Medical Society News

August 2021

Greetings!

Every few years, the Olympics reminds us healthy competition can help your mind refocus, and reenergize. That is why this September, SSVMS is hosting the Physician Walking and Wellness Challenge. From September 1 – September 30, compete against your peers individually or as a part of a team for the walking champion crown!    Download the MoveSpring app to your smartphone to get started. You can link the app to other smart devices as well to automatically capture your steps, or you can enter them manually. Not interested in walking but love competition? Other activities, including but not limited to cycling, rowing, and jumping rope, can be converted into steps in the MoveSpring app.   Finally, no discussion about wellness is complete without mentioning our virtual Joy of Medicine Summit on September 25. Connect with fellow colleagues, learn from a lineup of excellent speakers (3 CMEs pending) and receive a $25 gift card for attending all three sessions! Register today!

Carol Burch, MD - SSVMS President

CalMedForce Graduate Medical Education Grant (GME)

Physicians for a Healthy California (PHC) is now accepting applications for the fourth cycle of the graduate medical education (GME) grant program, CalMedForce.   CalMedForce dedicates voter-approved, state tobacco tax revenues from Proposition 56 (2016) to train physicians and help California address its growing physician shortage. Each year, the program awards approximately $38 million to primary care and emergency medicine residency programs across California. All eligible residency programs are encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to programs in medically underserved communities.    Applications are due by September 17, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. Click here for more information and to apply for funding.

SSVMS Events

Physician Peer Groups September - November

Peer Groups are a great way to connect with your fellow physicians. Small groups of physicians meet monthly at a physician’s home to discuss the challenges and successes of being a physician. Join our new 4-Part Virtual Wellness Series (open to no more than 20 physicians). Hosted by Dr. Jerry Huang and facilitated by Steve Seay.

SSVMS Physician Walking and Wellness Challenge Wed, Sept 1 - Thur, Sept 30    Join the physician Walking and Wellness Challenge. Join a team of colleagues or workout solo and reach the leaderboard. Let’s get moving!   Webinar: Access to HealthCare for LGBTQ+ Wed, Sept 1 Join guest speakers, Dr. Christopher Swales and Dr. Kim Mcilnay, for a look at the health care experience in the LGBTQ+ community.

Live Event: Paint and Sip Wed, Sept 15 Join the fun at the SSVMS Physician Paint & Sip Party. Space is limited so register today!

Joy of Medicine Summit Sat, Sept 25 8:30pm-12:00pm   Connect with colleagues, receive 3 CMEs (pending) and earn a $25 gift card by attending our virtual 2021 Joy of Medicine Summit. See the full list of speakers here. Register Today!

CMA Events

Webinar: How Revised Reporting Requirements for the Provider Relief Fund Will Affect You Wed, Aug 11 | 12:15pm-1:15pm

Webinar: ACEs Online Wellness Engagement Groups - Tue Series Tue, Aug 17| 7:00pm-8:00pm

Virtual Grand Rounds with Kelly Newell Green Tue, Sept 14 | 12:00pm-1:30pm

See all upcoming CMA events here >>

Other Events

Free Training: ACES Aware Provider Training Wed, Aug 25| 10:00am-2:00pm

SSVMS Campaigns and Programs

Make A Plan with Honoring Wishes

Invite Honoring Wishes to Your Practice

SSVMS invites all physicians and office staff to communicate your end of life care wishes by completing an advance directive.   Through our Honoring Wishes program, we will Provide you with your advance directive documents at no cost. Offer the Honoring Wishes Addendum, an exercise to help your loved ones understand you and your perspective on these decisions. Provide you with a $5 Starbucks gift card (for 50-minute, in-person appointments). Enter you in a drawing for a $50 VISA gift card.   That’s as much as a $65 value simply for giving your loved ones some peace of mind if tragedy strikes.   Contact Brandon J. Craig bcraig@ssvms.org to bring Honoring Wishes to your practice!

COVID-19 Vaccine 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, Tagalog, 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, to order your free buttons, email Brandon J. Craig at bcraig@ssvms.org.

Social Media Corner

Send Us Your Dog Selfies! #JoyofDogs   August is National Dog Month! How are you and your pets spending this summer? Send your photos to SSVMS at mturner@ssvms.org. We'll feature them on our pages!   #JoyofDogs #JoyofMedicine

Dr. Richard A. Bermudes, Chief Medical Officer at Mindful Health Solutions, with his pandemic puppy. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

In the News

CMA updates return-to-work FAQ with information on new vaccination mandate Apply to CalVax grant for vaccine administration before Aug 13 Newsom introduces mandate, health workers must get vaccine or weekly testing Budget invests in health, Prop 56 makes tobacco tax reimbursements permanent New CMS fee schedule, CMA advocates for increase pay conversion factor Virtual or in-person health policy conference: State of Reform Los Angeles Sep 23 CMA fights for CA physicians to access federal loan forgiveness program HHS Provider Relief Fund portal open, report on funds used, first deadline Sep 30 How physicians can help patients appeal medical necessity denials

Guide to Running an Independent Medical Practice   The Cooperative of American Physicians (CAP) created One Step Ahead: An Essential Guide for Running a Successful Independent Medical Practice to help you stay ahead of issues:   ▪ Human Resources Compliance in the Age of COVID-19 ▪ The Patient Experience and Your Bottom Line ▪ Managing the Billing Office ▪ Consent and Privacy in a Virtual World ▪ Standards for Proper Documentation   Download Your Free Guide

*Paid Advertisement

Joy of Medicine Corner

Joy of Medicine Wellness Checkup   SSVMS encourages physicians to schedule a free 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>>

Joy of Medicine On-Call Podcast

Season 4 Episode 5: Starting a Private Practice   Dr. Chiraag Patel shares with us his story from entering medicine, choosing to become an allergist, and opening a practice during the COVID pandemic.

Sierra Sacramento Valley Medicine

Read the July/August Issue of Sierra Sacramento Valley Medicine

Partners in Medicine

Please consider SSVMS's Partners in Medicine when in need of services. We look forward to continuing our important relationships with each of these Partners.

We are pleased to announce our new Bronze level partnership with Executech! Please consider for IT support, cybersecurity, cloud services, and more!

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 Executech

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.

#JoyofDogs| #JoyofMedicine | #SPIRITHeals