Happy Spring! I would be happier if it would ever stop raining. However, this rain is not stopping us from creating fun, engaging networking opportunities for our physicians.

  • Discover Sonoma County
  • Hike Jack London Park - April 13, 2019 | 10 a.m.
  • SCMA Physician's Investment Group & Dinner - May 8, 2019
  • SCMA CME Program & Dinner @ Zoftig, Santa Rosa- May 16, 2019
  • Physician Appreciation Event - Fulton Crossing Art Gallery - May 29, 2019

Please come join the fun! I look forward to seeing you soon.
Wendy Young | (707) 525-4141 [Direct line.] Call me anytime.
Discover Sonoma County: Jack London State Park Hike
 Saturday, April 13, 2019 | 10 AM - 1 PM
Join SCMA for a moderate, 5.5-mile guided hike through redwood groves, sparkling creeks and spring wildflowers. Check in at the kiosk, FREE PARKING for SCMA members. Bring sturdy shoes or boots, bottled water and a snack.

There’s more! Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy after the hike. Then you can take in the new exhibits at the House of Happy Walls museum, walk to the famous Wolf House ruins or tour the Beauty Ranch. History and nature abound at Jack London Park! Families encouraged! RSVP: (707) 525-4375 or scma@scma.org.

DHS Announces Celeste Philip, MD, MPH, as the Health Officer for Sonoma County | from Barbie Robinson, MPP, JD, CHC
The Department of Health Services (DHS) is pleased to announce Dr. Celeste Philip, MD, MPH, as the Health Officer for Sonoma County.

Dr. Philip comes to the County with a wealth of experience as a physician executive and leader with two decades of experience as a public health official in local, state, and international settings. Most recently, Dr. Philip served as the state of Florida’s Surgeon General and Secretary of Health for nearly three years, managing a staff of over 13,000 with a $3 billion budget, while having spent over 10 years of service with the Florida Department of Health.

US Measles Outbreak Raises Questions About Sonoma County Vaccination Rates | Published in Press Democrat : April 8, 2019
Nineteen years after it was thought to be eradicated in this country, measles is making a comeback. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a bombshell: The number of confirmed measles cases in the first three months of 2019 — 387 — exceeded by 15 the total number of cases nationwide the previous year.
While 17 of those cases this year were in California, none were reported in Sonoma County, though county health centers have been put on alert ....


Show our strength by indicating your support of this statement:

The physicians and healthcare professionals of Sonoma County, agree that vaccines are not only safe and effective, but critical to protecting individuals and our community from serious life-threatening infectious diseases. When a large majority of the population is vaccinated, the resulting herd immunity prevents the spread of disease and protects those who cannot be vaccinated – infants, children and people with compromised immune systems. These groups are especially vulnerable to complications from vaccine preventable diseases. The best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community is to get vaccinated. Weigh in your support or opposition here.

Presented by Kimberly Danebrock, JD, RN, CPPS Director of Risk Management CAPAssurance, Cooperative of American Physicians. - Santa Rosa location to be determined. RSVP: (707) 525-4375
SCMA Fire Recovery Program Survey | Help Us Identify Relevant Issues/Needs/Focus
Please click here to take the SCMA confidential survey. Your responses will help us identify topics and speakers for the 2019 Fire Recovery programs.




CalHealthCares Loan Repayment Program Now Accepting Applications
The program incentivizes physicians to provide care to Medi-Cal beneficiaries by repaying educational debt up to $300,000 in exchange for a five-year service obligation. All awardees will be required to maintain a patient caseload of 30 percent or more Medi-Cal beneficiaries.

Note: April 26 Deadline! Sign up for one of the free webinars for more info.
SCMA Represents You in Sacramento | April 24, 2019, in Sacramento .
Make YOUR voice heard on April 24: Join us April 24 for CMA's 45th Annual Legislative Advocacy Day in Sacramento to lobby your legislative leaders as a champion for medicine and your patients.

SCMA Representatives will go on personal visits with Assemblymembers Jim Wood and Marc Levine and Senator Mike McGuire for an opportunity to discuss issues affecting health care and the practice of medicine with our regional leaders.

Governor Gavin Newsom and   lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis will be joining us as keynote speakers! Would you like to join us for White Coat Day in the halls of the California State Capitol?

Legislative issues that will be highlighted during our conversations include:
 
Bridging the Gap Between Health Care and Health Policy.

The 2019 Northern California State of Reform Health Policy Conference (May 9, 2019) marks the ninth conference we’ve held in California. During that time, we’ve covered several hundreds of stories in California healthcare, and convened leaders across the spectrum of care – from carriers and providers as well as local and state agencies. Through an intensive stakeholder process, one centered on the input from our Convening Panel, we’ll daylight the unique issues California faces and how stakeholders are improving care while reducing costs. (Save 20% with promo code CMA20)
Two Health Plans Move Patients to Other Delegated Group | Effective April 1, 2019
The California Medical Association (CMA) has learned that two health plans serving Napa and Sonoma counties—Western Health Advantage and SCAN—have moved patients from Meritage Medical Network primary care physicians (PCPs) to St. Joseph’s Health Medical Network PCPs effective April 1, 2019. This transfer was initiated when a group of local physicians left Meritage and went to work for St. Josephs.

This always worthwhile event runs from 5:30-8:00 pm and is a great chance to reacquaint with colleagues and make new connections with your fellow physicians. Spouses and significant others are welcome. Wine/bubbles sponsors are needed!

Please contact us and help SCMA keep this event free to members! RSVP: (707) 525-4375.

Practice Managers| Medical Office Professionals (MOPs)
Attn: All physicians and
Medical Office Professionals:

Thursday, April 11, 2019 | 11:30 - 1:00

Partnership HealthPlan, Santa Rosa
Cost: $25 each or bring a friend for $15 each! RSVP: (707) 525-4375 or rachel@scma.org

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NEWS FLASH: YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF CA AB1825 and CA SB1343 :

Starting January 2019, the threshold has changed for mandatory supervisor harassment training in California. Now, companies doing business in California with five or more employees (including full-time, part-time, and temporary) or contractors must provide supervisors in California with two hours of sexual harassment training every two years in accordance with AB 1825 and SB1343. The threshold is met even if most employees and contractors work outside of California. New supervisors must be trained within six months from hire or promotion date, and every two years thereafter.

Employers with at least five employees must provide at least one hour of sexual harassment prevention training to all non-supervisory employees in California within six months of start of employment. The training must be provided once every two years.

Employers must provide sexual harassment prevention training to temporary or seasonal employees within 30 calendar days after hire or within 100 hours worked if the employee will work for less than six months.

SCMA will provide both employee and supervisor training on Friday, August 23, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. [Santa Rosa location TBD once we know attendance size.] Program will encompass both one hour and two hour trainings. Those who only need one hour (employees) can leave during the one hour break. Those who need two hours (supervisors) will stay until the end of the program.

RSVP: (707) 525-4375. This program is expected to fill up quickly. Please sign up early so we can prepare accordingly. Cost: FREE to SCMA Members and staff | $60 each to Non-Members and office employees. Facilitated by: David Berry, Esq.,
Meet Our New Partner: Transcendence Theatre Company!
SCMA Evening in the Park: A Chorus Line: Friday, June 28th, 2019.
Call (707) 525.4375 to reserve your discount tickets. Limited seating.

Volunteer Physician needed for each 2019 Season show to staff first aid tent .
(Show tickets, parking and dinner to volunteer physicians.)

Physician volunteers will receive two complimentary tickets to the show the evening they are signed up to volunteer, VIP parking and dinner for two in return for manning the SCMA First Aid tent and being available to provide medical assistance if needed during the performance. Contact Wendy at (707) 525-4141 for details and to get on the schedule for the 2019 season. Only 22 spaces available. Reserve your spot on the schedule today.
SCMA Physicians' Investment Group
Have you wanted to learn how to truly understand this whole arena of investing? How to pick stocks, read "the market" and understand how to grow your investments/retirement accounts? Join us beginning Wednesday, May 8, 2019 for a monthly investment dinner with financial advisor, Russell Van Sistine, Edward Jones, Santa Rosa, California.

The first session will be "Investing 101" and will help us kick off this new adventure for SCMA. This is your group and you decide where it goes from there (i.e., meeting frequency, topics, requirements, investment partnership, etc.) No investment experience necessary but experienced investors are welcome to help round out the knowledge of the group. Please RSVP to SCMA at (707) 525-4375. Once we know how many will attend the first May 8 meeting, we will decide on a dinner location.

Partnerships are designed to add valuable membership benefits.
Physicians benefit from local business discounts and referrals to quality services.
Partners benefit from ongoing visibility and referrals in the medical community. 
APRIL
11: Medicare Changes 2019 & Beyond
23: SCMA Executive Committee
24: 2019 CMA Leg Day

JUNE
1: District X Conference in Santa Rosa
2: Mountain Play - Grease!
7: Health Action Council
29: Broadway Under the Stars SCMA Night

August
23: Mandatory Harassment Training
 MAY
8: SCMA Physicians' Investment Dinner
14: SCMA Board Meeting
16: Medical Cannabis CME Dinner
22: Medical Office Professionals (MOPs)
29: Physician Appreciation Mixer

JULY
6-13: CME Rome to Venice Cruise!
26: NBBJ/SCMA 2019 Healthcare Conf.

Space for rent within Ukiah medical office. Ideal for part-time or limited medical use or services pairing well with dermatology or skin care. For details, please call 707-696-4147.

Medical office for sub-lease in Sonoma: Furnished medical office for sub-lease in Sonoma Medical Plaza. Call Nakita at 707-938-1040 for a tour.

Medical student seeking summer internship or learning opportunity.   SCMA Health Careers Scholarship recipient now finishing second semester at University of San Diego would like to further explore medical interests this summer. Considering a career as a physician or physician's assistant, but open to gaining insight and knowledge about healthcare systems, culture, ethics and integrated professions.

Previously completed the SRJC Summer Health Career Institute summer program and shadowed a Santa Rosa cardiothoracic surgeon. Hoping to help in an ER or ICU setting, but would appreciate any opportunity in the local medical community! If you have an opening or idea about where I could contribute and learn, please contact me: Nathalie Nava at 707-527-2342 or  nnava@sandiego.edu .
2019 SCMA Physician Directory - Has landed! Did you receive yours? Additional copies available at SCMA office.


Winter 2019 Issue now available in print and online.
Topics: Telemedicine;
Family Planning Overseas;
Medical Arts

Contact us: (707) 525-4375 | Visit us online at: www.scma.org