August 2024 E News

Pertinent Information

HCMA Membership Dinner

The Centre Club

Tuesday, September 17, 2024, 6:30pm

Guest speaker, Dr. Chantale Bégin and her “Salty Science” rowing team experienced terror to triumph in 38 days, 18 hours, and 56 minutes. Join us as Dr. Bégin shares her 3,000 mile trans-Atlantic experience with us. Sponsored by Tampa General Hospital. RSVPs required - CLICK HERE. Sponsor and exhibit opportunities are available, click here.

We are seeking nominees for the Dr. Frederick A. Reddy Memorial Award

The award is meant to recognize a member of the Tampa Bay Community (physician or layperson) who exemplifies the qualities that were so prevalent in Dr. Reddy’s work within the community. Examples include community service, social justice, mentoring kids, teens, young adults, etc. Our community is large, and many people who are doing great things, sometimes go unnoticed.

If you would like to nominate someone who fits the description, please send their contact information, and a brief narrative of why you believe they qualify, along with one specific example of their altruism, to Debbie Zorian, HCMA Executive Director.

Nominations must be received no later than August 5th. The Executive Council will vote to determine the recipient at the August Council meeting and the award will be presented at the September 17th membership dinner. Previous award recipients.

Credit card surcharge implemented

Beginning August 1^st, a surcharge, of up to 3%, will apply to all credit card transactions including those made by phone and on HCMA.net. We understand the convenience that credit card payments offer and continue to accept them as a form of payment. However, the introduction of this surcharge will help us manage the increasing expenses related to processing these transactions.

Alternate forms of payment include check, online banking through your financial institution, or direct deposit (HCMA bank and routing number will be provided). We appreciate your understanding.

A Labor Day weekend stay, at a discounted rate! (CME credits are also available)

The Tampa Bay Latin American Medical Society (TBLAMS) is inviting HCMA members and their families to take advantage of a special weekend rate for Labor Day Weekend (August 30-September 2). TBLAMS is holding a conference at the Hilton Clearwater Beach and their room block still has rooms available. The discounted rate is $269, plus resort fees per night/per room. Room availability is on a first-come/first-served basis. Click here to reserve your room. There is no obligation to attend the TBLAMS conference.  However, If you would also like to take advantage of the CME opportunities, please contact Adrienne Pagan, TBLAMS Executive Director, at info@tblams.org or 813.773.4321, for additional information.

Florida reports a surge in COVID cases, but how dangerous is the virus today?

The current strain’s severity isn’t showing any more symptoms than a common cold, including mild fever, body aches, stuffy nose and difficulty breathing. But that’s not the case for everyone. Some people do become very ill and end up in the hospital or even dying because they have underlying factors that contribute to that, but most people recover in three, four, or five days from this current subvariant of COVID-19. Florida reports 3,000 deaths from COVID this year through June. Florida reported 8,000 deaths all of last year. Read more.

New law requires state health plans in Florida to cover biomarker testing

A new state law expands access to tests that can help medical professionals diagnose and treat diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's. It will require Florida Medicaid and state employee health insurance plans to cover biomarker testing when supported by medical and scientific evidence. Read more. 

HHS finalizes info-blocking disincentives for hospitals, clinician groups, and ACOs

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced physicians and physician groups it finds to have committed information blocking will no longer be a meaningful user of certified EHR technology. This would translate to a hit on their Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) score in a category HHS said “typically can be a quarter of a clinician or group’s total MIPS score in a year." Read more.

New mid-year vaccine recommendations from ACIP

ACIP, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, met for 3 days in June. New vaccines and new recommendations for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), flu, COVID, and a new pneumococcal vaccine were revealed. Read more.

Infectious disease expert explains seine bacteria as Olympic events are postponed - it's not just about e. coli, expert says

On Monday, Olympic training for the swimming portion of triathlon events, to be held in the Seine River, was canceled for the second day in a row. Then, the men's triathlon event, scheduled for Tuesday, was postponed. The cause: bacteria in the water. "It's not just E. coli," Bruce Hirsch, MD, added. "It's also the company that it keeps." Read more.

Learn the art of physician leadership

The FMA is accepting applications for the 2025 class of the Karl M. Altenburger, MD Physician Leadership Academy, an intensive professional development program exclusively for FMA members. Primarily for early and mid-career physicians, this 11-month program is designed to help participants strengthen specific nonclinical skills for successful healthcare leadership. Selected physicians will be invited to attend five in-person, facilitated sessions beginning in February, in addition to virtual learning activities. The FMA Foundation for Healthy Floridians will cover expenses for materials, lodging, sponsored meals, and speaker fees. The Foundation for Healthy Floridians/FMA will reimburse for one night’s lodging per session at the contracted single-room rate reserved through the hotel website. Only FMA members who practice in the state of Florida will be considered. Applications are due by Tuesday, Sept. 3. Click here for more information.

Another benefit of membership

HCMA Executive Director, Debbie Zorian, is a Florida notary and offers HCMA members and their families 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.

Connect with us!

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

Debbie Zorian, Executive Director and

Elke Lubin, Executive Assistant

From the Board of Medicine

E-Licensing now available!

The Division of Medical Quality Assurance is now issuing electronic licenses, which enable you to download a PDF copy of your license within two business days. The license can be retrieved in the License Documents menu of your MQA Online Services Portal account. To learn more, visit the electronic licensing webpage. 

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. 

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.

Benefits of having a career coach at every career stage

Doctors spend years honing their medical expertise, often deprioritizing their own career development in the process. In a field that prizes self-sufficiency, the idea of seeking help can feel unfamiliar. But guidance from a career coach can be transformative, leading to greater professional fulfillment and personal growth. Whether you’re a new resident or a soon-to-be retiree, a career coach can help you clarify your goals, navigate transitions, and maximize your potential. Read on to discover strategies that career coaches use to help physician clients at every stage. Read more.

Personal News

Brandon Faza, MD, MBA, FACEP, FAAEM

Meet Dr. Brandon Faza

Our very own, Brandon Faza, MD, was recently featured as the FMA's Member Physician Highlight. Dr. Faza, an emergency medicine physician, serves on the HCMA Executive Council in an At-Large seat.

Humanity in Healthcare

Brandon Faza, MD, MBA, FACEP, FAAEM, was first attracted to the practice of medicine at a young age by observing his veterinarian father’s joy in taking care of animals, but more importantly, the scientific process behind diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Faza eventually parlayed this interest into becoming the first medical doctor in his family, “loving what my dad did but with people.”

As a fifth-generation Tampanian, Dr. Faza comes from a family that is firmly rooted in Tampa, which further fuels his drive and determination to bring quality healthcare for all to his hometown. Read more.

Congratulations to Andrew AND the Foundation!

On July 18th, HCMA Foundation 26th Charity Golf Classic hole-in-one prize recipient, Andrew Bright, was presented with a $10K check.  Many thanks to Morgan Import Motorcars for their generous support of the Charity Golf Classic as our Hole-In-One sponsor with the $20K split prize.  Due to Andrew's ace, the HCMA Foundation also received $10K and was able to increase the number of grant recipients for the 2024 cycle.  So much more than just a win-win situation!

Left: Debbie Zorian (HCMA Executive Director), Gabrielle & Andrew Bright, Dr. Bruce Shephard (HCMA Foundation President), Elke Lubin (HCMA Executive Assistant), and Kim Rogers (Morgan Import Motorcars)

Right: Chris Rogers, with Morgan Import Motorcars, presents Andrew with his prize, along with HCMA Foundation President, Dr. Bruce Shephard.

Learn more about the Foundation

The HCMA Foundation is the charitable arm of the HCMA. Established in 1993, our 501c3 organization has been awarding grants annually, supporting over 20 different charities. The Foundation has also provided a scholarship to a USF medical student for over fifteen years. And this year, began awarding the Annual Robert Yelverton, Sr., MD Memorial Scholarship to a fourth-year medical student who will be entering a residency program in obstetrics and gynecology. The Foundation's primary fundraiser, the Charity Golf Classic, will be held on April 24, 2025. Sponsorship opportunities and golfer registration are available.

Gundars Katlaps, MD Tampa General Hospital marks its first heart & double lung transplant Judith Falcon recently celebrated her 57th birthday with a special reason to smile! She received TGH's first-ever heart and double lung transplant and now she's looking forward to many more years with her loved ones. This groundbreaking dual organ transplant, performed by Dr. Gundars Katlaps and his team at the TGH Transplant Institute, offers hope for those with severe heart and lung conditions. Watch the story.

"Founding Mothers" Drs. Barbara Bachman, Elaine Engelman, Shelly Baumann, and Kathryn Kepes. Retired women of medicine form a small group! The Founding Mothers of the Retired Women Physicians of Hillsborough County had their inaugural social on July 24th.  This small group, headed by Dr. Kathryn Kepes, will get together again on September 19th.  If you are interested in joining the group, or learning more, please contact Dr. Kathryn Kepes.

New Members

ACTIVE MEMBERS: Matthew Baron, MD Internal Medicine Moffitt Cancer Center 12902 USF Magnolia Dr. Tampa, 33612 813.745.3123 Robyn Schickler, MD Obstetrics & Gynecology Planned Parenthood of SW & Central Florida 236 E. Bearss Ave. Tampa, 33613 813.443.9694 RETIRED MEMBER: Mark Davis, MD Obstetrics & Gynecology

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

Spending more than you should? Blackmaple Group, Medline Industries, and Provista offer discounted prices on a multitude of products. Blackmaple Group (BMG) is a local Florida company specializing in medical supply chain services. Under their program, participants can save 15-30% or more on medical-surgical and other common items like office supplies and telecommunications by combining their volume with that of clients across the nation. Medline Industries serves as a key partner for distribution and direct-to-manufacturer savings on branded products, with Provista offering discounted pricing on national products based on over 2,000 contracts. A Medline representative will meet with your practice manager and review all of the practice's purchases, including copy machine supplies, magazine subscriptions, uniforms, office supplies, and medical-surgical equipment. You will be provided with a spreadsheet to easily compare items and your potential savings. To schedule a no-obligation review, contact:   Nili Gold, Director of Outreach and Development  Or call 866.783.0033, ext: 710.

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.

UPCOMING EVENTS

HCMA Membership Dinner Tuesday, September 17, 2024, 6:30pm The Centre Club RSVPs required - CLICK HERE. Women in Medicine Reception Thursday, September 26, 2024, 6:00pm Palma Ceia Country Club RSVPs required - CLICK HERE. HCMA Holiday Social Tuesday, December 3, 2024, 6:30pm The Centre Club  RSVPs required - details forthcoming. HCMA Foundation's 27th Charity Golf Classic Thursday, April 24, 2025 Tournament Players Club - Tampa Bay Registration is OPEN!  For golfer registration and sponsor information, CLICK HERE. Help us with our raffle!  Visit our raffle WISH LIST

Benefit Providers The HCMA’s Benefit Provider Program provides value to physicians with members-only products, programs, and services that far exceed the cost of annual dues. Click the logos below for more information about each of our valued partners.   If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Zorian, HCMA Executive Director, at 813.253.0471 or DZorian@hcma.net.