Marin Medical Society

MMS News Briefs

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January 2016

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MMS NEWS

135 new health laws in 2016

The California Legislature had an active year, passing many new laws affecting health care. In particular, there was a strong focus on health care coverage, public health issues and end-of-life care. Click here to access the list of significant new health laws of interest to physicians (PDF download).


Join us at the Capitol for Legislative Advocacy Day April 13

MMS members, you are invited to join your peers at CMA's annual Legislative Advocacy Day on Tuesday, April 13, at the Sheraton Grand in Sacramento. Attended by more than 400 physicians, medical students and alliance members, this conference provides an opportunity to meet with local legislators regarding pressing health care issues. For more information contact Dr. Peter Bretan at bretanp@msn.com, or Cynthia Melody at 707-525-4375, cmelody@scma.org.


Applicants

Welcome new MMS/CMA members and a special note of thanks to TPMG for awesome MMS membership recruiting efforts!

Stephen Allison, MD, Psychiatry, 3030 Bridgeway #110, Sausalito, UC San Francisco 2010
Robert Belknap, MD, Internal Medicine, 655 Redwood Hwy. #375, Mill Valley, UC San Francisco 1970
Gregg Tolliver, MD, Infectious Disease, 1260 S. Eliseo Dr., Greenbrae, Univ Arizona 1997

TPMG - 99 Montecillo Rd., San Rafael

Chioma Agbo, MD, Emergency Medicine
Mary Air, MD, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Gregory Arent, MD, Internal Medicine*, UC San Francisco 1995
James Barton, MD, Dermatology, Columbia Univ 1998
Jason Bateman, MD, Emergency Medicine, Georgetown Univ 1998
Erik Cabral, MD, Dermatology, Stanford Univ 2008
Christopher Cappelen, MD, Diagnostic Radiology
James Carolan, MD, Ophthalmology, St. Louis Univ 2000
Maria Chan, MD, Internal Medicine, Univ Santo Tomas 2002
Victoria Clague, MD, Diagnostic Radiology*, Stanford Univ 1999
Jason Cunnan, MD, Anesthesiology, UC Irvine 2000
John Delfanti, MD, Otolaryngology*, Loyola Univ 1984
Edward DeMayo, MD, Orthopaedic Surgery*, Univ Southern California 1974
Elizabeth Dessouky, MD, Diagnostic Radiology, Univ South Carolina 1999
Richard Dow, MD, Pediatrics, Ohio State Univ 1991
Eric Gelino, MD, Diagnostic Radiology*, Univ Michigan 2000
Suraj Gupta, MD, Gastroenterology, Boston Univ 2008
Eugene Hagiwara, MD, Diagnostic Radiology
Peter Heinlein, MD, Obstetrics & Gynecology*, Case Western Reserve Univ 1990
Paul Katz, MD, Pediatrics*, UC San Francisco 1989
Alpana Kharkar, MD, Internal Medicine, Univ Newcastle 1988
Zita Konik, MD, Emergency Medicine*, UC San Francisco 2008
Viet Lam, MD, Internal Medicine*, Wayne State Univ 2001
Bari Levinson, MD, Internal Medicine*, Duke Univ 1998
Shaun Loh, MD, Diagnostic Radiology*, Tufts Univ 2006
Carolyn Mar, MD, Internal Medicine*, UC San Francisco 1995
Fred Meyer, MD, Emergency Medicine*, UC San Diego 1988
ArchanaMudivarthi, MD, Neurology, Christian Med Coll 1999
Prasad Murthy, MD, Diagnostic Radiology*, Eastern Virginia Med Sch 2000
Brian Nishinaga, MD, Emergency Medicine
Seth Peckler, MD, Emergency Medicine*, Chicago Med Sch 1986
Sonia Rapko, MD, Diagnostic Radiology*, Tufts Univ 1999
Rajesh Reddy, MD, Anesthesiology
Jerry Schlegel, MD, Neurology*, Med Coll Wisconsin 1979
Donald Schmidt, MD, Emergency Medicine, UC Los Angeles 1992
Andrew Spears, MD, Gastroenterology, Case Western Reserve Univ 1996
Nancy Todes-Taylor, MD, Dermatology*, Yale Univ 1980
Jonathan Vlahos, MD, Emergency Medicine, UC San Francisco 2004
Jason Willis-Shore, MD, Emergency Medicine, UC Davis 2001
Eric Wright, MD, Internal Medicine
Kevin Yee, MD, Internal Medicine, UC San Francisco 2004

TPMG - 97 San Marin Dr., Novato

Sharina Belani, MD, Nephrology*, Northwestern Univ 1999
John Culbertson, MD, Internal Medicine, Univ South Carolina 1998

TPMG - 3900 Lakeville Hwy., Petaluma

Monte Bible, DO, Occupational Medicine*, Coll Osteo Med Pacific 1987
Carol Ekelund, MD, Pediatrics*, UC Irvine 1985
Roberto Gonzalez, MD, Internal Medicine, UC San Francisco 1994
Nidhi Johri, MD, Internal Medicine*, Punjab Univ 2000
Anna Lewis, MD, Family Medicine
Charles Metzger, MD, Internal Medicine*, UC Los Angeles 1997
Maria Paz-Lum, MD, Geriatric Medicine

TPMG - 1033 Third St., San Rafael

Daniel lumkin, MD, Family Medicine*, Univ Rochester 1973
Catherine Hurley, MD, Family Medicine, Jefferson Med Coll 2009

** Board Certified

CALIFORNIA NEWS

Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine opening in 2019

Kaiser Permanente announced plans to open the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine as part of the organization's ongoing effort to lead in meeting America's demands for 21st century health care. The school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2019 and will be located in Southern California. Shifts in the U.S. population have created more diverse communities, which require greater cultural competency and understanding. The Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine will teach advanced skills in decision-making, teamwork, the use of technology, evidence-based medicine and communication tailored to specific populations.


State launches CURES 2.0 and streamlined registration

The upgrade to the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) prescription drug monitoring system was rolled out Jan. 8, 2016. Commonly referred to as "CURES 2.0," it is available to all users in compliance with the system's security requirements. The upgraded database promises an improved user experience and features-added functionalities, including the ability to delegate report queries and new practitioner-identified patient alerts.

Also a streamlined, fully-automated registration process enables licensed health care prescribers and pharmacists to request access to CURES and validate their credentials entirely online using a secure web browser.

All individuals practicing in California who possess both a state regulatory board license authorized to prescribe, dispense, furnish or order controlled substances and a Drug Enforcement Administration Controlled Substance Registration Certificate must be registered to use CURES no later than July 1, 2016. To register using the new automated system, visit http://oag.ca.gov/cures.

Physicians who experience problems with the new system are encouraged to contact CMA's member help line at 800-786-4262 or email memberservice@cmanet.org


TTOP CMA STORIES

CMA publishes the biweekly e-newsletter, CMA Alert, to keep its members up-to-date on critical issues affecting the practice of medicine in California. Click here to view the current issue.


RESOURCES / WEBINARS / CME

CMA Practice Resources (CPR) is a free monthly e-bulletin from the California Medical Association's practice management experts. It focuses on critical payor and health care industry changes and how they directly impact the business of a physician practice. Each issue includes tips on reimbursement and contracting-related issues, along with information on the latest practice management news. View the current issue.

New 2016 POLST form
Proposed revisions to the California POLST form were approved by the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) Commission at their December meeting, allowing providers to move forward with full implementation of the provisions of Assembly Bill 637. AB 637 (Wolk) authorizes nurse practitioners and physician assistants (under the supervision of a physician and within their scope of practice) to sign POLST forms and make them actionable medical orders. The bill went into effect Jan. 1, 2016. Click here for more information.

Upcoming Webinars (click here for full list of titles and descriptions)
CMA Federal Advocacy Update. Jan. 20, 12:15 p.m.
CMA Priorities: Health System Transformation and the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization. Jan. 27, 12:15 p.m.
HIPAA Compliance: Key Risks all Physicians Should Know. Feb. 24, 12:15 p.m.
Closing a Medical Practice. March 9, 12:15 p.m.

 Archived webinars
CMA's archived webinars are free to SCMA members and staff. Nonmember fee: $99. For more information, contact CMA's member-help center, 800-786-4262 or memberservice@cmanet.org.

Free online CME: Child Abuse Prevention, Recognition and Reporting
When is a child's bruise from an accident or something more? Do you know what, when, and how to report? Take this complimentary course to learn essential signs that should be reported. Free CMEs available. Click here to pre-register for this free course.

 Western Health Care Leadership Academy. May 13-15, 2016
Save the date for the 2016 Western Health Care Leadership Academy, which will be held at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square from Friday, May 13, through Sunday, May 15. Click here for more information.


CLASSIFIEDS

Medical condo for sale
Located on South Eliseo Drive in Greenbrae. 415-435-8589.

MMS members get free classifieds!
MMS members can place free classified ads in News Briefs or Marin Medicine. Cost for nonmember physicians and the general public is $1 per word. To place a classified ad, contact Susan Gumucio at susan@scma.org or 707-525-0102.


ABOUT MMS

The Marin Medical Society, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association, supports local physicians and their efforts to enhance the health of the community. Founded in 1898, MMS is affiliated with the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association. Visit us at www.marinmedicalsociety.org

© 2016 MMS, 2312 Bethards Dr. #6, Santa Rosa, CA 95405