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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February 10, 2016


In This Issue:
Sponsor Message: JPS (left)
Register Now: Women In Medicine 3/10/2016
Register Now: Emeritus Luncheon 3/16/2016
Save the Date: Independent Physicians Affinity Group 4/4/2016
Register Now: Heart of the Healer Retreat 4/16/2016
Upcoming CME Events at MAHEC
Free Clinic to Serve Uninsured in Swain County
Blue Ridge Bone & Joint Expands Care Options
Upcoming Candidate Fundraisers
Bowtie Briefing from NCMS' Chip Baggett: Register to Vote in the March 15 Primary
Be a Physician Advocate
Preventing Burnout: Finding Joy in Medicine
Job Board & Classified Ads
UPCOMING EVENTS 
 
Register Now: Women In Medicine 3/10/2016
All female physician members are invited to our next Women in Medicine Affinity Group meeting. This is a chance to connect with each other, enjoy a time of collegiality/networking and discuss relevant content to women in the practice of medicine. 

When: Thursday, March 10th from 6pm-8pm

Where: Samantha Read-Smith's home in North Asheville

Topic: "Avoiding the Superwoman Complex" with Dr. Nicole Swiner

Dr. Swiner is a family medicine/general medicine expert, covering a broad spectrum of both medical and mental health issues. As a wife and mother of two, she uses real-life experiences to clearly communicate keys to better health and wellness for mind, body and spirit. Through straight talk, anecdotes and humor, Dr. Swiner captivates diverse audiences with candor and grace.

(please RSVP for accurate headcount)
Register Now: Emeritus Luncheon 3/16/2016
WCMS Emeritus members are invited to attend our first quarterly meeting of 2016 featuring Dr. Chad Haldeman-Englert who will be presenting 
Fullerton Genetics Center: Clinical and Laboratory Genetics in Western North Carolina.

(please RSVP for accurate headcount)
Save the Date: Independent Physicians Affinity Group 4/4/2016
WCMS board member Dr. Gus Vickery, will present on his innovative practice, Synergy Health Solutions, at the first Independent Physician Affinity Group on April 4, 2016 at the Asheville Event Center from 6-8 p.m. Dr. Vickery's model offers patients direct primary care outside the traditional payer model, increasing affordability and accessibility for the patient while reducing paperwork for his staff. 
Click here to read our full interview with Dr. Vickery, and watch for registration to open next week. 
Register Now: Heart of the Healer Retreat 4/16/2016
This retreat will equip physicians with practical and field-tested tools to prevent and treat burnout in themselves and their colleagues. WCMS' first Burnout-Prevention Retreat in August 2015 was a resounding success. The second event will build on what we learned last last year and delve deeper into various issues affecting burnout. 
  • Improve work-life balance
  • Prevent burnout
  • Reconnect with your Joy in Medicine
  • Earn 4.5 hours of CME
When: Saturday, April 16th from 10am-4pm. 

Where: Montreat Conference Center

* WCMS members attend FREE
* Significant others invited. Childcare available. 


Upcoming CME Events at MAHEC
2/17/16 and 2/24/16 (must attend both) - Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace
LOCAL NEWS
 
Free Clinic to Serve Uninsured in Swain County
Dr. Frank VanMiddlesworth is on a mission to bring free medical care to the uninsured in Swain County and improve the overall health of its residents.

He's had the hope of opening a free clinic since his family moved to Bryson City 10 years ago and it's finally coming to fruition. Swain County Caring Corner opens its doors for the first time Thursday, Jan 21, at Bryson City First United Methodist Church.
Click here to continue reading. 
Blue Ridge Bone & Joint Expands Care Options
Click here to read the press release. 
Upcoming Candidate Fundraisers
During election years, WCMS is committed to encouraging all incumbents and candidates to make WCMS aware of any fundraising events where they would like the support of physicians. We will share this information, when made available to us, on our website.  These events are not an endorsement of any particular candidate by WCMS.  If you are aware of other political meet and greet events/fundraisers, let WCMS know and we will post these events.

STATE NEWS
 
Bowtie Briefing from NCMS' Chip Baggett: Register to Vote in the March 15 Primary


Primary elections are right around the corner. The deadline to register to vote in primaries is February 19th. You can check your registration status here: www.ncsbe.gov/registering-to-vote 

Chip Baggett offers some advice before you head to the polls. View the video.
ITEMS OF INTEREST
 
Be a Physician Advocate
As we head into this election year and gear back up for the short session, it's time to refresh ourselves on on how physicians can (and should) engage in the political process. Remember, "If you are not at the table, you are on the menu!"
Click here to view the primer created by Dr. Frank Moretz. 
Preventing Burnout: Finding Joy in Medicine
Physician Burnout: The Four Horsemen of the Burnout Apocalypse

Physician Burnout is a constant, prevalent, looming threat over doctors everywhere. Over the last 20 years surveys have shown an average of 1 in 3 doctors suffering from physician burnout on any given office day - worldwide, regardless of specialty. A frightening new study in 2015 from the Mayo Clinic shows 54% of US physicians suffering from at least one symptom of burnout. The question is why?
Click here to continue reading from Dr. Dike Drummond's blog.
Job Board & Classified Ads

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