WORD TO THE WISE
Newsletter: June 2017 - Volume 17, No. 6
In this issue:
  • Executive Director Message - View our new promo video
  • Meet a member: Henrique Fernandez, MD, PCMS President
  • Members on the Move: Outgoing residents
  • Upcoming local events
  • Miss Pueblo needs your help
  • Parkview announces partnership with four rural hospitals
  • Ideas for a getaway - Beaver Run Resort, Breckenridge
  • News from COPIC - Legislative update and mock trial programs
  • News from CMS - July 8 members-only physician leadership training
  • News from AMA - AHCA action
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MESSAGE  

Big changes are underway!

If you haven't heard, your Pueblo County Medical Society is rebooting. Our volunteer Board of Directors and strategic planners have been working tirelessly and honorably together with me to revitalize and increase relevance once again to this great physician-led membership organization. Recent changes, with many more to come, will revive such fundamentals as meaningful collaboration, physician peer support, and focal point for learning and advocacy, while improving member involvement and circulation in the community at large. Please join us behind the scenes to see what's coming by viewing our new YouTube promo (click here!). And spread the word by posting on your social media sites! 

Cheryl
719-696-9670 (office) / 719-281-6073 (mobile)

Side note: My email address changed to cheryl.law@pueblocms.org as of Monday, May 15, 2017. Please update your contact information to make sure we keep in touch! 
Happy Father's Day (on Sunday, June 18)!
New dads, old dads, granddads, dads-in-law, stepdads, serious dads, goofball dads…There are a million fatherly types out there, and without a doubt, there are at least that many reasons to honor them on Father’s Day. Thanks to all the great dads in the Pueblo County Medical Society. We celebrate you!
MEET A MEMBER
PCMS continues the “Meet a Member” series, where you can read about and be inspired by a colleague. You can nominate an outstanding PCMS physician (including yourself) by emailing newsletter@pueblocms.org.
Henrique Fernandez, MD, PCMS President

Meet PCMS President Henrique Fernandez, MD, a gastroenterologist who practices at Parkview Gastroenterology. He is also chief of medicine at Parkview Medical Center. He met his wife when he was 15 years old and they married after he finished medical school. They have two girls, Isabella (14) and Christina (12), and a Labrador. He enjoys tennis and hiking, and says Colorado is "the perfect place for us."

Q: Who inspired you to pursue medicine? 
A:  My family. Their dedication to service inspired me to pursue medicine, especially my parents and grandparents. They were not physicians but they always, in their careers, dedicated time to serve whoever needed it.

Q: What makes your community unique?
A:   The people -- physicians and patients -- and how they are very welcoming and positive. I am from Venezuela and have lived in Pueblo for seven years. Since Day 1 I have been welcomed with open arms. 

Q: Why is it important to you to be a member of PCMS?
A: Two reasons: First, to return to America and Pueblo all of the opportunities that have been given to me. Second, to advance Pueblo and communicate our needs higher up to the regional societies, state societies and national societies.  

Q: What advice would you give to a resident or medical student preparing to practice in Pueblo County?
A:  Work hard, be a team member, be there for your patients and colleagues, and always keep in mind that serving your patients and whoever is around you is the ultimate goal.

Q: What has been the best experience of your presidency so far?
A:   My best experience has been how supportive the medical community has been to the initiatives included in the re-launch of the new PCMS.

MEMBERS ON THE MOVE
This section of the PCMS newsletter highlights members who are making a difference in our community or medical field. Share your news with us! 
Education career opportunities concept as a group of graduating university studends crossing a mortarboard or graduation cap acting as a bridge to provide an opportunity and bridging the gap for business success.
Congratulations to the residents who complete their residencies in June!

PCMS extends our sincere congratulations to the medical residents from the Southern Colorado Family Medicine Residency Program and the Parkview Medical Center Internal Medicine Residency Program. We wish you the best. We hope you'll remain in Pueblo to help us continue our reputation of having the best physicians. Keep us informed of your career decisions. 

And if you're looking for your next opportunity, the Pueblo Chieftain is holding a job fair Monday, June 26, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Rawlings Library's Rylas Special Events Room on the 4th floor.  For more information about the event, please contact a Pueblo Chieftain Recruitment Specialist at 719-542-0000.
UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
Add your event to our calendar by emailing cheryl.law@pueblocms.org.

Public Health Full Scale Exercise - June 17

The Colorado Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response invites you to their Public Health Emergency Response Event on Saturday, June 17. They are looking for up to 300 volunteers to attend the event and walk through their “point of dispensing” mock clinic. Public health response plans will be used to test emergency processes and help identify training needs, best practices, and areas for emergency preparedness improvement. This exercise will engage partners in responding to a hypothetical disease outbreak. 

Volunteers will receive an emergency preparedness gift, register to win a home preparedness 72-hour kit, and can get up close to Flight-For-Life helicopter and other emergency vehicles and meet local emergency responders. To register, please visit goo.gl/qwuD0f. See more information about the event in the green box.

2017 Pueblo COMOM (Colorado Mission of Mercy) - Oct. 13-14

The Colorado Mission of Mercy (COMOM) provides quality dental services, at no cost, to individuals of all ages who cannot afford and access dental care: eliminating dental pain, promoting oral health, creating smiles, and providing oral health education.

The 2017 COMOM will be held in Pueblo at the Colorado State Fairgrounds Oct. 13-14 (clinic set-up is Oct. 12 and take-down is Oct. 15). Volunteers are needed for a variety of roles and skill levels. They anticipate providing care to 1,500 patients. COMOM needs: dentists, hygienists, X-ray technicians, lab technicians, medical students, nurses and nursing students, EMTs/paramedics, non-medical event volunteers, etc. Volunteer registration is now open; click here. You can also help recruit patients. Read more here.

OTHER EVENTS

Free CME event, June 13: IBD

You are invited to a complimentary continuing education (CME and CNE) event: "Raising the Bar to Provide Patient-Centered Care for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease."  This meeting is open to physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, and other health care professionals.

WHEN: Tuesday June 13, 2017, 6 - 8 p.m.
WHERE: Phantom Canyon Brewing Company,  2 East Pikes Peak Ave,  Colorado Springs, CO 80903

LOCAL NEWS

Local woman competes for Miss Colorado

Sarah Zarr, a CSU-Pueblo graduate of the President’s Leadership Program at CSU Pueblo and former student body president, has been selected as Miss Pueblo. Now she is competing to be Miss Colorado in Denver and she asks for your support by voting for her as People’s Choice. You can do this by visiting this link, clicking on her​ name, and donating $2 to the Miss Colorado Scholarship Organization. This scholarship supports women's education, achievement, and community service. You can vote more than once!​

Parkview, four rural hospitals announce partnership
Parkview Medical Center announced Wednesday a new collaborative partnership with four Southeastern Colorado hospitals that will seek to improve the quality of health care throughout the region.

Mt. San Rafael Hospital in Trinidad, Prowers Medical Center in Lamar, Southeast Colorado Hospital District in Springfield and Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center in Walsenburg have signed on with Parkview as partners in the new BridgeCare Health Network, which will use data-sharing and physician collaboration among other resources to align the health providers' clinical goals and keep care local. Read more here.
IDEAS FOR A GETAWAY
This new section will highlight Colorado destinations to get you thinking about your next vacation. We support you professionally and personally! Make time for yourself and your family. Suggest our next featured getaway by emailing cheryl.law@pueblocms.org.

Breckenridge offers fun for the whole family
 Celebrate America’s Independence Day with the town of Breckenridge and stay at Beaver Run Resort for exclusive access to it all. Beaver Run is offering lodging specials from June 30 - July 4. The town jam-packs the weekend with activities great for couples, families and adventurers alike. From lively entertainment to a vibrant Fourth of July Parade on Historic Main Street, there's no better place to celebrate your patriotism. Top it all off with fireworks beginning at 9:45 p.m. Read more on Beaver Run's website.

NEWS FROM COPIC

2017 Legislative Update
Colorado's General Assembly has concluded its business for 2017. Many health care related bills were debated this year, and the following are key bills that medical professionals should be aware of. COPIC will continue to watch the implementation of these and other statutes and work with partners to minimize the impact on the health care delivery system.

  • Senate Bill 065 - "Transparency in Health Care Prices Act"
  • Senate Bill 142 - requires that each mammography report provided to a patient include information that identifies the patient's breast tissue classification
  • Senate Bill 146 - modifies provisions relating to licensed health professionals' access to the PDMP
  • Senate Bill 207 - clarifies the intent for establishing a coordinated behavioral health crisis response system
  • House Bill 1322 - allows a discretionary exception for a licensee to report domestic violence

2017 COPIC Mock Trial Programs
Join COPIC’s legal team, claims consultants, and professional defense attorneys for one of its most popular education programs. The Mock Trial dissects a medical liability trial as YOU (the jury) weigh the evidence, listen to testimony, and ultimately render a verdict.   
 
Dates and locations:

  • Glenwood Springs – Wednesday, Sept. 13
  • Boulder – Tuesday, Oct. 10

Each program is an evening affair lasting from 6-9 p.m. with dinner included. COPIC-insured physicians will receive 2 COPIC points and 3 CME credits for attending. To register, please go to www.callcopic.com/education, look for “Mock Trials” under the listing of in-person seminars, and select a program date.
NEWS FROM THE COLORADO MEDICAL SOCIETY

You're invited to the next program in the Physician Leadership Skills Series - July 8
PCMS/CMS members have exclusive access to the next event in the Physician Leadership Skills Series on July 8. The topic is "Communications: Mastering the skill of getting to the point," and speaker Norm Hartman, veteran news director, is sure to keep your attention as he shares top tips for delivering the right message in the best way. The program will be held 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. at CMS Headquarters in Denver. Like medicine, there is an art and a science to getting to the point. Learn from a pro and practice with your peers on camera during this dynamic workshop. 

Space is limited. Register today at www.cms.org/register and master the skill of getting to the point. Be sure to click the drop down box on this registration page to select the 7/8 PLSS event. 

NEWS FROM THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Influence federal health care reform

After the House of Representatives narrowly passed the American Health Care Act (AHCA), all eyes have been on the Senate. And while much of the activity has been behind closed doors, the upper chamber is well underway on its own version of the bill. Physicians can influence this legislation by reaching out to your U.S. senators.  

Access the AMA's Action Center here for talking points, tweet templates, and email templates. And visit PatientsBeforePolitics.org for new Patient Profiles that show how the AHCA could affect specific patient populations. This site also has an updated Advocate Resources page with in-depth analysis and data related to the larger health system reform debate.
Board Officers: President: Henrique Fernandez, MD; President-Elect: Thomas Greidanus, MD; Secretary: Ross Patrick, MD; Treasurer: Lev Asherov, MD; Past-President: Alfredo Vargas, MD; CMS Representative: TBD |  Directors: Teresa Braden, DO; Donald Luebke, MD; Julie Newburg, MD; Robert Tonsing, MD; Atul Vahil, MD |  Executive Director: Cheryl Law, MA, MNM
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.