IN THIS ISSUE

Features

Wellness Leadership nominees announced


NEW Climate Health Action Forum this month



Other highlights

Prior authorization video highlights California physicians and patients

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SMLMA EVENTS

CMA Legislative Day

Wednesday, April 10

All day | SACRAMENTO


Bay Area Medical Societies

Annual Staff Retreat

Friday, April 19

10:00–2:00 pm | LAFAYETTE


Wellness Awards Dinner

Friday, April 26

5:30–9:00 pm | PETALUMA


Climate Health Action Forum

Wednesday, May 8

12:00–1:00 pm | ZOOM


Wine and Paint Social

Sunday, June 9

3:00–5:00 pm | GUERNEVILLE

From the desk of

Wendy Davies,

Executive Director


CMA Legislative Day is Wednesday, April 10. A crew of SMLMA members, Residents, and leadership will be traveling to Sacramento to advocate for the practice of medicine and meet with our legislative representatives.


Wellness EXPO, Reception and Awards Dinner on FRIDAY, APRIL 26: The jury is in! The jurors (Paul DeChant, MD, John Chuck, MD, Mickey Trockel, MD, Conrad Amenta, SFMMS Executive Director, and myself) met recently to review the nominations. A lively discussion around the merits of each nominee was had and difficult decisions were made. We are excited to present the awards at the Wellness Awards Dinner. The event is shaping up to be a memorable evening with two of the jurors, Drs. John Chuck, wellness consultant, and Mickey Trockel from Stanford Wellness speaking, plus a special visit from Dr. Tanya W. Spirtos, CMA president. If you haven't reserved your space for dinner, please do so soon. We already have more than 100 attendees signed up, and you don't want to miss this exceptional event! The link is below. It has been too long since we have all been together as a community like this. We can't wait to see you there!


As always, the SMLMA Team is here for YOU. Please contact me at 707-620-0808 or exec@smlma.org.

Yours in health and service,

Wendy Davies, Executive Director

NEWS AND SMLMA EVENTS

Wellness leadership nominations announced

Our distinguished panel of jurors (Drs. John Chuck/CNU College of Medicine; Mickey Trockel/Stanford Medicine; and Paul DeChant/Advancing Organizational Well-Being) selected the 2024 awardees from this group of outstanding physicians and organizations. Click here to see nominee photos and additional program information.


2024 Physician Wellness Leadership Nominees

Linda Hawer Clever, MD, MACP

RENEW

DeEtte DeVille, MD

West County Health Centers

Fayola Edwards-Ojeba, MD

RechargedMD • UCSF

Mihal Emberton, MD, MPH, MS

One Medical • UCSF

Jessie Mahoney, MD

Pause and Presence Coaching • UCSF

Andrea McCullough, MD

Adventist Health Ukiah Valley

Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods

• Gary McLeod, MD, President/CEO

Ghislaine Van Dissel, DO

Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods

Medical Arts Project of Sonoma

• Allison Bacon, MD

• Kari Foulke, MD

• Rachel Friedman, MD

Lynn Mortensen, MD

The Permanente Medical Group

Ed Neal, MD

Retired

Catherine Roby, DO

Anesthesia & Analgesia Medical Group

Emily Silverman, MD

Camden Center San Francisco • UCSF

Toni Simmons, DO

Anesthesia & Analgesia Medical Group

Reserve your place now! Pre-dinner festivities include the Wellness EXPO and champagne reception followed by dinner with addresses by Drs. Mickey Trockel, John Chuck, and CMA president Tanya W. Spirtos.


Dinner seating is limited. You must register to attend.

Dinner tickets NO COST for SMLMA & SFMMS members

Guests of members and award nominees $50 • Nonmembers $165

(You must register for free attendance so that we can plan accordingly.)


See full details and links on the SMLMA Website

Event information: 707-525-4375 or rachel@smlma.org

Reserve your tickets for EXPO, Reception & Dinner

SMLMA executive director receives CVNL award

The SMLMA Board of Directors commends SMLMA Executive Director Wendy Davies for her recognition by the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership.


The 2023 Heart of Sonoma County Award for Excellence in Board Leadership was recently presented to Wendy for her work with local nonprofit Treasure House Consignment Shop. In 2022, Wendy spearheaded efforts to keep the 62-year-old organization afloat when faced with closure. Under her leadership, the Treasure House is thriving and the organization’s sustainability and community impact are both ensured for decades more to come. Congratulations, Wendy! See more about Heart of Sonoma County awards here.


Visit the Treasure House Fine Home Consignment Shop at 3450 Airway Drive in Santa Rosa. Proceeds are donated to Sonoma County community service organizations via a grant process. Consign|Donate|Shop|Volunteer. The Treasure House features quality home goods—including furniture; art; items for entertaining, kitchen, and garden; and a terrific selection of fine jewelry. Stop by and say hello to the volunteers. Tell them Wendy sent you!

NEW! SMLMA Climate Health Action Forum

Please join us via zoom on WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 for a lively lunchtime discussion about climate health action. Dr. Michelle Mertz, family physician, member of core faculty at Kaiser Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency, and environmental medicine expert, will present and lead the discussion. Dr. Mertz has been studying and teaching planetary health for more than 10 years.


Did you know that the WHO considers climate change to be the single the biggest threat to public health? As physicians, we are on the front lines of the climate and health emergency. Here in the North Bay, especially during fire season, we have seen firsthand in our practices and communities how climate change is impacting health.


The PM 2.5 particles from wildfire smoke and air pollution are small enough to enter the bloodstream when we breathe. The particles travel to every organ system and deposit themselves throughout our bodies. Children are uniquely vulnerable. While we may see the short-term impacts, the longer-term risks are becoming more understood. We’ll review the health data on air pollution and discuss how Sonoma County School’s Air Quality Guidelines may be revised to better protect children in our community.  


We as healthcare providers are on the cutting edge of the climate health emergency. Let's discuss how we as physicians can address climate change and affect policy. Please register to participate so we can gauge interest in the series. A high level of interest will mean more frequent forums.


SMLMA Climate Health Action Forum

Wednesday, May 8, 2024 • 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

You must register to receive the Zoom link.

Link will be sent following registration.


RSVP to Rachel Pandolfi: rachel@SMLMA.org or 707-525-4375

Sutter Health Virtual Grand Round:

Survivorship: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy After Radiation

Wednesday, April 17, 2024 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE

Join our SMLMA caucus in Sacramento

The California Medical Association will host its 50th annual Legislative Advocacy Day on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Sacramento. The SMLMA caucus will join more than 400 physicians, Residents, medical students, medical group leaders from across the state to meet with California legislators and advocate for legislative and policy actions that protect and benefit the practice of medicine.


For more information or to join us: Please contact Rachel Pandolfi at rachel@SMLMA.org or 707-525-4375.



NYT video on prior authorization spotlights

California physicians and patients

SB 516, authored by Senator Nancy Skinner and sponsored by the California Medical Association, will reform the prior authorization process in California to ensure patients get the treatment they need when they need it. The New York Times recently published an opinion video, titled "What’s My Life worth? The Big Business of Denying Medical Care" that clearly demonstrates how insurance companies use prior authorization to protect profits, putting patients at risk. New

SMLMA wine and paint social

SMLMA has arranged a terrific, private afternoon for SMLMA members and guests: Join us for a wine and paint experience on SUNDAY, June 9. Price Includes paint supplies, expert guidance, wine, and gourmet food. Event is limited to 16 guests.


Come for the physician community connection and be WOWed by the incredible view and wines at the stunning, private hilltop home of Rio Crest Winery winemaker and owner, Peggy Brown. See more about this exclusive winery here.

Sunday, June 9, 2024 • 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Rio Crest Winery, Guerneville, California

SMLMA members $45 | Nonmembers $60

RSVP to Rachel Pandolfi: rachel@SMLMA.org or 707-525-4375

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

CONFERENCES AND EVENTS

You’re invited! Mark your calendar for the North Coast HIV Conference in Ukiah on Saturday, May 18, 2024. This event is designed for care teams that are responsible for engaging patients who may be vulnerable to or impacted by HIV in a variety of settings. Conference will examine gaps in the use of PrEP for HIV prevention in the region. Continuing Education available, continental breakfast and lunch provided. Register here and see flier for conference details. For questions, please email jessica.price@ucsf.edu.

••••••••••••••••••••••

Join Sonoma County Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, Sutter Health, First Five of Sonoma County, Sonoma County NAACP and Mother's Care for a screening of the award-winning documentary BIRTHING JUSTICE, followed by a panel discussion on the experiences of Black birthing people. Film will be shown at The Backdrop in Santa Rosa on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. 


Hospital and clinic providers, administrators, and healthcare workers who care for pregnant and birthing people in Sonoma County are highly encouraged to attend this event. Dinner will also be provided, but seating is limited. Register here.

APRIL WEBINARS & PRESENTATIONS

California Medical Association

Virtual Grand Rounds: Black Health in California – Moving Toward Equity

Tuesday, April 16, 2024 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE


How ACOs Can Help Your Primary Care Organization Thrive

Tuesday, April 30, 2024 • 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. | REGISTER HERE

Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital

Trauma Reconstruction

Friday, April 19, 2024 • Buffet lunch 12:00 p.m. | Presentation 12:30 - 1:45 p.m. 

Presented by Navid Pourtaheri, MD, PhD, lead surgeon Bay Area Esthetics Plastic Surgery, San Francisco. See program flier for details. Registration not required. Livestreamed via TEAMS.

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 series here.


When Surgery Makes Sense for Asymptomatic Valvular Disease (Rebroadcast)

Wednesday, April 3, 2024 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE


Cancer Survivorship: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy After Radiation

Wednesday, April 17, 2024 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE


Human Trafficking Awareness for Healthcare Providers

Wednesday, April 24, 2024 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE

SHVGR on-demand library

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

Welcome new SMLMA members!

We look forward to supporting you and your practice.

SF VA MEDICAL CENTER

Mandeep Några, MD

Internal Medicine

SUTTER MEDICAL GROUP OF THE REDWOODS

Christopher Trebino, MD

Diagnostic Radiology

Comprehensive Practice Optimization series

To succeed in today's changing healthcare environment, practices must shift their focus to team-based-care, a structured, fully integrated collaborative approach for methodically working together to optimize outcomes for their patients. The Practice Optimization series from Riverside County Medical Association is a 6-part program based on the The Patient Who Swallowed A Mouse parable and the 6 Workbooks.


This unique program includes surveys, challenges and thought-provoking exercises designed to heighten awareness and provide foundational evidence and insights for practice transformation. See website for details.


11 hours of Category One CME

April 2 - June 11, 2024 • Every other Tuesday 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

For questions or to register,

please call RCMA at 800-472-6204

Switch to CAP for great rates and more

Great rates for excellent medical malpractice protection are just a click away. Get an instant quote emailed to you and learn about the unbeatable included services the Cooperative of American Physicians (CAP) offers its nearly 13,000 physician members—like FREE practice management consulting and the option to purchase up to $10,000 in monthly disability benefits, and up to $500,000 in life insurance guaranteed with no required health exam. See for yourself what makes CAP different. Get a no-obligation quote now.

To learn more about becoming a CAP member:

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