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Hillsborough County Medical Association
3001 W. Azeele St. Tampa, FL 33609 813.253.0471 HCMA.net
Debbie Zorian Executive Director |
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IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO RSVP!
HCMA Membership Dinner
Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 6:30pm
The Centre Club
AMA President, Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, will be our special guest. The HCMA and HCMA Foundation will also award medical student scholarships. For more details and to RSVP, click here.
2026 HCMA Membership Dues - PAST DUE
Dues statements for 2026 HCMA dues were emailed and sent via USPS. HCMA dues were due January 1st. Please renew your membership today to continue supporting our advocacy efforts as well as take advantage of the plentiful benefits we offer. To view your member profile or to pay online, visit the HCMA website.
The 2026 Florida Legislative Session has begun!
The Florida Medical Association’s legislative team has compiled a watch list of bills for the 2026 Session. The bills and the FMA’s position on each are listed IN THIS DOCUMENT.
Visit www.FLSenate.gov/Tracker to set up an account to view the language of House and Senate Bills that are of interest to you and to track their progress through committees.
Florida Senate committee backs bill with expanded vaccine exemptions
The measure, which would create a new path for parents who don’t want their schoolchildren vaccinated, drew sharp warnings from health care experts about public health risks. Read more.
US vaccine guideline changes challenge clinical practice, insurance coverage
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) no longer endorses the immunization schedule from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and strongly recommends the full set of immunizations. Read more.
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Nine measles cases in Florida feed debate over vaccinations
Fewer than 10 cases in the state may not sound like many, but a Jacksonville pediatrician explains that it’s not normal for a disease once considered nearly eradicated in the U.S. Read more.
Florida House subcommittee approves a major health care measure
A Florida House panel Thursday backed a wide-ranging plan that seeks to trim health care regulations and carry out federal changes in programs such as food assistance and Medicaid. But many of the proposals have long been controversial — and have faced opposition in the Senate. Groups such as the Florida Medical Association, Florida Dental Association, Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association, as well as Florida Health Care Association and LeadingAge Southeast (which both represent nursing homes), objected to the bill last week. Read more. Flu season is a stress test. Our healthcare system keeps failing.
Staff contingency planning and greater vaccine investment are badly needed. Every flu season, American healthcare quietly conducts the same test: What happens when the people who deliver care fall ill at the same time that patient volumes tick up? The answer is sobering. Read more. An invitation to serve...
HCMA President, Dr. Nam Tran, invites members to consider being placed, as a candidate, on the 2026 HCMA ballot. You must be a member in the ACTIVE, AFFILIATE, or LIFE membership categories, and your 2026 HCMA membership dues must be paid in full. Open seats include:
- Vice President - 1-year term
- Secretary/Treasurer - 1-year term
- District and At Large seats on the Executive Council - 2-year terms
- HILLPAC Board member - 2-year term beginning January 1, 2027 (HILLPAC dues must be paid)
- Delegate to the FMA - 3-year term (FMA dues must be paid) and the HCMA Delegates Policy & Procedures Manual must be reviewed, signed, and returned for consideration.
Nominations to specific seats will be determined by the Nominating Committee members in February. 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 February 9th.
"I would like to deny all allegations by Bob Hope that during my last game of golf, I hit an eagle, a birdie, an elk, and a moose." - Gerald Ford
HCMA Foundation's 28th Charity Golf Classic is being held on April 23rd at TPC! While accuracy may vary, one thing is certain...every swing supports a great cause. Golfer and sponsor registration is OPEN! Contact Elke at the HCMA for more details.
Get ready for the 2026 HCMA Membership Directory!
The HCMA has partnered with E&M Consulting, Inc. for the twelfth consecutive year to produce our Annual Membership Directory. The publication will be available in both print and digital formats. E&M will manage all aspects of the project, including advertising sales and graphic design. They are a highly professional organization and consistently produce a high-quality publication. MEMBERS ONLY ADVERTISING RATES: E&M will be contacting all members regarding available advertising opportunities, and we kindly ask that you give them a moment of your time. The directory will be mailed to every HCMA member, making this an excellent opportunity to promote your practice and gain additional exposure. To view advertising options and reserve your ad online, please CLICK HERE! If you have any questions, please contact an E&M sales associate at 800-572-0011 ext. 0104 or email advertising@eandmsales.com
Study: Many autonomous NPs practice outside legal scope
A study recently published in the Family Practice journal found strong evidence that many autonomous nurse practitioners (NPs) in Florida frequently practice outside their legal scope of primary care. For years, the state nursing lobby argued that allowing NPs to practice without physician supervision would improve patients’ access to primary care. However, of the 328 autonomous NPs reached for the study, 59% were practicing in non-primary care specialties. “What’s really critical about this study is that it confirms what we’ve long suspected: that most nurse practitioners who are going into autonomous practice are actually not practicing in primary care,” said FMA Treasurer Rebekah Bernard, MD, who co-authored the study. “Their legislative lobbying argument is not playing out, and they’re only legally allowed to practice primary care autonomously.” Read the study.
Applications for 2026 AMA Awards
The American Medical Association (AMA) Board of Trustees is currently accepting applications for awards granted by the AMA and vetted through the Board Awards and Nominations Committee. For a complete listing of the available awards, criteria and description, and to download the most recent application form, please visit our Awards webpage. Applications must be received by Monday March 16, 2026, 5:00 PM CST for consideration.
Please submit applications to bot@ama-assn.org
Physicians needed for the Hillsborough County Guardianship Examining Committee
The Hillsborough County Court, Guardianship Division, is currently seeking physicians for their Guardianship Examining Committee. The application period is open, with more information available on their website. PLEASE NOTE: for other disciplines, the deadline was December 5, 2025, but physician applications are accepted at any time. CLICK HERE. Please feel free to contact Jennifer Branch, Program Coordinator, at 813-301-7162 or email branchjl@fljud13.org if you have any questions.
Member Announcement Service
Moving, new partner, new website, retirement announcement? The HCMA will create a professional, dedicated announcement to members of the Association. Send us your text, logo, and photos, and we will do the rest. This service is for members only and is $125 per emailed announcement. Contact Elke Lubin for details.
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Connect with us! Follow and connect with the HCMA on social media. Tap the icons on the left and also connect with HCMA administrative staff on LinkedIn:
Debbie Zorian, Executive Director and Elke Lubin, Executive Assistant |
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Interested in sponsoring an HCMA event? Sponsorship opportunities to consider:
- Women in Medicine Social
- Membership Dinners
- Holiday Social
- Resident Reception
- Foundation Charity Golf Classic
To learn more about these upcoming events and sponsorship opportunities, contact Debbie Zorian, Executive Director, at dzorian@hcma.net or call 813- 253-0471. |
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Ransomware: Why Healthcare Is a Prime Target
Healthcare organizations are prime ransomware targets because patient care can’t pause, and attackers know downtime pressures teams to act quickly. To reduce risk, organizations should maintain automated, encrypted backups that are tested regularly, keep systems and applications fully patched, and train staff to recognize suspicious emails and links. Avoid relying on a single backup location, assuming cyber insurance alone will cover recovery, or ignoring early warning signs like unusual login activity or system slowdowns. Preparation is critical to protecting patient care and operations.
How DAS Health Can Help
HCMA Benefit Provider, DAS Health helps healthcare organizations reduce ransomware risk through layered cybersecurity, secure backups, proactive monitoring, and healthcare-specific staff training.
E: info@dashealth.com | P: 813-774-9800 | W: DAShealth.com |
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From the Boards of Medicine
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Fraud Alert: Protect Your License
The Board of Medicine has seen a recent surge in fraudulent emails and phone calls targeting Florida health care practitioners by impersonating the Department of Health or the Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA). These scams leverage information about the licensure and enforcement processes to attempt to steal your personal or financial information.
If you have accidentally entered your credentials into any prompt or website that seems suspicious, or if you have been contacted by a suspicious caller or email, change your password immediately, and report it by calling the MQA Customer Contact Call Center at 850-488-0595 or emailing MedicalQualityAssurance@flhealth.gov. Read more.
Visit the Florida Board of Medicine Online Resources – for tools to access applications, forms, statutes, rules, CME education, and other important information. You can also register to receive emails from the Board when new posts are added to their website. The Board can also be reached by calling 850.488.0595. Renewal information and procedure - updated July 2025
Visit The Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine for tools to access applications, forms, statutes, rules, CME education, and other important information. The Board can also be reached by calling 850.488.0595. Renewal information and procedures - updated July 2025. |
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Ten Commandments of
Physician Wellness
- Thou shall not expect someone else to reduce your stress
- Thou shall not resist change
- Thou shall not take thyself in vain
- Remember what is holy to thee
- Honor thy limits
- Thou shall not work alone
- Thou shall not kill or take it out on others
- Thou shall not work harder - thou shall work smarter
- Seek to find joy and mastery in thy work
- Thou shall continue to learn
Ten commandments of physician wellness.Krall EJ., Clin Med Res. 2014 Sep;12(1-2):6-9. doi: 10.3121/cmr.2013.1211. Epub 2014 Jan 10.PMID: 24415746 Free PMC article. No abstract available. |
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The HCMA Foundation Physician Wellness Program (PWP) provides a safe harbor for members to address difficulties, challenges, and work/family/life balance 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. |
The PWP relies on donations and the generosity of members in order to provide counseling and coaching services at no cost. We want to be able to continue providing this valuable benefit to all HCMA members! Please consider donating to the HCMA Foundation PWP.
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A Fond Farewell to Jean!
After nearly 12 years at the HCMA, Jean Repass will be retiring as Bookkeeper this month. Jean has been a mainstay of our team and greeted members with a smile at the Membership Dinners and golf tournaments. We thank Jean for her contributions to the HCMA and wish her all the best in her next chapter! HCMA’s bookkeeping responsibilities are now being managed remotely by an experienced professional, ensuring continuity, reliability, and timely financial support for the organization.
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Dr. Lisa Rush on the news! News Channel 8 recently interviewed HCMA member, Dr. Lisa Rush, regarding the increase in measles cases in the US and the newly reported cases in Florida. Click the image of Dr. Rush to watch the interview. Visit HCMA.net to read the HCMA's position statement on vaccines. |
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Active Members
Renjitha Ignatius, MD
Oncology
Florida Cancer Specialists
4051 Upper Creek Dr.
Ste 103B
Sun City Center, 33573
(813) 633-3955
Ashley Perkins, DO
Forensic Pathology
Hillsborough County Medical Examiner Department
11025 N. 46th Street
Tampa, 33617
(813) 914-4500
Maria Del Pilar Cekan, MD
Family Medicine
BayCare
12780 Race Track Rd #400
Tampa, 33626
(813) 321-6262
Gerard Mosiello, MD
Plastic Surgery
Tampa Palms Plastic Surgery
15243 Amberly Dr.
Tampa, 33647
(813) 631-1500
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Amanda Pitre, MD OBG Women's Care 2818 W. Virginia Ave Tampa, 33607 (813) 872-8551
Kathy Temperato, DO Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health 4144 N. Armenia Ave., #250 Tampa, 33607 (813) 977-6688
Retired Member Tom Ignatius, MD |
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!
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Clarity Wealth has been recognized as one of
the 2024 Forbes America’s Top Wealth Management Teams High Net Worth as #7 in
the country and the top-ranked team in Florida.
They have also been ranked as one of the 2024 Barron’s Top 250 Private
Wealth Management Teams. Their accolades
reflect the trust their clients have placed in them and confirm their team's
distinguished service career. Clarity Wealth is here for your family through
every phase of your life. The Clarity Wealth team has worked with physicians and the medical community for over four decades. They understand your focus is on taking care of your patients, while their focus is on you. |
Clarity Wealth offers a complimentary consultation to all HCMA members, their families, and their staff members.
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Complimentary webinar for Practice Owners & Practice Administrators
Thursday, February 5, 2026
6:30-7:30pm
Enhance your online presence. The New Rules of "Search" - What Every Independent Practice Needs to Know! Discover the power of knowing your market size and share. A link to a Zoom webinar and a calendar reminder will be sent to you after your registration is received. Every attendee will have access to a complimentary MarketShifter Report, a $2,500 assessment of their market share, competitive landscape, and growth opportunities. Register HERE.
HCMA Membership Dinner
Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 6:30pm
The Centre Club
AMA President, Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, will be our special guest. The HCMA and HCMA Foundation will also award medical student scholarships. For more details and to RSVP, click here.
HCMA Foundation's 28th Charity Golf Classic
Thursday, April 23, 2026
TPC - Tampa Bay
Details, registration, current sponsors, and sponsor info can be found here.
HCMA President's Installation
Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 6:30pm
The Centre Club
Dr. Neil Manimala will be installed as the HCMA's 123rd President. Details are coming soon! |
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The HCMA’s Benefit Provider Program provides value to physicians with members-only products, programs, and services that far exceed the cost of annual dues. Click the logos below for more information about each of our valued partners. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Zorian, HCMA Executive Director, at 813.253.0471 or DZorian@hcma.net. |
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PHYSICIAN WELLNESS PROGRAM |
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Advocating for physicians and the health of the communities we serve.
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