The COVID pediatric vaccine for ages 5–11 will be available in Sonoma County early next week. As to be expected, many parents have questions about the vaccine. If you are a pediatrician, family practitioner, nurse practitioner or physician's assistant who provides medical care for children in Sonoma County, and are interested in helping with educational sessions for parents, please contact me at urmila.shende@sonoma-county.org.

Join us for the Nov. 17 All-Coalition Meeting with special guest Dr. Anthony Fauci. Conversation will be about building vaccine trust, focused on pediatric vaccinations. We will discuss key message insights and perspectives on pediatric and parental acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID vaccines for children with Dr. Brian Prystowsky, pediatrician at Sutter Health. Listen in to this discussion regarding the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine for ages 5–11, sharing how the pediatric vaccine works, its dosage and side effects.

Communication resources from the Public Health Communications Collaborative—including answers to tough questions—can help you respond to questions about COVID-19 vaccine booster doses and support our local vaccination outreach. Check the website for a wide array of resources and messaging tailored to different audiences.

Save these links in your browser for quick reference. The county websites contain frequently updated information for COVID-19 testing locations and vaccine events that you can share with patients.

CMA is deeply concerned with the second regulation released by the Biden Administration on surprise billing. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), and Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) are circulating a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Becerra, Labor Secretary Walsh, and Treasury Secretary Yellen, urging their respective departments to follow the letter of the law and amend the rule to align the law's implementation with the legislation that Congress passed. Please urge legislators in the House of Representatives to sign on to this letter.

The California Medical Association’s 150th meeting of the House of Delegates convened on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, as a virtual event. The District X delegation, including SCMA and MLCMS physicians and staff, were among nearly 500 attending delegates.

Your delegates received critical updates and provided feedback on important issues affecting members, the association and the practice of medicine. This year’s major issues were Racism and Other Barriers to Health Equity and the Corporatization of Healthcare. READ MORE.

A special nod to our SCMA retired member vaccine clinic volunteers, who were recently honored for their contributions to SCMA's COVID-19 vaccine clinic. The Sebastopol Area Senior Center's "Aged to Perfection" Award was accepted by SCMA Executive Director Wendy Young at the Center's fundraising event on Oct. 23, 2021. The annual event raises funds to support critical senior services and programs.

Coming in December 2021 from Sonoma Media Investments: Sonoma Health. A consumer focused-publication, Sonoma Health will cover health issues and resources for the community at large. The first issue will include expanded coverage of SCMA's 2021 Contribution Awards, with a special tribute to SCMA's COVID vaccine clinic physician volunteers.

Initial distribution will include 45,000 Press Democrat subscribers as well as practicing physicians in Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties. Click here for more information.

Contact: Lauren Dismuke at 805-712-9995 | lauren.dismuke@sonomamag.com

Contact: Editor Alex Russell at alexandrarussell@sonic.net.

California Medical Association

The FDA continues to meet to discuss major questions and developments around the COVID-19 vaccines, including the evaluation of booster shots from several manufacturers, and the examination of data on pediatric vaccines for children under 12. Log in to learn from vaccine experts and policy makers about the data behind the decision making. Attendees will also hear from Erica Pan, MD, California’s State Epidemiologist, about the state of COVID-19 in California, efforts to keep the virus at bay, progress on vaccination efforts, and an update on the status of California schools. REGISTER HERE

The California Medical Association's wellness program (CMA Wellness) is pleased to offer free, online wellness engagement groups for healthcare providers who conduct patient screenings for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Each monthly webinar is organized around a prevailing theme with a stakeholder co-host to provide a variety of perspectives with a general discussion and breakout rooms. Registration is required. REGISTER HERE

Sutter Health

The Sutter Health Virtual Grand Rounds is a Continuing Education (CE) webinar series hosted by Sutter Health Network providers for all medical professionals across Northern California. Interactive Q&A session takes place with each live event.

Learn about the entire series here.

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021 • 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Presented by Candace Eyman, MD, Daniel Falco, MD, Craig Swanson, MD, and Judith Vallero, MD | REGISTER HERE

Presented by Vanessa Jane Walker, DO | REGISTER HERE

Presented by pediatric orthopaedic surgeon Brian Haus, MD | REGISTER HERE

SCMA welcomes the Ehrlicher Styles Group to our exclusive Business Partner program. The three group members serve Napa, Marin and Sonoma counties with over 33 years of combined experience in quality service and purpose-driven execution. 

ESG offers their services to the medical community with gratitude for support through wildfires and the pandemic. ESG believes the best way to show appreciation is to take action and provide accessible, luxury-level service: SCMA members receive a complimentary home inspection and home warranty.

Call 707-540-2000 or email connect@ehrlicherstyles.com to learn more.

Announcing FINANCIAL THERAPY, a new series of videos created specifically for physicians, nurses and PAs. SCMA Business Partner Russell Van Sistine, CFP^® provides tips and insights that could help medical professionals reach their financial goals more quickly and tax-efficiently. The monthly series launches with a look at 403(b) plans, soon to be followed by a presentation about disability insurance.

Contact: Russell Van Sistine, CFP^® at 707-708-3453 or russell@sonomawealthadvisors.com

In CAP’s popular publication, From Exam Room to Courtroom: Lessons Learned from Real Medical Malpractice Cases, you'll find 10 real-life case studies of physicians who have been involved in medical malpractice legal disputes. The guide offers important insights focusing on three areas of liability to help you avoid lawsuits.

Contact: Dorine Leong | 650-543-2183 DLeong@CAPphysicians.com

When you join the California Medical Association and the Sonoma County Medical Association or the Mendocino-Lake County Medical Society, you join nearly 50,000 members statewide who are actively protecting the practice of medicine and defending public health. Click the SCMA or MLCMS name above to download an application or sign up online at the link below.

Addiction doctor in Lucerne, California seeking physician or mid-level practitioner to assist part-time with full-time possibilities. Willing to train. Please contact Dr. Bob Gardner at 707-274-9299 or docbob66@gmail.com.