SMLMA partners provide business or personal services and products that are relevant to practicing physicians—it’s a mutually rewarding arrangement that gives our partners visibility with the medical community, and SMLMA physicians benefit from referrals and pricing from trusted service providers.

Only a limited number of highly qualified professionals who share our vision of service to community are accepted in this exclusive program. See website for more details, program brochure, and application or call SMLMA Executive Director Wendy Davies at 707-620-0808. We’re always happy to discuss possibilities and create a package that benefits your business and our physicians!

Among other benefits, our Business Partners may sponsor and host events for SMLMA members. Shown above are some of those attending March 18 Sunset on the Patio at Paradise Ridge Winery. THANK YOU to the Ehrlicher Styles Group for hosting a lovely evening and providing the raffle prize won by Dr. Elizabeth Au.

Do you have a great location to share or suggest? SMLMA is seeking location proposals for 2022 events. Locations should accommodate approximately 100 physicians in Sonoma County and up to 50 physicians in Mendocino and Lake counties and/or Ukiah. Please share your part of the world with your colleagues!

Please contact Wendy at exec@smlma.org or

The 2022 Family Medicine Clinical Forum returns to an in-person format for current and future family physicians and other frontline primary care providers in San Francisco,

The Forum includes more than 20 clinical sessions, procedural workshops, a practice management track, community service event, 5k FundRun, Resident poster contest, Jeopardy CME and so much more! Headquarters for the two-day gathering is the St. Francis Hotel on Union Square. For more information and to register, go to familydocs.org/FMForum.

SMLMA is proud to once again be the on-site first-aid sponsor for Transcendence Theatre Company’s 2022 outdoor concert season at Jack London State Historic Park. Performances run weekends from June through September 2022 in a spectacular setting under the stars.

SMLMA hosts the first-aid tent staffed by volunteer physicians. Physicians, NPs, Nurses, EMTs and retired physicians are eligible to volunteer via the sign-up link below. Choose primary and/or backup roles for open dates shown on the form. We provide everything you need to respond to and treat minor injuries to patrons and artists on-site (bee stings, heat exhaustion, sprained ankles, etc.) Anything major is only a 911 call away to waiting emergency personnel.

Volunteer benefits: Volunteers receive 2 show tickets with VIP seating; VIP parking; complimentary dinner from the on-site food truck for you and your guest; and the appreciation of many for your service! Physicians who volunteer 3+ times throughout the 2022 season will also receive a $100 gift certificate from SMLMA to Stark's Steak & Seafood Restaurant in Santa Rosa.

The ONLINE CONFERENCE will be held over two half-days on April 21 and 28. All Bay Area physicians passionate about wellness from medical groups, health clinics, medical staffs, residency programs, and other physician organizations are invited. The conference will be recorded and CME is available. Register here.

In addition to plenary sessions, there will be three panel discussions: "Practice Improvements in Action," "Setting Up Evidence-Based Intervention Programs," and on April 28, SMLMA member Emily Shaw, MD, joins other wellness panel experts for a conversation regarding "Transforming Leadership for a Culture of Wellness." Click here for conference details.

Thursday, April 21, 2022 • 9:00 a.m. – Noon

Thursday, April 28, 2022 • 9:00 a.m. – Noon

Physicians for a Healthy California’s CalMedForce program recently awarded Sutter Santa Rosa Family Residency a grant totaling $150,000 to grow and strengthen the education and training of the 36 Family Medicine Residents serving medically underserved communities.

The total grant spanning three years supports GME education and several innovative training programs of the family medicine residency. Programs include the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Project; the Resident Coaching and Professional Development Program; the Culinary Medicine Curriculum; the Integrative Medicine Wellness Committee; and In-basket Support Program. Since 2019, Sutter Santa Rosa Family Residency has received $675,000 in grant funding. For more information about the grant or residency program, contact Dr. Tara Scott at ScottT3@sutterhealth.org.

CDC’s draft updated Clinical Practice Guideline is now posted for public comment in the Federal Register through April 11, 2022. CDC wants to understand the experience of patients, caregivers, providers, and others who care about safe, effective, and informed pain care. Please add your voice to the conversation feedback here.

If you are attending or would like to attend Leg Day on April 19 or CMA's MICRA message training on April 18, please coordinate plans with SMLMA. At press time, we only have a small contingent registered for April 19. Call Rachel at 707-525-4375.

The California Medical Association and its county medical societies, including SMLMA, have joined together with hundreds of organizations in opposing the so-called "Fairness for Injured Patients Act" (FIPA.) This act would devastate our healthcare delivery system, hurt community health centers and raise healthcare costs for ALL Californians. FIPA will be on the November 2022 ballot and, if passed, will effectively eliminate MICRA’s protections. FIPA is funded by a wealthy out-of-state trial attorney. If passed, this proposition would be a windfall for lawyers at the expense of California’s most vulnerable patients. Read more here.

SMLMA MICRA ambassadors: If your medical group, neighborhood group, business or social club would like a MICRA overview, please call Wendy Davies at 707-620-0808 to schedule a presentation.

For over 50 years, the SCMAAF Health Careers Scholarship program has aided students in our community with the cost of their healthcare-related undergraduate and graduate education. Many of the recipients have returned to practice locally. Please help us continue this important support program.

Encourage your young patients and families with 6-12 graders to help get the word out about the importance of COVID vaccinations. Click graphic above for more information and the promo video. Vax video contest sponsored by Sonoma County Office of Education, Healthcare Foundation Northern Sonoma County, and the County of Sonoma.

Flier from the California COVID-19 Vaccination Program contains a number of facts and figures concerning COVID vaccinations for children. Pediatric vaccination coverage is low, especially for California's most vulnerable children.

These links may be helpful with guidance and locations for limited supplies of government-procured COVID-19 therapeutics under U.S. Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) authority. The therapeutics locator is intended for provider use only, as the included therapies require a prescription from a licensed and authorized provider. Patients should not contact locations directly.

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.

Virtual Grand Rounds: Pediatric COVID and Vaccines, and Variants Overseas

An infectious disease expert will review COVID-19 in children, pediatric vaccines and offer advice on methods to communicate with families regarding vaccinating their children. We will also welcome back California state epidemiologist, Erica Pan, MD, who will share the latest information about COVID-19, the potential for new variants, and the availability of therapeutics in California. REGISTER HERE

Monday, April 18, 2022 • 3:00 – 5:00 p.m • Sheraton Grand, 1230 J St, Sacramento

CMA member-only training on the upcoming ballot initiative threatening to end California's long-standing liability reform law. Participants will receive a comprehensive overview and in-depth media training on the ballot initiative. REGISTER HERE

Wednesdays at Hospice: Contemporary Hospice and Palliative Care—How Far We Have Come in Care at End of Life

Join Gary Johanson, MD, for this live Community Education presentation on advancements, challenges, and availability of hospice and palliative care in our area. No registration required.

Sign in via ZOOM LINK or meeting ID 854 3641 4518, Passcode: hospice

Sutter Health Network

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.

Neuroimmunology of the Central Nervous System: Beyond Multiple Sclerosis Wednesday, April 6, 2022 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Presented by Deepak Soneji, MD | REGISTER HERE

Presented by Andrew Haskell, MD | REGISTER HERE

Employer Retirement Plans via CalSavers JUST RELEASED!

Planning with Your Trustees • Retire?

403(b) Plans • Disability Insurance

Financial Therapy, a video series created for physicians, nurses and PAs*

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

Visit Sonoma Wealth Advisors' website page for medical professionals.

Every medical practice needs an up-to-date human resources manual to stay on top of the latest in HR best practices and legal guidelines. The Cooperative of American Physicians (CAP) is pleased to offer you a FREE customizable, Word-formatted manual adaptable to your practice's specific needs. Written by HR professionals, the 2022 manual has been fully updated to reflect new laws around hourly pay, paid time off, and more. 

Contact Dorine Leong at 650-543-2183 or DLeong@CAPphysicians.com.

 Request an instant quote today to see how much

Wednesday, March 30, was National Doctor’s Day. We continue the celebration by acknowledging SMLMA's longest serving current members. Please join us in thanking these exceptional physicians for their membership and dedication to the practice of medicine, their colleagues, and our community. A special round of applause for all.

Physician needed for SMLMA first-aid tent at Petaluma Wiffle Ball Tournament. Sponsored by three Petaluma Rotary Clubs and the Miracle League North Bay, this inspiring and fun event raises funds to help provide opportunities for children with disabilities to play baseball. Benefits children in Petaluma and around the world.

Volunteers can enjoy a barbecue dinner and pint of beer from the on-site beer garden after their shift. See flier for event details. To sign up, contact Rachel at rachel@smlma.org or 707-525-4375.

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The SMLMA/SCMAA Health Careers Scholarship Committee is seeking a physician or two to fill vacancies on the committee. Not a big time requirement and a very gratifying way to deepen your commitment to our medical community. Committee members meet twice a year and select recipients for scholarships to pursue education to become healthcare providers. Meetings may be virtual or in person. Additional bonus is to attend a luncheon (COVID permitting) to meet the scholarship recipients in person. For more information, contact Loie Sauer, MD, 707-484-6090 or lsauer@sonic.net.

Sonoma County housing sought for Kaiser Family Medicine Resident physician, wife, and small cat. They are flexible for rental in Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Windsor, Healdsburg, Sebastopol or Petaluma. Seeking at least 1 bed/1 bath house, apartment or granny unit for under $2,000 with lease starting May 1. Would love an in-unit washer/dryer or available w/d hookups. Happy to provide proof of income, ESA paperwork for cat if required, and have good credit.

Contact Wendy at exec@smlma.org or 707-630-0808 if you have a rental. I am sure we will have more requests like this in the next couple of months. Let's make our new Residents feel welcome!

Sebastopol medical office space (1,232 sq. ft.) for lease in a prime location. Please call 707-823-3210

SMLMA members can place FREE classified ads in News Briefs. (Cost for nonmember physicians and the general public is $1 per word.) To place a classified ad or display banner, contact Susan Gumucio at susan@scma.org or 707-481-8995.