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January 2024 E News

Pertinent Information

2024 HCMA Membership renewals were due January 1st.

Your HCMA membership renews on the first of each year. Check your membership status by logging into your account at HCMA.net. You can pay your dues securely online, or by calling the HCMA at 813.253.0471, or by mailing your payment to HCMA, 3001 W. Azeele Street, Tampa, FL 33609.

HCMA Membership Dinner

Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 6:15pm

Westshore Grand Hotel

Dr. Joseph Dituri, our guest speaker, broke the world record for the longest time spent living in a fixed underwater habitat. Also known as “Dr. Deep Sea,” the USF professor lived underwater to study how the human body responds to long-term exposure to pressure from the underwater habitat. RSVP by clicking here! Sponsor and exhibit opportunities are available, 813.253.0471.

Is it time to retain your fingerprints?

As part of the background screening process, every physician who applies for licensure in Florida must submit a set of fingerprints to the Department of Health. The information is then stored in Florida’s Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse, and licensees must retain the stored fingerprints every five years from the date they were first submitted. Failure to meet the retention deadline will result in the information being deleted automatically, and a new set of fingerprints will have to be submitted. Read more about this requirement and how to find out whether it’s time to retain your fingerprints.

Some healthcare-related legal issues to watch in Florida next year

Health-related cases that will go before the state Supreme Court involve ballot referendums, with issues including abortion, guns, and marijuana. Read more.

New resource available: Confusion Assessment Method (CAM©) Video Tutorial

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a video tutorial to assist providers with guidance application and assessment strategies for C1310. Signs and Symptoms of Delirium taken from the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM©). This video tutorial is approximately 14 minutes in length and is designed to provide targeted guidance for accurate coding using a live-action patient/resident scenario. To access the video, click on the following link: CAM Video Tutorial.

An invitation to serve...

HCMA President, Dr. Michael Cromer, invites members to consider being placed, as a candidate, on the 2024 HCMA ballot. You must be a member in the ACTIVE, AFFILIATE, or LIFE membership categories and your 2024 HCMA membership dues must be paid in full.

Open seats include:

· Vice President - 1 year term

· Treasurer - 1 year term

· Secretary - 1 year term

· District and At Large seats on the Executive Council - 3 year terms

· HILLPAC Board member - 2 year term beginning January 1, 2025 (HILLPAC dues must be paid)

· Delegate to the FMA - 3 year term (FMA dues must be paid)

Nominations to specific seats will be determined by the Nominating Committee members on February 6th. However, if you have a preference to serve in a certain capacity, please indicate such when submitting your request. Click here to submit your name for nomination no later than January 30th.

Another Benefit of HCMA Membership

According to the Board of Medicine list downloaded on December 12th, there are 5,363 physicians in Hillsborough County. Of those physicians, 1,867 had not renewed their medical license which is due to expire on January 31st. 281 of those physicians are HCMA members. Each one of those members was sent a reminder via email if an email address was available. VERY IMPORTANT: Please check your information on the Board of Medicine. If you do not have updated contact information, you will not receive important information regarding your license from the Board. Many times physicians list a practice manager's email, but when that person is no longer there, the physician risks not receiving crucial messages.

Tampa Bay Street Medicine - Wish List

Tampa Bay Street Medicine, a USF Health student-led organization dedicated to bringing healthcare to Tampa’s unsheltered population, is holding a donation drive via an Amazon Wishlist. Please view their list via THIS LINK and consider making a donation. If you have any questions, please contact Emily Heideman, MD Candidate ‘24, Morsani College of Medicine, eheideman@usf.edu.

Tampa General Hospital completes purchase of Bravera properties to form ‘TGH North’

The new division extends TGH’s footprint into Citrus and Hernando counties. It includes three hospitals, an ER, two surgery centers, and 10 clinics. Read more.

PHYSICIANS NEEDED to conduct guardianship evaluations for the Court in Hillsborough County

Applications are currently being sought from licensed Florida physicians to serve as members of the 13th Judicial Circuit’s Guardianship Examining Committee. The work product of the Examining Committee is an essential consideration of the Guardianship Court, before declaring a person to be legally incapacitated, in whole or in part, and before removing any of that person’s rights and, potentially, delegating some of those rights to a legal guardian. Physicians are required to complete the evaluation and file a written report to the Court, for which they are paid a $350 or $500 flat fee, depending on the circumstances of the case.

A completed application must be submitted for consideration, along with a résumé reflecting relevant experience. Applicants must also be cleared through a court-conducted criminal records check. A one-time initial training is required to be completed within four months of appointment and is available in this Circuit via online video training. After that, members of the Committee must simply demonstrate 2 hours of relevant continuing education training that will enhance their ability to conduct the evaluations.

For more information about this Examining Committee work and/or to request an application, please contact the Court’s Elder Justice Center by email at elder@fljud13.org or by calling (813) 276-2726. Thank you for your consideration regarding this important community service.

Recognizing group practices with 100% HCMA membership

HCMA recognizes the following practices for their dedication to strengthening the voice of medicine in the Tampa Bay area. Thank you for your continued support!

10-25 Physicians

· Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute - Brandon

· Women's Care - West Tampa

26-50 Physicians

· Florida E.N.T. & Allergy

· Ruffolo, Hooper & Associates, MD, PA

· The Woman's Group

Over 50 Physicians

· Excelis Medical Associates

· Florida Orthopaedic Institute

HCMA Government Affairs Committee

The HCMA's Government Affairs Committee (GAC) is gearing up for another busy legislative season.

· The GAC, in conjunction with the FMA, has compiled a list of 2024 Legislative Priorities, that will be presented to our legislators locally, through our Key Contact program, and in Tallahassee.

· The GAC is coordinating a contingency of members to visit Tallahassee on February 20th, during the 2024 Legislative Session. This one-day event includes a meeting with FMA legislative experts followed by scheduled appointments with legislators and/or their administrative staff. Members often arrive in Tallahassee the evening prior to the scheduled day at the Capitol. If you are interested in joining the GAC contingency in their visit to Tallahassee, contact Elke Lubin or call the HCMA office: 813.253.0471.

· If you are interested in serving as "Doctor of the Day" any time during the 2024 Legislative Session (January 9 - March 8), download this information packet which includes the DOD application. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Legislative Services directly: Kelly Welborn, (850) 717-0301, welborn.kelly@leg.state.fl.us.

Physician Salaries: How Does Yours Compare?

Are you satisfied with your income? How does your salary compare to your peers'? The new 2023 Medscape Physician Compensation Report delivers the latest data. Click here.

Is there a doctor in the house?

An ED nurse crosses a busy freeway to save a life. Read her story. Are you a medical professional with a dramatic story outside the clinic? Medscape would love to consider your story for Is There a Doctor in the House? Please email your contact information and a short summary to access@webmd.net.

From the Board of Medicine

Check your medical license - if you are in GROUP 1, your medical license will expire in LESS THAN ONE MONTH. Renew by clicking HERE.

Medical Doctors

Group 1 – current license will expire at midnight, ET, January 31 of each even year.

Group 2 – current license will expire at midnight, ET, January 31 of each odd year.

Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine

Current licenses expire at midnight, Eastern Time, on March 31, 2024.

The Florida Board of Medicine and the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine are responsible for setting the CME required for licensure and re-licensure in Florida. Each Board specifies a certain number of hours, including some mandatory topics, that must be completed within each two-year licensure term.

2024 Allopathic Medical License Renewal Guide

Updated for 2024 and exclusively for members, the FMA’s new Allopathic Medical License Renewal Guide is now available. If your Florida medical license is due for renewal by Jan. 31, 2024, download this printable resource designed to help you meet your deadline, identify possible exemptions and CME benefits, and choose the best option for reporting your CME credits to CE Broker.

CE Broker

The HCMA has formed a partnership with CE Broker, the official continuing education tracking system. HCMA members receive a discount when subscribing to a CE Broker account. Subscriptions renew annually and offer a user-friendly system that helps you sort through complex CE requirements. Contact Elke Lubin at 813-253-0471 or click here to receive the promotion code. Go to CEBroker.com and subscribe or set up a 7-Day Free Trial Account. Use the HCMA promotion code to apply your discount.

Physician Wellness

The HCMA Foundation Physician Wellness Program (PWP) provides a safe harbor for members to address life difficulties, challenges, and increased stress through counseling and coaching services, up to six sessions in twelve months. This complimentary and completely confidential benefit is available for all members, regardless of membership category.

A New PWP Provider for Coaching

Beginning January 2nd, Dr. Irma Campos will offer coaching services as a provider of the PWP. She is a Leadership Consultant and Coach and President of Latinas Leading, LLC. She provides coaching to high-performing and culturally diverse leaders and organizations. With over 13 years of professional experience, Dr. Campos utilizes evidence-based leadership, psychological, and personal development approaches to work with clients seeking to enhance their leadership skills and well-being. Dr. Campos has acquired specialized experience collaborating with women and culturally/racially diverse professionals, striving to honor their self-determined lived experiences, strengths, and barriers.

Dr. Campos offers in-person and telehealth services. She will reply to email or phone messages within 24 hours: https://icpstampa.com/contact/ or (813) 421-2375. Her office is located at 3825 Henderson Blvd, #505B, Tampa, 33629.

Personal News

Smile - you are on national TV!

HCMA Past President, Dr. Eva Crooke, and her husband, Jace, who met in Tallahassee, attended the FSU/Louisville game on December 2nd where Florida State dominated and won 16-6, capping a 13-0 season and winning the Atlantic Coast Conference. On the following Sunday, the College Football Playoff Selection Committee left them in the locker room without a playoff slot. An undefeated Power 5 champion, now, a first-ever such champion left out of the playoffs, as ESPN noted, ostensibly because FSU starting quarterback Travis Jordan suffered a season-ending injury, according to Boo Corrigan, chair of the selection committee.

New Members

Active Members

Parul Aneja, MD

Infectious Disease

Infectious Disease Consultants of West Florida

4710 N. Habana Ave., #200

Tampa, 33614

813.450.3457

Amanda Dailey, MD

Family Medicine

WellMed - Apollo Beach

415 Apollo Beach Blvd.

Apollo Beach, 33572

813.645.8494

Lazau Fougere, MD

Family Medicine

WellMed at New Tampa

15320 Amberly Dr., Ste. A

Tampa, 33647

813.977.2090

Affiliate Members

Kalyani Meduri, MD

Gastroenterology

AdventHealth Medical Group

30115 State Road 52, #101

San Antonio, 33576

813.467.4244

R. Brian Williams, DO

Orthopaedic Surgery

Hands-On Orthopedics and Injury Center

1661 Davenport Dr.

Trinity, 34655

813.945.2663

Joining the HCMA is easy!

Do you have a nonmember colleague? Share this edition of Enews, direct them to our website, or scan the QR code to learn more about the HCMA and all of the benefits we offer!

Spotlight on Savings

Trenam Law – complimentary phone consultation for up to one hour. Trenam’s healthcare practice is multi-disciplinary, focusing on the many needs of physicians and medical practices including compliance and licensure advice, assistance in transactions such as employment and contractor agreements, business formations, practice sales, and litigation. Trenam also helps physicians outside of its healthcare practice in areas such as tax, estate planning, real estate, and trademarks. Please contact Erin Smith Aebel for more information.

Classified Ads

For information on how to place a classified ad in Enews, contact Elke Lubin at the HCMA or complete and return this form.

The Bulletin

Click here to review the most recent issue of The Bulletin along with previous issues.

If you or anyone you know is interested in advertising in The Bulletin, or marketing their services to HCMA members, more information can be found in the HCMA Marketing packet.

UPCOMING EVENTS

USF Medical Student Mixer

Wednesday, January 3, 2024 (PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE)

GreenWise Pours, Channelside Drive

USF medical students are invited to attend an annual mixer co-sponsored by the HCMA and the AMA. For more information, contact Alexandra Mazur, USF Morsani College of Medicine MD Class of 2025.

HCMA Membership Dinner

Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 6:15pm

Westshore Grand Hotel

Dr. Joseph Dituri, our guest speaker, broke the world record for the longest time spent living in a fixed underwater habitat. Also known as “Dr. Deep Sea,” the USF professor lived underwater to study how the human body responds to long-term exposure to pressure from the underwater habitat. RSVP by clicking here! Sponsor and exhibit opportunities are available, 813.253.0471.

26th HCMA Foundation's Charity Golf Classic

Thursday, April 4, 2024, Call to carts: 1:15pm

Tournament Players Club - Tampa

Sponsorship opportunities are available and golfer registration is now open. Click here for all of the info!

Sponsors as of today... we'd love to add you to the list of supporters!

TITLE SPONSORS

Excelis Medical Associates

WINNER SPONSORS

USF Health

USF Morsani College of Medicine

CHAMPION SPONSORS

TGH Imaging Powered by Tower