We have a new fax number: 630-559-0739

L to R: Nowinski-Konchak, Choucair, Keenan, Wood, Orgain, School and Lopez

Chicago Health Leaders meet with AAFP

Bechara Choucair, MD, Commissioner, Chicago Dept. of Public Health and Julie Wood, MD, VP of Public Health, Science, and Interprofessional Affairs for AAFP, Bellinda Schoof, MS, Director, Division of Public Health and Science, AAFP, Javette Orgain, MD, MPH, Vice Speaker, AAFP and Chair, Illinois State Board of Health, Carolyn Lopez, MD, IAFP past president and Chair, Chicago Board of Health, Juleigh Nowinski-Konchak, MD, Director of Health Systems Integration, Chicago Department of Public Health and Vince Keenan, MSPH, IAFP executive vice president met to educate AAFP about Healthy Chicago, a wide-ranging campaign to transform CDPH into a pro-active agency for public health.  The Healthy Chicago agenda was revealed in 2011 and includes 12 priorities, with targets for 2016 and 2020.  There are over 200 strategies in the Healthy Chicago agenda to change policy and make health interventions.

Speaking of Dr. Lopez - AAFP Co-Philanthropist of the Year!!

Carolyn Lopez, MD has been named a Co-Philanthropist of the Year (along with Rick Kellerman, MD of Kansas) by the AAFP Foundation and will be honored at the annual Foundation banquet on October 23 in Washington, DC.   Carolyn's career is distinguished by years of generous support to both AAFP and IAFP Foundation causes. 

PCPCC releases PCMH map  

Vince Keenan represented IAFP at Patient Centered Primary Care Collaborative (PCPCC) Western conference meeting in Denver last weekend, where a national PCMH resource map was launched.  The Illinois link summarizes public and payer plan efforts in our state toward PCMH transformation.  http://www.pcpcc.org/initiatives/Illinois.  When you click on a plan, the site also provides a general description of the plan and a description of the plan's payment model.

May issue of Illinois Family Physician is online! 

Just a reminder, we moved to a quarterly publication schedule in 2014, so the next issue will arrive in your U.S. Mailbox in September and include all the information you need for the IAFP Annual meeting!  But for now, save the date:  November 7-9 at Key Lime Cove Resort in Gurnee.  Learn more on our web site.

Play Ball! Get your baseball fans together for the annual IAFP Foundation White Sox Game on Friday, August 15 (It's Country Music Night and fireworks after the game!). The order form is now available and orders are due July 11!  There are two options for tickets and each ticket you purchase is a $10 donation directly to the Family Health Foundation of Illinois. REMEMBER OUR NEW FAX NUMBER IS 630-559-0739

Thank you to all of our Sox game sponsors who are Home Run Hitters in our book!  Click on the names below to visit their web sites.

• Cerner Corporation
• Cigna-HealthSpring
• Healthcare Associates Credit Union
• Healthy Interactions
• Molina Healthcare
• ProAssurance Professional Liability Group       

Family medicine collaborative event - Family Medicine Midwest 2014 - October 10-12 in Minneapolis!

 How can you contribute to the success of the event?  

Attend the event and share in the Joy of Midwest Family Medicine.  Networking and learning opportunities are everywhere, from the pre-conferences to the closing research presentation!  Information, the schedule and online registration are all available on the conference web site at www.iafp.com/fmm

Donate to the scholarship fund:

Nominate a colleague, resident or student for an award - Due MONDAY June 16! Use our new fax number:   630-559-0739

NEW Newborn screening Update from IDPH

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH )Newborn Screening Program has implemented testing for severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) as of June 9, 2014. SCID includes a group of rare inherited disorders in which genetic defects cause improper development of Tlymphocytes. Once the IDPH laboratory confirms a positive screening test for SCID, the newborn's primary care provider will be advised to refer the child to a  pediatric immunology center that has the capability to perform a  stem cell transplant. For more information on SCID or the IDPH Newborn Screening Program, please visit their website.

Federal Update

Careyana Brenham, MD; Tabatha Wells, MD; Rep. Rodney Davis and Janet Albers, MD

Central Illinois members visit with Rep. Rodney Davis

IAFP President-elect Janet Albers, MD led the group of IAFP members that attended a June 3 fundraiser for Congressman Rodney Davis (R-13).  She was joined by current Teacher of the Year Careyana Brenham, MD; Tabatha Wells, MD, and SIU Health Care CEO Jerry Kruse, MD.

AAFP Needs Your Medicaid Payment Parity Stories

On May 29, AAFP launched a member campaign to collect stories on how Medicaid primary care payments help practices, patients, and communities. AAFP will bring a selection of these stories to Capitol Hill over the summer to convey to Congress how important continued funds are to the delivery of timely and quality health care. Member stories from more than two dozen states have been collected, but AAFP would like more.

Use the campaign link posted on the AAFP website to share your views with Congress. Please submit those stories by July 1. Contact Michelle Greenhalgh at mgreenhalgh@aafp.org or ext. 2550 with questions

Comment on FDA proposed rules for e-cigarettes

AAFP has shared the comments they sent to the FDA.  The FDA has proposed a rule that deems electronic cigarettes as a nicotine delivery system that the agency has the authority to regulate.  Advocates are disappointed that the proposed rule did not address "some of the most egregious practices of e-cigarette manufacturers," citing a report  released last month that found companies marketed them in flavors that appeal to youth. Submit your comments by July 9 using this link.

Other resources include the March 17 webinar hosted by the AMA and IAFP Link to the recording

e-cigarette webinar has been archived on the City of Chicago YouTube Channel.

Read more about the issue in AAFP Leader Voices blog by Javette C. Orgain, MD

Link to her testimony before the Chicago City Council

Cigars seek protection from Congress

Cigar manufacturers are once again asking Congress for special treatment so that they can continue to make their products without any oversight or regulation whatsoever. Contrary to what their lobbyists are saying behind closed doors:

- Cigars ARE tobacco products;
- Cigars ARE bad for you; and
- Cigars ARE being sold at a low price and in a variety of flavors that attract kids.

Don't let them fool Congress:Tell your representative "No Cigar" on special treatment for cigar products!

Medicaid Coordinated Care Rollout

Link to an important notice from HFS to providers on Care Coordination Enrollment for Children, Families, and ACA Adults. ACE rollout (Accountable Care Entities in the Northern Illinois areas) has been delayed by until at least September 1.  The Medicare Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI) is not affected.  MMAI is the new managedcare program for people with Medicare and Medicaid in the Chicago and Central Illinois areas that began in March 2014. The implementation of this program will continue as scheduled. To view a fact sheet and full implementation timeline of the MMAI program, click here.  

Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services

Illinois Health Connect

Provider and Quality Management (PQM) Subcommittee Webinar

Wednesday, June 18 from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Register Online

Topics to be covered include~

IHC Care Coordination webpage updates including link to HFS Provider Notice on Care Coordination Enrollment of Families, Children, and ACA adults http://www.illinoishealthconnect.com 
Updates on Care Coordination Roll-out

Link to some resources you can use:

-Patient Enrollment Letter

-Plan Comparison Chart

-Information Brochure

Medicaid Providers - Update your website Bookmarks

The URLs will be changing for MEDI and IEC. If you are using a bookmark short cut you will need to update the login by using the new URL, which can be found on the main page http://www.myhfs.illinois.gov/. After the change, you may encounter a pop up asking you if you wish to run the Entrust, Inc. application. Select the "Do not show this again for apps from the publisher and location above" box and then select "Run."

Click here for full information on each of the positions listed below:

Central IL Opportunities through AIMS Physician Recruiting

Advocate Lutheran General Family Medicine Residency

Multiple positions available with teaching opportunities

Rush-Copley Family Medicine Residency

Opening for faculty physician at this program in Aurora

PCC Wellness Center

PCC has openings for physicians at their clinics on the Near West Side and in Oak Park

Site Medical Director-Waukegan

Opening July 2014 - Apply at www.eriefamilyhealth.org. 

Access all our FREE self-study CME that meets your needs! Log on at with www.iafp.com/education 

June Lunch and Learn Webinar - Primary Palliative Care: What's In It for My Patient?

Presented by: Timothy McCurry, MD, FAAFP, Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care

Thursday, June 26, 2014 12:00-1:00pm CST   

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the aspects of patient and family centered care in serious illness.

2. Describe the primary physician's role in advocating for and coordinating care in serious illness. 

3. Describe steps in providing medical care transparency, fair options and honoring patient choice. 

4. Describe steps in assessing symptom burden and basic management of common symptoms seen in serious illness.

Register Online

Save these dates for your summer Lunch and Learns

July 24^th Women's Health topic with Marian Sassetti, MD
August 28^th PURLs with Kate Rowland, MD

California AFP Webinar on Opioid Prescribing

California Academy of Family Physicians CO*RE ER/LA Opioid REMS :  Achieving Safe Use While Improving Patient Care live Webinar (given at six different times, beginning June 23):

You can visit the series landing page here to find registration links to all the webinars. 

These 90-minute webinars meet the FDA requirements for ER/LA opioid risk evaluation and mitigation strategies [REMS], and include a wide range of topics relevant to your practice and patients. The webinars include the latest evidence-based information and practical tools you will put immediately to use, and much more. Upon completion of the assessment and evaluation you will receive 1.5 AAFP Prescribed credits, and receive both the faculty slides and additional resources you can use to improve your care of patients.

GRAND ROUNDS Family and Community Medicine

Saint Louis University School of Medicine

Wednesday June 18th, 2014 at 7:30 am

Clinical Osteoporosis

Presented by Kathryn Diemer, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine

Clinical Director of Bone Health Washington University School of Medicine

SSM St. Mary's Health Center Kohler Auditorium - 2nd Floor

1.0 AAFP CME Credits

1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit

NorthShore University HealthSystem

2^nd Annual Sports Medicine CME

"Current Issues in Sports Medicine: 2014"

Saturday, July 26^th from 8:30am - 2pm

Where: HALAS HALL in Lake Forest (Where the Chicago Bears train!)

Cost: $25 for all participants (Breakfast and lunch provided)

More details to follow

IAFP Seeks FP's to serve as speakers for upcoming DOT medical examiners training programs 

If you have already completed a DOT training course and/ or are part of the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners and are interested in teaching please contact Kate Valentine at kvalentine@iafp.com.

Message from a Member Benefits Partner

Carrying a balance on another card? Transfer your balance to an HACU Visa Rewards Card with no fee!* Learn more about the offer and Healthcare Associates Credit Union today.

Letters of Intent for Research Grants due July 7

The Portes Foundation, in association with The Institute of Medicine of Chicago (IOMC), is soliciting proposals for research projects in health promotion, and disease prevention. The principal investigator must be a MD, DO, or PhD, have an appointment at a medical school or a medical school affiliated hospital or group practice, and must have the endorsement of the Dean or the principal research officer. The letter of intent must be submitted electronically to iomcstaf@iomc.org by July 7, 2014. In September, LOI submitters will be notified of the initial determination and, if applicable, a complete formal proposal will be requested.  Link to more information.

From Pathways.org - When to Introduce Solid Foods to Babies

Given the short-term and long-term risks associated with early solid food introduction, it is essential for healthcare providers to give clear and accurate feeding recommendations at early well-child visits.

Every infant develops at his or her own pace and parents should be instructed to watch for the following signs of solid food readiness near 6 months of age:³

Able to hold his or her head up when sitting

Opens mouth when food approaches

Able to move food from a spoon or fork into throat

Infants can start their transition to solid food with thinly pureed fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, peaches, and squash, as well as single-grain cereals mixed with breast milk or formula. Particular foods should be avoided for the first year, including honey, cow's milk, salt, and artificial sweeteners. Honey contains spores that can cause infant botulism, and infants' digestive systems cannot process the protein present in cow's milk.⁴

Link to the full article from Pathways.org

If you have a news item to share, email it to Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com.

Steve Stabile, MD, CEO of PrimeCare in Chicago has been appointed to the Alzheimer's Association Healthcare Professional Advisory Council.   If you'd like a great resource, the Alzheimer's Disease Pocketcard mobile application ("app") is on Google Play and the App Store, search for "Alzheimer's disease pocketcard."  Links to the app are also available on alz.org/hcps.   Note: This app is intended for clinical use. For More Information: Contact Melanie Chavin

Congratulations to two Illinois members who achieved the designation of Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP) in May

Juliet Lynne Bradley, MD, FAAFP

Terryll Eli Joy, MD, FAAFP

Dawn Bruner, MD was on WCIA-TV for their live "Ask the Family Physician" segment on June 3.  Topics this time included arthritis, acupuncture and poison ivy. 

Jerry E. Kruse, MD, MSPH is a Professor in both the Department of Family & Community Medicine and Medical Education, and Executive Associate Dean at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine has been elected to the American Board of Family Medicine board of directors.