Western Carolina Medical Society: The Physicians' Voice for a Health Community
VITAL SIGNS
 Weekly e-News of the Western Carolina Medical Society 

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November 19, 2014
WCMS Circle of Friends: Van Winkle Law Firm & Johnson Prics Sprinkle, PA
There will be no issue of Vital Signs next Wednesday 11/26

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and we'll be back in two weeks! 

In This Issue:
The Buyers Agent- Sponsor Message (Left)
WCMS Fall Conference
Independent Physicians Affinity Group
Early Career Affinity Group
Join WCMS' Table at MLK, Jr. Breakfast
Leadership Can't Afford to Duck Changes in Health Care
Health Insurance Basics & Budgeting for Health Classes
How Medical Care Is Being Corrupted
Member Benefits- Did You Know?
Job Board & Classified Ads
UPCOMING EVENTS 
 
WCMS Fall Conference  (11/20)
The 2014 Fall Conference is tomorrow and we have a great line-up of speakers this year.  Dr. Paul Martin will be speaking about prescribed substance issues, Chip Baggett with NCMS will do an update on legislative matters and Carolyn Coward will talk about ACOs and the Affordable Care Act- plus more!

When: Tomorrow, November 20th from 8:00am - 4:00pm
Where: MAHEC Education Building in Asheville, NC  (121 Hendersonville Rd)

Click here for the full agenda, topics, speakers and to register. 
 

Independent Physicians Affinity Group  (12/2)
Join the first meeting of our newest Affinity Group: Independent Physicians.  This is a great time to meet and mingle with other physicians who work in a similar setting, as well as hear some helpful content.

Speakers: Carolyn Coward (Van Winkle Law Firm) and Mary Williams Matthews (Johnson Price Sprinkle PA)

When: Tuesday, December 2nd 6:30pm - 8pm

Where: Lulu's On Main in Sylva, NC  (612 West Main St)

RSVP to attend  (Please RSVP as space is limited and we need an accurate head count)
Early Career Affinity Group  (12/10)
Save the date for our final affinity group of 2014.  The Early Career group will meet on Wednesday evening, December 10th.  More details to come soon!

The Early Career Affinity groups is for any physician within their first 10 years of medical practice (after residency).  Dr. MaryShell Zaffino, with Blue Ridge Community Health Services, is the new physician champion for this Affinity Group!
Join WCMS' Table at MLK, Jr. Breakfast  (1/17)
There are only four tickets remaining! 

On Saturday, January 17, 2015 residents of Asheville and Buncombe County will celebrate our community's 34th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast to commemorate the life and work of Dr. King.

Join Us!
WCMS has purchased a limited number of tickets (10) for this engaging event, which we are offering to physician members (and one guest) as a gift on a first-come-first-served basis. Join your local elected officials, physician colleagues, and fellow community leaders at the MLK Prayer Breakfast (the largest such gathering in the country.)
 
Saturday, January 17, 2015
8:30-10:30 a.m.
(Doors Open 8:00 am)
Crowne Plaza Resort on Resort Drive (West Asheville)

Keynote speaker: Rodney Johnson, Executive Director of the Office of Parent Services at George Washington University
 
Reserve your ticket(s) by December 19th by contacting Kelly Kurdyukova (kelly@mywcms.org or 274-2267, ext 1301).
LOCAL NEWS 
Leadership Can't Afford to Duck Changes in Health Care 
Dr. Ron Paulus, CEO of the Mission Health System, talked about the challenges of leadership in tumultuous times at the Lead Through Change event last Wednesday.

Read article.
Health Insurance Basics & Budgeting for Health Classes

Free two-part series taught by WCMS Health Access Team and OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling

 

Monday & Tuesday, November 17 & 18
or
Monday & Wednesday, December 1 & 3

  • Learn key health insurance terms
  • Understand how to effectively use your health insurance
  • Learn how income, expenses, and debt all affect a successful budget
  • Create a realistic budget for your healthcare costs

Click here for more information.

ITEMS OF INTEREST 
 
How Medical Care Is Being Corrupted 
"Financial forces largely hidden from the public are beginning to corrupt care and undermine the bond of trust between doctors and patients. Insurers, hospital networks and regulatory groups have put in place both rewards and punishments that can powerfully influence your doctor's decisions."

Continue reading.
Member Benefits- Did You Know?   

Did you know that one benefit of being a WCMS Member is:

We advocate on your behalf


WCMS is engaging with WNC legislators and policy makers on ACA; Medicaid reform; patient safety, health and access; managed care; and other key issues which means you play a role in shaping healthcare policy!

Want to be more involved in political advocacy? Email ceo@mywcms.org.
Job Board & Classified Ads
Job Board:
Bilingual Nurse or Certified MA  (French Broad Pediatrics)
Orthopedic-Joint Replacement Surgeon  (Pardee Hospital)
Physician III-A  (Buncombe County Health & Human Services)
Health Access Counselor  (WCMS)
Medical Interpreter  (WCMS)

To find out how you can post a Job or Classified Ad Click here.

WCMS is a thriving 750 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,

Photo: Miriam Schwarz, WCMS CEO
Miriam Schwarz

 

Miriam Schwarz signature




 

Miriam Schwarz, MPA

WCMS CEO/Executive Director