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E-news for February 9, 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. IAFP News
2. Government Relations
3. Tobacco News
4. Tar Wars News
5. CME Information
6. Members in the News
7. Students and Residents
8. News You Can Use
9. Reminders Worth Repeating
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IAFP News
** IAFP’s 2006 Year in Review is posted on the web. You’ll be amazed at how much IAFP has accomplished in just one year!
http://www.iafp.com/whatsnew/2006review.htm
** MEETING YOUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY - SPRING INTO ACTION!
Did you know that IAFP members consistently rate “representation in government” as their #1 priority service for IAFP?
This is where the rubber meets the road! Join us in Springfield to represent your specialty and your patients to your elected leaders. This is your best opportunity to make good on that commitment to the membership. We’ll give you everything you need to meet with your legislators. Just give us 24 hours of your time.
March 6-7 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield
*The hotel room cut off date is February 12th for the IAFP rate of $124
Link to More information at http://www.iafp.com/calendar/SIA%202007.htm
Sign me up!! Go to: http://www.iafp.com/calendar/SIA_regform.htm
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GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
**COOK COUNTY’S PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS COULD DEVASTATE PATIENT ACCESS.
Health care access for patients in the community and the services of family physicians throughout the county are in danger of serious cuts. The Cook County Loyola Provident Family Medicine Residency Program has been slashed by 1/3 from 12 slots to 8. IAFP has appealed directly to President Todd Stroger and all the commissioners to preserve primary care. Link to the entire packet of information at:
http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/IAFP%20packet%20to%20Commissioners.pdf
Thank you to every IAFP member who has testified or sent letters to the County or the press so far. These members have confirmed to IAFP that they provided testimony:
-Scott Levin, MD – program director at West Suburban family medicine residency program in River Forest
-Mark Potter, MD – program director at UIC family medicine residency program
-Dora Dixie, MD – Near South Health Center and Women’s Treatment Center on the West side of Chicago.
Link to the IAFP Op-Ed which appeared in the Daily Southtown on January 23 and the Chicago Sun Times on Feb. 1
http://www.iafp.com/PR/cook%20county.htm
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TOBACCO NEWS
SUPPORT A STATEWIDE SMOKE-FREE ILLINOIS
Please sign the Smoke-free Illinois Resolution as an individual doctor, a practice or other group to show your support. Local lawmakers need to see supporters in their district! The Chicago Tribune, Sun Times News Group, The St. Louis Post Dispatch, Southern Illinoisan and the Rockford Register Star have all published editorials supporting the Smoke-Free Illinois bill – Senate Bill 500.
Keep up with all the smoke-free coalition activity in your community or across the state at
http://www.smokefreeillinois.org.
UPDATE ON THE COOK COUNTY ORDINANCE:
On February 7, a subcommittee of the Cook County Board passed an amendment to the Cook County Clean Indoor Air Ordinance changing its effective date to July 1, 2008. The amendment must now go before the full committee, chaired by Commissioner Jerry Butler. At this time Butler has no plans to call the bill before March 15 when the county ordinance will take effect. So for now, the County will be smoke-free as of March 15.
**CITIES ON THE MOVE IN DEBATING CLEAN INDOOR AIR ORDINANCES
*Glenview held an open forum on February 8 where many residents testified in support of adopting the Cook County ordinance. AAFP Delegate Ellen Brull, MD has been leading the efforts in Glenview along with attorney Joel Levin. The Glenview advocates presented their case to the Board in an “information gathering” session. The trustees did not offer any remarks at this time. The trustees will meet Feb. 20th to discuss their options and make a decision on whether to adopt the County ordinance or enact their own.
* Smoke-free Naperville will encourage the city council to vote in favor of the current proposed ordinance on Feb. 20 to take effect July 1.
TAR WARS
*FUTURE DOCTORS OF AMERICA – New Tar Wars Presenters
Thanks to the forward-thinking of Dr. Crystal Cash and the family physicians of Provident Hospital, Chicago’s south side is getting some new Tar Wars presenters.
About 25 eighth grade students participate in “Future Doctors of America” along with Provident Hospital attending physicians learning about careers in medicine. After two hours of training with IAFP Tar Wars coordinator Ginnie Flynn, these intelligent and caring students will be ready to teach 4th and 5th graders about staying tobacco-free. While several states have trained high school students as Tar Wars presenters, this may be the first organized Tar Wars program empowering 8th graders. Special thanks to Dr. Cash and Louvenia Ward from Provident family medicine residency program for making this great idea a reality!
DON’T FORGET THE STATE POSTER CONTEST DEADLINE IS MARCH 31!!
Link to full details and poster contest rules at: http://www.iafp.com/tarwars/
CME Information:
COMBINE DIABETES CME and the FIGHT for FAMILY MEDICINE in Cook County. Get the latest in Diabetes management and also stay late to exchange information with your Chicago-area family medicine family as the Cook County budget saga continues. IAFP wants to hear from our doctors on the front lines – in the county system, the FQHCs and in the private sector.
“Managing Diabetes among many co morbidities in an urban practice setting”
Tuesday, February 27, 2007 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Maggiano’s Little Italy Restaurant -- Chicago
Supported by grants from Humana and GlaxoSmithKline
Link to more info and registration at http://www.iafp.com/calendar/diabetes.htm
*NEW IAFP ONLINE CME
The IAFP unveiled a new web-based CME program on Adolescent Health for primary care providers. The case-based CME program, Adolescent Health -Immunizations & Wellness, is available FREE on the IAFP website at
http://www.iafp.com/education.
This case-based CME self study program will help health care providers:
1. Determine the appropriate immunizations for a 14-year-old patient with no immunization records.
2. Communicate your medical office policy on confidentiality for adolescent patient care.
3. Identify adolescent’s depression risk in a preteen or teen, and follow up appropriately.
4. Elicit information regarding the adolescent patient’s sexual (and related) risk behaviors, and provide information and treatment.
5. Introduce to an adolescent the concept and implications of healthy BMI (body mass index), and provide support for achieving and maintaining it.
This CME activity is sponsored by the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians/Family Practice Education Network (IAFP/FPEN) and has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 credits and AAFP Prescribed credits approved. This medical education program was made possible through an educational grant from the Sanofi-Pasteur
**PRI-MED OFFERS TWO SPRING DIABETES CONFERENCES
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 Oakbrook, IL on May 12, 2007 and St. Louis, MO on June 9, 2007. As an Illinois Academy of Family Physicians member, we would like to offer you the first opportunity to register for these intensive half-day programs which focus on a single topic critical in helping you manage the complex diabetes patient. Please visit
http://www.pri-med.com/ada/r49
for additional program information or to register.
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Members in the News – If you would like a copy of any of the articles below, contact Ginnie Flynn at
gflynn@iafp.com.
*The Winter 2007 issue of UIC’s Alumni magazine features Litchfield Family Practice where four of the eight physicians are UIC School of Medicine graduates: Drs. Ross Biliter, Jerome Epplin, Dan Wujek and Phil Johnson. Dan’s father Roger Wujek is also a partner. Their practice, halfway between St. Louis and Springfield, delivers the majority of the 380 babies born at St. Francis Hospital each year.
* The February 7 Pekin Times features John Lovell, MD of Tremont and his current University of Illinois at Peoria third-year med student Yolanda Chang of Schaumburg. Lovell has been a preceptor for UICOM-Peoria’s Rural Student Physician Program for the past five years. Students spend eight months with their assigned rural family physician.
* Christina Ventress, MD of Springfield is quoted in a February 1 Springfield State Journal-Register article about the low incidence of influenza so far this season.
* Bob Farmer, MD of New Baden is featured in part two of Paul Povse’s column in the State Journal Register. This column focuses on Farmer’s career and his enjoyment of the full spectrum and variety of family medicine. You can learn more at
http://www.lassothesunshine.com.
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INFORMATION AND REMINDERS FOR STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS:
STUDENTS:
**M1 STUDENTS – MARCH 1 IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE SUMMER EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Students can spend four weeks with a family physician to learn about the many ways family medicine contributes to the health of our state. The Summer Externship program also includes a $1,000 stipend. Applications must be postmarked by March 1.
Link to more information at: http://www.iafp.com/Foundation/externship.htm.
**M2s and M3s – ARE YOU READY FOR RESIDENCY? Didn’t think so!
“PREPARING FOR RESIDENCY PROGRAM”
Loyola-Stritch School of Medicine
April 14 8:45am to 1:15 p.m.
IAFP Foundation presents a half-day event, supported by Illinois Family Medicine Residency programs, offers three insightful workshops to help you get ready for the Match process. 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! Student registration is limited, so sign up early by e-mailing Ginnie Flynn
gflynn@iafp.com or Crishelle O’Rourke
corourke@iafp.com.
**RESIDENTS:
** CHICAGO AREA RESIDENTS Mark your calendars!
IAFP Resident Round-up: a combination of fun and education!
Saturday April 14th, 4-6pm in an Oak Park (location to be determined).
Join us for a networking reception with an educational speaker on personal finances tailored to residents. Mingle, relax and learn along with your fellow residents.
DOWNSTATE RESIDENTS: Plans are in the works for a similar event in Springfield
Details to come soon!
*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
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MARCH 31!! Who are the superstars of family medicine education? Nominate your favorite full-time or part-time faculty for the IAFP Teacher of the Year Awards: http://www.iafp.com/PR/toy.htm
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NEWS YOU CAN USE
**WANTED: PROJECT FACULTY IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
NEW!! Teleconference option! Speakers Training teleconferences being held on the following dates. You are invited to join the faculty for either topics, or both!
1. Social and Emotional Development: Screening Strategies for Primary Care Physicians
March 14, 2007 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. CST
2. Identifying Postpartum Depression during the Well-Child Visit:
Resources for Screening, Referral, and Treatment
March 21, 2007 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. CST
To register, e-mail Jayne Kittell at jkittell@iafp.com
** HOMECARE GALA - March 10
HomeCare Physicians, founded by IAFP 2006 Distinguished Service Award recipient Tom Cornwell, MD of Wheaton will hold at 10th Anniversary celebration and fundraiser. HomeCare Physicians provide full scope family medicine through home visits to elderly and homebound patients. For more information or to order tickets, please contact Holly Kulikowski at
holly_kulikowski@cdh.org.
** REMINDER FROM AAFP – GET YOUR NPI!
All providers must start using their National Provider Identifier (NPI) number on all standard transactions as of May 23. If you already have your NPI, start using it now along with your legacy number so there is time to correct any problems in the system.
But getting ready to use the NPI and the revised CMS-1500 claim form, which accommodates the NPI, is not so simple. In addition to applying for and getting an NPI, you must update your computer system to work with the NPI and to print the NPI on the new 1500 claim form. If you use a claims clearinghouse, make sure it's ready to accept your NPI. CMS has estimated that getting ready can take as long as 120 days.
For more information on how to obtain your NPI, go to: http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/practicemgt/regulatory-compliance/hipaa/natlproviderid.html.
**AAFP and STFM PRESENT CONFERENCE ON PRACTICE IMPROVEMENT
2007 Call for Presentations deadline is March 12!
This year’s theme: “Moving into the Future” with a focus on infectious and communicable diseases.
You must use the on-line process at the Conference Web site at http://www.aafp.org/pec.xml or
http://www.stfm.org/pec.
**ABFM SPORTS MEDICINE EXAM REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
To complete an online application, Diplomates will need to log into their Physician Portfolio on the ABFM website, http://www.theabfm.org, and follow the Online Application link. For assistance with logging in or answers to other questions, Diplomates may contact the ABFM Support Center at (877) 223-7437.
Certification/Recertification/Sports Medicine Exam:
Registration Begins (Online Applications Available): February 1
1st Deadline to Submit the Online Application ($1,100: No Late Fee Assessed): February 28
2nd Deadline to Submit the Online Application ($1,250): March 31
3rd Deadline to Submit the Online Application ($1,400): April 30
Test Center Selection — Priority Seating Deadline: May 13
4th Deadline to Submit the Online Application ($1,550): May 31
Final Deadline to Submit the Online Application ($1,800): June 15
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REMINDERS WORTH REPEATING
** DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MARCH 31 FOR IAFP 2007 AWARDS NOMINATIONS!
1. The Family Physician of the Year Award
2. IAFP Media Award
3. Family Medicine Full-time Teacher of the Year
4. Family Medicine Part-time Teacher of the Year
Link to full information and nomination forms at http://www.iafp.com/PR/Award%20forms.htm
**ISMIE LIFTS NEW BUSINESS MORATORIUM – STARTING APRIL 2007
ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company announced last week that they are lifting their new business moratorium on a limited basis. They cite improved loss experience and litigation reform as reasons to add up to 400 new policyholders beginning April 2007. Coverage applications will only be considered at the policyholder’s renewal date and is subject to ISMIE’s underwriting criteria. For more information or assistance with coverage consideration contact Estelle Markham at
medmal@euclidinsurance.com or call 630-694-1410.
**FIND TOMORROW’S FPs WITH THE SUMMER EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The IAFP Foundation is currently seeking preceptors for the 2007 Summer Externship Program to host a first-year medical student for four weeks.
Please contact Crishelle O’Rourke at corourke@iafp.com or 515-987-8978 for more information.
Link to an article by IAFP board member Deborah Edberg, MD about being a preceptor
http://www.iafp.com/foundation/edberg.htm
**HELP FOR MEDICAID PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS
Your Healthcare Plus is a new chronic illness management program designed to help Illinois families learn new ways to take charge of their illness, so they can live longer, healthier lives.
LINK TO THE FULL ARTICLE ON IAFP’S WEB SITE AT: http://www.iafp.com/legislative/your%20healthcare%20plus.htm
Contact Dr. Leary via e-mail: frederic.leary@mckesson.com
Visit the "Your Healthcare Plus" web site: http://www.yourhealthcareplus.com/
If you have any news items to share with the IAFP membership, please e-mail Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com
