Member spotlight: John P. Reasoner Jr, MD, MMSc, FAAFP

Colorado Springs primary care, sports medicine physician inspires through wisdom and caring

CMS continues our monthly member spotlight series with a Q&A with John P. Reasoner Jr., MD -- a retired military physician from Colorado Springs who specialized in sports medicine. His career in the U.S. Army and with the U.S. Olympic Committee took him around the world caring for individuals in peak levels of training and performance.

What did Dr. Reasoner learn caring for these elite athletes? "These superb athletes taught me so much through their experiences -- training physically and preparing mentally for the Games. I realized that you are treating the most elite athletes in the world. There are some who are always in the limelight: the stars in tennis or soccer. Then there are those who have dedicated their lives from when they were children or teenagers until they’re in their 30s to a sport that was only really noticed in the highlights of the Olympic Games coverage every four years. They are not motivated by money or fame; they were motivated by competition and sportsmanship."

Opportunities to help earthquake survivors in Turkey and Syria

In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in parts of Turkey and Syria, the Colorado Medical Society is encouraging the medical community to support relief efforts to send needed medical supplies and services to the region. There are many opportunities for Colorado physicians and medical facilities to assist.  

• Volunteer, donate medical supplies, or make financial donations through Project C.U.R.E., www.projectcure.org.
• Donate to Doctors Without Borders to assist their medical teams in treating patients and donating medical and survival supplies, www.doctorswithoutborders.org. 
• Donate to another organization of your choosing; email suggestions to enews_editor@cms.org.  

As of Feb. 15, the death toll in Turkey and Syria from the earthquake is 36,000 and rising with many tens of thousands more in need of immediate medical assistance. CMS is deeply saddened by this disaster and supports the many relief efforts to help millions of people in this region who face a long recovery and rebuilding period. 

COPIC opioid seminars for 2023 licensure renewal

Two one-hour virtual seminars; attendees will receive 1 COPIC point and 1.0-hour of CME for attending

COPIC is pleased to announce that we will be offering virtual presentations regarding opioids that providers may use to meet the two hours of training requirements as stated by the Colorado Medical Board for licensure renewal in 2023. There is no cost to attend these, and one COPIC point will be awarded per session for eligible insureds. 

• Opioid Management: A Practical Approach to a National Crisis - March 7, March 21, April 26
• Opioid Crisis: Strategies for Reducing the Burden - Feb. 15, March 8, March 22, April 26

Consortium Lunch and Learn Series: Free education to Colorado physicians

The Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse and Prevention's Provider Education Winter Lunch and Learn Series has launched for 2023. This series, accredited by the Colorado Medical Society, will be held weekly via Zoom, 12-1 p.m. on Wednesdays through the end of March.

• Updates and Drug Trends from the DEA Perspective - Feb. 22

LSU Health: Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Symposium

LSU Health Shreveport (Louisiana) will host a free virtual symposium on Maternal Morbidity and Mortality on March 10, 2023, from 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. MT. Physicians can earn up to 5.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. (View full accreditation on registration form.) Questions? Contact Julia Esparza at julia.esparza@lsuhs.edu.

Voting open for CMS Board of Directors representative for District 3 and District 4 - southern, rural Colorado

If you live in one of the following counties, voting is current open for your next representative on the CMS Board of Directors! Read more here. If you did not receive a ballot, please contact membership@cms.org; we may not have your current contact information. Thank you!

District 3 comprises physicians living or working in southeast to south central Colorado in the following counties: Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, Bent, Prowers, Baca, Las Animas, Huerfano, Costilla, Conejos, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande, Alamosa, Huerfano, Saguache, Custer, Fremont, Chaffee, and Park.

District 4 comprises physicians living and working in southwest to south central Colorado in the following counties: Montezuma, La Plata, Archuleta, Dolores, San Juan, San Miguel, Ouray, Montrose, Delta, and Gunnison.

Medical students: Apply for CMS scholarships; deadlines in April

The Colorado Medical Society Education Foundation has opened the application period for medical student scholarships.

The Alfred D. Gilchrist Student Leader Scholarship is open to third- and fourth-year Colorado medical students who have demonstrated a significant leadership contribution to organized medicine. The 2023 distribution will be as high as $10,000 total. Deadline: April 28, 2023. Read more here.

The Rural Track Scholarship is open to Colorado medical students finishing their first year of a rural medicine track or program. The 2023 distribution will be as high as $20,000 total. Deadline: April 3, 2023. Read more here.

Questions? Contact kate_alfano@cms.org.