In This Issue
Featured news
SCMA vaccine clinics continue in July
Vaccine hesitancy and how you can help
HOD convenes in October
Discover Sonoma County and Park Rx
Electronic Rx mandatory Jan. 1, 2022
Register for healthcare conference July 20
Other highlights
Call for SCMA 2021 award nominations
Social media survey
Transcendence opens Aug. 6 at Jack London
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From the desk of Wendy Young, Executive Director
Happy 4th of July to our Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake County medical community! The freedom to once again enjoy fresh air and sunshine with friends and family is healing in itself. With that aim, SCMA has partnered with the Sonoma County Parks Foundation to help you, and your patients, discover more outdoor opportunities in this beautiful space we call "home."
The SCMA and MLCMS have been working toward connecting our communities, creating one big, regional family of physicians. Our Merger and Consolidation Resolution has been submitted and will be heard during the 2021 House of Delegates in October in Los Angeles, California. Once approved, we will become the
Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake Medical Association—one Board of Directors, with four regional councils (Sonoma, Ukiah, Mendocino and Lake) to meet the unique needs of the communities within the component association.
How do we best reach you? Please find the social media survey link below. We are seeking to identify where we should focus our communication strategy so we can connect with you wherever you are, providing content relevant to you personally and professionally.
We are happy to support the North Bay Business Journal as they host the 22nd Annual Healthcare Conference via Zoom later in July. Our president-elect, Patricia Hiserote, DO, will be a guest speaker, sharing her expertise on the Residency Program at Kaiser Permanente.
We are here if we can be of service to you! Please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours in health and service,
Wendy Young, Executive Director
Sonoma County Medical Association
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Local physicians going to Los Angeles to represent YOU!
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District X representatives from Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties will be heading to Los Angeles to attend our first in-person meeting in a long while! We are still seeking 8 active, practicing physicians to join the representation delegation. New representatives will be invited to join us at our September virtual conference to get up to speed and meet the rest of the representatives, then join us in October at LA Live for a weekend of education, debate and advocacy! Please consider joining District X Chairman Dr. Brad Drexler and SCMA's District X HOD delegation. Contact Wendy Young at exec@scma.org or 707-620-0808 for more information.
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COVID-19 VACCINE CLINIC UPDATES
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SCMA continues community outreach
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SCMA’s vaccine clinic at the Grace Pavilion is still available for walk-ins and appointments. To reach more arms this summer, we are also taking it to the streets! In addition to Grace Pavilion, residents can now receive their COVID-19 vaccine at one of SCMA's pop-up clinics, which are scheduled in different locations every week.
As the vaccine rollout winds down, SCMA continues to consult with Santa Rosa Community Health and the County for collaborative outreach efforts. We intend to support this initiative as long as necessary.
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Please share this link with patients, family and friends
SCMA Vaccine Clinic Appointments:
Second-dose vaccine appointments available
We can give residents a second dose if they missed their appointment or it wasn't scheduled—even if we did not provide their first dose. We have Moderna and Pfizer clinic dates and pop-up locations that may not be listed on all the County or state websites.
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New pop-up clinics added weekly! Call us at 707-525-4375.
Appointments are open to residents of Sonoma County
who are 12 years of age or older.
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COVID-19 DEVELOPMENTS AND UPDATES
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THE FIGHT AGAINST VACCINE HESITANCY
How local healthcare professionals can help
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COVID-19 vaccine outreach: community collaborative health professional volunteer sign-up. As COVID-19 vaccine distribution processes are developed and vaccine scarcity improves, there is greater need for professional healthcare volunteers for targeted outreach teams. These teams are made up of trusted community organizers, healthcare professionals, and other trusted messengers (youth promotores, artists, etc). As specific outreach requests are made, the COC Community Outreach Specialist will put out a blast to the list of volunteers to see who can participate. If you volunteer, please note you will be expected to attend or watch a training session discussing vaccine outreach, vaccine hesitancy, and an anti-oppression framework.
Read about Dr. Brian Prystowky's fight against vaccine hesitancy, one gentle conversation at a time. Full story in June 29 Press Democrat.
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Key lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic
By Gary Green, MD, FIDSA, infectious disease specialist at
Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods and Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital
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Tremendous progress has been made in stopping the spread of COVID-19, and saving lives in our communities since the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) first came ashore December 2019 in the U.S. Looking back, key clinical lessons can help clinicians and scientists gain perspective to prepare for the coming months.
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Digital COVID-19 vaccine records available
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Need a digital copy of your vaccine record? Just enter a few details to get a QR code and digital copy. Please share link with your patients.
https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov
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Click the images for current information in each county.
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Get involved with your colleagues and community!
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All hands on deck; we need your help! Three excellent ways to support your colleagues and the medical community are listed below. Please consider one of these possibilities or call SCMA to ask about other areas of service (e.g., Physician Wellness Committee).
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CMA House of Delegates
Consider joining District X Chairman Dr. Brad Drexler HOD delegation. Open seats are available for SCMA: 4 representatives, 8 alternates and 1 alternate resident. MLCMS: 2 alternate representatives. Contact Wendy Young at exec@scma.org or 707-525-4375 for more information.
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Young Physicians Section
YPS helps communicate to CMA the perspective of young physician members (under 40 years of age or within the first eight years of practice) — providing an opportunity to connect with physicians at same stage of their careers. The group is seeking new members and an alternate representative for the YPS Annual Assembly, traditionally held just before the CMA House of Delegates in October.
See the YPS Fact Sheet and Assembly Bylaws for more information. Deadline to renew current representative (Eric Culbertson, MD) and elect new members is Aug. 2, 2021.You can also contact CMA's Navdeep Dhaliwal at ndhaliwal@cmadocs.org to learn more.
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SCMA Board of Directors and Executive Committee
Leadership positions open for 2021 and 2022 are listed below. Our 2021 board is seeking representation for four important areas! For a complete listing of BOD positions and those currently serving, visit the SCMA website. Contact Wendy Young at exec@scma.org or 707-525-4375 for details.
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2021 Board of Directors open:
• North County
• Sutter Residency Program
• Community clinics
• Medical students
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2022 Executive Committee
• President-Elect
• Secretary/Treasurer
2022 Board of Directors
• Any open positions not filled in 2021
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SCMA and Sonoma County Parks Foundation partner
for a healthier Sonoma County
By Ari Hauptman, MD, pediatrician, member SCPF Board
and SCMA Physician Wellness Committee
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My wife Lisa, a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and I walk and hike often with our dogs. On one stroll around Spring Lake about 10 years ago, we lamented the growing incidence and daunting challenges of the childhood obesity epidemic. We wondered how we could help promote the use of the parks to our community members to enhance their physical and emotional health? Then I learned about the Sonoma County Parks Foundation (SCPF), the nonprofit that helps support our 58 incredibly beautiful Sonoma County Regional Parks and park programs.
I have now been on the SCPF Board for nearly eight years, and I am continually thrilled as we support and promote equal access for all to these cherished resources. I even feel like we are making a dent in the obesity epidemic. Furthermore, we all know from our experiences this past year that our parks, nature and open spaces have provided us with spiritual health, as well. I invite you to join me for two exciting programs co-sponsored by SCMA and SCPF.
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Discover Sonoma County
Coordinated by SCMA’s Physician Wellness Committee, the program offers hikes for physicians and their families in local parks. Watch your email for information about upcoming hikes and outdoor activities.
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Parks Rx
Parks Rx is a health “prescription” we can give our patients, encouraging them to get outside and spend time in nature. This “prescription” teaches and reminds people that activities such as hiking, biking, having a picnic, or even just sitting quietly in nature benefit their health. Click to download colorful Rx form you can email or print for your patients. (Choose a tree or leaf background; Spanish version coming soon.) Contact Rachel at rachel@scma.org or 707-525-4375 to order printed pads. See you in the parks!
Learn more about the Parks Foundation here:
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BROADWAY UNDER THE STARS
Performances start Aug. 6 at JLSHP
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SCMA is proud to be a medical sponsor for Transcendence Theatre Company’s 2021 outdoor concert season. Please join SCMA and TTC at Jack London State Historic Park for an epic musical tour of the USA — the vacation you've been waiting for!
Physician volunteers needed for SCMA's first-aid tent
COVID-19 safety precautions will be monitored at the park, and SCMA will provide a first-aid tent staffed by a volunteer physician. Benefits for volunteer physicians and their guest include two show tickets, VIP parking, and dinner. A few spots are still open if you would like to help.
Broadway Under the Stars
Jack London State Historic Park AUG. 6–SEPT. 19
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Electronic Rx mandatory Jan. 1, 2022
Assembly Bill (AB) 2789 of 2018 created a California state-level mandate that all prescriptions must be transmitted electronically by Jan. 1, 2022. The law applies to all physicians and almost all prescriptions, with very few exceptions. CMA has compiled frequently asked questions in a Fact Sheet to help physicians understand their requirements under the new law. You may also contact CMA at memberservice@cmadocs.org or 800-786-4262.
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COMMUNICATIONS AND SOCIAL MEDIA SURVEY
How can SCMA/MLCMS best reach you?
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Please take a few minutes to answer this brief survey regarding your use of communications platforms — including email campaigns, social and/or printed media. It’s an easy “click the box” format with space for any comments you wish to make. Current communications to members are primarily provided via email and postings to the SCMA/MLCMS website or Facebook page. If additional platforms are of interest or would be useful to share information among members, we want to know!
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Deadline for Response: Friday, July 23, 2021
Survey results (anonymous) will be published in the August 2021 newsletter.
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JULY CALENDAR: WEBINARS AND EVENTS
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California Medical Association
CMA Virtual Grand Rounds: A Fireside Chat with California's Top Doc, Dr. Mark Ghaly, Secretary of Health and Human Services Agency
Hear about Dr. Ghaly's experience as a key decision-maker and leader during these unprecedented times. What issues are at the forefront now for California as we begin to recover from the pandemic? How can we build upon lessons from the pandemic in making our health system stronger across the state and nation?
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Sonoma County Medical Association
North Bay Business Journal 22nd Annual Healthcare Conference
Live webinar will explore new trends and challenges to the healthcare industry in the North Bay. Speakers include Dr. Matt Willis (Public Health Officer, Marin County); Dr. Robert Pearl (professor and author, Stanford Medical and Business School); and SCMA's president-elect Dr. Trish Hiserote (program director, Kaiser Family Medicine Residency).
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Sutter Health
The Sutter Health Virtual Grand Rounds is a Continuing Education (CE) webinar series hosted by Sutter Health Network providers for all medical professionals across Northern California. Interactive Q&A session takes place with each live event. Learn about the entire series here.
Presented by Christian Spies, MD
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Shriners Hospitals for Children: Northern California
For Pediatricians, PCPs, RNs, School-based Nurses, Physical Therapists
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit Designation for 1.0 contact hour
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Supporting physician practices
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CMA/SCMA/MLCMS membership is an investment in your practice—with exceptional member benefits that include help with reimbursements, COVID-19, telehealth, physician well-being, and expert guidance for medical practice operations. Learn more about CMA tools and resources here or call CMA's live-person call center at 800-786-4262 Monday through Friday during business hours.
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Sonoma County has new Family Medicine Residents!
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As always, Family Medicine Residents in Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties are automatically given SCMA/CMA or MLCMS/CMA membership at no cost.
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The road ahead: What's next for California physicians
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The latest edition of Physician Today magazine addresses critical issues like 2021 laws impacting practices and employers, how to address LGBTQIA+ bias in healthcare, ways to optimize the virtual patient experience, and much more. This popular publication created by the Cooperative of American Physicians (CAP) helps physicians stay informed of current practice-related issues.
Learn more about CAP's medical malpractice coverage.
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Operation Access needs volunteer physicians to provide surgical and specialty care for low-income and uninsured adults in Northern California. You determine the frequency of participation and types of cases you accept. Please contact us to learn more about how you can get involved. Call 415-733-0052, email info@operationaccess.org or visit our website.
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Contact SCMA or MLCMS: exec@scma.org
or rachel@scma.org | 707-525-4375
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