July 2024 Newsletter

Executive Director Search

FCOM is in the midst of an Executive Director search. The position is part-time, 20 hours per week, and will be modestly paid to start. Experience working with non-profit administration and grant writing preferred. The FCOM office address is in Zeeland, but this may be a remote/work from home position. Travel is a must. Interested parties may email Ann at admin@fcomi.org.

Suggestions for LGBTQIAA+ Care

From the Health Quality Innovation Network:

In honor of Pride Month in June, we are offering Communication Tips for Providing LGBTQIAA+ Care to help you create a positive environment for all your patients.

It is important to remain open-minded and non-judgmental about different identities and expressions and to provide respect for your patients.

These are double-sided cards, but you may just want to add the information to your Patient Protocols Handbook for periodic staff review. They also identified what the letters stand for: lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, agender, and asexual.

Update

American Liver Foundation (ALF)

The ALF has just assigned a physician to cover the Michigan area:

Zach Dwyer - zdwyer@liverfoundation.org.

The purpose of assigning a physician to a state is to give healthcare clinics in that state a real person to communicate with.

To refresh, ALF is the major source of information regarding any kind of liver disease issue. Their website, liverfoundation.org, has a lot of information in addition to a Resource Center helpline 1- 800-465-4837.

Free or Reduced Fee Dental Resources

I attended The Michigan Dental Association Mission of Mercy event in Flint on the 14th and 15th of this month! They saw over 2,000 patients in two days, and ALL services were completed in those two days, from surgery to bridges/partials and everything else. One of the most calm and organized huge events I have ever seen.

FCOM was one of the vendors patients saw as they left the procedure area.

Over those two days, I handed out over 250 Genessee County Free Medical brochures, and that is not counting the information I gave out for other clinics across the state.

Our table was next to VINA Community Dental Center (Brighton) – Samantha Jorgens ED. They have a great list of affordable or free dental clinics, which they were distributing, which I have attached.

There is also a website for free and affordable dental care: smilehelpnow.com

Our Facebook Page

How many of you know/knew that we have a Facebook page? Yes!

Search Free & Charitable Clinics of Michigan and there we are.

If you have anything you would like to post on the site: fundraisers, events you are doing in the community, awards or news articles anyone on your staff or the clinic has received or written, send the information to admin@fcomi.org.

Please check in to our page every once in a while. We need those likes and comments.

Updated and Larger Print 2024 Clinic Roster

Elyse is readying an updated and larger print roster (as requested at the conference). It will be sent to all of the clinics shortly. The roster is divided into two lists: members and non-members. If anything is incorrect, please email Elyse at elysecady@gmail.com.

NOVA Scripts Resource

Waiting Room/Exam Room Posters

This is a great organization for all sorts of information that can be valuable to your patients, easy to post and is free to download. This is just one relevant and topical example. Go to their site for a lot more information.

Importance of wearing sunscreen Summer 2023 (canva.com) – This is a sample of their posters: Page 1: English, Page 2: Arabic, Page 3: Urdu, Page 4: Dari, Page 5: Spanish, & Page 6: Mandarin.

If you're interested in receiving more seasonal relevant posters, please fill out the form on the Educate Before You Medicate - NOVA ScriptsCentral page.

Upcoming Conferences

NAFC’s National Conference

September 29 through October 1

Atlanta, Georgia--- Loews Atlanta Hotel

I will forward more information as I get it.

BCBSM Safety Net Conference

September 5, 2024 - Kellogg Center, Lansing

The registration form has been sent to the clinics by Kim Kratz and team.

If you did not get that email, contact Kim at kkratz@bcbsm.com. She will get the form to you quickly.

CORRECTED web address Neighborhood Navigator

SDOH RESOURCES IN INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITIES IDENTIFIED BY ZIPCODE

This is an American Association of Family Physicians website project to help physicians and others readily find local social determinants of health (SDOH) resources in their own communities. Go to navigator.aafp.org, and the site will walk you through to resources by zipcode.

I know you already have resource and referral information, but this may have additional resources.

Legislative Updates

NEW Senate Bill 482 – Medical waste being able to be stored 90 days plus IF the sharps container is not filled to more than ¾ capacity. PASSED. Waiting for legislature vote.

Broadband expansion – We continue to support all the work to extend broadband capability across the state and financial assistance for those who cannot afford access to the internet. MIHI is laying more cable and increasing access. DEFINITELY CONTINUE to contact MIHI at help@mihin.org if your area still has spotty or little or no connectivity. On-going

House Bill 5114 – Carrie Rheingans (D) Ann Arbor -Expanding the definition of mental health providers to include Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants. Waiting for legislature vote.

HB 4580 and 4131-- Human services; medical services; reimbursement rate for telehealth visits; require to be the same as reimbursements for office visits. Health insurers; coverage for health care services provided through telemedicine; modify. Waiting for legislature vote.