Western Carolina Medical Society: The Physicians' Voice for a Health Community
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June 1, 2016

In This Issue:
Sponsor Message: Current Medical Services
Emeritus Luncheon 6/15/16
OLLI ACP Workshop at the Reuter Center on UNCA Campus
Webinar: Surviving Value-Based Payment Reform
Physicians' Voice in the News
Bowtie Briefing for 5/27/16
Early Voting Began May 26th
VA Plan for Independent Advanced RNs Riles Physicians
Buprenorphine: Long-term Efficacy for Opioid Dependence
Job Board & Classified Ads
UPCOMING EVENTS 
 
Emeritus Luncheon 6/15/16
If you are an Emeritus member, please join us June 15 at the Asheville Country Club to hear WCMS member Dr. Gentry Caton present "Advances in Colon-Rectal Surgical Options." 

OLLI ACP Workshop at the Reuter Center on the UNCA campus
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville will hold an advance care planning (ACP) workshop Thursday, June 16, 2016, 7-9 p.m. at the Reuter Center.

The workshop will feature a panel whose members are experienced in addressing end-of-life issues. Discussion will include communicating your treatment wishes to loved ones and to medical personnel, ethical and legal issues, and the uses of advance directives.  Ample time will be reserved for questions. Assistance will be provided for anyone wishing to complete a legally valid advance directive, including the notarization required in North Carolina, using the NC ACP "Short Form". Click here for more details
Webinar: Surviving Value-Based Payment Reform, Including an Update on the New MACRA Proposed Rule
Featuring Kathy Whitmire Regional Vice President for the Southeast Division of National Rural Accountable Care Consortium (NRACC)

The North Carolina Medical Society Foundation in cooperation with the North Carolina Medical Group Managers, invites you to join us for a webinar demonstrating how the Practice Transformation Network (PTN) program helps providers transition from fee-for-service payment models to advanced payment models and succeed under the new guidelines for the Physician's Quality Reporting System (PQRS) and the Value-Based Modifiers (VBM). Get the latest update on the new MACRA proposed rule. Learn about the billable care coordination program; preparing to become Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH); MIPS: clinical improvement activities; redesign your practice to better manage population health; and utilize Lightbeam technologies. The PTN program is administered by National Rural Accountable Care Consortium (NRACC) as funded by the Transforming Clinical Practices Initiative (TCPI).

Wednesday, June 15, 2016 ~ 12:00 pm to 1:00pm

This webinar is free but you must be registered to attend. Space is limited so register early!

After you register, you will receive an emailed confirmation with webinar and phone-in instructions.

Continuing education credit may be granted through your professional organization (MGMA, PAHCOM, AHIMA, etc.)
LOCAL NEWS
 
Physicians' Voice in the News
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's a recent article from WCMS member Dr. Britt Peterson:

Excerpt: "Mental illness generally refers to an aspect of abnormal mental functioning (for example, mood states, behavior, thinking) that leads to difficulties in one's daily life. It is important to note there is not one mental illness, nor one way that one lives with mental illness. Labeling someone mentally ill (or even more unclear terms such as crazy that are still sometimes used) is of little value in describing their problems. In my work, I diagnose and treat many different conditions. These include "psychiatric" conditions, such as clinical depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, but also include substance use disorders and/or "medical" problems that cause similar symptoms. I use quotes because psychiatric conditions ARE medical conditions."
To read Dr. Peterson's full article in the Citizen Times, click here.
STATE NEWS
 
Bowtie Briefing for 5/27/16

NCMS Director of Legislative Relations, Chip Baggett, covers a fast-moving legislative week, with updates on Medicaid Reform, the budget, elections, and the inaugural M3 Conference. To view the video, click here.
Early Voting Began May 26th


Please use this link to the NC State Board of Elections "NC One-Stop Site Search" to determine your locations for early voting. 
NATIONAL NEWS
 
VA Plan for Independent Advanced RNs Riles Physicians
In a move decried by organized medicine, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) formally proposed to let its advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) work independently without physician supervision in its far-flung healthcare network, the largest in the nation. The VA is accepting comments on the proposed regulations through July 25. The proposal contains instructions on how to submit comments. Click here to read the full article. 
ITEMS OF INTEREST
 
Buprenorphine: Long-term Efficacy for Opioid Dependence
As prescription opioid use disorder reaches epidemic proportions in the United States, finding successful treatments for the condition has become hugely important. Now, research shows that treating opioid-dependent patients with buprenorphine, a partial μ-opioid agonist and κ-opioid antagonist, appears to reduce the need for opioids. View the  full article here.
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