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First Aid Room in the Annapolis State House: Volunteer Today!
As we continue to move forward during the legislative session, the First Aid Room in the Annapolis State House needs more volunteers!
Did you know that the Annapolis State House has a first aid room? The Carolyn McCoy First Aid Room is equipped, supplied, and ready for you to volunteer as MedChi's Physician of the Day!
MedChi has the unique opportunity and responsibility of scheduling physicians to volunteer as “Physician of the Day” in the First Aid Room during the Legislative Session. The “Physician of the Day” program allows MedChi members (and prospective members) to interface with legislators and provide valuable assistance to all those who need medical help in the General Assembly complex.
MedChi also funds a nurse on the premises every session day to assist the MedChi Physician of the Day, giving the physician more time to spend in the chambers observing the Senate and House.
A schedule of hearings and meetings that deal with health-related issues is posted in the first aid room daily. The MedChi Physician of the Day is encouraged to attend these meetings, as well. For more information about volunteering in the First Aid Room, and hours, click here. Questions? Contact Hamida Mansaray, 410-878-9599.
Gene M. Ransom III
CEO
MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society
| | Advocacy: Your Voice Matters | |
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Tuesday, February 24 - AMA/MedChi Capitol Hill Visit
- Wednesday, February 25 - Baltimore County Medical Association Advocacy Lobby Day
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Monday, March 2 - 2026 Legislative Session Kick Off
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Wednesday, March 4 - Montgomery County Medical Society Advocacy Lobby Day
- Wednesday, March 4 - Washington County Medical Society Membership Meeting
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Monday, March 9 - Anne Arundel, Howard, and Prince George's County Medical Societies Legislative Advocacy Night
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Friday, March 20 - Workers' Compensation Symposium
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Saturday, March 28 - MedChi Presidential Gala Honoring Dr. Eric Wargotz
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Sunday, April 26 - MedChi Spring House of Delegates Meeting
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Benefits Benchmarking for Medical Practices in Maryland
See how benefits benchmarking helps Maryland medical practices stay competitive, control costs, and attract top talent. Click here to learn more.
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Be On the Lookout for Phishing Attempts
In recent weeks, MedChi has seen a rise in phishing emails impersonating senior leadership, both internally and externally. These attempts attempt to trick employees into transferring funds, sharing sensitive data, or purchasing gift cards. These attacks often spoof executive names, mimic writing styles, and create a sense of urgency—requesting “confidential” or “time-sensitive” action to bypass normal verification procedures. We are urging staff to verify unusual requests through a second channel, carefully inspect sender addresses, and report suspicious messages immediately to help prevent these increasingly targeted social engineering attacks. If you receive a suspicious email "from" anyone at MedChi, please contact us at members@medchi.org.
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ICYMI - AI In Medicine CME Series
MedChi recently concluded its three-part, virtual CME series, "AI in Medicine". If you were unable to participate in any of the sessions in real time, recordings of all episodes are available for access so you don't miss the valuable insights and key takeaways shared during the sessions. For links to all of the recordings, click here.
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There's No Right or Wrong on Vaccine Mandates
The Washington Times published a Letter to the Editor submitted by MedChi President Dr. Eric Wargotz regarding vaccine mandates. To read the article, please click here.
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Dr. Eric Wargotz Announces Retirement as Judge of Orphans' Court
Dr. Eric Wargotz, MedChi President, announced last week that he will retire as Judge of the Queen Anne's County Orphans' Court, at the end of his term in November 2026. The announcement marks the end of two chapters of elected public service: four years as president of the Queen Anne’s County Commission and nearly 12 years on the Orphans’ Court. For more information, click here.
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If you have news to share about yourself, a colleague, or your practice, and would like us to feature it in MedChi News,
please contact Olivia Ballmann. All submissions are subject to review and approval.
Submission does not guarantee inclusion, publication, or use.
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Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions (ACCESS) Model Financial Structure and Clinical Performance Webinar - March 4, 2026
Please join the CMS Innovation Center on March 4, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET, for a Financial Structure and Clinical Performance Webinar on the ACCESS Model that will provide an overview of the model, participant eligibility criteria, and key quality, payment, and operational details.
The ACCESS Model is a ten-year, nationwide voluntary model that will test an Outcome-Aligned Payment approach in Original Medicare to expand access to new technology-supported care options that help people improve their health and manage chronic disease. By rewarding outcomes rather than defined activities (or volume of services delivered), ACCESS gives clinicians greater flexibility to deliver modern technology-supported care in ways that best improve patient health.
ACCESS Financial Structure and Clinical Performance Webinar
Date and Time: Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
The webinar will include a question-and-answer session. You are encouraged to submit questions in advance via the registration form.
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Maryland Commission on Health Equity- Population Health Improvement Fund
The Maryland Department of Health is currently accepting applications for individuals to serve on a new subcommittee focused on the Population Health Improvement Fund (PHIF). The PHIF is a required element of the state’s participation in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Achieving Healthcare Efficiency through Accountable Design (AHEAD) Model. Given that the Maryland Commission on Health Equity (MCHE) serves as the model governance structure for AHEAD, the PHIF subcommittee will be an MCHE subcommittee. For calendar year 2026, the PHIF subcommittee will focus on Produce Prescriptions (Produce RX).
Members of the PHIF Subcommittee do not have to be MCHE members. The charter provides an overview of the responsibilities and expectations of the subcommittee. Subcommittee members will be selected to ensure representation from Maryland, prioritizing population health and food-based intervention expertise. The composition of the PHIF Subcommittee is subject to change based on the area of focus for the Population Health Improvement Fund.
If you are interested in participating in PHIF, please complete the application form. If you are having trouble accessing the Google form, please complete the PDF form and submit it directly to Thomas Weaver at thomas.weaver@maryland.gov. The application deadline is 5 p.m. on February 27, 2026. Individuals selected to participate will be notified by March 9, 2026.
| | | Thank you for your support! | | Your Advocate. Your Resource. Your Profession. | | |
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MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society
800.492.1056 • www.medchi.org
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