Happy New Year from the Colorado Medical Society!

Meet Western Slope surgeon Joyce Sekharan, MD, FACS: A leader in her practice and in education

CMS's monthly member spotlight series offers CMS members the opportunity to share their passions and wisdom from medicine and life in general, and allows the medical society to highlight members from around the state. All CMS members are eligible to be featured; respond to this email if you are interested in participating. It takes as little as 20 minutes of your time!

What advice would Dr. Sekharan share with physicians-in-training? "I think as physicians we are adult learners, so my advice is to be flexible," she said. "Whether you are a medical student, resident or physician, when you start practicing, things may grab your attention that you did not expect. Be open to ideas and possibilities. That is instrumental to carving out a practice you enjoy. Your practice will find you. Just be open to it and you may be surprised where that leads."

Metro Denver Legislative Night: Jan. 25, 5-6:30 p.m.

All CMS members, especially those in the metro Denver area, are invited to Metro Denver Legislative Night. Meet and mingle with dozens of legislators, enjoy drinks and heavy hors d'oeuvres, and find out how you can help advocate for your profession. There is no cost to attend, but please register by Jan. 18. This event is sponsored by Colorado Medical Society, Denver Medical Society, ADEMS, Aurora-Adams County Medical Society, and Foothills Medical Society. Register here.

Update: 2022 MIPS hardship application deadline extended to March 3, 2023

Due to American Medical Association advocacy and outreach to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (federal CMS), the agency has extended the deadline to file a 2022 MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances (EUC) hardship extension until March 3, 2023. The original deadline was Jan 3, 2023. If physicians feel they have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022 they may file a MIPS hardship exemption with the federal CMS to avoid a 2024 MIPS penalty. The AMA encourages practices to take advantage of this administrative relief; find more information and file your extension here.

Influence medicine: Get involved in CMS leadership

Have you thought about a leadership role in the Colorado Medical Society? We encourage members of all walks of life, perspectives, backgrounds, practice settings, career stages and geographic locations to consider a leadership position now or in the future. The nomination period for the 2023 election -- during which CMS members elect the president-elect and members of the Colorado delegation to the American Medical Association -- is open through Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023. The election takes place in August. Read more here.

If you aren't ready to run for office in 2023, a first step to leadership is to get to know your medical society and a good way to do that is by attending a CMS event or committee meeting in your passion area. View all committee and councils here, and upcoming meetings and events here. The call for volunteers to join committees occurs in the summer but meetings are always open to all members to attend. Don't know where to start? Contact us at membership@cms.org and we can help you find your path in CMS.