November 2011 Last chance to register for Nov. 2 practice management workshopRSVP now for Dec. 1 Awards DinnerMembers urged to donate to health careers scholarship fundDocBookMD offers improved communications for SCMA physiciansMedPAC: Repeal SGR but freeze or cut physician payCMA urges legalization and regulation of medical cannabisCMA House targets hospital foundations, brand-name drugs and moreWant more state and national news? Read CMA AlertPEOPLEMEDICAL FACILITIESRESOURCESAPPLICANTSCLASSIFIEDSABOUT SCMALast chance to register for Nov. 2 practice management workshop Time is running out to register for a Nov. 2 practice management workshop cosponsored by SCMA and the California Medical Association. The workshop, scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. at the Fountaingrove Inn in Santa Rosa, will be conducted by Frank Navarro, associate director of the CMA Center for Economic Services. Topics include finding and keeping qualified staff, controlling costs, and understanding your revenue stream. Cost is just $45 for SCMA members; nonmembers pay $95. To register, print the form attached below and fax to SCMA at 707-525-4328. You can also register by phone with a credit card by calling Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375, or you can throw caution to the winds and register at the door. Practice Management Workshop registration form RSVP now for Dec. 1 Awards Dinner Now is the time to RSVP for the annual SCMA Awards Dinner, which runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1. 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. 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: either “duet” (salmon and short ribs) or vegetable cannelloni. The event begins with a social hour from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards presentations. Outstanding Contribution awards will be presented to Drs. Allan Bernstein, Enrique González-Mendez and Kirk Pappas, and Dr. Jessica Les will receive the Article of the Year award for “View from the Gurney,” which appeared in the Fall 2011 issue of Sonoma Medicine. Tricia Hunstock will also be recognized for her work as president of the CMA Alliance. Operation Access, which provides outpatient surgeries to uninsured patients, will not only receive an award from SCMA, but will also honor several local volunteers, including Drs. Richard Auld, David Quenelle and Henry Flores, along with Marlene Russell, RN. For more details, see the flyer attached below. SCMA Awards Dinner flyer Members urged to donate to health careers scholarship fund A dozen local students pursuing medical careers received more than $27,000 in scholarships from SCMA and the SCMA Alliance this year, thanks to the annual Holiday Greeting Card project and a matching grant from PFMC. “It is wonderful feeling to know that my community back home supports me and my pursuit of a medical career,” wrote Taylor Manton, currently attending medical school at USC. “The financial strains of medical school hang heavy on every student’s mind, but your scholarship helped ease that stress for me and allowed me to focus on my education.” SCMA members will soon be receiving a letter from the SCMA Alliance asking for donations to next year’s scholarship fund. Donations received by Dec. 3 will be acknowledged in the Holiday Greeting Card and can be made by mail or by visiting the SCMA Alliance website at www.scmaa.org. The program has given scholarships to local students since the 1960s, and several former recipients are currently practicing medicine in Sonoma County.DocBookMD offers improved communications for SCMA physicians Communication between physicians can be inefficient at times, and patient care can be delayed, resulting in frustration for everyone. These frustrations, however, may be short-lived. Two physicians from Texas have created a tool to help solve these communication delays: DocBookMD--a smartphone app that is free for SCMA members. “We wanted to change the way physicians communicate. We wanted to make it easier, more efficient, and more secure,” said orthopedic surgeon and DocBookMD cofounder Dr. Tim Gueramy. “We created a program that allows physicians to talk to one another with new technology.” DocBookMD is a physicians-only iPhone and Android app that allows physicians to: * Send HIPAA-compliant text messages and photos * Assign an urgency setting to outgoing text messages * Search a local pharmacy directory * Search the SCMA directory and sort by specialty “DocBookMD allows you to look up another doctor at the point of care,” Gueramy explained. “You can then either call the physician or send a text message with room numbers, medical record numbers, even pictures of wounds and x-rays. And all of this is sent securely and in a way that meets HIPAA requirements.” SCMA members can download their free copy of DocBookMD by visiting docbookmd.com/med_socs/sonoma. Not a member? The SCMA website at www.scma.org has details on DocBookMD and other member benefits, as well as an online application form.MedPAC: Repeal SGR but freeze or cut physician pay The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), which advises Congress on Medicare payment policy, has recommended repealing Medicare’s sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, but to offset the cost of repeal by freezing or cutting physician rates for the next 10 years. Under MedPAC’s plan, primary care physician payments from Medicare would be frozen at current levels for 10 years, and specialists would see their pay cut by 5.9% a year over the next three years, followed by a seven-year freeze. The plan would avert the 29% physician pay cut that the SGR formula mandates on Jan. 1. CMA strongly opposes MedPAC’s plan, arguing that a long-term payment freeze in an era of 6% average annual practice cost increases essentially equates to a significant payment cut. The association will continue to work with the AMA and others in organized medicine on a permanent repeal of the SGR. CMA is urging physicians to tell Congress that repealing the SGR not only ensures patients can see a doctor when they need one, but also makes economic sense. A package of Medicare SGR materials--including an advocacy kit, a patient poster and a sample letter to Congress--has been posted at www.scma.org/resources.CMA urges legalization and regulation of medical cannabis CMA has adopted official policy recommending legalization and regulation of medical cannabis (marijuana). The decision was based on a CMA white paper concluding that physicians should have access to better research, which is not possible under current drug policy. (To read the white paper, visit www.scma.org/resources.) “CMA may be the first organization of its kind to take this position,” said CMA President Dr. James Hay, “but we won’t be the last. This was a carefully considered, deliberative decision made exclusively on medical and scientific grounds. As physicians, we need to have a better understanding about the benefits and risks of medicinal cannabis so that we can provide the best care possible to our patients.” CMA’s Board of Trustees adopted the policy without objection at its Oct. 14 meeting in Anaheim. The federal government currently lists cannabis as a Schedule I drug, which restricts research on the substance. Part of the policy adopted by CMA emphasizes that the drug should be rescheduled in addition to being legalized. Physicians, who are currently only allowed to “recommend” medical cannabis, have been stuck in an uncomfortable position since California decriminalized the drug in 2006. “California has decriminalized marijuana, yet it’s still illegal on a federal level,” said Dr. Hay. “That puts physicians in an incredibly difficult legal position, since we’re the ones ultimately recommending the drug.”CMA House targets hospital foundations, brand-name drugs and more Physicians at the annual CMA House of Delegates meeting in October adopted a number of resolutions that will determine CMA policy during the coming year. The resolutions ask CMA to: * Advocate for stronger regulatory enforcement of California’s ban on the corporate practice of medicine, such as hospital foundation ownership of medical groups. * Oppose the profit-motivated removal of generic medications from the market in favor of more expensive brand-name products. * Advocate for expanding the J-1 Visa program beyond 30 slots. Visa waivers should be granted for six years initially, and preference should be given to physicians serving in rural and underserved areas. * Support allowing eligible uninsured patients to enroll in public health programs at the time they receive care.Want more state and national news? Read CMA Alert For more state and national news stories, physicians are encouraged to read CMA Alert, a biweekly electronic newsletter published by the California Medical Association. The newsletter is posted at www.cmanet.org/cma-alert. CMA members can receive a free email subscription by clicking the Subscribe link.PEOPLE Dr. Hilary Bartels has been appointed chief of emergency medicine at Kaiser Santa Rosa, where she has worked since 1990. She attended Case Western Reserve University medical school and completed her residency in emergency medicine at Harbors-UCLA Medical Center. An accomplished athlete, she has earned many awards for cycling, running and swimming.MEDICAL FACILITIES Palm Drive Hospital, the only local hospital without a larger helpmate, has received partnership proposals from Adventist Health, Marin General Hospital, St. Joseph Health System, Catholic Healthcare West and HealthTech. A hospital committee advised by Drs. Greg Rosa, Richard Powers and Michael Bollinger is evaluating the proposals and is expected to make a recommendation by December. Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa and Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods may soon be seeing more Medicare patients, thanks to a new Medicare Advantage plan targeted to about 80,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Sonoma County. The plan, a joint venture between UnitedHealthcare and Sutter Health, will offer patients access to both the hospital and the medical group, which includes more than 600 physicians. Enrollment opened on Oct. 15 and closes on Dec. 7.RESOURCES CMA webinars for November are listed below. The webinars are free for CMA members. Nonmembers pay $99. To register, visit www.cmanet.org/events. * Electronic Health Records Update (12:15 p.m., Nov. 2). The latest news on the Medicare and Medi-Cal EHR programs. * EHR Meaningful Use (12:15 and 6:15 p.m., Nov. 9). How to qualify for EHR incentive payments. * Top 10 Ways To Save Your Practice Money (12:15 and 6:15 p.m., Nov. 16). How to curb expenses and improve revenue. Marsh, the insurance broker endorsed by CMA, is offering a high deductible health plan/health savings account that offers lower rates than other types of health insurance. In 2012, for example, individuals can contribute at least $3,100 (or $6,250 for family coverage) to the tax-deductible account and access the funds without penalty for health-related expenses. For more details, contact Marsh at 800-842-3761 or visit www.MarshAffinity.com.APPLICANTS William Carroll, MD, Internal Medicine*, Geriatric Medicine*, 3536 Mendocino Ave. , Santa Rosa 95403, 546-2180, Fax 546-2188, carrollpb@comcast.net, Indiana Univ 1982 Hana Clark, DO, Family Medicine, 3569 Round Barn Cir., Santa Rosa 95403, 303-3600, Fax 303-3611, clarkhm@sutterhealth.org, Arizona Coll Osteo Med 2011 Steven Gelber, MD, Internal Medicine*, 5900 State Farm Dr., Rohnert Park 94928, 206-3044, Fax 206-3041, steven.i.gelber@kp.org, UC San Francisco 2008 Gilberto Palacios, MD, Internal Medicine, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, 393-4269, Fax 393-4556, gilbertopalacios@yahoo.com, UC San Francisco 2008 Rajesh Ranadive, MD, Internal Medicine*, 141 Lynch Creek Way #C, Petaluma 94954, 763-0802, Fax 763-0803, Ross Univ 1999 Rajina Ranadive, MD, Internal Medicine*, 141 Lynch Creek Way #C, Petaluma 94954, 763-0802, Fax 763-0803, Ross Univ 1999 Marco Zolezzi, MD, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation*, Acupuncture, 525 E. Cotati Ave. #230, Cotati 94931, 794-0316, Fax 794-0388, marcozolezzi@yahoo.com, Autonomous Univ 1982 * board certifiedCLASSIFIEDS Medical director/staff physician wanted Sonoma Valley Community Health Center is seeking a family practice physician for the Medical Director/Staff Physician position. This position provides medical supervision and direction to the Health Center’s clinical services, as well as direct patient care. Must work collaboratively and be willing to support and back-up the mid-level clinicians, and provide call coverage through group call services for peds and family practice. We are looking for an innovator, a change manager and a demonstrated leader. Must have a current CA physician’s license. Call 707-939-6075 to learn more about the position. Website: www.svchc.org. Office space Small suite for lease. Reception, 3 rooms, Summerfield Rd., Santa Rosa. Contact Connie, 707-525-0211. Shred-It On-site guaranteed service. Office console provided. Stay compliant. Free consultation. Contact Marie Anderson at 707-829-8668 or marie.anderson@shredit.com. SCMA members get free classified ads! 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 Erika Goodwin at erika@scma.org or 707-548-6491.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. © 2011 SCMA, 2901 Cleveland Ave. #202, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 November 1, 2011 SCMA News Briefs November 2011 0 0 Comment Read More »
October 2011 TAKE ACTION! Urge Congress to repeal the Medicare SGR formula!TAKE ACTION! Urge Congress to repeal the Medicare SGR formula! On Jan. 1, physicians face a 30% Medicare payment cut because of the flawed SGR (sustainable growth rate) payment formula. Physicians need to contact Congress now to urge repeal of the SGR formula. Time is short. Congress has appointed a Deficit Committee to develop $1.5 trillion in spending cuts or revenue increases by Thanksgiving--and Medicare is one of their main targets. The Deficit Committee may be the last chance to repeal the SGR once and for all. Please write or call your representatives and senators today and urge them to repeal the SGR formula. In addition, ask them to co-sign a Dear Colleague letter from Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) to the Deficit Committee arguing for repeal of the SGR. Also ask them to stop further cuts in the Medi-Cal program. The sample letter attached below can be sent via email to the following members of Congress, using the “contact” buttons on their websites--or you can simply call them. You can also send the sample letter via regular mail to their district office, using the address listed on their website. · Rep. Lynn Woolsey: woolsey.house.gov or 707-542-7182 · Rep. Mike Thompson: mikethompson.house.gov or 707-226-9898 · Sen. Barbara Boxer: boxer.senate.gov or 510-286-8537 · Sen. Dianne Feinstein: feinstein.senate.gov or 415-393-0707 Sample letter urging repeal of SGR When contacting your representatives, stress the key points listed below: · Repeal the Medicare SGR in the Deficit Committee legislation. · Stop further Medi-Cal physician payment cuts. · Cosign the Medicare SGR Dear Colleague letter from Rep. Schwartz. Also ask your patients to contact Congress via the AMA Hotline at 888-434-6200. A Patient Poster is attached below, along with an Advocacy Kit with more details about repealing the SGR formula. Patient Poster and Advocacy Kit For further questions or comments, contact Elizabeth McNeil, CMA vice president for federal government relations, at emcneil@cmanet.org. October 6, 2011 SCMA News Briefs October 2011 0 0 Comment Read More »
October 2011 Drs. Bernstein, Gonzalez-Mendez and Pappas to receive SCMA awardsPractice management workshop in Santa Rosa on Nov. 2DocBookMD: Free smartphone app for SCMA membersDirectory verification forms are now dueWelcome new members at SCMA and Alliance OktoberfestStill time to register for Latino Health ForumPhysicians invited to Smartphone SalonHealthy employers can get iWORKwell certificationPEOPLEMEDICAL FACILITIESRESOURCESAPPLICANTSCLASSIFIEDSABOUT SCMADrs. Bernstein, Gonzalez-Mendez and Pappas to receive SCMA awards Three prominent local physicians will receive Outstanding Contribution awards at the annual SCMA Awards Dinner in December. The awards will be presented to: • Dr. Allan Bernstein, a Sebastopol neurologist, for Outstanding Contribution to the Community. • Dr. Enrique Gonzalez-Mendez, a Santa Rosa family physician, for Outstanding Contribution to Sonoma County Medicine. • Dr. Kirk Pappas, a Santa Rosa physiatrist, for Outstanding Contribution to SCMA. In addition, Operation Access, which provides free outpatient surgeries to the uninsured, will receive a Recognition of Achievement award. 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. 1. 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” (salmon and short ribs) or vegetable cannelloni. 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 Practice management workshop in Santa Rosa on Nov. 2 SCMA and the California Medical Association are cosponsoring “What Every Physician Needs To Know About Their Practice,” a two-hour workshop for physicians, administrators and office managers. The workshop--which runs from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Fountaingrove Inn in Santa Rosa--will be conducted by Frank Navarro, associate director of the CMA Center for Economic Services. Topics include finding and keeping qualified staff, controlling costs, and understanding your revenue stream. Cost is just $45 for SCMA members; nonmembers pay $95. To register, print the form attached below and fax to SCMA at 707-525-4328. You can also register by phone with a credit card by calling Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375. Registration deadline is Oct. 28. Practice Management Workshop registration form DocBookMD: Free smartphone app for SCMA members DocBookMD--a smartphone application that offers on-demand messaging, multi-media collaboration and fast look-up of your colleagues--is absolutely free for SCMA members. The application, designed by physicians for physicians, will help you save time and prevent delays at point of care. DocBookMD is a secure, HIPAA-compliant app for your iPhone, iPad or Android device. For details on downloading your free copy, visit docbookmd.com/med_socs/sonoma. One of the key features of DocBookMD is the ability to send and receive high-resolution images, including X-rays, EKGs, or photos. All messaging is secure and fully HIPAA compliant. Not a member? The SCMA website at www.scma.org has details on DocBookMD and other member benefits, as well as an online application form. Directory verification forms are now due Verification forms, which doctors can use to update or approve their 2012 Sonoma County Physician Directory listing, were mailed to all local physicians this summer and are now due back at SCMA. If you haven’t returned your form yet, please do so ASAP. If you need a copy of the form, contact Rachel Pandolfi at rachel@scma.org or 707-525-4375. The 2012 directory, a standard reference guide used at medical offices throughout the county, will feature photographs and detailed listings for all SCMA members, including their specialty(s), special medical interest and medical training. Limited information for nonmember physicians will be included as well. If you’re a nonmember and want a more detailed listing, you can apply online for SCMA membership at www.scma.org/join.asp. Welcome new members at SCMA and Alliance Oktoberfest An Oktoberfest welcome party for new SCMA members will be held at the Wild Oak Saddle Club in Santa Rosa on Saturday evening, Oct. 22. The event, sponsored by the SCMA Alliance, features authentic German beer, food, music and dancing. Cost is just $55 per person. To purchase tickets, visit www.scmaa.org or contact Christine Beakes at chrisbeakes@msn.com or 707-799-0125.Still time to register for Latino Health Forum A few spots are still available for the annual Latino Health Forum, to be held at the Flamingo Hotel in Santa Rosa on Oct. 13. This year’s forum, titled “Raising Healthy Children,” features keynote speeches by the president of the California Primary Care Association and the director of the childhood weight assessment program at UCSF. Workshop topics include childhood mental health, cultural sensitivity, diabetes and oral health. The registration fee is $100. To register, visit www.latinohealthforum.org.Physicians invited to Smartphone Salon Local physicians of any specialty interested in learning more about how to best use smartphones (iPhones, iPads, Androids) in clinical practice are invited to a Medical Smartphone Salon in Santa Rosa on Thursday evening, Oct. 27. The salon is an informal gathering in a physician’s home from 6 to 8:30 p.m., with light appetizers and wine served. Participants generally cluster into small groups around topics of interest, with demonstration of new apps and tips by Dr. Rachel Friedman and Dr. Danielle Oryn (medical director of HIT at Redwood Community Health Network). Just got your new device and need some help getting started? A “beginner’s corner” for doctors new to smartphones will also be available. To RSVP and receive the location, contact Dr. Friedman at rscfriedman@gmail.com.Healthy employers can get iWORKwell certification Medical offices of all sizes are encouraged to apply for iWORKwell certification, which recognizes employers who develop and implement employee wellness programs. Many larger local employers--including Kaiser Permanente, Santa Rosa Community Health Centers and the St. Joseph Health System--have already been certified, but small employers are eligible as well. Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park Oral Surgery, for example, has obtained certification. Toni Bonelli, office manager for the oral surgery group, noted that small businesses have the most to gain from worksite wellness efforts. “Since making a conscious effort to raise the wellness awareness for our employees,” she said, “we have experienced nearly 0% absenteeism.” To obtain iWORKwell certification, visit www.sonomaedb.org/wellness and complete the online application. Depending on the extent of their worksite wellness efforts, employers will receive bronze, silver or gold certification, along with certificates and a listing on the Worksite Wellness webpage.PEOPLE Dr. Ben Brown, director of family medicine at the Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency, received a Physician Leader award from the Northern California Center for Well-Being at its annual benefit in September. Mike Cohill, CEO of the Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation, will become the regional president of Sutter Health West Bay on Jan. 1. He will succeed Dr. Martin Brotman, who will continue to lead Sutter’s education, research and philanthropy efforts. The West Bay region that Cohill will oversee extends from San Francisco to Lake County and includes CPMC, Novato Community Hospital, Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, and several outpatient facilities. The region has about 8,000 employees and 1,700 affiliated physicians and ancillary providers.MEDICAL FACILITIES Signature Healthcare Services plans to open an acute psychiatric care hospital in Santa Rosa in early 2012. The company, which operates psychiatric centers nationwide, purchased the Fulton Road facility from St. Joseph Health System in 2009 and is expanding the capacity to 95 beds. The yet-to-be-named hospital will be the only inpatient psychiatric facility in Sonoma County and is expected to employ about 300 people. The Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency has received a $154,000 grant as part of a $2.6 million statewide effort to increase the number of primary care physicians in California. The grant, from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, is intended to counteract a projected shortage of primary care physicians in the next few years. A proposed settlement to a festering lawsuit over Sutter’s new Santa Rosa hospital has been rejected by both Sutter Health and the county of Sonoma. The settlement, proposed by healthcare districts representing Healdsburg and Palm Drive hospitals, would have created a payment mechanism for uncompensated care and addressed several other issues related to the new hospital. In the absence of a settlement, the lawsuit will proceed to a district court in San Francisco later this fall. Petaluma Valley Hospital was the only local facility to earn a spot on the Joint Commission’s annual list of top-performing hospitals. The list, which included more than 400 hospitals nationwide, recognized Petaluma Valley for its use of evidence-based clinical processes to improve care for heart attacks, pneumonia and other patient conditions. The St. Joseph Mobile Health Clinic, which delivers primary care services to uninsured and underinsured patients throughout Sonoma County, celebrated its 20th anniversary in September. During the past two decades, the clinic has provided care to more than 30,000 patients.RESOURCES CMA is sponsoring several webinars during October. The webinars are free for CMA members; nonmembers pay $99 each. Topics and dates for October include: • “Providing extraordinary customer service,” Oct. 5, 12:15 p.m. • “ICD-10,” Oct. 12, 12:15 and 6:15 p.m. • “HIPAA 5010 transactions,” Oct. 18, 12:15 p.m. • “EOB analysis: successful claims appeal,” Oct. 19, 12:15 p.m. • “Increasing practice profitability,” Oct. 26, 12:15 and 6:15 p.m. To register, visit www.cmanet.org/events. UCSF is sponsoring a Biomedicine Roundtable at the Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco on Oct. 10. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes a free lunch. Speakers will discuss new biologic and biosimilar therapies. To RSVP, contact Jenny Dudikoff at jenny@gcwest.com or 916-329-7403. A free cardiovascular health symposium will be held at the Vintners Inn in Santa Rosa on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 22. The event begins at 1 p.m. with four hours of presentations (and CME credits) on cardiovascular issues, followed by a complimentary dinner from 5:30 to 7 p.m. RSVP by Oct. 14 to Kathy Ficco at kathy.ficco@stjoe.org or 707-547-4652.APPLICANTS Luz Aguilera, MD, Obstetrics & Gynecology, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, 393-4135, Fax 393-4337, laguilera.obgyn@gmail.com, UC Los Angeles 2007 Eric Bava, MD, Orthopaedic Surgery, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, 393-4822, Fax 393-4559, ericbava@gmail.com, Univ Southern California 2004 Vincent Chow, MD, Orthopaedic Surgery*, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, 393-4822, Fax 393-4559, vincent.e.chow@kp.org, Univ Miami 2006 Marcia Luisi, MD, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation*, 990 Sonoma Ave. #3, Santa Rosa 95404, 546-5487, Fax 546-5488, muluisi@sonic.net, Med Coll Wisconsin 1983 David Maccabee, MD, Surgery, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, 393-4160, Fax 393-4557, maccabee@gorge.net, UC Davis 1996 Mary Puttmann-Kostecka, MD, Family Medicine, 3569 Round Barn Cir., Santa Rosa 95403, 303-3600, Fax 303-3611, puttmam@sutterhealth.org, Georgetown Univ 2010 Barbara Sinclair, MD, Family Medicine*, 15000 Arnold Dr., Eldridge 95431, 938-6000, Fax 938-6940, barbarasinclairmd@msn.com, Univ Texas 1991, * board certifiedCLASSIFIEDS Anesthesiologist needed for infertility clinic Must be credentialed, carry malpractice insurance and meet accepted standards. Interested candidates must be available to meet our IVF schedule two weeks per month including some weekends (as established by the practice). The individual must be willing to block out all other obligations until 1 p.m. each day to staff the IVF procedures scheduled during those weeks. Procedure weeks are determined in October for the entire calendar year. Please contact info@afamd.com with inquiries and or to submit your CV for consideration. Medical director/staff physician wanted Sonoma Valley Community Health Center is seeking a family practice physician for the Medical Director/Staff Physician position. This position provides medical supervision and direction to the Health Center’s clinical services, as well as direct patient care. Must work collaboratively and be willing to support and back-up the mid-level clinicians, and provide call coverage through group call services for peds and family practice. We are looking for an innovator, a change manager and a demonstrated leader. Must have a current CA physician’s license. Call 707-939-6075 to learn more about the position. Website: www.svchc.org. Office space Small suite for lease. Reception, 3 rooms, Summerfield Rd., Santa Rosa. Contact Connie, 707-525-0211. Shred-It On-site guaranteed service. Office console provided. Stay compliant. Free consultation. Contact Marie Anderson at 707-829-8668 or marie.anderson@shredit.com. SCMA members get free classified ads! 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 Erika Goodwin at erika@scma.org or 707-548-6491.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. © 2011 SCMA, 2901 Cleveland Ave. #202, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 October 1, 2011 SCMA News Briefs October 2011 0 0 Comment Read More »
September 2011 DocBookMD smartphone app is newest SCMA member benefitCalifornia urges feds to increase physician supplyPertussis immunization deadline extendedNominate your colleagues for SCMA awardsRegistration opens for Latino Health ForumSCMA physicians invited to Oktoberfest on Oct. 22Practice management workshop in Santa Rosa on Nov. 2PEOPLEMEDICAL FACILITIESRESOURCESAPPLICANTSCLASSIFIEDSABOUT SCMADocBookMD smartphone app is newest SCMA member benefit SCMA has just added another benefit for its members: DocBookMD, a smartphone application that offers on-demand messaging, multi-media collaboration and fast look-up of your colleagues. The application, designed by physicians for physicians, will help you save time and prevent delays at point of care. DocBookMD is a secure, HIPAA-compliant app for your iPhone, iPad or Android device. It is being offered without charge to SCMA members thanks to funding from Norcal Mutual Insurance. For details on downloading your free copy, visit docbookmd.com/med_socs/sonoma. One of the key features of DocBookMD is the ability to send and receive high-resolution images, including X-rays, EKGs, or photos of wounds. All messaging is secure and fully HIPAA compliant. Not a member? The SCMA website at www.scma.org has details on DocBookMD and other member benefits, as well as an online application form. California urges feds to increase physician supply The California Assembly and Senate have passed a joint resolution urging President Obama and Congress to improve access to care in underserved areas by increasing the state’s supply of physicians. The resolution also recommends increasing the number of residency positions to keep pace with the growing need for physicians. In a statement, CMA President Dr. James Hinsdale noted, “With the baby boomers beginning to retire, national health care reform expanding coverage to millions of previously uninsured citizens, obesity rates hitting epidemic levels, and the repercussions of the national recession and California’s own severe budget deficit still playing out, it is more important than ever that we continue to assess, address and reform the obstacles facing California’s health care system. The most important of these obstacles, and one that is projected to grow substantially in the coming years, is ensuring sufficient and timely physician access for every Californian in need of a physician’s care.” The Council on Graduate Medical Education recommends that a state have 60-80 primary care physicians per 100,000 people. California has an average of 63 per 100,000, but 42 of the state’s 58 counties fall below COGME’s minimum recommendations. Sonoma County, however, has 69 primary care physicians per 100,000 people, well above the state average.Pertussis immunization deadline extended A recent amendment to California’s pertussis immunization law gives schools the option to extend the deadline for students to show proof of vaccination for up to 30 days beyond the first day of school. Depending on the school district, students may continue to present for Tdap boosters until mid-September. Pertussis continues to be widespread in California, with seasonal incidence highest during summer and fall. Physicians are urged to be prepared for a rush of last-minute Tdap appointments and to provide clear documentation of Tdap immunization that students can bring to school. For additional information and resources about the new Tdap law, visit www.shotsforschool.org. Nominate your colleagues for SCMA awards There’s still time to nominate your colleagues for SCMA’s Outstanding Contribution and Recognition of Achievement awards, to be presented at the annual awards dinner on Dec. 1. Nominations are needed by Sept. 15 for all four awards listed below: • 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. To nominate one of your colleagues, send the nominee’s name and a brief description of his or her accomplishments to Cynthia Melody at cynthia@scma.org or via fax to 707-525-4328.Registration opens for Latino Health Forum Registration for the annual Latino Health Forum, to be held at the Flamingo Hotel in Santa Rosa on Oct. 13, is now open. This year’s forum, titled “Raising Healthy Children,” features keynote speeches by the president of the California Primary Care Association and the director of the childhood weight assessment program at UCSF. Workshop topics include childhood mental health, cultural sensitivity, diabetes and oral health. Registration before Sept. 16 is $75; thereafter, it’s $100. To register, visit www.latinohealthforum.org.SCMA physicians invited to Oktoberfest on Oct. 22 SCMA physicians and their spouse or guest are invited to an Oktoberfest welcome party for new members on Saturday evening, Oct. 22, and the Wild Oak Saddle Club in Santa Rosa. The event, sponsored by the SCMA Alliance, features authentic German beer, food and music, extending even to dancing. Cost is just $55 per person. To purchase tickets, visit www.scmaa.org or contact Christine Beakes at chrisbeakes@msn.com or 799-0125. Zum wohl!Practice management workshop in Santa Rosa on Nov. 2 SCMA and the California Medical Association are cosponsoring “What Every Physician Needs To Know About Their Practice,” a two-hour workshop for physicians, administrators and office managers. The workshop--which runs from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Fountaingrove Inn in Santa Rosa--will be conducted by Frank Navarro, the associate director of the CMA Center for Economic Services. Topics include finding and keeping qualified staff, controlling costs, and understanding your revenue stream. The cost is just $45 for SCMA members; nonmembers pay $95. To register, print the form attached below and fax to SCMA at 707-525-4328. You can also register by phone with a credit card by calling Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375. Registration deadline is Oct. 28. Practice Management Workshop registration formPEOPLE Dr. Joshua Weil, who has served as chief of the emergency department at Kaiser Santa Rosa for more than a decade, has been appointed assistant physician-in-chief for hospital operations. He has participated in disaster relief efforts around the globe and is active in local efforts to improve emergency medical services. A past member of the SCMA board of directors, he recently published an article on earthquake preparedness in Sonoma Medicine. Former SCMA President Dr. Jan Sonander, a Santa Rosa family physician, has been appointed to the Rules Committee for the 2011 CMA House of Delegates. He is one of just five physicians selected statewide for the committee, which reviews the rules for the annual meeting, resolves disputes and enforces the conflict-of-interest policy.MEDICAL FACILITIES The longstanding dispute between Sutter Health and the hospital districts representing Healdsburg Hospital and Sebastopol’s Palm Drive Hospital continues to simmer, even as construction of the new Sutter Hospital in Santa Rosa proceeds apace. In late August, the hospital districts appealed a court ruling that had allowed construction of the Sutter facility to begin. The appeal objects to the size and environmental impacts of the new hospital, but it also includes an offer to negotiate a settlement that would address payment for uncompensated care and several other medical and financial issues. Sutter said it would respond to the settlement offer at a later date. In addition to contending with Sutter (see above), Palm Drive Hospital has sent “requests for information” to potential partners, including the Marin Healthcare District, the St. Joseph Health System and five other state- and nationwide entities. The requests seek to determine how the potential partners might be able to help the hospital, which emerged from bankruptcy earlier this year. Money seems to be flowing at Healdsburg Hospital, which installed a $1.6 million CT scanner in August. The 64-slice scanner is part of a $6 million upgrade to the hospital’s imaging center that will eventually include new x-ray, fluoroscopy and ultrasound equipment. The St. Joseph Health System Foundation has granted more than $300,000 to five local nonprofit agencies for programs that improve health and quality of life. Recipients include the Redwood Empire Food Bank, the PDI Oral Surgery Center in Windsor, the Drug Abuse Alternatives Center, House Calls, and the St. Joseph Dental Clinics. The Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Project, which combats obesity in low-income areas of Santa Rosa, has received a $1 million grant from Kaiser Permanente. The funds will be used to promote healthful choices and to prevent diabetes, hypertension and other obesity-related diseases. The HEAL Project is described in detail in a recent Sonoma Medicine article by Kaiser pediatrician Dr. Ari Hauptman. Community health centers throughout Sonoma County had a particularly active month in August. The Petaluma Health Center moved to a newly constructed 53,000 square foot facility, nearly triple the size of its old digs. A league or so away, the West County Health Centers opened a new Wellness Center in Forestville that will focus on preventive services. Meanwhile, the Santa Rosa Community Health Centers received a $650,000 federal grant to increase its services to homeless residents.RESOURCES Three hour-long CMA webinars will be held during September. All three begin at 12:15 p.m. “How to grow your practice” (Sept. 7) examines methods for increasing referral volumes and retaining current patients. “Medical billing standards for workers comp” (Sept. 15) gives an update on the newly adopted standards, which go into effect in October. “How to identify and stop unfair payment practices” (Sept. 21) covers claim submission deadlines, appeal rights and other factors affecting payment. All three webinars are free for CMA members; nonmembers pay $99. To register, visit www.cmanet.org/events. A short course on elder mediation will be held at Sonoma State University on Sept. 10 and 17. The course, which offers 14 hours of CEU credit, trains physicians, lawyers and other professionals to mediate decision making and resolve conflicts with elders and their families. The class is taught by Jane Iddings, a Petaluma lawyer and elder mediator. Cost is $154. To register, call SSU Extended Education at 707-664-2394 or visit www.tinyurl.com/SSUregistration. Medicare is sponsoring a free ACO learning session in San Francisco on Sept. 15 and 16. The session will feature national experts on accountable care organizations and will focus on developing core competencies necessary for ACO success. For more details, and to register, visit acoregister.rti.org. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. David Kessler is the featured speaker at an all-day Childhood Obesity Conference at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco on Sept. 24. The conference, sponsored by Slow Food San Francisco, features presentations by physicians, nutritionists and chefs on solutions to the childhood obesity epidemic. Cost is $100. To register, visit www.slowfoodsanfrancisco.com. A free webinar on insulin management in type 2 diabetes will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Sept. 27. Presenter is Dr. Kimberly Buss, medical director of diabetes education for the Sutter Medical Foundation. To register, visit www.thecmafoundation.org. The Coastal Dermatology Symposium will be held at the Silverado Resort in Napa from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1. The event offers up to 12.25 hours of Category 1 credit. Presenters from across the country will provide updates on the diagnosis and treatment of various skin diseases. Cost is $350. To register, visit www.coastalderm.org or call 502-569-1356. Doctors and nurses interested in a holistic approach to medicine and healing are invited to attend the second annual Healing, Mindfulness & Compassion Retreat at the Ratna Ling Center in northern Sonoma County from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. The retreat will explore integrating Western medical perspectives with traditional Tibetan practices. Cost is $375 and up, depending on lodging. To register, visit tibetanaidproject.org. A free cardiovascular health symposium will be held at the Vintners Inn in Santa Rosa on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 22. The event begins at 1 p.m. with four hours of presentations (and CME credits) on cardiovascular issues, followed by a complimentary dinner from 5:30 to 7 p.m. RSVP by Oct. 14 to Kathy Ficco at kathy.ficco@stjoe.org or 707-547-4652.APPLICANTS Jessica Bruso, DO, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 3975 Old Redwood Hwy. #152, Santa Rosa 95403, 566-5807, Fax 566-5517, jessica.r.bruso@kp.org, Univ Texas Osteo Med Sch 2007 Jennifer Fresco, MD, Internal Medicine*, Pulmonary Disease*, Critical Care Medicine, 401 Bicentennial Way, MOBE #190, Santa Rosa 95403, 393-2690, Fax 393-2046, jennifer.m.fresco@gmail.com, Stanford Univ 2005 Jarrod Holmes, MD, Medical Oncology*, Hematology*, Internal Medicine*, 3555 Round Barn Cir., Santa Rosa 95403, 528-1050, Fax 525-3874, jholmes@rrmg.com, Duke Univ 2000 Sarah Murphy, MD, Family Medicine, 3569 Round Barn Cir., Santa Rosa 95404, 303-3600, Fax 303-3611, Univ Washington 2010 Donald Pyskaty, MD, Pediatrics*, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, 393-2052, ym4djp@gmail.com, Columbia Univ 1993 Bradley Restel, MD, Diagnostic Radiology*, 121 Sotoyome St., Santa Rosa 95405, 546-4062, Fax 525-4097, brestel@rrmg.com, Univ Texas 2005 Richard Turley, MD, Otolaryngology, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, 393-4064, richardturleymd@gmail.com, Univ Michigan 2006 * board certifiedCLASSIFIEDS Medical director/staff physician wanted Sonoma Valley Community Health Center is seeking a family practice physician for the Medical Director/Staff Physician position. This position provides medical supervision and direction to the Health Center’s clinical services, as well as direct patient care. Must work collaboratively and be willing to support and back-up the mid-level clinicians, and provide call coverage through group call services for peds and family practice. We are looking for an innovator, a change manager and a demonstrated leader. Must have a current CA physician’s license. Call 707-939-6075 to learn more about the position. Website: www.svchc.org. Shred-It On-site guaranteed service. Office console provided. Stay compliant. Free consultation. Contact Marie Anderson at 707-829-8668 or marie.anderson@shredit.com. Office space Small suite for lease. Reception, 3 rooms, Summerfield Rd., Santa Rosa. Contact Connie, 707-525-0211. SCMA members get free classified ads! 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 Erika Goodwin at erika@scma.org or 707-548-6491.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. © 2011 SCMA, 2901 Cleveland Ave. #202, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 September 1, 2011 SCMA News Briefs September 2011 0 0 Comment Read More »
