E-news for April 6, 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1. IAFP News  2. Government Relations –  3. Tobacco News 4. Foundation 5. CME Information 6. Members in the News 7. Students and Residents 8. News You Can Use 9. Reminders Worth Repeating 10. Classified Ads ____________ IAFP News *The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians board of directors will meet April 12 via conference call. It is the first full meeting of the Board in 2007. *MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE UPCOMING IAFP EVENTS: July 25: IAFP Presidential Inauguration: Golf Outing, Dinner and CME, Franklin County Country Club, West Frankfort. Steve Knight, MD of Harrisburg will be sworn in by AAFP Speaker Tom Wieda, M.D. of Pennsylvania and assume the office of President in a Southern Illinois celebration.  Oct. 3: IAFP All-Member Assembly/Town Hall Meeting, Downtown Chicago Marriott. Join us for this evening event during the AAFP’s Congress of Delegates and Annual Scientific Assembly where IAFP specific issues will be addressed.  Oct. 4: IAFP 60th Anniversary Party, Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art, 8-11 p.m. Can it really be 60 years? Celebrate our successes and gear up for the challenges and successes to come as we toast to another 60 years! For more information on the AAFP meeting in Chicago: http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/cme/aafpcourses/conferences/assembly.html   **ILLINOIS CHAPTER SURVEY REMINDER Tell us what you think!! AAFP recently sent a second invitation to AAFP members to participate in the chapter survey. Your feedback is vital to us in determining our value and service to you: LINK TO THE SURVEY AT:  http://members.aafp.org/members/surv7/chapsat07.htm  GOVERNMENT RELATIONS THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS ON THEIR TWO WEEK SPRING BREAK AND WILL RECONVENE ON APRIL 17TH  While they are in the district, you can contact your senator or representative in their district offices on these issues.  **ACTION ALERT: ASK YOUR SENATOR TO VOTE “NO” ON SB 133 Senate Bill 133 would ban all thimerosal-containing vaccines in Illinois, even trace amounts. Though several vaccines are at risk from this bill, the influenza vaccine is a serious concern. Please call your state Senator to alert them to the serious negative consequences this bill.  Some talking points you might want to consider: • Statewide, ICAAP estimates providers would be prohibited from administering over half of our state’s pediatric influenza vaccine doses should SB 133 become law. • For children age three to five, there would likely not even be enough compliant vaccine to protect patients with chronic medical conditions such as asthma. • Several studies, from multiple countries, have found no link between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism. You can look up your senator’s contact information at http://www.ilga.gov.   **STATEWIDE SMOKE-FREE ILLINOIS  Senate bill 500 passed the Senate – now call your Representative Senate Bill 500 would prohibit smoking in all indoor public places and work places, including restaurants and bars. There are NO EXEMPTIONS for bars, restaurants, clubs or lodges, casinos or prisons.  Call your Illinois State Representative and ask for support for Senate Bill 500 - Smoke-free Illinois (Rep. Karen Yarbrough is the House sponsor). Find your Rep’s contact information at http://www.ilga.gov/house/default.asp.   Link to all the information you need at http://smokefreeillinois.org/files/SFIL_Fact_Sheet_1.pdf   MORE TOBACCO NEWS **LOCAL DEBATES:  CARBONDALE – On April 3, the Carbondale City Council passed an ordinance that prohibits smoking in all workplaces with the only exemption for two private clubs. The ordinance takes effect January 1, 2008. Congratulations to Smoke-Free Carbondale president and family physician Mary Pohlmann, MD and all the IAFP active, resident and student members who worked on this issue. NAPERVILLE: On March 20th the City Council unexpectedly voted to table the proposal for a smoke-free Naperville indefinitely. However SFN convinced enough council members to revive the issue at their April 4th meeting in the form of a local version of the statewide bill, SB 500. The council will consider the new ordinance proposal at their April 18th meeting.  Keep up with all the smoke-free coalition activity in your community or across the state at http://www.smokefreeillinois.org.   **TRASH THE “ASSISTANCE” FROM BIG TOBACCO Phillip Morris has been sending “help” to providers and schools. Learn more about this bogus program and be sure to toss any advice from Big Tobacco: http://www.iafp.com/tarwars/wheretoget.htm   FOUNDATION: **TAR WARS Take me out to the ball game… and benefit Tar Wars!! Tar Wars Night with the White Sox is Thursday August 9th Root on the Chicago White Sox and raise money for the IAFP Foundation’s Tar Wars program! IAFP Foundation has joined with the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP) for a fundraiser to benefit our volunteer programs.  Each ticket purchased means a tax-deductible donation to support Tar Wars. So spread the word to your friends, patients, any Sox fans in your world! Tickets purchased through IAFP will benefit Tar Wars, while ICAAP members’ tickets will benefit their Reach Out and Read program Each ticket you purchase means a donation of between $10 and $13 per ticket. Tar Wars teaches tobacco prevention to 4th and 5th graders throughout the state. Learn more, or even sign up to be a volunteer presenter at www.iafp.com/tarwars   Seats are available in both Lower Reserved and Bleachers sections.  Bleachers: $25 Lower Reserved: $30 For an order form, please contact Tar Wars Coordinator Ginnie Flynn at 630-435-0356 x118 or gflynn@iafp.com.  Tickets MUST be ordered by JULY 25th to ensure delivery in time for the game.  _____ CME Information: **IAFP ONLINE CME 1. PRACTICE MANAGEMENT: Strategies for Coding, Billing and Getting Paid Appropriately. This Online program has been approved by AAFP for 4 Prescribed CME credits.  Read the 2007 coding supplement to the original monograph. http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/701codingIAFP.pdf   2. ADOLESCENT HEALTH FOR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS. The case-based CME program, Adolescent Health -Immunizations & Wellness (Up to 3 CME credits) and Social and Emotional Development Screening (1 CME Category 1 credit), is available FREE on the IAFP website at http://www.iafp.com/education.   **NEW IAFP TELECONFERENCES – DIAL IN FOR CME The IAFP has developed two CME activities focused on the developmental health of young children.  1. Social/Emotional Development and Screening, including Autistic Spectrum Disorders CME activity includes information on which "red flags" to look for in children 15-18 months old, the benefits of screening children for delays, how the conduct and score validated screening tools, and more.  2. Identifying Postpartum Depression during the Well-Child Visit: Resources for Screening, Referral, and Treatment teleconference will discuss the effects of postpartum depression on children and families, and the effects of a depressed mother on a child's cognitive development.  Each teleconference is an hour long and worth 1.0 Prescribed or Category 1 credits.  Teleconferences run in May and June, for a complete list and a registration form, link here: http://www.iafp.com/CME/conferenceCalls.htm  For more information, contact Jayne Kittell at jkittell@iafp.com   **PRI-MED OFFERS SPRING DIABETES CONFERENCE in ST. LOUIS Pri-Med, in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association, is proud to announce a new CME program on diabetes. Pri-Med Clinical Focus in Diabetes: “Risk Assessment and Management of the Diabetes Patient”, will be coming to St. Louis, MO on June 9, 2007. As an Illinois Academy of Family Physicians member, Pri-Med offers you the opportunity to register for this intensive half-day program which focuses on a single topic critical in helping you manage the complex diabetes patient. You can earn up to 3 Complimentary AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Please visit http://www.pri-med.com/ada/r49  for additional program information or to register. Please note: Registration for the event in Oakbrook, IL (May 12, 2007) is now closed.  ** PCN PRESENTS MULTI-TOPIC CME FOR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS Primary Care Network offers Best Practices in Primary Care™, a 2-day, multi-topic educational program for primary care providers. Receive up to 16 hrs of CME and turn the latest emerging science into better patient care: attend June 15 & 16 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. A variety of therapeutic areas presented in case-based format by nationally recognized faculty. Topics include osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, menstrual migraine, insomnia, cervical cancer/HPV, herpes zoster, COPD, sexuality, ACS, cardiometabolic risk, type 2 diabetes, and sleep-wake disturbances. To register, or for more information, please visit http://www.primarycarenet.org/bp_primarycare.html  or call 877-594-1770. **IAFP MEMBERS PRESENTING AT IRHA ANNUAL CONFERENCE Several IAFP members are presenting sessions during the IRHA Annual Conference April 18-19 in Effingham. For more information on the conference or to register – call 800-500-1560 IAFP member speakers are: - Margaret Kirkegaard, MD – Overview of Illinois Health Connect - Debra Phillips, MD – Engaging Physicians in Hospital EMR Implementation - Fredric Leary, MD – Overview of Your Healthcare Plus __________________ Members in the News – If you would like a copy of any of the articles below, contact Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com .  Ben Brewer, MD of Forrest tackled two new topics in his most recent “From the Doctor’s Office” columns in the Wall Street Journal Online. -In the March 20th issue he shared his own family’s struggle to maintain healthy eating and physical activity habits. With his four children often working together, they manage to find all kinds of clever ways to sneak in the extra sweet! -April 6th focuses on the difficult task of diagnosing and treating depression, and just how prevalent mental illness is. He offers advice on objective computer screening tools that can help.  The April 9th issue of the national publication Part B News includes and in-depth look at the use of hospitalists. Public Relations Task Force member John Sage, MD of Arlington Heights and his practice, Metrodocs, are prominently featured in the article as a practice where 5 of the 6 partners each take a week as the hospitalist for the practice. The system is working well for them as physicians, and also for the finances of their practice.  ------------------------------- FOR STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS: AAFP ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF FAMLY MEDICINE RESIDENTS AND MEDICAL STUDENTS Due Date is MAY 1, 2007 LINK to more information about scholarships offered at: http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/NC%20Scholarship%20info%20AAFP.pdf   STUDENTS:  **M2s and M3s – ARE YOU READY FOR RESIDENCY?  REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS HERE! “PREPARING FOR RESIDENCY PROGRAM” Loyola-Stritch School of Medicine April 14th - 8:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Get your forms in over the weekend! Workshops include “How to Select a Residency Program”, “How to Write a CV and Personal Statement” (bring your draft copy!), and “Interviewing Skills.” You’ll also get unmatched personal time with residency programs in an informal and fun setting. Plus, you’ll get to be one of the judges for the IAFP Tar Wars state poster contest!  LINK TO REGISTRATION: http://www.iafp.com/students/preparingforResidency.htm   Questions? E-mail Ginnie Flynn gflynn@iafp.com  or Crishelle O’Rourke corourke@iafp.com.   **RESIDENTS:  ** IAFP RESIDENT ROUND-UP: A COMBINATION OF FOOD, FUN AND FINANCES! Join us for a networking reception with an educational speaker on finances tailored to residents. Mingle, relax and learn along with your fellow residents. Saturday, April 14th, 3-5 pm at Papaspiros in Oak Park – to coincide with the IAFP “Preparing for Residency” program and residency fair at Loyola.  SIGN UP BY TUESDAY APRIL 10TH Link to Flyer and Registration form http://www.iafp.com/Residents/residentroundupOakPark.htm   Thursday, April 19th at 4:30pm at the Springfield Hilton – to coincide with SIU Family Medicine’s Practice Management Seminar for Family Medicine Residents.  SIGN UP BY THURSDAY APRIL 12TH.  Link to information and registration form http://www.iafp.com/Residents/residentroundupSpringfield.htm   *JOB LISTINGS AND OTHER INFO ON-LINE Here is a place to start: http://www.iafp.com/JobListings/   *Link to new resources for residents IAFP web site http://www.iafp.com/Residents/index.htm   ----------------------------- NEWS YOU CAN USE RETAIL HEALTH CLINICS RESOURCES FROM AAFP AAFP Members can access a collection of online materials compiled by Family Practice Management.  LINK (requires AAFP ID login) http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/publications/journals/fpm/retailclinictoolkit.mem.html   Physicians looking for a competitive edge can dig into sections on how to implement patient-friendly services, such as open-access scheduling, expanded office hours and online communications. The category also covers marketing a medical practice, retaining staff, and even buying or starting a retail clinic.  For those interested in the cooperative approach to retail health clinics, there is information on how to get listed on a retail health clinic's referral list and what it takes to serve as a supervising physician.  Members interested in background on the Academy's stance on retail health clinics or in news coverage of this health care trend will find links to that information, as well. **AAFP PRESENTS “EXPERIENCE THE AAFP” PROGRAM This AAFP program is designed to get Active new physician members familiar and engaged with the programs, products and services available to them as AAFP members. New physician members should receive materials in the mail in either May or September.  Experience the AAFP offers members in their first seven years post-residency a sample of AAFP resources and networking opportunities at a reduced cost or free. Other benefits extended to new-to-practice physicians: - $100 discount on 2007 Scientific Assembly in Chicago - $100 off a Family Medicine Board Review course or self-study resource - $50 discount off a Family Medicine Board Review Express course For more information visit http://www.aafp.org/experience  or call 800-274-2237 x6824 or e-mail experience@aafp.org   **AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION OFFERS TOLL-FREE ILLINOIS TELEPHONE STROKE SUPPORT GROUP The goal of the telephone support group is to build community, provide support and share information by connecting survivors, caregivers, health professionals and other stroke stakeholders. Dial in to monthly calls at NOON on the last Friday of every month. The calls will last approximately 60-90 minutes. The first 30-45 minutes will be in “listen only” mode for the speaker’s presentation, then open for questions and conversation. Participation is free but registration is required. Please see the announcement for details at http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/strokesurvivor.pdf .  PHYSICIAN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED  CommunityHealth is seeking physicians to volunteer at our clinic located at 2611 W. Chicago Ave. A volunteer commitment of just one clinic session (three hours) every month would be welcome. We are in need of primary care physicians. In addition, other volunteers such as, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, interpreters (Spanish and Polish), and clerical support are always needed.  Founded in 1993, CommunityHealth is Illinois' largest volunteer-based clinic serving the uninsured. Dedicated volunteers have allowed the clinic to annually provide over 17,000 free patient visits to approximately 6500 active patients.  For more information about CommunityHealth or to become a volunteer: go to http://www.communityhealth.org/  or contact: Laura Michalski, Director of Clinical Relations at (773) 395-9901 x21; michalski@communityhealth.org   ______  REMINDERS WORTH REPEATING Need help connecting with Illinois Health Connect? [EDITOR’S NOTE: IAFP is committed to ensuring our members have the necessary information to make an informed decision on their participation] Illinois Health Connect is Illinois’ new Primary Care Case Management (PCCM) program. In Illinois Health Connect, most people with an HFS or All Kids medical card will have a medical home through a Primary Care Provider (PCP). Through the services of Automated Health Systems (AHS), eligible participants (predominantly parents and children, All Kids members and adults with disabilities) will choose a PCP who will manage their care, provide immunizations and other primary and preventive health care services and help avoid unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations. PCPs will make referrals for additional care when needed. Mandatory enrollment in Illinois Health Connect is underway in the Cook and the Collar Counties. Mandatory enrollment will then proceed in the Northwestern Region and the Central and Southern Regions in the coming months. For a copy of patient education materials you can distribute at your clinic, visit http://www.illinoishealthconnect.com/providerinfo.aspx  (scroll down to the bottom of the page). To view sample client education and enrollment materials, also visit http://www.illinoishealthconnect.com/providerinfo.aspx.   For additional information, call Illinois Health Connect Provider Services Helpdesk at 1-877-912-1999. Link to the full article with more detail at: http://www.iafp.com/legislative/HFS.htm   Link to IAFP FAQs on Illinois Health Connect: http://www.iafp.com/legislative/IHC%20FAQ.htm   **CONFERENCE: “How Leaders Turn Dreams Into Reality: Successful Fundraising in a Changing World” April 24 and 25, 2007 - Chicago, IL Jointly sponsored by The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine and The Family Medicine Education Consortium The workshop introduces the skills and knowledge needed to plan and implement a fundraising initiative.  Target Audience Mid-career to senior career leaders responsible for developing financial support for their organizations. Leaders seeking guidance about how to plan a fundraising strategy to finance bold ideas and projects.  Faculty members with grant writing skills who want to develop new strategies to support their passions, projects, and interests.  To Register go to http://www.stfm.org/AnnualConf/AN07/preconference.htm  For More Information contact Laurence.bauer@fmec.net  937 428-7866 CLASSIFIED ADS: 1. Southern Illinois University Quincy Family Medicine Program A Community based, University administered Family Medicine Residency is recruiting a board-certified family physician. In existence for over 25 years, the program features a progressive and innovative faculty, a supportive medical environment and very limited managed care. Strong clinical skills and a desire to teach are essential. Hospital based procedural skills and maternity care training and experience are desirable. With a service area of over 175,000, the eighteen-resident program with a Sports Medicine Fellowship is located in a Midwestern community of 42,000. Quincy is great family community with excellent schools and a love of the arts. We offer a very competitive salary, excellent benefits and terrific residents. Submit a letter of interest and current CV to: Ton Miller MD Residency Directory 612 N 11th Suites B Quincy, IL. 62301 217-224-8957 tmiller1@siumed.edu  2. The Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford is seeking family physician faculty for our family medicine residency program, OB optional. The Department offers an on-site MPH program, faculty development, research opportunities, and numerous community health programs. Candidates should be board certified or board eligible. Rank is commensurate with qualifications.  Please send a cover letter and resume to Farion Williams, MD, Residency Program Director, Department of Family and Community Medicine; 1221 East State Street, Rockford, IL 61104 or by email to farionw@uic.edu . Call 815-972-1030 for further information. The University of Illinois is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.  3. CHAMPAIGN, IL--Christie Clinic is a multi-specialty group of 90 physicians that is recruiting for 3 FP’s, one in Champaign and the others in nearby communities. Call: 1/8. No OB. Very busy practices. The clinic is looking for highly motivated FP’s who want to work hard and be rewarded for it. Starting salary could be $170K, with lucrative bonus potential. Earnings well above national and regional averages. Metro population of 150,000. Home of the University of Illinois, with comfortable college town lifestyle and many cultural amenities. 2.5 hours south of Chicago. Send CV to Christopher Kashnig, Christie Clinic, 101 W. University, Champaign, IL 61820. Phone 217-366-5374. Fax 217-373-6872. E-mail address: ckashnig@christieclinic.com.   If you have any news items to share with the IAFP membership, please e-mail Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com