bright and getting brighter every day, and when we speak in unison, we have a powerful voice! Offering safe, quality, accessible and affordable health care to our patients is why we joined this noble profession. Whatever fight may come before us this next year, let us stand and live by CMA's mission statement: Promoting the science and art of medicine, the care and well-being of patients, the protection of the public health and the betterment of the medical profession. PEOPLE Drs. Brad Drexler, Dan Lightfoot, Francesca Manfredi, Anthony Lim, Richard Powers and Stephen Steady represented SCMA at the recent CMA House of Delegates meeting in Anaheim (see accompanying story). During the meeting, delegates approved the following local appointments to CMA committees: Dr. Peter Bretan, a Sebastopol urologist and CMA trustee, to the Council on Ethical Affairs, the Committee on Medical Services and the Committee on Nominations; Dr. Catherine Gutfreund, a Santa Rosa family physician, to the Bylaws Committee; and Dr. Madeline Huber, a Santa Rosa ob/gyn, to the Committee on Professional Liability. Three Santa Rosa ophthalmologists--Drs. Robert Anderson, Gary Barth and Daniel Rich--and two anesthesiologists--Drs. Kate Black and Jeffrey Kuhn--donated their services on Oct. 26 to repair the eyesight of two dozen local day laborers and agricultural workers. The patients all suffered from pterygium growths caused by overexposure to wind, dirt and sun. “Many agricultural workers suffer from pterygium growths without a convenient way to have the safe and essentially curative 30-minute surgical procedure,” said Dr. Barth. The Oct. 26 event, dubbed “Make a Difference Day,” was organized by Operation Access, which arranges medical care for uninsured patients. Dutton-Goldfield Winery is supporting the endeavor by donating 5% of the proceeds of its wine sales from Oct. 26 to Nov. 3 to Operation Access. Thirteen physicians have joined the Annadel Medical Group, bringing the total number of doctors in the St. Joseph-affiliated group to 60. The new members include vascular surgeons Dr. Douglas Green and Dr. Douglas Jicha, internists Dr. Eran Matalon and Dr. Scott Peterson, family physicians Dr. Trienek Kylstra and Dr. Elisa Washburn, pediatricians Dr. Armanda de Pala and Dr. Laurie Doolittle, podiatrists Dr. Don Griffith and Dr. Michael Johnson, physiatrist Dr. Christie Campbell, palliative care specialist Dr. Merle Miller, and general surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Borut. About a dozen more physicians are scheduled to join the group in the next few months. Internist Dr. Patricia Dahl, who has practiced throughout the Bay Area, has joined Healdsburg Primary Care and Healdsburg District Hospital. Dr. Danielle Oryn, medical director of the Petaluma Health Center, is one of 32 clinicians chosen statewide to participate in the California Healthcare Foundation’s Healthcare Leadership Program. The part-time fellowship, conducted by faculty from UCLA and UCSF, helps physicians develop skills in decision making, strategic planning and administration. At their annual Allie Awards luncheon on Oct. 23, the SCMA Alliance presented awards to Lisa Sugarman, for outstanding contribution to the Alliance, and to Gina Merwin, for outstanding contribution to the community. MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS Construction has begun on an 80,000 square foot medical office center adjacent to the new Sutter Medical Center in Santa Rosa. Several tenants--including Santa Rosa Surgery Center, Santa Rosa Orthopaedics and Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation--have already signed leases for the office building, which is scheduled to open next fall, along with the new hospital. Sonoma Valley Hospital has received a $1 million gift from the Weill Family Foundation to support the hospital’s new emergency wing, scheduled to open in December. Sandy Weill, the former Citigroup CEO who lives in Sonoma, said in a statement, “We believe having a good local hospital is essential and we want to help Sonoma create a modern emergency center that will be an asset for the entire Sonoma Valley.” Southwest Santa Rosa may soon be home to a Kaiser Permanente medical office building, pending corporate approval. In a statement, Kaiser spokesman David Ebright confirmed that “Kaiser Permanente is currently performing due diligence as it explores the possibility of purchasing land in Santa Rosa on which to build a medical office building to serve its current and future members.” City officials indicated that the property is a 10-acre parcel near Stony Point Road. RESOURCES AND EVENTS The SCMA Alliance is sponsoring a holiday concert by the Santa Rosa Children’s Chorus on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 24, at the Fountaingrove Golf Club in Santa Rosa. The event, which runs from 4 to 6 p.m., includes a light buffet and beverages, along with a cash wine bar. Tickets are just $18 for adults and $10 for children. To purchase tickets, send a check by Nov. 19 to the SCMA Alliance, PO Box 1388, Santa Rosa 95402. For more details, contact Sally Ebrahim at 318-458-0955. The Northern California Center for Well-Being has published its Fall Wellness Class Schedule to help patients improve their health. Classes cover a range of topics--from chronic conditions to healthy weight and tobacco cessation--and are held at several locations in Santa Rosa and Petaluma. Insurance plans cover most classes, and financial assistance is available. Patients can register by visiting www.norcalwellbeing.org or calling 707-575-6043. CMA’s Institute for Medical Quality and the PACE program at UC San Diego are cosponsoring a Stepping Up to Leadership conference in San Antonio, Texas, on Nov. 7-9. The conference trains medical staff leaders in issues of communication, problem solving, and improving outcomes for patients and staff. Because of a grant from the Physicians Foundation, cost is as low as $595 for all three days. To register, visit www.physician-leadership.org. SCMA members can get registration discounts for the Napa Primary Care Conference: Caring for the Active and Athletic Patient, to be held at the Napa Valley Marriott from Nov. 6 to 10. The conference is designed for physicians and medical professionals who care for active and athletic patients or who themselves lead such a lifestyle. Topics include common medical and musculoskeletal problems, healthy lifestyles and personal wellness. The conference offers up to 16 hours of CME. To register, visit the conference website. The following CMA webinars are scheduled for November and December. Webinars, which are typically worth one CEU credit, begin at 12:15 p.m. and run until 1:15 or later. To register, visit www.cmanet.org. Seminars are free for CMA members and their staff; cost for nonmembers is $99 per person. • Managing Difficult Employees and Reducing Conflict (Nov. 13) • ICD-10 Documentation for Physicians: Part 1 (Dec. 5) • ICD-10 Documentation for Physicians: Part 2 (Dec. 12) • ICD-10 Documentation for Physicians: Part 3 (Dec. 19) CLASSIFIEDS Primary care/immediate care physicians needed Physicians and MD medical director needed for new primary care/immediate care facilities located in Pittsburg/Antioch and San Rafael. Ideal for semi-retired MDs or if part time work desired. 6 hr shifts--7 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1-7 p.m. Prior supervision of NP/PAs and Medi-Cal existing provider credentialing a plus. Send CV and inquires to MD@practiceconsultants.net. 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 Linda McLaughlin at Linda@scma.org or 707-525-4359. APPLICANTS Jeffrey Borut, DO, Surgery*, 106 Lynch Creek Way #9B, Petaluma 94954 Laurie Doolittle, MD, Pediatrics*, 1550A Professional Dr. #200, Petaluma 94954, Tulane Univ 1995 Wendy Dryden, MD, Family Medicine, 3569 Round Barn Cir., Santa Rosa 95403, Virginia Univ 2013 Valerie Ebel, MD, Family Medicine, 3569 Round Barn Cir., Santa Rosa 95403, Rush Univ 2013 Kareen Espino, MD, Family Medicine, 3569 Round Barn Cir., Santa Rosa 95403, UC Irvine 2013 Olivia Gamboa, MD, Family Medicine, 3569 Round Barn Cir., Santa Rosa 95403, Univ North Carolina 2013 Jerald Gerst, MD, Occupational Medicine, Emergency Medicine*, Internal Medicine*, 5900 State Farm Dr., Rohnert Park 94928, UC Davis 1973 Sara Keck, MD, Medical Oncology, 101 Rowland Way #320, Novato 94949, New York Med Coll 2006 Gabriel Klapman, MD, Family Medicine, 3569 Round Barn Cir., Santa Rosa 95403, UC Los Angeles 2013 Trieneke Kylstra, MD, Family Medicine*, 4750 Hoen Ave., Santa Rosa 95405, Univ Cincinnati 1996 Toni Marie Ramirez, MD, Family Medicine, 3569 Round Barn Cir., Santa Rosa 95403, Virginia Univ 2013 Georgina Ramirez-Azcarraga, MD, Family Medicine*, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, UC Irvine 1991 Carlos Sandoval, MD, Orthopaedic Surgery*, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, UC Los Angeles 2003 Alexandra Takayesu, MD, Family Medicine, 3569 Round Barn Cir., Santa Rosa 95403, Univ Hawaii 2013 Morgan Theis, MD, Family Medicine, 3569 Round Barn Cir., Santa Rosa 95403, Stanford Univ 2013 Bentley Thomason, MD, Family Medicine, 3569 Round Barn Cir., Santa Rosa 95403, UC Irvine 2013 Ashmi Ullal, MD, Family Medicine, 3569 Round Barn Cir., Santa Rosa 95403, UC Davis 2013 Elisa Washburn, DO, Family Medicine*, 500 Doyle Park Dr. #G04, Santa Rosa 95405 Tracy White, MD, Family Medicine, 3569 Round Barn Cir., Santa Rosa 95403, UC San Francisco 2013 * = board certified; italics = special medical interest 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. © 2013 SCMA, 2901 Cleveland Ave. #202, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 November 6, 2013 General, SCMA News Briefs November 2013, SCMA News Briefs 0 0 Comment Read More »
October 2013 • Drs. Mims, Brett and Mills to receive SCMA awards • Chief CMA federal lobbyist to speak at Oct. 23 dinner in Santa Rosa • PFMC grant applications due Oct. 1 • Still time to register for Latino Health Forum • SCMA Alliance needs your help to expand Give-a-Gift program • Top stories from CMA Alert • PEOPLE • MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS • RESOURCES • CLASSIFIEDS • APPLICANTS • ABOUT SCMA Drs. Mims, Brett and Mills to receive SCMA awards Three local physicians will receive Outstanding Contribution awards at the annual SCMA Awards Dinner on Dec. 5. The awards will be presented to: • Dr. Robert Mims, a retired Santa Rosa endocrinologist, for Outstanding Contribution to the Community. • Dr. Peter Brett, a medical oncologist at Sutter Santa Rosa, for Outstanding Contribution to Sonoma County Medicine. • Dr. Walt Mills, a family physician at Kaiser Santa Rosa, for Outstanding Contribution to SCMA. In addition, a Recognition of Achievement award will be presented to the Northern California Center for Well-Being. The Article of the Year award will also be presented, but the winner has yet to be determined. All local physicians are invited to the Awards Dinner, which runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5. The event will be held at the Vintner’s Inn, 4350 Barnes Rd., Santa Rosa. Tickets are free for SCMA members; spouses, guests and nonmembers are $50 each. The evening begins with a social hour at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards presentation. Dinner choices include “duet” (chicken and fish) or stuffed portobello mushroom. To RSVP, or to purchase tickets, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375 or rachel@scma.org. Mail orders can be sent to SCMA, 2901 Cleveland Ave. #202, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. Please indicate dinner choice. For more details, click on the link below. SCMA Awards Dinner flyer Chief CMA federal lobbyist to speak at Oct. 23 dinner in Santa Rosa Elizabeth McNeil, CMA’s chief lobbyist in Washington, DC, is the featured speaker at a special SCMA dinner on Wednesday evening, Oct. 23. Topics include pending changes in healthcare reform, deficit reduction, Medicare and Medi-Cal. The special dinner, to be held at the Fountaingrove Inn in Santa Rosa, is free for SCMA members. Spouses, guests and nonmembers are $40 each. The evening begins with a wine reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and program at 6:30. Dinner choices include grilled salmon, pesto penne and grilled chicken. To RSVP, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375 or rachel@scma.org. You can also fax the attached order form to SCMA at 707-525-4328. Be sure to indicate dinner choice. SCMA Oct. 23 Dinner flyer PFMC grant applications due Oct. 1 Nonprofit health organizations in Sonoma County are encouraged to apply for Community Grants from the Pacific Foundation for Medical Care. The application deadline is Oct. 1. 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. For application materials, contact Kathy Pass at 707-525-4281 or kpass@rhs.org. For more information, visit www.pfmc.org. Still time to register for Latino Health Forum Registration is still open for the 20th annual Latino Health Forum, to be held at the Flamingo Hotel in Santa Rosa on Thursday, Oct. 10, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The conference is cosponsored by SCMA and several other local organizations. To register, visit www.latinohealthforum.org. The theme of this year’s forum is “How will immigration and healthcare reform affect us?” Keynote speakers include Xóchitl Castañeda, director of the Health Initiative of the Americas; Gilbert Ojeda, director of the California Program on Access to Care; Lucien Wulsin, director of the Insure the Uninsured Project; and Dr. Lynn Silver Chalfin, Sonoma County Health Officer. Breakout sessions will cover mental health disparities, immigration law, healthcare reform and population health. For more details about the Forum, see the attached brochure. Latino Health Forum brochure SCMA Alliance needs your help to expand Give-a-Gift program For nearly 60 years, the SCMA Alliance has provided holiday presents to foster children in Sonoma County through its Give-a-Gift program--but the program has only been able to reach about half the children in need. Of the more than 500 foster children in the county, only about 250 receive holiday presents from Give-a-Gift. With this disparity in mind, the Alliance hopes to deliver at least 100 more gifts this season, and they are asking everyone in the medical community to donate generously. Give-a-Gift is offering five levels of sponsorship--from $50 to $500--on their website at www.scmaa.org; or you can send a check, payable to the SCMAA Foundation, to Kathryn Koh, 3605 Fir Ridge Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 95403. All money raised by Give-a-Gift will be used to buy holiday presents for foster children or portable computers for foster teenagers heading off to college. For many of these young people, the Give-a-Gift present is the only one they receive all year. Please give as generously as you can. Top stories from CMA Alert Here are the top stories from the latest CMA Alert, the California Medical Association’s biweekly email newsletter. For a free subscription, visit www.cmanet.org/cma-alert. • CMA pilots online reference committee for 2013 House of Delegates • Legislative update: Year of challenges, victories • CMA files a petition with the Supreme Court to block the 10 percent Medi-Cal physician reimbursement cut • Study finds that ACA Medi-Cal expansion could fuel ER use • Federal, state regulators weigh in on novel grace period proposal PEOPLE Four local physicians have received Readers Choice awards from the Press Democrat, based on a reader survey that drew more than 6,000 responses. And the winners are: Dr. James DeVore (best doctor); Dr. Ty Affleck (best sports medicine physician); Dr. Francisco Canales and Dr. Heather Furnas (best cosmetic surgeons). Also receiving an award was Morpheus Medical Aesthetics, directed by Dr. Marisha Chilcott, which was named best medical spa. Photographs and profiles of the winning doctors were published in the newspaper’s “Best of Sonoma County” magazine supplement last month. Eight SCMA members will be representing Sonoma County physicians at this year’s CMA House of Delegates, set for Oct. 11-13 in Anaheim. The HOD is an annual meeting that sets CMA policy and priorities for the coming year. The SCMA representatives include Drs. Brad Drexler, Leonard Klay, Dan Lightfoot, Richard Powers, Jan Sonander, Stephen Steady, Francesca Manfredi and Anthony Lim. Dr. Manfredi has been appointed to Reference Committee C (membership, finance and governance) and Dr. Lightfoot to Reference Committee D (insurance and physician reimbursement). Dr. Dominic Mintalucci, an orthopaedic surgeon with fellowship training in hand and upper extremity surgery, has joined the Hand Center at Santa Rosa Orthopaedic Medical Group. His phone is 707-546-1922. MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS The first phase of a 50% expansion of the emergency department at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital was completed in late September, resulting in larger waiting and reception areas and additional private space for consultations with patient families. In addition, six patient rooms were fully enclosed by walls and doors, replacing the classic privacy drapes. When the $15 million project is completed next summer, the ED will house 26 private treatment rooms. On average, the facility treats about 100 patients per day. Sonoma Valley Hospital is set to open its new wing in mid-November. The 12,000-square-foot addition, which cost $46 million, includes a new emergency department on the first floor and a new surgery center on the second. The new ED will be three times larger than the current facility, which gets about 10,000 patient visits per year. Palm Drive Hospital has purchased a 3D digital mammography system that hospital administrators say will offer more accurate scans of dense tissue with better detection of small tumors. Partnership HealthPlan, which offers managed Medi-Cal throughout the North Bay, has become one of the fastest-growing companies in the region. It now employs 325 people and is expected to add at least 100 more as it continues to expand. A recent San Francisco Chronicle survey of emergency care options in the Bay Area cited three North Bay hospitals for superior care. The survey, published on Sept. 1, rated Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital as “top for complex cases.” Both Novato Community Hospital and Kaiser Santa Rosa were rated “top for simple cases.” More than 20 hospitals in the Bay Area received top marks in one or both of those categories. RESOURCES The Dutton-Goldfield Winery is donating 5% of the proceeds of its wine sales from Oct. 26 to Nov. 3 to Operation Access, which arranges donated surgical and specialty care for underserved local residents. Wines can be purchased at www.duttongoldfield.com or at the winery, 3100 Gravenstein Hwy. North in Sebastopol. Remember to use the promotion code DGACCESS at checkout. Operation Access will also be hosting an open house at the winery from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. An FAQ on the HIPAA Omnibus Final Rule, which went into effect on Sept. 23, is available in the Privacy and Security section of www.cmanet.org. The FAQ includes answers to questions such as “Do I need to conduct a risk analysis” and “Do I need to update my business associate agreements?” (The answers are yes and yes.) More details on HIPAA, including sample forms and policies, can be found throughout the Privacy and Security section. SCMA members can get registration discounts for the Napa Primary Care Conference: Caring for the Active and Athletic Patient, to be held at the Napa Valley Marriott from Nov. 6 to 10. The conference is designed for physicians and medical professionals who care for active and athletic patients or who themselves lead such a lifestyle. Topics include common medical and musculoskeletal problems, healthy lifestyles and personal wellness. The conference offers up to 16 hours of CME. To register, visit the conference website. CMA’s Institute for Medical Quality and the PACE program at UC San Diego are cosponsoring a Stepping Up to Leadership conference in San Antonio, Texas, on Nov. 7-9. The conference trains medical staff leaders in issues of communication, problem solving, and improving outcomes for patients and staff. Because of a grant from the Physicians Foundation, cost is as low as $595 for all three days. To register, visit www.physician-leadership.org. The following CMA webinars are scheduled for October. Webinars, which are typically worth one CEU credit, begin at 12:15 p.m. and run until 1:15 or later. To register, visit www.cmanet.org. Seminars are free for CMA members and their staff; cost for nonmembers is $99 per person. • Successful Medi-Cal Provider Enrollment for Physician Providers (Oct. 2) • Benefits of Financing your Electronic Medical Records Project (Oct. 9) • Utilizing Technology to Increase Patient Engagement and Meet the Requirements of Meaningful Use (Oct. 16) • CMS Quality Reporting Programs: What Physicians Need to Know and Do Now to Improve Care and Avoid Penalties (Oct. 30) CLASSIFIEDS Seeking Locum Tenens for basic general medical office opportunity in Santa Rosa. One or two days a week for up to 6 months. Suitable for any licensed MD with people skills. Submit letter or CV to fax 866-870-0815 to receive a call, further details. Start immediately. Psychiatrist wanted A staff psychiatrist at Sonoma Developmental Center participates in the multidisciplinary team process for the management of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Sonoma Developmental Center is operated by the State of California, Department of Developmental Services, and provides long-term residential services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The psychiatrist performs psychiatric evaluations, participates in the multidisciplinary team meetings and provides recommendations to the primary care physicians in the psychiatric medication management of complex behavioral problems. The psychiatrist is also available via email and pager for consultation with primary care physicians for urgent clinical issues. SALARY RANGE:$18,146–$22,377 per month Applications may be downloaded from the California Department of Human Resources website at www.calhr.ca.gov. Applications MUST be filed in person or by mail with: Sonoma Developmental Ctr., Human Resources Exam Dept., 15000 Arnold Dr., PO Box 1493, Eldridge, CA 95431. For more details, call Dr. Michael Wymore at 707-938-6566. Staff physicians wanted Sonoma Developmental Center is a long-term care facility operated by the State of California near Glen Ellen, California. The Center provides comprehensive health services to approximately 500 individuals with intellectual disabilities. We currently have four openings for primary care staff physicians in the fields of Family Practice, Internal Medicine or Pediatrics. The compensation and benefit package is competitive. Sonoma Developmental Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications may be downloaded from the California Department of Human Resources website at www.calhr.ca.gov. Applications (Form 678) MUST be filed in person or by mail with: Sonoma Developmental Center, Human Resources–Examination Unit, 15000 Arnold Drive, PO Box 1493, Eldridge, CA 95431. For more information, call Dr. Michael Wymore, medical director, at 707-938-6566. 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 Linda McLaughlin at Linda@scma.org or 707-525-4359. APPLICANTS Deidre Bass, DO, Pediatrics, 3925 Old Redwood Hwy., Santa Rosa 95403, Nova Southeastern Univ 2010 Armando de Pala Jr., MD, Pediatrics*, 1500A Professional Dr. #200, Petaluma 94954, Univ Philippines 1983 Michelle DeSanto, DO, Family Medicine*, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, Western Univ 2010 Michael Gerstein, MD, Emergency Medicine, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, St. George’s Univ 2009 Vishal Goyal, MD, Cardiovascular Disease, 3536 Mendocino Ave. #300, Santa Rosa 95403, St. Louis Univ 2007 Jasper Hollingsworth, MD, Psychiatry*, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry*, 3554 Round Barn Blvd., Santa Rosa 95403, Univ Alabama 1995 Yelena Lapan, DO, Family Medicine*, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, Touro Univ 2010 Kim Hoang Le, MD, Internal Medicine*, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, Univ Washington 2010 Robert Martinez, MD, Family Medicine*, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, Univ Cincinnati 2007 Noel Santo-Domingo, MD, Cardiovascular Disease*, 3536 Mendocino Ave. #300, Santa Rosa 95403, UC Davis 1991 Henry Schwartz, MD, Internal Medicine*, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism*, 3559 Roundbarn Blvd., Santa Rosa 95403, UC Davis 1996 Erika Simpson, MD, Obstetrics & Gynecology, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, Meharry Med Coll 2009 * = board certified; italics = special medical interest 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. © 2013 SCMA, 2901 Cleveland Ave. #202, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 October 24, 2013 General, SCMA News Briefs October 2013, SCMA News Briefs 0 0 Comment Read More »
September 2013 • Reminder: Awards nominations due Sept. 6 • Chief CMA federal lobbyist to speak at Oct. 23 dinner in Santa Rosa • Volunteers needed for SCMA committees • SCMA, RCHC respond to Press Democrat MICRA editorial • Medicare payment reform bill now includes California GPCI fix • Reminder: Medicare transitions to Noridian on Sept. 16 • Top stories from CMA Alert • Report from the CMA board of trustees • PEOPLE • MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS • RESOURCES • CLASSIFIEDS • APPLICANTS • ABOUT SCMA Reminder: Awards nominations due Sept. 6 The clock is ticking on SCMA’s awards nominations. You only have until Sept. 6 to submit nominations for the following Outstanding Contribution and Recognition of Achievement awards, to be presented at the annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 5. • Outstanding Contribution to the Community. Presented to an SCMA member whose work has benefited the community. • Outstanding Contribution to Local Medicine. Presented to an SCMA member who has improved local medical care. • Outstanding Contribution to SCMA. Presented to an SCMA member who has served the medical association beyond the call of duty. • Recognition of Achievement. Presented to a nonphysician who has helped advance local medicine. For a list of past award recipients and a nomination form, click on the links below. Nominations can be submitted to SCMA by fax, email or regular mail. SCMA Awards nomination form SCMA Awards history Chief CMA federal lobbyist to speak at Oct. 23 dinner in Santa Rosa Elizabeth McNeil, CMA’s chief lobbyist in Washington, DC, is the featured speaker at a special SCMA dinner on Wednesday evening, Oct. 23. Topics include pending changes in healthcare reform, deficit reduction, Medicare and Medi-Cal. (Please note that the annual Awards Dinner is still scheduled for Dec. 5; see story above.) The special dinner, to be held at the Fountaingrove Inn in Santa Rosa, is free for SCMA members. Spouses, guests and nonmembers are $40 each. The evening begins with a wine reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and program at 6:30. Dinner choices include grilled salmon, pesto penne and grilled chicken. To RSVP, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375 or rachel@scma.org. You can also fax the attached order form to SCMA at 707-525-4328. Be sure to indicate dinner choice. SCMA Oct. 23 Dinner flyer Volunteers needed for SCMA committees Members interested in helping SCMA achieve its goals in public health, government relations and other areas are encouraged to serve on an SCMA committee. The board of directors annually appoints members to the committees listed below. For more information, or if you wish to be nominated, contact Cynthia Melody by Sept. 6 at 707-525-4375 or cmelody@scma.org. Awards. Reviews nominations and makes recommendations to the board of directors for the annual Outstanding Contribution awards. Community Health/Healthy Community. Works collaboratively with other organizations to promote a healthy community, with a particular focus on reducing obesity and improving oral health. Editorial Board. Identifies topics and authors for Sonoma Medicine magazine and determines recipient of the Article of the Year award. Government Relations/Legislative. Serves as liaison between SCMA and local, state and national legislators to communicate physician views on health-related issues. Also encourages physicians to participate in the political process. Health Careers Scholarship. Awards scholarships to Sonoma County students pursuing health careers. Medical Review Advisory. Confidentially reviews open professional liability claims involving members. Also investigates written complaints regarding standards of medical care and ethical conduct of physician members. Membership. Oversees new member application process, including orientation and information for new members. Advises the board of directors on recruitment and retention campaigns. Physician Wellness and Well-Being. Advises the board of directors on SCMA activities committed to improving physician practice viability and promoting healthy lifestyles for physicians. SCMA, RCHC respond to Press Democrat MICRA editorial Earlier this month, SCMA President Dr. Stephen Steady, along with Pedro Toledo of the Redwood Community Health Coalition, published an opinion piece in the Press Democrat strongly opposing efforts by trial lawyers to change California’s Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA). The piece, posted at www.pressdemocrat.com, was written in response to a PD editorial advocating for changes to MICRA. Ever since its passage in 1975, MICRA has been subjected to ongoing assaults by trial lawyers. The most recent is a potential 2014 ballot initiative that would raise MICRA’s $250,000 cap on non-economic damages in malpractice judgments to $1.2 million, thereby causing physicians’ malpractice insurance rates to rise. Thanks to MICRA, California’s malpractice rates are among the lowest in the country. The California Medical Association has begun a major campaign to preserve MICRA and has already raised more than $28 million. For more details, or to donate, visit www.cmanet.org/micra. Medicare payment reform bill now includes California GPCI fix The House Energy & Commerce Committee has unanimously approved a bipartisan bill to overhaul the Medicare sustainable growth rate (SGR) physician payment formula. Included in the bill is the CMA-sponsored update to the geographic practice cost index, commonly known as the “GPCI fix.” The bill now moves to the House Ways & Means Committee; there is a long way to go. The GPCI fix will be groundbreaking for many localities in California in terms of payment equality. While Medicare updates the hospital geographic regions and payments annually, it has not updated the physician regions in California in over 16 years. Counties such as Sonoma are still designated as rural and not accurately compensated based on their higher local costs to provide care. According to Medicare’s own data, 14 California counties are underpaid by up to 10% each year. The Medicare SGR payment reform provisions of the bill provide updates for physicians participating in fee-for-service quality measures and clinical improvement projects. The provisions also give physicians incentives to participate in alternative payment models. The Ways & Means Committee is expected to move its own Medicare payment reform bill in September. Then the Energy & Commerce and Ways & Means committees will reconcile their bills into one package that moves to the House floor. The Senate Finance Committee is also expected to move forward with its legislation in the fall. Reminder: Medicare transitions to Noridian on Sept. 16 Sept. 16 is the cutoff date for transition of the Medicare Part B fee-for-service contractor from Palmetto GBA to Noridian. Although every effort has been made to minimize the burden to practices and to ensure that physicians continue to receive their Medicare payments in a timely fashion, physician practices will still have to make some changes in their processes, including: • Electronic claim submitters must change the Contractor ID (Payor ID) on their transmissions. The new ID for Northern California jurisdiction is 01112; for the Southern California jurisdiction, it’s 01182. Please note that the change to the Contractor ID should not be made before Sept. 12 for Part B claims. • Paper claim submitters will submit claims to a new address, to be announced in the CMA Medicare Transition Guide. • There will be a new toll-free telephone number (855-609-9960) for all telephone inquiries to Noridian, but the number will not be activated until Sept. 16. For a comprehensive preparation checklist, see the CMA Medicare Transition Guide. Top stories from CMA Alert Here are the top stories from the latest CMA Alert, the California Medical Association’s biweekly email newsletter. For a free subscription, visit www.cmanet.org/cma-alert. • Medical board to suspend licenses of physicians with delinquent taxes • Is your license renewing in September or October? Renew early to avoid delays with new online licensing system • DHCS to implement 10% Medi-Cal cuts beginning in October • MICRA: Haven’t we seen this all before? • Are you ready for the next HIPAA compliance deadline? Report from the CMA board of trustees Dr. Peter Bretan, Dr. Mark Davis and Dr. Catherine Gutfreund [Dr. Bretan (Novato) and Dr. Davis (Crescent City) are the District X trustees on the CMA board of trustees. Dr. Gutfreund (Santa Rosa) is the TPMG trustee.] The July 26 meeting of the CMA board of trustees focused on MICRA, governance issues and the CMA strategic plan. MICRA. California’s trial attorneys made good on their May threat to ask voters to repeal California’s landmark Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA) by submitting language to the California Attorney General, the first step in placing an initiative on the ballot. The initiative’s main provision would increase the cap on speculative, “non-economic” damages from the current $250,000 to more than $1.2 million, with automatic increases every year. The initiative would also require drug and alcohol testing for all physicians on hospital medical staffs. The measure is nothing more than a self-serving attempt by trial lawyers to generate more in legal fees. CMA and a coalition of doctors, hospitals, insurance companies, nurses, community clinics, local governments, labor unions, police, emergency responders, employer groups and others will wage a significant campaign to expose the lawyers’ self-serving agenda and defeat the measure. If the initiative is successful, it will cause malpractice rates to skyrocket, force the closure of safety net clinics and recreate the same conditions that threatened to throw California’s healthcare system into crisis during the early 1970s. Imagine receiving notice that your medical malpractice premiums will increase 250% or even 400%. That’s what occurred in 1974 and 1975, leading to a crisis of unprecedented proportions that forced providers to close their doors, leave California or choose to go without coverage. Failure to defend MICRA will destroy medical practices, resulting in irreparable damage and impeding access to care in California. CMA estimates that it will need $40-60 million to defend MICRA. During the meeting, trustees were asked to contribute $2,000 each; by the end, more than $60,000 had been contributed. [Editor’s note: CMA has raised more than $28 million to date.] The board also authorized CMA to loan the MICRA Education Fund $5 million to defend the measure. Governance. Your district X trustees expressed our concern that the relevance of the CMA House of Delegates not be undermined, and that the HOD should remain the policymaking body of CMA. We also noted that it would be a reasonable idea to replace reference committees with increased activity in CMA councils and committees; that the business of the HOD should not be predetermined by a few; that previous debate of resolutions is paramount. After much discussion, the board passed a series of governance recommendations. The main points are summarized below. • Beginning in 2016, the HOD would annually establish broad policy on three to five issues determined by the speakers, subject to the advice and consent of the board of trustees to be the most important issues affecting members, the Association and the practice of medicine. The board of trustees would detail and implement House-adopted policy on these issues and would assume responsibility for policy-making on all other matters. The board would be delegated authority currently vested in the House for internal administrative matters, such as component society charters and confirmation of elections and appointments. • To enable more extensive and focused expertise to be brought to bear in less rushed deliberations and to promote continuity and coherence in CMA policy making, the issues determined as most important and designated for House of Delegates action would be referred to standing CMA councils and committees, which would replace and serve as reference committees of the House for purposes of studying the assigned issues, receiving testimony, and preparing reports with recommendations for House action. • Standing councils and committees would be expanded and/or restructured as appropriate and as needed to equip them for their greater role as drivers of CMA policy-making. In addition to consideration of individual qualifications, efforts would continue to achieve reasonable balance in the geographic, specialty and mode-of-practice representation of CMA membership in council and committee appointments. • Reports and recommendations of the council and committees serving as reference committees would be made available at a date early enough to allow delegation caucus meetings to occur prior to the annual session, enabling floor action on recommendations to commence immediately upon the convening of the HOD and saving CMA and component medical societies substantial costs they would otherwise incur. • The annual session would become a two-day meeting consisting of: (1) action on council and committee reports addressing the three to five issues specified by the speakers; (2) action on any matters the board of trustees may refer to the House; (3) elections of officers; (4) educational sessions on key issues; and (5) ceremonial functions that would be scheduled during an evening dinner open to all CMA members. • The ability of individual members to introduce business of the Association would be preserved by enhancing the existing year-round resolution process, whereby resolutions received would be referred to standing councils and committees for purposes of study, receipt of testimony and preparation of reports with recommendations for action by the board of trustees. • As transitional steps toward a two-day annual session, HOD reference committees would begin functioning as entirely “virtual” reference committees, beginning with one committee in 2013, two or more at the 2014 annual session, and all committees by 2015. Testimony would be received online, and reports with recommended actions would be distributed no later than the opening session of the HOD. • That the board of trustees direct that a study be undertaken in consultation with component medical societies to explore a possible redrawing of the CMA geographic district boundaries, in order to reflect the growth and redistribution of California’s physician population and provide greater representational equity among component societies and districts. The implications of these recommendations are significant for District X. Please let your trustees know your views so they can share them with the board of trustees prior to the next HOD, scheduled for Oct. 11-13. Strategic Plan. The CMA Executive Committee has identified five distinct goals on which CMA should concentrate its efforts: (1) grow membership by 5%; (2) commitment to public health; (3) prosperity for all physicians; (4) defend MICRA; (5) lead change in health reform. PEOPLE Dr. Lisa Ward, a Santa Rosa family physician, has been named chief medical officer of the Santa Rosa Community Health Centers. She replaces Dr. Francisco Trilla, who is returning to the East Coast. The health center also plans to hire a behavioral health director and a director for its new dental clinic, set to open in Santa Rosa early next year. The Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation has signed seven diagnostic radiologists to work at Sutter imaging facilities in Santa Rosa: Drs. Scott Booth, Linda Casey, Paul Doemeny, Jesse Rael, Bradley Restel, Anthony Sajewicz and Gretchen Smith. With these new signings, the Sutter Foundation now includes more than 250 physicians in San Francisco and the North Bay. Dr. Patrick Coleman, a cardiologist with Northern California Medical Associates, has been named Physician Leader of 2013 by the Northern California Center for Well-Being. He will be recognized during the Center’s annual Celebration of Dreams event at the Santa Rosa Country Club on Sept. 27. Internist Dr. Thomas Guyn and cardiologist Dr. Vishal Goyal recently joined Northern California Medical Associates and will work at NCMA offices in Santa Rosa. Dr. Al Haas, chief allergist at Kaiser Santa Rosa, is one of the featured performers at “The Art of the Protest Song,” an evening of original and classic songs at the Glaser Center, 547 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, starting at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28. All proceeds will be donated to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Tickets are available at The Last Record Store, 1899 Mendocino Ave., or online at www.brownpapertickets.com. Two longtime Santa Rosa doctors have retired: family physician Dr. Reed Walker and ob/gyn Dr. Bob Field. Both of them practiced locally in a variety of settings for more than 40 years. They were honored at a retirement party earlier this summer. MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS Several community health centers in Sonoma, Marin and Napa counties have banded together to form an accountable care organization called the Redwood Community Care Organization. The new ACO--comprised of health centers in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Healdsburg, Sebastopol, Napa and Pt. Reyes--will serve about 6,000 Medicare patients in the tri-county area. The ACO is one of the first in the country to be based on health centers rather than physician-hospital alliances. Kaiser Permanente has donated more than $280,000 to 18 Sonoma County nonprofit health agencies, ranging from the Alexander Valley Regional Medical Center to the local YWCA. The money will be used to address several local health issues, including improving access to care, supporting healthy eating and living, and preventing and treating oral health problems. Northern California Medical Associates has received accreditation in nuclear cardiology at their Santa Rosa and Ukiah locations from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission. After many delays, the Aurora Santa Rosa Hospital has finally opened at 1287 Fulton Rd. in Santa Rosa. The psychiatric hospital, which has contracted with about a dozen local psychiatrists and primary care physicians, is part of Aurora Behavioral Health Care, a chain of psychiatric hospitals in California, Arizona and Illinois. RESOURCES Local physicians are encouraged to refer patients to the diabetes prevention program at the Sonoma County Family YMCA. Led by a trained lifestyle coach, patients work in a small-group setting to adopt healthy habits and reduce their chances of developing diabetes. The year-long program consists of 16 weekly sessions followed by monthly maintenance. National Institutes of Health research has shown the prevention programs can reduce the number of type 2 diabetes cases by almost 60%. More details can be found at www.scfymca.org/programs/health_wellness. To enroll, contact Nicole Martinovich at 707-545-9622, ext. 3412, or nmartinovich@scfymca.org. A conference on Integrating Mind-Body Medicine into Clinical Practice will be held in San Francisco Oct. 5-9. Sponsored by the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, the conference offers a maximum of 31 Category 1 credits. The focus is on medical techniques to address stress, anxiety, trauma, insomnia and chronic illness. To register, visit www.cmbm.org. The 21st annual Latino Health Forum runs from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Flamingo Conference Resort in Santa Rosa. This year’s forum focuses on immigration and healthcare reform and features keynote speakers and morning and afternoon workshops. All local physicians, medical professionals and students interested in medical careers are invited to attend. Cost is just $80 if paid before Sept. 16. Physicians are encouraged to sponsor a student registration for $100. To register, or to sponsor a student registration, visit www.LatinoHealthForum.org. SCMA members can get registration discounts for the Napa Primary Care Conference: Caring for the Active and Athletic Patient, to be held at the Napa Valley Marriott from Nov. 6 to 10. The conference is designed for physicians and medical professionals who care for active and athletic patients or who themselves lead such a lifestyle. Topics include common medical and musculoskeletal problems, healthy lifestyles and personal wellness. The conference offers up to 16 hours of CME. To register, visit the conference website. The following CMA webinars are scheduled for late August and September. Webinars, which are typically worth one CEU credit, begin at 12:15 p.m. and run until 1:15 or later. To register, visit www.cmanet.org. Seminars are free for CMA members and their staff; cost for nonmembers is $99 per person. • Medicare: Proposed Changes for 2014 (Aug. 28) • California's Health Benefit Exchange: The Positives and Perils of Contracting (Sept. 11) • ICD-10 Documentation for Physicians: Part 1 (Sept. 12) • Recipe for Financial Success: Key Steps to Increasing Your Net Income (Sept. 18) • ICD-10 Documentation for Physicians: Part 2 (Sept. 19) • Appropriate Prescribing and Dispensing: New Measures (Sept. 25) • ICD-10 Documentation for Physicians: Part 3 (Sept. 26) CLASSIFIEDS Psychiatrist wanted A staff psychiatrist at Sonoma Developmental Center participates in the multidisciplinary team process for the management of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Sonoma Developmental Center is operated by the State of California, Department of Developmental Services, and provides long-term residential services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The psychiatrist performs psychiatric evaluations, participates in the multidisciplinary team meetings and provides recommendations to the primary care physicians in the psychiatric medication management of complex behavioral problems. The psychiatrist is also available via email and pager for consultation with primary care physicians for urgent clinical issues. SALARY RANGE:$18,146–$22,377 per month Applications may be downloaded from the California Department of Human Resources website at www.calhr.ca.gov. Applications MUST be filed in person or by mail with: Sonoma Developmental Ctr., Human Resources Exam Dept., 15000 Arnold Dr., PO Box 1493, Eldridge, CA 95431. For more details, call Dr. Michael Wymore at 707-938-6566. Staff physicians wanted Sonoma Developmental Center is a long-term care facility operated by the State of California near Glen Ellen, California. The Center provides comprehensive health services to approximately 500 individuals with intellectual disabilities. We currently have four openings for primary care staff physicians in the fields of Family Practice, Internal Medicine or Pediatrics. The compensation and benefit package is competitive. Sonoma Developmental Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications may be downloaded from the California Department of Human Resources website at www.calhr.ca.gov. Applications (Form 678) MUST be filed in person or by mail with: Sonoma Developmental Center, Human Resources–Examination Unit, 15000 Arnold Drive, PO Box 1493, Eldridge, CA 95431. For more information, call Dr. Michael Wymore, medical director, at 707-938-6566. House for lease Nicely furnished cozy two-bedroom home plus office available for one-year lease. Five minutes from downtown Santa Rosa. Walk to shopping and public transportation. All furnishings, flat screen TV, linens, dishes, etc. included. Photos available. $1,800 monthly. Deposit and references required. Contact: mcandgn@aol.com. Office space needed Need medical office space with 3 exam rooms and one shared office space. Contact Dr. Anne French at 707-326-0855. 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 Linda McLaughlin at Linda@scma.org or 707-525-4359. APPLICANTS Ricardo Budjak, MD, Psychiatry, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, Temple Univ 2009 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. © 2013 SCMA, 2901 Cleveland Ave. #202, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 September 19, 2013 General, SCMA News Briefs SCMA News Briefs, September 2013 0 0 Comment Read More »
