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The SMLMA keeps you up to date on the latest news,
policy developments, and events

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

2024 Physician Wellness Leadership awards announced

Nominations and award recipients were announced at the Physician Wellness EXPO and Dinner on April 26, 2024, in Petaluma. Awards were presented to physicians in six categories of wellness leadership achievement. Click here or the icon below for the full dinner program, which includes photographs and statements from each of the nominees. Additional details and list of awardees may be viewed in May 2024 News Briefs.

2024 Physician Wellness Expo & Dinner

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

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July 2015

Download PDF Here

SCMA NEWS

July ICD-10 training opportunities for staff and physicians

1. SCMA hosts ICD-10 training July 13 & 14
STILL TIME TO REGISTER: a few spots left! Learn to code for ICD-10-Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) and prepare for the ICD-10 Proficiency Assessment. Conducted over two days, July 13 & 14 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., attendees will receive 16 hours of intensive general ICD-10 code set training along with hands-on coding exercises focused on ICD-10 format and structure, guidelines, and coding tips. Pricing varies: $399 for SCMA-CMA members (a $200 savings), $499 for CA-MGMA members, and $599 for nonmembers. To register, call CMA at 800-786-4262 or view info and register online (Sonoma, Marin, and Mendocino-Lake counties). Click here to download informational flier.

2. CMA offers online physician ICD-10 documentation training
Earn 3 CMEs online for ICD-10 Documentation Training for Physicians. These 3-hour courses are offered by medical specialty and teach ICD-10-CM documentation requirements for physicians to maintain reimbursement once the ICD-10 transition occurs. To register, call CMA at 800-786-4262 or view info and register online. Click here to download informational flier.



Summer Sonoma Medicine now available in print and online

Summer Sonoma Medicine now available in print and online

Just published! Summer Sonoma Medicine features articles on the spine: treating low back pain, lumbar spinal stenosis, and malingering in patients with chronic pain. Departments include an interview with SCMA president Mary Maddux-González, MD; Hearts of Sonoma County Guidelines; a mystery dermatology case; a Yo Yo Ma concert review, featured poem, two book reviews (Shrinks: The Untold Story of Psychiatry and Better Than Medicines), a profile of the SCMA Alliance and Foundation, and photos from the SCMA Wine & Cheese Reception. The print edition has been mailed to subscribers; view the PDF online here and the text-only version of articles here. Call Susan Gumucio at 525-0102 to order additional print copies for you or your office.

Submit your nominations for 2015 SCMA awards

SCMA is seeking nominations for its Outstanding Contribution and Recognition of Achievement awards, to be presented at the Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 2, 2015. Nominations are needed by Aug. 21 for the four awards listed below:

  • Outstanding Contribution to the Community. Presented to an SCMA member whose work has benefited the community.
  • Outstanding Contribution to Local Medicine. Presented to an SCMA member who has improved local medical care.
  • Outstanding Contribution to SCMA. Presented to an SCMA member who has served SCMA beyond the call of duty.
  • Recognition of Achievement. Presented to a nonphysician who has helped advance local medicine.

For a list of past award recipients and a nomination form, click here. Nominations can be submitted to SCMA by fax, email or regular mail.



Twelve new physicians begin residency training in Santa Rosa

Twelve of the nation's top medical school graduates were selected from 700 applicants to enter the Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency in July. This year, more than 1,100 graduates of U.S. medical schools applied to programs in family medicine, half of which applied to Sutter Health's Santa Rosa program. The new residents, scheduled to graduate in 2018, have already established impressive records in academic achievement and community service. The roster includes Drs. Jacqueline Abdalla, Kimberly Clinite, Anastasia Coutinho, Kayla Flores Tindall, Afsoon Foorohar, Dwiju Kumar, Kendall Madden, Guillermo Padilla, Jessica Rhodes, Laura Vega, Stacie Vilendrer, and Maya Zawedling.

The residency program has been the largest single source of family physicians to Sonoma County for 75+ years. Residency graduates comprise nearly half of the family physicians practicing in Sonoma County. They fill private practices; community clinics; large medical groups such as Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods, The Permanente Medical Group, local community health centers, and Sonoma County Health Services; and leadership positions throughout the medical community.

Applicants

Lindsey Hibbard, MD, Pediatrics*, 3900 Lakeville Hwy., Petaluma 94954, UC Davis 2007

David Huang, MD, Psychiatry*, 3900 Lakeville Hwy., Petaluma 94954, Univ Texas 2001

Danielle Mellace, DO, Internal Medicine, 3900 Lakeville Hwy., Petaluma 94954, Western Univ 2009

Parisa Navi, MD, Pediatrics*, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403, Tehran Univ 2001

Lisa Velasquez, MD, Family Medicine*, 3900 Lakeville Hwy., Petaluma 94954, UC San Francisco 1999

* board certified


Featured member benefit: Home and auto insurance discounts

CMA members receive 8 percent off auto insurance from Mercury Insurance. For more details, call Mercury Insurance Group at 888-637-2431 or visit www.mercuryinsurance.com/cma


TOP CMA STORIES

CMA and DOJ reach short-term solution to CURES upgrade problem

In response to concerns raised by the California Medical Association (CMA), the Department of Justice (DOJ) has agreed to a short-term solution to prevent thousands of Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) prescribers and dispensers from losing access with the anticipated launch of CURES 2.0. DOJ has committed to keeping the current version of CURES accessible for users until January 2016, and will test the new version in a real world setting with a small group before phasing in more users over the next few months. Click here for more information.


CMS rule reduces Meaningful Use burdens; CMA advocates for more change

Click here for story.


California State Auditor releases report outlining flaws with Medi-Cal program

Click here for report summary and a link to the full report.


Physicians receiving notice from CHPI encouraged to verify data accuracy by July 31

The California Healthcare Performance Initiative System (CHPI) recently notified physicians of their "quality rating." Physicians who wish to verify the accuracy of the data used to calculate their scores and identify and report any errors must do so by July 31, 2015. Click here for additional details.

CMA newsletter available biweekly
CMA publishes the biweekly e-newsletter, CMA Alert, to keep its members up-to-date on critical issues affecting the practice of medicine in California. To view the current issue, click here.

PRACTICE RESOURCES

Webinars, ICD-10 transition

Click here to access archived webinars offered at no cost to SCMA/CMA members and staff. Nonmember cost is $99. For more information, contact CMA's Member Help Center, 800-786-4262 or memberservice@cmanet.org.

Is your office working on ICD-10 compliance? Click here to see a number of members-only resources, including CMA's ICD-10 Transition Guide for Physicians. Download flier for info about ICD-10 training July 13 & 14, hosted by SCMA.

CMA Practice Resources (CPR) is a free monthly e-bulletin from the California Medical Association's practice management experts that focuses on critical payor and healthcare industry changes and how they directly impact the business of a physician practice. Each issue includes tips on reimbursement and contracting-related issues, along with information on the latest practice management news. To view the current issue, click here.


CLASSIFIEDS

Share beautiful medical suite in Novato
Share on Wednesday and Thursday only. ALL YOURS other weekdays and Saturday!
Lovely reception area, furnished patient rooms, plenty of parking, and utilities included.
Call 415-897-9800.

SCMA members get free classifieds!
SCMA members can place free classified ads in News Briefs or Sonoma Medicine. Cost for nonmember physicians and the general public is $1 per word. To place a classified ad, contact Susan Gumucio at susan@scma.org or 707-525-0102.


ABOUT SCMA

The Sonoma County Medical Association, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association, supports local physicians and their efforts to enhance the health of the community. Founded in 1858, SCMA is affiliated with the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association.

© 2015 SCMA, 2901 Cleveland Ave. #202, Santa Rosa, CA 95403

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