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The Community Pulse e-Newsletter is designed for community members and non-member physicians. We choose selected important news and information items to share with you, so you are able to stay in-the-know on topics of interest to you.
If you are a physician but not yet a member, click here to view benefits of joining WCMS, and click here to complete an application.
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"As a regional medical society, our aim is to represent all of the physicians of Western North Carolina. We were the Buncombe County Medical Society from 1885-2011. Now we are the Western Carolina Medical Society, representing 15 additional counties: Rutherford, McDowell, Mitchell, Yancey, Madison, Polk, Transylvania, Henderson, Haywood, Jackson, Clay, Swain, Macon, Graham, and Cherokee. We were very intentional about expanding to the entire region, knowing that by working together regionally physicians have a tremendous impact on improving patient care locally. Additionally, expansion to a regional society has served to make WNC physicians a known  entity in Raleigh. But, we face barriers to coming together. The necessary adaptations to the changes in the health care system have led to the increasing compartmentalization of physicians regarding the location, scope and setting of their practice..." Continue reading the message from D. Gus Vickery, MD, WCMS President
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12th Annual HeartStrings Family Fun Challenge Supporting WCMS' Project Access (5/25)
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What: Heartstrings Family Fun Challenge at Mountain Sports Festival
When: Sunday, May 25 from 1pm to 4pm at Carrier Park
Why: To raise funds to support WCMS's Project Access® Program, which provides uninsured, low-income individuals annually with the critical healthcare they need and enrolls eligible uninsured into the health insurance marketplace.
Where: Heartstrings Family Fun Challenge will be part of Asheville's popular Mountain Sports Festival held over Memorial Day Weekend at Carrier Park.
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Seize the Moment: Make Your Voice Heard in Raleigh
| The NC State Legislative short session begins on May 14. Make sure the "Voice of the West" is heard in Raleigh! The stronger our WCMS membership, the stronger WNC physicians' voice will be on critical issues such as Medicaid Reform, NC Tracks problems, Medicaid cuts, scope of practice, patient safety, and tort reform upkeep.
We are meeting with legislators now in WNC and planning White Coat Wednesday trips to Raleigh this summer. But, we can't do this important work without your membership.
If you are a physician- Don't wait. Be heard. Join today.
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Click here to view the newest physicians to join WCMS!
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2014 Annual Campaign Launches
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Join the Western Carolina Medical Society (WCMS) Foundation in helping residents in our region who are uninsured. They are friends and neighbors who are vulnerable to health crises from chronic conditions or illness. The 2014 WCMS Annual Campaign launches with a $50,000 campaign goal with the theme "Expanding Access to Health Care in Western North Carolina." With your help, WCMS provides access to health care for uninsured people in need. Read the full press release. Donate to the Annual Campaign.
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WCMS on a Legislative Advocacy Roll: Met with Reps. Whitemire & Dobson, and Sens. Apodaca & Hise
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Monday, April 7: Drs. Jeff Heck & Barry Bodie joined WCMS staff in Brevard to meet with Representative Chris Whitmire (Transylvania, Henderson, Polk)
Tuesday, April 8: Dr. Steve North accompanied WCMS CEO Miriam Schwarz in Marion to meet with Representative Josh Dobson (McDowell, Mitchell, Avery)
Tuesday, April 8: Drs. Frank Moretz, Jeff Heck, Samantha Read-Smith, Frank Sutton and Charles DePaolo joined WCMS staff in hosting Senator Tom Apodaca (Henderson, Buncombe).
Topics discussed included recruitment and retention of physicians, the importance of a strong medical community to the local economy, Medicaid Reform (we favor ACO approach over MCO), NC Tracks, and the impact of ACA.
On Wednesday, April 9, Dr. Frank Sutton and Miriam Schwarz traveled to Spruce Pine in Mitchell County to meet with Sen. Hise. The main focus of discussion was DHHS issues and Medicaid reform. Hise is the co-chair of the Joint Committee on Health and Human Services so has excellent insight into legislative activities in this arena. The discussion was extremely illuminating and productive. Contact Miriam at 274-2267, x312 for more information about the content of the meeting.
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NC Derms Need Help to Protect Kids from Tanning Beds, Cancer
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May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, a time to remind our patients and our friends to protect their skin and to be screened regularly.
This year, however, doctors across North Carolina are also using May to focus on legislation to keep teens out of tanning beds and protect them from the dangers of UV radiation.
According to research confirmed by the American Academy of Dermatology, teens and young adults who begin tanning before the age of 35 have a 59 percent higher risk of melanoma. And just one indoor tanning session increases the user's risk of melanoma by 20 percent.
Continue reading.
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Physicians' Voice in the News
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WCMS is proud to announce another high quality addition to the series of "The Physicians' Voice" media presentations aimed to showcase to the general public our physicians' world-class medical expertise and focus on patient/community health.
Here is the latest release:
You can read all about The Physicians' Voice on our website.
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Henderson County Scores Big on Jobs, Education in Health Careers
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"Just next door, Pardee will serve as a "steady pipeline" from the education facility and into the health care workforce, hospital president and CEO Jay Kirby noted... " Continue reading.
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Job Board
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Click here to see the latest jobs posted on our website.
To find out how you can post a Job or Classified Ad Click here.
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Miriam Schwarz, MPA
WCMS CEO/Executive Director
(828) 274-2267 ext. 312
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