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MMS News & Announcements
MMS Argues Against Physician-Assisted Suicide at Hospital Forum
In advance of the high-profile Nov. 6 state referendum on physician-assisted suicide, MMS President Richard Aghababian, M.D., was a speaker this week at rounds for Brigham and Women's Hospital Center for Bioethics. Former New England Journal of Medicine editor Marcia Angell, MD, presented arguments in favor of the proposal.
MMS and AG Sponsor Data Privacy Protection Physician Training
This week, the MMS and Attorney General Martha Coakley jointly sponsored a training session for physicians this week on data privacy. This event was the first in a series of trainings focused on health care entities, and included remarks by Christie Hager, Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, along with other state, federal and private sector practitioners. Download the session's presentations in .pdf format.
MMS Testifies Before Division of Insurance on Risk Bearing Provider Group Certification
The MMS this week offered additional testimony to the Division of Insurance on level of risk which provider groups may take on and still not reach a threshold which makes full certification necessary. As we noted in our initial testimony last month, there are many diverse models of payment and care delivery in Massachusetts. Our discussions with a wide range of provider groups, both large and small, have reinforced that perception. Risk models vary with some groups surviving on models which include full risk and others unwilling to go beyond 20% total risk. Read more on this week's testimony before the DOI here.
2012 Interim Meeting Event Spotlight: Ethics Forum
The 2012 MMS Interim Meeting of the House of Delegates will be held on Fri., Nov. 30 at MMS headquarters and Sat., Dec. 1 at the Westin Waltham Hotel. This year's Ethics Forum will explore the relationship of cost considerations by physicians and the impact and implications these choices have on patient trust and overall care. Martin Samuels, M.D., professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School and James Sabin, M.D., director of the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Ethics Program, will speak on this topic.
For more information on 2012 Interim Meeting events and to register, visit www.massmed.org/interim2012.
IMGs: From Graduate Training to Green Cards
The MMS International Medical Graduate Section will host "IMGs: From Graduate Training to Green Cards" on Thursday, November 8, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at MMS headquarters.
The program will feature immigration attorneys, Roy Watson, Esq., and Greg Siskind, Esq., who will address issues such as:
- Screening Job Opportunities
- Navigating the H-1B Quota
- J-1 Waivers: Conrad and other federal waiver options involving shortage areas and other types of waivers
- Green Card Options - The End Game
For details and to register, visit www.massmed.org/IMG2012
November Physician Focus TV: Youth Substance Abuse: Treatment
The November edition of Physician Focus continues a discussion on youth substance abuse begun in the program's July episode. The guest is Sharon Levy, M.D., M.P.H., Director of the Adolescent Substance Abuse Program at Boston Children's Hospital. The show is hosted by Mavis Jaworski, M.D., a primary care physician in Beverly, Mass. Watch the program online here, or check the listings of your local public access television stations for airtimes. Physician Focus episodes are also available for download on iTunes.
MMS Annual Awards Nomination Deadline: December 10
Nomination applications for the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award, Special Award for Excellence in Medical Service, Award for Distinguished Service to the Massachusetts Medical Society, Grant V. Rodkey, M.D., Award, Henry Ingersoll Bowditch Award for Excellence in Public Health, and the Committee on History Essay Award must be received by December 10. Download a nomination application.
Education Programs & Events
Live CME Activities
Managing Workplace Conflict
Thursday, November 1, 2012, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Friday, November 2, 2012, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Learning from Our Errors - The Road to Safety
Thursday, November 1, 2012, 6:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Directors of Medical Education Conference
Thursday, November 8, 2012, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information, call (800) 322-2301 ext. 7306.
MSCO 2012 Annual Meeting: Burkitt's Lymphoma: From Uganda to the U.S.; a Personal Journey
Thursday, November 8, 2012, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Physician Contracting Basics WEBINAR
Friday, November 16, 2012, noon to 1:00 p.m.
The above activities have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Online CME Activities
* Also available in print. Call (800) 322-2303, ext. 7306.
For additional risk management online CME activities, visitwww.massmed.org/cme.
Contact us at MMSContinuingEducation@mms.org
This Week in Health Care
CDC Urges Close Monitoring of Asymptomatic Patients Who Received Contaminated Steroids
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week told clinicians that they should "closely monitor" asymptomatic patients who received injections of contaminated steroid products from New England Compounding Center. Officials say there is still no evidence that any of the contaminated lots were distributed to any Massachusetts facility, and there have been no illnesses in Massachusetts from the contaminated lots. Read more about the CDCs recommendations and medication lot numbers.
Related news
Partners, Harvard Pilgrim Reach New Four-Year Contract Limiting Annual Increases
Partners HealthCare System has struck a new four-year contract with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care that puts Partners' large hospitals and doctors practices on budgets and limiting future reimbursement increases.
South Shore Hospital Keeps CEO, Control Budget in Merger
South Shore Hospital would keep its current president and CEO and control of its budget if acquired by Partners HealthCare.
Pediatric Specialist to Take Over Mass. DPH
The Patrick administration has tapped Dr. Lauren Smith, medical director of the state Department of Public Health, to take over as interim commissioner of the agency.
New CEO of Northern Berkshire Healthcare Says Safety is Top Priority
Berkshire Healthcare's new CEO and President Timothy "Tim" Jones is already in the midst of a 90-day internal operations assessment.
Concussions Bring More Scrutiny in Youth Football
Coaches and parents said they were aghast at the number of injuries in the September game and the failure of adults to intervene on the children's behalf during the 52-0 mismatch. Earlier coverage: One Pop Warner Game Results in Five Concussions.
