In This Issue
Featured news
New Sonoma Health magazine debuts in 2021
Physician Leadership Program now open
COVID-19 updates
CalVaxGrants deadline extended to Sept. 10
HOD changed to virtual meeting
Other highlights
Nominations due Sept. 30 for 2021 physician awards
TTC Gala performances start Sept. 10
Ask your financial questions
Discover Sonoma County fall hikes
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It's official! SCMA is out of the vaccine administration business for now. After a terrific partnership with Santa Rosa Community Health as our vaccine provider, we closed our vaccine clinic on Aug. 8, 2021. SRCH was our vaccine provider when the only way for SCMA to serve was with a partner. SRCH was wonderful to work with, and is now hoping to get back to its original focus on community health and preventative care — with a little less focus on vaccine logistics and data management.
SCMA and our physician volunteers are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to partner with SRCH. A great big SHOUT OUT to Naomi Fuchs, Elisabeth Chicoine, Gabriela Bernal, Kathy Sarmento and Belen Alvarado for their incredible patience, guidance and collaboration at a time when there were no rulebooks, yet lots of rules; a time when everything you knew was subject to change and did; long clinic days and sleepless nights; and the opportunity to be creative and share the power of two non-profit organizations coming together for a single mission. Please join us in thanking Santa Rosa Community Health for partnering with SCMA, and please support SRCH's mission whenever you have the opportunity. Naomi embraced the SRCH tagline "All of us. For all of you." when she reached out to SCMA. What an amazing demonstration of meaning what they say in the company culture at SRCH. Please consider supporting SRCH with your donation today.
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Call for nominations! Please consider nominating your colleagues for the 2021 Annual SCMA Contribution Awards to honor outstanding work in our community, local medicine, SCMA, and of course, the local favorite, Practice Manager of the Year! Nominate someone deserving today. It's easy; see link to the nomination form below.
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As always, the SCMA Team is here in service to you and community. Please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours in health and service,
Wendy Young, Executive Director
Sonoma County Medical Association
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New Sonoma Health magazine to focus on wellness
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SCMA is pleased to announce Sonoma Health, a new annual magazine from Sonoma Media Investments, publishers of Sonoma Magazine and The Press Democrat. The new magazine was inspired in part by Sonoma Medicine, SCMA’s award-winning magazine for physicians, and developed with guidance from the SCMA Editorial Board. As a consumer focused-publication, Sonoma Health will cover health issues and resources for the community at large. Articles will address healthy choices, community concerns, and medical breakthroughs of interest to local readers.
Sonoma Health will aim to introduce new ideas and concepts, explain treatments, and showcase technological and medical advancements. Content will be segmented into three categories: Self-Care, Community Health, and Medical Advances.
Although the magazine will not be published by SCMA, we look forward to a widely distributed, Sonoma-based publication that promotes and advances better health and wellness in our community. Articles will be written by both physicians and freelance journalists about health issues important to Sonoma County's consumer public. A Medical Advisory Board comprised of local physicians will vet the magazine’s medical content.
Initial distribution in December will include 45,000 Press Democrat subscribers, practicing physicians in Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties, and various healthcare providers. Interested in joining the Advisory Board or writing an article? Please see contact information below.
Medical Advisory Board and/or writing articles:
Advertising and marketing opportunities:
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Congratulations to our
newest SCMA member!
We are pleased to have you aboard and
look forward to supporting your practice.
Ophthalmology
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COVID-19 DEVELOPMENTS AND UPDATES |
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Physicians needed for pop-up vaccine clinics |
Physicians and other healthcare professionals are needed for pop-up vaccine clinics in the North Bay Area. MDs, DOs, FNPs, RNs, LVNs are needed on-site to answer vaccine questions and, in some cases, to administer vaccines. Other disciplines also welcome to support outreach and education to unvaccinated community members. All healthcare volunteers can provide their information here.
Sept. 11, 2021: Santa Rosa, Harvest Festival at Bayer Farm
Sept. 12, 2021: Kelseyville, Mexican Independence Celebration
For more information or to volunteer:
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New Doc and Elephant video on YouTube |
Dr. Brian Prystowsky has released another video in his Doc and Elephant series. In the new segment, Doc and Elephant discuss going back to school while the Delta variant is circulating in our community. Short video offers tips for conversation with worried parents and patients. View video here.
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GUIDANCE FROM DR. SUNDARI MASE
Workplace requirements for vaccinated healthcare workers
If a fully vaccinated HCW is exposed to someone with COVID-19:
- As long as the HCW is asymptomatic they do not need to quarantine and can continue working. However, they should get tested at time of exposure notification and again at days 5–7.
- They must continue to monitor for symptoms for 14 days.
- If at any time they develop symptoms or a test comes back positive, they can no longer go to work.
If a fully vaccinated HCW has a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, then:
- They cannot work and need to isolate for 10 days.
- The office should notify all patients who may have been exposed to the HCW.
- In a situation with critical staff shortage, the HCW can work, but only with COVID-19 positive patients or cohorts, wearing proper PPE including fitted N95, and may only travel between work and home (work-home isolation, may not go anywhere else).
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Application deadline extended to SEPT. 10! |
Still time to apply! Funded by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and administered by Physicians for a Healthy California (PHC), CalVaxGrant is offering $10,000 per office location for physician practices to support vaccination efforts. The program also provides one-on-one myCAVax support and vaccine administration resources for practices.
Need help with the myCAVax process?
The SCMA Team is making phone calls to PCP and Pediatric offices
to offer help and assist with questions regarding the CalVaxGrant process.
Please feel free to call us at 707-525-4375.
Check links below for more details.
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Click the images for current information in each county. |
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REGISTRATION OPEN UNTIL SEPT. 17
2021 Bay Area Physician Leadership Program
Interactive online series
Members receive $500 off the full program, paying only $1,400 for eight manageably sequenced online sessions built to accommodate busy physician schedules.
Each session provides an intense, experiential learning experience led by nationally recognized faculty using a dynamic interactive format. Carefully selected pre-course work is assigned to engage participants and to provide a deeper dive into the topic. Live sessions are supported with interactive tools to assist in participant collaboration and problem solving, such as Zoom Annotate, poll taking, and virtual breakout rooms.
Participants receive up to 24 CME hours for the course.
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DATES
Eight evening sessions from
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
• September 21, 2021
• October 5, 2021
• October 19, 2021
• November 9, 2021
• November 30, 2021
• December 14, 2021
• January 4, 2022
• January 18, 2022
FEES
• $1,900
• $1,400 (members)
Group discounts:
• 10% off for groups of 3–4 from the same organization
• 15% off for groups of 5 or more from the same organization
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PROGRAM TOPICS
September 21: Principles of Leadership and Leading Change
October 5: Understanding Ourselves and Others Through Personality Preference Types
October 19: Moving Toward an Anti-Racist Workplace
November 9: Effective Communication
November 30: Negotiation
December 14: Inspiring, Motivating & Mobilizing Others
January 4: Managing Conflict: Difficult Conversations
January 18: Planning and Succeeding at Projects
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BROADWAY UNDER THE STARS
Gala starts Sept. 10 with tribute to Sonoma County
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SCMA is proud to be a medical sponsor for Transcendence Theatre Company’s 2021 outdoor concert season. Please join SCMA and TTC at Jack London State Historic Park for the 2021 finale — a magical evening of show-stopping vocals, beloved songs from Broadway musicals, and a special tribute to Sonoma County!
Volunteer for SCMA's first-aid tent
COVID-19 safety precautions are monitored at the park, and SCMA provides a first-aid tent staffed by a volunteer physician. Benefits for volunteer physicians and their guest include two show tickets, VIP parking, and dinner. Only a few volunteer spots remain open. Sign up via link below and enjoy the show!
Broadway Under the Stars
Jack London State Historic Park • SEPT. 10-19, 2021
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October HOUSE OF DELEGATES to be virtual |
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The leadership of the California Medical Association met to discuss how to best handle this year's annual session of the House of Delegates (HOD) considering the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic and emergence of the Delta variant.
The decision: "While we greatly desired to have an in-person advocacy meeting, it is with a sense of responsibility and disappointment that we have decided to cancel our in-person meeting and replace it with a virtual session. We ask that you continue to hold the Annual Session on your calendars for Oct. 23-24 while we determine the form and agenda of the HOD meeting."
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SEPTEMBER CALENDAR: WEBINARS AND EVENTS |
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California Medical Association
Virtual Grand Rounds: The Nocturnists
Attendees will hear from Dr Erica Pan, California’s State Epidemiologist, about the state of COVID-19 in California, efforts to keep the virus at bay, progress on vaccinations, and the hope for keeping schools open this year. We are also honored to have The Nocturnists, a medical storytelling live show and podcast where healthcare workers can pause and examine their inner landscapes.
CMA President-Elect Candidate Forum on Climate Health Crisis
CMA members are invited to join this historic conversation with CMA president-elect candidates as they discuss the emergent professional duty of the physicians of CMA to lead for equitable climate action across our great state. Presented by a grassroots coalition of CMA member physicians and medical students who want to develop physician leadership to bring an end to the climate crisis.
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Sonoma County Medical Association
Discover Sonoma County
Take a break and join your colleagues for a series of hikes sponsored by the SCMA Physician Wellness Committee and the Sonoma County Parks Foundation.
Brunch or lunch provided by SCMA.
food and beverages for all attendees.
Riverfront Regional Park: 7821 Eastside Road, Healdsburg, California. Join your colleagues for an easy hike around “the lake” and under the redwoods. Trail is family friendly and flat with a full loop of about 2 miles. Lunch will be provided under the canopy of a redwood grove. Regional Parks ranger or expert will join us with an informative talk about this wonderful park.
Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Tolay Lake Regional Park: 5869 Cannon Lane, Petaluma, California. Hike a 4.5-mile mildly strenuous out and back trail to beautiful 3 Bridges Vista Point, and enjoy breakfast/brunch burritos at Vista Point. Regional Parks ranger or expert will be present to share history of the area, a scared place of the Miwok tribe—original descendants of the Tolay Valley.
Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
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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 entire series here.
Presented by Kristen K. Buono, MD, FACOG
Presented by Brett C. Sheridan, MD, FACS
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Shriners Hospitals for Children: Northern California
Management of Gait Abnormalities in Children with Cerebral Palsy
Presented by Jon Davids, MD, Assistant Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery/Medical Director, Motion Analysis Center
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit Designation for 1.0 contact hour
Caring for Children with Spina Bifida and Associated Conditions
Presented by Maya Evans, MD, Medical Director of the Spina Bifida Program and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit Designation for 1.0 contact hour
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Supporting physician practices |
CMA/SCMA/MLCMS membership is an investment in your practice—with exceptional member benefits that include help with reimbursements, COVID-19, telehealth, physician well-being, and expert guidance for medical practice operations. Learn more about CMA tools and resources here or call CMA's live-person call center at 800-786-4262 Monday through Friday during business hours.
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Have financial questions?
SCMA/MLCMS can help find the answers.
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As we approach the last quarter of 2021, SCMA/MLCMS would like to help find answers to financial questions that physicians may have. Just click the link below to access a confidential input form for questions. All subjects welcome—401k, cash balance, estate planning or retirement considerations, to name a few. We’ll check with financial experts and get you the answers.
Answers to questions received by Sept. 15, 2021, will be published in the October newsletter. (All input is anonymous and will not be shared.) Send us your questions; the answers may also be useful to your colleagues!
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FREE services and programs to support your practice |
You can now access CAP’s most requested services, educational guides, webinars, and more, all in one place and at no charge. The Cooperative of American Physicians (CAP) is pleased to offer all California physicians its suite of risk and practice management programs and services to help reduce liability risk and manage a safe and productive business operation.
Learn more about CAP's medical malpractice coverage.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Only have time for a quick break or two during the work day? Try Dr. Gail Dubinsky's Yoga Pearls or Short Strand routines on her RxYoga YouTube channel. Short segments include stretching, breathing practices and simple meditations for a variety of situations — each session only takes a few minutes and can be done anywhere. You don't need to change clothes or get on the floor! See introduction to Yoga Pearls here.
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Volunteer physicians sought for SCMA first-aid tent at Petaluma Wiffle Ball Tournament. Sponsored by three Petaluma Rotary Clubs and the Miracle League North Bay, this inspiring and fun event raises funds to help provide opportunities for children with disabilities to play baseball. Benefits children in Petaluma and around the world. See event flier for complete details or c all Rachel at 707-525-4375.
First-aid tent shifts: 12:00–3:00 and 3:00–6:00 p.m. Sign up here.
Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 • Miracle League Field at Lucchesi Park
320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, CA • 9:00 a.m. until tournament is complete
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Operation Access needs volunteer physicians to provide surgical and specialty care for low-income and uninsured adults in Northern California. You determine the frequency of participation and types of cases you accept. Please contact Operation Access to learn more about how you can get involved: 415-733-0052 or visit the Operation Access website.
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Dr. Edward "Ted" Hard, Jr., a longtime emergency room physician, novelist and photographer, died July 16 after battling stomach cancer and heart issues. He was 81. For more than 20 years, Dr. Hard directed the emergency department at Sutter Medical Center Santa Rosa, and served in the same role when it was Community Hospital of Sonoma County. He also practiced emergency medicine at Petaluma Valley Hospital.
Dr. Hard was a 35-year member of SCMA, transferring his membership to Humboldt-Del Norte Medical Society in 2018 when he moved to Eureka to direct emergency services for St. Joseph’s Hospital in Eureka and Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna. Read the full Press Democrat article here.
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Contact SCMA or MLCMS: exec@scma.org
or rachel@scma.org | 707-525-4375
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