IAFP e-News for December 12, 2008 **2008 IAFP ANNUAL MEETING IAFP members gathered in St. Louis for the first time in more than a decade, as the Academy began year one of a four-year plan to alternate the Annual Meeting between Chicagoland and St. Louis. Below is a summary of the events of that very busy weekend meeting. **CONGRATULATIONS to the IAFP 2009 Board of Directors The Board was elected on Saturday, December 6 at the All Member Assembly in St. Louis, Mo. and installed by AAFP Board Member Roland Goertz, MD of Waco, Texas.  President-elect: Patrick A. Tranmer, M.D., Oak Park First vice president: David J. Hagan, M.D., Gibson City Second vice president: Michael P. Temporal, M.D., Belleville Treasurer: Tina M. Brueschke, M.D., Geneva Board class of 2011 (three positions) Janet Albers, M.D., Springfield Tamarah Duperval, M.D., Chicago Tim Morthland, M.D., West Frankfort New Physicians* 1 year term - Allison Rittmann, M.D., Schaumburg 2 year term - Ravi Shah, M.D., Chicago  *A change in the IAFP bylaws was approved at the All-Member Assembly creating a second New Physician board member. See the article below for details.  IAFP Delegate to AAFP Congress: Ellen Brull, M.D., Glenview  IAFP Alternate Delegate to AAFP Congress: Kathleen Miller, M.D., Decatur The resident and student board members began their terms July 1, 2008 and will continue serving until June 30, 2009. Resident Board member: Helen Williams, M.D. Student Board member: Anthony Mrgudich  You may recall that new IAFP president Javette C. Orgain, MD, MPH was installed at a November 18th event in Chicago. Link to Dr. Orgain’s full acceptance speech: http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/orgainSpeach.pdf   **ALL MEMBER ASSEMBLY Attendees received the reports of two task forces from the 2007 Assembly 1. Report of the Task Force on Pharmaceutical and Health Plan Funding. The task force shared the results of an online member survey of opinions regarding non-dues revenue for the Academy. They also provided a review of the IAFP budget to ascertain the amount of funding from non-dues revenue, including funds from pharma and health plan corporations. The task force was created in response to a 2007 resolution from Arvind K. Goyal, MD.  2. Report of the Task Force on Electronic Voting. As a result of this task force’s work, the Assembly considered a resolution to amend the Academy bylaws to allow for electronic voting and paper ballots in elections.  *RESOLUTIONS BYLAWS CHANGES: 1. LENGTH OF TERM AND NUMBER OF NEW PHYSICIAN BOARD MEMBERS  Whereas, the future of IAFP depends on the integration of new physicians into the volunteer leadership, now therefore, be it  RESOLVED, that the IAFP change its Bylaws to reflect the New Physician board position be made a two-year position, and be it further  RESOLVED, the IAFP change its Bylaws to reflect another slot on the IAFP Board of Directors be created for a second New Physician Board member, and be it further  RESOLVED that IAFP change its Bylaws to reflect that the two New Physician Board members serve two years each with their terms staggered; one New Physician Board member would be elected each year and serve for two years. ADOPTED 2. OPTION FOR ELECTRONIC VOTING RESOLVED, that IAFP change its Bylaws to reflect that members will vote before the Annual Assembly through and by an electronic/paper voting process to elect IAFP board members, officers, and AAFP delegates and alternates.  ADOPTED  REFERRED TO PRESIDENT TO CREATE TASK FORCE TO CREATE PROCESS LATE RESOLUTION Texting While Driving: Preventing Disaster Submitted by Arvind K. Goyal, MD – Rolling Meadows *A similar resolution was introduced and passed by the American Medical Association Congress in November.  RESOLVED, that IAFP issue a press release and other communications to educate members and the public on the dangers to oneself and others of text messaging while operating motor vehicles or machinery,  ADOPTED BY THE ASSEMBLY Resolved Clauses #2 and #3 were referred to Board of Directors, who took actions as follows: RESOLVED, that the IAFP cause introduction of, and lobby for the passage, at the next session of the Illinois General Assembly, a legislation that would prohibit the use of text messaging while operating motor vehicles or machinery,  REFERRED TO THE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE RESOLVED, that the IAFP introduce a similar resolution at the next AFP annual meeting that would seek AAFP’s support for a national level ban on the use of text messaging while operating motor vehicles or machinery. REFERRED TO THE TASK FORCE ON AAFP RESOLUTIONS  RESOLUTION REGARDING VENUE OF IAFP ANNUAL MEETINGS RESOLVED that the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians hold all future meetings of its leadership and membership in Illinois, policy to take effect immediately after the 2008 meeting in St. Louis, Mo, and be it further RESOLVED that this policy, specifying that all future meetings of the IAFP leadership and membership be held in Illinois, be made a part of the IAFP Bylaws. NOT ADOPTED ASSEMBLY PRESENTATIONS AAFP board member Roland Goertz, MD provided assembly attendees an update on AAFP plans and priorities. He stressed the Academy’s optimism for the future and reiterated AAFPs commitment to repealing the Medicare SGR formula and moving forward towards the patient-centered medical home. He assured members that AAFP is already hard at work with the incoming and current legislative leaders in Washington.  IAFP past president and delegate to AAFP Ellen Brull, MD gave attendees an update on AAFP’s FamMedPAC. As a member of the AAFP’s Commission on Governmental Advocacy, she has seen first-hand how the PAC has strengthened family medicine’s place on Capitol Hill in gaining access to the politicians in power. Many Illinois leaders have personally delivered AAFP FamMedPAC contributions to their representative in Congress. Contribute to FamMedPAC. By law, AAFP dues cannot be used for any candidate or election purposes. The only way for AAFP to contribute to elected officials is though the PAC. Consider just $1 per day, a $365 annual contribution (called Club George, as in Washington). Learn how you can donate at http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/policy/fammedpac.html   **ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET HONORS FAMILY MEDICINE’S FINEST The annual awards banquet provided cheers, tears and inspiration as the Academy presented their annual awards. The annual awards remind us of the special place family medicine holds in the health care system and in the lives of patients to rely on them.  Congratulations to all our 2008 honorees: Family Physician of the Year – William F. Hays, MD of Herrin Family Medicine Full-time Teacher of the Year – Robert Ewart, MD of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield Family Medicine Part-time Teacher of the Year – Michael Mendoza, MD, MPH of the University of Chicago - Pritzker School of Medicine President’s Award (3) 1. Margaret Kirkegaard, MD – Medical Director of Illinois Health Connect. She is a former IAFP Board member and 2006 IAFP Teacher of the Year  2. Susan Nagele, MD – SIU School of Medicine Alumna and family physician caring for the people of Kenya since 1984. Janet Albers, MD from the SIU Department of Family and Community Medicine will accept on Dr. Nagele’s behalf 3. Kelly Carroll, MD – IAFP Delegate to the American Academy of Family Physicians who is stepping down after serving as delegate since 1999.  Link to Press releases for the Awards at http://www.iafp.com/PR/  - scroll down to “Recent IAFP News” or directly link to:  Family Physician of the Year, http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/POY09.pdf   Teachers of the Year http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/TOY09.pdf   President’s Award recipients (3) http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/presidentsAward.pdf   IAFP News **IAFP OFFICE HOLIDAY SCHEDULE  The IAFP office will be closed December 24-26 for Christmas and December 31 and January 1 for New Years. Our office hours will be 7:30am to 4:00pm all other days.  **SIGN UP FOR AN IAFP COMMITTEE, TASK FORCE OR INTEREST GROUP Now is a great time to put your passion for family medicine into an IAFP committee that meets your goals. Applications are now being accepted and IAFP president Javette Orgain, MD will be making committee assignments in January. Any IAFP member may serve on a committee – that includes actives, residents, students and life members! You can view a list of committees and their charges at http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/Committee09.pdf  which includes the form to fill out and request the committee(s) you’d like to join.  The committees include: AAFP Resolutions Task Force Continuing Medical Education Family Medicine Educators  Government Relations Membership/Member Services Public Health Public Relations Rural Health Urban Health **PROPOSAL FOR A NEW MEMBER GROUP – SOLO FAMILY PHYSICIANS An IAFP member in solo practice wishes to form a member interest group with other solo practice family physicians, especially those new to practice in last five years. If you are interested in pursuing this option for an IAFP member group beginning in 2009, please contact Vince Keenan, IAFP executive vice president at vkeenan@iafp.com  to join. To see a listing of all IAFP member groups visit http://www.iafp.com/about/committees.htm   ** MEMBER BENEFITS SECTION ON IAFP WEB SITE Check out the “Membership has its benefits” section on the IAFP web site for all the perks of IAFP membership in one place, with links to take you right where you need to go to take advantage of special IAFP member offers and discounts. http://www.iafp.com/about/membership.htm   State Government Relations  **THINGS WILL BE CHANGING IN ILLINOIS, PART 3 Governor Rod R. Blagojevich was taken into federal custody on December 9th on corruption charges, including attempting to trade President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat for political and personal gain. Because the governor has sole authority to name Obama’s replacement in the Senate, these charges have now thrown that process into turmoil. Needless to say, there is even more uncertainty and speculation on who will eventually take that Senate seat than there was going into this week.  *MEDICAL PRACTICE ACT UPDATE The Illinois Medical Practice Act is scheduled to sunset on Dec. 31 2008, unless extended by legislative action. Although the physician community sought a ten year extension with SB 2179, the House amended the bill and granted only a two-year extension. The bill was then sent back to the Senate on November 20th for concurrence during Veto Session. The Senate adjourned without ever considering the amended bill, leaving the bill in legislative limbo.  The physician community needs the Senate to reconvene and pass SB2179 (already passed by the House, the Senate needs to concur with changes passed by the House) which would extend the Medical Practice Act by two years until December 13, 2010. If the bill is not passed by the Senate and signed before December 31, the current Medical Practice Act sunsets leaving many questions about current licenses, new licenses and the boards at the Illinois Department of Professional Regulations established by the Medical Practice Act.  IAFP leadership, staff and lobbyists have been working in concert with the other major organizations in communicating with IDPFR and the Illinois Senate. On December 9, the IAFP, along with the Illinois State Medical Society, The Illinois Chiropractic Society and the Illinois Osteopathic Medical Society sent a letter to Senate President Emil Jones explaining the need to vote and pass SB 2179 before the Act sunsets on the 31st.  Given the events surrounding the arrest of Gov. Blagojevich, both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly will reconvene next week. Both the House and Senate are scheduled to reconvene Monday and Tuesday December 15 and 16.  Please Call Your State Senator Friday or Monday! Urge support for SB 2179 to extend the Illinois Medical Practice Act. Please contact your state senator today to urge support for Senate Bill 2179, legislation that will extend the sunset date on the Illinois Medical Practice Act. This Act provides for the licensure and discipline of physicians and is, of course, vital to continued access to quality care in Illinois. The Act is scheduled to sunset on December 31, 2008 and must be extended immediately.  SB 2179 contained no other changes to the Act. The Illinois House postponed consideration of this legislation until its fall veto session and then amended the bill to extend the sunset for only two years. The Senate is scheduled to be in session the week of December 15th. Find your Senator at http://www.ilga.gov.  Federal Government Relations Get ready for 2009 1. Contribute to FamMedPAC. By law, AAFP dues cannot be used for any candidate or election purposes. The only way for AAFP to contribute to elected officials is though the PAC. Consider just $1 per day, a $365 annual contribution (called Club George, as in Washington). Learn how you can donate at http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/policy/fammedpac.html   2. Become an AAFP Key Contact or join the Advocacy Action Team. A Key Contact is the Academy’s primary contact constituent for AAFP and is asked to meet personally with that Congressperson in the district and DC. An Action Team member would be asked to contact his or her member of Congress as needed and be available to advocate on issues throughout the year. Learn more about each option at http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/policy/grassroots/howto.html  or download the entire AAFP Grassroots Advocacy Toolkit at http://www.aafp.org/online/etc/medialib/aafp_org/documents/policy/grassroots/toolkit.Par.0001.File.tmp/AAFPGrassrootsAdvocacyToolkit.pdf   CME Information ** FREE QI/CME RESOURCES AT http://www.YHPlus.com   Your Healthcare Plus’ CME activities can be viewed and completed through the http://www.YHPlus.com  Web site. Activities can also be downloaded to listen to at your convenience. The Quality Improvement programs include  -How to Conduct a Quality Improvement Program in Primary Care Practice, - Managing Type 2 Diabetes in Primary Care,  -Managing Adult Depression in Primary Care, -Managing Childhood Asthma in Primary Care...with more topics on the way. This valuable resource is absolutely free. Check it out today at http://www.YHPlus.com  **IAFP ONLINE CME Check out any of the IAFP FREE online CME programs below and you could earn up to nine credits by completing all of the case studies.  TWO NEW ONLINE CASE STUDIES Managing Coronary Heart Disease in Primary Care Practice; A Case Study with Coding Two case studies on Coronary Heart Disease . Learn how to diagnose and treat "Nick & Nora"  1 AMA PRA category 1 credit for each case study. A program for Bridging Health Care sponsored by IAFP. To view the case studies please visit http://www.iafp.com/CME/   IAFP is also offering free online CME case studies on Hypertension, Diabetes and Depression at http://www.IAFP.com/education . There are two to three case studies for each topic. Each study takes about 45-60 minutes to complete.  Log on to http://www.IAFP.com/education   ** AAFP HAS NEW CME for Seasonal Influenza Prevention and Treatment  With flu season upon us, now is the perfect time to make sure you are up to date on the latest in influenza identification and treatment. Link to the program on the AAFP website. http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/cme/selfstudy/cmebulletin/flu.html   **PRI-MED CME INFORMATION  Partnering with the IAFP, Pri-Med offers world-class CME programs in your area. Taught by leading experts, you can earn Continuing Medical Education credits at little or no cost. All activities listed are approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s). Application for AAFP Prescribed credit has been submitted.  * New in 2009—Pri-Med Access A local, two-day, CME program that keeps you current on the latest in primary care. The CME curriculum offers breath and depth in four essential primary care areas: cardiovascular disease, diabetes/obesity, immunizations, and dependency disorders. Learn assessment techniques, preventative strategies, and new treatments and therapies. Save the Date Chicago, IL – Tuesday and Wednesday, June 9-10, 2009 http://www.pri-med.com  (Please note: This program is designed for actively practicing Primary Care Physicians.)  * Pri-Med Midwest Conference & Exhibition  Over four full days, Pri-Med Conference & Exhibition provides a diverse spectrum of learning opportunities in one place, including Harvard Medical School’s Current Clinical Issues in Primary Care lectures, practice management sessions, Industry-Supported Symposia, and an interactive Exhibit Hall, offering AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Register today! Rosemont, IL - Wednesday-Saturday, March 4-7, 2009  http://www.pri-med.com/midwest09  * Pri-Med Online  Pri-Med.com offers over 300 primary care focused eCME activities at no-cost in key Condition Resource Centers including: Alzheimer’s/Dementia, Asthma, Cancer, Diabetes, Dyslipidemia, Heart Failure, Hypertension, Obesity, Sleep Disorders and more. Plus, four eCME activity types are offered so you can thoroughly examine a topic, including: Patient case studies, Clinical reviews, Expert perspectives and Webcasts. Earn high-quality physician-authored eCME anytime at http://www.pri-med.com/onlineCME.   Foundation/Tar Wars ** WINE TASTING EVENT BRINGS SWEET SUPPORT TO FOUNDATION Thank you to the members and guests who attended the Family Health Foundation of Illinois’ wine tasting fundraiser on Friday, December 5th at the IAFP Annual Meeting. IAFP Board Chair Steven D. Knight, MD and his wife Brenda hosted the event at the Hilton at the Ballpark. The registration fee, along with a silent auction of donated bottles of wine and other items raised over $2,000 for the Foundation. The Knights and the Foundation are grateful to Automated Health Systems for sponsoring the event, and for the outstanding support from Illinois members as well as our guests from AAFP and the Wisconsin AFP! **RAISE MONEY FOR THE FOUNDATION WHILE HOLIDAY SHOPPING ONLINE—FREE AND EASY! You can make money for the Family Health Foundation of Illinois and enjoy the convenience of online holiday shopping at the same time. All you need to do is sign up at http://www.iGive.com/IAFPF  and then shop from the participating stores that you already know and love. Go to www.iGive.com/IAFP  and receive a free membership (no costs or obligations) to shop at hundreds online stores. Then start shopping - you’ll be helping the IAFP Foundation at the same time! Each little purchase IAFP members make add up to important revenue.  Just by doing a little shopping all year-round, a percentage of every purchase will be donated directly to the IAFP Foundation! It’s a quick and easy way to donate money to the Foundation. Prices are not changed; simply a small portion of your purchase price is given to the Foundation. The list is not sold or traded. Try it today—you have nothing to lose and we have a lot to gain! **MAKE YOUR 2008 DIRECT DONATION BEFORE 12/31 In order to get the deduction on your 2008 tax returns, make sure you make a direct donation to the Family Health Foundation of Illinois before December 31. Foundation donations are vital to the success of some of our state’s most popular and valuable programs.  1. Summer Externship Program http://www.iafp.com/Foundation/externship.htm   2. Tar Wars http://www.iafp.com/tarwars/   3. Student events such as the Fall Family Medicine Forum and the Preparing for Residency seminar.  4. Scholarships for student and resident members to attend IAFP and AAFP events to foster the future of family medicine.  In order for the Family Health Foundation of Illinois to secure grants from AAFP Foundation and other outside funders (like private and corporate foundations and giving programs) we must demonstrate that our own membership supports the Foundation. If every member gives just a small donation, those numbers add up quickly and carry significant weight in our grant applications.  If you haven’t donated to your Foundation this year, please make your first donation of the year count, for you and us! Click here for a printable donation form: http://www.iafp.com/Foundation/donorform.htm   **TAR WARS UPDATE Adult smoking rates declined by one percent to 19.8% in 2007. However, the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids released their annual report of State Spending on Tobacco Prevention and Control. The Master Settlement Agreement was enacted 10 years ago, and a decade later, Illinois and most states continue to slash spending and leave tobacco programs in the dust.  Illinois ranks a pathetic 43rd out of 51. http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/reports/settlements/2009/staterankings.pdf   Link to the full report at http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/reports/settlements/?lk=4852377-4852377-0-34400-VaqYB4EbsN/Oe8irIUPl8ysGU8jkO3EA   Thank you to everyone who volunteers their time to teach Tar Wars. Start making plans and setting up your presentations!  Just a couple of reminders: 1. Make sure you download the 2008-09 Program guide at  http://www.tarwars.org/cgi-bin/download_tracking.pl  You will need to fill out the form and select “Illinois” from the drop down menu to help the national program track state use/participation. 2. The state poster contest deadline is April 6, 2009 **PRECEPTORS NEEDED FOR 2009 SUMMER EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM The IAFP Foundation Summer Externship Program has successfully introduced more than 700 medical students to the specialty of family medicine since its inception in 1990. Our track record speaks for itself: one-third of our externs are now family physicians, and two-thirds are in primary care specialties.  YOU are our best recruiting tool for family medicine! If you are interested in serving as a preceptor for the 2009 IAFP Foundation Summer Externship Program, please contact Crishelle O’Rourke at 630-427-8006 or via e-mail at corourke@iafp.com  for more information or you can link to a preceptor form online at http://www.iafp.com/foundation/preceptor%20form.htm.   Members in the News For a copy of any IAFP news story below, please e-mail Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com.   *Carrie Nelson, MD and Arvind Goyal, MD are quoted in separate articles in the December 1 issue of American Medical News. Dr. Nelson is quoted about the positive view of comparative effectiveness research in helping physicians better make decisions when considering treatment options for their patients. Dr. Goyal was quoted about his support of the AMA’s new policy supporting federal and state laws to prohibit texting while driving or operating other machinery.  The resolution was adopted by the AMA’s House of Delegates at their interim meeting in Chicago.  *IAFP member Patrick Lynch, MD of Carthage was recently deployed to Afghanistan as an emergency room physician with an Illinois National Guard troop from Springfield. His story was featured in the December 2 issue of the Mattoon Journal Gazette in a column by managing editor Bill Lair, who is a friend of Dr. Lynch’s parents. Also in that same issue, IAFP past board member Manoj Mathew, MD authored the paper’s featured letter to the editor, where he called on our nation’s new leaders to enact specific reforms to bring down health care costs and bring up the number of primary care physicians to meet our population’s needs. *Bechara Choucair, MD, executive director of the Heartland International Health Center in Chicago and professor of family medicine at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine received the 2008 Health Professions Education and Training Award from the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). Dr. Choucair was honored for his invaluable contributions in furthering education and training programs for health professionals at community-based health centers. Heartland collaborates with Northwestern’s Department of Family Medicine to create a training model for residents and students in caring for Chicago patients whose lives are threatened by poverty. Heartland Alliance works in several avenues to help people facing homelessness. See http://www.heartlandalliance.org.   NEWS YOU CAN USE **Free CME: Illinois Health Connect  IHC is hosting three free CME sessions entitled, “Illinois Health Connect: Assisting the Medical Home with Quality Assurance”. Scheduled presentations are: • Thursday, December 18, 2008, from 8-10 am, Kingsberry Waffle House, 3345 Vollner, Flossmoor, IL • Wednesday, January 14, 2009, from 8-10 am, Main Park Leisure Center, 2701 W. Sibley, Park Ridge, IL  • Tuesday, January 20, 2009, from 8-10 am, Waubonsee Community College, 5 E. Galena Rd. Aurora, IL  Find more information and registration form at http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/HFSTraining.pdf  Dr. Margaret Kirkegaard, Medical Director of Illinois Health Connect (IHC), will present an overview of the IHC quality assurance tools including the 2008 Bonus Payment program. This CME presentation is intended for all IHC Primary Care Physicians and their administrative and clinical staff. For additional details or to RSVP, contact the IHC Provider Helpdesk at 1-877-912-1999. **PERTUSSIS UPDATE Provided by Rashmi K. Chugh, MD - IAFP Public Health Committee With an increased number of pertussis (whooping cough) cases being reported in some northern Illinois counties (e.g., Lake and Winnebago Counties, Chicago), family physicians are reminded of the importance of early disease recognition, diagnosis, reporting, and preventive measures that should be followed to control and prevent further transmission. There is still a common perception that pertussis is a disease primarily of children. In fact, adolescents and adults are often the main reservoir of the disease, and then may unknowingly transmit the infection to an infant, which may lead to hospitalization or death. Link to the full article and even more resources on IAFP’s web site at http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/pertussis.pdf  For more information regarding diagnosis, management and reporting of pertussis, contact your local health department or the Illinois Department of Public Health Immunization Section at 1-800-526-4372. **INFLUENZA AND RSV REPORTS AVAILABLE WITH EASY ONLINE ACCESS As the winter respiratory virus season approaches, the Illinois Department of Public Health offers weekly surveillance reports for influenza and respiratory syncitial virus (RSV) that may assist you with clinical decision making in your practice:  1. The IDPH 2008 - 2009 Flu Activity Report, summarizes regional and state influenza data used to determine the weekly influenza activity level in Illinois. For weekly surveillance reports, visit: http://www.idph.state.il.us/flu/fluupdate08-09.htm   2. The National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) is a laboratory-based system that monitors RSV in Illinois, as well as other states. For weekly updates, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/surveillance/nrevss/rsv/state.html.   Influenza surveillance data for Chicago and several other counties are available on local health department websites. In addition, national influenza surveillance reports for influenza are available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivity.htm;  national RSV data are available at http://www.cdc.gov/surveillance/nrevss/rsv/natl-trend.html.  To reduce the burden of disease for influenza and RSV, don’t forget to offer influenza vaccination and RSV prophylaxis to your high risk patients. For more information visit: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/ and http://www.cdc.gov/rsv/clinical/prophylaxis.html  **NEW AAP POLICY STATEMENT - HOSPITAL DISCHARGE OF THE HIGH-RISK NEONATE In November 2008 the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Fetus and Newborn published its policy statement Hospital Discharge of the High-Risk Neonate ( http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/122/5/1119  ). This policy statement updates the guidelines on discharge of the high-risk neonate first published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 1998 and incorporates new knowledge about risks and medical care of the high-risk neonate, the timing of discharge, and planning for care after discharge.  LINK to the full article http://iafp.com/pdfs/AAAPDischargeInfant.pdf   News from AAFP  **NEW CME for Seasonal Influenza Prevention and Treatment  With flu season upon us, now is the perfect time to make sure you are up to date on the latest in influenza identification and treatment. Link to the program on the AAFP website. http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/cme/selfstudy/cmebulletin/flu.html   **AAFP GUIDE TO MANAGED CARE CONTRACTS The uncertainly surrounding the future of Medicare physician payments can wreak havoc on your insurance and manage care payments as well. Be prepared with AAFP’s 12 page Contracting Guide. Link to it on the Private Sector Advocacy Section on the AAFP web site (Member login required) http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/policy/privatesector.html   **AAFP OFFERS TEMPLATE LETTERS FOR CONTACTING 3RD PARTY PAYERS Do you have a problem with a third-party payer that needs your prompt attention? AAFP members can take immediate action on their most pressing issues with a simple download of letter templates from the Academy's Web site. Four new letters are among more than a dozen letter templates offered in the "Private Sector Advocacy" section of the Web site.  Visit http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/policy/privatesector/getinvolved/templttrs.mem.html  Members can download and personalize any of the letters available on the AAFP's Private Sector Advocacy "Get Involved" Web page. The template letters are only accessible to members, so have your member identification number handy.  ** PARTICIPATE IN AN AAFP RESEARCH STUDY  Join this exciting AAFP National Research Network evaluation project and help us determine if the AAFP Practice Enhancement Forum (PEF) or AAFP METRIC Quality Improvement Programs have:  • Changed practice systems or processes related to patient care outcomes.  • Made improvements in patient processes and intermediate patient outcomes.  Participants will be compensated for their time and expenses, and may receive up to 20 CME credits.  Find out more about participating in the Research Study at http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/clinical/research/natnet/studies/current.html   CLASSIFIED AD Office Spaces for Rent Chicago South OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT FOR MEDICAL SUITES & BUSINESS Includes EXAM ROOMS, RECEPTION AREA, DOUBLE DOOR ACCESS, GOOD TRANSPORTATION 1940 E. 87th Street Chicago, Illinois 60617 773-374-7773 773-951-8651 Chicago South, 1400 sq. ft. for medical, dental or business; Will rent as one suite or divide into 3 suites; Excellent transportation. Call 773-374-7773 or 773-951-8651