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June 2024 E News

Pertinent Information

Hurricane Season began June 1st!

It has been predicted by meteorologists at Colorado State University that the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season will be extremely active. CSU is forecasting 23 named storms with 11 having the potential to become hurricanes. A compilation of important information for physicians and their staff is available by clicking the link below. The document includes how to prepare and what to do if disaster strikes:

Hurricane Season - Be Prepared

More resources:

Summer Safety - #1 Priority

Summertime is a great time to relax, exercise, and bond with friends and family, but remember to stay safe! Drowning is a leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, according to the CDC. During the summer months, when water activities are more prevalent, drowning is more common, according to the National Safety Council. Supervision, barriers, swim lessons, and emergency preparedness are essential.

Although it may be hard to believe, children can easily be left behind in the car when parents are distracted, rushing, multi-tasking or have a change in routine. This is especially true during the summer months when kids are out of school and may have a different caretaker or driver. New rule: EVERYONE CHECK THE BACK SEAT!

Resources:

Water Smart Florida Water Smart Florida Resources Hillsborough County Swim Safety

Make copies for your patients:

HCMA Summer Safety Tips

Hot Car Warning

Change of venue reminder

Beginning September 2024, HCMA membership dinners will be held at the Centre Club. The upgraded venue will offer a fresh new atmosphere and breathtaking city views. Plan to connect with your colleagues and enjoy the festivities. Please note the date changes below:

The September Membership Dinner will be held on Tuesday, September 17th beginning at 6:30pm.
The HCMA Holiday Social will be held on Tuesday, December 3rd beginning at 6:30pm.

Visit the HCMA website or watch your email in-box for details and invitations!

Benefit Provider sheds light on stock market trends

Jon Locklear, CFP®, CAP®, Vice President BT Wealth Advisors, with long-time Benefit Provider, The Bank of Tampa, recently gave a brief presentation to the HCMA Executive Council. Mr. Locklear disseminated a chart showing past market cycles in the S&P 500, highlighting peak and trough valuations. It showed the volatility and progress of the S&P 500 going back to 1996. Indicating that even though there will be volatility for investments, there are long-term rewards as the stock market today is far higher than it was in 1996. To schedule a consultation with Mr. Locklear, 813.872.1376, or visit: https://go.oncehub.com/jonlocklear.

Another benefit of membership

HCMA Executive Director, Debbie Zorian, is a Florida notary and offers HCMA members complimentary notary services. To schedule an appointment, please contact Ms. Zorian at 813.253.0471 or CLICK THIS LINK.

New Bulletin feature - featuring YOU!

"Is there a doctor in the house?" is a new feature in which HCMA members will relive an incident when they were in the right place at the right time, and assisted in the emergent care of a stranger. If you have such a story, please contact Elke Lubin to receive the article guidelines to submit your experience.

Senate committee considers physician payment reform

Recently, U.S. Senate Finance Committee ranking member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Chair Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) released a white paper on budget neutrality and the declining value of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Both senators indicated in a press release that they were open to addressing these matters, with Sen. Wyden stating, “The way Medicare pays doctors for their work has not kept up with the times, and if it’s not working for doctors, it’s not working for the patients they help.” Read the FMA summary to learn more.

Florida becomes first state in the U.S. to allow C-sections outside of hospitals

This spring, Florida lawmakers quietly passed a new health bill that allows doctors to perform cesarean sections (C-sections) in so-called 'advanced birth centers,' making the sunshine state the only place in the country where the surgical procedure is allowed outside of hospitals. Read more.

A nurse-run clinic at Port Tampa Bay touts itself as the first of its kind

The USF College of Nursing Port of Tampa Seafarers Center Clinic opened last month to serve maritime workers, including international workers aboard cargo and cruise ships. Read more.

Sarasota hospital board bucks Ladapo's claims against COVID-19 vaccines

The board opted not to endorse Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo's assertions and voted on a different motion that reaffirms a commitment "not to invade" patients' relationships with their doctors. Read more.

LAST CHANCE - Membership Directory rates have been reduced

Place your ad in the Annual HCMA Membership Directory, Summer 2024 Edition. The HCMA Annual Membership Directory has proven to be an excellent referral source for physicians and businesses. 2024 advertising rates have been reduced for both members and businesses. Click here to view the rate sheet and to secure your advertisement. If you have any questions, please contact Brian Bauman, E&M sales associate, at 800-572-0011 or brian.b@eandmsales.com.

The future of medicine can begin with you.

Both pre-med and medical students have asked to shadow members in their offices to gain early clinical exposure. If you would like to serve as a mentor and allow a student to shadow you please register here. The HCMA is compiling a list of volunteers. Student and physician volunteers will make final mentoring arrangements. Thank you for your participation!

Hear what your colleagues are saying...

Feel free to share these HCMA member testimonials, recorded at a recent Membership Dinner, with your non-member colleagues.

Connect with us!

Follow and connect with the HCMA on social media. Tap the icons on the left and also connect with HCMA administration staff on LinkedIn:

Debbie Zorian, Executive Director and

Elke Lubin, Executive Assistant

From the Board of Medicine

CME available at BOM meetings

The Board meets bimonthly, generally on the first weekend of the month. The full Board meetings include disciplinary cases, licensure approvals, correspondence items, committee reports, policy discussion items and other necessary Board actions. All board and committee meetings start at 8:00 am. Dates and locations are subject to change.

Licensees interested in attending a regular meeting of the Board for continuing medical education (CME) credit, please click here to visit the Board’s website for meeting information. Licensees must remain in continuous attendance during the disciplinary portion of the meeting. You may report your attendance by completing the CME attendance form and returning the form to the board office using the email address provided in the form.

CE Broker

The HCMA has formed a partnership with CE Broker, the official continuing education tracking system. HCMA members receive a discount when subscribing to a CE Broker account. Subscriptions renew annually and offer a user-friendly system that helps you sort through complex CE requirements. Contact Elke Lubin at 813-253-0471 or click here to receive the promotion code. Go to CEBroker.com and subscribe or set up a 7-Day Free Trial Account. Use the HCMA promotion code to apply your discount.

Physician Wellness

The HCMA Foundation Physician Wellness Program (PWP) provides a safe harbor for members to address difficulties, challenges, and work/family/life balance through counseling and coaching services, up to six sessions in twelve months. This complimentary and completely confidential benefit is available for all members, regardless of membership category.

Medscape Physician Burnout & Depression Report 2024: 'We Have Much Work to Do'

Help us build our resource page

The PWP webpage will now include links to articles and resources related to wellness. If you have discovered an article, a book, a social media channel, or a resource you feel may benefit your colleagues, please send a link to Elke Lubin. We welcome you to add a testimonial to support your submission.

The Break Room

Where medicine is all fun and games.

Personal News

Three HCMA members running for re-election

Drs. Michael Cromer, Eva Crooke, and Rebecca Johnson are seeking re-election to the FL AMA Delegation during the upcoming FMA Annual Meeting.

All candidates have served organized medicine proudly and have received an enthusiastic endorsement from the HCMA and our delegation to the FMA.

Click here to view the flyer.

Tampa General CEO John Couris Appointed to Florida’s Health Care Innovation Council

Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo appointed John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital, last month to serve as a member of the Health Care Innovation Council, a statewide volunteer organization established this year to advance innovation in health care as part of the Senate’s priority Live Healthy initiative. Read more.

New Members

Active Member:

Ahmed Fadil, MD

Pulmonary Medicine

The New York Doctor

2727 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Suite 760

Tampa, 33607

813.374.0406

Retired Member:

Vinay Mehindru, MD

Emergency Medicine

Joining the HCMA is easy!

Do you have a nonmember colleague? Share this edition of Enews, direct them to our website, or scan the QR code to learn more about the HCMA and all of the benefits we offer!

Spotlight on Savings

Florida Healthcare Law Firm (FHLF)

Offers HCMA members a 15% discount on contracted services. FHLF is a full-service health law firm providing services from business corporate and HR issues to highly specialized regulatory guidance to providers and businesses in the healthcare industry. HCMA members can obtain up to fifteen minutes of free legal counsel by contacting our Firm at 561.455.7700.

The FHLF website offers complimentary legal documents, available for instant download. Audio/visual presentations are also available for purchase and the Firm maintains a busy YouTube channel offering many valuable webinars. Visit the innovative resource center at www.FloridaHealthcareLawFirm.com.

Jeff Cohen, Esq, Founder and Autumn Piccolo, COO.

Classified Ads

For information on how to place a classified ad in Enews, contact Elke Lubin at the HCMA or complete and return this form.

The Bulletin

Click here to review the most recent issue of The Bulletin along with previous issues.

If you or anyone you know is interested in advertising in The Bulletin, or marketing their services to HCMA members, more information can be found in the HCMA Marketing packet.