With the uptick in COVID-19 hospitalizations and the upcoming flu and respiratory virus season, PHCC has created a new resource to help communicate timely, effective and consistent vaccine information. Visit the PHCC website for a myriad of information that may be helpful to you and your patients—like talking points and answers to tough questions related to COVID-19. You can also register for webinars and sign up to receive updates and notifications.

The California Department of Public Health has also assembled a toolkit to help spread the word about COVID-19 vaccines and medication. Among other things, you'll find a very good Test It, Treat It, You Can Beat It video that spotlights medication options.

The 152nd Annual Session of the CMA House of Delegates (HOD) will convene on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 21–22, 2023, at the JW Marriott LA Live. Optional events, receptions and more will take place on Friday, Oct. 20. Visit CMA's HOD page for schedules and details.

CMA’s physician delegates meet annually to establish broad policy on current major issues that have been determined to be the most important issues affecting members, the association and the practice of medicine. The 152nd Annual Session of the CMA House of Delegates will cover three major issues:

• Consumer Health Technology/Artificial Intelligence
• Office of Health Care Affordability
• Climate Change

Please join us in thanking delegates attending on behalf of SMLMA: Drs.Indranushi Chaliha, Warren Chin, Brad Drexler, Jay Joseph, Rachel Mayorga, Yimdriuska Magan Mendoza, and SMLMA Executive Director Wendy Davies.

SMLMA and the publishers of The Press Democrat and Sonoma Magazine once again are collaborating to develop the 2024 issue of Sonoma Health magazine. This locally relevant, consumer focused, evidence-based health publication will be packed with timely topics for a health-conscious readership — and resonates with SMLMA’s mission of physician engagement and leadership shaping positive change in our diverse communities.

Articles will address healthy choices, community resources and medical breakthroughs that are informative, engaging, and relevant. In addition to its healthcare contributors and physician authors, Sonoma Health has a robust Medical Advisory Board, primarily comprised of SMLMA-member physicians, who are vetting all medical content.

Sonoma Health seeks a strong measure of participation and advertising revenue from a multitude of healthcare providers and business leaders. Please consider supporting this publication with your advertising budget. Ads will be seen by almost 47,000 readers, including practicing physicians in Sonoma, Mendocino, and Lake counties! To inquire about advertising and marketing opportunities, contact Sonoma Health Publisher Steve Childs at 707-521-5284 or steve.childs@sonomamag.com.

Sonoma Health will be distributed in December 2023 — and, with your help, will continue informing readers for years to come. To view a previous issue, visit issuu.com. Copies of Sonoma Health will be delivered to all physicians in Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake Counties compliments of SMLMA.

Authors are still needed for two topics — "Dietary Choices and Restrictions" and "Dry January." If you would like to write either article, please email Sonoma Health Editor-in-Chief Alexandra Russell at alexandrarussell@sonic.net. Several openings are also available for interviews/comments on articles covering sleep, massage therapy, pre- and probiotics, and pain management.

Every night, 294 youth under the age of 25 sleep unsheltered in Sonoma County. Last year, that number was 521. We are making a difference every day, but even ONE young person on the streets is too many.

Lend your visibility, your compassion, and your attention on behalf of those youth who often remain

unseen. On Nov. 17, 2023, individuals like you will accept the challenge to sleep outside for one night, so our youth don't have to every night.

As a “Sleeper," you agree to advocate in three ways:

SLEEP OUT: Pledge to join us on Nov. 17 at the SAY Finley Dream Center for One Cold Night.

SUPPORT; Set a goal to raise $2,500 for SAY's life-changing youth programs, impacting the lives of

hundreds of youth.

SOLIDARITY: Use your visibility and voice to advocate for those who are all too often unseen. Together

we can fight to end youth homelessness.

Click here to donate in support of SAY and Wendy!

A MESSAGE FROM SAY

Thank you to SMLMA Executive Director Wendy Davies for joining Social Advocates for Youth as a Sleeper for One Cold Night. Please stand with her on behalf of our youth by donating to Wendy's One Cold Night campaign. Donations support initiatives, mental health, feeding, and housing of unhoused youth in Sonoma County.

Are you working in the world of overdose prevention or want to learn more? Dialogue4Health (a project of the Public Health Institute) offers web forums and events that advance cross-sector solutions to public health's greatest challenges—including information and an Overdose Prevention 101 Guide from the Overdose Prevention Network. You can register for upcoming events or view and download videos of past events.

Local substance abuse trends can be monitored on Sonoma County's Community Health Dashboard under the Emotional Well-Being tab.

The Medical Arts Project of Sonoma (MAPS) expands in October with events in two locations. In Ukiah, join Dr. Hong for a mindful and calming experience creating neurographic artwork. In Santa Rosa, Dr. Gutfreund will lead a session exploring knitting as a creative outlet that is useful, portable, and fun!

Neurographic Art – Led by Judith Hong, MD

Tuesday, Oct. 24 • 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Barra of Mendocino Winery • 7051 North State St., Redwood Valley, CA 95470

Knitting – Led by Catherine Gutfreund, MD

Thursday, Oct. 26 • 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Fulton Crossing Artisan Studios • 1200 River Rd., Fulton, CA 95439

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Visit the MAPS website for workshop details and to register.

General questions: sonomamedicalarts@gmail.com

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.

Longtime SMLMA member L. Reed Walker Jr., MD, passed away on July 4 at the age of 81. Dr. Reed completed his family medical residency in Santa Rosa and remained there to serve the local community with a family practice for more than 50 years. He provided many years of volunteer service as a Santa Rosa Junior College student health physician and also served as a member of the board of directors of the Northern California Center for Well-Being. See full obituary here.

SMLMA members can place FREE classified ads or announcements on the Community Bulletin Board. Cost for nonmembers is $1 per word. Contact Susan Gumucio at 707-481-8995 or susan@smlma.org.

California Medical Association

Elevating Physician Practices – Grant Opportunities for Advancing Population Health and Data Sharing Capabilities

Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 • 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. | REGISTER HERE

Virtual Grand Rounds: Opioid Treatments – Practical Guidance for Clinicians

Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE

CMA Data Exchange Explainer Series #5 - How to Optimize Your Practice's Workflows for Data Exchange

Over the next three years, CHHS will require all physician practices in this state to exchange data with other practices, health plans, hospitals, and others. To help physicians prepare for this change, CMA has partnered with CHHS to develop the “CMA Data Exchange Explainer Series.” Webinars are FREE to all physician practices.

Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023 • 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. | REGISTER HERE

Data Exchange Explainer Series

#1: Feb. 16 - Overview of Data Exchange

#2: April 13 - Data Exchange Policy & Legal Environment

#3: June 15 - Deep Dive into Data Exchange Framework and Data Sharing Agreement

#4: Aug. 15 - How to Optimize Your Practice's Current EMR for Data Exchange

#6: Dec. 14 - Incentives and Other Funding Opportunities for Data

Cooperative of American Physicians

Top 10 Strategies to Lower Overhead Costs in Your Practice

Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023 • 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. | REGISTER HERE

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.

You Want Me To Do What? Mental Health Screening in Primary Care

Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE

Screening and Prevention for Breast, Colon and Lung Cancers

Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE

Building a Weight Management Program for Your Practice, Institution or Facility

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE

Trans Rights Are Human Rights: Lessons in Equity and Inclusion from Comprehensive Gender Care

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE

15 for 12 is back! New medical organizations or individuals who join SMLMA/CMA and pay in full for their 2024 membership, will receive the remaining months of 2023 at no cost.

Join nearly 50,000 physicians making a direct impact on the practice of medicine and the health of California.

Visit cmadocs.org/join or call SMLMA

at 707-525-4375 to unlock your benefits today!

We thank our 5-YEAR MEMBERS for their service and dedication to the practice of medicine, their colleagues, and our community. A round of applause for these outstanding physicians!

Mary Ashby-Ahern, MD

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Clelia Atkins Clark, MD

Emergency Medicine

Julet Baltonado, DO

Family Medicine

Jeffrey Baumgardner, MD

Gastroenterology

Shradha Biradar, DO

Family Medicine

Marjorie Bohn, DO

Pediatrics

Daniel Brenner, MD

Cardiovascular Disease

Pratibha Burli, MD

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Georgina Calderon, MD

Emergency Medicine

Christie Campbell, DO

Physical Medicine & Rehab

Ying Cao, MD

Hematology Oncology

Linda Casey, MD

Diagnostic Radiology

Tram-anh Duong, DO

Internal Medicine

Sophie Fletcher, MD

Urology

Michael Follansbee, MD

Anesthesiology

Lauren Glaser, MD

Family Medicine

Peter Hawkins, MD

Radiation Oncology

Virginia Heller, MD

Psychiatry

Thuan Thien Ho, DO

Internal Medicine

Todd Hofeling, MD

Rheumatology

Francesca Ianovich, MD

Anesthesiology

Lindsay Kayama, MD

Surgery

Wendy Kohatsu, MD

Family Medicine

Jonathan Kramer, MD

Orthopaedic Surgey

Ngan Lai, MD

Internal Medicine

Bonny Lee, MD

Radiology

Quangminh Ly, MD

Internal Medicine

Michael Magnotti, MD

Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism

Tara McLeer, MD

Family Medicine

Arash Minaie, DO

Pulmonary Disease

Nicolas Mottola, MD

Pediatrics

Tiffany Ngai, MD

Infectious Disease

Albert Nguyen, MD

Critical Care Medicine

Farid Osman, MD

Nephrology

Samuel Peaslee, MD

Family Medicine

Jason Pope, MD

Pain Medicine

Brian Prystowsky, MD

Pediatrics

Jesse Rael, MD

Diagnostic Radiology

Steven Rockoff, MD

Diagnostic Radiology

Negar Sadr, MD

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Joe Saenz, MD

Family Medicine

Jessica August Saenz, MD

Infectious Disease

Sharad Sharma, MD

Critical Care Medicine

Pooja Sherchan, MD

Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism

Rashmi Sridhara, DO

Internal Medicine

Gordon Tam, DO

Geriatric Medicine

Elizabeth Tito, MD

Surgery

Rita Wang, MD

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Wei Der Wu, MD

Anesthesiology

Grace Wu, MD

Hospice & Palliative Medicine

Lillian Yang, MD

Ophthalmology

Aleksey Zakinov, MD

Family 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.