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IN THIS ISSUE


Highlights

SMLMA 2025 Healthcare Expo & Dinner Feb. 5, 2025

Tickets and sponsorships now available


Sonoma Health magazine sent to all physicians in Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties


CMA Physician Services launches new service to streamline practice operations


Current webinar offerings


Membership Matters

CMA 2024 year in review


CAP case of the month: Navigating PA accountability



A message from Dr. Warren Chin, 2025 SMLMA President


As we step into 2025, I am honored to continue serving as President of the Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake Medical Association for another term. I am equally pleased to share that Dr. Ramzi Deeik will also remain in his role as Vice-President. His dedication and leadership have been invaluable, and I thank him for his continued commitment to our mission. Together, we look forward to supporting our medical community and making 2025 an extraordinary year.


I also want to extend my deepest gratitude to Wendy Davies, our Executive Director, and the incredible SMLMA staff. Their tireless efforts in 2024 laid the foundation for a successful year, and I am confident that 2025 will be just as impactful.


Mark your calendars! The 2025 SMLMA Healthcare Expo & Dinner scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency in Santa Rosa is shaping up to be an event not to be missed! Please let our presenters know your concerns by completing the Professional Fulfillment Survey below.


We invite all physicians, practices, and businesses to participate in the day’s activities, which include an interactive Wellness Roundtable Discussion featuring esteemed Drs. Mickey Trockel and Linda Hawes Clever.


We are also delighted to welcome CMA's participation in this year’s conference. Dustin Corcoran, CEO of the California Medical Association, will provide valuable insights into the anticipated landscape of California’s healthcare environment following recent state and federal elections. Continue reading

NEWS AND SMLMA EVENTS

SMLMA Professional Fulfillment Survey
Purchase conference tickets, sponsorships, and Expo space here

Thrive in 2025: Join Us at the SMLMA Healthcare Conference!


Kick off the new year with fresh ideas, meaningful connections, and actionable strategies to elevate your practice. The 2025 SMLMA Healthcare Conference is designed for physicians across all specialties and practice sizes—from solo practitioners to large organizations.


Why attend?


  • Dynamic Roundtable led by top regional business leaders and wellness experts offering practical insights into physician well-being.


  • Expert Consultations with business consultants and organizations specializing in practice excellence, professional solutions, and self-care—tailored to your unique needs.


  • Unparalleled Networking opportunities during the Happy Hour and farm-to-table dinner.


  • The evening culminates with an inspiring keynote address by Dustin Corcoran, CEO of the California Medical Association, followed by thought-provoking insights from Drs. Mickey Trockel and Linda Hawes Clever to set the stage for thriving in 2025.


Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired.

Make 2025 your best year yet!

Conference Highlights:

Dustin Corcoran, CEO

CALIFORNIA MEDICAL ASSOC.

"State of Healthcare as

We Begin 2025"

Linda Hawes Clever, MD RENEW

"Let's Create a Wellness Tsunami in 2025"

Mickey Trockel, MD

STANFORD MED WellMD

"Professional Fullfilment: Mitigating Isolation"

Tickets and sponsorships

Individual conference tickets include the Expo, wellness roundtable, meetings with regional professional and personal business consultants, a lively happy hour, and a delicious farm-to-table dinner.



$135 for Physician Members & Staff*

$185 for Non-member Physicians & Staff

$185 for General Public Attendance

$70 for Resident Physicians

$1350: Designated Table for 10 Guests


*Members of all California Medical Societies, including physician members and their administrative staff.



Discount room block available at the Hyatt Regency for night of event.

See website for details.

See brochure for event sponsorship and vendor opportunities.

Presented by the Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake Medical Association

with gratitude to our sponsors and media partners

CHECK YOUR MAILBOX NOW

Sonoma Health magazine distributed to physicians

The 2025 issue of Sonoma Health magazine was recently mailed to all physicians in Sonoma, Mendocino, and Lake counties. In addition, SMLMA members will receive bimonthly issues of Sonoma Magazine throughout 2025, compliments of the Medical Association. If you didn't receive your copy or would like to order additional copies, please contact Rachel Pandolfi at rachel@smlma.org or 707-525-4375.


Sonoma Health focus for 2025 is on healthy lifestylesrethinking obesity and weight loss. The issue also includes articles on physician shortages, air quality and wildfires, cancer in young adults, and movement as medicine. Please share the magazines in your waiting rooms and let SMLMA know of any suggestions you have for future issues.


Sonoma Health magazine is published annually by Sonoma Media in collaboration with the Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake Medical Association.

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

FOR SALE

Retiring doctor’s office equipment for sale: large, sturdy metal filing shelves and drawers for storage; wooden exam table; office furniture; and miscellaneous office supplies.Contact Dr. Luisi at 707-481-0839.

IN MEMORIAM

SMLMA remembers Dr. Robert J. Werra, a 62-year member of the Medical Association. Among other achievements, Dr. Werra helped start the first home healthcare agency and the first hospice in Mendocino County. He wrote about Lyme Disease, Restless Leg Syndrome, and was a many decades-long supporter of Hospice of Ukiah. In 2005, Dr. Werra was honored as California Family Physician of the Year. Read obituary here.

DID YOU KNOW

SMLMA members can run FREE classified ads in News Briefs ($1 per word for non-members). To place an ad in the February issue, contact Susan Gumucio at susan@smlma.org or 707-481-8995.

CURRENT WEBINAR OFFERINGS

VGR_Emerging_Public_Health_Issues image

California Medical Association

CME Accredited Programs


Featured Grand Rounds CME: Infectious Diseases on the Rise, Updates on Winter Respiratory Viruses, Avian Flu, MPox and More

Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE


2025 CPT Coding Updates

Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 • 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. | REGISTER HERE


New Laws Affecting Physicians 2025

Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 • 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. | REGISTER HERE


Managing Medicare in 2025

Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 • 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. | REGISTER HERE

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.


Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE 


Surgical Management of Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE 


Closing the Gap to Vaccine Acceptance

Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | REGISTER HERE 


SHVGR on-demand library

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

Welcome to our newest SMLMA member!

We look forward to supporting you and your practice in 2025 and beyond.


Robert Harf, MD

Orthopaedic Surgery


Fighting for all physicians on all fronts

The California Medical Association works tirelessly to ensure the physicians of California have the support they need to deliver the highest quality of care to the people of California. Here's a look back at what CMA accomplished this past year!


Thank you CMA members

Our success in 2024 and every year wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and commitment of the physicians of California. THANK YOU to all CMA members for your unwavering support of the medical profession and your dedication to the health and well-being of our communities.

CASE OF THE MONTH

Supervision under scrutiny: Navigating PA accountability

A mother took her 12-month-old infant daughter, “Olivia,” to a dermatology clinic to assess a spot developing on her scalp that was first seen when she was around 8 months old. A physician assistant (PA #1) examined the infant and requested her insurer to approve an “excision and biopsy.” One month later, another physician assistant (PA #2) at the clinic saw the patient and performed a “shave biopsy” of the lesion. The doctor who examined the biopsied tissue found no malignancy. Continue reading.

To learn more about the Cooperative of American Physicians:

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

Request an Instant Quote on medical malpractice coverage.