IN THIS ISSUE
Featured news
From our county health officer
Healthcare change reminders
CalHealthCares loan repayment program now open
Celebrating Black History Month
Other highlights
New Financial Health email series and dinners
February webinars and events
Community Bulletin Board
Membership Matters
Fetured event:
Medical Arts Feb. 23
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In an effort to make the Medical Association more inclusive and supportive of physicians practicing in our tri-county service area, the SMLMA leadership group recently met for two days of strategic planning. This was followed by the Board of Directors meeting on Jan. 30. One of our strategic goals was to establish new mission and vision statements that would clearly represent the future of SMLMA. We are excited to move forward as a strong voice for our members and to continue the hard work it takes to be a relevant and successful Medical Association.
New SMLMA mission statement:
Empowering physicians to thrive and provide high-quality, equitable care for our diverse communities
New SMLMA vision statement:
Physician engagement and leadership driving positive change in our communities
These are extremely challenging times. As a profession, we are trying to reclaim normal, but there is a new normal. In the past few years, the tremendous environmental and socioeconomic strain of wildfires and floods has devastated our three counties. And at the
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FROM OUR COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER |
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Sundari Mase, MD, MPH
It has been an unusually wet start to the year here in Sonoma County. The rain has been great for recharging our aquifers, filling our creeks and rivers, replenishing our reservoirs and helping us end the drought. However, the storms also caused significant impacts, especially for communities along the Russian River and Sonoma Coast.
The Department of Health Services went into emergency mode, and I spent time in the County Emergency Operations Center alongside many dedicated county employees who were helping with the response and recovery effort.
On the environmental health front, we used the opportunity to educate residents about some of the dangers associated with major storms. Thankfully the Russian River did not reach flood stage, but as a precaution, I issued a Public Health Advisory in response to potential high-water hazards from the winter storms. The guidance was intended to keep the public safe as rising creek and river levels threatened to flood residential areas, bringing hidden dangers and the risk of contaminating food and water supplies.
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REMINDERS
New issues impacting California physicians
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As we move into 2023, many new healthcare requirements take effect. Some of the important changes are listed below; click links for more information.
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Submit your name to be recognized as
a physician member for Black History Month
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In honor of Black History Month 2023, SMLMA would like to recognize our dedicated physician members of African-American heritage.
To be included in a collage that will be displayed online later in February, please submit the following by Friday, Feb. 10 to Rachel Pandolfi at rachel@smlma.org:
- Full name and title
- Practice specialty and affiliation
- Number of years as SMLMA/CMA member (including SCMA and MLCMS)
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Photo headshot
You may submit information for yourself or a colleague. Active physicians, Residents, and retired SMLMA members are encouraged to respond. Must be a current SMLMA/CMA active or retired member and must submit photo headshot to be included.
Haven't renewed your membership yet? It's easy, just click here.
Thank you for the opportunity to celebrate YOU and your contribution to science, medicine and the betterment of our communities.
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Physician loan repayment program now open |
The CalHealthCares Loan Repayment Program application opened Jan. 18, 2023, and invites eligible physicians and dentists to apply. Applications submitted by the early review deadline of Feb. 3, 2023, will receive feedback and the opportunity to resubmit an updated application prior to the March 3, 2023, application close date.
To assist prospective applicants with the application process, CalHealthCares is hosting webinars to provide information on the program and application process. Presentations include an overview of the application, important timelines, common errors, and the application scoring system. Interested applicants have several opportunities to attend and can register with the links below:
Recordings of hosted webinars will be made available for on-demand viewing for those unable to participate in the live presentations. Click here to view past webinars.
We encourage interested physicians and dentists to visit www.CalHealthCares.org for more information and to view additional resources including application instructions, FAQS, and other information and forms needed to apply.
About CalHealthCares:
CalHealthCares provides loan repayment on educational debt for California physicians and dentists who increase access to care for Medi-Cal patients. Eligible physicians can apply for a loan repayment award of up to $300,000 in exchange for a five-year service obligation.The program is funded by Proposition 56 (2016) voter-approved, state tax revenues.
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NEED A FINANCIAL CHECK-UP?
New Financial Health monthly emails
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SMLMA is pleased to announce a new email series from Business Partner Russell Van Sistine, CFP® and Sonoma Wealth Advisors. Exclusively for SMLMA members, FINANCIAL HEALTH EMAILS will cover topics such as estate planning, taxes, retirement, and investments — all presented from a perspective beneficial to physicians.
To learn more about the series and sign up, simply provide your email address via the link below. All information is completely confidential, and you can cancel your subscription at any time.
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Contact: Russell Van Sistine, CFP® at 707-708-3453 or
for medical professionals.
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YOU ARE INVITED
Dinner programs for ALL physicians
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FINANCIAL HEALTH DINNERS, FREE networking dinners and presentations in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, will resume in March. These lively and engaging gatherings for SMLMA physicians and Residents include cocktails, dinner, and financial topics oriented to attendees.
Russell will have a prepared presentation, but will poll the room at the start of the evening to ask what you want to hear about, and then pivot accordingly.
Thursday, March 2, 2023 • 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
835 Second Street, Santa Rosa
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Dinner seating is limited. Reserve your place now!
NO COST for SMLMA physicians and Residents
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MEDICAL ARTS FOR PHYSICIANS
Culinary arts workshop Feb. 23
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The Medical Arts Project resumed in January with a stamp-making workshop (participants pictured above). Details for a Feb. 23 culinary arts session are still being worked out at press time; please check the MAPS website later this month for final information.
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REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Visit the MAPS website for workshop details and to register.
SMLMA is pleased to sponsor this INNOVATIVE PHYSICIAN WELLNESS INITIATIVE, a collaboration between Sutter Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency and Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency, with sessions open to all community physicians, residents and faculty of the residency programs.
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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders affect 5 percent of us, yet remain vastly underserved. New California legislation has recently put FASD into Special Ed eligibility, so you may be asked to diagnose. For more information, contact FASD care advocate Kathryn Page at kathrynpage49@gmail.com or 530-249-1060. Also see California Health Report website.
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For more information or to apply for the positions below, please contact Kristine Coyle at 707-578-3000 or cvsolutionsllc@gmail.com.
Office Manager for solo surgeon with 2 excellent part-time employees at office established 7 years ago. Hours flexible, depending on applicant’s experience. Majority of work can be done remotely, but ideal for manager to be on site in Ukiah one day per week. Looking for experienced professional who is responsible, compassionate, detail oriented. Insurance-related claims/issues is a key responsibility. EMR and billing already in place. Excellent pay.
Ultrasonographer who would like to do venous mapping of ultrasound studies one day per week in Ukiah. Per diem payment and flexibility in scheduling. Could develop into a full-time position for other peripheral vascular studies if technician is interested.
Medical Assistant for Ukiah vein clinic and vascular surgery office. No previous experience necessary. Must speak Spanish. Lots of room to grow and flexibility with schedule, 8-16 hours per week.
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FEBRUARY WEBINARS & EVENTS |
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California Medical Association
2023 CPT Coding Updates
Virtual Grand Rounds: COVID-19 Therapeutics - When and How to Treat for
COVID-19
CMA Data Exchange Explainer Series #1 - Overview of Data Exchange
New NP Classifications–What Physicians Need To Know
2023 ICD-10 Coding Updates
SAVE THE DATE: CMA's Legislative Advocacy Day
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SAVE THE DATE: CMA's first annual health IT conference
HEALTH IT: Powering Value-Based Care
Monday, May 22, 2023 • 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sacramento, CA | REGISTER HERE
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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.
Integrating Behavioral Health & Primary Care to Address the Mental Health Crisis
Is This the Era for Digital Health?
Evaluating COVID-19, Flu and RSV Vaccine Development and Vaccine Hesitancy
Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) for Carotid Artery Stenosis
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Congratulations, new SMLMA members!
We look forward to supporting you and your practice.
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SUTTER MEDICAL GROUP OF THE REDWOODS
Internal Medicine
Gastroenterology
Dermatology
Pain Medicine
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SONOMA FAMILY PRACTICE
Family Medicine
TPMG
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Anesthesiology
Surgery
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COOPERATIVE OF AMERICAN PHYSICIANS
2023 billing, coding and documentation updates
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You are invited to attend CAP's FREE WEBINAR addressing 2023 E/M coding and billing changes, led by renowned billing and coding expert Terry Fletcher. You and your staff will learn about updates to E/M billing, coding, and documentation rules, their impact on your patient care and reimbursements, and the steps you need to ensure that your practice is being appropriately reimbursed.
E/M Billing, Coding, and Documentation Rules Impacting Your Practice
Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023 • 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
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SMLMA Practice Leadership Forum resumes |
The SMLMA Practice Leadership Forum provides a platform for learning and sharing critical strategies to boost resilience and learn new practice management strategies. Whether you’re new in practice or a seasoned practice leader, there’s something for everyone. Meetings will cover topics such as:
- Recruiting, engaging and retaining your team in the era of remote/hybrid work
- Building a successful and sustainable private practice
- How SMLMA/CMA can help you recover money on unpaid invoices
- Succession planning
- Navigating the return to private practice
PLF 2023 Kick-off Meeting
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023 | 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Partnership HealthPlan • 495 Tesconi Circle, Santa Rosa
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To RSVP, contact
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SMLMA and the component medical societies of CMA have represented California's physicians for more than 165 years. Together we fight to protect our patients and improve the health of our communities. See flier for top 10 benefits of membership.
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