WASHTENAW COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY
Legislative action & community outreach since 1827
The WCMS E-Newsletter is a bimonthly publication highlighting major medical, public health, and community issues affecting physician and medical student leaders in Washtenaw County. Distribution is a unique benefit of WCMS membership. To learn more about WCMS' member benefits, please follow this link.
COVID-19 STATUS & VACCINE STATUS
Testing Summary (Current as of April 7):
  • Washtenaw County COVID-19 Case Status
  • Confirmed & Probable Cases - 22,117
  • Total Deaths - 255
  • 2 week snapshot (March 19-April 1): 1,284 cases and 3.8% weekly test positivity rate
  • Looking for COVID-19 testing sites in Washtenaw County? Follow this link.
  • Michigan COVID-19 Case Status
  • Confirmed Cases - 795,492
  • Total Deaths - 17,373
  • Looking for COVID-19 testing sites in Michigan? Follow this link.

Vaccination Summary (Current as of April 6):
  • Washtenaw County Vaccine Status (Region 2S)
  • 228,895 vaccines distributed (Pfizer - 179,595 / Moderna - 42,100 / Johnson & Johnson - 7.200)
  • 216,652 vaccines administered
  • 136,858 1st dose
  • 79,794 2nd dose
  • Anyone 16+ who lives or works in Washtenaw County is eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment with the Washtenaw County Health Department by completing this link. For full information on vaccine appointment information, please follow this link.
  • Michigan Vaccine Status
  • 5,661,745 vaccines distributed (Pfizer - 2,810,145 / Moderna - 2,540,200 / Johnson & Johnson - 311,400)
  • 4,871,713 vaccines administered
  • 3,074,465 1st dose
  • 1,797,248 2nd dose
  • To find a COVID-19 vaccine in the State of Michigan, please follow this link.
NEWS & STORIES
ACT NOW: Write your Senator Regarding HB 4359 Today: CRNA Expansion

Your continued advocacy is needed! Despite strong opposition from the physician community, on March 24, 2021, the Michigan House of Representatives passed House Bill 4359, dangerous legislation that would expand the scope of practice for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). Under the bill, nurses who administer anesthetics would no longer be required to be supervised by a physician and would be solely responsible for the entire anesthesia plan and the administration of related care.

With the bill now under consideration by the Senate Health Policy and Human Services Committee, Michigan legislators need to hear from physicians. Please contact your Senator today and urge them to preserve safe patient care by opposing House Bill 4359 by clicking here.
Opinion Piece from WCMS Medical Student 
"In Light of Anti-Asian Attacks, Medicine Needs to Listen to Asian American Trainees"

Jesper Ke, a University of Michigan M1 and WCMS Executive Council member, published an opinion piece in STAT News about the pain of rising anti-Asian racism, how it manifests in medicine, and Asian American medical students' plea for inclusion. The piece highlights first-hand perspectives and actionable steps to support Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) trainees and faculty. 

WCMS stands with our AAPI colleagues and encourages all members to access the article at this link.
Community Organization Highlight:
Friends In Deed
Over The Edge Event on October 2

WCMS President Terence Joiner, MD has begun a monthly initiative highlighting community organizations that align with WCMS' mission and values. At the April Executive Council meeting, WCMS had the opportunity to learn more about Friends in Deed from Executive Director Sarah Thornburg.

For most of its almost 40-year history, Friends In Deed (FID) has worked to meet the short-term, emergency needs of low-income families in the Washtenaw County community. By providing basic-needs furniture, assisting with transportation needs, preventing utility shutoffs; and otherwise stabilizing families in crisis, FID preserves fragile budgets and provides a foundation from which families can lift themselves out of poverty.
 
In 2017, FID added a comprehensive, long-term program to do just that: Circles Washtenaw. Circles’ unique strategy utilizes education, goal setting, training and relationships to help low-income families develop the resources and social capital they need to rise out of poverty and achieve economic independence.

FID invites community members to rappel for a cause on October 2. The proceeds from the event will benefit FID and its mission: “Helping people in need; building community to end poverty.”
 
To learn more about Friends In Deed, please follow this link. To register for Over The Edge, please follow this link.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Launches the We Treat Hep C Campaign and Hepatitis C Elimination Plan

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is excited to announce the release of the state’s Hepatitis C Elimination Plan and launch of the We Treat Hep C Initiative, effective April 1, 2021. This is significant as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has expanded their guidance to recommend universal hepatitis C testing for all adults 18 years and older, and among all pregnant women during every pregnancy.
 
The We Treat Hep C Initiative aims to make curative hepatitis C treatment more accessible by removing barriers to prescribing. Through this initiative, MDHHS has entered into an agreement with AbbVie, the manufacturer of the HCV direct-acting antiviral MAVYRET ®, to make treatment available to all Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries. Starting April 1, Michigan Medicaid is removing prior authorization requirements for the preferred HCV medication, MAVYRET®.

The success of the We Treat Hep C Initiative will be directly tied to the state’s clinical community treating patients impacted by HCV. MDHHS is partnering with Wayne State University’s Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center to develop curricula and trainings for interested clinicians. Furthermore, MDHHS is contracting with Henry Ford Health System to maintain an HCV clinical consultation line to provide peer-to-peer advice to clinicians in the process of evaluating and treating their patients for HCV (313-575-0332, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., or online).

For more information, updates, and resources, please visit www.Mi.gov/WeTreatHepC or contact the MDHHS Viral Hepatitis Unit at MDHHS-Hepatitis@michigan.gov.
EVENTS & IMPORTANT DATES
WCMS COVID-19 Workgroup: Thursday, April 8 at 6:00 PM

Since March, WCMS has convened regular COVID-19 teleconferences to discuss resource allocation, emergency preparedness, and tracking and tracing among Washtenaw's health systems and physician leaders. The workgroup is led by University of Michigan infectious diseases specialist and WCMS Executive Council member Sandro Cinti, MD. The workgroup also receives updates and modeling data from UM Public Health epidemiologists.

All interested WCMS members are encouraged to join the next virtual meeting on Thursday, April 8 from 6:00-7:00 PM. Please contact the Society Office for login credentials.
MSMS Foundation Spring Scientific Meeting Starts Thursday, April 15

The MSMS Foundation is set to kick off the first of three virtual Scientific Meeting sessions on Thursday, April 15. Courses will begin on April 15 at 8:00 am and run until 11:00 am. They will continue on Friday, April 16 from 8:00 am - 11:00 am. Thursday's course will focus on "Diabetes Management: Partnerships that can Improve Patient Outcomes" while Friday's focus will be on "Current Issues in Cardiology". 

To register for this session or any of the three and to view program details, visit msms.org/ssm.
Virtual 2021 MSMS House of Delegates Schedule

The House of Delegates is the official policy-making body of the Michigan State Medical Society. Resolutions and Board Action Reports are the vehicles used to debate and determine the policies, priorities, and direction of MSMS during the ensuing 12 months and beyond.

2021 MSMS House of Delegates Timeline:
  • Online testimony: April 5-16
  • Reference Committees meet: April 19 - 23
  • Virtual Officer Speeches and Candidate Forum (Optional): May 1, 9:00 – 10:30 am
  • Post Reference Committee Report and Online Voting: April 30 – May 16
  • Candidate Voting (if contested): May 1 – May 16
  • Vote on Extractions (majority needed for tabling): May 17 - 21
  • Post final report: May 24 - 28

For information on the HOD and resolution resources, please click here.
Ascension St. John Hospital Event: Update in Radiology 2021, Virtual Zoom Webinar on May 20

This course will provide primary care physicians and other health care providers with an update in Radiology.

Program Objectives:
  • Review artificial intelligence in radiology
  • Update on lung cancer screening
  • Discuss current prostate MRI techniques
  • Overview of Pediatric GI emergency
  • Overview of Emergency Radiology Head and neck
  • Learn the imaging of COVID 19 pneumonia from acute to chronic lung disease
  • Cover stroke update.
  • Review Vascular Malformation Imperforate Rectum

Accreditation
Ascension St. John Hospital is accredited by the Michigan State Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Ascension St. John Hospital designates this live activity for a maximum of 3.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Application for CME credit has been filed with the American Academy of Family Physicians. Determination of credit is pending.

For more information and to register, please follow this link.
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
Call for Leaders

WCMS at the MSMS House of Delegates
The House of Delegates (HOD) is the official policy-making body of MSMS. Resolutions are the vehicles used to debate and determine the policies, priorities, and direction of MSMS. Each year, physician and medical student members serve as delegates, review resolutions, testify in reference committees, and vote on important policy decisions. WCMS is allocated 13 delegate slots in 2021.

WCMS Executive Council
The Executive Council is the voting body that supervises the function and activities of WCMS. Council members determine annual events, legislative priorities, and community outreach directives. The Executive Council now meets virtually the first Thursday of each month.

WCMS Committees and Task Forces
Each committee meets approximately three-four times annually and members are simply asked to share a passion for the subject and interest in learning skills in the field.
  • Environmental/Climate Change Task Force
  • Finance Committee
  • Legislative Committee
  • Membership Committee
  • Programming Committee

To apply and learn more about WCMS leadership opportunities, please follow this link.
Don't Forget to Renew Your WCMS/MSMS 2021 Membership

Membership to WCMS and MSMS runs on a calendar basis (January-December). If you have not yet renewed your 2021 membership, please click here to continue receiving important member benefits, information, and news.

If you need help with your username or password, or would like to renew over the phone, please call the MSMS Membership Department: (517) 336-5716.

WCMS and MSMS are here to help throughout your career in medicine. We are proud to serve you and keep you connected with legislators, public health experts, and colleagues. Our staff, tools, and resources are available to you around the clock.
*Reference to any specific product, process, or service, or the use of any trade, firm or corporation name is for the information and convenience of members, and does not constitute medical advice, endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the Washtenaw County Medical Society.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR MEMBERSHIP AND SUPPORT OF WCMS!
The Washtenaw County Medical Society has been the leading physician medical association for legislative action and community outreach since 1827. WCMS works together with the Michigan State Medical Society to optimize patient, physician, and community well-being through professional support; public health activism; and advocacy for excellence in patient care.