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.
2025 HCMA Dues Statement
HCMA dues statements have been emailed and sent via US Postal Service. 2025 dues are due January 1st. Call 813.253.0471 or email Asta at the HCMA to confirm your contact information and membership status.FDA approves the new Covid vaccine. Here's the best time to get it.
With the summer Covid wave still rising, experts say the timing for getting vaccinated is important. Millions of people in the U.S. have had Covid within the last few weeks and months. An advantage of the summer wave is that people who have recently recovered have an immune boost to fight off future infections. Because the vaccines will be available earlier this year than last, the question of timing for the most protection through the winter is more urgent. According to CDC guidance, if you’ve recently had Covid, “you may consider delaying your vaccine dose by 3 months.” For people at high risk of severe illness, experts say get the vaccine when it becomes available. That's because infection may not provide as much protection as vaccination, said Dr. Ofer Levy, the director of the Precision Vaccines Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. Read more.
Powerful Senate committee takes up physician shortage
The Association of American Medical Colleges projects that the U.S. will face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036 in primary and specialty care. The Senate Finance Committee working group proposes to create additional Medicare GME slots from fiscal year 2027 through 2031, stating they “would maintain other aspects of the GME allocation formula enacted” in the 2023 year-end budget deal. Read more.
Partnership investment: TGH & USF Health
Tampa General Hospital contributes $162 million to academic partner USF Health to improve recruitment, integration and research. Read more.Hospitals invest in robotics. Surgeons do the work
These are expensive machines, but there's a huge return for hospitals and patients. Robotics enable surgeons to make precise incisions that allow for shorter hospital stays, less narcotics, and faster rehab. Of course, more surgeons need training to use them. Read more.
Credit card surcharge implemented
Beginning August 1st, 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.
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.
Watch the FMA's 150th birthday video
In celebration of their 150th birthday, the FMA created a video as a tribute to all physicians who have cared for Florida’s patients from 1874 to the present day. Watch the video.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 AssistantInterested in sponsoring an HCMA event?
Sponsorship opportunities to consider:
To learn more about these upcoming events and sponsorship opportunities, contact Debbie Zorian, Executive Director, at dzorian@hcma.net or call (813) 253-0471.
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.
License renewal time will be here before you know it!
Medical doctors: Licenses from Group 2 will expire January 31, 2025 - less than five months away! Visit CEBroker.com for CME opportunities and to log the CME courses you have taken. HCMA members receive a discount, email Elke to receive the discount code.
Physician Wellness
(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.
The PWP relies on donations and the generosity of members in order to provide counseling and coaching services, at no cost. We want to be able to continue providing this valuable benefit to all HCMA members! Please consider donating to the HCMA Foundation PWP.
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.
Personal News
2024 FMA Annual Meeting, August 2-4, Orlando Not only was the HCMA well represented by twenty-three members (delegates and FMA board members) but four members sat on Reference Committees (Drs. Neil Manimala/RC I, Stacie Wenk/RC II, Michael Cromer/RC III, and Michael Murphy/RC IV). Both resolutions submitted by the HCMA delegation passed, with amendments, through the FMA House of Delegates. Many thanks to our delegates who spent the weekend in Orlando, supporting organized medicine, debating important issues, and creating policy. Visit our Facebook page (HCMADocs) for all photographs! |
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2024 HCMA representatives: Drs. John Hamill, Madelyn Butler, Eva Crooke, Nam Tran, Radhakrishna Rao, Rosemarie Garcia-Getting, Neil Manimala, Scott Anderson, Michael Zimmer, Lili Buzsaki, Michael Murphy, Rebecca Johnson, Joel Silverfield, Stacie Wenk, Damian Caraballo, Michael Morgan, Harrison Bartels, Ajoy Kumar (Dist C Representative), and Kimberly Biss. Not pictured: Drs. Michael Cromer (Delegation Chair), Brandon Faza, Diane Gowski, Christopher Pittman and Ms. Debbie Zorian (HCMA Executive Director). |
A new class of physician leaders - the 12th class of the FMA’s Karl M. Altenburger, MD Physician Leadership Academy came together for its last official session during the FMA Annual Meeting. Congratulations to HCMA members who graduated:
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New Members
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The Bulletin
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