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VITAL SIGNS
 The Weekly e-News of the Western Carolina Medical Society 
     

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR PRACTITIONERS

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As a leading accounting firm in North Carolina, JPS offers the capabilities of a national firm, combined with the personalized, cost effective attention of a community based firm. We assist you in developing an understanding of the finances of your practice and the business of healthcare, allowing you to make sound financial decisions.
 
Among our services are: 
  • Succession Planning
  • Information Technology Services
  • New Practice Start-Up Assistance Compensation Models
  • Bank Negotiations 

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For more information contact

Mary Williams Matthews, CPA, CMPE at 828-225-3702 or email [email protected] to see  how our healthcare group can assist your practice. 

Endorsed Vendor Programs

Learn more.

Discount Programs 

 Learn more.
QUICK LINKS
News

HIT/EHR Info

Health Reform Info

Project Access

WNC Interpreter Network

Boards of Directors

 

  
 

September  26, 2012

In This Issue:
Johnson Price Sprinkle, PA - Sponsor Message
Sawbones vs Jawbones
Maimonides Society Program
RSVP now for the Newcomers' Picnic
Rutherford Regional Health System to negotiate affiliation with Mission Health
MedWest future uncertain after WestCare vote - updated
Jawbones vs. Sawbones Basketball in The Laurel of Asheville
WCMS Embarks on Unprecedented...Strategic Planning Initiative
Dr. Suzanne Landis' Birthday Party a Success
Contact your US representative and senators about SGR
Job Board & Classifieds

UPCOMING EVENTS  

 
Sawbones vs Jawbones - VIP Reception (9/30)
Sawbones vs Jawbones 2012 Prior to this year's basketball game will be a VIP Tailgate Reception.  Enjoy good food, wine & beverages and live music by your WCMS colleagues Dr. Michael Boerner and his band Rattle and Dr. Roger Holland.  There's even a simultaneous Kids Zone that's free for all children in the family when adults purchase VIP Reception tickets. 

VIP Reception (Tailgate Party) VIP Reception
4:00pm-6:00pm
Sunday September 30th
Carolina Day School

Purchase your tickets now.

Click here for more details about the Reception, Kids Zone and basketball game.

Thanks to our Sponsors:
2012 Sponsors
Advanced Business Equipment  |  Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP  |  Drs. Chambers, Baechtold, Haldeman & Pratt, DDS, MS  |  First Citizens Bank  |  Roberts & Stevens, P.A. 
Maimonides Society Program Teaching about breast mammography in underserved regions (10/7)
For information about this Western North Carolina Maimonides Society Education Benefit Luncheon go to our website.

Annual Newcomers' Picnic (10/14)
The Annual Newcomers' Picnic will be held this year at Claxton Farm on October 14, 2012 from 4-8:00pm. This is a FREE, fun-filled, family-friendly
Claxton Farm
afternoon that will include:
  • BBQ & Fixins'
  • Horse drawn wagon rides
  • Live music by Deep River
  • Beer & Wine
  • S'mores
  • Fun filled activities for the kids!

All WCMS physician members, BCMS Alliance members, and all physicians who are new to western North Carolina this year - and their families - are invited to attend! Register by October 1st!  

Sponsored by:

  

LOCAL NEWS 

Rutherford Regional Health System to negotiate affiliation with Mission Health

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Sept. 20, 2012) - After an extensive search to identify the best possible long-term partner for its health system and community, Rutherford Regional Health System, located in Rutherfordton, N.C., has decided to move forward to ... Read more in the Mountain Xpress.

MedWest future uncertain after WestCare vote - updated

Read updated article in The Mountaineer.

Jawbones vs. Sawbones Basketball article in the Laurel of Asheville

On Sunday, September 30, witness some experienced professionals hitting the court. The players are not pro athletes, but rather physicians and attorneys in our community. At the fourth annual Sawbones vs. Jawbones Basketball Game, these licensed experts in medicine and law will help the Western Carolina Medical Society (WCMS) raise money for worthwhile causes. Continue reading.

WCMS Embarks on Unprecedented
Strategic Planning Initiative

The Western Carolina Medical Society is faced with re-defining itself organization in a time of an unprecedented changing healthcare environment, both nationally and in Western NC. Led by Miriam Schwarz, CEO along with the WCMS Association and Foundation Boards, a new strategic direction of the Medical Society is underway. Go to our website to read more about the strategic planning process.

Dr. Suzanne Landis' Birthday Party a Success

Dr. Landis
 Packs Tavern in downtown Asheville was rocking along with Dr. Suzanne Landis and 100 of her closest friends, family members and colleagues this past Sunday night on the occasion of her 60th birthday! Instead of gifts the entrance to the party was a donation to Project Access � and the WCMS Foundation. DJ's of Asheville supplied the music and many friends decorated the Century Room and make desserts. Over $7000 was raised for WCMS! Our sincere gratitude to Dr. Landis for making such a special contribution to the Medical Society Foundation. 
NATIONAL NEWS 

Contact your US representative and senators about SGR!

Members of Congress may be primarily focused on their re-election campaigns, but they can't ignore another fast approaching deadline for the flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. Unless Congress acts, physicians again face a cut in Medicare reimbursement payments on Jan. 1.
This deadline and repeal of the SGR is just the first step towards the larger goal of comprehensive reform of the Medicare physician payment system. It's time to prepare Congress to act with a physician-led strategy on Medicare physician payment reform that:
  1. Stabilizes the Medicare program by repealing the SGR.
  2. Reflects the diversity of physician practices and provide opportunities for physicians to choose payment models that work for their patients, practice, specialty and region.
  3. Implements new systems in Medicare that refocus the delivery system away from a "one-size fits all" approach to one that promotes high quality and high value care.
  4. Adapts existing regulations that act as a barrier to reform, and integrate successful payment and delivery models being used in the private sector.
Physicians MUST lead the way on Medicare physician payment reform. Be an active part of this critical effort and call (800) 833-6354 or click here to email your members of Congress today.
ITEMS OF INTEREST  
Job Board

Asheville Family & Sports Medicine: Front Desk Receptionist/Medical Assistant

 

Blue Ridge Community Health Services (BRCHS): Chief Executive Officer 

 

Blue Ridge Community Health Services (BRCHS): BC/BE Family Medicine Physician 

 

Internal Medicine Practice: Physician

 

Has your practice or business had good luck finding the right candidate using our Job Board? Tell us about it, and we'll add your testimonial to our website!     

 

Click here for the complete list of job postings on our website.    

Classified Ads

Grove Park Estate For Sale

 

Click here for the complete list of classified ads on our website.    

 

WCMS is a thriving 900-plus member professional association of the physicians of western North Carolina and a chartered component medical society of the NC Medical Society and the AMA. The WCMS is an organization run by physicians for physicians.


Our Mission
The WCMS is the physicians' voice advocating for the health of the medical profession, the health of the patient, and the health of the community.
 

Our Vision
To be a dynamic physician community dedicated to a healthy, vibrant Western North Carolina.


About WCMS
The purpose of WCMS is: 

  • To strengthen the voice of WNC physicians in advocating for the health of the medical profession, the health of the patient, and the health of our region
  • To inform, educate and prepare physicians for rapidly occurring changes in health care at national, state, and local levels
  • To share legislative and policy information and advocate on behalf of physicians in areas of mutual interest
  • To share available resources in areas of mutual interest
  • To promote physician-to-physician communication and dialogue in an open, honest and safe environment

We hope you enjoy our weekly e-newsletter. If you have questions or suggestions please feel free to contact me.
 

Sincerely,Miriam Schwarz, CEO

 

Miriam Schwarz signature




 

Miriam Schwarz, MPA

WCMS CEO/Executive Director