March 2024 E News 

Pertinent Information

HAVE YOU PAID YOUR

2024 HCMA MEMBERSHIP DUES?

Your HCMA membership renews on the first of each year. The drop date is March 31st.  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.

Ladapo criticized over measles vaccine memo that contradicts CDC guidance

In the wake of measles cases at a Broward school, Florida's surgeon general writes that the Department of Health “is deferring to parents or guardians to make decisions about school attendance” without urging the need for MMR vaccinations. Read more.

HCMA position statement 

The HCMA strongly supports immunizations to protect our communities from highly communicable and deadly diseases. Click here to read the HCMA's position statement regarding the measles outbreak and the effectiveness of vaccinations.

Sunshine State looks to require some insurers to cover costs of skin cancer screenings

Lawmakers are poised to make it easier and cheaper for Florida residents to undergo potentially lifesaving skin cancer screenings by ensuring that all costs are covered by health insurance. Read more.

Older U.S. adults should get another COVID-19 shot, health officials recommend

The CDC said Americans 65 and older should get another dose of the updated vaccine that became available in September — if at least four months have passed since their last shot. Read more.

Make a difference

The Florida Legislature is in its final weeks of session, and bills that will affect your practice are passing now.  By supporting HCMA's political action committee, HILLPAC, you'll be supporting political candidates committed to you, your practice, and your patients. Click here to donate.

Medical education loan reimbursement update

In October, FMA leaders joined Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez at a press conference touting the Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education (FRAME) Program. The FRAME Program assists eligible healthcare practitioners, including physicians, with the repayment of medical education loans. The FMA secured an annual appropriation of nearly $6.6 million for this program during the 2022 Legislative Session, and physicians and residents received the majority of funds allocated this year. The 2024 awards cycle will open on Feb. 1st. The deadline is March 31st. Read more.

FMA Annual Meeting

The 2024 FMA Annual Meeting is being held August 2-4 in Orlando at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort.  The HCMA is allotted 30+ delegates to represent our members and communities.  If you are interested in submitting a resolution for our delegation to consider, or want to serve as an HCMA delegate to the FMA, contact Elke Lubin for details.

Plant a pinwheel garden!

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County is partnering with organizations throughout Hillsborough County to create pinwheel gardens. The blue pinwheels symbolize Child Abuse Prevention Month. In previous years, over 200 pinwheel gardens were placed throughout the county. Let's increase that number to bring even more awareness to child abuse prevention. If you have a 10x5 space at your facility to place a pinwheel garden, The Children’s Board will provide the pinwheels and a yard sign. To confirm your participation contact Timothy Bennett, CMP, DES, Children's Board Community Relations Manager, (813) 274-6899, or BennettTA@childrensboard.org. The HCMA has displayed a pinwheel garden in front of our office locations for several years.

Attention 4th year medical students planning a career in OBG

Robert Yelverton, Sr., MD Memorial Scholarship - Deadline April 1st

The HCMA Foundation USF Health/Morsani College of Medicine Robert Yelverton, Sr., MD Memorial Scholarship, established in 2023, will be presented at the May HCMA Membership Dinners to a senior USF medical student who will continue their graduate medical education in obstetrics/gynecology and is based on financial need and academic achievement. Among his many notable accomplishments, Dr. Yelverton served as HCMA President in 1997 and as a Clinical Associate Professor of Ob/Gyn at the USF Morsani College of Medicine. Click here to apply.

2024 Foundation Grant Season is open

After each Charity Golf Classic, the HCMA Foundation Board members review grant applications and choose the recipients of the year's awards.  The Board is now accepting grant applications, the deadline to submit is May 15th.  If you are familiar with a local nonprofit organization that supports the health and well-being of the members of our communities, please encourage them to apply.  Grant applications can be found on the HCMA website, by emailing Elke Lubin, or by calling the HCMA office at 813.253.0471.

Membership Directory rates have been reduced

Now accepting ads for the Annual HCMA Membership Directory, Summer 2024 Edition. The HCMA Annual Membership Directory has proven to be an excellent referral source for physicians and businesses. 2024 advertising rates have been reduced for both members and businesses. Click here to view the rate sheet and to secure your advertisement. If you have any questions, please contact Brian Bauman, E&M sales associate, at 800-572-0011 or brian.b@eandmsales.com.

HCMA Physician Family Alliance

The HCMA Physician Family Alliance is a group of physicians, spouses, partners, and family members whose aim is to promote good health and health education, to engage in charitable community endeavors, and to foster friendly relations among physicians' families and the communities in which they live. The HCMA PFA is excited to announce its new officers:  Livia Restrepo & Lauren Swoboda (Co-Presidents) and Beth Schumacher (Secretary/Treasurer). For more information about the HCMA PFA click here or email the officers.

Rental property search for incoming fellow and residents

One of the many benefits the HCMA FPA offers is a rental property match for residents and fellows who are moving to our area. If you have a rental property available for lease starting in May, June, or July, they invite you to complete the form linked below. Your property details will be included in the list, and potential tenants will reach out to you directly based on the contact information you provide. This is a courtesy service, and there are no fees involved. Please note that the HCMA FPA does not pre-screen potential tenants; this is simply a connection opportunity. Landlords, please complete this Google Form. 

Connect with us!

Follow and connect with the HCMA on social media. Tap the icons on the left and also connect with HCMA administration staff on LinkedIn:

Debbie Zorian, Executive Director and

Elke Lubin, Executive Assistant

From the Board of Medicine

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.

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. 

Help us build our resource page

The PWP webpage will now include links to articles and resources related to wellness.  If you have discovered an article, a book, a social media channel, or a resource you feel may benefit your colleagues, please send a link to Elke Lubin. We welcome you to add a testimonial to support your submission.

Medscape Physician Burnout & Depression Report 2024: 'We Have Much Work to Do'

Personal News

THERE WAS A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE...AND SENATE!

HCMA leaders met with members of the Hillsborough Legislative Delegation and their staff during a visit to Tallahassee on February 20th. Many thanks to Drs. Neil Manimala, Nam Tran, Damian Caraballo, Eva Crooke, and Christine Whitehead for representing the HCMA and our members so well! Dr. Cromer also served as "Doctor of the Day." The 2024 Florida Legislative Session ends March 8th. For more information about the HCMA and how to get involved with our Government Affairs Committee, visit HCMA.net or call 813.253.0471.

Time Marches On

March 17th marks three years since the HCMA building was sold.  The iconic building was the HCMA's home for over 45 years! The "new" 606 S. Boulevard is still under construction.

Hundreds of HCMA meetings were held at 606 S. Boulevard over the years.

Above - taken recently, under construction.

New Members

Active Member

Elizabeth Hopkins, MD

Plastic Surgery

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Specialists

2727 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., #200

Tampa, 33607

813.771.2077

Affiliate Members

Trina Espinola, MD

Otolaryngology

Bayfront Health ENT & Allergy

625 6th Ave, South

#385

St. Petersburg, 33706

727.553.7100

Traci Ryan, DO

Emergency Medicine

Emergency Physicians of St. Pete

701 6th St., South

St. Petersburg, 33701

727.553.7391

Fadi Saba, MD

Internal Medicine

Professional Health Care of Pinellas

1839 Central Ave.

St. Petersburg, 33713

727.322.1054

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

Winstar Payments - as a valued member of the Hillsborough County Medical Association, Winstar Payments will provide you a free analysis of your current merchant processing system to compare with proposed discounted fees up to 50% percent lower or 100% FREE credit card processing with our Cash Discount program. Winstar will pay $1,000 to any practice where they cannot meet or beat their current processing rates. Be sure to ask about our fully-compliant Cash Discount Program which includes a free Point-Of-Sale.

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

Financial Planning - A 2-part Interactive Webinar

Tuesday, March 19 & 26, 6:30-8pm

A great class to prepare you for the rest of the year.  Brought to you by the HCMA Benefit Provider Program and Physicians Wealth Planning.  RSVPs are required.  Include your home address when registering, course materials will be mailed to you.

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

Jensen Anderson/Brighthouse Financial

CHAMPION SPONSORS

TGH Imaging Powered by Tower

WINNER SPONSORS

BT Wealth Advisors

USF Health

USF Morsani College of Medicine

EAGLE SPONSORS

SGP Advisors

WellMed - Tampa

PAR SPONSORS

The Bank of Tampa 

Florida Pain Medicine

Healthcare Realty Group, LLC

USF Federal Credit Union

The Woman's Group

HOLE SPONSORS

Advent Health Medical Group

Ferman Motor Car Company

Michael Foley, MD, FACR

HCMA Physician Family Alliance

Carol Hodges, MD & Ed Homan, MD

Saira Khan, MD

Rivero, Gordimer & Company, CPAs

IN-KIND CONTRIBUTORS

Dr. David & Elke Lubin

Dr. Bruce & Coleen Shephard

Michael A. Zimmer, MD, MACP

Debbie Zorian

HOLE-IN-ONE SPONSORS

The Bulletin of the HCMA

Morgan Import Motorcars

Judeo Christian Health Clinic

Annual Fundraiser & Silent Auction

Thursday, April 11, 2024, 6PM

Sponsorship opportunities are available and individual tickets can be purchased by calling the JCHC, 813.870.3231.  Ronald and Renee Vaughn will be honored and will be presented with the 2024 Humanitarian Award.

HCMA Presidential Installation

Tuesday, May 7, 2024, 6:15pm

Westshore Grand Hotel

Save the date! Dr. Damian Caraballo will be installed as HCMA's 121st  President.  FMA President, Dr. Jason Goldman will be our special guest. Sponsorship and exhibit opportunities are available - contact the HCMA office for information, 813.253.0471 or AOrthman@hcma.net. 

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