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

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May 2014

Dr. Mary Maddux-Gonzalez Nominated as SCMA President-Elect

Dr. Mary Maddux-Gonzalez, a family physician and Chief Medical Officer for Redwood Community Health Coalition, has been nominated as 2014-15 SCMA President-Elect following Dr. Rob Nied, family medicine, president. Dr. Maddux-Gonzales heads the list of nominees on this year's SCMA election ballot, which will be mailed to all members in mid-May and is due back by May 31.

Other physicians nominated to the SCMA board of directors include Drs. Regina Sullivan (treasurer), Peter Sybert (secretary), Clinton Lane (Sonoma Valley County district), Jeff Sugarman (Santa Rosa district), and Rob Nied (TPMG). For a complete list of the board of directors, visit SCMA/BoardofDirectors.aspx.

In addition, four physicians-Drs. Brad Drexler, Jan Sonander, Rob Nied, and Anthony Lim-have been nominated to the CMA delegation. For more information, contact Cynthia Melody at cmelody@scma.org or 707-525-4375.  


Garden Tour May 16 & 17 Features Charming Healdsburg Gardens


2014 Sonoma Physician Directory Available

One of the many benefits of SCMA membership is a free copy of the annual Sonoma County Physician Directory. Extra copies are a hot commodity, and right now is the best time to buy yours before they're gone.

The directory costs $30 for SCMA members or $40 for nonmember physicians, health care facilities and the general public. To order by phone with a credit card, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 707-525-4375 or rachel@scma.org, or click here to download the order form from our website.


Covered California Learning Opportunity for Office Teams

Physicians and Medical Office Managers: Would you or members of your office staff like to attend a FREE Lunch and Learn workshop regarding Covered California? The CMA Foundation, through a grant from Covered California, is providing physicians and health care teams a variety of opportunities to learn more about Covered California, the new health care law and the impact on physician practices.

If you or your staff members would be able to attend a weekday luncheon with a CMA Physician Educator in June or July, please contact Rachel Pandolfi Rachel@scma.org or 707-525-4375 by May 23. If enough interest exists, [SCMA] will work with the CMA Foundation to schedule a North Bay event (date and location TBD).


SCMA Wine & Cheese Reception June 10 at Christopher Creek Winery

Mark your calendar for the annual SCMA Wine & Cheese Reception, to be held at Christopher Creek Winery in Healdsburg on Tuesday evening, June 10. This popular event - which features collegial conversation and a sampling of fine wines and cheeses - is absolutely free for SCMA members and their spouse or guest. Cost for nonmembers is $55 per person. The event is from 5 to 8 p.m.

To RSVP, contact Rachel Pandolfi at rachel@scma.org or 707-525-4375. For more information about the winery, visit christophercreek.com  

 2014 SCMA Wine & Cheese Reception flier



Spring Sonoma Medicine Is Online!

The spring 2014 issue of Sonoma Medicine is in the mail and has also been posted at http://www.nbcms.org/AboutUs/SonomaCountyMedicalAssociation.aspx.  Click below the cover to view the PDF version (text with images) or go to the Sonoma Medicine page at http://www.nbcms.org/AboutUs/SonomaCountyMedicalAssociation/Magazine.aspx to view the text-only version and the magazine's archives.


June 18 Dinner Features Philippine Relief Presentation & MICRA Campaign Update: The Attack on our Medical Profession

The Attack on our Medical Profession
All local physicians and their spouse or guest are invited to the Marin Medical Society's Membership Dinner on June 18. The dinner, to be held at Jason's Restaurant in Greenbrae, features two presentations. The first is a report by Dr. Peter Bretan on the recent relief mission to the Philippines. The second is an update on the campaign to preserve MICRA, California's landmark Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act.

The dinner is free for MMS members. Additional tickets are $45 per person. Dinner choices include baked salmon, ribeye steak, chicken with rice, or mushroom gnocchi. To RSVP and identify your dinner choice, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 415-924-3891 or rachel@scma.org. For more details, see the attached flier.

MMS Membership Dinner flier  



Center for Well Being Soliciting Nominations for Leaders in Health

The Center for Well-Being recognizes leaders in Sonoma County who have promoted healthy lifestyle and helped to create an environment that fosters healthy choices. Nominations are being solicited through May 16 in five categories including physician leader, community leader, healthcare professional (non-physician), business leader, and youth leader.

Click on the attached nomination form for more details.



Coalition To Defeat MICRA Lawsuit Initiative Grows

Last week, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California, representing 700,000 working people in all 58 California counties, announced its strong opposition to the trial lawyer-backed anti-MICRA ballot measure.

In a statement announcing their opposition, California SEIU State Council President Laphonza Butler noted that the initiative would "reduce access to health care and damage California's health care safety net, especially for the working poor and underserved communities" at a time when the state is still working to implement the largest expansion of care seen in generations.

Recently, the coalition to defeat the anti-MICRA measure also added as members the California Chamber of Commerce and the American Civil Liberties Union of California.

These recent announcements add to a diverse and growing coalition of trusted doctors, community health clinics, hospitals, family-planning organizations, local leaders, public safety officials, businesses and working men and women urging Californians to oppose the proposed MICRA ballot measure.

To see a complete list of the organizations opposing the MICRA lawsuit initiative, or to know more about the hidden costs, consequences and flaws present in the initiative, visit the "Stop Higher Health Care Costs/Protect Access to Care" website at www.StopHigherHealthCareCosts.com.


Top Stories From CMA Alert & CMA Practice Resources

For a free CMA Alert subscription, visit www.cmanet.org/cma-alert.

For a free CMA Practice Resources subscription, visit www.cmanet.org/news-and-events/publications/  


PEOPLE

Former SCMA President Jan Sonander, MD, a Santa Rosa family physician in private practice, was profiled in the April 20 issue of the Press Democrat. The article focused on fewer physicians interested in running a solo medical office. To view the entire article and video, click here. 

Catherine Gutfreund, MD, a family medicine physician at Santa Rosa Kaiser, has been elected president of the CMA Very Large Group Forum, which represents the special concerns of physicians who practice in professional medical corporations or partnerships with over 1,000 shareholders, partners, or and/or physician employees. CMA has more than 32,000 members in all modes of practice. CMA's "mode of practice forums" provide representation for physicians based on the type of practice they are in: academic practice; administrative medicine; government employed; hospital-based practice; solo/small group practice (1-4 physicians); medium-size group practice (5-149); large group practice (150-999); and very large group practice.

On Make A Difference Day last fall Gary Barth, MD, with a group of ophthalmologists and their staffs, saved the eyesight of 24 agricultural workers and day laborers and did another six cataract surgeries. During National Volunteer Week, Operation Access was recognized in Washington, DC, along with Santa Rosa-based Eye Care Associates and 4th Street Laser & Surgery Center, represented by Dr. Gary Barth. To view the USA Weekend article, click here.  


RESOURCES & EVENTS

Are You Overpaying for Workers' Comp Insurance? SCMA-CMA members can call a Mercer Client Advisor at 800-842-3761 for a free, no-obligation quote.

Annadel Medical Group is continuing the pediatric practice of recently retired Damian Marsden, MD, expanding pediatric care with offices in Petaluma, Santa Rosa, and now Healdsburg. Healdsburg Pediatrics can be reached at 433-8223.

The following CMA webinars are scheduled for May. The one-hour webinars are usually 12:15 -1:15 p.m., offer 1 CME credit, and are free for CMA members and their staff; cost for nonmembers is $99 per person To register, visit www.cmanet.org.

May 6 - Workers' Compensation Basics Part 1: Don't Be Afraid of Workers' Compensation

May 13 - Workers' Compensation Basics Part 2: Being Prepared Means Being Paid for Workers' Compensation Treatment  

May 14 - Merging Practices-Strategies to Remain Independent  

May 20 - Workers' Compensation Basics Part 3: Billing Strategies-Getting Paid for Treating Injured Workers  

May 21- Workplace Rights for Patients and Caregivers: Leaves of Absence and Accommodations   

 


APPLICANTS

Robin Knuttel, MD, Dermatology,* Hair/Nail Diseases
181 Andrieux St. #103, Sonoma 95476, Tufts Univ 1986

Karen Holbrook, MD, Infectious Disease,* Internal Medicine*
625 5th St., Santa Rosa 95403, Chicago Med Sch 1989

* Board Certified


CLASSIFIEDS

Medical office to share
S.F. Financial District medical office space to share/sublet. 1,200 sq. ft. with 2 exam rooms. Full-time or 2-3 days per week. E-mail: lewsuzy@comcast.net

MMS members get free classifieds!
MMS members can place free classified ads in News Briefs or Marin 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 Marin Medical Society, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association, supports local physicians and their efforts to enhance the health of the community. We are affiliated with the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association.

© 2014 MMS, 2901 Cleveland Ave. #202, Santa Rosa, CA 95403

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