| wsma-2022-apple-awards-recognize-member-physicians-others-for-exemplary-service | Washington State Medical Association's 2022 Apple Awards Recognize Member Physicians, Others f | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2022/wsma-2022-apple-awards-recognize-member-physicians-others-for-exemplary-service | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>October 3, 2022</h5>
<h2>
Washington State Medical Association's 2022 Apple Awards Recognize Member Physicians, Others for Exemplary Service</h2>
<p>
SEATTLE (Oct. 3, 2022) - Six physicians, two health care organizations, and one health care executive and have been recognized by the Washington State Medical Association for extraordinary leadership, service, and contributions to medicine and patient safety. These recognitions were part of the WSMA Apple Awards program presented during the 2022 Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates, held Saturday, Oct. 1 in Spokane at the Historic Davenport.
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<p>
In a first for the Apple Awards program and a sign of the general excellence of potential candidates, not one but two WSMA members received the President's Unsung Hero Award, which recognizes the WSMA member who offers extraordinary service to the profession to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care. Receiving the award was Bindu Nayak, MD, co-founder and co-chair of the Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council at Confluence Health in Wenatchee, who was honored for work identifying and removing health inequities in the North Central Washington region. Also receiving the award was Patricia Wooden, MD, a Vancouver family medicine physician, who was honored for her efforts at PeaceHealth to support physician wellness.
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Rebecca Carlson, executive director of the Kitsap County Medical Society, received the Community Advocate Award, which recognizes a member of the community who provides extraordinary support to, and advocacy for, the house of medicine. Rebecca's contributions to her community include the establishment of a COVID-19 task force, a community vaccine center in Kitsap County, a burn prevention and burn victim program that was active for 10 years, a countywide drowning prevention program, and a holiday gift program for foster children.
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Bridget Bush, MD, Anacortes anesthesiologist with Island Health, received the Early Career Member of the Year Award, which recognizes a WSMA member for their service to the association's early career members (physicians in their first 10 years of practice, resident and fellow physicians, and medical students). Her efforts within WSMA's early career sections are hallmarked by her deep passion for supporting and mentoring early career physicians, as well as her leadership of the Young Physician Section Governing Council.
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MultiCare Health System received the Wellness Award, which recognizes an organization that has worked to put the joy back in medicine for Washington physicians by supporting a culture of wellness, efficiency of practice, or personal resilience. MultiCare Health System was honored for its implementation of a systemwide wellness program inspired by the Stanford Model for Professional Fulfillment, and a demonstration of its commitment through the creation of a medical director role for clinician wellness. Serving in that role is WSMA member Tammie Chang, MD, who accepted the award on behalf of the health system.
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<p>
Three WSMA members received the Grassroots Advocate Award, which recognizes advocacy efforts and activities that support WSMA legislative priorities. They include: Reilly Bealer, fourth-year student at Washington State University's Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine in Spokane, for her direct advocacy during the state legislative session and within the WSMA House of Delegates; Christopher Herndon, MD, Seattle OB-GYN with UW Medicine, for his advocacy supporting access to fertility care and his commitment to reproductive health; and Erik Penner, MD, emergency medicine physician with Olympia Emergency Services, for his leadership on state and federal balance billing legislation.
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Washington Permanente Medical Group received the William O. Robertson, MD, Patient Safety Award. Named after WSMA past-president and patient safety champion William O. Robertson, MD, the award celebrates innovative patient safety initiatives in the ambulatory care setting. Washington Permanente Medical Group was honored for its efforts on improving the processes surrounding incidental imaging findings, which can pose serious safety risks and delays in care when not communicated to patients or followed up on appropriately. Their efforts have reduced delayed diagnoses, thus enabling earlier interventions when care is more effective and less invasive or toxic.
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"These individuals and organizations have distinguished themselves by these extraordinary displays of passion, engagement, and commitment that are the hallmarks of good medicine and public service," said WSMA's outgoing 2021 president, Mika Sinanan, MD, PhD, who presented the awards during the association's meeting. "We are grateful for the gifts of their time, their leadership, and their dedication to the health and welfare of Washingtonians."
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<p>
For more information, contact:
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<p>
Graham Short<br />
WSMA Director of Communications<br />
206.329.6851 (cell/text)<br />
<a href="mailto:gfs@wsma.org">gfs@wsma.org</a>
</p>
<h3>About the WSMA</h3>
<p>
The Washington State Medical Association represents more than 12,000 physicians, physician assistants, resident physicians, and medical students in Washington state. The WSMA has advocated on behalf of the house of medicine more than 125 years. Our vision is to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care.
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</div> | 10/3/2022 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| yakima-osteopathic-family-physician-named-president-of-washington-state-medical-association | Yakima Osteopathic Family Physician Named President of Washington State Medical Association | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Press_Release/2022/yakima-osteopathic-family-physician-named-president-of-washington-state-medical-association | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>October 3, 2022</h5>
<h2>Yakima Osteopathic Family Physician Named President of Washington State Medical Association</h2>
<p>
SEATTLE (Oct. 3, 2022) -Yakima osteopathic family physician, Katina Rue, DO, was named president of the Washington State Medical Association at its annual House of Delegates meeting on Sunday, Oct. 2. The WSMA represents more than 12,000 physicians, physician assistants, resident physicians, and medical students throughout Washington state.
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Dr. Rue is the program director of the Trios Health Family Medicine Residency Program in Kennewick. She is the first Latina and the first osteopathic physician to hold the top office at the WSMA. Like physicians with a doctor of medicine (MD) degree, physicians with a doctor of osteopathy (DO) degree are qualified to perform medical examinations and procedures and are required to undergo similar amounts of education and training. Osteopathic medicine differs from traditional (allopathic) medicine by its integration of some musculoskeletal therapies to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury. Their holistic approach to medical care also involves integration of the mind, body, and spirit.
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Dr. Rue received her undergraduate degree in 1999 at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana, followed by a doctor of osteopathy in 2004 from University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine, now called Kansas City University, in Kansas City, Missouri. She completed an osteopathic family medicine residency in 2007 at the Medical Center of Independence, which was affiliated with Kansas City University, in Independence, Missouri.
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Dr. Rue returned to her home state of Washington after residency, serving the Yakima and Central Valley communities as a practicing family physician for nearly a decade and pursing executive and clinical leadership roles in academia and residency training programs. Academic appointments include clinical instructor positions with the Pacific Northwest University College of Osteopathic Medicine, the University of Washington School of Medicine, and the Washington State University Elson S. Floyd School of Medicine, amongst others. Dr. Rue served as faculty and associate program director at the Central Washington Family Medicine Residency in Yakima prior to her role as program director at Trios Health.
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Dr. Rue's involvement in organized medicine is extensive, including membership in the Washington Academy of Family Physicians, Washington Osteopathic Medical Association, Yakima County Medical Society, American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, and American Academy of Family Physicians. In addition to her leadership service at the WSMA, which includes six years on the executive committee and service on various other association committees, Dr. Rue served as the president of the Yakima County Medical Society from 2014-2016 and 2020-2022, serves on several Washington Osteopathic Medical Association committees, serves on the nominating and bylaws committees of the Washington Academy of Family Physicians and is an alternate delegate to the American Academy of Family Physicians, and is past-president of the Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation, among other roles.
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The following physicians were also elected as officers at the meeting: Nariman Heshmati, MD, Mukilteo OB-GYN, president-elect; John Bramhall, MD, PhD, Seattle anesthesiologist, vice president; and Bridget Bush, MD, Anacortes anesthesiologist, secretary-treasurer. The fifth officer of WSMA's executive committee is Past-President Mika Sinanan, MD, PhD, Hoodsport surgeon, who will serve as committee chair.
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WSMA members newly elected to the association's board of trustees include Naomi Busch, MD, Seattle family physician; Ingrid Gerbino, MD, Lynnwood internal medicine physician; Bindu Nayak, MD, Wenatchee endocrinologist; Christine Pizzute, MD, gastroenterologist; Camille Puronen, MD, Seattle oncologist; and Yasmin Shayesteh, MD, Everett ophthalmologist. WSMA member Rachel Clement, MD, Wenatchee anesthesiologist, was elected to serve on the board as an AMA alternate delegate. Teresa Girolami, MD, Redmond internal medicine physician, who had been serving on the board as a trustee, was newly elected as an AMA alternate delegate. Visit the WSMA website for a <a href="[@]wsma/about_us/leadership/board_of_trustees/wsma/about/leadership/board_of_trustees/board_of_trustees.aspx?hkey=0abc484b-c165-4fb1-90b5-1f72370b18d2">full roster of WSMA board of trustees members</a>.
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<p>
Download a high-resolution portrait of <a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Press Room/rue-katina.jpg]">WSMA President Katina Rue, DO</a>.</p>
<p>
For more information, contact:
</p>
<p>
Graham Short<br />
WSMA Director of Communications<br />
206.329.6851 (cell/text)<br />
<a href="mailto:gfs@wsma.org">gfs@wsma.org</a>
</p>
<h3>About the WSMA</h3>
<p>
The Washington State Medical Association represents more than 12,000 physicians, physician assistants, resident physicians, and medical students in Washington state. The WSMA has advocated on behalf of the house of medicine more than 125 years. Our vision is to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care.
</p>
</div> | 10/3/2022 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| weekly-rounds-september-30-2022-words-matter-when-seeking-clarity-in-communications | Weekly Rounds: September 30, 2022 - Words Matter When Seeking Clarity in Communications | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Weekly_Rounds/2022/weekly-rounds-september-30-2022-words-matter-when-seeking-clarity-in-communications | <div class="col-md-12">
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<h5>September 30, 2022</h5>
<h2>
Words Matter When Seeking Clarity in Communications
</h2>
<p>Jennifer Hanscom, CEO</p>
<p>
Accuracy in communication is something we all strive toward but may occasionally fail at achieving. That could be due to how the information is delivered or how it's received. I'm sure, like me, you've had conversations that went along the lines of: "That's not what I meant." And the corresponding reply: "Well, that's what I heard."
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Words matter. And for physicians, the word "provider" has been vexing for some time, and now seems to be gaining an ever-expanding foothold in health care communications. How many of you have been referred to lately as "Provider Smith" rather than "Dr. Smith"?
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I realize the growing use of the term is being used as shorthand within health care to encompass various types of medical professionals and facilities with just one simple word. But nothing in health care is simple, including lumping all medical professionals and institutions into a singular term that obscures the qualifications and training levels for the people providing care. In some ways, the simplicity of that term is disrespectful of the long years and effort invested by those who are physicians.
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<p>
At the WSMA, we believe using the term "provider" can lead to misunderstanding and potentially misguided decisions by patients and medical professionals. As per WSMA policy passed and recently reaffirmed by the WSMA House of Delegates-representing most physicians, specialties, and county medical societies in Washington state-the <a href="[@]WSMA/About/Policies/Whats_Our_Policy/Physician_Practice/Providers_Use_Of_The_Term.aspx?_zs=B3aFd1&amp;_zl=lFac8">WSMA does not use the term "provider" to describe a physician</a>. Additionally, as the result of <a href="[@]WSMA/About/Policies/Whats_Our_Policy/Physician_Practice/refer_to_all_medical_professionals_by_their_titles.aspx?_zs=B3aFd1&amp;_zl=nFac8">policy adopted by the WSMA House of Delegates in 2021</a>, the WSMA is highlighting concerns related to inappropriately using one title, such as "provider," to group all medical professionals together.
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We are not alone in this preference. The American Medical Association has taken <a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2019-04/a19-bot09.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">strong</a> <a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2019-06/a19-refcomm-b-annotated.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2b8GpnXi1V3E85BhNssnUC9Y5J5ONwHcS2ZtGdnAWVmGkhfrYKpP4zGO4">positions</a> against this broad usage of "provider," and multiple national medical organizations, including the <a href="https://www.aafp.org/about/policies/all/provider.html">American Academy of Family Physicians</a>, <a href="https://www.aaem.org/resources/statements/position/term-provider?fbclid=IwAR34WQLN2MUcqaZz4z_LVO5xmhwp2XNrVqUH36zvEXrkjm0HkwBfLN1LtSU">American Academy of Emergency Medicine</a>, and <a href="https://acpinternist.org/archives/2019/09/defining-our-identity-does-not-include-the-p-word.htm?fbclid=IwAR3FzAdIhjL0l2M9vV2O1EKvlH2Sv6g47G9eOm2slFlb0xlNLeByj9x5OhI">American College of Physicians</a>, all have position papers stating their opposition to the use of the term "provider."
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<p>
For clarity and to avoid confusion among licensed health care professions, the WSMA will specify individual professions: e.g., physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. Similarly, when "provider" is used to denote health care organizations, for clarity and to avoid confusion, the WSMA will specify organization types: e.g., hospitals, health care systems, and medical practices.
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We urge all organizations (including governmental entities) that utilize the term "provider" to instead describe physicians and practitioners by their proper professional titles as per the guidance above.
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<p>
We hope you will join us in this effort and urge your medical group or practice to do the same. <a href="[@]educationmatters?_zs=B3aFd1&amp;_zl=5Gac8">Click here</a> to find more information and detailed guidance to help the public and industry partners better understand the education and training of physicians-the most highly skilled and trained of the health professions-and to explore the problematic issues with the term "provider."
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<p>
This may seem a small or benign concern, but we believe that clarity and transparency in communication can avoid confusion and avert potentially harmful errors. We hope you'll join us in this effort.
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</div> | 9/30/2022 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |