So many of our Early Career Affinity Group members were unable to attend tonight that we have decided to reschedule for April 29th. Save the date. You'll receive a formal invitation soon. 

White Coat Wednesday is your chance to impact the future of healthcare legislation and learn more about the ins-and-outs of government affairs. Join other WNC physicians on Wednesday, March 25th on a trip to Raleigh where you'll be briefed by NCMS in the morning with tips on speaking to legislators and on the hot-button medical issues currently in the spotlight at the General Assembly.

Following this briefing, head down to the General Assembly and meet with WNC legislators; view committee meetings and see the legislature in action. 

To join our WNC delegation, email Miriam Schwarz or 274-2267 x 1312. The more physicians who can attend to represent our region, the more impact our voice can have on important healthcare topics like stopping the retroactive 3% cut to Medicaid, achieving Medicaid reform and/or expansion, addressing mental health reform and more!

WCMS is planning a second White Coat Wednesday on May 13. If you are unable to attend the March 25 event, save the date for May 13 and head to Raleigh with us then.

Leading Healthcare Organizations: Optimizing Clinical & Financial Performance While Finding Joy in Practice

"Given the changes in the healthcare landscape and the challenges that lie ahead, there is a great sense of urgency to identify and develop physician leaders who can effectively position their organizations for success" (Len Fromer, MD, Executive Medical Director of Group Practice Forum).

MAHEC's Physician Leadership Academy is a three part curriculum designed to help physicians and advanced care practitioners realize their own leadership potential and develop the skills need to address challenges within healthcare. Built with the busy provider in mind, the curriculum is delivered using a flipped classroom model-independent readings, video presentations, assessments and inventories will be accessed online and completed prior to monthly in-person training sessions.

Course curriculum is divided into three types of leadership: Individual Leadership, Collaborative Leadership, and Organization & System Leadership. Lectures, activities, and independent self-study assignments will focus on strengthening intrapersonal and interpersonal awareness and skill, support networking and synergy, and demonstrate strategic and operational thinking.

Module 1: Individual Leadership
Thursday, March 26, 2015

Module 2: Collaborative Leadership
Thursday, April 23, 2015

Module 3: Organization & System Leadership
Thursday, May 21, 2015

Please note that MAHEC has discounted the participation fee for this Leadership Series by over 20% for WCMS members. 

Click here to download brochure

One of the American Medical Association's (AMA) strategic focus areas, Improving Health Outcomes, is dedicated to stemming the epidemics of type 2 diabetes and heart disease in the United States.

Today the AMA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will launch a national, multi-year initiative called "Prevent Diabetes STAT: Screen, Test, Act - Today™."

The goal of Prevent Diabetes STAT is to raise awareness about prediabetes and to increase physician screening, testing and referral to evidence-based diabetes prevention programs that are part of the CDC's National Diabetes Prevention Program.

The first phase of the initiative is focused on providing physicians and care teams with easy-to-use tools and resources so they can identify people with prediabetes and refer them to community-based or virtual diabetes prevention programs.

Here's a link to the new Web page where physicians and the general public can find helpful content. As you will see the initiative offers opportunities for others to join.  The AMA hopes you will consider engaging with the Prevent Diabetes STAT effort.