COVID-19 admissions continue to climb at Southwest Florida hospitals: “The Lee Health system, (...) reported 321 patients on Tuesday (8/3) who are infected with the virus and isolated in the hospitals. The NCH Healthcare System in Collier County reported Tuesday (8/3) that it had 140 patients with the virus, an increase from 115 patients Monday (8/2)." - Naples Daily News

Florida reports biggest one-day COVID-19 infection spike with 21,683 new cases: “Florida added more than 21,000 new coronavirus infections to its caseload Saturday (7/31), the biggest one-day increase the state has recorded to date.” - The Palm Beach Post

CDC: Vaccinated people should get tested after exposure even if they show no symptoms: “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revised its COVID-19 testing guidance for fully vaccinated people, recommending tests after exposure even if they don't show any symptoms." - yahoo!news

EXPLAINER: Employers have legal right to mandate COVID shots: “The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The state of California. New York City. Hospitals and nursing homes. Colleges and universities. Employers are putting COVID-19 vaccine mandates into place and it’s getting attention.” - AP

Florida leads the nation in kids hospitalized for COVID: “Florida had 32 pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations per day between July 24 and 30, according to the (CDC). Adjusted for population, that’s 0.76 kids hospitalized per 100,000 residents, the highest rate in the country.” - Tampa Bay Times

Study: Vaccinated people can carry as much virus as others: “In another dispiriting setback for the nation’s efforts to stamp out the coronavirus, scientists who studied a big COVID-19 outbreak in Massachusetts concluded that vaccinated people who got so-called breakthrough infections carried about the same amount of the coronavirus as those who did not get the shots.” - AP News

Dr. David Wilkinson, Advanced Urology Institute in Naples, is currently unavailable due to a medical condition and a full recovery is anticipated in the near future. Upon Dr. Wilkinson’s return, his patients will return under his care. Please see Dr. Wilkinson’s Public Statement for patient appointment scheduling information in the interim.

- Statement from Dr. Alejandro Perez-Trepichio, CCMS Board President

- Updates Regarding the Direct Order and Reporting Process for Monoclonal Antibodies

- State Government Press Conferences on COVID

- NCH COVID Updates (right-hand column of page)

- Updated COVID-19 Guidelines, Variants, Vaccines FAQs

- Partial List of Vaccine Appointment Resources

- Vaccine Flyers for Physician Offices: English | Spanish | Creole

- Weekly Florida COVID Report

- Florida DOH COVID-19 vaccine provider page

- CDC Vaccine FAQ

- Webinar: What Physicians Need to Know: Vaccine misinformation

More updates and resources available online

Invitation to join CCMS Committees: Membership in CCMS committees is open to all CCMS physician members. If you are interested in serving on any CCMS committees, please contact April Donahue, CCMS Executive Director / (239) 435-7727.

CCMS Physician Member Survey Results: View our updated responses on member physicians who are accepting new patients to help with your referral needs. Member physician who would like to be included, be sure to complete the CCMS Member Survey to help us better connect with CCMS members, and connect members with each other. The survey also offers to collect and share member cell phones with each other for those who provide permission solely for this purpose. To request a list of members who’ve given permission, contact CCMS.

Physician Wellness Article of the week: "Half of health workers report burnout amid COVID-19"

Confidential, cost-free counseling/coaching sessions with the CCMS Physician Wellness Program (operating via telehealth or in-person during the COVID-19 outbreak) are open to all CCMS physician members. Learn more online.

2021 RCC Cards: CCMS Members receive special $10 pricing on the 2021 RCC Card, which provides discounts at restaurants and merchants. Order a card at ccmsonline.org/membership or call CCMS, (239) 435-7727. Cards will be mailed to the office address on file unless otherwise specified.

Note: Click here for information on various CME courses available

Thursday, August 26, 6:30PM, Ocean Prime at The Inn on Fifth

Dermatologists, plastic surgeons (and their advanced providers) are invited to join GenesisCare as they discuss non-melanoma skin cancer treatments. RSVP: Sherri (239) 839-6015. More Info

Thursday September 2, 7:00PM

Hosted by one of the CCMS Annual Meeting sponsors, Prudent Financial Planning. Topics include differences between refinancing and consolidating, determining the value of your medical practice, and loan forgiveness qualification. Register

Saturday, October 16, 8:30AM, White Mass at St. Agnes Church

Features keynote speaker Paul Hiltz, President and CEO of NCH, panel discussion with the Presidents of the 3 largest hospital systems in the region, and a blessing of the stethoscopes. Includes breakfast and 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit. Cost: $50 | More Information | Register

Wednesdays, 5:30PM, Naples restaurant locations

Collier County Medical Society is pleased to announce its 2021-2022 president and board of directors, installed at the Medical Society’s 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting.

Dr. Rebekah Bernard, outgoing president passed the gavel to Dr. Alejandro Perez-Trepichio, who began his one-year term as the 64th CCMS board president at the virtual meeting on July 24th. CCMS postponed its in-person celebration to help keep its members and their families safe during the current COVID-19 surge and help ensure continuity of care for patients.

The new 2021-2022 CCMS board of directors joining Dr. Perez-Trepichio are: Dr. Rebecca Smith, Vice President; Dr. Gary Swain, Treasurer; Dr. Zubin Pachori, Secretary; Dr. George Brinnig, Officer/Director at Large; and Drs. Jose Baez and Glenn Groat, Directors at Large. Dr. Bernard remains on the board as Immediate Past President. Ex-officio board members include April Donahue, CCMS Executive Director; Amy Howard and Dr. Jamie Weaver, CCMS Alliance Co-Presidents; and Drs. Kelsey Diemer and Michael Witte, Resident Physician Representatives. The board members will lead CCMS in the mission to serve the needs of its physician members, so they can better serve the needs of the community.

The 2021-22 CCMS board of directors and additional delegates to the Florida Medical Association, Dr. Alexandra Grace and Dr. Rafael Haciski, participated in the FMA House of Delegates voting this past weekend (with appropriate COVID safety precautions).

Congratulations to CCMS Immediate Past President Dr. Rebekah Bernard, elected to represent District E on the FMA Board of Governors, and to Past President Dr. Corey Howard, elected to the AMA Delegation for the FMA. Dr. Howard has served as chair of the AMA delegation since 2011 and is also an FMA Past President. CCMS Past President Dr. Catherine Kowal continues on the FMA Board serving as the Medical Specialty Representative. Stay tuned for a report on the actions of the FMA 2021 House of Delegates.

Medical Graduate Seeking Externship/Observership: Dr. Tareefe Montaque, medical graduate from the University of The West Indies and Post Graduate Medical Studies candidate for a US Surgical Residency Program, is looking to secure an externship/observership in SWFL to prepare for the 2023 Match. More information & contact details.

Neighborhood Health Clinic is seeking a Part Time Database Assistant to join the Development team as an integral internal representative, working with the donor base, fundraising objectives, donor and volunteer relationships, and independent projects. Contact CDO Keith Maples at (239) 529-2264.

Naples pediatric practice seeking NP or PA for 3 to 5 days a week. Please contact CCMS if interested.

Seeking physician offices who can welcome a high school student for career learning opportunities such as shadowing, scribing, lab work, etc. If interested, please contact CCMS.