February 7, 2019 Issue 74
KMA Physician Sen. Ralph Alvarado, M.D. Chosen as Running Mate for Gov. Matt Bevin

KMA member physician and state Senator Ralph Alvarado, M.D. has been selected by Governor Matt Bevin as his candidate for Lieutenant Governor. Gov. Bevin is seeking re-election in 2019.

Alvarado, of Winchester, was elected to the General Assembly in 2014, becoming the body’s first Hispanic member. He is the current chair of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. 

A former KMA board member, Alvarado was one of two recipients of KMA’s inaugural Advocacy Award in 2018. He received the award in recognition for his work in public health, protecting the physician-patient relationship, and healthcare finance.

During the announcement made at the State Capitol Rotunda on Friday, Jan. 25, Alvarado stated that he was “honored and humbled” to be asked to serve as Gov. Bevin’s running mate. 
Kentucky Medical Association and Madison County Health Department Announce Partnership

Organizations to focus on five target health areas 

The Kentucky Medical Association and the Madison County Health Department (MCHD) have announced a strategic partnership that will allow the organizations to combine resources to tackle five key health issues where Kentuckians rank behind the rest of the country.

KMA and MCHD will work towards identifying solutions to barriers impacting smoking, diabetes, obesity, drug abuse and flu/pneumonia. These issues are the focus areas of KMA’s AIM for Better Care: Administrative Improvements in Medicine initiative, which launched in early 2018. 

2019 KMA Annual Meeting Theme Announced

Members are asked to save the dates for the 2019 KMA Annual Meeting, to be held Sept. 20-22 at the Louisville Marriott East.

The theme of this year’s meeting will be Moving Medicine: Together for Tomorrow . The theme will celebrate and encourage the unification of physicians around issues of importance, particularly public health advocacy.

Several exciting events are planned for the weekend. More details and registration will be available soon. For additional information, contact KMA Education Director Miranda Mosley, mosley@kyma.org .  
Flu Myth Buster Video: "Who Should Be Vaccinated?"

KPLI graduate Casey Lewis, M.D., answers a common question about the flu vaccine in this video, which is a part of a series of videos for KMA's public health campaign, Focus on Flu.

MEMBER NEWS
Choucair featured in MD-Update Magazine

KMA member Ali Choucair, M.D. , was featured in MD-Update magazine. He is a board-certified neurologist specializing in the field of neuro-oncology at Baptist Health Louisville.
Laratta joins Norton Leatherman Spine Specialists

KMA member Joseph Laratta, M.D. , orthopedic spine surgeon, has joined Norton Leatherman Spine Specialists-Stonestreet.
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