Upcoming Events
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February 11, 2025 6:30 PMCentre Club, 123 S. Westshore Blvd. 8th Floor, Tampa, FL 33609
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April 24, 2025 12:00 PMTournament Players Club, Tampa Bay 5300 W. Lutz Lake Fern Dr., Lutz, Florida 33558
January 2025 E News
Thank you, HCMA members, for your continued support of the HCMA and your unwavering dedication and compassion in taking care of patients in our communities. May 2025 bring you happiness, good health, and moments of peace and relaxation.
HCMA Membership Dinner
Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 6:30pm
The Centre Club
Mike Atherton shares his incredible journey of will, drive, and determination after a boat explosion altered his and his family's lives in his presentation, Tragedy to Triumph. Sponsored by TGH Imaging and Trenam Law. RSVPs required - Click here for details.
Florida COVID deaths top 5,800 for 2024, significantly fewer than in previous years
The number of Florida resident deaths this year linked to COVID-19 will be significantly lower than in past years. Data posted on the Florida Department of Health website Monday morning showed that 5,896 resident deaths had been tied to COVID-19 this year. Read more.Looking back at 2024's top medical headlines with a panel of experts
"What's Health Got to Do with It?" is a talk program from WJCT in Jacksonville that examines the intersection of health care and daily life. Read more.
Congress fails to stop 2.83% Medicare payment cut for 2025
“The Continuing Resolution utterly fails to address declining reimbursement rates for Medicare, pushing our health system down a path that will have predictable and deleterious results. For the fifth consecutive year, Congress has adjourned and allowed Medicare cuts. What will be the result? Patients struggling to access health care. Physicians closing or selling their private practices while others opt to leave the profession," Bruce A. Scott, M.D., President, American Medical Association. Read more.
2025 HCMA DUES STATEMENT
HCMA dues statements have been emailed and sent via US Postal Service. 2025 dues were due January 1st. Call 813.253.0471 or email Asta at the HCMA to confirm your contact information and membership status.
There is power in unity, and there is power in numbers.
Throughout all the changes in healthcare, your HCMA has remained a strong leader and physician advocate. Encourage your colleagues not only in Hillsborough but surrounding counties to join the HCMA. Physicians outside of Hillsborough County can join as AFFILIATE members. Affiliate members pay a reduced annual membership fee but can take advantage of ALL HCMA benefits, including our Physician Wellness and Benefit Provider programs. Share this edition of Enews or direct them to our website to learn more about the HCMA and all the benefits we offer! They can also call the HCMA office at 813.253.0471 or email Debbie Zorian, Executive Director for more information. Your assistance is appreciated as we begin a new year of providing great benefits and services to members and our communities.
CALL FOR CANDIDATES! - An invitation to serve...
Members are invited to consider being placed on the 2025 HCMA ballot. You must be a member in the ACTIVE, AFFILIATE, or LIFE membership categories and your 2025 dues must be paid. Results will be announced on May 6th.
Open seats include:
- Vice President - 1 year term
- Treasurer - 1 year term
- Secretary - 1 year term
- District, At Large, USF, Moffitt, & Young Physician seats on the Executive Council - 2 year terms
- HCMA Delegate to the FMA - 3 year term (FMA dues must also be paid). HCMA Delegates must review, sign, and return the Delegates Policy & Procedures manual for consideration.
Nominations to specific seats will be determined by the Nominating Committee members at their February meeting. However, if you have a preference to serve in a certain capacity, please indicate such when submitting your request. Submit your name for nomination no later than February 10th by emailing Elke Lubin.
HCMA Contingency will visit legislators in Tallahassee
The HCMA Government Affairs Committee, led by Chairman and HCMA President Elect, Dr. Nam Tran, is planning a visit to Tallahassee before the Legislative Session begins. The group will visit Hillsborough Legislators as they prepare for the Session on February 19th during a "Committee Week." If you are interested in joining our leaders, contact Elke Lubin for details. If you decide to travel to Tallahassee the day before, a list of hotels will be provided. Travel and lodging expenses are the participants' responsibility.
New year, new patients - building a strategic marketing plan
Full Circle PR has served as an HCMA Benefit Provider for over fifteen years. Michele Krohn, President of FCPR, has compiled a list of eight important components to create a successful marketing strategy. Click here to download Michele's article.
Physician workforce trends in Florida
The state Department of Health has released its 2024 Physician Workforce Annual Report, a snapshot of how and where Florida’s doctors deliver care, notable trends within certain specialties, Medicare and Medicaid acceptance rates, and other practice patterns. Among the highlights:
- Physicians 40-49 years old represent the largest age group of clinicians providing direct patient care in Florida (26%). However, almost one-third (32.8%) of the state’s practicing physicians are 60 or older.
- The two most common specialties are internal medicine (26%) and family medicine (15%).
- 63.5% of physicians work in office settings (solo practices, single-specialty group practices, or multi-specialty group practices), and 20.6% work in hospitals.
- More than 95% of physicians reported accepting new Medicare patients, and nearly 89% reported accepting new Medicaid patients.
NICA system update
The NICA payment portal will be unavailable from 5:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., Saturday, December 14, during a NICA system upgrade. During this time, NICA reports that the hosted payment page will be unavailable for practitioners attempting to complete required NICA payments.
Recognizing group practices with 100% HCMA membership*
HCMA recognizes the following practices for their dedication to strengthening the voice of medicine in the Tampa Bay area. Thank you for your continued support!
10-25 Physicians
26-50 Physicians
- Florida E.N.T. & Allergy
- Florida Urology Partners
- Ruffolo, Hooper & Associates, MD, PA
- The Woman's Group
Over 50 Physicians
*based on 2024 HCMA membership.
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.
Work on 2025 Directory begins
For the eleventh year, the HCMA is partnering with E&M Consulting, Inc. to produce our Annual Membership Directory. The publication will be available in the Summer of 2025 in both print and digital formats. E&M will be managing the project, including advertising sales and layout/graphic design. They are highly professional and produce a high-quality publication. E&M will be contacting all members about the advertising opportunities available and we ask that you review their advertising offerings. The publication will be mailed to every member – a great opportunity to promote and give your practice additional exposure. To view the ad rates/options and sign-up online, please CLICK HERE. If you have any questions or want to advertise, please contact an E&M sales associate at 800-572-0011 ext. 0104 or email the ad team at: advertising@eandmsales.com. As always, your support is greatly appreciated!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:
- Women in Medicine Reception
- Membership Dinners
- Holiday Social
- Resident Mixer
- Foundation Charity Golf Classic
From the Board of Medicine
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.
Personal News
Moira J. Burke, MD
2025 Waves of Change Award RecipientThe Helen Gordon Davis Centre for Women is thrilled to announce that one of Tampa’s most exemplary leaders has been chosen to receive the 2025 Waves of Change Award! This prestigious honor celebrates a woman whose leadership, vision, and impact have created meaningful and lasting change in our community.
In recognition of her many contributions, Moira J. Burke, M.D., has been selected as this year’s local Waves of Change award recipient. The celebration will be headlined by award-winning actress and mental health advocate Brooke Shields, who will be honored with the Helen Gordon Davis Women’s Leadership Award.
The Waves of Change Women’s Leadership Luncheon will take place on January 24, 2025, at the Tampa Bay Convention Center.Wedding bells will be ringing...
David Goss, longtime partner of HCMA Executive Director, Debbie Zorian, finally popped the question. While vacationing in Paris this fall, David asked for Debbie's hand while dining at the well-known, romantic bistro, Le Grand Colbert.
Félicitations Debbie et David!
New Members
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!
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Spotlight on Savings
Favorite Healthcare Staffing
913.343-8014Favorite Healthcare Staffing - Serving Tampa and the entire Florida healthcare community since 1981, Favorite continues to set the standard for quality, service, and integrity in healthcare staffing and placement services. With discounted pricing and preferred rates for HCMA members, Favorite’s comprehensive range of staffing and personnel services can help HCMA members improve cost control, increase efficiency, and protect their revenue cycle.
Click here to visit the Favorite Staffing/HCMA webpage: Favorite Staffing/HCMA Webpage. Click here to complete a job order request: Job Order Request Form
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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.
FOR RENT
Up to 1,800 square feet of office space on Platt Street with parking available to rent on Tuesdays PM and all day Wednesdays and Fridays. Contact Robin at 813/977-1361.
The Bulletin
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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. 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 are willing to share your story, please contact Elke Lubin to receive the article guidelines to submit your experience.
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Benefit Providers |
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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. |