Western Carolina Medical Society: The Physicians' Voice for a Health Community
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 Weekly e-News of the Western Carolina Medical Society 
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June 10, 2015
WCMS Circle of Friends: Van Winkle Law Firm & Johnson Prics Sprinkle, PA

In This Issue:
Catamaran - Sponsor Message (Left)
Register Now: Emeritus Luncheon - June 24
Register Now: Independent Physicians Affinity Group - June 29
Save the Date: Burnout Prevention Retreat - August 15
NCMS and WCMS Membership Mixer
Physicians' Voice
A Medicaid Cloud Envelops the Legislature
Breaking News: House Presents New Medicaid Reform Bill
What's At Stake When The Supreme Court Rules On Health Plan Subsidies
How Two Hospital Operators are Bucking the Rural Health Crisis
Dr. Jeffrey C. Williams, MD Joins AllCare Clinical Associates
Job Board & Classified Ads
UPCOMING EVENTS 
 

Register Now for the Second Quarterly Emeritus Luncheon - June 24

The upcoming Emeritus luncheon will feature guest speaker Dr. David Mouw on "Advanced Directives: Them and Us."

The luncheon will be held at the Asheville Country Club. Formal invitations are in the mail, or you can RSVP here.

Register Now for the Second Quarterly Independent Physicians Affinity Group - June 29

All member physicians who are in independent private practice are invited to attend a Q & A session with Ward and Smith, PA.

 

Topics:

  • Contracts, including non-compete covenants and cost-sharing provisions
  • Physician-hospital arrangements, such as co-management agreements, medical directorships, professional services arrangements, and on-call coverage
  • Medical practice  arrangements, such as mergers, alliances, and asset sales agreements
  • Certificates of Need ("CON") and CON "no review" letters.

When: Monday, June 29, 2015 - 6 - 8 p.m.

Where: The Asheville Event Centre  (less than one mile off I-40 exit 51)

 

Space is limited, so please RSVP ahead of time to secure your spot.  Physician members of WCMS are encouraged to invite their physician colleagues to attend, regardless of membership status. Contact Megan Hare with any questions. 

Save the Date: Burnout Prevention Retreat - August 15

Join WCMS at our physician retreat to learn practical, field-tested tools to recognize, treat and prevent burnout. WCMS is bringing in world-renowned speaker, Dr. Dike Drummond, to guide physicians in building a more balanced life and a more ideal practice.


Dr. Drummond is a Mayo trained family doctor, executive coach, and CEO of TheHappyMD.com where he has over 6000 physician subscribers in 63 countries. He has delivered trainings to the AAFP, Minnesota Medical Association, ACPE, Kaiser NW, and many more top level organizations.


 

Saturday, August 15 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Venue will be announced soon.

 

* CME Offered
* Significant Others Invited
* Childcare Offered
* Free for WCMS Members

 

NCMS and WCMS Membership Mixer - July 10
Bring your family and join us for a beer at the North Carolina Medical Society/Western Carolina Medical Society Membership Mixer. Share your thoughts with NCMS and WCMS leadership and mingle with your friends and colleagues from throughout the area. 
Friday, July 10, 2015
Open House: 5PM-7PM (stop-in anytime)
Highland Brewing Company
12 Old Charlotte Highway Asheville, NC
Click here to view flyer and register.
LOCAL NEWS
 
Physicians' Voice
WCMS is proud to announce another high quality addition to the series of "The Physicians' Voice," a series of media presentations for the general public that showcase physicians' world-class medical expertise and focus on patient/community health. Here is the latest release: WCMS member Dr. Eric Smith's final piece in a three part series appears in Blue Ridge Now, "The Bigger Picture. Why You Should Quit Smoking." 

Excerpt: "Yes, everyone has the right to smoke if they choose, but they - and we all - have a responsibility to protect others from the harmful effects of that smoke. Please do not act inconvenienced by the fact that our society has recognized the cost and impact smoking has on both smokers and nonsmokers alike and taken measures to reduce the social impact of smoking. When you hear the facts, my hope is that everyone asks, "Why aren't we doing more?!" 
STATE NEWS
 

A Medicaid Cloud Envelops the Legislature

Nearly a year has passed since the state House and Senate sharply divided over money for the state's Medicaid program - helping slow budget negotiations and extend the legislative session.

 

The legislature may be facing a repeat showdown this year, with even bigger consequences.

Click here to read more. 

Breaking News: House Presents New Medicaid Reform Bill

Months into this year's legislative session, one of the biggest elephants in the statehouse has been what a plan to reform the state's Medicaid program would look like.

 

On Wednesday, citizens will get their first glimpse at the House's ideas for  Medicaid moving forward. The plan looks a lot like plans proposed by House Health and Human Services leaders during last year's session.

Click here to read more. 

NATIONAL NEWS
 

What's At Stake When The Supreme Court Rules On Health Plan Subsidies

A decision in King v. Burwell is expected by the end of the month. (Julie Rovner and Mary Agnes Carey, 6/8)


An analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that subsidized enrollees would face an average effective premium increase of 287 percent if the court rules against the administration. (KHN is an editorially independent program of the foundation).

Click here to read more. 

ITEMS OF INTEREST
 
How Two Hospital Operators are Bucking the Rural Health Crisis 

Fewer beds. More outpatient procedures. But to get there, providers have to make a significant investment to change their business models. 

Click here to read more. 

Dr. Jeffrey C. Williams, MD Joins AllCare Clinical Associates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (From AllCare Clinical Associates)

CONTACT:
Carolyn Duncan
828-398-1226
76 Peachtree Road, Suite 300
Asheville, NC 28803
[email protected]

Jeffrey C. Williams, MD, Joins AllCare Clinical Associates

Jeffrey C. Williams, MD, has joined AllCare Clinical Associates, PA. Dr. Williams graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana and received his Medical Degree from Indiana University School of Medicine also in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Williams completed his residency training in anesthesiology at Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio and at the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. He also completed a Fellowship in Clinical Hyperbaric Medicine at Duke University Medical Center. Prior to joining AllCare Clinical Associates, Dr. Williams provided anesthesia services at the Columbus County Medical Center in Whiteville, North Carolina.

Dr. Williams is certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology and a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the Western Carolina Medical Society.
 

AllCare Clinical Associates, www.allcareclinical.com, is one of the largest private physician-owned anesthesia practices serving North Carolina and provides anesthesia services and perioperative care for hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers of all sizes. 

Job Board & Classified Ads
Job Board: 
Medical Director (Community Care of WNC)
Medical Interpreter  (WCMS)
To find out how you can post a Job or Classified Ad Click here.

WCMS is a thriving 700+ 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
WCMS Association: WCMSA is the physicians' voice advocating for the health of the physician, the patient, and the community, through strengthening the physician-patient relationship.

WCMS Foundation: WCMSF is the physician and community-led charitable arm of the medical society improving access to quality healthcare, decreasing disparities in health, and promoting health & wellness.

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