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

Preferred Vendors

Project Access

  

WCMS Interpreter Network

  

Boards of Directors

Join Our Mailing List
Facebook Twitter

September 9, 2015
WCMS Circle of Friends: Van Winkle Law Firm & Johnson Prics Sprinkle, PA
In This Issue:
WNCAP Gala & Auction- Sponsor Message (Left)
RSVP for Newcomers'/Cornerstones' Picnic 9/20/15
Upcoming Advance Care Planning Workshop at OLLI 10/15/15
The WCMS Annual Campaign is Now Underway
Health Alert from Buncombe County HHS: Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza Info
Kaiser Health News: HHS Unveils Civil Rights Protections For Transgender Patients' Health Services
September is Women in Medicine Month
Get Ready Now: Assess How ICD-10 Will Affect Your Practice
Preventing Burnout: Finding Joy in Medicine
Job Board & Classified Ads
UPCOMING EVENTS 
 
Newcomers'/Cornerstones' Picnic 9/20/15
All WCMS members are invited to enjoy a fun-filled, family-friendly afternoon to welcome new physicians to Western North Carolina and celebrate physicians who have served our community for 30+ years (Cornerstones).  

When: Sunday, September 20th  4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Where: Yesterday Spaces in Leicester, NC
Food: Buffet dinner provided along with beer and wine. Plus s'mores at the outdoor fire pit!

More info on our website or RSVP now to attend.
View the lists of 2015 Cornerstones and 2015 Newcomers.

Thanks to Quest Diagnostics and our other event sponsors.
Upcoming Advance Care Planning Workshop at OLLI 10/15/15
Dear Physicians,
 
Here's 2 good reasons to invest a little of your valuable time with your elderly patients in an effort to get them to document their Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will. 
 
1) Beginning on Jan. 1, 2016, for the first time, doctors will be paid by Medicare to counsel patients about their options for end of life care. 
2) If you introduce the issue at an office visit, my colleagues and I can get your patient to complete the legal paperwork if you refer them to us for one afternoon or evening workshop.
 
At the UNCA College for seniors (now called O.L.L.I.), one of my retirement activities is to coordinate an Advance Care Planning Workshop every 4 months. Click here to learn all about these free 2-hr sessions, open to any adult.
 
So far we have had 11 workshops, attended by over 600 adults, nearly half of whom completed the NC Short form (used by Mission Hospital, includes Living Will and Health Care Power of Attorney). We notarize the form for them before they leave the workshop.
 
All you'd have to do after introducing Advance Care Planning to a patient is go to the  OLLI website and find out the date for the next workshop, advise the patient how to prepare, and write the patient an Rx slip to be at OLLI on that particular date. We'll take it from there. 
 
I hope we can help you.  And....thanks for helping us by referring some patients.
 
Sincerely,
 
David Mouw MD PhD, WCMS Emeritus Member
MAHEC Family Practice Faculty 1997-2007
LOCAL NEWS
 
The WCMS Annual Campaign is Now Underway
Project Access® provides healthcare to low-income individuals who do not have insurance, or qualify for public assistance. Project Access® patients see physicians (both primary care doctors and specialists) and receive most other healthcare services such as hospital inpatient and outpatient services, lab work, x-rays, and rehabilitation at no cost.

Show your support of your nationally recognized program, Project Access®. Did you know that there are 24 Project Access look-alike networks serving 44 counties in North Carolina alone?
Click here to donate. 
STATE NEWS
 
Health Alert from Buncombe County HHS: Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza Info
Click here to read about the issue on the WCMS website.
NATIONAL NEWS
 
Kaiser Health News: HHS Unveils Civil Rights Protections For Transgender Patients' Health Services 
KHN staff writer Julie Appleby reports: "The Obama administration issued a sweeping proposal Thursday to bolster civil rights protections in health care, barring medical providers and insurers from discriminating based on gender, whether in treatments or access to facilities or services. The long-awaited rules from the Office of Civil Rights in the Department of Health and Human Services further define protections included in the Affordable Care Act, particularly broadening those for transgender Americans. The proposal also includes provisions requiring medical providers to bolster their communication efforts for people with disabilities or limited English proficiency." (9/4) 
Click here to continue reading. 
ITEMS OF INTEREST
 
September is Women in Medicine Month
by Dr. Samantha Read-Smith
WCMS President-Elect

In honor of Women in Medicine month, I recently checked out the AMA's "Women in Medicine Timeline: A Look at Innovators and Leaders".

There are many accomplished women listed there, with impressive roles: Surgeon General, Chief Innovation Officer at UCLA, first woman editor in chief of JAMA, Commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration.

But my overall reaction is ... that's it? And this only happened when?
Click here to continue reading.
Get Ready Now: Assess How ICD-10 Will Affect Your Practice
With ICD-10 just 30 days away, now is the time to get ready.
Click here to make a plan. 
Preventing Burnout: Finding Joy in Medicine
How do your WCMS colleagues find joy in their practice? Click here to listen. 
Job Board & Classified Ads
Anesthesia Services Director (AllCare Clinical Associates)

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