WORD TO THE WISE
Newsletter: February 2019 - Volume 19, No. 2
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In this issue:
- President's corner: Report from the strategic focus meeting
- Update from your CMS BOD rep: Opportunities for engagement in advocacy
- Wellness corner: 2019 Medscape Burnout report
- Upcoming events: PCMS board of directors meetings; mental illness training; carb counting webinar; PCMS directory photos; Take Back Day
- Local news: Fentanyl on the rise; volunteers needed for mental health program
- News from CMS: CMS and AMA release major study of Colorado's fight against the opioid epidemic
- News from AMA: Get weekly tips to prevent burnout
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PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Outcomes from our strategic focus meeting
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The PCMS Board of Directors held a strategic planning retreat at The Rusted Poppy Inn on Jan. 26. The focus was "relevance" and we were assisted by expert facilitator Eileen Dennis. We did "onboarding" for new board members Kevin Weber, Cheryl Walker and Marcel Junquiera. Our mission and vision statements were reviewed as well as the final draft of our bylaws. They will be sent out to members for approval.
A SWOT analysis was performed (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats). We discussed how we can make the society more member focused. An action plan was decided on and includes subcommittees focusing on financial stability, advocacy, social networking, education, member development and outreach, and media relations.
It was a productive event which gives us focus for 2019. We will finish off the year focusing on physician wellness. Starting in October our next priority will be outreach to primary care physicians which will include a symposium, "updates in primary care." I look forward to seeing you at our events in 2019.
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UPDATE FROM YOUR CMS BOD REP
Opportunities for physician engagement: Advocacy
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CMS members often identify advocacy as an important aspect of their CMS membership. The challenge has been promoting statewide physician involvement, a key piece of CMS advocacy strategy. The following are just a few of the advocacy opportunities available to members of the Pueblo County Medical Society/CMS.
During the legislative session (January to May each year):
- Contact your local legislator and/or the CMS government relations team regarding legislation that directly affects your practice or patients.
- Testify in committee.
- Host and/or participate in legislative conversations, town halls and receptions.
- Cultivate relationships with local legislators. Let them know you are a resource for health-care-related questions.
- Participate in the Council on Legislation (COL). COL bylaws allow only two voting members from any society or specialty group; however, all members are welcome to attend meetings in person or by phone.
- Participate in CMS workgroups and task forces.
- Answer CMS surveys.
During elections (each summer through the first week of November):
- Participate in/donate to COMPAC, CMS's bipartisan political action committee.
- Donate to the Small Donor Committee, which gives money only to lawmakers who vote 100 percent with CMS on liability issues.
- Participate in candidate interviews held jointly by CMS and PCMS.
- Cultivate relationships with candidates. Let them know you are a resource for health-care-related questions.
- Learn if CMS has endorsed a candidate in your district by reading Colorado Medicine, ASAP e-newsletters or contacting the government relations team.
- Most important, vote!
Thank you for your involvement in PCMS and CMS. Find more information by visiting
www.cms.org and clicking "ways to be involved" in the top navigation options.
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Wellness corner - 2019 Medscape National Physician Burnout, Depression & Suicide Report
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Burnout is a major issue among physicians, and recent tragedies of physician suicide show just how extreme and how devastating this situation remains. More than 15,000 physicians in more than 29 specialties told
Medscape about their degree of burnout and depression, how they cope with it, and whether they’ve had thoughts of suicide. Almost half (44 percent) of physicians report being burned out, with urologists, neurologists, and physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists reporting the highest rates of burnout (more than 50 percent each). Female physicians report higher rates of burnout than men, 50 percent compared to 39 percent.
Click here to view a slideshow summary of results or go to
www.medscape.com and click on "Physician Burnout, Depression, and Suicide: Is it getting better or worse?"
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Attend a PCMS Board of Directors meeting in 2019
Next meeting: Tuesday, March 26
The next meeting of the PCMS Board of Directors will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 5:30 - 7 p.m. at the Rusted Poppy Inn B&B. All members are welcome to attend. RSVP to Cheryl at
cheryl.law@pueblocms.org.
Save the date for other 2019 board meetings: May 28 and July 30.
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Mental illness training for health care professionals - Feb. 12
The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment presents a free educational training for health care professionals and providers who work directly with individuals living with a mental illness. From this training, attendees will gain understanding, compassion and empathy for individuals living with a mental illness and their daily struggles, understanding why your health care role is crucial, and how the medical care you provide has a huge impact on the individual’s recovery and outcome.
Trainers include a family member of someone with a mental illness, a person in recovery from a mental illness and a mental health provider.
Location: PDPHE, 101 W. 9th St., 3rd floor, Section C
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Webinar: Carbohydrate Counting: Consistency Matters - Feb. 15
The first webinar in a diabetes series from the Colorado State University Golden Plains Area Extension highlights the need to pay attention to the amount of carbohydrates we consume and from what source they come. Encourage your diabetes and pre-diabetes patients or relevant staff to participate in the webinar to find out more about carbohydrates, the benefits of carbohydrate counting, and ways to apply this method in daily meals and snacks.
The webinar will be held Friday, Feb. 15, 12 - 1 p.m. “Carbohydrate Counting: Consistency Matters” and will be the first of four webinars in the 2019 diabetes webinar series. Jessica Clifford, registered dietitian nutritionist and CSU extension specialist, will be presenting the webinar live and available to answer questions.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS! 2020 PCMS Directory photo sessions - April 9
PCMS is beginning production of the 2020 Physicians Directory, a dynamic member benefit to be published in September 2019. Severino Martinez of So Cold Design & Photography is scheduled to take providers’ photos for PCMS on April 9, 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Severino will set up his back drop, either black, white or blue, outside of the door of the Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center during Parkview’s General Medical Staff Meeting. All photos will be utilized only for Pueblo County Medical Society’s Member Directory.
The redesign of our logo is due to the rebrand of our society and acceptance of our proposal by The Advanced Graphic Design class/workshop in the Art Department of CSU-Pueblo. Several of our major projects including our logo and directory are included in the redesign. Severino is currently a full-time student at CSU-P, majoring in graphic design and journalism. He is one of several student designers volunteering their time to help rebrand PCMS.
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Prescription Take Back Day - April 27, 2019
The Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.2 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.
The next Take Back Day will be held Saturday, April 27, 2019, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Encourage your patients to turn in their unused prescription medication to the Pueblo Police Department parking lot, 200 S. Main St.
Download a flyer here to display in your practice.
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Officials: Fentanyl is in Pueblo
The Pueblo Chieftain published an article "Officials: Fentanyl is in Pueblo," reporting that clients visiting the Southern Colorado Harm Reduction Association (SCHRA) have tested positive for fentanyl. "It’s not just heroin that is being laced with fentanyl, but methamphetamine and cocaine, too," according to Judy Solano, executive director of SCHRA.
Read the full article here.
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Volunteers needed: Pueblo Pro Bono Mental Health program
Spark the Change Colorado, Formerly Metro Volunteers' Pro Bono Mental Health Program, connects licensed and insured volunteer therapists, counselors, and other professionals with low-income individuals in Colorado in need of counseling.
They are in desperate need of more volunteers.
- Volunteer as a Pro Bono Mental Health Professional.
- Counsel 1+ client(s) at your private practice or one of their host sites including: clinics, schools, community centers, churches, etc.
- Partner with your client(s) for 4+ sessions a month.
- Gain access to future networking opportunities and resources for continued learning in the field.
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Digestive Diseases Specialists of Colorado, L.L.C.
ATUL VAHIL, MD
,
AND
BRENDA CARVER-TORRES, FNP-C
WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME
HENRIQUE FERNANDEZ, MD,
after a brief move to Washington State, Dr. Fernandez is back home in southern Colorado,
AND
MARITZA PROANO, MD,
a graduate of Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., and board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology,
TO OUR PRACTICE.
1600 North Grand Ave, Suite #440, Pueblo, CO 81003
719-543-3500
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NEWS FROM THE COLORADO MEDICAL SOCIETY
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AMA, CMS and Manatt Health release study of Colorado’s efforts to reverse opioid epidemic
Spotlight analysis finds progress made on numerous fronts, recommends next steps for policymakers, insurers and physicians
The American Medical Association (AMA), Colorado Medical Society (CMS) and Manatt Health released a report on Jan. 16 that shows Colorado has implemented meaningful reforms in response to the opioid epidemic though further steps are needed to save even more lives. The Colorado spotlight analysis found that progress is being made to increase access to evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders, several pilot projects have improved care for patients with pain, and increased access to the opioid overdose-reversing drug naloxone has resulted in thousands of lives saved.
“This analysis comes at an important time for Colorado,” said CMS President Debra Parsons, MD. “Over the last six years, Colorado has developed policies, enacted laws and made important strides to have all stakeholders work together to reverse the opioid epidemic. While we continue these successful initiatives, we must closely evaluate how they are working so we can ensure we are putting our efforts in the right places.”
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Two PCMS volunteers needed for CMS Council on Legislation
Each component medical society is entitled to two seats on the Colorado Medical Society’s Council on Legislation, which reviews and decides positions on bills under consideration by the Colorado General Assembly, and implements legislative and regulatory policies established by CMS.
PCMS currently does not have an appointee on the COL. If you are interested in filling this need, please contact
Cheryl. Meetings are every other week during the legislative session and can be attended by phone conference or in person at the CMS office in Denver.
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NEWS FROM THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
Subscribe to the AMA’s Burnout Management Tip of the Week
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More than half of U.S. physicians say they’ve felt the stress of administrative challenges, practice inefficiencies and less time for patient care. Sign up for the AMA’s Burnout Management Tip of the Week to receive:
- Exclusive, expert-driven insights on managing burnout
- Quick tips to streamline workflows
- Resources designed to improve professional satisfaction
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MISSION:
Fa
cilitating meaningful collaboration of medical professionals in Pueblo County through social networking, education, and advocacy!
VISION:
To
c
reate a medical society that serves as a venue for collaboration for the betterment of healthcare in Pueblo County, and improve the practice of medicine and life of medical professionals, locally.
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Board Officers:
President: Thomas Greidanus, MD; President-Elect: open position; Secretary: Marcel Junqueira, MD; Treasurer: Robert Tonsing, MD; Past-President: Alfredo Vargas, MD; CMS Representative: Brad Roberts, MD |
Directors:
Julie Newburg, MD; Ross Patrick, MD; Cheryl Walker, DO; Kevin Weber, MD | Chief Executive Officer
:
Cheryl Law, MA, MNM
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This newsletter is intended for the members and interested persons of the Pueblo County Medical Society. If you have received this and wish to opt-out call 719-281-6073 or use the “unsubscribe” link below.
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