IAFP e-News for October 10, 2008

**2008 IAFP ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION – SEE YOU IN ST. LOUIS
December 5-6, 2008

Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark
St. Louis, Mo.
Room rate: $109 -- Cut off date is November 21st
Call 877-845-7354
Learn more about the hotel at http://www.hilton.com  

REGISTER ONLINE AT: 
http://guest.cvent.com/i.aspx?5S,M3,f2aa45ce-5430-46dd-b736-f4ca4c0381a1 

We have a great mix of fun, CME, celebration and vital Academy business. 

Friday, December 5th
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm Wine Tasting Reception 

Saturday, December 6th
7:30 am – 9:00 am Committee Meetings/Breakfast – including Finance
9:00 am – 12:15 p.m. CME Program 
12:15 pm – 1:30 pm Lunch and All-Member Assembly
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Spirometry Workshop for the Family Physician

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Family Social Event @ the City Museum 
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Foundation Board Meeting

6:30 pm – 9:00 pm Awards Banquet @ Windows Off Washington

**CALL FOR RESOLUTIONS
The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians invites members to submit resolutions for consideration by the IAFP All-Member Assembly on Saturday December 6, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. in St. Louis, Mo. 

Resolutions must be submitted in writing no later than 45 days prior to the All-Member Assembly (October 17, 2008). Resolutions should be sent via e-mail to Vincent D. Keenan, CAE, executive vice president at vkeenan@iafp.com  or via mail to the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians 4756 Main St. Lisle, IL 60532.

Late resolutions may be submitted in writing after October 17 or on site December 6. In the case of a late resolution, three-quarters of the voting members present at the All-Member Assembly must vote in favor of consideration of any late resolution. 

All resolutions requiring the expenditure of funds must be accompanied by a fiscal note in order to be considered. Learn more about writing resolutions at http://www.iafp.com/calendar/elections.htm  

**CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR IAFP BOARD POSITIONS
Members are invited to self-nominate for IAFP Board of Directors positions. The IAFP Leadership Development Committee, chaired by Tim J. Vega, MD of Peoria, is accepting nominations for the following positions: president-elect (this position is a three-year commitment), first vice president, second vice president, a new physician board member (all one-year terms) and three directors for a three-year term. Nominations are also accepted for AAFP delegate and alternate delegate. View a list of the current board members on the cover page of Family Physician or you can contact some of the current board members via the IAFP web site at http://www.iafp.com/about/officers.htm.  

Send your nomination letter and CV to the IAFP office at iafp@iafp.com  no later than October 17. Job descriptions are available by contacting Vince Keenan, CAE, IAFP executive vice president at vkeenan@iafp.com  or call 630-427-8002. 

IAFP News

**OCTOBER/NOVEMBER ISSUE FAMILY PHYSICIAN IS NOW ONLINE
This issue is filled with everything you need to know about the upcoming IAFP Annual Meeting. Find out NOW who will be honored with the IAFP Family Physician and Teachers of the Year Awards. Get more information about the top-notch CME programs offered at the meeting. 

Students and residents – there are several pages dedicated to your interests in this issue. Find out what’s ahead and what your fellow students and residents are thinking about these days!

Plus updates on the race for the White House, MRSA, SIDS and even more acronyms!

Link to the issue at http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/octnov08  


**JOIN US FOR THE NEXT IAFP PRESIDENTAL INAUGURATION SPECIAL EVENT
Javette C. Orgain, MD of Chicago will take the oath of office as the next IAFP president at a special IAFP event at the Harold Washington Library in downtown Chicago. AAFP past-president Warren Jones, MD will administer the Oath of Office as Dr. Orgain becomes the first African-American president of the IAFP. Join us on Tuesday, Nov. 18th at 5:30 p.m. for the ceremony and reception. To RSVP, please send an e-mail to iafp@iafp.com  or call Diana at 630-427-8003. 

** 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  


Federal Government Relations

**FORUM TO DISCUSS MCCAIN AND OBAMA HEALTH PLANS 
Would you like to hear the merits of the candidates’ health plans debated live here in Illinois? You have one final chance next week to hear about the health plans of Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama. ISMS is sponsoring this upcoming non-partisan forum featuring the U.S. presidential candidates' platforms on health care: 

CHICAGO – Thursday, Oct. 16; ISMS Headquarters, 6:30 p.m. 
State Rep. Jim Durkin will present Sen. McCain’s plan; Stephen L. Ondra, MD, will present Sen. Obama's plan. RSVP by Oct. 1 to Karen Clement at 800-782-4767 ext. 2423; or karenclement@isms.org.  

The events are open to all Illinois physicians, residents and medical students and free for ISMS members ($25 for non-members). Visit http://www.isms.org  for more details.

**NEW AAFP 2008 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN WEB SITE
(Excerpted from the Sept. 17th e-mail from Jim King, MD to AAFP Members)
As the nation’s advocate for family medicine, the AAFP has put together a website that will give you everything from the candidate’s positions on primary care issues to the latest polling data. Go to 2008 Presidential Campaign at http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/policy/federal/presidentialrace.html  and you’ll see: 
* Comparisons of the candidates’ health care proposals; 
* questions to ask at campaign events; 
* background on family medicine’s major issues; and 
* link to your state’s list of polling places. 
Other important things you can do:

1. Contribute to FamMedPAC at http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/policy/fammedpac.html?FeaturePage=/content/en/home/policy/grassroots&FeatureLocation=FeatureAds5  

2. Sign up for the AAFP Advocacy Action Team at http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/policy/grassroots.html.  

The more visible and vocal family physicians are, the better our chances for improving the health care of our patients while reforming our nation's dysfunctional health care system. 

MOST IMPORTANTLY, VOTE ON NOVEMBER 4! 

** CONGRESS PASSES KEY REAUTHORIZATIONS
Excerpted from “Reauthorization Strengthens Primary Care Infrastructure
CHCs, National Health Service Corps to See Funding Increases”
By James Arvantes, AAFP News Now-- 10/8/2008 

Congress has reauthorized two key primary care-related programs, providing each with a renewed sense of direction and focus, while laying out a plan to substantially increase the funding levels for these programs during the next five years.

In late September, Congress reauthorized the federal community health centers, or CHCs, program and the National Health Service Corps, or NHSC, for the next five years. The reauthorizations were included as part of H.R. 1343, (at the THOMAS Web site, http://thomas.loc.gov/,  type "H.R. 1343" in the search box after selecting "Bill Number") known as the Health Care Safety Net Act of 2008, which passed both chambers of Congress as of Sept. 25. President Bush, a strong proponent of CHCs, is expected to sign the legislation.


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
IAFP is offering free online CME case studies on Hypertension, Diabetes and Depression at http://www.IAFP.com/education.  
• 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  
 

**ILLINOIS PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
"Partners In Action: Improving Health Outcomes in Illinois: What Works!" 
Tuesday and Wednesday, October 14-15, 2008 at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Conference Center in Springfield, Illinois. 
LINK to conference information on the IPHI web site: http://www.iphi.nonprofitoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={DCD30877-2A91-4646-834A-F6B4C415CD38}  


**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. 

St. Louis, MO – Thursday & Friday, November 13-14, 2008 
http://www.pri-med.com/30stl08b/r12  

Chicago, IL – Tuesday & Wednesday, December 2-3, 2008 
http://www.pri-med.com/30chi08b/r12  

* 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. 


STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS


*STUDENTS -- REGISTER NOW! IAFP FALL FORUM IS OCTOBER 25 – JUST WEEKS AWAY!
IAFP’s premiere event for medical students moves downtown this year! The Fall Forum features procedure workshops, panel discussions and residency program exhibits from around the state, across the Midwest and beyond! This is your best chance to get up-close and in-depth information about family medicine and the many opportunities possible in your future. We also have some great raffle prizes, and who doesn’t need a little free stuff these days?

*Travel reimbursement funding is available for students coming in from Springfield, Carbondale, Peoria, Urbana and Rockford! Limited funds are available on a first-come first-served basis. Applicants MUST have at least one other student riding with them to qualify for mileage reimbursement. Contact Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com  to apply!

DATE: Saturday, October 25
TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
PLACE: Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine - 303 E. Superior Street in Chicago.

Online Registration http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Invitation.aspx?e=a3fa3cf4-0862-47a0-94dc-92049d07db0b  

Flyer and printable registration form is online at http://www.iafp.com/students/forumreg.htm  

**RESIDENTS - GET READY FOR THE FINAL RESIDENT ROUNDUP OF 2008
If you and your program are exhibiting at the IAFP Fall Forum on October 25 at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, than stay and join us! If you’re in the Chicago area, this great event will still leave plenty of time for your Saturday night plans. Drinks and Appetizers will be served, a perfect start to your evening. 

The event is FREE but advanced registration is REQUIRED.

DETAILS
Saturday, October 25, 2008 
4:00 to 7:00 p.m. after the IAFP Fall Forum 
The Atrium at the Lurie Building – Feinberg School of Medicine 
303 E. Superior St. in Chicago

Topics:
FP opportunities in Illinois – finding and landing that job
Starting a practice from scratch 
Opportunities through the US Armed Services
Emergency Room opportunities 

Questions: Contact Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com  or 630-427-8004

If you didn’t get your E-Vite in your inbox, you can use the registration form at 
http://www.iafp.com/residents/residentroundupchicago.htm  


Members in the News
For a copy of any IAFP news story below, please e-mail Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com.  

*2007 IAFP Family Physician of the Year finalist George Bark, MD of Paxton is the new medical director of Heritage Manor. Lacie Shanks, MD has joined OSF Medical Group Family Medicine in Bloomington. Both items were in the September 1 issue of the Bloomington Pantagraph.

*Jennifer Taylor, MD of Princeton delivered her first baby at Perry Memorial Hospital in Princeton. The article and photo appeared in the September 11 issue of the Bureau County Republican.

*The October 1 installment of “From the Doctor’s Office” in the Wall Street Journal discusses the never-ending battle that physicians wage by fax with insurance companies to get needed tests and medications approved for their patients. Surely many of you can identify with Dr. Brewer’s frustration!

NEWS YOU CAN USE

**ILLINOIS HEALTH CONNECT CLIENT OUTREACH
In order to improve the quality of care for clients and increase the rate of childhood preventive health visits, Illinois Health Connect (IHC) is contacting pediatric clients who are “due” for a well-child visit according to claims data. When an IHC client representative contacts the patient’s family, the client representative will offer to make a three-way call with the medical home to establish an appointment. The IHC team makes over 10,000 calls per week for this purpose. We want all IHC PCPs to be aware that an Illinois Health Connect client representative may be calling your office to assist clients in scheduling a well-child visit. We also want to remind physicians and other healthcare providers that HFS recommends interperiodic well-child visits in order to “catch up” on the well-child periodicity schedule or at any time the family or provider feels that a well-child visit would enhance the child’s health care. If you have any questions about this outreach or any other aspects of the IHC program, please contact the IHC Provider Relations Helpdesk at 1-877-912-1999. 

**CDC UPDATED FLU SHOT RECOMMENDATIONS
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has released updated guidelines for the upcoming 2008-09 influenza season. New this year, the Committee recommends that all children age six-months to 18 years old should be vaccinated annually. Previously, children six months to age five were recommended. Recommendations for adults have not changed. To see the full set of guidelines for both children and adults, visit: 
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5707a1.htm 


WORTH REPEATING:

**IMPORTANT UPDATES ON THE HPV VACCINE
Courtesy of the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

These materials were developed by ICAAP to address concerns in the community and among teens regarding the safety of this particular vaccine to give primary care providers accurate and up-to-date information about this matter so that they may answer questions from patients/families about these safety issues, etc.
Member alert http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/HPVMemberAlert.pdf  
Patient FAQ http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/HPVVaccinePatientFAQ.pdf  


News from AAFP 

**AAFP LIVE!! November 21, OAK BROOK 
You and your entire care team are invited to this live event to learn the latest diagnostic and treatment information you can immediately put to use in your practice.

This full day program will bring primary care physicians and others in the care team high-quality, practice-oriented live CME with:

• A fair and balanced view
• The latest diagnostic and treatment information
• Valuable information you can immediately put to use in your practice

Topics include:
- Fibromyalgia 
- Hyperlipidemia
- Immunizations
- Musculoskeletal Concerns in the Pediatric Patient
- Pain Management
- The Appropriate Use of Opioids

Up to 12.5 AAFP Prescribed Credits Approved
Up to 6.5 AMA PRA Category I Credits™

You can link to:
http://www.aafp.org/aafplive 
or
http://www.antidotecme.com/aafplive/OakBrook.aspx 

** 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 ADS
Contact Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com  to post your classified ad

**AURORA - Family Medicine residency full time faculty position available in vibrant suburban Chicago community, working with a great team of faculty and staff. Rush-Copley Residency, an unopposed program with university affiliation, seeking board-certified family physician with experience, obstetrics optional. Competitive salary, benefits.

Send CV to Carrie Nelson, MD at carrie_e_nelson@rsh.net  or 2020 Ogden Avenue, Suite 325, Aurora, IL 60504. Phone: 630-518-3635.

**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.