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IAFP News
**JUNE/JULY ISSUE OF FAMILY PHYSICIAN IS NOW ONLINE!
Link to your best source of Academy information at: http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/junejuly08.pdf
This issue includes: annual meeting information, highlights from the IAFP leadership trip to Capitol Hill, Tar Wars poster results, vaccine information and more.
**NEW MEMBER BENEFITS SECTION ON IAFP WEB SITE
Check out the new “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
**IAFP OFFICE ON NEW SUMMER SCHEDULE
The office is open 7:00 a.m. till 4:00pm Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. until noon on Friday. The IAFP will operate on this schedule through August 29th.
**SAVE THE DATE: PRESIDENT INAUGURATION SPECIAL EVENT
The next IAFP president, Javette C. Orgain, MD of Chicago will take the oath of office at a special IAFP event at the Harold Washington Library downtown.
Join us on Tuesday, Nov. 18th at 6:00 p.m. for the ceremony and a reception to follow. Your personal invitation will follow later this summer.
**2008 IAFP ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION
With so much going on at your Academy, this is the year to attend our annual meeting. Plan now and SAVE THE DATES:
IAFP Annual Meeting: December 5-6, 2008
Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark in St. Louis, Mo.
Highlights include a wine tasting reception, five CME programs, the All Member Assembly and the annual awards banquet. Look for details on page 1 in the June/July issue of Family Physician. http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/junejuly08.pdf
** STUDENT MEMBERS- IAFP SURVEY JUST FOR YOU!
Please take a quick survey to help us plan our student services for the rest of 2008 and 2009. Use the link below – it will only take a few minutes of your time!
LINK: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=08OmvUDy1XXwBiIui1kd_2bA_3d_3d
**RESIDENT MEMBERS – WE HAVE A SURVEY FOR YOU, TOO!
LINK:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=_2fUynMo9AjRx7YeZYJhdGlQ_3d_3d
**SEND YOUR IDEAS OR CONCERNS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
You can contact your IAFP Board of Directors through the IAFP website at http://www.iafp.com/about/officers.htm.
2. State and Federal Government Relations Activities
STATE UPDATE
**The General Assembly adjourned on time Saturday, May 31st.
Unless the Governor calls any special sessions, the General Assembly is scheduled to return for veto session on November 12, 13, & 14 and November 19, 20 & 21.
FEDERAL UPDATE
**MEDICARE:
The US Senate failed to garner 60 votes to bring to the floor to debate the Medicare reform bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and supported by AAFP. That bill would have increased physician payments by 1.1% for 18 months averting the scheduled 10.6 percent cut. Meanwhile a Republican alternative S. 3118 from Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) has yet to be brought to the Senate for consideration.
S. 3118 would also provide an 18-month payment update, maintaining current payment levels for the rest of 2008 while providing a 1.1 percent payment increase in 2009.
In a June 16 letter to Grassley, however, AAFP Board Chair, Rick Kellerman, M.D., said that although the Academy appreciates Grassley's sponsorship of S. 3118 and the 18-month payment patch, the Academy does have some concerns about the bill.
Grassley's proposal would lower the cost of the payment update by leaving out provisions to assist lower-income Medicare patients. Grassley and Baucus are expected to work out a compromise based on their two proposals, but it is not clear whether they can reach a compromise before the July 1 deadline or whether Congress will have enough time to pass a measure before then.
IAFP and AAFP will keep members apprised of this new legislation and any grassroots action needed as we are now 10 days away from the scheduled 10.6% cut in Medicare physician reimbursement.
KEEP THE DOOR OPEN
Act now to stop the Medicare pay cut! Unless Congress stops the Medicare payment cut scheduled to take place in July, family physicians will be hit with a decrease of more than 10 percent in Medicare payments. Go to http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/policy/federal/medicarecut.html for more information.
** HHS EXTENDS COMMENT PERIOD FOR HPSA/MUA REVISION
Family Medicine Opposes HPSA/MUA proposed rule
The Health Resources and Services Administration extended the comment period for the proposed Health Professional Shortage Area/Medically Underserved Area rule until June 30th, 2008. Submit your comments at http://www.regulations.gov.
View the IAFP letter submitted May 21 - http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/HPSA.pdf
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CME Information
** NEW! NATIONAL PROCEDURES INSTITUTE:
Our Illinois chapter is proud to partner with NPI to provide you an exciting opportunity to bring new procedures and generate revenue for your practice and state Academy at the same time. When you attend an NPI course, NPI will send $50 to the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians. All you have to do is enter “Illinois” in the Referral Code field when you register online at the NPI Web site so that our chapter receives credit for your attendance. You can attend the Chicago NPI series September 10-14, or any of the NPI offerings around the country. Register early for a $100 early bird discount!
Visit NPI online at http://www.npinstitute.com to view course descriptions, learn about NPI’s outstanding faculty, and register. Don’t forget to enter ILLINOIS in the Referral Code field during the registration process and start getting more out of your practice with NPI.
View the entire 2008 NPI Schedule at http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/2008Schedule.pdf
** 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
IAFP is 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. The patient in each case study is uniquely different and represents what you see in your everyday practice. Each study takes about 45-60 minutes to complete.
• NEW Online - Depression in Primary Care Practice: a case study with coding
IAFP continues to offer free online CME case studies on
• Hypertension in Primary Care Practice
• Diabetes in Primary Care Practice
Log on to http://www.IAFP.com/education
**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.
*Pri-Med Updates
Locally held continuing medical education programs designed for Primary Care Physicians currently engaged in patient care. By attending, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with expert faculty, participate in question-and-answer periods, and test your knowledge and receive immediate feedback on patient care scenarios.
Oak Brook, IL – Thursday & Friday, October 30-31, 2008
http://www.pri-med.com/30oak08b/r12
Chicago, IL – Tuesday & Wednesday, December 2-3, 2008
http://www.pri-med.com/30chi08b/r12
St. Louis, MO – Thursday & Friday, November 13-14, 2008
http://www.pri-med.com/30stl08b/r12
* Diabetes In Depth
Rosemont, IL – Thursday, September 4, 2008
http://www.pri-med.com/ada/31oak08a/r12
Presented by Pri-Med in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association, this 1-day CME program is designed to meet the education and practice needs of clinicians who regularly diagnose and manage patients with diabetes. At every session leading experts will provide world-class information on the co morbidities and risk factors associated with what has become one of the greatest health problems.
* Pri-Med Midwest Conference & Exhibition
Rosemont, IL - Wednesday-Saturday, March 4-7, 2009
http://www.pri-med.com/midwest09
(Please note: Registration for this event will open in fall 2008)
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)™.
*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, Infectious Disease, Obesity, Pediatrics, 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 Multi-media slide lecture series. Earn high-quality physician-authored eCME anytime at http://www.pri-med.com/onlineCME.
**2008 WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE CME CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
Friday, September 12 – Saturday, September 13
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont
Registration Information: http://www.womenshf.com/2008national/chi2008/
IAFP MEMBER DISCOUNT: Women’s Healthcare Forum and IAFP are pleased to offer all IAFP members a discounted registration fee of $75, a 50% savings on the standard 2008 registration fee. When registering, please use priority code: WHFC801 to take advantage of this offer.
** AAFP PRACTICE ENHANCEMENT FORUM IS COMING TO OAK BROOK
Our own IAFP board member Carrie Nelson, MD is a features presenter at this forum! Send three people (one FP and two support staff) to AAFP’s Practice Enhancement Forum October 10-11 in Oak Brook. Along with up to 20 prescribed CME credits, participating FPs will attain the following
Objectives:
• Assess your practice and determine where to direct improvement efforts.
• Begin implementing the Chronic Care Model into your practice.
• Motivate your office team to deliver optimal patient care.
• Understand how to implement and sustain improvement.
• Be a champion for change in your practice
Learn more on from AAFP’s web site at
http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/practicemgt/quality/cme/pef.html
Link to registration
http://www.aafp.org/online/etc/medialib/aafp_org/documents/prac_mgt/quality/pef/reg-il.Par.0001.File.dat/PEFreg08-IL.pdf
**FIND IAFP EVENTS AND OTHER CME OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILY PHYSICIANS ANY TIME AT http://www.iafp.com/education/
5. Members in the News
For a copy of any IAFP news story below, please e-mail Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com.
*Family Physician of the Year opens doors at new office
Our 2007 IAFP Family Physician of the Year James P. Valek, MD has been a busy doctor since the IAFP Awards Banquet back in October 2007. On June 18th he welcomed the community to his new Vista Family Medicine practice at 10961 S. Kedzie in Chicago.
Read full story at: http://www.iafp.com/PR/vista.htm
Get a personal tour of the new office from daughter Becca Valek on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMFsZ839aTg
A full article is planned for the August/September issue of “Family Physician.”
*Peoria-area Tar Wars poster contest winners and their artwork were featured in the May 19th Peoria Journal Star, along with Tar Wars presenter Paige Murray, MD of Peoria.
*Executive vice president Vince Keenan and president Steve Knight, MD are quoted in a June 16 American Medical News story taking a closer look at a recent Illinois Auditor General Report which examined the Illinois Medicaid system from 1999 to 2007, detailing the many problems that plagued the state’s payment system during those years.
*Keith Knepp, MD of Peoria is widely quoted in an AP story in the June 13th Peoria Journal-Star about debt and stress and the effects on mental and physical health.
6. NEWS YOU CAN USE
**AAFP LAUNCHES RURAL ONLINE COMMUNITY
The Rural Online Community was developed especially for rural family physicians, family medicine residents, students and those with an interest in rural family medicine.
The Rural Online Community can help you:
- stay abreast of news and information relevant to rural family physicians and their patients;
- quickly find and/or access resources, publications, information that support their efforts to provide quality health care in a rural environment;
- share valuable information and resources with each other.
Features:
• Headlines. Daily news updates from national, local and online publications.
• Rural listserv.
• Rural FP Profile. A glimpse into the life of a practicing rural family physician, the rewards and challenges, and what being a rural family physician means to the physician and the community they serve.
• In Your Corner. Updates on legislative issues that impact rural family physicians.
• Rural Events Calendar
• Rural Health Resources
The Rural Online Community is a pilot program that will be re-assessed at the end of one year.
**ADVERTISEMENT: JOIN THE PRIMARY CARE METABOLIC GROUP (PCMG)
The PCMG is a FREE resource for family physicians interested in metabolic diseases such as diabetes, thyroid disease, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and osteoporosis. Register now for access to FREE CME, updates on breaking news, interactive blogs and commentaries and patient education resources. Past CME topics have included: Building Cultural Competency for Improved Diabetes Care, Evaluating and Treating the Patient with Hypothyroid Disease, Defining the Role of Incretin Mimetic Therapy in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes and Implementing Intensified Treatment Strategies for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Past commentaries and blogs have included: How do I manage a patient with pre-diabetes; and Does your patient qualify as a “brittle diabetic”? To register log on to: www.pcmg-us.org/register
7. Foundation News – Tar Wars White Sox game
**WHITE SOX GAME FUNDRAISER FOR TAR WARS – AUGUST 7
You must order your tickets by JULY 1 – don’t wait! Get your tickets now for this summer’s best fundraiser—Tar Wars at the White Sox! This one fundraising event ensures our state poster winner can attend the National Tar Wars poster contest in Washington, DC.
Each ticket = $15 tax-deductible donation to Tar Wars!
Thursday, Aug. 7 at 7:11 p.m. at US Cellular Field, the White Sox vs. the Detroit Tigers. For ticket information, go to http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/sox08.pdf
8. Resident and Student Affairs
** RESIDENTS:
Please take a quick survey to help us plan our resident services to meet your needs. Use the link below – it will only take a few minutes of your time!
LINK:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=_2fUynMo9AjRx7YeZYJhdGlQ_3d_3d
**STUDENTS
Please take the following quick survey to help us plan our student services for the rest of 2008 and 2009.
LINK: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=08OmvUDy1XXwBiIui1kd_2bA_3d_3d
9. News from AAFP
**SAVE BIG ON AAFP’S 2008 SCIENTIFIC ASSEMBLY IN SAN DIEGO
Sept. 17-21
Register by June 25 and save $200 over on-site registration fees.
Your Assembly experience includes:
• Up to 45 CME credits (look for your CME brochure in the mail)
• Evidence-based CME
• Top speakers
• Clinical procedures workshops (extra fees required)
• Bonus: Connect with colleagues from around the world
To register by June 25 and save $200, go to www.aafp.org/assembly.
** AAFP OFFERS "ASK THE EXPERT" PODCAST INTERVIEWS ON TOBACCO CESSATION.
Specific topics include:
1. New Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guidelines.
2. Pharmacotherapy for Tobacco Dependence.
3. Tobacco Cessation Quitlines.
4. How to Provide Tobacco Cessation Treatment to Patients with Mental Illness.
5. Payment for Tobacco Cessation Treatment.
Each podcast is 10-15 minutes. They're available online at www.aafp.org/askandact/podcasts.
Worth Repeating
**MEASLES ALERT!
Visit our web site at http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/measles.pdf for IDPH memo with important details and instructions for providers.
**OPERATION PUSH MEDICAL CONFERENCE-2008
“ELIMINATING RACIAL AND ETHNIC HEALTH DISPARITIES - NOW!”
DATE: July 1-2
Site: Hyatt Regency Hotel
2233 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago
CME Available, Thanks to the University of Illinois
For registration ($ 50) and information, call Elicia Best at: 312-666-1949
** STATE ONLINE RESOURCE TO CHECK RX HISTORY
Physicians can register and use the web site to review a patient's prescription history for controlled substances. Log on and register at https://www.ilpmp.org/index.php . You will need your DEA number and your medical license number for verification.
** RENEW YOUR ILLINOIS LICENSE BY JULY 31
You should have received a postcard from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) announcing your opportunity to renew your medical license online. To renew go to the IDFPR web site http://www.IDFPR.com and enter the PIN provided on your postcard.
Physicians’ licenses MUST be renewed by July 31, 2008. Before a license is renewed, physicians must provide the information for their profiles. You can do that at https://www.idfpr.com/applications/ProfessionProfile/ProfileUpdateMain.aspx
CLASSIFIED ADS
1. ROCKFORD - The Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford is seeking family physician faculty for: 1) our innovative longitudinal family medicine clerkship incorporating clinical care and medical student education in an office setting; 2) our family medicine residency program, OB desirable. Either position may be combined with responsibility for the department’s community health programs. The Department offers an on-site MPH program, faculty development, and research opportunities. Candidates should be board certified or board eligible. Rank is commensurate with qualifications.
Please send a cover letter and resume to Eric Henley, MD, MPH; Head, Department of Family and Community Medicine; 1601 Parkview Ave, Rockford, IL 61107 or by email to ehenley@uic.edu . Call 815-395-5805 for further information.
The University of Illinois is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
2. Is patient charting taking too much of your time? Try SpringCharts® Electronic Health Records, the only easy-to-use, affordable charting application available for both Macintosh and Windows computers. It’s perfect for physicians in single or group practice. SpringCharts will allow you to document office visits with little or no typing, will virtually eliminate your office’s records transcription costs, and allows you to print and electronically sign patient prescriptions. Visit http://www.woodedisleconsult.com for examples, to download a demo, or just to see how easy it is to use SpringCharts! Or contact Wooded Isle Computer Consultants at 773-256-1099 for more information.
3. CHAMPAIGN, IL--Christie Clinic is a physician-owned multi-specialty group of 90 physicians that is recruiting for Family Physicians for its satellite offices in nearby Danville and Tuscola.
Danville: 35 miles east of Champaign. Join 3 Family Physicians. Call of 1/4.
Tuscola: 25 miles south of Champaign. Solo practice. Call of 1/9.
Starting salary range of $170-200K. With productivity, incomes are well above national and regional averages. Champaign is the home of the University of Illinois, with many cultural, social, and athletic amenities. 2.5 hours south of Chicago. Contact Christopher Kashnig at Christie Clinic. Phone 217-366-5374. E-mail address: ckashnig@christieclinic.com. Website: http://www.christieclinic.com.
4. IAFP’S RESOURCES FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH OR POSTING
The RIGHT job or job candidate is out there in family medicine, and we’re here to help find it! We post jobs here in e-News, in Family Physician and at our Web site http://www.iafp.com for Jobs Online. Select “Job Listings” from the menu on the left to learn more.
