Thanks to all of the physicians and community executives and members who attended the PCMS launch of Nature Scripts, a community engagement project developed in collaboration with Park Rx America, Pueblo Department of Health and Environment, and Pueblo Parks and Recreation, through which physicians and other prescribing providers can “prescribe” nature and exercise to patients.

We had a great program and community discussion featuring Robert Zarr, MD, MPH, founder of Park Rx America; PCMS board member Brad Roberts, MD; Alexis Romero of the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment; Amanda Cesar of Pueblo Parks and Recreation; Patty Kester of the Nature Center; and Eileen Dennis of Pueblo Tripleaim.

We are confident that greater awareness among physicians and patients will increase Puebloans’ appreciation of the many medical benefits of nature and exercise, and improve health outcomes locally.

To hear more about Nature Scripts, plan to attend Parkview's Grand Rounds Presentation scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, at 7 a.m. at Parkview Medical Center. Provider champion Dr. Brad Roberts will be presenting to his colleagues and sharing his experience prescribing nature and exercise to patients. He reported that the health condition most impacted by his prescriptions is chest pain.

July can be a tough time in medicine. New residents, new students, new mistakes. This coming year will also be unique in that, like everything else, COVID makes things more complicated. Many residents and students have not been in the hospitals/offices for clinicals and have been utilizing online learning for a significant portion of the last year. Please continue to be patient and take pride in shaping the future of medicine through our new future colleagues.

Our vaccination rates are still dismal in Pueblo County. We have barely reached the 50% mark for at least one dose so far. The Delta variant has been making an appearance, but thankfully, the vaccine data has been promising regarding efficacy against this variant as well. I can personally assure you that we are still seeing new cases in the hospital, sick enough to be admitted acutely, in addition to those suffering from long term sequelae associated with the virus. Please, encourage your patients, especially those at highest risk, to get vaccinated.

As always, thank you for all you do in your service to our community. Here’s to a safe summer!

Theresa Braden, DO, has left her position on the PCMS Board of Directors. Dr. Braden has made significant contributions to the benefit of this medical society, and ends her association as a Director on a good note. 

We wish you the best of everything, Dr. Braden, and greatly appreciate your leadership support and guidance throughout the past years!

PCMS is nearing the end of production of our 2021 Online Medical Directory. Email directory@pueblocms.org with all contact information updates no later than noon, Friday, July 30, 2021. A suggestion for submitting edits would be to make a copy of your 2020 listing and send us a copy with your updates. We especially request photos, color preferred! Accuracy is important to us. The Directory is the only comprehensive listing of Pueblo providers and available as an online resource, it could be accessed by more physicians and patients than ever before.

House Bill 21-1317 was signed by Gov. Jared Polis. The new law enacts measures to protect kids from ultra-high THC products in the era of legalized marijuana.

Our recent Colorado Sun column highlighted the heroes who made the bill's passing possible. PCMS supported the bill, sponsored by Rep. Yadira Caraveo, MD, a pediatrician and the only physician serving in Colorado’s legislature. Thanks to all of the PCMS members who testified and wrote letters in support of this bill.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services released updated Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Guidelines and announced that reporting began July 1, 2021. Read an interpretation of the guidelines here from Health Law News.

Senate Bill 21-126, which will streamline the credentialing process for physicians by setting 60-day timelines and requiring communications between the plans and applicants throughout the credentialing process, was passed into law this legislative session. A collaborative effort by CMS, the Colorado Medical Group Management Association, and Colorado Association of Health Plans, the bill is the result of two years of negotiations. Read a primer on it here from the Colorado Medical Society.

The Colorado Medical Society's policy and advocacy team developed a primer to decode the Colorado Option as it stands now. For a breakdown of the law, check it out here.

The next COVID-19 Provider Roundtable will be held July 14. View the agenda here. Zoom Meeting URL or join by phone: 888-475-4499; Meeting ID: 922 1777 4016; Passcode: 285455. 1 CME Credit available to providers who attend this presentation. *Evaluation must be returned to receive CME credit* Return to: Sandra Proud - fax 584-4038 or email: sandra_proud@parkviewmc.com.

Additional resources:

Parkview Medical Center is accredited by the Colorado Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Parkview Medical Center designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Northern Colorado Medical Society, with support from Colorado Medical Society, presents the next event in the NCMS Virtual Education Series: "Physician Burnout." This live virtual workshop on Thursday, July 15 from 6-7:30 p.m. MST features world renowned speaker Dr. Dike Drummond. He will walk you through an interactive, high energy live workshop teaching you how to recognize and prevent burnout, lower stress and build a more balanced life. Physicians can earn up to 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Full accreditation information available on the registration page. Register here.

PCMS is planning the 5th Annual Symposium in October 2021. The purpose will be to educate and connect primary care providers with specialists to discuss the latest procedures offered to treat patients. A post-Covid discussion will also be included. The venue will be in-person depending on the pandemic. There will be no cost to attend. More details are coming soon. If you’re interested in participating as a volunteer speaker or have a recommendation for content, contact cheryl.law@pueblocms.org.

The Colorado Medical Society will host the 151st annual meeting and installation of officers the weekend of Sept. 17-18. Save the date for an engaging virtual program! An in-person event on Friday, Sept. 17 at Wings Over the Rockies in Denver is also in the works. Stay tuned.

MISSION: Facilitating meaningful collaboration of medical professionals in Pueblo County through social networking, education, and advocacy! 

VISION: To create a medical society that serves as a venue for collaboration for the betterment of healthcare in Pueblo County, and improve the practice of medicine and life of medical professionals, locally.

Board Officers: President: Marcel Junqueira, MD; President-Elect: open position; Secretary: Kathleen Brown, MD; Treasurer: Robert Tonsing, MD; Past-President: Tom Greidanus, MD | Directors: CMS Representative Brittany Carver, DO; Teresa Braden, DO; Jacob Mathew Jr., DO; Ross Patrick, MD; Brad Roberts, MD; Cheryl Walker, DO; and Kevin Weber, MD | Chief Executive Officer: Cheryl Law, MA, MNM

Visit our website at www.pueblocms.org