E-news for May 4, 2007 IAFP News IT’S NCSC AND ALF WEEKEND IN KANSAS CITY The following are representing Illinois at NCSC and the Annual Leadership Forum (also known fondly as ALF) this weekend: Second vice president Patrick Tranmer, MD of Chicago Treasurer and now AAFP Alternate Delegate Michael Temporal, MD of Belleville (who is also the 2008 NCSC Convener) New Physician Board Member Tina Brueschke, MD of Elburn President Elect Steve Knight, MD of Harrisburg IAFP Vice President of Communications Christi Emerson IAFP Executive vice president Vince Keenan, CAE *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, Art Institute of Chicago, 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   * Welcome back to Christi Emerson, who has returned to work full time. GOVERNMENT RELATIONS **ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSES SMOKE-FREE ILLINOIS We needed 60 votes and got 73! The Illinois House passed SB 500 -- providing smoke-free workplaces throughout the state! Hundreds of organizations and thousands of individuals combined to shepherd this bill through the General Assembly. IAFP is grateful to every member who made a phone call, wrote a letter, or spoke to an elected official on behalf of their patients and families. Once the Governor signs it (and we expect he will) Illinois will be smoke-free on Jan. 1, 2008. See the House Roll Call at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/95/house/09500SB0500_05012007_020000T.pdf  to see how your representative voted. If he or she voted YES it never hurts to say "thank you!" Thank you for your support! We can all breathe easy now! ** DONATE TO AAFP FAMMED PAC –and your donation will grow! Please remember to contribute to the 2007 AAFP PAC. If you've never contributed, now's your chance. We do not have a PAC in IL, because we cannot raise enough money to make a difference in Springfield. Yet on the national level, we are already beginning to feel the impact. We have legislators coming to us for our opinions, in part from the PAC money. If every volunteer leader contributed $300, we would have the largest PAC in the US, larger than the trial lawyers.  There is a challenge on to raise $200,000 nationwide. To boost our totals, past presidents Ellen Brull, MD and Tim Vega, MD will donate $10 for every Illinois member who contributes to the PAC by May 10th.  TO DONATE ONLINE (AAFP MEMBER ID REQUIRED) VISIT  http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/policy/fammedpac/members/fammedpac.mem.html   FOUNDATION: **SUMMER EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM WELCOMES 50 STUDENTS Congratulations to the 50 IAFP Foundation Summer Externs for 2007 and thank you to all the wonderful preceptors who volunteer their time and enthusiasm. We had 110 applications and are pleased to report that every medical school has at least one externship placement. See the list at http://www.iafp.com/students/2007%20externs.htm   **TAR WARS POSTER CONTEST WINNERS REVEALED The 2007 Illinois Tar Wars Poster Contest Results: WINNER: Tyler Kiefer, Colene Hoose Elementary - Normal 2nd Place: Melissa Casali, Fairview Elementary - Normal 3rd Place: Brett Graham, Lincoln Elementary, Morton See all three winning posters and their outstanding students on our web site:  http://www.iafp.com/tarwars/poster%20winner%202007/2007%20winner.htm   **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 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.  Seats are available in both Lower Reserved and Bleachers sections.  Bleachers: $25 Lower Reserved: $30 For an order form, go to http://www.iafp.com/tarwars/soxflyer07.htm  or 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 IN MAY AND JUNE The IAFP has developed two CME activities focused on the developmental health of young children. The Social and Emotional Development: Screening Strategies for Primary Care Physicians 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 who to refer children do. The 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 Kate Valentine at kvalentine@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. ** 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. __________________ Members in the News – If you would like a copy of any of the articles below, contact Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com.  Just days before the Illinois General Assembly passed the Smoke Free Illinois bill, IAFP letters to the editor appeared in two major newspapers. IAFP president Katie Miller, MD and past president and current AAFP delegate Tim Vega, MD authored strong letters urging their representatives to support SB 500. On Saturday, April 28, IAFP 2006 Media Award winner Judith Graham of the Chicago Tribune reported on the new Gilead report on Illinois’ uninsured. Executive vice president Vince Keenan is quoted in the article in his dual role as IAFP chapter executive and Gilead Center board member.  Congratulations to past president Susan Rife, DO, who has been elected to the Alumni Board of Governors of Midwestern University ------------------------------- FOR STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS: **STUDENTS:  Apply for a student leadership position! Applications for President Elect and National Conference Delegate are due May 15. http://www.iafp.com/students/leadership_application.htm   **RESIDENTS:  Applications open for IAFP leadership and find out what really happens behind the velvet curtain during the IAFP Board Meetings by becoming a resident leader! If interested, submit and application with CV by May 15. You can find position descriptions and the application at http://www.iafp.com/Residents/officer_application.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 [EDITOR’S NOTE: IAFP is committed to ensuring our members have the necessary information about Illinois Health Connect to make an informed decision on their participation] **CONNECT WITH ILLINOIS HEALTH CONNECT (IHC) Currently, IHC has enrolled 3,400 PCPs representing a capacity to care for 3.9 million patients throughout the state. If you, or your patients are having difficulties "connecting," we're here to help! Topics include: • How to access provider lists (panel rosters)  • Enrollment issues for existing patients  • Limits of patients you can serve  • Client enrollment deadlines  • Where to get client enrollment materials...and more! Learn more at: http://www.iafp.com/legislative/IHC%20Update.htm   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   **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 (four hours) every month would be welcome. We are in need of primary care physicians and specialists (Gynecologists, Endocrinologists, Ophthalmologists, and Rheumatologists). 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/volunteers  or contact: Kelly Jordan, Volunteer Services Coordinator, at 773-395-9901 ex. 23 or kjordan@communityhealth.org . **FDA UNVEILS NEW CONSUMER INFORMATION WEB SITE Keeping up with the latest consumer health information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just got easier. FDA today announced two new initiatives to enhance online communications. A web page, "Consumer Health Information for You and Your Family" (http://www.fda.gov/consumer ), provides comprehensive and timely consumer information.  ______  REMINDERS WORTH REPEATING **CMS ANNOUNCES NPI DEADLINE EXTENSION The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will extend the compliance date for the National Provider Identifier (NPI) from May 23, 2007 to May 23, 2008. Physician practices, covered under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), are required to get NPIs for the organization and their providers, and submit those numbers on all HIPAA electronic standard transactions, including claims.  **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   **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. Participation is free but registration is required. Please see the announcement for details at http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/strokesurvivor.pdf  . 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. ORLAND PARK - Looking for FT/PT Family Physician in growing Orland Park office. Contact Dr. Susan Rife - fax CV to 708-873-1204, or phone 708-873-1187 for info. No OB required. Resident or seasoned FP welcome 3. 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.  4. 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