Top 10 stories from the June 2021 AMA Special Meeting: "With more Americans getting vaccinated daily, AMA delegates gathered virtually to shape a post-pandemic future that’s stronger and more equitable." - AMA

Novavax Says Its COVID Vaccine Is Extremely Effective: “According to Novavax, the vaccine's manufacturer, it had a 100% efficacy against the original strain of the coronavirus, and 93% efficacy against more worrisome variants that have subsequently appeared.” - Health News Florida

U.S. Reaches 600,000 COVID Deaths, More Than Any Other Country: “More than 15 months since the first confirmed death due to COVID-19 in the U.S., the coronavirus pandemic has claimed more than 600,000 lives across the country. But that trend has slowed from thousands to hundreds per day in recent weeks, thanks largely to the ready availability of vaccines.” - Health News Florida

As US COVID-19 death toll nears 600,000, racial gaps persist: “The approaching 600,000 mark, as tracked by Johns Hopkins University, is greater than the population of Baltimore or Milwaukee. It is about equal to the number of Americans who died of cancer in 2019. And as bad as that is, the true toll is believed to be significantly higher.” - Modern Healthcare

'Chilling effect on patients': Following backlash, insurance giant UnitedHealthcare delays policy to scrutinize ER claims: “Facing mounting criticism from hospitals and doctors groups, health insurance giant UnitedHealthcare said it will delay a policy that would scrutinize payments for non-urgent emergency room visits.” - USA Today

Florida Department of Health monitors RSV cases after CDC issues alert for spike across the South: “The Florida Department of Health is monitoring increased cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV, which typically infects children under the age of five." - ABC Action News

NIH study offers new evidence of early SARS-CoV-2 infections in U.S.: “Researchers analyze 24,000 blood samples and multiple antibody testing platforms to add to picture of COVID-19’s emergence.” -National Institutes of Health

Pandemic swells Medicaid enrollment to 80M people, a ‘high-water mark’: “Medicaid, once considered the ugly duckling compared with the politically powerful and popular Medicare program, now covers nearly 1 in 4 Americans.” - Modern Healthcare

CCMS Physician Member Survey Results: View our preliminary results on member physicians who are accepting new patients to help with your referral needs. Member physicians: if you aren’t listed and would like to be included, be sure to complete the CCMS Member Survey to help us better connect with CCMS members, and connect members with each other. The survey also offers to collect and share member cell phones with each other for those who provide permission solely for this purpose. To request a list of members who’ve given permission, contact CCMS.

CCMS Membership Certificates Available: CCMS physician members who have paid their 2021 dues can email us to request a current membership certificate to print and display at their offices.

-Partial List of Vaccine Appointment Resources - UPDATED

-Vaccine Flyers for Physician Offices: English | Spanish | Creole

-Weekly Florida COVID Report

-Florida DOH COVID-19 vaccine provider page

-Florida DOH: COVID-19 Vaccines Updates in Florida 

-CDC Vaccine FAQ

-CCMS PPE/COVID Supply Online Store - use discount code: colliercms

-Misinformation is keeping Floridians from getting vaccinated, USF survey shows

-AMA Webinar: What Physicians Need to Know: Vaccine misinformation

-COVID-19 and Vaccine Basics" - Presentation by FL Dept. of Health in Collier County

-COVID-19 Vaccination Toolkits

-Community-Based Organizations COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit

More updates and resources available online

Physician Wellness Article of the week: "Disruptive Physician Toolkit - how to raise your concerns and avoid being labeled disruptive (or worse)”

Confidential, cost-free counseling/coaching sessions with the CCMS Physician Wellness Program (operating via telehealth or in-person during the COVID-19 outbreak) are open to all CCMS physician members. Learn more online.

2021 RCC Cards: CCMS Members receive special $10 pricing on the 2021 RCC Card, which provides discounts at restaurants and merchants. Order a card at ccmsonline.org/membership or call CCMS, (239) 435-7727. Cards will be mailed to the office address on file unless otherwise specified.

Note: Click here for information on various CME courses available

Every Sat. in July, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm or 3pm

Naples Historical Society will host complimentary tours of of Historic Palm Cottage to Medical Professionals and First Responders as a thank you for working selflessly this past year to keep our communities safe! Please bring name tag or other medical/hospital professional ID. Register

July 30-August 1

Three livestream-only CME tracks featuring state-mandated topics, plus new courses on post-COVID care and using information technology to improve patients’ health. Registrants will have access to courses for two weeks. Earn up to 13 total AMA PRA Category 1™ credits. Price range from $250-$450 per class. FMA members save up to $700 and state-mandated are complimentary. Please note: July 30 courses can be viewed in person hosted by NCH Healthcare System at the Telford Building. Register 

Select Danube, Main, Moselle and Rhine River sailings through Dec. 2021

Frontline Heroes (doctors, nurses, lab techs, hospital staff, EMT's and pharmacists) are eligible to receive a complimentary cruise with one paying guest in the same stateroom. Contact Nancy Sant'Angelo Reyelt at Get Out Of Town Travel, (239) 596-4142 for more info.

Wednesdays, 5:30PM, Naples restaurant locations

In December 2020 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2) for prevention of COVID-19 disease. The vaccine’s EUA relied on data which were obtained from several clinical trials. The results of these trials revealed that the vaccine’s efficacy is 95% and its safety profile is good and similar to that of other vaccines. Systemic reactions to the vaccine, which were usually mild and transient, were reported more commonly among the younger population and more often after the second dose.

On May 24, 2021 the COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Technical (VaST) Work Group Report has reviewed post-authorization COVID-19 vaccine safety data weekly since the start of the U.S. vaccination program in December 2020, they reviewed updated data on myocarditis and pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination, including presentations from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD), along with a brief update from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) about further plans for investigation.

• Data from VAERS show that in the 30-day window following dose 2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, there was a higher number of observed than expected myocarditis/pericarditis cases in 16- to 24-year-olds.

• The CDC's "clinical considerations" update followed a May 24 report from Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)'s COVID-19 VaST Work Group, which found "a higher number of observed than expected myocarditis/pericarditis cases in 16- to 24-year-olds" in VAERS data within 30 days of dose 2, though it didn't see the same pattern in data from VSD. Nonetheless, "analyses suggest that these data need to be carefully followed as more persons in younger age groups are vaccinated," the work group wrote.

Beautifully appointed medical office space for sale or for lease. Located in the HealthCare Center of Bonita Springs, the 2nd floor unit has 2 exam rooms with sinks, 2 restrooms, doctor’s office, reception, and work areas. Property is being sold or leased complete with furnishings and appliances. Contact Christine Gonnering McManus, (239) 261-3400.

Boutique Concierge Internal/Sports Medical Practice seeks part-time phlebotomist/lab technician who is compassionate about patients and desires to transform patient care. Must be certified in clinical phlebotomy or pathology and with 100+ hours of experience in blood collections. Email resume with three references to Tamika or call (239) 293-2009.

Boutique Concierge Internal/Sports Medical Practice seeks full-time certified medical assistant with stellar communication skills, can-do attitude, and knowledge about EMR Systems, Microsoft Office and patient care. Must be certified in medical assisting, understand medical terminology, and patient focused. Email resume with three references to Tamika or call (239) 293-2009.

Board-certified anesthesiologist/pain medicine specialist interested in office space share. Physician with pain medicine/addiction treatment practice in Washington, D.C. looking to open office in Naples area and share space with another physician. More information at dcpaindoc.com. If interested, contact John Dombrowski M.D. FASA at (202) 345-1784.

Naples pediatric practice seeking NP or PA for 3 to 5 days a week. Please contact CCMS if interested.

Seeking physician offices who can welcome a high school student for career learning opportunities such as shadowing, scribing, lab work, etc. If interested, please contact CCMS.

Busy physician office in North Naples is seeking medical assistant who is highly skilled, motivated and experience is a plus. This is a fast paced, growing practice and candidates must be self-starter, multi-tasked and highly motivated. Please call Jennifer at (239) 591-2803.

Shared Medical office space available: 2335 Tamiami Trail N # 501, Naples, FL 34103; for more information please call Dr. Warner at (239) 572-0402.