Happy Friday! Enjoy your end-of-the-week
NCMS Morning Rounds.
Feb. 28, 2020
Watch for Your First NCMS Sunday Survey
For the next five Sundays, you will receive a brief (only one main question) survey soliciting your opinion on key issues the NCMS’ Legislative Cabinet will be considering as they weigh our priorities for the coming legislative short session, which begins on April 29, and beyond to the 2021 long session. Your input is crucial. We ask that you please take a moment – before the work week begins or any time prior to the survey closing next Thursday — to share your view on topics that impact your practice. Results will be shared in next Friday’s NCMS Morning Rounds.
The first survey focuses on access to health care. Others will examine your views on public health, health insurance, medical malpractice reform and scope of practice issues.
Thank you for helping us better represent you at the General Assembly.
Governor’s Covid-19 Task Force Urges You to Prepare
Yesterday Governor Cooper’s Covid-19 Task Force, co-chaired by State Health Director Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson, MD, MPH and Director of Emergency Management Mike Sprayberry, issued a press advisory encouraging health care providers, businesses, schools and individuals to prepare for the potential spread of the virus in North Carolina. Currently, there are no confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the state.
See yesterday’s NCMS Morning Rounds for links to resources aimed at health care professionals.
“NCDHHS has been coordinating with the CDC and state and local partners to prepare for COVID-19 since the beginning of the outbreak in China,” Dr. Tilson said. “We are asking North Carolinians to continue to plan ahead for the possibility of the spread of the infection, while the risk for North Carolina is currently low.”
Here are the preparations the task force recommends for health care providers and hospitals:
• Review policies and procedures for infection prevention and mitigation, and make sure that all employees are aware of and following the appropriate steps.
• Consider how to maximize the use of telemedicine, nurse triage lines and other options to prevent sick people from coming to clinics and emergency rooms if they have mild illness and do not need treatment.
• Continue implementing the NCDHHS and CDC guidance for COVID-19 and continue working closely with your local health department and NCDHHS.
• Look for more updates and information for health care professionals on the CDC website.
Weekly Reminder: NCMS Leadership Nominations Now Being Accepted
The NCMS Nominating and Leadership Development Committee is looking to you for nominations for openings on the NCMS Board of Directors, NC AMA Delegation and the Committee itself. You have until May 18 to nominate yourself or a colleague for one of the leadership positions below. Here is the nomination form. This is a meaningful way to serve your profession and the health of North Carolinians!
Applications will be reviewed by the NCMS Nominating and Leadership Development Committee, with the final ballot being put to a vote of the entire NCMS membership later this year. Review descriptions of what is required of each position.
Board of Directors (Term runs from the NCMS’ Annual Meeting 2020, which will be held Oct. 15-16, to the Annual Meeting 2021):
• Secretary Treasurer: Incumbent (John J. Meier, IV, MD) is eligible for reelection
• Region 3 Representative: Open
• Region 4 Representative: Incumbent (Rachel D. Keever, MD) is eligible for reelection
• At-Large Member: Incumbent (Eileen M. Raynor, MD) is eligible for reelection
• At-Large Member: Open
NC AMA Delegation (Four delegate openings to serve January 2021 to December 2022)
• Incumbent (G. Hadley Callaway, MD) is eligible for reelection
• Incumbent (William E. Bowman, MD) is eligible for reelection
• Incumbent (Darlyne Menscer, MD) is eligible for reelection
• Incumbent (Liana Puscas, MD) is eligible for reelection
Alternate AMA Delegate (One delegate opening to serve January 2021 to December 2022)
• Incumbent (E. Rebecca Hayes, MD) is eligible for reelection
Nominating and Leadership Development Committee (Term runs from Annual Meeting 2020 to Annual Meeting 2022)
Region 1 (represents the eastern third of the state)
• Two open seats
Region 2 (represents 21 counties encompassing the Triangle and Triad)
• Incumbent (Justin Hurie, MD) eligible for reelection
Region 4 (represents the western third of the state)
• Incumbent (Gregory Evans, MD) eligible for reelection
In the News
America’s Mental Health Crisis Hidden Behind Bars, NPR, 2-25-20
Learning Opportunity
NC Asthma, Allergy & Immunology Society (NCAAIS) President Aerik Williams, MD and the NCAAIS Board of Directors invites you to join them for their annual meeting and educational conference on April 17-19 at Wrightsville Beach. The gathering is open to allergists/immunologists and their practice teams. Learn more and register.