NCMS, Author at North Carolina Medical Society - Page 24 of 38

Resources to Help You ‘Choose Wisely’ for Your Patients

The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) continues to spread the word about Choosing Wisely as part of a grant from the ABIM Foundation, which has enabled the North Carolina Healthcare Quality Alliance (NCHQA) to build a multi-stakeholder alliance including Duke Medicine and Cornerstone Health Care to reduce the use of medical tests and treatments that the Choosing Wisely campaign has identified as overused.
Several Choosing Wisely webinars have been recorded and are available to you to learn more about the campaign and how you may implement it in your practice. Here are the two most recent webinars:

Engaging Patients about Overuse at the Point of Care with Drs. Reshma Gupta and Chris Moriates
Choosing Wisely Health System Leaders Webinar with Drs. Peter Yarbrough and Allen Repp

Also, this article from the Journal of General Internal Medicine addresses barriers you may face when trying to implement the Choosing Wisely recommendations: “Perceived Barriers to Implementing Individual Choosing Wisely® Recommendations in Two National Surveys of Primary Care Providers.”

Congratulations to Wilmington Health Access for Teens

Wilmington Health Access for Teens, a comprehensive primary medical care, mental health, nutrition and prevention services practice for adolescents and young adults ages 11-24, received level 3 patient-centered medical home (PCMH) certification for all four of its sites in Wilmington. This is the highest level of certification.
The practice is part of the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) Foundation’s Community Practitioner Program, which offers resources and assistance to individuals through tuition reimbursement and to their practice through consulting help to receive certifications like PCMH.
Wilmington Health Access for Teens has clinics in area high schools and received the highest PCMH designation for its offices at Ashley High School, New Hanover High School and Laney High School as well as its central office on Oleander Drive.
Congratulations to Wilmington Health Access for Teens for this great accomplishment!

CDC Advisory Issued on Devices Used During Cardiac Bypass Procedures

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory regarding non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections following exposure to contaminated heater-cooler devices used to warm and cool a patient’s blood during cardiac bypass procedures.
Hospitals or providers caring for patients with confirmed or suspected NTM infections following heart bypass procedures are asked to contact the North Carolina Division of Public Health (NC DPH) at 919-733-3419. All identified cases should also be reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) via MedWatch here. NC DPH is available to assist facilities should further investigation be necessary.
NC DPH recommends that hospitals performing heart bypass procedures follow CDC and FDA heater-cooler guidance in this CDC Health Advisory. NC DPH will work with facilities that perform cardiac bypass procedures using the implicated devices to encourage notification of potentially exposed patients and adherence to CDC and FDA recommendations.
Recommendations may change as new information becomes available. Additional information is available from CDC and FDA at the following sites:
Contaminated Heater-Cooler Devices
FDA Info Sheet on Heater-Cooler Devices

Wanted: Tomorrow’s Health Policy and Health Care Leaders

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is seeking exceptional midcareer health professionals and behavioral and social scientists with an interest in health policy to apply for the 2017-2018 Health Policy Fellows program. Since 1973, this non-partisan fellowship offers exclusive, hands-on policy experience with the most influential congressional and executive offices in the nation’s capital.
The fellowship requires a minimum commitment of 12 months in Washington, D.C. Up to six awards of up to $165,000 each will be made in 2017. Application deadline: Nov. 15, 2016.
Learn more about this opportunity and register for an informational webinar.

New Class of Health Care Leadership and Management Scholars Begin Program

The new Health Care Leadership and Management (HCLM) class of the North Carolina Medical Society’s (NCMS) Kanof Institute for Physician Leadership embarked on their year-long leadership and management training course last weekend. All 13 participants met at the Rizzo Center at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill for two days of education and inspiration.
The HCLM track within the Kanof Institute provides a critical framework for physicians based on economics, finance and leadership development. At the end of their year of training, graduates have the necessary vocabulary for the business realm and are equipped to take on greater leadership positions in their career.
This group’s first session began with a site visit to Duke Connected Care (DCC), an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) in Durham. DCC Executive Medical Director Dev Sangvai, MD, and Senior Medical Director Eugenie Komives, MD explained the physician-led model’s clinical programs and care management including pharmacy programs as well as data collection and analytic support.
On Saturday, the class heard the latest on Health Care Economics from Stuart Altman, PhD, MA, Sol C. Chaikin Professor of National Health Policy, Brandeis University.
Program co-chairs Dr. Sangvai and John Meier, MD, MBA along with NCMS CEO Robert W. Seligson offered remarks. Dr. Meier led several sessions throughout the weekend on finance accounting and corporate finance. Kanof Institute Director Kristina Natt och Dag presented on the topic “Leading Others – Increasing Personal Effectiveness as a Leader.”
Learn more about this and the other tracks of the Kanof Institute for Physician Leadership here.

Honor Roll of Donors -- Supporting Physician Wellness

Thank you to the following donors to our North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) Physician Wellness Initiative through the Mitchell D. Hardison, MD, Fund. Our wellness initiative was officially launched this spring to help provide resources and support to help physicians and physician assistants maintain or recapture their joy in practicing medicine. Learn more here and please consider joining our honor roll of donors yourself. Support physician wellness now.

$5,000.00 +

Marianne Hardison

Robert W. Seligson

$1,000.00 +

Scott G. Kirby, MD

$500.00 +

Cary Internal Medicine & The Diabetes Center, PA

Frederick A. Cruickshank, MD

Andrew S. Lamb, MD

$250.00 +

Anonymous

Abhik K. Biswas, MD

Richard H. Weisler, MD

$100.00 +
Olufolarin A. Ajao, MD	Victor B. Kim, MD
Mohammed M. Ali, MD	David J. Koenig, MD
Anonymous	Michael S. Lancaster, MD
Anonymous	Andrew M. Lewis, Jr., MD
Nerva Augustin, MD	Wolfgang B. Liedtke, MD
Glen A. Barden, MD	Deborah M. Lucas, MD
Maureen L. Beurskens, MD	Brent D. Matthews, MD
Floriece G. Blackmon, MD	Thomas K. McMahan, MD
Stephen E. Buie, MD, DFAPA	Edward R. Mogabgab, MD
Robert G. Cooper, Jr., MD	Robert G. Moser, MD
R. Lee Cox, MD, FACS	Sarah J. Olenick, MD, PhD
Betsy T. Douglass	Christopher N. Oti, MD
Thomas L. Dumler, MD	Catherine O. Oyejide, MD
Carolyn R. Ferree, MD, FACR	Jerry L. Punch, MD
Robert E. Finch, Jr., MD	Charles C. Richardson, MD
Edward Forero, MD	Ruben R. Salinas, MD
Sharon M. Foster, MD, FAAP	Kerry M. Shafran, MD
Ishwar H. Gopichand, MD	Lisa P. Shock, MHS, PA-C
Daniel Gottovi, MD, FCCP	William C. Sugg, Jr., MD
James M. Granfortuna, MD	Douglas E. Trent, MD
Paul M. Henderson, MD	Krishna M. Verma, MD
R. David Henderson, JD, CMBE	James J. Vopal, MD
Henry T. Hyman, DO	L. Dale Williams, MD, FACS, RVT
R. Duren Johnson, Jr., MD	Stephen A. Wyatt, DO
Robert H. Johr, MD	Matthew Zucker, MD
Paul T. Kayye, MD

$50.00 +	$25.00 +
John C. Ayers, Jr., MD	Julie M. Bass Ransom, PA-C
Timothy J. Carr, MD	William M. Redwood, MD
Dennis W. Coombs, MD
Kathleen A. Doman, MD
John A. Millward, PA-C
Sara H. Sinal, MD
Spencer G. Weig, MD

Help Save Lives with Hands Only CPR Training

In a joint effort with Randolph Hospital Foundation, our own NC Doctor of the Year Jason Stopyra, MD, has developed a FREE and easy Hands Only CPR training module. He is calling on the health care community to consider a project to train staff and others to help save lives. Learn more about the project and access all the necessary training materials at this google drive link.

Discover Your ‘Why’

Sean Foy, an internationally renowned authority on fitness, weight management and healthy living and one of the most popular presenters at the M3 Conference last month, is offering a webinar on how to realize your cause, calling or mission and how to experience the life you've always wanted. Join him for a discussion on how to craft and live a purpose-driven life and help those you care most about (family, friends, colleagues and your practice) follow their deepest "why" on Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

As an exercise physiologist, behavioral coach and speaker, Sean has earned the reputation as "America’s Fast Fitness Expert." He is the author of the Wellness Councils of America’s flagship physical activity and exercise books, "Fitness That Works" and "Walking 4 Wellness." Sean is also the author and creator of "The Burst Workout" and the coauthor of the New York Times #1 best seller, "The Daniel Plan."
What’s Your Why: The Power of Purpose© is a one of a kind personal development and well-being experience designed to empower you, your employees, family members and community partners to live healthier, happier and more purpose filled lives. In this interactive webinar participants will discover:

Buried Treasure: The search for meaning, purpose and change
The Science of "Why": Historical & recent research on the power of purpose
The "Why" of Wellness: A Personal Rx for fitness, health and well-being
Your One Thing: Finding your passion & motivation to live well
Crafting Your "Why": Putting your "Why" into words and action
Living Your "Why": Discover how to live your "Why" with practical tips, strategies and best practices

Pieces of the Whole: A Wellness Series – Part 4

Well-being is more than simply the absence of disease. It is the full integration of social, emotional, spiritual, environmental, occupational, intellectual and physical wellness. These seven dimensions act, and interact, in a way that contributes to the overall quality of life.
Over the past months in the NCMS Bulletin, Jason Horay, MS, ATC, CHES, the NCMS Plan Health Promotion Coordinator, has been taking you on a journey through each aspect of well-being, offering personal reflections and examples of ways to enhance each dimension within your workplace, community, and at home.
We encourage you to share this content with colleagues using social media and to share your ideas and personal experiences for enhancing your well-being by posting comments to the blog.
The next installment focuses on environmental well-being.
Environmental Well-being
According to the University of California at Riverside, environmental well-being includes living in such a way that you have a sense of and respect for the environment surrounding you. It also includes having a respect for the availability of resources so as to not deplete them. Lastly, it includes being aware of and protecting yourself from environmental hazards.
I encourage each person to think about what you would change about your environment or area to improve it, and then do what you can to help better those conditions. For some, that may mean recycling more or cutting back on water use. For others, that could mean helping clean up a local road or highway, or even volunteering to help clean up a park or stream.
Below are some more examples of how to increase your environmental well-being:
Work:

Encourage others to bring their own silverware, plates and cups in order to cut back on plastic and Styrofoam used in the office.
If the budget allows for it, provide everyone in the office with a reusable water bottle to cut back on plastic water bottles. These could also be used as promotional items.

In the Community:

Participate in local clean up days to give back to the community and environment.
Attend town hall meetings to support environmentally friendly initiatives.

With your Family:

Recycle as a family.
Start a competition to see who can take the shortest shower.
Encourage turning the lights off when the room is not occupied.

Dr. Angus McBryde Remembered

Angus McBryde, Jr., MD, formerly of Charlotte, died in a car accident in Alabama on Oct. 4. Dr. McBryde, 79, practiced orthopaedics in Charlotte at the former Miller Clinic for many years and was a longtime member and supporter of the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) and the Mecklenburg County Medical Society. A South Carolina native, Dr. McBryde trained at Duke. He was a professor and interim chair of the department of orthopedic surgery at the University of South Alabama since 2015. Dr. McBryde and his wife had recently moved back to South Carolina and he was driving back to Alabama to finish his job at the university from their home in South Carolina when the accident occurred.
We extend our sincere condolences to his family and many friends.

In the News

MACRA Rule Deals Blow to Medicaid Medical Homes, Modern Healthcare, 10-17-16
Are Medical Mistakes Really The Third Leading Cause of Death in the US?, Dallas Morning News, 10-11-16
What This Year's Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics Means for ACOs, Physician Compensation, Becker's Hospital Review, 10-10-16
Are Health Groups Helping to Fuel the Obesity Epidemic?, MedPage Today, 10-10-16
ICD-10 One Year Later. The Drama Is Over; The Rewards Yet To Materialize, Modern Healthcare, 10-7-16
DEA: Fewer Opioids To Be Manufactured Next Year, NEJM Journal Watch, 10-7-16
Wilmington Officials Could Address Opioid Problem With Legislation, Wilmington Star News, 10-6-16
A Letter To the Doctors and Nurses Who Cared For My Wife, The New York Times, 10-6-16
When, and Why Must We Die, The Los Angeles Times, 10-6-16
As Drug Deaths Soar, A Silver Lining for Transplant Patients, The New York Times, 10-6-16
She Needed Treatment to Save Her Life. Instead She Chose to Live It, The Washington Post, 10-4-16
Opinion: More Doctors Need to Vote and Get Politically Involved, STAT, 10-3-16

Learning Opportunities

NCTracks will offer a Provider Re-Credentialing/Re-Verification Refresher WebEx course on Thursday, Oct. 20 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. This course serves as a refresher for the steps taken by the provider to complete the Re-Verification process through NCTracks. It is taught via WebEx and can be attended remotely from any location with a telephone, computer and internet connection. The WebEx will be limited to 115 participants. Providers can register for these courses in SkillPort, the NCTracks Learning Management System. Logon to the secure NCTracks Provider Portal and click Provider Training to access SkillPort.

28^th Annual Fall Foliage Cancer Conference, “Update on Melanoma and Gastrointestinal Cancers,” will be held Oct. 21-22 at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville. More information and registration available here.

MAHEC, working with the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians, The Governor’s Institute on Substance Abuse and Project Lazarus: A Project of CCNC, is offering A Guide to Rational Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain, an online education course. The course is designed for all prescribing health care practitioners who are interested in an overview of the rational prescribing approaches for persons with chronic pain disorders. It will fulfill the North Carolina Medical Board’s requirement of at least one hour of continuing education designed specifically to address prescribing practices for chronic pain management. The course cost is $15 for the first 6 months. Offers 3 hours of AAFP, AMA/AAFP Equivalency, and CDE; www.mahec.net/opioid

NCTracks has Computer-Based Training (CBT) courses on a variety of topics available to providers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. Anyone who is a registered user with NCID access to the NCTracks secure Provider Portal can access and take a self-paced course. A list of courses available can be found here and under Quick Links on the NCTracks Provider Training page of the public Provider Portal.

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Department of Healthcare Leadership and Management is offering the 19th Annual Healthcare Leadership Conference on Friday, October 21^st, 2016 at Charleston Area Convention Center in North Charleston. Panels will focus on composition and development of our health care workforce. The three sessions focus on: 1) Talent Management for Bench Strength Development; 2) Diversity and Inclusion and 3) Developing an Environment of Civility and Respect In Healthcare Organizations: Resources to Empower Healthcare Leaders to Identify, Intervene, and Prevent Workplace Bullying, Incivility and Disrespect. Learn more and register here.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will hold a webinar on Oct. 26 from 2 to 3 p.m., on the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) final rule with comment period. The webinar will provide an overview of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM) incentive payment provisions under MACRA, collectively referred to as the Quality Payment Program. Register here.

CMS will also offer a Quality Payment Program Final Rule MLN Connects® Call on Nov. 15 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Register at MLN Connects Event Registration. Space may be limited, register early. During this call, learn about the provisions in the recently released final rule; participants should review the rule prior to the call. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

Tour the TED or “Telehealth Education Delivered” truck, which will be on display at The Frontier, 800 Park Offices Dr., Research Triangle Park, on Nov. 3 from 11 am - 3 pm. TED will showcase technologies that enable telehealth in many areas such as mental health, rural health, surgery, wound care, audiology, primary care, non-invasive cardio and dermatology, to name just a few. TED serves as both a facility from which mobile telehealth services can be delivered and/or received as well as a venue for providing education and training on an array of telehealth and patient care solutions. Admission is free. Learn more here.

FREE Buprenorphine Waiver Training in Hickory on Nov. 5 from 8am-5:30pm. Register here. Buprenorphine waiver training is for physicians interested in seeking their waiver to prescribe buprenorphine in the treatment of opioid use disorders. To obtain the waiver to prescribe, providers are required to take eight hours of training. This training, presented by Stephen Wyatt, DO, and James Finch, MD will meet this eight hour requirement. Following the training, physicians who have successfully completed the course, may apply to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to obtain the waiver. Learn more here.

The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine will be hosting the Point-of-Care and Critical Care Ultrasound course, Nov. 12-13 at Wake Forest University. This event uses live models, simulations, and didactic lectures to provide a comprehensive and in-depth look at how and where medical ultrasound can effectively be used in point-of-care and critical care settings. The course is eligible for up to 15 CMEs. Learn more and register here.

NCHICA Cybersecurity Forum on Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Research Triangle Foundation of NC, 12 Davis Drive, Research Triangle Park. Topics include: “Securing the Internet of Healthcare: Effective Strategies for Medical Device Security;” “Measuring Cybersecurity Readiness Using a Cybersecurity Maturity Model;” and “Cyber Threats and Trends 2016.” Registration fee is $65 NCHICA members/$90 non-members and includes lunch. Space is limited, so please register early! Register here.

NC Health Information Exchange is Now NC HealthConnex

The NC Health Information Exchange Authority (NCHIEA), which has been overseeing and administering North Carolina’s state-operated health information exchange, has a new name: NC HealthConnex.
“The NC HIEA team and Advisory Board have made great progress in recent months, and we are enthusiastic about our new name for the HIE Network, NC HealthConnex,” said Darryl Meeks, executive director of the NC HIEA. “It represents our mission to connect health care providers to safely and securely share health information. We believe NC HealthConnex will help close current gaps in health information exchange by enabling providers to participate in a statewide community of health care neighborhoods working together to improve quality and outcomes for North Carolinians.”
The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) has long advocated for a robust state health information exchange as an important element in achieving the triple aim of improved population health, patient experience of care and cost efficiencies. The triple aim is the foundation of value-based care models, which moves clinical decision-making back into physician hands. NC HealthConnex has been working hard to ensure all previous and new participants are connected and part of the exchange. Currently there are more than 100 data connections enabling 820 facilities—including 20 hospitals and 23 county health departments—to share patient care records electronically.
NC HealthConnex is accepting new participation agreements. For more information, please contact Alice Miller at 919-754-6912 or send her an email to [email protected]. Below are some of the benefits of connecting. Also, keep in mind the legislation establishing NC HealthConnex mandates all Medicaid providers be connected by Feb. 1, 2018.
NC HealthConnex has identified the following benefits to becoming part of the exchange:

Public Health Registries: The NC HIEA and the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to allow public health data to flow through NC HealthConnex to the NC Division of Public Health.
- The North Carolina Immunization Registry (NCIR) pilot with UNC Health Care is almost complete. Upon completion, the technology will be available for other participants and will enable two-way (bi-directional) flow of vaccination information.
- The Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR) team within Public Health is conducting a number of pilots and are ready to start testing NC HealthConnex as the main data conduit hub to public health. The ELR feed is for reporting purposes to Public Health with NC HealthConnex being simply the conduit for the information to flow (one-way).
Provider Directory: Through partnerships with Orion and DirectTrust, NC HealthConnex and its participants will have access to a directory of up to 6,000 HISP addresses. DirectTrust is creating a nationwide directory, and the NC HealthConnex will have direct access to North Carolina DSM addresses. Any North Carolina provider can submit their DSM address to the NC HealthConnex for inclusion in the directory. However, only NC HealthConnex participants will be able to utilize the full directory.
Direct Secure Messaging: Additionally, participants have the ability to easily send encrypted messages between other HISP providers through Communicate Webmail. Communicate Webmail enables the secure sending and receiving of emails between entities that are members of the DirectTrust.
Additional Information: NC HealthConnex participants can receive information pertaining to patient care housed within provider organizations such as laboratory results, diagnostic studies and clinical documents. Users with the highest level of access can receive notifications about significant patient events once a patient/provider relationship is established. These include:
Inpatient Admission
Inpatient Discharge
Patient is admitted to ER
Final Laboratory Result
Final Microbiology Result
Final Radiology Report

Current data elements available in NC HealthConnex include:

Allergies
Encounters
Immunizations
Medications
Problems
Procedures
Results

Training Materials: Current participants who have connected to the NC HealthConnex portal should have received an email from Alice Miller on Monday, Oct. 3, providing the NC HealthConnex Primary Provider User Manual and Welcome Packet.
Questions? Call the NC HIEA business office at 919-754-6912 or send an email to [email protected].

Medicaid Referral Process Streamlined

The NC Division of Medical Assistance (DMA) recently updated its CCNC/CA referral authorization procedures. Read the special bulletin with the updates here.
Most importantly, DMA has dropped its proposal to require all referrals of Medicaid patients by primary care providers (PCPs) in the CCNC/CA networks to be arranged manually and exclusively via the NCTracks portal beginning Nov. 1, 2016. In addition, DMA is eliminating the current requirements that:

PCPs must first receive a CCNC/CA authorization (via portal, phone, or otherwise) from NCTracks before referring to any specialist;
the rendering-specialist must include the NPI of the patient’s PCP on his/her claim for the claim to process and pay; and
rendering-specialists must request overrides/exceptions by phone if the authorization was not done in advance or there was some related problem.

The umbrella issue of “managed care referrals and overrides” is the highest-volume and longest-running complaint the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) has received involving Medicaid since NCTracks came online in 2013, so this is a welcome change.
DMA is hosting a series of training webinars to review these changes, as well as some new claims-processing rules known as the “ordering, prescribing, and referring (OPR) edits.” View the list of webinars beginning on page three of the special bulletin.

Karen Smith, MD, Named 2017 National Family Physician of the Year

Karen L. Smith, MD, FAAFP, of Raeford, has been named the 2017 National Family Physician of the Year by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). The award is the most prestigious honor bestowed by the AAFP and honors only one outstanding American family physician each year.
Dr. Smith's award is the second consecutive year that a North Carolina-based family physician has been chosen for the prestigious honor. She accepted the award at the AAFP Family Medicine Experience in Orlando. Watch her acceptance address here.
The Raleigh News & Observer also named Dr. Smith its “Tar Heel of the Week” on Sunday, Oct. 2. Read the article.
Dr. Smith was selected as the nation's consummate family physician for her lifelong commitment to improving patient lives and her instrumental efforts in making Hoke County a healthier place to live. Dr. Smith participated in the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) Foundation’s Community Practitioner Program beginning in 1999. She has served the citizens of rural Hoke County for more than two decades. Watch a video of Dr. Smith as she explains her care philosophy here.
In 2004, she built a state-of-the-art clinic to serve patients. Her practice was one of the first rural, independent family medicine practices to simultaneously invest in technology such as interactive patient portals and kiosk-based check-ins. Smith has since earned a national reputation as a leading proponent, early adopter and expert in health information technology, such as electronic health records. She also is an aggressive promoter of computer literacy among her patient population. Dr. Smith served on the NCMS’ Health Information Exchange (HIE) Task Force and has been a leader in advocating for a viable statewide HIE.
Alongside her practice, Dr. Smith also serves as medical director and supervising physician of the Hoke County Health Department. She also supports key social service efforts across the region addressing substance abuse issues, food-related health disparities, and working with local youth to deliver after school programs and guidance. She is a trusted public voice within community media, hosting a weekly radio program sharing timely health information. This has been especially beneficial for elderly patients in the region.
At the national level beyond her involvement with the American Academy of Family Physicians, Dr. Smith has been called upon to testify on Capitol Hill regarding the challenges and benefits of electronic health technology, and was named a Meaningful Use Vanguard Fellow by the Office of the National Coordinator.
Smith earned her bachelor’s degree in science from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, and her medical degree from the Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She completed her residency at the Duke/Southern Regional Area Health Education Center Family Medicine Residency Program in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Smith is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and has the AAFP Degree of Fellow, an earned degree awarded to family physicians for distinguished service and continuing medical education.
Congratulations Dr. Smith!

Happy Physician Assistant Week! We Appreciate All You Do For Your Patients!

The week of Oct. 6-12 (that’s starting tomorrow) is National Physician Assistants (PA) Week, a time to celebrate the important role PAs play as part of the health care team. Thank your PA for all they do and encourage patients to do the same. Did you know that the North Carolina Medical Society is the only state medical society to include PAs in their membership? We appreciate our PAs!
Before it was a week-long event, National PA Day was first celebrated on Oct. 6, 1987, in honor of the 20th anniversary of the first graduating class of PAs from our own Duke University PA program. Oct. 6 is also the birthday of the profession’s founder, Eugene A. Stead, Jr., MD. For more on the profession’s history, visit the PA History Society.
Thank you to all the NCMS PA members. Happy Physician Assistant Week!

Don’t Miss FREE October Practice Transformation Workshops

Mark your calendar and register now for the fall Quality Improvement Workshops to be held in Raleigh and Charlotte this month.
These free workshops are your opportunity to learn how to survive – and thrive – in the coming value-based health care era. The Raleigh workshop will be on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) Center for Leadership in Medicine, 222 N. Person St., Raleigh. The Charlotte workshop will be held the next day, on Wednesday, Oct. 19 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 895 West Trade St., Charlotte. In order to access these free workshops you will need to sign a participation as part of the registration process. You will be prompted to complete the agreement if you have not already done so. Register here.
The content for both the Raleigh and Charlotte sessions is the same. First a general session offering an overview of MACRA will impact your practice and future revenue for your health system. Learn the basics of Medicare risk adjustment and how Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) codes are assigned to patients, and how HCC coding affects your risk scoring and subsequent impact on value based reimbursement models. Understand how to accurately assign HCC codes through improved documentation.
The second part of the workshop will break into two tracks depending on your role in the practice.
Track I, for CEOs, Physicians and accountable care champions, will focus on physician contracting under value-based payment model. This group will develop physician contracting strategies, discuss timelines for implementation and report innovative ideas to larger group.
Track II, for practice managers and care coordinators, will look at post-acute care opportunities and issues, and learn about relative value of PAC setting. They will develop strategies for improving PAC utilization, develop Post-Acute Care strategies for individual communities, discuss timelines for implementation and report innovative ideas to larger group.
This ongoing series of workshops is made possible by the federal Practice Transformation Network initiative to help small practices, clinics and critical care hospitals currently unaffiliated with an accountable care organization (ACO) to prepare for value-based payments. National Rural Accountable Care Consortium (NRACC) is presenting the workshops in cooperation with their partner Caravan Health.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be prepared for the future. Get more details and register here today.

NCMS Fielding Questions On New Nondiscrimination in Health Programs Rule

Last May, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule implementing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which makes it unlawful for any health care provider who receives funding from the federal government to refuse to treat an individual—or to otherwise discriminate against the individual—based on race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. The final rule also enhances language assistance for people with limited English proficiency and helps to ensure effective communication for individuals with disabilities.
The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) Solution Center has been fielding inquiries on this rule and collecting useful links on the OCR site to help answer your questions. Watch the Bulletin for updates on these resources and others. The AMA also organized a conference call on Tuesday with HHS Director of the Office of Civil Rights (OCR), Jocelyn Samuels, to brief medical and specialty societies on the rule and answer questions on what physicians’ legal obligations are.
The most immediate requirement takes effect on Oct. 17. On this date practices receiving federal funds from HHS must begin to “conspicuously” publicize the notice of nondiscrimination, which describes the practices’ obligations under the rule and a patients’ rights in English as well as the top 15 languages spoken in the state. Here is an explanation of what is required along with copies of the notice in the various languages. More information as well as answers to frequently asked questions are available on the Office of Civil Rights website here.
On language accommodations, Samuels stressed that the obligations are highly individualized. “If you’re in a small, rural practice with few non-English speakers, the requirements [for your language access plan] are going to be less,” she said. The OCR is encouraging practices to think about what they are likely to encounter as far as language interpretation services and come up with a plan for how to respond to those potential needs.
More information on the rule for health care professionals is available here. Or email our NCMS Solution Center coordinator Belinda McKoy with your question at [email protected].

‘Pick Your Pace’ of Adoption of the Quality Payment Program

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering physicians four options for how they implement the Quality Payment Program, which begins Jan. 1, 2017. Choosing one of these options would ensure you do not receive a negative payment adjustment in 2019.
First, a little background. In 2015, Congress passed the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, called MACRA. This massive piece of legislation repealed the Sustainable Growth Rate (remember those yearly SGR ‘cliffs’ for Medicare reimbursement that Congress considered?); and streamlined the patchwork of Medicare reporting programs. At its core, MACRA offers opportunities for clinicians to earn more by focusing on quality patient care as well as incurring payment penalties if you do not reach the necessary quality benchmarks. This portion of MACRA is called the Quality Payment Program or QPP.
CMS is expected to release the final rule outlining all the details in November.
The recent announcement about the four options gives you a little breathing room to ease into the new Quality Payment Program. Briefly, here are your options:
First Option: Test the Quality Payment Program
With this option, as long as you submit some data to the Quality Payment Program, including data from after Jan. 1, 2017, you will avoid a negative payment adjustment. This first option is designed to ensure that your system is working and that you are prepared for broader participation in 2018 and 2019 as you learn more.
Second Option: Participate for part of the calendar year
You may choose to submit Quality Payment Program information for a reduced number of days. This means your first performance period could begin later than Jan. 1, 2017 and your practice could still qualify for a small positive payment adjustment. For example, if you submit information for part of the calendar year for quality measures, how your practice uses technology, and what improvement activities your practice is undertaking, you could qualify for a small positive payment adjustment. You could select from the list of quality measures and improvement activities available under the Quality Payment Program.
Third Option: Participate for the full calendar year
For practices that are ready to go on Jan. 1, 2017, you may choose to submit Quality Payment Program information for a full calendar year. This means your first performance period would begin on Jan. 1, 2017. For example, if you submit information for the entire year on quality measures, how your practice uses technology, and what improvement activities your practice is undertaking, you could qualify for a modest positive payment adjustment. We’ve seen physician practices of all sizes successfully submit a full year’s quality data, and expect many will be ready to do so.
Fourth Option: Participate in an Advanced Alternative Payment Model in 2017
Instead of reporting quality data and other information, the law allows you to participate in the Quality Payment Program by joining an Advanced Alternative Payment Model, such as Medicare Shared Savings Track 2 or 3 in 2017. If you receive enough of your Medicare payments or see enough of your Medicare patients through the Advanced Alternative Payment Model in 2017, then you would qualify for a 5 percent incentive payment in 2019.
Learn more on the CMS Blog here.
The NCMS is gearing up to offer you educational programming to help you understand and make the transition to this new program. We have already been offering free workshops through our partner organization, the National Rural Accountable Care Consortium (NRACC) to help practices not affiliated with an Accountable Care Organization learn about how to succeed in this new quality driven payment environment. Learn more about the workshops and how you can participate by reading the article in this issue of the Bulletin titled 'Don’t Miss FREE October Practice Transformation Workshops.'
Be sure to watch the Bulletin for updates on other educational programming and launch of our online survival kit.

Carolinas Healthcare Receives Hospital Improvement and Innovation Network Contract

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced $347 million in awards to 16 national, regional or state hospital associations, Quality Improvement Organizations and health system organizations to continue efforts in reducing hospital-acquired conditions and readmissions in the Medicare program. Carolinas Healthcare System was one of the 16 to receive a contract and the only recipient in North Carolina.
Those selected will serve as a Hospital Improvement and Innovation Network to continue patient safety improvement efforts started in 2011 under the Partnership for Patients initiative.
New, ambitious goals have been set for the Networks. Through 2019, they are charged with achieving a 20 percent decrease in overall patient harm and a 12 percent reduction in 30-day hospital readmissions as a population-based measure (readmissions per 1,000 people) from the 2014 baseline.
Expanding the focus for the Hospital Improvement and Innovation Networks to include a reduction in all-cause patient harm supports the development of an overall culture of safety in the nation’s hospitals by creating an environment that supports a high quality, patient-centered approach to care delivery.
The Networks will also work to expand and develop learning collaboratives for hospitals and provide a wide array of initiatives and activities to improve patient safety in the Medicare program. They will be required to address a wide variety of topics, including:

Adverse drug events (to focus on at least the following three medication categories: opioids, anticoagulants, and hypoglycemic agents)
Central line-associated blood stream infections (in all hospital settings)
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (in all hospital settings)
Clostridium difficile infection (including antibiotic stewardship)
Injury from falls and immobility
Pressure Ulcers
Sepsis and Septic Shock
Surgical Site Infections (for multiple classes of surgeries)
Venous thromboembolism (at a minimum in all surgical settings)
Ventilator-Associated Events
Readmissions

More information on this announcement is available here.

CMS Offers Resource To Help Medicare Beneficiaries Protect Their Privacy

Health care fraud drives up costs for everyone in the health care system. To help your Medicare patients protect against such fraud is to make them aware of how to guard their Medicare number. Fraud schemes often depend on identity thieves getting hold of people’s Medicare numbers, so treat this number should be treated the same as a credit card number. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has produced a resource sheet with tips on how to protect this important information. Download the tip sheet here.

Longtime NCMS Member Dr. Meymandi Honored

North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) life member Assad Meymandi, MD, received the North Carolina Award, the state’s highest civilian honor on Sept. 22 in Raleigh. Governor Pat McCrory presented Dr. Meymandi with the award for his contributions in the fine arts.
Dr. Meymandi, 82, a psychiatrist who has been an NCMS member since 1967, has helped transform Raleigh into a center for art, music, literature and learning. He funded the concert hall that serves the North Carolina Symphony and bears his mother's name. At the North Carolina Museum of Art, he established the Meymandi Exhibition Center, the museum's largest special exhibition space, named for his father. His one remaining dream is to build an opera house as a home for the N.C. Opera on the grounds of the former Dix Hospital where he began his career a half-century ago. He has also pledged funding toward converting this land into a city park.
In Iran, Dr. Meymandi has funded a symphony hall in addition to a school, a public library and new homes for those displaced by an earthquake. At the National Humanities Center in Research Triangle Park, he has funded a fellowship to integrate study of the humanities with science that brings together the think tank leaders in the arts and sciences. He is in the process of endowing the Chair of "Ideas and Curiosity" at UNC-Chapel Hill. At St. Mary's School, he has sponsored music programs and at Cherry Hill in Warren County, an annual concert.
Congratulations, Dr. Meymandi!

NCMS Founder Inducted Into Raleigh Hall of Fame

Among the nine individuals inducted into the Raleigh Hall of Fame was Calvin Jones, MD, a founder of the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) in 1849 and the first physician in the state to inoculate people against smallpox. He was highly regarded as an ophthalmologist as well as a political and military leader. He served as Raleigh’s major in 1803 and a representative in the state’s House of Commons in 1807. He was an adjutant general of the state militia during the War of 1812 leading the efforts that kept the British war fleet from invading the North Carolina coast.
The Raleigh Hall of Fame, now in its 12^th year, recognizes individuals and non-profit organizations, past and present, who have made significant and lasting contributions to the City of Raleigh.

NCMS Participates in Triangle Healthcare Executive Transformative Care Summit

Melanie Phelps, JD, Associate Executive Director of the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) Foundation and NCMS Deputy General Counsel, participated in the Triangle Healthcare Executives’ Forum’s Transformative Care Summit on Sept. 26. Phelps was part of the panel discussing “ACOs and CINs in North Carolina – Reshaping Care Delivery, Payer Strategy and Reimbursement.” Joining her in the discussion were Stacy Mays, Chief Operating Officer at UNC Health Alliance and former NCMS President Dev Sangvai, MD, MBA, Executive Director of Duke Connected Care; Associate CMO, Duke Health and Medical Director for DukeWELL. The panel was moderated by Scott Pritchard, Market President at Evolent.
Phelps has been instrumental in the development and success of the NC Population Health Collaborative (formerly the NC ACO Collaborative) and spearheaded the Toward Accountable Care (TAC) Consortium and Initiative for the NCMS. She touched on both of these projects during the conversation which ranged from how to balance clinical and financial transformation to describing obstacles preventing the move to accountable care.

In the News

Commentary: Healthcare Transformation Requires Doc Leaders With Business Skills, Modern Healthcare, 10-1-16
Cyber Attacks on Personal Health Records Growing 'Exponentially,' The Washington Post, 9-28-16
Governor Signs Bill Targeting 'Doctor Shopping' For Opioids, The Associated Press, 9-27-16
Drug Databases Are No Panacea for Opioid Crisis, Politico, 9-27-16
CMS, ONC Release Aids to Support Smarter EHR Choice, Contract Terms, Healthcare Dive, 9-27-16
Are We Reaching the End of the Trend For Longer Healthier Lives?, NPR, 9-23-16
6 Findings on the State of Physician Practice, Employment in 2016, Becker's Hospital Review, 9-22-16
UN Tackles Anti-Microbial Resistance, NEJM Journal Watch, 9-22-16
MACRA is Coming: A Quick Once-Over Before the Final Rule, Healthcare Dive, 9-21-16
A Mysterious Polio-like Illness That Paralyzes People May Be Surging This Year, The Washington Post, 9-21-16
Mixed Reactions to CMS Tool That Predicts Impact of MACRA On Providers' Bottom Line, Modern Healthcare, 9-21-16
Case by Case: Anatomy of Malpractice, MedPage Today, 9-21-16

Learning Opportunities

The Governor's Institute and NC Division of Public Health will be presenting The Opioid Epidemic: Guidance for Healthcare Providers, which focuses on the practical clinical aspects of providing pain management, prevention and early intervention for substance use disorders. The session will be held in three times in three locations:

Henderson County, at Pardee Signature Care Center on Thursday, Oct. 6, from 5:30 - 8:30 pm. Register here.
Haywood County at Lake Junaleska Conference & Retreat Center on Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 5:30 - 8:30 pm. Register here.
Buncombe County at MAHEC Biltmore Campus on Thursday, Oct. 13, from 5:30 - 8:30 pm. Register here.

In addition to the in-person program, participants may receive vouchers for the online, Guide to Rational Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain, training course courtesy of the Mountain Area Health Education Center. Completion of the online course is intended to satisfy 3 hours of the North Carolina Medical Board controlled substances CME requirements.
Special Note: Save the date for an upcoming Buprenorphine Waiver Training planned for Hickory, NC on Saturday, Nov. 5. Details coming soon.

NCHICA is hosting a Telehealth Forum on Oct. 6, at the Greenville Convention Center. The interactive forum, scheduled for 1-5 pm, will feature three presentations followed by small table discussions on telehealth issues. The registration fee is $50 NCHICA members/$75 non-members. Learn more and register here.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will offer the third session of a three-part Virtual Office Hours series regarding 2016 Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) quality measures titled “2016 PQRS Reporting: Measure Applicability Validation (MAV) and How to Get Started (session 3 of 3)” on Tuesday, Oct. 11 from 1 – 2 p.m. A brief presentation will be followed by a question and answer session during which participants can ask a CMS representative clarifying questions about the MAV process. Questions regarding specialty specific scenarios may be referred for additional research. Note that MAV only applies to claims-based and registry-based reporting of individual measures. Click here to access the registration page. Complete information about PQRS is available on the CMS PQRS website.
For questions about PQRS or the Virtual Office Hours registration process, please contact the QualityNet Help Desk 1-866-288-8912 or via email at [email protected] from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. CT.

The National Rural Accountable Care Consortium (NRACC) a Practice Transformation Network is offering free workshops in Raleigh and Charlotte to learn how to survive – and thrive – in the coming value-based era of health care. The Raleigh workshop will be on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) Center for Leadership in Medicine, 222 N. Person St., Raleigh. The Charlotte workshop will be held the next day, on Wednesday, Oct. 19 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 895 West Trade St., Charlotte. Learn more and register here. See related article in this issue of the Bulletin.

NC Tracks will offer a Provider Re-Credentialing/Re-Verification Refresher WebEx course on Thursday, Oct. 20 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. This course serves as a refresher for the steps taken by the provider to complete the Re-Verification process through NCTracks. It is taught via WebEx and can be attended remotely from any location with a telephone, computer and internet connection. The WebEx will be limited to 115 participants. Providers can register for these courses in SkillPort, the NCTracks Learning Management System. Logon to the secure NCTracks Provider Portal and click Provider Training to access SkillPort.

28^th Annual Fall Foliage Cancer Conference, “Update on Melanoma and Gastrointestinal Cancers,” will be held Oct. 21-22 at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville. More information and registration available here.

MAHEC, working with the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians, The Governor’s Institute on Substance Abuse and Project Lazarus: A Project of CCNC, is offering A Guide to Rational Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain, an online education course. The course is designed for all prescribing health care practitioners who are interested in an overview of the rational prescribing approaches for persons with chronic pain disorders. It will fulfill the North Carolina Medical Board’s requirement of at least one hour of continuing education designed specifically to address prescribing practices for chronic pain management. The course cost is $15 for the first 6 months. Offers 3 hours of AAFP, AMA/AAFP Equivalency, and CDE; www.mahec.net/opioid

NCTracks has Computer-Based Training (CBT) courses on a variety of topics available to providers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. Anyone who is a registered user with NCID access to the NCTracks secure Provider Portal can access and take a self-paced course. A list of courses available can be found here and under Quick Links on the NCTracks Provider Training page of the public Provider Portal.

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Department of Healthcare Leadership and Management is offering the 19th Annual Healthcare Leadership Conference on Friday, October 21^st, 2016 at Charleston Area Convention Center in North Charleston. Panels will focus on composition and development of our health care workforce. The three sessions focus on: 1) Talent Management for Bench Strength Development; 2) Diversity and Inclusion and 3) Developing an Environment of Civility and Respect In Healthcare Organizations: Resources to Empower Healthcare Leaders to Identify, Intervene, and Prevent Workplace Bullying, Incivility and Disrespect. Learn more and register here.

The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine will be hosting the Point-of-Care and Critical Care Ultrasound course, Nov. 12-13 at Wake Forest University. This event uses live models, simulations, and didactic lectures to provide a comprehensive and in-depth look at how and where medical ultrasound can effectively be used in point-of-care and critical care settings. The course is eligible for up to 15 CMEs. Learn more and register here.

MEDTalks is Live!

Ever wonder what physician leadership looks and sounds like? We recorded this year’s class of Leadership College scholars giving their project presentations so now you can see and hear. We’re calling these MEDTalks – reminiscent of TED Talks in that they’re short, to-the-point and provide new insights into health care issues of concern to your colleagues and you. Watch the first one, featuring Yun Boylston, MD, below. And watch for the others in coming weeks.

Dr. Paul Cunningham Installed as NCMS President

Dr. Cunningham takes the oath of office of NCMS President.

Paul R.G. Cunningham, MD, was installed as the 163^rd president of the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) at the society’s Annual Business Meeting on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 17, at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro. He is the first African-American to hold the office.
Before his swearing in ceremony, Sandhya Thomas-Montilus, MD, president of the Old North State Medical Society, which was formed to represent African-American physicians, called attention to the significance of the event.
“This is a historic moment for both our societies,” she said. “The Old North State Medical Society was founded in 1887 because the North Carolina Medical Society wouldn’t let doctors of color in. Now, 130 years later, you have your first black president -- a year after the first non-black president became president of the Old North State Medical Society.”
Dr. Cunningham has served as Dean of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University since 2008. Prior to joining the Brody School, he served as professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery at the State University of New York, Upstate Medical University.

Dr. Cunningham receives his presidential medallion from his wife, Sydney.

Board Certified in General Surgery, Dr. Cunningham is a graduate of the University of the West Indies. He completed his residency in surgery at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. No stranger to eastern North Carolina, he served for many years as both an educator and a surgeon at East Carolina University, Pitt County Memorial Hospital and Bertie County Memorial Hospital prior to holding his positions at the State University of New York.
As outgoing NCMS President Docia Hickey, MD, said before administering the oath of office to Dr. Cunningham: “Paul has all the qualities you might expect in a medical school dean. Great wisdom, patience, clinical expertise, ability to motivate and communicate effectively and well-honed leadership skills. These abilities also will make Paul an outstanding NCMS president.”
In his remarks after being installed, Dr. Cunningham encouraged physicians, who today are faced with many complex challenges and transformative changes in our health care system, to continue to focus on patients and to strive for consensus in order to speak with ‘one voice.’
“I am unwilling to accept that we are unable to be unified in our resolve, and therefore in all of our actions,” he said. “There is more than one issue that will require our consensus as a profession. These issues are common to us all. Nary one of us can be exempt.”

NCMS Members Elect Leadership

For the first time in its history, the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) held a membership wide election for its leadership after suspending the House of Delegates form of governance last fall. Every member had the opportunity to cast their vote electronically or by paper ballot resulting in a record turnout of nearly 500 votes, far exceeding previous House of Delegate elections. The newly elected representatives are:

President elect: John L. Reynolds, MD
Board of Directors Region 2 representative: Jeffrey Runge, MD
Board of Directors At-large representative: Brian S. Kuszyk, MD
AMA Delegate, Chair: John R. Mangum, MD
AMA Delegate: Darlyne Menscer, MD
AMA Delegate: William Bowman, MD
AMA Alternate Delegate: Hadley Callaway, MD
AMA Alternate Delegate: Liana Puscas, MD

And elected to 2-year terms on the Nominating and Leadership Development Committee:

Region 1: Scott Avery, MD
Region 1: Michael Moulton, MD
Region 2: Pedrag Gligorovic, MD
Region 3: Sanjay Garg, MD

NCMS Members Bring Issues to Board of Directors At Annual Business Meeting

NCMS Business Meeting during the M3 Conference

Under the new governance structure, which establishes the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) Board of Directors as the policymaking entity, NCMS members may bring their policy issues and concerns directly to the Board. At the Society’s Annual Business Meeting on Saturday, Sept. 17, in Greensboro, the Board opened the floor for an exchange of ideas with the membership.
Kent Anderson, MD, an urgent care internist from Wilson, asked the board about Medicaid expansion.
“We’re on record as supporting expansion. It needs to be a good, deliberate process,” NCMS President Docia Hickey, MD, said. “We’ve worked very strongly with the legislature on this issue.” She acknowledged the current political climate at the General Assembly is not favorable to expansion. “After the election, things may loosen up a little.”
John Woodyear, MD, a family medicine doctor in Troy, urged the Board to begin an initiative encouraging physicians to train on how to treat opioid addiction and obtain the waiver to administer Buprenorphine to help counteract the opioid abuse epidemic in our state. The agreed to consider this in the coming year.
Randall Williams, MD, the North Carolina Director of Public Health, thanked the board for its work helping to pass legislation establishing the statewide standing order for opioid antagonist Naloxone. “This [law] is an exemplar of your leadership,” Randall said. “Next year the number one initiative is infant mortality reduction.”
Gerri Mattson, MD, a pediatrician in Durham, commended the Board for taking on the issue of physician wellness and resilience. She also encouraged them to recognize the social determinants that affect so many North Carolina families, noting that 25 percent of children in the state live in poverty.
Others had questions about the new process and how NCMS members throughout the state are able to engage with the NCMS leadership.
Beyond the Board meetings that are scheduled throughout the state in the coming year [see tentative schedule here], the Board urged members to get to know and call on their region representatives on the Board if they have questions, concerns or issues to raise. Also, consider inviting NCMS representatives to your county medical society meetings.
“If you’re in my region, please invite me to your meetings and I’ll come,” Board Region 3 Representative Arthur Apolinario, MD, said. Region 3 covers the south central portion of the state. “I want to hear your ideas. That’s what is important because I want to represent you.”
Staff also is available to attend meetings to discuss policy and advocacy issues.
“We are more than happy to go to any county society meeting around the state anytime with a little notice. Be sure to encourage people to be there,” said NCMS CEO Robert Seligson. “We are geared up and ready to roll on establishing good policy. We encourage every member to send in issues to us. You can call me at the NCMS when you can’t get a hold of a Board member. There are many mechanisms in place so your medical society makes good policy in this state.”

NCMS Presents 2016 Anderson and Estes Awards

Bonnie Brown with her award.

The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) presented the John Huske Anderson Award and the E. Harvey Estes, MD, Physician Community Service award at the M3 Conference in Greensboro on Saturday evening, Sept 17.
The John Huske Anderson Award recognizes those outside of the medical profession for their contributions to the work of physicians and physician assistants. This year’s recipient is Bonnie Jeffreys Brown. Brown is in her third decade as executive director of the New Hanover-Pender County Medical Society representing approximately 500 physicians in and around Wilmington. Her contributions in that role have had a positive impact on the medical profession that reaches beyond New Hanover and Pender counties, as evidenced in the physician leaders coming from her territory to assume statewide leadership roles. For instance, former NCMS President Michael Moulton, MD, was president of the New Hanover-Pender County Medical Society before his state presidency. Brown’s son Philip Brown, MD, is a Wilmington physician, alumnus of the NCMS Leadership College and serves on the NCMS Board of Directors.

Bonnie Brown and her proud family.

In her nearly 33 years with the New Hanover-Pender County Medical Society, Brown has maintained a vibrant and active society. One of collegiality and looking outward to help the larger community as an organization. She has served her community through the Society’s outreach programs including athlete screening physicals and scholarship awards.
As NCMS President Paul Cunningham, MD, remarked in presenting Brown with the award: “At the NCMS, we know she is on our side and a true advocate for the medical profession.”
The 2016 E. Harvey Estes, MD, Physician Community Service Award recognizes a physician who not only cares for individual patients, but also serves the larger community. This year’s recipient is Warren J. Pendergast, MD.

Dr. Cunningham presents Dr. Pendergast with his award.

Dr. Pendergast recently retired as CEO of the North Carolina Physicians Health Program (PHP) after serving for nearly 17 years. PHP’s core mission is to improve the health and wellness of medical professionals, crucial services in today’s health care environment with increasing numbers of physicians feeling overwhelmed and burned out.

Throughout his tenure at PHP, as a psychiatrist, medical director and CEO, Dr. Pendergast distinguished himself as a calm, thoughtful and compassionate leader. Under his guidance, PHP has served thousands of physicians, physician assistants and other health professionals throughout the state. He has helped them regain personal and professional well-being so they can better serve their patients and the larger community.
He has been recognized for his leadership and asked to serve at the national level on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Federation of State Health Programs.
Congratulations to Bonnie Jeffreys Brown and Dr. Warren Pendergast!

Dr. Yele Aluko Receives T. Reginald Harris Memorial Award

Dr. Cunningham (left) presents Dr. Aluko (right) with his award.

The T. Reginald Harris Memorial Award is presented on behalf of The Carolinas Center for Medical Excellence to honor the life and memory of Dr. Harris, one of CCME’s founding members. The award serves as a lasting reminder of his commitment to health care quality and that optimal care begins with a focus on the patient. This year’s award recipient is Yele Aluko, MD, MBA, FACC, FSCAI.
Dr. Aluko was recognized for his 38 years of practicing medicine and his service to the Mecklenburg County medical community, including his contributions to the international character of the Charlotte area, and his life-long commitment to high-quality, patient-centered care in North Carolina and abroad.
As a practicing interventional cardiologist, specializing in complex coronary and structural heart interventions, he is known for his empathetic and disciplined manner and his equally strong focus on consensus and team building, mentorship and innovation.
Dr. Aluko serves as the senior vice president of Novant Health’s Heart and Vascular Services and as medical director at Novant Health’s Heart and Vascular Institute.
His passion for addressing health disparities led him to organize an annual series of Community Health Symposia in Mecklenburg County to raise awareness of racial and gender health inequities in the region.
Congratulations Dr. Aluko!

NCMS Board Welcomes Visitor, Considers Policy Proposal

The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) Board of Directors held its regularly scheduled Board meeting during the M3 Conference last week
in Greensboro. The Board welcomed Joseph Guarino, MD, an occupational medicine specialist from Reidsville to the meeting.
“I want to express my concerns that we really ought to be advocating for physicians in private practice who can practice medicine the way he or she wants to,” Dr. Guarino told the Board. “The state medical society is responding to issues with resiliency programs. It would be helpful to get to the root causes [of physician burnout], and oppose some of the things happening with consolidation, electronic health records, value-based payments and ACOs.”
When asked, Dr. Guarino didn’t propose any specific solutions other than to say that “if the state wants to save money on Medicaid they could curtail the services offered, cut back on optional services and by reducing eligibility. Medicaid for the pediatric population is really a middle-class entitlement,” he said.
Board members described the approach to complex issues that is generally used in the NC legislature. Medicaid reform and scope of practice issues, for example, require the medical community to participate in problem solving discussions that involve opposing interests. Those opposing interests come from many sources, sometimes from within the medical profession.
“We don’t hold all the cards in our hands,” Immediate Past President Robert Schaaf, MD, told Dr. Guarino. “We understand the points you’re making, and you can be sure we are committed to addressing the difficult challenges faced by practicing physicians.”
Dr. Guarino, who was attending the M3 conference, thanked the Board members who in turn expressed their appreciation for him sharing his views.
The Board also considered a request submitted by John Dykers, MD, of Siler City to change the law regarding the physician’s role in issuing concealed carry permits. Currently, the law is different in each county. Generally, the Sheriff makes an evaluation of whether an applicant is allowed to have permit. This can involve a request for medical information. Dr. Dykers’ proposal would require the Sheriff to ask the doctor whether a person is not fit to carry a firearm.
Board members voted to refer this matter to the Legislative Cabinet to report back to the Board with a recommendation.

Survey of Over 17,000 Physicians Finds Shifting Practice Patterns Limit Patient Access to Care

The Physicians Foundation Biennial survey found that physicians continue to struggle to maintain morale levels, adapt to changing delivery and payment models, and provide patients with reasonable access to care. The combination of these factors leaves a majority of physicians feeling that they lack time to provide the highest level of care. These findings are based on the responses of over 17,000 U.S. physicians commissioned by the Physicians Foundation, a nonprofit organization that seeks to advance the work of practicing physicians and help facilitate the delivery of healthcare to patients.
North Carolina physicians responded overwhelmingly to this survey with more per capita responses than any other state in the country. Thank you to everyone who took the time to answer the questions. The results offer a snapshot of physician perspectives and practice patterns today.
According to the research, 80 percent of physicians report being overextended or at capacity, with no time to see additional patients. This remains steady with the findings reported in the 2014 survey from the Foundation. Not surprisingly, 54 percent of physicians surveyed rate their morale as somewhat or very negative, with 49 percent saying they are either often or always feeling burnt out.
In response to these and other challenges, 48 percent of surveyed physicians plan to cut back on hours, retire, take a non-clinical job, switch to “concierge” medicine or take other steps that will further limit patient access – an increase from those who answered similarly in the 2014 survey.
In addition to challenges in morale, 62.8 percent of those surveyed are pessimistic about the future of the medical profession. About half of survey respondents would not recommend medicine as a career to their children. Close to one-third would not choose to be physicians if they had their careers to do over. This sentiment has larger implications outside of the profession itself, given that physicians manage larger clinical teams comprised of nurse practitioners, physician assistants and more who also play a pivotal role in healthcare economics.
Physicians identify regulatory / paperwork burdens and loss of clinical autonomy as their primary sources of dissatisfaction. Respondents indicate that they spend 21 percent of their time on non-clinical paper work duties, while about two-thirds (72 percent) say third-party intrusions detract from the quality of care they can provide.
“Many physicians are dissatisfied with the current state of medical practice and are starting to opt out of traditional patient care roles,” said Walker Ray, M.D., President of the Physicians Foundation and chair of its Research Committee. “By retiring, taking non-clinical roles or cutting back in various other ways, physicians are essentially voting with their feet and leaving the clinical workforce. This trend is to the detriment of patient access. It is imperative that all healthcare stakeholders recognize and begin to address these issues more proactively, to support physicians and enhance the medical practice environment. ”
Please visit www.physiciansfoundation.org for more information or click here to access the full report.

M3 Was the Place to Be Last Weekend – Don’t Miss It Next Year!

m3-4-orange-gray The first annual M3 Conference, Sept. 15-18, was a huge success with nearly 400 attendees filling the Grandover Resort in Greensboro for the four days of educational sessions, networking with colleagues and generally merging medicine and management with our partners, the NC Medical Group Management Association. If you missed this fun event, take a look at some of the pictures that were posted on social media. You won’t want to miss this conference next year, so mark your calendar for Sept. 14-16, 2017, when it will be held in Raleigh.
M3 By the numbers:

Total attendees: 382
Medical students: 23
Exhibitors: 40
Number of unique educational sessions: 20
CME hours available: 13.75
Pounds of popcorn consumed during breaks: 16+

M3 Quotes/Highlights/Takeaways:
The value to a hacker of stealing your health information is 50 times more valuable than stealing your Social Security Number. -- David Sousa, JD, Medical Mutual Insurance Company on cyber-security.
The North Carolina Medical Board says a physician cannot depict him or herself in an inebriated state, and if they do so the physician may be subject to sanctions. -- David Sousa, JD, Medical Mutual Insurance Company on cyber-security.
“Never pick a fight with people who know how to type.” -- Amanda Martin, JD, on how to protect your online image.
Over time you can trust that the truth will win out in the marketplace of ideas. The best thing you can do is be a good doctor. -- Amanda Martin, JD, on how to protect your online image.
Use the E4 model for effective patient communications -- E4 model: Engage the patient; Empathize with his/her concerns; Educate using clear, concise language and checking for understanding; and Enlist the patient as a partner in the delivery of care. – Bill O’Neill, Director of Communications and Outreach for the Center for Personalized Education for Physicians (CPEP).
“Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how.’” – Viktor E. Frankl, Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist and a Holocaust survivor, mentioned in session on “What’s Your Why?”
“The truth is a good option a lot of times for a politician.” – John McLaughlin, political consultant and pollster.
“This election is really about Hillary or not Hillary.” – John McLaughlin, political consultant and pollster.
“A few years ago we had the H1N1 warnings. Now, as physicians, I need to warn you we’ve had an outbreak of HB2. The symptoms include only being able to see to the left or the right and irregular urination patterns.” – Sen. Jeffrey Tarte, speaking as part of the “Good Government: Balancing Patients and Politics” panel.

NC Population Health Collaborative Convenes in Greensboro

Nearly 100 people attended the NC Population Health Collaborative, formerly known as the ACO Collaborative, just prior to the beginning of the M3 Conference in Greensboro last Thursday, Sept. 15. The collaborative has grown from an intimate meeting of a few fledgling ACOs meeting at ACOs around the state and the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) to exchange best practices and share the challenges they face as a new model of care. Now the group has grown to fill a ballroom at the Grandover resort in Greensboro and includes organizations that provide services to the ACOs themselves.
The theme for this meeting was population health – part of the Triple Aim, which is at the core of any ACO.
Former North Carolina Medical Society President and Executive Director of Duke Connected Care Dev Sangvai, MD and Bob Gianforcaro, MD, of the UNC Health Alliance spoke about each of their organization’s population health efforts, the challenges associated with the move to a value-based health care models and how to align the incentives to get everyone on board for the changes.
“Sharing information is key to population health,” Dr. Gianforcaro said, adding that “it is an expense, not a source of income. You need senior leadership on board with any population health initiatives.”
On the necessity of sharing information for ACOs, Darryl Meeks, executive director of the NC Health Information Exchange Authority (NCHIEA) spoke to the Collaborative about the new NC HIE.
“This is all about transparency and data,” he said, inviting input from those present on what would be most useful to them in an HIE. North Carolina is the only state in US with state-run HIE, as authorized by the General Assembly last year. The NCHIEA is partnering with SAS and Orion Health, and has an advisory board, which includes physicians, as they are gearing up to fully implement the exchange by Feb. 1, 2018, when all Medicaid providers in the state must be connected to the NCHIE.
Meeks described the goal of the NCHIE to provide “seamless connections between every type of practice. We’re not going to build it and hope you come. We’re working to get input from providers on what is needed,” he said.
Warren Newton, MD, also spoke to the group about building the foundation for future health care workforce needs in the state.
If you would like more information about the NC Population Health Collaborative, please contact Melanie Phelps at [email protected].

Community Practitioners Learn How to Manage What the Future Holds

Participants in the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) Foundation Community Practitioner Program (CPP) gathered for their annual meeting at the M3 Conference last Friday to learn how to prepare for the challenges of the shift to value-based reimbursement.
The NCMS Foundation’s CPP provides help with student loan repayment and practice management assistance for health care providers in return for their service in the neediest communities.
Representatives of the National Rural Accountable Care Consortium (NRACC), which offers free workshops to help practices and clinics not currently affiliated with an ACO understand and get ready for the changes to value-based reimbursement, presented an overview of what’s ahead under the new federal Quality Payment Program – what used to be called MACRA – as well as practical tips on how to prepare a practice for the change.
The free training, which is thanks to a federal grant, is available to any independent practice or clinic unaffiliated with an ACO. SAVE THE DATE -- the next workshop will be held in Raleigh on Tuesday, Oct. 18 and in Charlotte on Wednesday, Oct. 19. Learn more and register here.

Leadership College Honors 2016 Class and Welcomes 2017 Scholars

Kanof Institute for Physician Leadership 2016 class of Leadership College scholars had their 15 minutes of fame at the M3 Conference as they delivered “MedTalks” on the results of their year-long Leadership College projects. The presentations were well attended by both their fellow scholars and those curious M3 attendees.
Project topics ranged from Scott Lisson, MD, Daniel Barzan, DO, and Bhavik Patel, MD’s presentation on “NC Physician Attitudes toward the ACA and the Drive Toward Value-based Reimbursement: Are Physicians Really on Board? (answer: not really) to Angela Meredith’s, MD, presentation on what clinicians can do to identify victims of human trafficking and help them. North Carolina ranked in the top 15 states in nation for calls to the Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline (1-888-373-7888). The majority of these victims have had contact with health care professionals during their captivity, Dr. Meredith reported in her presentation. Watch the NCMS website for videos of the scholars’ MedTalks.
While the 2016 class of leadership scholars were concluding the year-long program, the incoming class of 2017 had their orientation to the program. This class is the largest in the history of the Leadership College with 25 scholars, demonstrating the value of and need for the Kanof Institute’s leadership training. View the 2017 class here.
The Health Care Leadership and Management (HCLM) 2017 class also was announced. This track focuses more on the business aspects of health care leadership. The HCLM scholars are:

Deb Bhowmick, MD, Neurological Surgery, Chapel Hill
Yun Boylston, MD, Pediatrics, Mebane
Amira El Sherif, MD, Pediatrics, Fayetteville
Teresa Herbert, MD, Pediatrics, Arden
Erica Herman, MD, Psychiatry, Winston Salem
David Hogarty, DO, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Goldsboro
Karen Issacs, MD, MPH, Family Medicine, Wilmington
Beverly Jones, III, MD, Psychiatry, Salisbury
Vijaysinha Mandhare, MD, Pain Management, Raleigh
Bryant Murphy, MD, MBA, Anesthesiology, Fayetteville
Scott Paviol, MD, Dermatology, Mooresville
Rhianna Ritter, MD, Family Medicine, Canton
Ami Shah, MD, Ophthalmology, Durham

Congratulations to the graduates as well as the incoming scholars!

NC Attorney General Roy Cooper Addresses M3 Conference Attendees

Roy Cooper addresses the M3 audience.

NC Attorney General Roy Cooper, who is running for governor against incumbent republican Gov. Pat McCrory, delivered remarks during the legislative portion of the M3 conference on Sunday morning. He told the nearly 100 in attendance that he understands the challenges physicians face and vowed to work with the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) to ensure physicians can practice medicine without undue regulation.
“Most of all of you just want to treat your patients to get well,” he said. “I wish it was that easy, but in this world it’s not. We have to work hard to get there. Doctors need to be making the decisions about medical procedures. I want you at the table with me as we make these decisions.”
He also said it is “ridiculous that we do not accept the billions of dollars we’ve already sent to Washington to help people here” through expansion of Medicaid. “I need you to help me as governor to get Medicaid expansion for NC,” he said.
Gov. McCrory also was invited to speak at the M3, but declined.

What Controlled Substance CME Is Required By the Medical Board?

Answers to your questions about the new CME requirement for those physicians and physician assistants who prescribe controlled substances, are available on the North Carolina Medical Board website. The FAQ sheet is available here.

Brody School of Medicine Ranks in Top Five

The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University again has been ranked in the top five medical schools nationally for the number of its graduates going onto a family medicine residency. Last year, Brody was ranked number four in the nation as part of the American Academy of Family Medicine’s Top 10 Awards. The specific results will be published shortly by the Academy in its publication Family Medicine.
Congratulations to the Brody School of Medicine on this recognition of excellence and service to the community!

Dr. Cunningham Receives Distinguished Citizen Award

cunningham-citizen-award It’s been a big month for Paul R.G. Cunningham, MD, the recently installed 2017 North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) President. On Thursday, Sept. 8, Dr. Cunningham received the Boy Scouts of America, East Carolina Council’s 2016 Distinguished Citizen Award. NCMS CEO Robert Seligson made remarks about Dr. Cunningham describing his many contributions to the community and his great integrity.
Congratulations on this honor, Dr. Cunningham!

Dr. Ullrich Honored with State Award

Christopher Ullrich, MD

Kudos to longtime North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) member Christopher G. Ullrich, MD, FACR, a radiologist from Charlotte. He was inducted this month into the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine. This honor is presented by the Governor of North Carolina to people who have a proven record of service to the state and as a gesture of friendship and good will. Dr. Ullrich has been involved with the NCMS since 1987 and has served on the Legislative Cabinet as well as other committees.
Congratulations Dr. Ullrich!

Be On the Lookout for Acute Flaccid Myelitis

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the North Carolina Division of Public health are alerting clinicians to be aware of an increase in the number of cases of acute flaccid myelitis diagnosed from January to July 2016. These agencies have issued a memo with details on symptoms to watch for and how to report a suspected case. Read the memo here.

NC DMV Seeks Physicians for Medical Review Hearings Board

The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Medical Review Unit is seeking highly motivated, licensed, board-certified, civic-minded physicians to serve on its Medical Review Hearings Board.
The Medical Review Unit is responsible for protecting the motoring public by monitoring drivers diagnosed with medical conditions that may affect their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. The Unit holds hearings that give drivers an opportunity to appear in person to contest license cancellations and restrictions.
Hearings are held in Raleigh one week per month. NCDMV provides consulting and case review fees for participating physicians and reimburses travel expenses according to state guidelines.
Participation on the NCDMV Medical Review Board provides an opportunity to work with professionals who are passionate about striking the appropriate balance between the privilege to drive and the safety of all who use our roadways. The program may be of particular interest to physicians who have an interest in the care of North Carolina’s senior citizens.
To learn more about participating, contact Nzingha White, DO, MPH at 919-861-3594 or [email protected].

In the News

Cone Health Apologizes for Past Discrimination, Contributes $250K Toward Scholarship, Becker's Hospital Review, 9-20-16
Opioid Makers' Money, Lobbying NC Politicians on the Puny Side, The Associated Press, 9-19-16
Drugmakers Fought State Opioid Limits Amid Crisis, WXII, 9-18-16
Health Information Exchanges Are Coming of Age and Proving Their Worth, Modern Healthcare, 9-15-16
Study: Disparagement of Primary Care During Training Contributes to PCP Shortage, Becker's Hospital Review, 9-13-16
Aetna CEO Responds to US Senators' Letter, Becker's Hospital Review, 9-13-16

Learning Opportunities

The North Carolina Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) will hold its 2016 Health Insurance Institute on Sept. 22-23, at the Sheraton Hotel, Four Seasons in Greensboro. Learn more and register here.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering an Overview of the 2015 Annual Quality and Resource Use Reports- Webcast on Thursday, Sept. 29 from 1:30-3 p.m. Learn more about the 2015 Annual QRURs and the 2017 Value Modifier on the 2015 QRUR website. The event will be more meaningful if you have your QRUR in front of you to follow along. Visit How to Obtain a QRUR and access your QRUR prior to the event. Additional call details and registration information is available on the MLN Connects® website.

The Governor's Institute and NC Division of Public Health will be presenting The Opioid Epidemic: Guidance for Healthcare Providers, which focuses on the practical clinical aspects of providing pain management, prevention and early intervention for substance use disorders. The session will be held in three times in three locations:

Henderson County, at Pardee Signature Care Center on Thursday, Oct. 6, from 5:30 - 8:30 pm. Register here.
Haywood County at Lake Junaleska Conference & Retreat Center on Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 5:30 - 8:30 pm. Register here.
Buncombe County at MAHEC Biltmore Campus on Thursday, Oct. 13, from 5:30 - 8:30 pm. Register here.

In addition to the in-person program, participants may receive vouchers for the online, Guide to Rational Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain, training course courtesy of the Mountain Area Health Education Center. Completion of the online course is intended to satisfy 3 hours of the North Carolina Medical Board controlled substances CME requirements.
Special Note: Save the date for an upcoming Buprenorphine Waiver Training planned for Hickory, NC on Saturday, Nov. 5. Details coming soon.

NCHICA is hosting a Telehealth Forum on Oct. 6, at the Greenville Convention Center. The interactive forum, scheduled for 1-5 pm, will feature three presentations followed by small table discussions on telehealth issues. The registration fee is $50 NCHICA members/$75 non-members. Learn more and register here.

28^th Annual Fall Foliage Cancer Conference, “Update on Melanoma and Gastrointestinal Cancers,” will be held Oct. 21-22 at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville. More information and registration available here.

MAHEC, working with the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians, The Governor’s Institute on Substance Abuse and Project Lazarus: A Project of CCNC, is offering A Guide to Rational Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain, an online education course. The course is designed for all prescribing health care practitioners who are interested in an overview of the rational prescribing approaches for persons with chronic pain disorders. It will fulfill the North Carolina Medical Board’s requirement of at least one hour of continuing education designed specifically to address prescribing practices for chronic pain management. The course cost is $15 for the first 6 months. Offers 3 hours of AAFP, AMA/AAFP Equivalency, and CDE; www.mahec.net/opioid

NCTracks has Computer-Based Training (CBT) courses on a variety of topics available to providers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. Anyone who is a registered user with NCID access to the NCTracks secure Provider Portal can access and take a self-paced course. A list of courses available can be found here and under Quick Links on the NCTracks Provider Training page of the public Provider Portal.

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Department of Healthcare Leadership and Management is offering the 19th Annual Healthcare Leadership Conference on Friday, October 21^st, 2016 at Charleston Area Convention Center in North Charleston. Panels will focus on composition and development of our health care workforce. The three sessions focus on: 1) Talent Management for Bench Strength Development; 2) Diversity and Inclusion and 3) Developing an Environment of Civility and Respect In Healthcare Organizations: Resources to Empower Healthcare Leaders to Identify, Intervene, and Prevent Workplace Bullying, Incivility and Disrespect. Learn more and register here.

The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine will be hosting the Point-of-Care and Critical Care Ultrasound course, Nov. 12-13 at Wake Forest University. This event uses live models, simulations, and didactic lectures to provide a comprehensive and in-depth look at how and where medical ultrasound can effectively be used in point-of-care and critical care settings. The course is eligible for up to 15 CMEs. Learn more and register here.

The Polls Are Open -- Cast Your Vote Today for NCMS Leadership

North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) members should have received their online ballot for NCMS representatives in their email last week. The elections are being administered by a third-party, Survey & Ballot Systems. The process is fully explained on the ballot itself, which also includes the slate of candidates and their bios. As of Monday, 169 votes had been cast, surpassing the number of attendees at last year’s House of Delegates.
Voting is open through Friday, Sept. 15 at midnight. The election results will be announced at the NCMS Annual Business Meeting, on Saturday, Sept. 17. This meeting is open to all NCMS members free of charge. Please register here. For questions, please call 919-833-3836 or mailto:[email protected]

The NCMS ‘Event of the Year’ is Next Week – Don’t Miss It!

Time is running short to register for the M3 Conference, Sept. 15-18. We'd love to see you there, so take a few minutes today to review the conference agenda (PDF) and see why you should attend. Get the specifics on the speakers, the 13.75 hours of CME available and register today. By signing up now, you still have access to our group rate for hotel accommodations at the Grandover.
REGISTER ONLINE HERE
This year’s North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) Annual Business Meeting is being held during the M3 Conference, on Saturday, Sept. 17. Our newly elected leadership will be installed at that meeting and issues of concern to the membership will be brought to the Board of Directors for discussion. You may attend just the business meeting portion of the conference at no charge. Don’t miss this important event!

US Surgeon General Calls On Physicians To Help End Opioid Epidemic

vivek murthy — US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy

In another indication of the magnitude of the epidemic of opioid abuse gripping the country, the US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is sending a letter to 2.3 million physicians and other health professionals in a call to action on safe prescribing education, access to treatment for opioid use disorder and compassionate care without stigma.
He also asks physicians to sign a pledge to turn the tide on opioid abuse in this country. As he states in his letter: “As cynical as times may seem, the public still looks to our profession for hope during difficult moments. This is one of those times.”
Read Dr. Murthy’s letter here.