If you weren't able to attend the April 26 Wellness EXPO and Awards Dinner, please join SMLMA and SFMMS in congratulating the award recipients listed below.

More than 130 attendees enjoyed a pre-dinner champagne reception and wellness EXPO. Following the dinner, VIP speakers addressed the group, all emphasizing the importance of wellness and self-care. The 2024 nominations were announced, and awards presented in six categories of wellness achievement. It was an emotional and special evening from start to finish!

Our distinguished panel of jurors (Drs. John Chuck/CNU College of Medicine; Mickey Trockel/Stanford Medicine; and Paul DeChant/Advancing Organizational Well-Being) selected the awardees from the exceptional group of physicians who were nominated for the awards. Click here for the full dinner program, which includes photos and statements from each of the nominees. Additional photos from the evening's festivities may be viewed on SMLMA's Facebook page.

2024 Physician Wellness Leadership Awards

Drs. Downlearn, Rubin and Mendoza from TPMG Residency Program, Dr. Warren Chin, SMLMA Executive Director Wendy Davies, and Dr. Brad Drexler (pictured right) joined hundreds of CMA physicians and executives in Sacramento on April 10 to advocate for the practice of medicine.

During a full day of activities on Sacramento's Capitol Hill, SMLMA representatives met with Assembly members Jim Wood, Damon Connolly, and Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, and office staff for Senators Bill Dodd and Mike McGuire. Focused discussion topics were:

• Reformation of the troubled prior authorization process (SB 516).
• Safeguarding the critical Managed Care Organization (MCO) tax.
• Bills on healthcare worker title transparency, physician credentialing, and EHR vendors.

See SMLMA's Facebook page for additional photos of local advocacy in action!

Please join us via zoom on WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 for a lively lunchtime discussion about climate health action. Dr. Michelle Mertz, family physician, member of core faculty at Kaiser Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency, and environmental medicine expert, will present and lead the discussion. Dr. Mertz has been studying and teaching planetary health for more than 10 years.

The World Health Organization considers climate change to be the single the biggest threat to public health. Here in the North Bay, especially during fire season, we have seen firsthand how climate change is impacting health. As healthcare providers, we physicians are on the cutting edge of the climate health emergency. Let's discuss how physicians can address climate change and affect policy. Please register to participate so we can gauge interest in the series. A high level of interest will mean more frequent forums.

SMLMA Climate Health Action Forum

Wednesday, May 8, 2024 • 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Please register to receive the Zoom link.

Link will be sent following registration.

RSVP to Rachel Pandolfi: rachel@SMLMA.org or 707-525-4375

The Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake Medical Association offers a unique opportunity to provide input into the direction and future for the practice of medicine. We are now seeking SMLMA's representatives for our District 10 CMA House of Delegates.

The CMA House of Delegates is the principal policy-making body for the CMA. SMLMA is represented by physician delegates who meet annually to debate, vote, and act on resolutions and reports dealing with a myriad of medical practice, public health, and governance issues. As a delegate, you will represent the interests of your fellow physicians in the Sonoma, Mendocino, and Lake service areas. Delegates and alternates serve a two-year term.

APPLY TODAY: Submit a brief explanation of your interest in legislation and advocacy to Wendy Davies at exec@smlma.org. Questions? Call: 707-525-4375.

The California Legislature signed 890 bills into law last year, and many impact healthcare. The California Medical Association has published several resources designed to help you and your organization navigate the changes in laws affecting the practice of medicine. See Significant New California Laws of Interest to Physicians for 2024.

CMA’s Center for Legal Affairs offers resources such as free access to a 5,400-page online health law library, free informational webinars, and a free hotline where members can get information about laws and regulations that impact the practice of medicine.

Do you have a story regarding an experience with Medi-Cal or prior authorization? Personal stories can have a powerful impact on advocacy efforts! Your experience as a physician could be very helpful to CMA's efforts to improve healthcare access and reduce administrative burdens,

For more information about how to share your story, please contact CMA's Shannan Velayas at 916-271-2867 or svelayas@cmadocs.org.

SMLMA has arranged another private afternoon for SMLMA members and guests: Join us for a wine and paint experience on SUNDAY, June 9. Price Includes paint supplies, expert guidance, wine, and gourmet food. Event is limited to 16 guests.

Come for the creative outlet and community connection and be WOWed by the incredible view and wines at the stunning hilltop home of Rio Crest winemaker and owner, Peggy Brown. See more about this exclusive winery here.

Sunday, June 9, 2024 • 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Rio Crest Winery, Guerneville, California

SMLMA members $45 | Nonmembers $60

RSVP to Rachel Pandolfi: rachel@SMLMA.org or 707-525-4375

Petaluma Valley Hospital's CREAM OF THE CROP GALA is Saturday, May 11, 2024. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. at Gambonini Family Ranch. Don your dairy best milky white attire and join us to celebrate our amazing community hospital. Dance to the tunes of the Apollo Jazz Trio, try your luck at thrilling casino games and revel in the joyous atmosphere. Click here for sponsor information and/or to purchase tickets.

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You’re invited! Mark your calendar for the North Coast HIV Conference in Ukiah on Saturday, May 18, 2024. This event is designed for care teams that are responsible for engaging patients who may be vulnerable to or impacted by HIV in a variety of settings. Conference will examine gaps in the use of PrEP for HIV prevention in the region. Continuing Education available, continental breakfast and lunch provided. Register here and see flier for conference details. For questions, please email jessica.price@ucsf.edu.

California Medical Association

HIT Summit: Health IT in the Safety Net

May 8 - May 9, 2024 • Grand Hyatt San Francisco | MUST REGISTER BY May 1

As California works to expand coverage to underserved populations, health IT can play a pivotal role in ensuring equitable access to care. The CMA HIT Summit will bring together thought leaders from across California and the nation to explore how to make that vision a reality. REGISTER HERE

Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital

Update on Common Oral Diseases

Friday, May 17, 2024 • Buffet lunch 12:00 p.m. | Presentation 12:30 - 1:45 p.m. 

Presented by Kamal Al-Eryani, DDS, PhD, HS Associate Professor of Orofacial Sciences, Chief of Oral Medicine, UCSF School of Dentistry. See program flier for details. Registration not required. Livestreamed via TEAMS.

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 series here.

Pediatric Asthma

Wednesday, May 1, 2024 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE

Comprehensive Management of Obesity

Wednesday, May 8, 2024 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE

Hearing Rehabilitation and Implantable Devices

Wednesday, May 15, 2024 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE

Kidney-Cardio-Metabolic Syndrome

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE

To learn about becoming a CAP member:

Contact Dorine Leong at 650-543-2183 or DLeong@CAPphysicians.com. 

Request an Instant Quote on medical malpractice coverage.