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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August 24, 2016

In This Issue:
Sponsor Message from Four Seasons (Left)
Kick-off WCMS' Healthy Healer Series - "From Burnout to Standout" with Dr. Mark McNeill 9/6 & 10/4
MAHEC Job Fair 9/21/16
WCMS Rural Medicine Affinity Group 9/8/16
Newcomers Picnic 9/18/16
Aetna CEO To Justice Department: Block Our Deal And We'll Drop Out Of Obamacare
Preventing Burnout: Finding Joy in Medicine
UPCOMING EVENTS 
 
Kick-off of WCMS' Healthy Healer Series - "From Burnout to Standout" with Dr. Mark McNeill
WCMS is committed to improving physician wellness across WNC. Many of you enjoyed the full-day Burnout-Prevention retreat we hosted in April, and we are now offering mini-sessions aimed at important topics. We hope you'll attend one or both of these upcoming sessions as part of WCMS' new physician wellness program- "The Healthy Healer"!
Session One- "From Burnout to Standout" (Sept. 6th at 6:00pm)
How one Physician's Burnout Fueled an Innovative Practice
This session will focus on Dr. McNeill's own story- his journey through burnout and the changes it inspired him to make in his practice.  This will also be a chance for all attendees to discuss some of their own struggles in practicing medicine and helping each other find strategies. Dr. Bob Henderson will join Dr. McNeill in facilitating discussion.  
Session Two - "Get Home Early" (Oct. 4th at 6:00pm)
Tips & Tricks to Improve your Practice using the Patient Portal
The second session will focus on practical ways to improve your practice and get home earlier, specifically by becoming more efficient and effective using your EMR's patient portal. 
Click here for more information and to register. Light hors d'ouevres will be provided.  We recommend attending both September and October sessions, but attendees are free to attend one, the other, or both.
MAHEC Job Fair 9/21/16
To register, contact [email protected]


WCMS Rural Medicine Affinity Group 9/8/16
Community Care of Western North Carolina will join the group to discuss the opioid crisis and potential resources for providers in the Region. We'll be meeting from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Mars Hill location of the Hot Springs Medical Program. Dinner will be provided. 

Register Now: Newcomers Picnic 9/18/16 - Bring the Whole Family
The picnic will again be held at Yesterday Spaces in Leicester. We're looking forward to welcoming physicians who are new to the area and meeting Physician Assistants who will be eligible for membership in 2017! Bring the whole family for an afternoon of food and fun!

NATIONAL NEWS
 
Aetna CEO To Justice Department: Block Our Deal And We'll Drop Out Of Obamacare
The change in tack for Aetna is also noteworthy because Bertolini was talking up the business potential of the exchanges as recently as April, when he said during a call with analysts and investors that the exchanges were "a good investment," despite the losses incurred. At the time, Bertolini said that Aetna was "committed to working constructively with the administration and lawmakers to find solutions that can improve this program, stabilize the risk pool, and expand product flexibility, all with the goal of creating a sustainable program that makes health care more affordable and accessible for all consumers." Now, the company appears to be taking its ball and going home. 
Click here to continue reading. 
ITEMS OF INTEREST
 
Preventing Burnout: Finding Joy in Medicine
Written by WCMS Member Dr. Tim Poulton
5 Ways to Improve Physician-patient Relationships
  • Presence and mindfulness
  • Reflective listening
  • Information gathering and agenda setting
  • Recognizing and responding to emotion
  • Gratitude and appreciation
As leaders in the health care community, we know that physicians are faced with an increasing number of stressors, such as productivity goals and documentation requirements, that lead to higher burnout rates.

What is more detrimental, and even more critical, is the resulting deterioration in physician-patient relationships. Collectively and individually, physicians are losing some of their capacity to form connections that are not only essential for an excellent patient experience but also for quality of care and safety. Quite simply, the demands of their work and the lack of effective skills to address them strain physicians' ability to consistently deliver care in an efficient, caring, high-quality fashion.
Click here to continue reading.
Job Board & Classified Ads
Office Manager - Grace G. Evins, MD
Medical Assistant - Vickery Family Medicine
Front Office Receptionist - Asheville Neurology Specialists
Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner - Andrews Internal Medicine
Nurse Practitioner -  Apple Valley Family Medicine

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