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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September 7, 2016

In This Issue:
Sponsor Message from 21st Century C.A.R.E. (Left)
MAHEC Job Fair 9/21/16
Independent Physicians Affinity Group: Tips & Tricks to Improve your Practice using the Patient Portal with Dr. Mark McNeill 10/4/2016
3RNet Recruiting for Retention Academy
OLLI ACP Workshop at the Reuter Center on the UNCA campus 10/13/16
Pardee Sees $13M Loss Through July
What it's really like to help keep a U.S. health system's vitals in check
Homegrown Leaders Fall 2016
Public Health Alert from BCHHS
Doctors Raise Concerns for Small Practices in Medicare's New Payment System
Preventing Burnout: Finding Joy in Medicine
Job Board & Classified Ads
UPCOMING EVENTS 
 
MAHEC Job Fair 9/21/16
To register, contact [email protected]


Independent Physicians Affinity Group: Tips & Tricks to Improve your Practice using the Patient Portal with Dr. Mark McNeill 10/4/2016
This session will be open to any WCMS physician member who is interested in attending, regardless of whether employed or in independent practice. 

This 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.
3RNet Recruiting for Retention Academy Beginning 10/4/16
Recruiting to rural and underserved areas will always be hard, but having a clear process and being knowledgeable about your resources can make it easier. Sign up for the 3RNet Recruiting for Retention Academy to learn more about topics such as: 

* Forming a recruitment action plan
* Leveraging your state Primary Care Office
* Conrad 30 J1 Visa Waiver Program
* National Health Service Corps
* and many more..

For more information on this eight part webinar series beginning October 4th, please click here.
OLLI ACP Workshop at the Reuter Center on the UNCA campus 10/13/16
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville will hold an advance care planning (ACP) workshop Thursday, October 13, 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 information.
LOCAL NEWS
 
Pardee Sees $13M Loss Through July
Pardee Hospital has incurred an estimated $13.4 million loss through July, due to one-time investments and patients struggling to pay higher deductibles. But revenue should return to normal by the end of September, officials said, as gross revenues are increasing.

The loss is related to several investments made by Pardee over the past year in key services to advance integration with UNC Health Care System, as well as continued expansion of its physician network.
Click here to continue reading.
What it's really like to help keep a U.S. health system's vitals in check
It's no secret that U.S. health system leaders are under enormous pressure - reducing costs while improving the patient experience is no simple task. What's it really like to be a part of this high pressure, vitally important environment? The Pulse asked some of Mission Health's top leaders to share their personal take.

These questions come at the same time as these top strategists are trying to find innovative solutions to tackling these challenges. The result? A unique collaboration between this Asheville, North Carolina health system and GE Healthcare that promises higher efficiency and better patient care.
Click here to continue reading. 
Homegrown Leaders Fall 2016
2016 The single most important factor in the future of communities is the presence of highly skilled, highly motivated leaders who are committed to bringing about positive change in today's challenging economic environment. The N.C. Rural Center, in partnership with the Southwestern Commission and Southwestern Community College, is offering Homegrown Leaders, a regional leadership training to up to 35 elected officials, government staff, nonprofit and faith-based leaders, business leaders, economic development professionals and other community-minded people working or living in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon or Swain counties.

For more information on dates and locations of these trainings, please click here.
Public Health Alert from BCHHS:  Prescribing epinephrine for students
Click here to read the message from WCMS Member Dr. Jennifer Mullendore.
NATIONAL NEWS
 
Doctors Raise Concerns for Small Practices in Medicare's New Payment System
To independent doctors in small practices: PAY ATTENTION. This is your future. If you cannot clearly demonstrate your practice's quality and value to a large network or system, you will be left out in the cold. WCMS members: contact me if you need resources to prepare yourself for the future of medicine.

Steve Findlay reports for KHN: "The focal point of their angst is a 2015 federal law that changes the way Medicare pays doctors. The Medicare Access & CHIP Reauthorization Act - is Congress' boldest step since the 2010 Affordable Care Act to push the health care system to reward quality over quantity. It replaces a reimbursement system that was widely criticized by doctors and regularly ran into budget problems on Capitol Hill." (8/25)
Click here to continue reading. 
ITEMS OF INTEREST
 
Preventing Burnout: Finding Joy in Medicine
The Fundamental Currency of Physician Leadership

If you were to name the most important quality of a great leader, which one would you choose? 

Think back to the person you see as the favorite leader in your life - you were proud to be a member of their team and enjoyed their particular style of leadership. This person might be a favorite teacher, coach or captain of a sports team, someone from your church or even a leader in your current organization.
Click here to read more from Dr. Dike Drummond's blog.
Job Board & Classified Ads
Triage Nurse - Dr. Grace Evins, MD
Family Medicine Physician - Apple Valley Family Medicine
Family Nurse Practitioner - Center for Rural Health Innovation
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