Sponsor Message:
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Register Today for WCMS' 2018 Annual Celebration
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The Annual Celebration is an opportunity for our members, practice managers, sponsors, and WCMS staff to come together and celebrate the successes of 2017 and the vision for 2018. This year's event will have an Italian Carnival ("Carnevale") theme and will feature delicious food from the Colorful Palate. The event is family friendly, so bring your significant other and kiddos! We'll have games set up for everyone to enjoy. Please register so we have an accurate head count.
When: January 28, 2018 5-7pm
Where:
Highland Brewing Co. (12 Old Charlotte Hwy)
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| Renew your membership today to keep your WCMS benefits |
If you have not yet done so, the time to renew your WCMS membership for 2018 is now! Check out your WCMS benefits here.
Renew online today! |
Asheville High School and the Western Carolina Medical Society hosts community debate about health care
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This fall, a dispute between Mission Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina exposed the underbelly of the health care system in Western North Carolina. In October, Mission terminated the contract between the two, citing rising health care costs and hoping, by renegotiating the terms of its deal with the insurer, to keep care affordable for its patients. The conflict dragged into December, when the two sides finally struck a deal.
But the question of affordable health care, here as everywhere, lingers. With that in mind, the Asheville High School/SILSA (School of Inquiry and Life Sciences) speech and debate team and the Western Carolina Medical Society hosted a debate on the question of "Health Care: Right or Commodity?" on Dec. 15. Read more
here.
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Super utilizers account for 17% of Mission Hospital's total revenue: 4 findings
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Mission Hospital's pulmonary division had the highest percentage of readmissions and revenue from super utilizers in 2016, according to an analysis conducted by
Dexur.com.
For the analysis, researchers assessed CMS claims data on the Asheville, N.C.-based hospital's Medicare inpatient super utilizers for that calendar year.
Here are four findings from the analysis. Read more
here.
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WCMS Physician Directories - We have sold through half our inventory. Buy your Blue book before they are gone
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"No Silver Bullet" for Solving Rural Health Care Problems
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As people migrate toward urban centers, the rural infrastructure is crumbling. The population is aging. Jobs are dwindling. And rural hospitals are struggling to stay afloat or closing.
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Quick Survey on the Business of Medicine
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WCMS Membership:
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is exploring expansion of its on-line business program to include the business of medicine. Please take a moment to complete this 2-question survey to share your opinion, so we can invest wisely in the type of programming that will expand and enhance business educational opportunities in medicine It'll take less than 30 seconds to complete.
Link to the Survey (if the link does not work, please copy/paste into your browser)
Thanks,
Gordon I Groh, MD
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Paying it forward: Physicians create, support 12.6M jobs, contribute to health of the economy
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Physicians don't just improve the health of their patients, they also help keep the economy healthy, according to a report out this morning from the American Medical Association.
Physicians across the country create and support 12.6 million jobs and generate $2.3 trillion in economic activity, according to the
new study (PDF) from the country's largest physician organization. Read more
here.
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Healthy Healer - WCMS offers coaching and counseling services as part of our Healthy Healer Program to address provider burnout
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Watch this short video to find out how our qualified coaches and therapists can help you find the way to becoming your best self. Click here for video.
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| Retiring physician is looking to sell his business |
Retiring Doctor is looking to sell his business. The office is 2,000 sq.ft (an additional 1,000 sq/ft is available) with 4 exam rooms, three bathrooms, waiting area, reception and includes all furnishings, fixtures and equipment. Located in the West Asheville / Enka area of Asheville.
Please contact Keith Prescott at Whitney Commercial Real Estate.
(828)808-3288
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PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT CORNER
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Protect Your Career from Missed Diagnoses
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A 56-year old female was referred to the ER by her primary care clinician complaining of lower back pain accompanied with pain and difficulty in urination. In the emergency department (ED)she was seen and examined by the PA on duty, where she complained of lower back pain and numbness in the buttocks and perineal areas. The patient was able to ambulate without difficulty. The PA found no neurological deficits and ordered lumbosacral spine x-rays, which revealed only degenerative changes. The PA notified the ER physician as well as the neurosurgeon on call, neither of whom elected to examine the patient. Read more
here.
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WCMS Job Board
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If you are a 100% Member Practice, posting job openings here is FREE!
Click here
for more information.
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WCMS is a thriving 750+ 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,
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| Miriam Schwarz |
Miriam Schwarz, MPA
WCMS CEO/Executive Director
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