eNewsline
August 23, 2019
Vol. 26, No. 14
Roselyn E. Epps, MD, Recognized for Outstanding Contribution to the Medical Society
MSDC is pleased to recognize Dr. Roselyn E. Epps, a Howard University-trained dermatologist and pillar of the DC medical community, for her generous and meticulous service to the Medical Society. As chair of the Medical Society Alliance and Foundation for more than ten years, she has led MSDC's charitable arm and supported many promising young healthcare scholars from the District. She also chaired the program committee for MSDC's sold-out bicentennial anniversary. In addition to her service to the Medical Society, Dr. Epps is active with MSDC allies including Howard University and the Medic0-Chirurgical Society of DC.

In recognition of her service to MSDC, Dr. Epps will receive the Distinguished Service Award at the 2019 Annual Meeting on October 25, 2019. Other award recipients will be: Colette Magnant, MD (Charles H. Epps III Award recipient); Daniel Marchalik, MD (Certificate of Meritorious Service recipient); and Jose Parungao, MD, and United Medical Center Food and Nutrition Services (John Benjamin Nichols Award recipient). In addition, the Annual Meeting will include ample opportunity for socializing. Registration will be opening soon!

MSDC appreciates generous support of our 2019 Sponsors ProAssurance , Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Janssen , Sunrise Medical Laboratories, and BridgePoint Healthcare . For information on how to participate, contact Pia Duryea .
Don’t Wilt in the Humidity, Stand Up for Medicine in the District
Despite the District Council being on a summer break for the next few weeks, advocacy is a non-stop activity for the Medical Society of DC. It is also a prime opportunity for you to make your voice heard in the public policy debate and within your medical society. Read more .
Yesterday, the Bowser Administration held a public hearing to review 2020 individual and small group health insurance rates proposed by carriers offering health benefit plans in the District of Columbia. The proposed 2020 rate filings are available at https://disb.dc.gov/node/1408071 .
National Healthcare News
AMA Seeks Physician Voice to Improve MACRA
When Congress returns in September one item on their plate will be improving the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). During MACRA's first five years, the law had provided for modest payment increases, but payment rates did not keep up with inflation. To make matters worse, the statute calls for zero percent payment update for years 2020-2025 . If Congress doesn't act when they return, many physicians who see Medicare patients will be negatively affected.

Write your members of Congress today and urge them to support improving MACRA by:
  • Implementing positive payment adjustments for physicians in lieu of a payment freeze over the next six years;
  • Extending the Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APM) bonus payments for an additional six years, and;
  • Implementing additional technical improvements to MACRA
AMA Follows Science to Plant Stakes on Vital Issues  
AMA President Patrice A. Harris, MD, MA, explains how action on gun violence, climate change and other critical topics flows from physicians’ commitment to the evidence.  Read more from the AMA .  
MSDC Community
Welcome New Members!
The following physicians recently joined MSDC:

Sean P. Alexander, MD (Anesthesiology); Leslie Bizovi, MD (Ob/Gyn); James Coyle, DO (Internal Medicine): Elizabeth Harman Crowell, MD (Ob/Gyn): Soor Kothari, MD (Hospitalist): Nnenna Maduforo, DO (Ob/Gyn): Sripooja Parameswaran, MD (Internal Medicine): Ashley Thompson, MD (Ob/Gyn)
MSDC News
MSDC Board Meeting
MSDC will hold its next board meeting on September 23, 2019 at 6:30 PM at MSDC headquarters. Members in good standing may request an invitation from  Robert Hay Jr.   

MSDC Women in Medicine Workshop
The MSDC Women in Medicine section will host its inaugural event, We Don't Need Self-care, We Need Boundaries , on September 24, 2019. Learn more .
MSDC eNewsline
Editor
Pia R. Duryea
202-355-9414 (direct)
202-466-1800 (main)
For previous editions, visit eNews Archives

MSDC Media
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2018-2019 Board of Directors
Susanne Bathgate, MD
Chair of the Board, At-large

Raymond Tu, MD, MS, FACR
President, AMA Alternate Delegate

J. Desiree Pineda, MD
President-elect, AMA Alternate Delegate

Barry L. Lewis, MD, MBA
Immediate Past President

Joseph E. Gutierrez, MD
Treasurer, AMA Delegation Chair

Peter E. Lavine, MD
AMA Delegate

Julian Craig, MD
At-large

Laurie Duncan, MBBS, MS
At-large

E.W. Emanuel, MD
At-large

Alice Fuisz, MD
At-large, Secretary

Kirstiaan Nevin, MD
At-large

Daniel Perlin, MD
At-large

Marc Rankin, MD
At-large

Carla C. Sandy, MD
At-large

Robert Hay Jr., CAE
Executive Vice President
MSDC In the Community
MSDC Informs Community about Opioid Risks at Town Hall
As part of MSDC's commitment to physicians and patients in all wards, MSDC Physician Health Committee Chair Dr. Charles Samenow participated on a panel at an opioid town hall in Ward 5. The panel, organized by Bridgingthegap Coalition, spanned opioid education, addiction resources and health risks. MSDC is open to requests to educate the community on public health issues of the day.
MSDC President Joins Mayor's Healthcare Transformation Commission
MSDC President Raymond Tu, MD, pictured to the left, has been named to Mayor Bowser's Commission on Healthcare Systems and Transformation. As a participant, he will advocate on behalf of District physicians and patients.
MSDC Attends Workshop on Violence and Opioids at the National Academies
Drs. Kim Bullock and Marjorie Williams, members of the MSDC Task Force on Family Violence, attended a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine workshop entitled Interpersonal Violence Syndemics and Co-occurring Epidemics: Preventing Violence in the Context of Opioid Misuse, Suicide, Social Disparities, and HIV in May. The workshop explored intersections between the global health issues associated with the multiple syndemics of opioid use disorder, violence, suicide, mental health, HIV and adverse childhood trauma. The Proceedings can be accessed at this link .
Members in Print
MSDC Physician Health Chair Dr. Charles Samenow contributed to a Washington Post article on post-vacation blues.
Thank You To Our Corporate Supporters
MSDC 1817 Society
Practice Management
Weigh In on 2020 Physician Fee Schedule by September 27
On July 29, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a draft rule that includes proposals to update payment policies, payment rates, and quality provisions for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) on or after January 1, 2020. The calendar year 2020 PFS proposed rule is one of several proposed rules that reflect a broader administration-wide strategy to create a health care system that results in better accessibility, quality, affordability, empowerment, and innovation.
 
Public comments on the proposed rules are due by September 27, 2019 .

For a fact sheet on the CY 2020 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule, click here .

The AMA takes a deeper dive into different aspects of the proposal. See:
Public Health
Sixteen States Now Reporting 153 Cases of Vaping-related Respiratory Illnesses
The New York Times reports that 16 states “have now reported 153 cases of serious, vaping-related respiratory illnesses in the past two months, and many of the patients are teenagers or young adults.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “said that all of the cases occurred in people who acknowledged vaping either nicotine or tetrahydrocannabinol, known as THC.” 

MSDC will again be participating in the DC Calls It Quits Week to promote smoking cessation. Read more here.
CDC: Many Adults with Diabetes Are Not Taking Prescribed Medication Due to Cost
The Hill (8/21, Sullivan) reports that “almost one in seven adults with diabetes did not take their medication as prescribed because of its cost, according to new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” According to the CDC, “13.2 percent of adults with diabetes either skipped a dose, took less medicine, or delayed filling a prescription because of cost.” 
Recommendations for Use of Hepatitis A Vaccine for Persons Experiencing Homelessness
A new free continuing education (CE) activity including the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for use of the hepatitis A vaccine for persons experiencing homelessness is available from the CDC's MWWR and Medscape . Upon completion, participants will be able to:
  1. Describe the specific ACIP recommendation for use of the hepatitis A vaccine for persons experiencing homelessness and the implications for public health practice;
  2. Determine clinical considerations for use of the hepatitis A vaccine for persons experiencing homelessness, according to the ACIP recommendations; and
  3. Explain the rationale for use of the hepatitis A vaccine for persons experiencing homelessness, according to the ACIP recommendations.
The activity is available 24/7 on demand. Register here
Corporate Partners
End the Epidemic: Opioid-related Resources & News
DC Health Case Studies
DC Health's Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Advisory Committee is offering CME through case studies prepared by its subcommitee. Th e free CMEs are available to physicians, pharmacists, and nurses, but will only be offered through December 21, 2019.

Events
September 17, 2019
7:00 PM
This is your opportunity to share your thoughts and opinions on a vital topic to medicine in the District... all from the comfort of your home or office! This month, our topic is "The Three Most Important Advocacy Issues You Need to Know". Hear from the MSDC leadership on what is the most important advocacy topic, and then share your opinion s. Register here .
ProAssurance Loss Prevention Seminars
September 19, 2019 (DC)
Registration opens at 5:30 PM, Seminar runs 6:00 - 8:00 PM
DC: American College of Cardiology (2400 N Street, NW, Washington, DC)
MD: Bethesda Marriott (5151 Pooks Hill Road, Bethesda, MD)
This year, ProAssurance, MSDC's 1817 Society Member and partner for medical professional liability insurance, will offer a sports-themed loss prevention seminars titled, Out-of-Bounds: Previous Claims Under Further Review Participation in this seminar will better enable participants to:
·    Explain the relationship between physician-patient boundaries and professional liability risks
·     Identify a previous encounter where expectations were not met
·     Recognize the need to apply an internal or external boundary in a patient scenario

Whether you are competing for a championship sports title or practicing medicine, there are consequences for crossing the line. In this course, physicians and other healthcare professionals will hear the professional liability considerations associated with personally and professionally stepping out of bounds. The information and examples will help you stay in the game. Register online at proassurance.com/OutofBounds
September 19, 2019
5:00 - 8:00 PM, Reception starts at 5:00 PM, Training at 6:00 PM
Marriott Marquis Hotel (George Washington Rm, 901 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC)
At the conclusion of this lecture, participants will be able to:
1. Explain common beliefs, customs, practices and behaviors that exist within ethnic communities;
2. Establish linkage between social determinants and health outcomes;
3. Improve awareness of the need for cultural sensitivity, including the importance of language competency; and
4. Provide recommendations for a patient-centered approach to improve compliance and outcomes among patients.
RSVP at amerihealth2019.eventbrite.com . Completion of this training qualifies physicians to receive CME credits – all others will receive a certificate of attendance
We Don't Need Self-care, We Need Boundaries: How to Make Room For Yourself as a Woman in Medicine
September 24, 2019
6:00 PM
Lululemon Georgetown
Join MSDC's Women in Medicine section on September 24 for a discussion on setting boundaries and other ways to address burnout and mental health pressures that women in medicine face. Healthy food and wine will be served. The event is free to MSDC members and $25 for non-members. Read more or register.
Medical Real Estate Listings
Brought to you by MSDC Corporate Partner GZ Medical Realty. Contact Pete Papantoniou for your real estate needs.  
Office Sublet Available
600 square foot sublet available on 19th Street NW between Farragut North and Dupont Circle Metro. Brand new build out with separate suite number, entrance, waiting area. One office and one exam room with large window. One smaller office without windows. Sublet space is connected to an established private internal medicine practice. Price negotiable . Contact Dr. Alice Fuisz if interested. [email protected] .

University Medical Building
2141 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
University Medical Building is conveniently located in the heart of DC with easy access to Metro stations. Please contact Peter Papantoniou at 301-961-1941 or see the online listing for more information
Part Time/Full Time Office Space Available
3 Washington Circle
Washington, DC 20037
Part time/full time office space available immediately at 3 Washington Circle. This includes a large consultation room, fully equipped examination room, lab drawing facility onsite, EKG machine, space for receptionist, space for medical records, shared use of copier, telephone system, wireless internet and waiting room. Ideal for general internist, medical subspecialist or surgeon. If interested, please call Mark Sklar, MD. 202-887-4769 or email [email protected] .
Boutique Townhouse Medical Office for Rent Across From GWU Hospital/ Medical School
900 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20037
Boutique townhouse medical office for rent across from G.W.U. Hospital & School of Medicine. Very close to Foggy Bottom Metro. Three rooms, one on entry level with powered table/chair & overhead surgical light. Consultation room, reception/waiting room, & possibility of 2 additional rooms. Two-car driveway. Call/text Sheldon K. Gottlieb, MD, 301-509-3319, or email [email protected] .
Woodburn Medical Park
3229 Woodburn Road
Merrifield, VA 22003

Woodburn Medical Park is located within walking distance of INOVA hospital directly off Capital Beltway. Common area has recently been upgraded. Contact Peter Papantoniou at 301-961-1941 or see the online listing for more information .
Full Time/ Part Time Office Space Available
Well-designed and attractively decorated office of three general internists has additional consulting room/exam room suite available. Looking for another general internist to share space and overhead in fully staffed and equipped internal medicine office. Shared call coverage is possible. Contact Alan Stone, MD, 202-466-8118 or [email protected]
Medical Society of the District of Columbia
1250 23rd Street NW, Ste 270
Washington, DC 20037
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