**HB 1254 PASSES THE HOUSE 112-0

HB 1254 (Rep. Julie Hamos) reflects the recommendations of the Electronic Health Records Task Force. The bill provides a plan on how to best implement secure and standardized electronic health records for Illinoisans and persons served by Illinois providers. The result will improve patient safety, the efficiency of healthcare practice and the quality of both individual care and Public Health reporting. The bill now moves to the Senate to repeat the process. 

Creating an Illinois Health Information Network (IL-HIN) will ensure electronic health records in Illinois become interoperable with other states and consistent with federal standards. For more information contact Gordana Krkic, IAFP Vice President of Government Relations at gkrkic@iafp.com  

TOBACCO NEWS

**STATEWIDE SMOKE-FREE ILLINOIS SENATE BILL 
The Illinois Senate will soon vote on legislation to make all workplaces in Illinois smoke-free. Every single vote is going to count – it is going to be a VERY CLOSE VOTE!

PLEASE CALL your Illinois State Senator and urge your Senator to support Senate Bill 500, a comprehensive smoke-free law that protects everyone from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. 

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 Senator and ask for support for Senate Bill 500 - Smoke-free Illinois. Find your senator’s contact information at http://www.ilga.gov/senate/default.asp  

**LOCAL DEBATES: 

GLENVIEW: On March 12, the Board of Trustees adopted the 1989 Illinois Clean Indoor Air Act at a special meeting as a temporary measure. The Act permits places of business to maintain their own smoking policies. As a next step, the Board anticipates holding a special meeting on this issue some time in April to consider a draft smoking ordinance. Currently they plan to exempt any establishment with a liquor license, which will essentially maintain the status quo. 

NAPERVILLE: On March 20th the City Council unexpectedly voted to table the proposal for a smoke-free Naperville indefinitely. The dividing issue was whether to include outdoor dining sections and outdoor city events, such as Ribfest. The coalition is both supporting the statewide SB 500 and also working to get the required three Naperville trustees to bring the proposal up for a vote again. 

Keep up with all the smoke-free coalition activity in your community or across the state at http://www.smokefreeillinois.org.  

**NEW RESOURCE FROM IDPH ON TOBACCO USE AND OTHER RISKY BEHAVIORS. 
The Illinois County Behavioral Risk Factor Surveys (ICBRFS) has updated their database to include Round III results from surveys administered during the years 2004-2006. These data include prevalence rates of smoking status and the ability to run demographic crosstabs.

You can access their website at http://app.idph.state.il.us/brfss/countydata.asp  

If you have specific questions regarding this database, please contact: Bruce Steiner or Gayle Blair, Illinois Center for Health Statistics, 217-785-1064.

**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:

**A CALL FOR PRECEPTORS: SUMMER EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM NEEDS YOU!

The IAFP Foundation has received a great influx of student applications for our Summer Externship Program. This year is the 60th Anniversary of the IAFP and our goal is to place 60 students with a family physician this summer. Historically about one-third of all Summer Externship participants become family physicians, so we’re talking about 20 new family physicians this year alone. We need more preceptors to host a student for four weeks this summer. This program offers medical students a first hand look at the specialty of family medicine. We need your support. You can specify which weeks of the summer work for your schedule and we’ll find the students who will most benefit from four weeks in your world!

Please contact Crishelle O’Rourke for more information at corourke@iafp.com Or you can download the preceptor form http://www.iafp.com/foundation/preceptor%20form.htm  
Need convincing? Let IAFP Board member and long time preceptor Deb Edberg, MD tell you more:
http://www.iafp.com/foundation/edberg.htm  

**TAR WARS
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/  

**SAVE THE DATE: AUGUST 9
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. 
Spend a summer night with your IAFP and ICAAP colleagues rooting on the White Sox as they take on the Cleveland Indians. Each ticket you purchase means a tax-deductible donation to support Tar Wars. You don’t have to be an IAFP member to join in the fun! 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

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. 

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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. Attendees will also learn how identify risk and protective factors of a maternally depressed woman, and use the Edinburgh screening tool. 

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 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, Pri-Med will 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. 

** 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.

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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.  

*IAFP and two of our past presidents served as sources for two wide ranging examinations of the state Medicaid system in the Small Newspaper Group publications on March 12th and 13. SNG publications include the Quad cities, Ottawa and Kankakee. Kelly Carroll, MD of East Moline was featured in the story about lack of access to providers who accept Medicaid because of the state’s low and slow payments. Ron Johnson, MD of Pittsfield was featured in a companion story about how the low and slow payments have affected practices finances and their ability to accept Medicaid patients.

*You may remember previous stories here in E-news about Robert Boll, MD of Orland Park who performed an emergency tracheotomy on a woman choking at a church turkey dinner which saved her life. That story has made its way to a national audience, as told in the February 2007 edition of Reader’s Digest.

*2006 Distinguished Service Award honoree Tom Cornwell, MD of Wheaton is featured in a March 19th American Medical News story on the emergence and viability of home care practices. Dr. Cornwell is the founder of HomeCare physicians. 

In a related note, the 10th anniversary gala and fundraiser of HomeCare Physicians made the 10pm newscast of ABC7 Chicago’s 10pm newscast. Former anchor John Drury and his wife Ann established an endowment for HomeCare physicians. Dr. Cornwell is Drury’s personal physician. 


*Past-president Ellen Brull, MD of Glenview co-authored an editorial in the Glenview Announcement calling out the Glenview Village Board for voting to adopt the 1989 Illinois clean indoor air act and continue to allow smoking in any business that is not covered by the very weak, outdated state law, rather than adopting the comprehensive Cook County ordinance that would have taken effect on March 15. 

*Executive Vice President Vincent D. Keenan, CAE is quoted in a March 15th Illinois Times in-depth look at the governor’s Illinois Covered proposal. As of press time, IAFP has not specifically endorsed Illinois Covered, as we do not have enough detail to take a position. IAFP is encouraged by the attempt to bring the opportunity for health care coverage for the hundreds of thousands who unfairly go without care. Members will be notified as soon as IAFP takes a formal position. 

Link to the IAFP public statement of March 7 - http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/IAFPStatement.pdf  

*James Ekeberg, MD of Palatine is running for the Palatine District 15 school board and was profiled with other candidates in the March 16th issue of the Daily Herald.

*IAFP member Dr. Huggett gave expert testimony on Wednesday before the House Human Services Committee on HB 980. Dr. Huggett worked closely with state Rep. LaShawn Ford to bring forth legislation that would require compliance with the recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning HIV testing. The bill also provides that the Department shall conduct a public information campaign for health care providers and the general public regarding the importance to public health of conducting HIV screening in health care settings. The bill passed out of the committee. 

*David Trachtenbarg, MD, medical director for information technology at Methodist Medical Center Family Practice in Peoria, Ill., authored an article in AAFP’s Family Practice Management this month. “EHRs Fix Everything - and Nine Other Myths” 
Link: http://www.aafp.org/fpm/20070300/26ehrs.html 

*Congratulations to former board member Kathryn Stewart, MD of Oak Park, who has been award the degree of Fellow by the AAFP. 

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FOR STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS:


STUDENTS: 

**M2s and M3s – ARE YOU READY FOR RESIDENCY? Didn’t think so!

“PREPARING FOR RESIDENCY PROGRAM”
Loyola-Stritch School of Medicine
April 14th - 8:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

IAFP Foundation presents a half-day event, supported by Illinois Family Medicine Residency programs, with 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! 
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.  

APPLY FOR A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE IAFP! Just complete the application form and send a CV to the IAFP headquarters ASAP. All first and second year students in Illinois are invited to apply. All attendees at the IAFP Foundation’s Preparing for Residency program April 14 at Loyola will vote to elect the new leaders. 
LINK TO APPLICATION: http://www.iafp.com/students/leadership_application.htm  


**RESIDENTS: 

** IAFP RESIDENT ROUND-UP: A COMBINATION OF FOOD, FUN AND FINANCES!
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.

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. 

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. 

Link to information and registration form http://www.iafp.com/Residents/residentroundupSpringfield.htm  

We are planning a third event for October in downtown Chicago as well. Details to come!

*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  


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NEWS YOU CAN USE


**IMPORTANT UPDATE ON CHANGES IN THE HFS MEDICAL PROGRAMS 

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly the Illinois Department of Public Aid) has moved to a Primary Care Case Management model of health care delivery named Illinois Health Connect. Approximately 1.5 million HFS clients (Medicaid, All Kids and FamilyCare) will have mandatory enrollment and asked to select a “medical home.” 

PCP recruitment and enrollment:

The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians is working to ensure that members have all the information that they need to make an informed choice about enrolling as a Primary Care Provider in Illinois Health Connect. When PCPs enroll, they are asked to define exactly how many patients they would like to include in their patient panel. 

Panel Rosters:

Very soon, all Illinois Health Connect PCPs will receive their first panel roster in the mail. Panel rosters can also be viewed at any time via the http://www.illinoishealthconnect.com  website (Click on Provider Access). The current panel rosters only include those patients who have actively selected that PCP as a medical home. 

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. An optional one-year intensive fellowship experience is also available for those who want on-going support while working towards a defined fundraising goal. Participation in this workshop provides the initial training for the fellows. 
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

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REMINDERS WORTH REPEATING

ICAAP Educational Conference to be held May 18-19, 2007
The Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP) is holding its educational conference on May 18-19, 2007 at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort in Lincolnshire. 

Plenary presentations will address seizures in children and teenagers, brain development, the teen driver, recognition and management of the sleepy child, “the explosive child,” and obsessive compulsive disorder, immunizations, what’s new in insurance and metabolic syndrome. Workshops will address nutrition, headaches in children, sports medicine, advanced coding, mood disorders, asthma, obesity, malpractice and more.

To be added to the brochure mailing list or for additional information, contact ICAAP at 312/733-1026 or info@illinoisaap.com.  Information is posted on the ICAAP Web site at http://www.illinoisaap.org/AnnualMeeting.htm.  

CLASSIFIED ADS:

1. DIXON Practice Opportunity: Family Physician for a busy occupational medicine / urgent care center in a community hospital. The physician would join an existing physician in providing a wide variety of sports, occupational and urgent care services to a diverse population in rural north central Illinois. The physician would be employed on a full-time basis by KSB Medical Group, an operating division of Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital. The group numbers 50+ doctors in a variety of specialties operating out of several offices throughout the Hospital’s service area.
For more information or to discuss this opportunity contact David Schreiner, Chief Operating Officer, at (815) 285-5834 or via email at dschreiner@ksbhospital.com 

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