Budget Season Examines Public Health Priorities
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We are once again entering oversight season as the District Council prepares its budget for the coming year. With recent news stories about the amount of unfunded legislation and the District facing public health issues, MSDC will be watching closely to see what language that impacts medicine is included in the budget and budget support bills.
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This week, the Committee on Government Operations passed, by a 4-0 vote B23-434, the Strengthening Reproductive Health Protections Amendment Act. Read more
MSDC advocacy.
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Is CareFirst Keeping Score on You?
As the primary voice of District physicians, MSDC is addressing physician concerns about
the increased use of payer internal scoring for physicians in the DC area
. At member request, we are actively gathering physician feedback on CareFirst's
Practice Profile Score Methodology
and speaking with CareFirst to ensure patient care and patient-physician relations are not disrupted. If you have concerns, questions or comments on payer scoring and would like MSDC to speak on your behalf, please contact Robert Hay, Jr. (
hay@msdc.org
)
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MSDC eNewsline
Editor
Pia R. Duryea
202-355-9414 (direct)
202-466-1800 (main)
MSDC Media
Follow us on social media!
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MSDC's Annual Meeting Set for October 30...Save the Date!
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MSDC will hold its 2020 Annual Meeting on October 30, 2020, at the Association of American Medical Colleges. As always, the event will feature ample time to catch up with physician colleagues from across the area and celebrate the noble calling of medicine. Save the date for this all-member event. For information on how to participate, contact
Pia Duryea
.
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MSDC Member Advises on Domestic Violence
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We applaud MSDC member Dr. Beverly Jackson (pictured 2nd from left, front row) for serving on Mayor Bowser's Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board. This is an official Board of the District of Columbia, with community members from a variety of non-profit service, legal and academic agencies appointed by the Mayor. Dr. Jackson is
a member of MSDC's long-standing Task Force on Family
Violence, a multi-disciplinary group that contributes to policy initiatives covering victim's services, critical health care problems, educational outreach across the city.
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DC Board of Medicine Newsletter Features MSDC Initiative
The DC Board of Medicine's most recent
newsletter
offers an update on pressing issues for DC physicians, including an MSDC priority: physician burnout and wellbeing.
- Physician Burnout: The Board of Medicine voiced its support for MSDC programs and advocacy to address physician burnout and promote physician wellbeing. To learn more contact Robert Hay Jr.
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NATIONAL HEALTHCARE ADVOCACY
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Here’s Where Congress and the States are Headed
The AMA weighs in on healthcare in 2020 with expert insight on what physicians should expect. Get advice for doctors looking to make a mark with policymakers and more in
the AMA Wire.
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Board of Directors
Susanne Bathgate, MD
Chair of the Board, At-large
J. Desiree Pineda, MD, FACP
President, AMA Delegate
E.W. Emanuel, MD
President-elect
Raymond Tu, MD, MS, FACR
Immediate Past President, Treasurer, AMA Alternate Delegate
Kirstiaan Nevin, MD
Secretary, At-large
Peter E. Lavine, MD
AMA Delegation Chair
Neal Barnard, MD
AMA Alternate Delegate
Julian Craig, MD
At-large
Laurie Duncan, MBBS, MS
At-large
Anthony Ibe, MD
At-large
Barry L. Lewis, MD, MBA
At-large
Yavar Moghimi, MD
At-large
Theresa Stone, MD
At-large
Dock Winston, MD
At-large
Robert Hay Jr., CAE
Executive Vice President
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MSDC Opposes Weakening Physician Supervision for Medicare Patients
As the primary physician voice in the District, the Medical Society of DC has joined with nearly 100 healthcare organizations to oppose scope expansion for APRNs and PAs in the Medicare population. In a sign-on
letter to CMS Administrator Seema Verma,
MSDC indicated that supports physician-led health care teams, with each member drawing on his or her specific strengths, working together, and sharing decisions and information for the benefit of the patient. However the proposed changes to Medicare regulations would weaken or eliminate physician supervision of non-physician professionals.
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Thank You To Our Corporate Supporters
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Mysterious Coronavirus Triggers CDC Emergency System for 2019-nCoV
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The CDC issued a
Health Alert Network notice
regarding an outbreak of a 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China that began in December 2019. An outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology in Wuhan City was initially reported to WHO, and Chinese health authorities have confirmed more than 40 infections. Reportedly, most patients had epidemiological links to a large seafood and animal market. Although no additional casess have been reported in China since January 3, the virus has trigerred memories of the previous SARS outbreak. CDC updated the
level 1 travel health notice
(“practice usual precautions”) for Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China with additional information. CDC
initiated an emergency Incident Management System to report and track cases.
Guidance for Clinicians
Limited information is available to characterize the spectrum of clinical illness associated with 2019-nCoV. No vaccine or specific treatment for 2019-nCoV infection is available; care is supportive.
Healthcare providers should obtain a detailed travel history for patients being evaluated with fever and acute respiratory illness. CDC guidance for evaluating and reporting a PUI for MERS-CoV remains unchanged.
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CDC: Flu Activity Still High in the U.S.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (
CDC
) reports that over 17 million doses of flu vaccine have been distributed in response to this year's increased flu activity
. Despite a recent dip in activity, the CDC ontinues to recommend patients 6 months and older get the flu vaccine.
For patient guidance and updates, see
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/index.html.
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E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI)
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The Latest Numbers from the CDC (As of January 14. 2020)
2,668
: # of cases of hospitalized EVALI
60
:
# of confirmed deaths from vaping-related lung injury
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END THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC
Reforming Pain Management Education for the Next Generation of Physicians
Rachel Franklin, MD, starts from the ground up to create an objectively assessed, mechanism-based management program for chronic pain.
Read more from the AMA
Resources
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CME Din
ner Invitation for MSDC Members
Y
ou are invited to a
complimentary two-hour CME dinner
all about the surprising applications of nutrition for cancer prevention, chronic pain, thyroid disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Join MSDC Board member Dr. Neal Barnard on March 24 at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Chevy Chase, where you can earn 2 CME credits
. There will be a delicious four-course meal and wine including entrees such as cauliflower steak and sweet potato lasagna for you to enjoy while earning your credits.
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MIPS-Eligible Providers:
New Resources to Submit Your Data for 2019
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
has posted new Quality Payment Program (QPP) resources to help eligible clinicians submit their 2019 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) data until the submission period closes at 8:00 PM EDT on March 31, 2020.
Find these and more on the
QPP Resource Library.
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Myth or Fact? Ancillary Staff Can't Document Parts of E/M Services
Medicare does
not
require doctors to redocument information in a patient’s record that has already been documented by staff or by patients themselves.
Read more from the AMA
.
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Is There a Generational Divide in Wellbeing?
Medscape's new
2020 Physician Lifestyle & Happiness Report
take a closer look at how physician lifestyles and happiness differs by generation—from specialty chosen, hours worked, happiness in marriage, lifestyle habits, and more. The survey found that some struggles, such as work-life balance, are universal. Other aspects did show a distinction between generations, including social media usage, specialty preference and happiness outside of work.
Read more
.
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Hindsight in 2020 - CME Seminars
ProAssurance will once again be offering its risk loss seminars, with special discounts for MSDC members. The theme for 2020 is "Hindsight 2020" with a focus on what physicians need to know about court case
s. While jurors are not permitted to use hindsight in arriving at their decisions, they often do. This CME presentation will retrospectively examine factors affecting verdict severity and will demonstrate how fundamental risk management principles can help result in a successful defense. The first session is
April
7
, 2020. M
ark your calendar and don't miss out. See the
seminar brochure
.
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Seeking Volunteers for International Medical Graduates
With an increasing number of IMGs requesting observerships, will you consider inviting a student to learn from you about practicing medicine in America? Dr. Peter Bernad, an MSDC member, is seeking physicians to be preceptors for international medical students (IMGs) who wish to observe clinical practice in a U.S. setting to help prepare them for residency applications. These observerships typically last from two to four weeks per rotation.
The students come through American Medical International Quality Training, a program in Washington, DC, that has placed more than 400 students in medical practices in the Washington Metro area.
Learn more.
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What Bright Young Doctors Events Do You Want to See?
MSDC's Bright Young Doctors group, which is dedicated to early career physicians, is developing a calendar of activities and events for 2020 and wants your input. Workshop ideas under consideration address career development, advocacy, and social media. Please contact
Pia Duryea
if you have any interest in these or other programs for early career physicians.
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Burnout Prevention Can Begin in Medical School, Residency Training
The learning environment presents numerous challenges to medical student and resident well-being. An AMA webinar uncovers practical organizational solutions.
Read more from the AMA
.
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Medical Real Estate Listings
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Brought to you by MSDC Corporate Partner GZ Medical Realty. Contact
Pete Papantoniou
for your real estate needs.
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Medical Office Space Available
5225 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC 20015
Brand new, pre-built office suites ranging from 1,000 – 6,000 square feet are available for immediate occupancy. Located directly across from the Friendship Heights Metro Station, District Heights offers extended building hours throughout the week and on weekends and is perfect for medical office tenants with separate garages for professionals and guests.
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Office Sublet Available
600 square foot sublet available
on 19th Street NW between Farragut North and Dupont Circle Metro. Brand new build out with separate suite number, entrance, waiting area. One office and one exam room with large window. One smaller office without windows. Sublet space is connected to an established private internal medicine practice. Price negotiable
. Contact Dr. Alice Fuisz if interested.
alicefuisz@aol.com
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Part Time/Full Time Office Space Available
3 Washington Circle
Washington, DC 20037
Part time/full time office space available immediately at 3 Washington Circle. This includes a large consultation room, fully equipped examination room, lab drawing facility onsite, EKG machine, space for receptionist, space for medical records, shared use of copier, telephone system, wireless internet and waiting room. Ideal for general internist, medical subspecialist or surgeon. If interested, please call Mark Sklar, MD. 202-887-4769 or email
mmsklar@gmail.com
.
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Boutique Townhouse Medical Office for Rent Across From GWU Hospital/ Medical School
900 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20037
Boutique townhouse medical office for rent across from G.W.U. Hospital & School of Medicine. Very close to Foggy Bottom Metro. Three rooms, one on entry level with powered table/chair & overhead surgical light. Consultation room, reception/waiting room, & possibility of 2 additional rooms. Two-car driveway. Call/text Sheldon K. Gottlieb, MD, 301-509-3319, or email
skgottliebmd@comcast.net
.
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2440 M Street
2
440 M Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
2440 M Street is a Class A 110,000 SF medical office building with a three-level parking garage in northwest Washington, DC. The building has abundant patient and physician parking.
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Medical Society of the District of Columbia
1250 23rd Street NW, Ste 270
Washington, DC 20037
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