E-news for Sept. 7, 2007

IAFP News

** AN EASY WAY TO SPEAK UP! TAKE THE IAFP MEMBER SURVEY
We're not “monkey-ing” around - we need to hear from you! 
Using the quick and easy "Survey Monkey" link below, all IAFP members are invited and encouraged to complete our bi-annual member survey. 

The survey only takes about five minutes to complete and will give your board and officers the information they need to represent YOU across the spectrum. 

To paraphrase a popular political quote from a few years ago: "We know what we know and we know what we don't know. But we also don't know what we don't know." 

So please tell us what we need to know and complete the IAFP member survey today!

Access the survey online at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=wvpir5zuzmGRHtyrRFuyqw_3d_3d 

**IAFP ANNOUNCES SLATE OF CANDIDATES FOR 2007 BOARD AND OFFICER ELECTIONS
The IAFP Leadership Development Task Force has announced its slate of candidates for the 2007 IAFP Elections, which will be held Wednesday October 3rd at the IAFP All Member Assembly at the Marriott Chicago Downtown starting at 8:00pm. All IAFP active members in good standing are eligible to vote. 

The slate of candidates:

President-Elect: Javette Orgain, MD of Chicago
First Vice President: Patrick Tranmer, MD of Oak Park
Second Vice President: David Hagan, MD of Gibson City

Class of 2010 board members
Tina Brueschke, MD of Elburn
Dennon Davis, MD of West Frankfort
Kathryn Stewart, MD of Oak Park

Delegate to AAFP
Tim Vega, MD of Peoria

Alternate Delegate to AAFP
Michael Temporal, MD of Belleville

**REGISTER NOW FOR THESE IMPORTANT IAFP EVENTS:

View the IAFP Brochure at http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/annualmtg.pdf  

*Oct. 3: IAFP All-Member Assembly/Town Hall Meeting
Marriott Chicago Downtown – 540 N. Michigan Avenue
8:00 p.m.
Join us as the new officers and board members are installed and discuss where Illinois family medicine needs to focus its efforts in the coming year. 

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR THIS EVENT
Go to
http://guest.cvent.com/i.aspx?4W,M3,5048a4ba-d59f-488c-a685-15be742d9202 
You can register online and get an e-mail confirmation right away!

*Oct. 4: IAFP 60th Anniversary Party
Art Institute of Chicago- 111 S. Michigan – 7:00 p.m. 
This private party at one of Chicago’s finest art venues will celebrate family medicine and present honors to the Illinois Family Physician of the Year, the Teachers of the Year and more. Join us for the honors, appetizers and drinks, and then stay for the private tours of the Impressionist Gallery. 

ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE NEXT WEEK, KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR AN E-MAIL. You can register via paper registration form in the purple brochure you received in the mail or online at http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/annualmtg.pdf  

AAFP ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC ASSEMBLY IS COMING TO ILLINOIS!
Did you miss advance registration for AAFP Annual Scientific Assembly, Oct. 3-6 at McCormick Place, Chicago?

You can attend for one day or more by registering on-site at McCormick Place on these dates:

Oct. 2, 2:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Oct. 3, 7:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Oct. 4-6, 7:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

You can also register on site for ticketed events (such as hands-on procedures courses). Please note that some events may sell out. 

For more information

http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/cme/aafpcourses/conferences/assembly.html  

**THE AUGUST SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF FAMILY PHYSICIAN IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: http://www.iafp.com/pdfs/augsept07.pdf  


GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

**STATE GOVERNMENT - SPRINGFIELD UPDATE

*Session runs late, but Veto Session comes early! The saga of state government continues to confound. Although the 95th General Assembly Spring Session hasn’t even adjourned yet, the schedule for Veto Session has been released, and it’s earlier than usual this year. Lawmakers will gather to act on the governor’s vetoes October 2-4 and Oct. 10-12th. In recent years, Veto Session has occurred in November. 

*NEW LAW FOR SCHOOL PHYSICALS BEGIN IN 2008
Public Act 95-0422 (from SB 937) amends the school code and will require a school physical prior to entering 6th grade (rather than 5th). This change takes effect with the 2008-09 school year. The IAFP Public Health committee has supported this change in the required school physical schedule to coincide with immunizations required at ages 11-12.

**FEDERAL UPDATE 

*IAFP PRESIDENT MAKES SPECIAL DELIVERY FOR AAFP FamMedPAC
IAFP president Steven Knight, MD of Harrisburg welcomed his US Representative, John Shimkus, to his Primary Care Group practice on August 31. As a constituent, Dr. Knight presented a campaign contribution from the AAFP's FamMed PAC to Rep. Shimkus. For more information on FamMedPAC, please visit http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/policy/fammedpac.html?FeaturePage=/content/en/home&FeatureLocation=FeatureAds1.  You will need your AAFP ID to enter the members-only sections of the site.

See a photo from Rep. Shimkus’ visit to Primary Care Group at http://www.iafp.com/legislative/knight.htm  

*UPDATED!! RULES FOR TAMPER-RESISTANT PRESCRIPTION PADS
The new law takes effect on October 1, 2007. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services released the rules for states and providers. The Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services has just issued an updated FAQ available to download, print or save at http://www.hfs.illinois.gov/assets/090607_tamperqna.pdf  

View the IDHFS Sept. 5 provider notice at http://www.hfs.illinois.gov/assets/090507tamper.pdf  


FOUNDATION

TAR WARS PRESENTERS – ARE YOU READY TO GET GOING?

School is back in session! Current Tar Wars presenters will be getting their annual kickoff letter and information from Tar Wars Coordinator Ginnie Flynn in late September or early October. Schools will also hear from Tar Wars with their assigned presenter’s contact information. If you are ready to go and want to contact your schools from last year to schedule your presentations, please do.

DON’T FORGET TO DOWNLOAD THE NEW CURRICULUM – which is now available at the national Tar Wars website at: http://www.tarwars.org/x1886.xml  (under presentation materials in English, then click on Program Guide). You will need to enter their name, e-mail, state and zip code - in order to download the new program guide in English or Spanish. This new online tracking system (which began in May 2007) will help us track the usage and potential presenters.

NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO SIGN UP AS A TAR WARS PRESENTER - It only takes one hour to present to a group of 4th or 5th graders and it’s FUN! You can visit a local school, a scout troop, sports team, after school program – anywhere that would like to include Tar Wars in their efforts to help children stay tobacco free. 

You can link to a sign up form at http://www.iafp.com/tarwars/corporate/presentersignup.htm  or contact Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com  for more information. 

Don’t have time to present, but wan to help? Make a tax-deductible donation or donate prizes for the 2008 poster contest! You can even donate frequent flyer miles for next year’s poster contest winner. Contact Ginnie with your ideas.


CME Information:

** CME CONNECTION
IAFP launched a new electronic newsletter called “CME Connection” in June dedicated entirely to IAFP CME opportunities and products as well as CME offerings from partner organizations and more. The publication connects IAFP members with CME options that meet their needs. Those interested in listing their CME product or event should contact Kate Valentine at kvalentine@iafp.com. 

**FIND IAFP EVENTS AND OTHER CME OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILY PHYSICIANS ANY TIME AT http://www.iafp.com/calendar/  


Pri-Med CME information

Partnering with the IAFP, Pri-Med Updates offers world-class CME programs in your area. Taught by leading experts, you can earn Continuing Medical Education credits at 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
Two-day continuing medical education programs designed for Primary Care Physicians currently engaged in patient care. This program features new and emerging guidelines, therapies, and evidence- based information on multiple therapeutic areas encountered in primary care. 
• Chicago, IL-Thursday and Friday, November 1-2, 2007 http://www.pri-med.com/pmo/LiveProgramDetail.aspx?url=/pmo/30/events/30CHI07B/Conference 
• St. Louis, MO-Thursday and Friday, December 6-7, 2007 http://www.pri-med.com/pmo/LiveProgramDetail.aspx?url=/pmo/30/events/30STL07B/Conference 

*Pri-Med Updates in Women’s Health
Introducing a new one-day program designed for Obstetricians, Gynecologists and Family Physicians. By attending, you will gain a better understanding of screening techniques and management strategies that will serve the unique needs of your female patients
• Chicago, IL-Saturday, November 3, 2007 http://www.pri-med.com/pmo/LiveProgramDetail.aspx?url=/pmo/43/cities/43CHI 

*Pri-Med Online 
Pri-Med.com offers over 200 primary care focused eCME activities at no-cost in 15 key Condition Resource Centers including: ADHD, Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy, Cancer in Primary Care, Congestive Heart Failure, Diabetes, Dyslipidemia, Hypertension, Infectious Disease, 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 . 

__________________

Members in the News – If you would like a copy of any of the articles below or you have any news items to share with the IAFP membership, contact Ginnie Flynn at gflynn@iafp.com.  

*Newly installed president Steve Knight, MD of Harrisburg was interviewed by WSIL-TV after taking IAFP office. His interview was shown throughout the evening on Aug. 13. 

*Retired family physician Elizabeth Severino of Winfield was featured in the August Issue of “Catholic Explorer” for her nonprofit organization called “Frankie’s Fund”. Named for her son who was born with Down Syndrome, Frankie’s Fund provides funds to low-income families with special-needs children so they can get the care and services needed. 

*Congratulations Michael Temporal, MD – IAFP board member and treasurer who was pictured and featured in the annual edition of St. Louis Magazine’s “Top Doctors” issue in August. 

*Scott Kimber, MD of Quincy was featured in the Aug. 27 Quincy Herald-Whig as the family physician who diagnosed and helped treat a teenager suffering from body dysmorphic disorder. 

*Ben Brewer, MD of Forrest looks at the back to school issue of children and attention deficit disorders in the August 28 “From the Doctor’s Office” in the Wall Street Journal. He discusses the increase in children exhibiting focus problems in school and the debate on whether to use medication. 

* Rosemary McHugh, MD of Wheaton has been certified as one of “America’s Top Family Doctors” by the Consumers’ Research Council of America

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FOR STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS:

**STUDENTS: 

REGISTER NOW FOR THE FALL FORUM!!

Enjoy a great day of family medicine at the IAFP Foundation Fall Forum!
Date: Saturday, September 29th
Time: 9 am – 2:30 pm
Location: Oak Brook Marriott

The agenda includes many hands-on procedure workshops, a residency fair with over 30 programs and a keynote address on loan repayment! Send in your registration today. If you did not receive a brochure in the mail, contact Crishelle O’Rourke at corourke@iafp.com.  

ONLINE REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON! BE SURE TO CHECK THE IAFP WEB SITE’S STUDENT PAGE AT http://www.iafp.com/students/  

DOWNSTATE STUDENTS - IAFP Foundation has funding available to reimburse you for mileage! If you contact Ginnie Flynn by Tuesday September 11th, we may even be able to secure a hotel room for you on Friday Sept. 28th at no-cost to you. But you must register and apply for funding by TUESDAY Sept. 11. 

**RESIDENTS: 

1) REGISTER NOW: IAFP’S 3RD RESIDENT ROUNDUP IN CHICAGO
Tuesday, October 23rd from 6:00 to 8:00PM 
O”Brien’s Restaurant
1524 N. Wells Street in Chicago

Money, Money, Money!!! You won’t want to miss this valuable networking and educational opportunity on personal and professional finance issues. Previous roundups in Oak Park and Springfield drew rave reviews from Illinois family medicine residents. Our event includes dinner and a chance to talk shop with residents from throughout Chicagoland. 

Link to a printable registration form at http://www.iafp.com/residents/residentroundupoct20.htm  

2) AAFP SEEKS ENTRANTS FOR RESIDENT SCHOLARS COMPETITION
This year’s competition will focus on two categories 1) Discovery and 2) Synthesis. The application deadline has been extended to Nov. 1. Find information and an application on the AAFP web site at http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/residents/grantsawards/residentscholars.html.  

3) JOB LISTINGS AND OTHER INFO ON-LINE
Here is a place to start: http://www.iafp.com/JobListings/  

4) Link to resources for residents IAFP web site http://www.iafp.com/Residents/index.htm  

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NEWS YOU CAN USE

**NATIONAL CAMPAIGN SHOWCASES “FACES OF INFLUENZA
This American Lung Association educational initiative, Faces of Influenza, will be launched this fall to encourage influenza vaccination among high-risk groups such as the elderly and children, their contacts, the general public, and health care providers. The Faces of Influenza campaign will be also available online, where it will feature a number of interactive components. Flu vaccine season is just around the corner! 

IS YOUR PRACTICE PLANNING A FLU CLINIC THIS FALL? 
Add it to the “Flu Clinic Locator” at the Faces of Influenza Campaign Web site! 
Learn how you can upload information about your upcoming flu clinics at http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=aqKGLXOAIlH&b=3090427  
You will need to complete and submit an agreement to participate. 

Link to Faces of Influenza resources for providers at
http://www.facesofinfluenza.org/health_care_provider.php 

Link to the AAFP Immunization Resource Center: http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/clinical/immunizationres.html  


** SUPPPORT GROUP FOR STROKE PATIENTS
Monthly call-in support group for Stroke Survivors throughout Illinois!
The goal of the SSEEO Toll-Free Telephone Stroke Support Group is to build community, provide support and share information by connecting survivors, caregivers, health professionals and other stroke stakeholders. 

Upcoming Topics: The Emotional Side of Stroke
Featuring: Brian Leahy, PhD

Psychological Impact of Stroke, call at Noon on September 21
Family and Caregiver Issues in Stroke, call at Noon on October 19
Cognitive Effects of Stroke and Techniques for Remediation, call at Noon on November 30

Dr. Brian Leahy currently serves as Director of the Neuropsychology Service at the Alexian Neurosciences Institute and is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
IMPORTANT CALL-IN INFORMATION: Participation on the calls is absolutely free but advance registration is required due to limited line availability. Please contact us at 1-800-677-5481 ext. 7438 and provide the following information: First and last name(s), mailing address, e-mail address and telephone number. These conference calls are made possible through the generous sponsorship of Alexian Brothers Hospital Network.


REMINDERS WORTH REPEATING

BONUS PAYMENTS SENT TO MEDICAID PROVIDERS FOR WELL CHILD VISITS
The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has initiated a new "Well Child Visit Incentive Bonus Payment." Bonus payments to qualifying providers were sent in the past few weeks.

HFS originally announced the Incentive Bonus Payment in a provider notice dated May 19, 2006 which can be found at www.hfs.illinois.gov/assets/051906payment.pdf  The Bonus Payment acknowledges the importance of providing quality pediatric preventive services, and is intended to help increase access to such services. The summary of this Well Child Visit Incentive Bonus Payment Program is as follows:

*Providers will receive a one time annual payment of $30.00 for each qualifying child ages 0-5 years in their practice.

*Children qualify if they have had the number of well child visits recommended by the AAP. (Six visits age 0 – 12 months, three visits age 12 to 24 months, one visit each year ages 2 thru 4).

*Payments will be made at least annually. The current payment is for services provided in calendar year 2005.

** “DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS” IS COMING TO CHICAGO!

“Put Your Ideals Into Practice: Doctors Without Borders Recruitment Information Session” Thursday, September 20 – 6:00 PM Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Lurie Building – Hughes Auditorium 303 E. Superior, Chicago IL 60611

On September 20, all prospective medical aid workers are invited to a presentation and Q&A session about working in the field with Doctors Without Borders. 
Registration and more information are at http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/recruitment. 


**BRIDGING CARE PLANNER – FOR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AT YOUR PRACTICE

The Solution
Enhance your quality improvement efforts and chronic care management with the BridgingCare® Planner (BCP) patient registry. 

A registry is a practical tool that enables you to monitor patient care on a routine basis. A registry provides a systematic approach to documenting the quality of care provided. The information is organized in one place for tracking and monitoring the care of either individual patients or a group of patients over time. Through a dynamic reporting capability, a practice can identify patients due for evaluation or intervention and follow specific indicators (e.g. A1c). 

Link to more information at http://www.iafp.com/whatsnew/BCP.htm  


CLASSIFIED ADS:

CHAMPAIGN, IL--Christie Clinic is a multi-specialty group of 90 physicians that is recruiting for FP’s for its satellite offices in Danville and Rantoul. Good call schedules. No OB. The clinic is looking for highly motivated FP’s who want to work hard and be rewarded for it. Starting salary could be $190K, with lucrative bonus potential. Earnings 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  

**IAFP Members, Don’t Miss this Opportunity.
Find the perfect employee or employer with IAFP’s comprehensive online job bank at FPJobs Online. 

Candidates, find your ideal job to fit your lifestyle at http://www.iafp.com/JobListings/  
• Expand your personal and professional growth by finding the right job from the most comprehensive resource of family medicine jobs available.
• Present yourself in the most professional light possible with the state-of-the-art, customizable Resume Builder.
• Keep up-to-date records of your professional accomplishments in one highly organized format.
• Access the most coveted family medicine opportunities in the industry.
• Uncover your professional style and identify optimum work opportunities.

Recruiters, simplify and optimize the hiring process at FPJobs Online
• Improve recruitment efficiencies–skip the broad job boards and hone in on preferred candidates.
• Make the most of direct, targeted access to over 2,000 IAFP active members and hundreds of residents about to graduate.
• Screen all candidates for your specific criteria.
• Secure volume-pricing discounts with your multiple recruitment needs.

Log on to http://www.iafp.com/JobListings/  today to learn more!