The Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake Medical Association and the San Francisco Marin Medical Society are pleased to announce a second Call for Nominations for our 2024 Physician Wellness Awards Program and Dinner. We've extended the original program to ensure plenty of time for all deserving candidates and programs to be recognized. Please help us identify and honor our area wellness champions! We need your nominations by FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2024.

The awards dinner on FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024, will feature a wellness EXPO, champagne reception, seated "Food as Medicine" focused dinner, award presentations, and keynote speaker Dr. John Chuck—an esteemed wellness consultant for healthcare professionals. More details below in the invitation.

AWARD CATEGORIES

Individual physicians, group initiatives and wellness programs that have made significant, impactful contributions to improving physician health and well-being will be honored and acknowledged. All physicians and organizations in the SMLMA and SFMMS service areas are eligible for awards. Individual and group nominees may be nominated for more than one award, and self-nominations are also encouraged and accepted.

To make a nomination, complete the nomination form and email to exec@smlma.org or just send us a message with the information. Nominations will be announced and awards presented at the dinner in recognition of the following achievements:

• Individual Wellness Leadership. An individual for his/her commitment to creating and/or implementing policies and programs that promote physician well-being, prevent physician burnout, and increase satisfaction in the work place.

• Significant Wellness Initiative or Program. An organization or individual who has initiated or is driving a program that fosters resilience and mental health wellness for physicians.

• Wellness Champion: Creating a Culture of Wellness in an Organization. An organization or individual who has established a work environment embracing wellness values.

• FQHC Wellness Program. A FQHC organization or individual within the FQHC for creating and implementing a wellness program within a limited budget.

• Lifetime Achievement in Wellness Work. An individual for meaningful work creating or supporting wellness initiatives for medical professionals.

• Rising Star. An individual (practicing <10 years) demonstrating initiative and new perspectives for solutions to combat physician stress and burnout.

Please submit your nomination(s) by Friday, March 1, 2024

Nominations will be announced and awards presented at the Awards Dinner

Friday, April 26, 2024 • 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Sheraton Sonoma Wine County, Petaluma

For more information, call 707-525-4375 or email exec@smlma.org

SUBMIT YOUR TOPICS FOR THE FORUM

A conversation with Sonoma and Lake County Public Health Officers

Our new Public Health Officers, Dr. Tanya Phares (Sonoma County) and Dr. Noemi Doohan (Lake County), invite you to get acquainted during a series of town hall-style virtual forums exclusively for physicians and medical professionals. You are also invited to submit topic requests and questions in advance (e.g., role of Public Health Officers, drug overdoses, chronic disease prevention — anything you would like to know more about).

Please register and submit your topics ASAP so we can gauge interest in the series. A high level of interest will mean more frequent forums; both officers are happy to meet as often as participation merits. There are many areas to cover! Did you know that California law gives local health officers 171 separate, distinct duties? See Health Officers Association Guide for Counties for more information. You may also find ideas for discussion in 10 Essential Public Health Services from the Public Health Accreditation Board.

Thursday, March 14, 2024 • 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

You must register to attend the Zoom conversation

Link will be sent following registration.

RSVP and submit your topic requests to Rachel Pandolfi

rachel@SMLMA.org or 707-525-4375

Save the date and reserve your place! Pre-dinner festivities include a Wellness EXPO and champagne reception. A seated "Food as Medicine" focused dinner, keynote speaker Dr. John Chuck, and announcement of nominations and awards follow. Click here for invitation and details about this gala evening of celebration.

Dinner seating is limited. You must register to attend.

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

Dinner tickets NO COST for SMLMA & SFMMS members

Guests of members $50 • Nonmembers $165

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

To help physicians understand the new health laws, the California Medical Association has published its annual new laws roundup, “Significant New California Laws of Interest to Physicians for 2024.” Download FREE copy here.

The California Medical Association will host its 50th annual Legislative Advocacy Day on 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's elected officials (legislators) and advocate for legislative and policy actions that protect and benefit the practice of medicine. SMLMA will set up all legislative meetings and has rooms blocked for an overnight stay at the Sheraton Grande Sacramento.

The SMLMA trip includes:

• Webinar training with legislative update (March 26)
• CALPAC legislative reception (April 9)
• CMA breakfast and lunch sessions with keynote speakers
• Private dinner with invited legislators
• Scheduled appointments with legislators

For more information on travel and hotel accommodations, please contact Rachel Pandolfi at rachel@SMLMA.org or 707-525-4375. Residents and medical students wishing to attend should connect with Rachel as soon as possible. Attendees will get hands-on experience and learn the nuts and bolts of advocating for their patients and the practice of medicine. This advocacy opportunity is FREE to all SMLMA physician members, Residents, and medical students.

A new 2023 federal rule opened the door for physicians in California and Texas to take advantage of student loan forgiveness, possibly bringing relief to those with cumbersome debt loads. If you applied to the PSLF program by the Dec. 31, 2023 deadline and have questions, CMA has an online guide to help physicians and employers navigate the new rules. A free webinar on the new rules is also accessible on-demand.

SMLMA is pleased to sponsor this 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.

The Cognitive Health Assessment (CHA) is a dementia screening approach intended to be used with older adult patients whenever a cognitive screen is indicated. This FREE CME/CEU training is geared for SMLMA practice managers and office support staff, but all are welcome to attend. See flier for details.



Join us for the virtual training via Zoom

Friday, March 15, 2024 • 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

FREE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

Gifting restored vintage exam table (see photo). Contact Dr. Carlston at 707-545-1554.

HELP WANTED

Office Manager for solo surgeon with two other excellent part-time employees in established office. Manage small staff responsible for all patient communications, scheduling, and follow up. Will involve credentialing, dealing with insurance issues, making sure billing, collections, and all office issues are closely monitored. Office uses NextGen EMR. Majority of work can be done remotely, but should be on-site in Ukiah two days per week. Looking for experienced professional who is responsible, compassionate, and detail oriented. Handling insurance-related claims/issues is a key responsibility. EMR and billing already in place. Excellent pay. Call 707-578-3000.

Adventist Health Ukiah Valley

CME Community Resiliency Training: Building Resilience to Trauma

PART I Friday, Feb. 2 • PART II, Friday, March 1, 2024 • Both 8:00 - 9.00 a.m. 

In-person and virtual sessions presented by First 5 Mendocino. See flier for workshop details. To register for the training and receive future CME invitations directly from Adventist Health, text Nate Pardini at 707-972-3023 or email him at pardinn@ah.org.

When Joint Replacement Goes Wrong

Friday, Feb. 9, 2024 • 8:00 - 9.00 a.m. 

To register for the webinar and receive future CME invitations directly from Adventist Health, text Nate Pardini at 707-972-3023 or email him at pardinn@ah.org.

California Medical Association

Virtual Grand Rounds: California's Mental Health Landscape and Brief Interventions to Empower Front-Line Clinicians

Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE

Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital

Grand Rounds: Gender Affirmation Issues

Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 • Buffet lunch 12:00 p.m. | Presentation 12:30 - 1:45 p.m. 

Presented by Jennifer Hastings, MD, Medical Advisory Board, University of California. See program flier for more information. Open to all, registration not required.

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.

Radio Frequency Ablation: An Update for Nonsurgical Management of Thyroid Nodules

Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE

Diagnosing and Treating Alzheimer's Disease at Sutter Health

Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE

MARINHEALTH

Samuel Cohen, MD

Internal Medicine

SONOMA COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES

Tanya Phares, DO

Internal Medicine

THE PERMANENTE MEDICAL GROUP (TPMG)

Nana Barnes, MD

Internal Medicine

To learn more about becoming a CAP member:

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

Request an Instant Quote  and see how much you can save on medical malpractice coverage.