Medical Society News

June 2021

Greetings!

The California Department of Public Health is working with the Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society (SSVMS) and the California Medical Association (CMA) to expand the COVID-19 Vaccine Program and Network. If you are an individual practitioner or provider of pediatric services, or you are part of a small group practice that is interested in joining the enhanced network, SSVMS/CMA will work directly with you to onboard your practice so that you can receive and administer the vaccine. For personal assistance or if you are having difficulty navigating the application process, please contact SSVMS’ Director of Physician Engagement, Dana Brooks at dbrooks@ssvms.org or (703) 338-5018. SSVMS is here to guide you through the process so that you can focus on what is important – patient care.

Aileen Wetzel, CEO of SSVMS

Stop the Doctor Shortage   SSVMS/CMA asks all physicians to contact members of Congress and urge them to support HR 1133, the "Stopping Doctor Shortages Act." This legislation provides a technical fix which allows California and Texas physicians to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Read SSVMS’ letter to Congress here. Take Action!

Stop the Proposed Medical Board Fee Increase!   SB 806 (Roth) has been amended with multiple alarming provisions impacting the Medical Board of California including a 50% license fee increase. Take Action!   Nomination for CMA Standing Councils and Subcommittees   CMA is seeking nominations for member physicians to serve on Standing Councils and Subcommittees for 2021-2022. SSVMS members wanting to get involved are encouraged to apply. Learn more. DEALINE TO APPLY: June 7, 2021

Join our Vaccine Equity Speakers Bureau

SSVMS is seeking multilingual physicians to join our Speakers Bureau and help educate communities who don’t speak English as a primary language. Physician volunteers may be called on to provide presentations about the vaccine to small community groups or public forums on behalf of the public health officers in Sacramento, El Dorado and Yolo counties. Presentation materials and resources are provided. Message Brandon Craig at bcraig@ssvms.org to join!   If you know multilingual physicians in the area, please recommend them. We are interested all languages, but presently have a particular need for Spanish, Vietnamese, Hmong, and Russian speakers.

COVID-19 Buttons and FAQ Cards

SSVMS's "Got My Vaccine!" buttons promote vaccination and our digital FAQ cards include facts about the COVID-19 vaccine. Our FAQ cards are available at ssvms.org in English, Spanish, Russian, Hmong, and Vietnamese. The buttons have a barcode on the back that gives immediate access to the FAQ cards. Button supply is limited and available only to SSVMS members.   SSVMS members can email Brandon Craig at bcraig@ssvms.org to order their free buttons.

FINAL CALL: Free PPE from SSVMS, CMA and CalOES

SSVMS has partnered with CMA and the State of California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) to offer PPE to physician practices and clinics. The free CMA PPE Relief Program is concluding. The remaining PPE is available on a first-come, first-serve basis! To place an order, access CMA’s PPE Relief Portal.

New Program: Future of Medicine

2021 Virtual Summer Program June 21st - July 2nd Mon - Fri, 12:00pm - 2:00pm Students may apply by June 1st

The Future of Medicine is a free summer program for local, rising high school juniors and seniors sponsored by SSVMS. The program will provide insights to careers in healthcare and interactive talks from local healthcare leaders: nurses, public health officials, pharmacists, physicians and more!    Help us encourage students to register today and build the future of medicine in the Sacramento region!

SSVMS Events

NEW! Sacramento Physician Peer Group

Deanne Nyland, MD, Peer Group Host

Thursday, June 3, 2021 | 6:30pm-7:30pm   Meet monthly with a group of colleagues who understand and identify with what it means to be a physician. Email Sam Mello at smello@ssvms.org to join!   Click here to see a list of all available physician peer groups.   Webinar: Psychological Approaches to Pain Management for Primary Care Physicians

J. Alexis Ortiz, PhD, Stanford Professor, Speaker

Wednesday, June 23, 2021 | 6:00pm-7:00pm

PCPs will learn psychological and behavioral techniques to use during brief patient visits to help facilitate coping strategies and treatment adherence.

CME Credit Pending

CMA Events

Virtual Grand Rounds: COVID-19 Clinical Updates

Tuesday, June 8, 2021 | 12:00-1:30pm

Webinar: ACEs Wellness Engagement Groups - Sat Series

Saturday, July 10th| 10:00-11:00am

Webinar: ACEs Online Wellness Engagement Groups - Tue Series

Tuesday, July 20th, 2021 | 12:00-1:30pm

See all upcoming CMA events here >>

Other Events

Free 2021 HR Manual for Medical Practices

The Cooperative of American Physicians (CAP) is pleased to offer you a free customizable HR manual. Having structured HR policies and procedures in place in your practice can help you avoid employment-related lawsuits and support a positive and productive work environment. Our new manual reflects 2021 laws, many of which are new or have changed due to the pandemic. Request yours today!

Social Media Corner

Adopt a Cat Month! Send Us Your Cat Selfies! #JoyofPets   June is national adopt a cat month! Celebrate by taking a selfie with your cat or other favorite pet! Send your photos to mturner@ssvms.org and have them featured on our social media accounts!   #JoyofPets #JoyofMedicine

Lydia Wytrzes, MD and her cat, Cataract ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

In the News

State allows pediatricians to bypass MyTurn system to vaccinate children easier CMA encourages federal changes to support community physician vaccinators New HHS funding to increase vaccination in rural communities HHS earmarks $4.8 billion for COVID-19 testing for the uninsured CMS to hold physicians harmless from unfair evaluations in the MIPS cost category Revised budget prioritizes health; does not include full pay for audio-only telehealth HHS launches new reimbursement plan to cover COVID-19 vaccinations Free HR Manual for medical practices from Cooperative of American Physicians

Make A Plan with Honoring Wishes

People often ask us when is the best time to document end of life care wishes. The short answer is: As soon as possible.    SSVMS launches the Make A Plan campaign this summer as part of our Honoring Wishes program. The Make a Plan campaign is focused on assisting physicians with documenting how you wish to be treated and cared for when the time comes. SSVMS Honoring Wishes staff and volunteers will be on-site at hospitals and clinics to assist physicians with formalizing their advance care directives.    Interested in having a Make a Plan event at your hospital, clinic or medical practice? Contact Brandon J. Craig at bcraig@ssvms.org.

Joy of Medicine Corner

Physician Peer Group Host Needed

Do you live in the South Sacramento or Elk Grove area? SSVMS is looking for a physician peer group host! Peer groups are a great way to connect with other physicians in your area. Contact Sam Mello at smello@ssvms.org for more information.

Joy of Medicine Wellness Checkup   Just as you put on your PPE before administering medical care, you should care for yourself before you care for others. SSVMS encourages you to schedule a resiliency consultation with one of our Joy of Medicine psychologists or life coaches. Every physician in the Sacramento region is eligible for up to six sponsored sessions with a provider of your choice.   Learn More>>

Sierra Sacramento Valley Medicine

Read the May/June Issue of Sierra Sacramento Valley Medicine

Partners in Medicine

Recently, the Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society rebranded our annual sponsorship program to be the Partners in Medicine. Although the name has changed, we’re excited to announce the support from these groups has remained steadfast: Diamond Level Cooperative of American Physicians NORCAL Group  Vitalant   Gold Level Ameriprise – Crumley & Associates UC Davis Health   Silver Level Maloof Law Group First Citizens   Bronze Level Jamie Baker & Company   Please consider these groups when in need of services. We look forward to continuing our important relationships with each of these Partners.

Medical Society News Sponsored By:

The Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society is dedicated to bringing together physicians from all modes of practice to promote the art and science of quality medical care and to enhance the physical and mental health of our entire community.

#JoyofPets| #JoyofMedicine | #SPIRITHeals