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Physician Alert: Tax Scam Aimed at Doctors
Over the past week, the MMA has received several reports from state medical societies and the AMA regarding a tax scam directed at physicians and other providers. Read more here.
FDA Proposes Prohibiting E-Cig Sales to Minors, Other Regulations
The Food and Drug Administration proposed April 24 to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to minors as well as other regulations. Read more here.
Senate Passes Bill to Restore Newborn Screening
Proposed legislation that would restore Minnesota's newborn screening program to its former status was approved by the Senate, 41-22, on April 23. The House will likely consider the Senate language next week. Read more here.

SBMS Meets to Discuss Prescription Opioid Misuse

Members of the Stearns Benton Medical Society (SBMS) and guests discussed "The Opioid Crisis: Helping Physicians Find Answers" at the group's Spring Forum on April 22. Presenters included Christopher Johnson, M.D., an emergency physician, and DEA agent Joe Capello. SBMS members and guests also received an update on the SBMS Circle of Health's medication safety campaign. Plus, MMA President Cindy Firkins Smith, M.D., congratulated SBMS on its efforts to engage physicians. About 65 people attended the event.

Physician Feedback Sought for Quality Initiatives

The Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Community Measurement are looking for feedback on the 2015 quality initiatives and want you to know about upcoming activities. Read more here.

MMA Member Named MAFP Physician of Year

MMA member Sheldon Burns, M.D., has been selected as the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians 2014 Family Physician of the Year. Read more here.

Annual Conference Adds Third National Speaker

Dike Drummond, M.D., a.k.a. "The Happy M.D.," has been added to the lineup of speakers for the MMA's Annual Conference Sept. 19 and 20 at Madden's on Gull Lake in Brainerd. Drummond, who will discuss physician wellness, has written on burnout prevention, leadership and work/life balance for the Huffington Post, KevinMD.com, Sermo.com and TheDoctorWeighsIn.com.

National Survey Asks Physicians' Opinions on Medicine

Minnesota physicians have until May 21 to voice their opinion about the current state of medicine in the United States by taking part in The Physician Foundation's third national survey. Last conducted in 2012, the survey captures physicians' views on the current and future states of medicine, their attitudes about medical practice and their thoughts on many other issues facing medicine today. Results will be shared with the public, patients, the media and policymakers. The Physician Foundation emailed the survey in March. If you did not receive or complete it, click here to take the survey. All participants who include their email will receive a full survey report and will be entered in a drawing for a $10,000 travel voucher, a $2,000 Apple voucher and multiple iPad Airs.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is April 26

Minnesota physicians are asked to remind their patients that they can safely dispose of their prescription drugs on National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday, April 26. Read more here.

Networking Event Scheduled for Residents, Fellows, Young MDs

Residents, fellows and young physicians are invited to an afternoon of networking and fun on May 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Pinstripes in Edina. Attendees can bowl, play bocce ball or simply relax with colleagues around an outdoor fire pit. Sponsors Dave Denniston, CFA, and Roger Anderson, CFP, from the Capitol Advisory Group, are providing appetizers and activities at no cost for physicians and a guest. A drawing for a $100 gift card to McCormick & Schmick's will be held at 1:15 p.m. Spots are limited so register early.

Duluth Medical Students Learn About Interpreters

Medical students from the University of Minnesota, Duluth campus, recently learned tips on working effectively with medical interpreters when serving patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). The 52 students in the class of MMA member Jacob Prunuske, M.D., discussed the importance of briefing and debriefing with interpreters prior to and after seeing the patient. They also learned about the importance of eye contact and the multitude of cultural differences among LEP patients. The presentation was sponsored by the MMA in partnership with the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians Foundation and the Lake Superior Medical Society. To see more tips on working with an interpreter, visit the MMA website.

Insights Article Highlights Inclusive Policy Making

The recent decision to not support the current medical marijuana legislation shows how the MMA can be nimble while engaging more members. MMA President Cindy Firkins Smith, M.D., and Board Chair Dave Thorson, M.D., discuss the MMA's new inclusive policy making strategy in Insights.

MMA Launches Online Community to Engage Members

Wonder what your fellow physicians think about administrative burdens or the recent Medicare data dump or medical marijuana? Here's a chance to have an engaging discussion with others doctors on a variety of health care topics. The MMA is launching an online community via LinkedIn - the social network for professionals - called the "Minnesota Medical Association Physicians' Lounge." The group is invite-only and exclusive to MMA members and staff. We hope to use the online community as a way to engage members on timely topics in Minnesota health care. If you are interested in taking part in the group, send an email to Dan Hauser and he'll send you an invite after confirming your membership.

Show Your Creative Side

Do you have a story to tell? A photo you'd like to share? Then Minnesota Medicine is looking for you. Enter your essay, poem or short story in Minnesota Medicine's "Medical Musings" writing contest by May 5. Or enter the best photo you've taken in the annual photography contest by May 12. Winners will be featured in the July issue of the magazine. For more information and to enter, visit the Minnesota Medicine contest website.
The MMA Podcast

The MMA PodcastLawmakers returned from the Easter/Passover break on April 22. While they were gone, we took a look at the session so far with Eric Dick, MMA's manager of state legislative affairs. Tune into The MMA Podcast for the latest at the Capitol including updates on APRNs, indoor tanning, e-cigarettes, opioids, newborn screening and medical marijuana.

Digital Rounds - The MMA Blog

Digital Rounds MMA's Blog A recent article online said physicians are pretty miserable about their jobs. Is it really true? Is being a physician that horrible? Read more here.

Minnesota Medicine

April 2014 Minnesota Medicine     

Taking a stand
What physicians are saying about legalizing marijuana

 

    

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