| weekly_rounds_august_19_2019_five_things_to_know_while_sending_your_kids_back_to_school | Weekly Rounds: August 19, 2019 - Five Things to Know While Sending Your Kids Back to School | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Weekly_Rounds/2019/weekly_rounds_august_19_2019_five_things_to_know_while_sending_your_kids_back_to_school | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>August 19, 2019</h5>
<h2>Five Things to Know While Sending Your Kids Back to School</h2>
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Jennifer Hanscom, Executive Director/CEO
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<p>
How can it already be back-to-school time? At least this year, dropping my son off for his second year of college was a bit easier, mostly because I know he has found his peeps. Isn't life better when you find your community? As comedian Amy Poehler said to Harvard's graduates earlier this year: "Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life."
</p>
<p>
That's great advice that I find to be true in my daily work leading the WSMA. Over the summer, as I traveled to various physician retreats, seeing the dedication and compassion of physicians reminded me why I'm proud - and motivated - to do this work. I'm inspired every day by what compassionate healers you are and the way you ease the suffering and improve the health of your patients.
</p>
<p>
In my mind, what you do for your patients is what the WSMA strives to do for you. We champion your professional and personal well-being. We amplify your voice where it needs to be heard. We are your safety net, protecting your professional interests as well as the collective interest of your patients. We do all that so you can focus on your calling—providing great care in our communities.
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<p>
Just as your work is never done, neither is ours. Working to protect you and your profession is our specialty!
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Here are a few toplines you need to know while hustling your kids off to school and staying cool this summer.
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<h3>Drafting policy</h3>
<p>
As a membership organization, members drive our work and our policy. Nothing highlights that more clearly than our policymaking process through the WSMA House of Delegates. Be sure to visit our online members-only reference committee forums to share your views on proposed resolutions to be discussed at this year's annual meeting on Oct. 12-13.
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<h3>Licensing delays</h3>
<p>
We've heard from several members who contacted us about state licensing delays. Rest assured, we are on top of that issue. If you or your colleagues are experiencing licensing delays, letting us know about it helps us help you. Write the WSMA policy team with any details at <a href="mailto:policy@wsma.org">policy@wsma.org</a>. Unnecessary licensing delays are a roadblock to providing the best care in the state and attracting the best docs to provide that care.
</p>
<h3>Transforming practices</h3>
<p>
Work on practice transformation and improving wellness is progressing as eight organizational physician leaders and team partners work to identify systemic interventions that have the potential to improve physician wellness, reduce burnout rates, and increase satisfaction. The cohort identified several challenges relating to process flow, such as pre-visit planning, pre-visit labs, and synchronized prescription renewal. We always appreciate having more input, so if you have workflow challenges you can share, write us at <a href="mailto:policy@wsma.org">policy@wsma.org</a>.
</p>
<h3>High fives</h3>
<p>
Here's a shout out to Rep. Suzan Delbene (D-WA) who helped introduce legislation that would help protect patients from unnecessary delays in care by standardizing prior authorization under the Medicare Advantage program. If passed, it would address several pain points experienced by physicians participating in the program and could be used as a model by other plans. Read more in last week's Membership Memo.
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<h3>Hitting the road</h3>
<p>
I know I mentioned this recently, but I'm highlighting it again because I really hope I'll see you. If you're in Spokane, Vancouver, or Bellingham, please be sure to join us when our WSMA Road Trip comes to town. We've heard from you that you want more face time with us to share what's on your mind, so this is your chance. Click these links (<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wsma-road-trip-to-spokane-registration-64261748620?utm_term=eventname_text">Spokane</a>, <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wsma-road-trip-to-vancouver-registration-64379109650">Vancouver</a>, <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wsma-road-trip-to-bellingham-registration-64988291730?utm_term=eventname_text">Bellingham</a>) and confirm that you're coming!
</p>
<p>
Thanks for reading and for your support of the WSMA. We're stronger together!
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</div> | 8/19/2019 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| register_for_wsma_effective_board_governance_course | Register for WSMA Effective Board Governance Course | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190814/register_for_wsma_effective_board_governance_course | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>
August 14, 2019
</h5>
<h2>Register for WSMA Effective Board Governance Course</h2>
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Physicians are increasingly being asked to serve on the board of their clinic, medical group, or integrated system. To be an effective board member, it's important to understand the difference between a constituency-based board and a representative board, what's expected of you in terms of fiduciary responsibility, who you are expected to represent and how to be effective in communicating as a board member. Learn how to be an effective board member with the WSMA Effective Board Governance Course, which provides in-depth education about governance and will help physicians bring a powerful voice and perspective to any board. This half-day training, for WSMA members only, takes place from 1-5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11 in Seattle, immediately preceding the 2019 WSMA Annual Meeting. <a href="https://wsma.org/WSMA/Resources/Physician_Leadership/Effective_Board_Governance/WSMA/Resources/Physician_Leadership/Effective_Board_Governance/Effective_Board_Governance.aspx?hkey=cc39ba1a-3687-4a68-9b3a-bd9a9ecdf53f">Learn more about the WSMA Effective Board Governance Course and register today to reserve your spot</a> (space is limited). This activity has been approved for <em>AMA PRA Category 1 Creditâ„¢</em>.
</p>
</div> | 8/14/2019 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| webinar_on_washingtons_new_immunization_law_now_available_on_demand | Webinar on Washington's New Immunization Law Now Available on Demand | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/20190814/webinar_on_washingtons_new_immunization_law_now_available_on_demand | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>
August 14, 2019
</h5>
<h2>Webinar on Washington's New Immunization Law Now Available on Demand</h2>
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House Bill 1638, WSMA-backed legislation eliminating the personal and philosophical exemption for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, is in effect. If you have questions about the exemption policy and the new immunization law, a recent webinar hosted by the Department of Health and Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatricians covering commonly asked questions about the new law is now available for viewing on demand. Click <a href="https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/8310365469282655235">here</a> to view the recording. Visit the <a href="https://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/Schools/Immunization">DOH website</a> for more information from the state on school and child care immunization requirements.
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</div> | 8/14/2019 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |