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 Weekly e-News of the Western Carolina Medical Society 
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June 14, 2017
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In This Issue:
Sponsor Message: Deerfields (Left)
Register Now: WCMS Hosts Legislative Update Featuring Chip Baggett from NCMS in Asheville 6/15/17
Save the Date: Women in Medicine 7/13/17
Save the Date for Fall WCMS Events
Upcoming MAHEC Events
An Educational Symposium: Healthcare for All - A Workable Solution 6/27/17
Public Health Provider Alert from BCHHS: Updated Zika Virus Testing Guidance
WCMS Emeritus Group 2nd Quarterly Luncheon
Two Hospitals Selected to Increase Rural Psychiatric, Substance Use Treatment
NC Policy Responses to Opioid Crisis Address Prescribing Practices
Bowtie Briefing with NCMS' Chip Baggett 6/9/17
HealthCare.gov Dropout Trend Continues Under Trump
Healthy Healer
QI Minute from CCWNC
WCMS Job Board
UPCOMING EVENTS 
 
It's not too late to register: WCMS Hosts Legislative Update Featuring Chip Baggett from NCMS in Asheville 6/15/17 
NCMS Lobbyist Chip Baggett will be in Asheville Thursday, June 15 at 6:30 p.m. to report current legislative activity in Raleigh and do a Q & A for WCMS members. Held at MAHEC, Room Balsam A.
Register Now: Women in Medicine 7/13/17
Michelle Bilsky will explain the benefits of self care and relaxation for the
physicians and physician assistants. 

Michelle is an RN, Board Certified Massage Therapist, Esthetician, and Certified Behavior Analyst. She has been using these and other techniques to help people for over 20 years.
Save the Dates: Newcomers Picnic 9/24/17 & Healthy Healer Retreat Featuring Rebecca Sotile Fallon 11/4/17
Please mark your calendars for the 2017 Newcomers Picnic at Yesterday Spaces! Bring the whole family to this inter-generational, fun, and collegial event! September 24 at 4 p.m.

Also mark your calendars for the 2017 Healthy Healer retreat featuring Rebecca Fallon of the Sotile Center for Resilience. This years' retreat will focus on relational health and coping with changes at home and in the work place. The Retreat will be held Saturday, November 4th
Upcoming MAHEC Events
Title: Protect Your Practice: Effective & Lawful Hiring Practices for the Heathcare Professional
Date: June 19, 2017 5:30 PM-7:45 PM
Register
Title: Mindfulness and Clinical Practice
Date: June 23, 2017 8:30 AM-12:30 PM
Register
Title: NCONA Annual Conference - Navigating Palliative Care in Health Systems and Communities
Date: June 23, 2017 8:30 AM-3:00 PM
Register
Title: Recovery Within Reach: Building Team Expertise in Office Based Opioid Treatment 
Date: June 26, 2017 8:30 AM-1:00 PM
Title: Physicians' Clinical Support System - Buprenorphine Office-Based Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders The "Half and Half" Course
Date: June 26, 2017 8:30 AM-1:00 PM
An Educational Symposium: Healthcare for All - A Workable Solution 6/27/17
Leaders of Physicians for a National Health Program will present details of a just & cost-effective solution to our healthcare crisis. 

Tuesday, June 27, 2017 7:00-8:30 PM
Ferguson Auditorium, A-B Tech campus, 340 Victoria Rd.
Limited seating - Doors open at 6:30 PM
Presenters include regional healthcare providers & patients
Dr. Eric Halvorson, Dr. Ellen Kaczmarek, Beth Gage,
Dr. Christina McQuiston & Dr. Errington Thompson
Moderated by Joe Sam Queen
 
For more information, contact healthcare@IndivisibleAVL.org
Sponsored by

LOCAL NEWS
 
Public Health Provider Alert from BCHHS: Updated Zika Virus Testing Guidance 
Click here to read. 
WCMS Emeritus Group 2nd Quarterly Luncheon
On June 7, the Emeritus Group met to hear a presentation given by WCMS member, Dr. Jennifer Mullendore, Medical Director of Buncombe County Health Department on Preconception Health. 
STATE NEWS
 
Two Hospitals Selected to Increase Rural Psychiatric, Substance Use Treatment 
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services recently announced the selection of two hospitals to increase the number and availability of inpatient psychiatric and substance use treatment beds in rural hospitals across the state.

Duke Life Point Maria Parham Medical Center LLC in Henderson was selected in the central region, and Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital in Linville was selected in the western region. The request for applications for the state's eastern region was reposted.
Click here to continue reading. 
NC Policy Responses to Opioid Crisis Address Prescribing Practices (written by CCWNC)
As a response to the opioid crisis builds at the federal level, North Carolina continues its progress towards policy changes that will impact the prescribing and dispensing of opioids. The Strengthen Opioid Misuse Prevention (STOP) Act introduced in the House this March has moved to the Senate Health Care Committee, and would increase the use of the Controlled Substance Reporting System and limit initial prescriptions for acute pain, among other changes (summarized by the NC Medical Society here). At the same time, NC DMA considers changes, currently in draft form, to the Medicaid Prior Authorization Criteria for opioid analgesics.

These policies, once passed or finalized, could impact patients, providers and pharmacists considerably. In the meantime, CCNC's Opioid Safety toolkit has multiple resources that can be used today to increase provider comfort with the issue and help educate patients about the seriousness of the public health threat. One such document discusses safe disposal of opioids. To prevent diversion or accidental overdoses, we can all remember to share drop box locations at area police or sheriff departments and at Walgreen's Safe Medication Disposal Kiosk at 1835 Hendersonville Road in Asheville.
Bowtie Briefing with NCMS' Chip Baggett 6/9/17: All About the Budget (and a Special Session)


NATIONAL NEWS
 
HealthCare.gov Dropout Trend Continues Under Trump
WASHINGTON - Continuing a dropout trend seen in the Obama years, about 16 percent of consumers who signed up for coverage this year through public health insurance markets had canceled their plans by early spring, the government said Monday.
Click here to continue reading. 
ITEMS OF INTEREST
 
Healthy Healer
Click here to read article in AMA Physician Family Magazine

Save the date to hear Rebecca Sotile speak at 
WCMS' Third Annual Burnout Retreat 11/4/17
QI Minute from CCWNC
Welcome to the QI Minute, short segments to introduce the pay-for-performance model. Each segment will focus on core concepts that build the foundation for CCWNC network practice support. Topics will include population health management, care coordination, team-based care, quality improvement and more!
See our next installment: Assessing the Needs of High Risk Patients

Contact Carrie Pettler, QI Team Lead, with questions or feedback.
WCMS Job Board

If you are a 100% Member Practice, posting job openings here is FREE! Click here for more information. 
WCMS is a thriving 650+ member professional association of the physicians of Western North Carolina, and a chartered component medical society of the NC Medical Society and the AMA. WCMS is an organization run by physicians, for physicians. In 2017, WCMS opened membership to physician assistants.

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