"Thank you so much for making the trip to Los Angeles to share your experience and hard-earned wisdom with the Eaton and Palisades wildfire survivors and our LACMA family. Your empathy and your presence allowed so many of our colleagues to feel hope, to feel heard and understood, and to know they, too, will make it. One attendee mentioned that because of you, the lonely road she was facing was no longer dark and foreboding, and she didn’t feel alone any more. Wow!" - Hector Flores, MD, Medical Director, Altais/FCS Medical Group | |
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Los Angeles County Medical Association recently hosted a Fire Recovery Resource Fair to support physicians and medical staff displaced by the Palisades and Eaton fires.
A unique and valuable part of the fair was the participation of SMLMA physicians, Drs. Stefan and Jill Zechowy, Dr. Pat Caskey and business partner, Sudha Schlesinger, Ph.D. [wife of Dr. Tom Schlesinger] who lost homes during the 2017 Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa, CA. Their personal insights and practical advice offered meaningful guidance and strategies for navigating the challenges of rebuilding.
"This event far exceeded my expectations! I was able to meet with federal and state agencies, speak with home construction experts, and learn invaluable lessons from the SMLMA physicians who experienced the Santa Rosa fires," shared one attending physician.
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You are Invited to join SMLMA on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 as we travel to Sacramento for LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY DAY. 'Leg Day' brings hundreds of California physician leaders, residents and medical students from all specialties and modes of practice to meet with legislators on identified priority healthcare issues. This is a FREE event open to all SMLMA Members & Physician Residents. | |
Pictured above: 2024 Leg Day SMLMA Caucus. Brad Drexler, MD, Gigi Magan, MD, Wendy Davies, Shoshannah Rubin, MD, Thomas Dowlearn, MD and Warren Chin, MD | |
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Register now to get hands-on experience and learn the essentials of advocating for your patients and profession in the legislature.
Participant training: After you register, you will be invited to attend CMA's March 25 webinar from 7-8 p.m., where we will discuss which bills will be the focus of our April 9 efforts. You'll also get a crash course on how to talk to your legislators and how to use your unique experiences and talents to advocate on behalf of your patients.
Join the SMLMA caucus by contacting us at (707) 525-4375
or email Wendy: exec@smlma.org
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What You Need to Know:
The Trump administration rescinded existing policies that banned immigration enforcement in hospitals and doctor's offices. California AG has published guidance for health care facilities when responding to immigration issues.
Continue reading
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Immigration Guidance and Policy Templates for Health Centers
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A bill has been introduced to prospectively stop the 2025 Medicare physician payment cut and make physicians whole for the cut that has been in effect since Jan. 1. Physicians are urged to contact their members of Congress and ask them to cosponsor HR 879, “The Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act.
Continue reading
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The California Medical Association (CMA) is proud to launch the Your Care Is At Our Core Campaign in partnership with the American Medical Association (AMA) to strengthen the patient-physician relationship during a time of eroding trust in science and medical institutions.
In recent years, mis- and disinformation, as well as battles over the COVID-19 pandemic, science, and evidence-based care, have created challenges for physicians and health care workers. These factors have chipped away at the patient-physician relationship, which forms the foundation of providing quality care.
Continue reading
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CMA recently published a fact sheet – Medi-Cal Rate Increases: Timeline and Implementation Details – that provides an overview of and status update on both the 2024 targeted rate increases and the 2025 Prop 35 increases.
Continue reading
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Taiko Drumming with Dr. Andrew Pastor
Friday, March 7, 2025
7:00 PM 8:30 PM
Sonoma County Taiko
3325 Regional Parkway
Santa Rosa, CA
Sign up here
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The March 7th Medical Arts Project of Sonoma, workshop will explore the diversity of Taiko drums, learn the fundamentals of Taiko drumming and dive into a song all together.
Zero musical experience is necessary - come as you are (in comfortable clothes).
Dr. Pastor is a current R3 at Sutter Santa Rosa Family Medicine Resident. Dr. Pastor has been performing Taiko for nearly 10 years and has taught family classes regularly.
If you have not attended a MAPS event yet, you are missing out on community connection with local medical professionals.
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The County of Mendocino seeks an innovative and community-oriented COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER to serve as the county’s chief public health strategist. Annual salary: $185,224 - $225,139 DOE. Must be licensed to practice medicine in California with certification in a recognized field and have at least six years of public health experience, including one year in an administrative or supervisory role.
Application Deadline: March 16, 2025
www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mendocinoca
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DID YOU KNOW SMLMA members can run FREE classified ads in News Briefs?
($1 per word for non-members). To place an ad in the next issue....
contact Wendy Davies via email at exec@smlma.org.
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California Medical Association
CME Accredited Webinar Programs
Know Your Rights – How to Protect Your Practice From Unfair Practices
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 • 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. | REGISTER HERE
Top Five Risks for Your Practice
Thursday, March 6, 2025 • 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. | REGISTER HERE
Long COVID Update: What We Know Now
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE
Medical Practice Efficiencies Through Improved Communication
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 • 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. | 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.
Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE
Osteoarthritis of Hip and Knee
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE
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Welcome new SMLMA members!
We look forward to supporting you and your practice.
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Members: Do you need help? Remember we are here to assist you!
- Problems Getting Paid? CMA provides direct reimbursement assistance to physicians and their staff.
- Practice Empowerment: CMA offers tools, resources and education to empower physician practices.
- Experienced Staff: CMA's practice management experts have a combined experience of over 125 years in medical practice operations
- Reimbursement Help Line: Members can get free assistance by contacting CMA at (800) 786-4262 or economicservices@cmadocs.org.
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CAP CASE OF THE MONTH
Informed consent, documentation, and effective defense of medical care
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A 57-year-old male patient presented to Dr. S, an otolaryngologist, complaining of throat pain. Physical examination revealed swollen, reddening, nontender tonsils. A CT scan was ordered and showed concern for bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy, larger on the right side than the left. It was recommended the patient have an excision biopsy with submission of fresh tissue for flow cytometry. Continue reading
Request an instant quote on medical malpractice coverage
To learn more about the Cooperative of American Physicians:
Contact Dorine Leong at 650-543-2183 or DLeong@CAPphysicians.com.
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