|
|
|
|
Hillsborough County Medical Association
3001 W. Azeele St. Tampa, FL 33609 813.253.0471 HCMA.net
Debbie Zorian Executive Director |
|
|
|
SAVE THE DATE!
HCMA Membership Dinner
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
6:30 pm - Social, 7:30 pm - Dinner & program
The Centre Club
This Membership Dinner will honor the legacy of Tapan Padhya, MD, with special guest speaker Karen Clay, president and founder of the Michael Phillips Foundation. Karen has received numerous recognitions and awards for her outstanding work in healthcare advocacy for individuals with disabilities. Join us as she shares her and her son’s incredible story. Watch your email for the invitation. 2026 Hurricane Season
Hurricane season is upon us: June 1 - November 30, 2026. Please take time to review your hurricane plan, prepare your kit, and stay informed. Note - Hillsborough County expanded evacuation zones beginning this year.
Hurricane Prep Resources:
Support medicine's voice this election year
It's an election year, and your support of HILLPAC is more important than ever. HILLPAC meets with candidates and contributes to pro-medicine leaders who understand healthcare issues and support policies that benefit patients and physicians. Please consider contributing to help ensure medicine has a strong voice in the political process. CLICK HERE TO DONATE.
At a glance: Healthcare-related highlights on Florida's completed budget agreement
Late on Sunday, May 24th, Florida House and Senate leaders reached a final deal on the state budget, the last step in an extended process that required a special session to complete for the second year in a row. Read more.
|
|
|
Less buzzing now, but summer rain will bring a Florida mosquito boom
Mosquito control groups are hard at work during the drought, making sure today's low mosquito count doesn't become a population boom. Paradoxically, research shows that as drought conditions lessen the population of mosquitoes, they increase the chance for West Nile. With fewer watery-breeding options, mosquitoes will head to ponds or lakes. So, too, will birds, which are also looking for water. Read more.
Just the FAX
The HCMA is considering bringing back fax communications for important announcements, urgent alerts, and dues statements.
We'd like to know:
- Do you have a fax number you'd like us to add to your member record?
- Would you be interested in receiving HCMA correspondence by fax?
Please CLICK HERE to let us know your preference. Your feedback will help us determine whether fax communications remain a valuable option for our members.
The 'unintended consequences' of using AI in health insurance coverage decisions
A health technology expert and former United Healthcare employee discusses the dangers of outsourcing medical claims decisions to artificial intelligence. Read more.
AI chatbot use for mental health advice rises sharply among US youth, with key disparities identified
Non-disclosure was common: 63.3% told no one; when disclosed, friends predominated, leaving parents and clinicians unaware of potentially unsafe guidance amid limited data on specific chatbot platforms or interactions. Read the report.
Executive order endorses HHS assessment on childhood vaccines as guide for federal agencies
The president signed an executive order “to acknowledge a recent scientific assessment by the Department of Health and Human Services on childhood vaccines as a guide for the federal government," the White House said on May 29th. The order directs the CDC and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices “to review the HHS assessment and clinical data to update the vaccines schedule for children and adolescents, according to the text of the order.” The study “recommends vaccinating all children against 11 diseases. Several others would be recommended only for high-risk groups or when doctors recommend them in what’s called ‘shared decision-making.’ That includes vaccines for flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis and RSV.” To read the AMA’s statement on the recent executive order directing CDC to assess the childhood vaccine schedule, click here.
Florida goes a week without a new measles case, according to latest update
The yearly tally remained at 154 cases through the May 30 update from the state heath department. The CDC reported five new cases nationwide May 22-29 for a total of 1,983 this year. Read more.
LAST CHANCE TO ADVERTISE IN 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: 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
New AMA Advocacy Impact Report
“This report reflects the momentum the American Medical Association and our partners across medicine built during the first half of 2026,” wrote AMA CEO John Whyte, MD, MPH. “Together, we pushed for Medicare payment reform, fought to ease prior authorization burdens that delay care, strengthened efforts to expand access for patients, and elevated physician mental health and well-being as a national priority.” Read more.
PERSPECTIVE: FIFA, We Have a Problem
The tournament runs from June 11 - July 19, with the US, Mexico, and Canada serving as co-hosts. Ebola surveillance and collaboration are critical to keep World Cup fans and athletes safe. Read more.
COMMENTARY - Trust Is Becoming the Most Important Medicine We Have.
Across the country, physicians are confronting a growing erosion of trust in science, public health, and medical institutions. We see it in conversations about vaccines, measles outbreaks, reproductive health, nutrition, mental health, and emerging therapies. We see it when patients reject established science in favor of viral misinformation. We see it when public health guidance is viewed through the lens of politics instead of evidence. We see it when patients, unable to see or afford a physician, turn to the internet for their health questions. And the consequences are already apparent. Read more.
Health vs Hype
Help patients understand if health trends are real, risky, or backed by science. Listen to the new Health vs. Hype podcast from the AMA and iHeart Radio. 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.
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
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. |
|
|
Business Email Compromise (BEC) Is Costly
BEC attacks often target healthcare finance and HR teams by impersonating executives or vendors. Teams should verify payment or banking changes verbally, limit financial system access based on job role, and be cautious of urgent or high-pressure requests. Relying solely on email approvals, ignoring small anomalies, or assuming familiar names equal legitimate requests can lead to costly mistakes.
How DAS Health Can Help
DAS Health protects healthcare organizations from email fraud through advanced email security and identity protection strategies.
E: info@dashealth.com | P: 813-774-9800 |
W: DAShealth.com |
|
|
From the Boards of Medicine
|
|
|
FL Department of Health - NOTIFICATION
Scammers are targeting Florida health care practitioners by impersonating MQA. Be aware of fake emails, spoofed websites, and phone calls demanding payment or personal information. Learn how to report a scam. |
|
|
How resolving moral distress unlocks physicians’ potential
Burnout has become one of the defining conversations in medicine, as it should be. The pressures facing physicians and medical students are real, growing and impossible to ignore. But burnout is not the whole story.
Across medicine, many physicians are confronting something deeper: moral distress. New research shows it is widespread, distinct from burnout, and carries serious consequences for physicians, patients and the healthcare system itself. Read more from AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, MD. |
|
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.
|
|
|
Congratulations to Emergency Medical Services graduates!
On May 15, the Hillsborough County EMS program held its annual spring completion ceremony at the Dale Mabry Campus. Faculty, staff, community partners, family, and friends gathered to celebrate the graduates and recognize their hard work and dedication throughout the program.
View more photos from the event on HCEMS's Flickr page. |
|
|
|
Dr. Neil Manimala (HCMA President) and Dr. Charles Sand were there to congratulate the graduates. |
|
|
HCMA at the FMA Spring Board of Governors Meeting Last weekend, HCMA leadership represented our members at the Florida Medical Association Spring Board of Governors Meeting in Orlando.
Participation in these meetings ensures that the perspectives and concerns of Hillsborough County physicians are represented in discussions on healthcare policy, physician advocacy, and issues impacting the practice of medicine throughout Florida.
HCMA remains committed to being a strong voice for our members and advancing the interests of physicians and patients at both the local and state levels. To see all photos, visit our Facebook page. |
|
|
An empowering weekend for women in medicine
FMA President Ashley Norse, MD, and FMA Treasurer Rebekah Bernard, MD, were among the guest speakers at the Florida Women Physicians Empowerment Retreat, held at the Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach, May 1-3, 2026. Hosted by the Broward, Collier, Duval, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Sarasota county medical societies, as well as the Florida Society of Nephrology, the retreat offered educational sessions and group discussions focused on leadership and professional branding. |
|
|
|
|
The GRIT (Grateful, Retired, Independent, & Thriving) ladies recently gathered for a cooking demonstration. These retired female physicians are always up to something; their calendar is jammed packed! Museum tours, lunches, performances, aquarium tour, and Mahjong! GRIT member, Dr. Moira Burke, will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy Fall Symposium on October 8th! Are you a retired female physician and looking for something to do? Contact Dr. Kathryn Kepes at (813) 541-0871 or drkathrynkepes@gmail.com for more information or to be added to the GRIT email list. |
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The HCMA is proud to announce our partnership with USF Credit Union, bringing HCMA members exclusive financial benefits designed to support you - personally and professionally.
To celebrate this new partnership, USF CU is currently offering HCMA members a $200 bonus when you open a new checking account with qualifying direct deposit.
If you’re not familiar with USF CU, they’ve been serving its members for more than 66 years with a simple purpose: people helping people. They’re an award-winning, full-service financial institution, offering checking and savings accounts, auto loans, mortgages, credit cards, personal loans, and more!
We’re pleased to add this new member benefit to and hope you’ll take advantage of this exciting partnership. |
|
|
|
Lana Walsh
Business Development Strategist 727.639.8480
To learn about the exclusive benefits available to HCMA members - or to take advantage of the $200 offer, visit the USF CU Membership Page or contact Lana.
|
|
|
Financial Survival for the Second Half of Your Career
Thursday, June 25, 2026, 6:30PM - Via Zoom
Join Spencer Gauta for a focused, 60-minute session designed for mid- to late-career physicians. Gain practical insight on navigating today’s financial complexities, protecting what you’ve built, and planning strategically for what’s next, including key considerations when selling your practice. Register here.
Drop In & Ask Me Anything - via Zoom
Thursday, July 23, 2026, 6:30PM
Money questions? We’ve all got them. Join Spencer Gauta for a casual, no-pressure Zoom chat where you can ask anything, hear what others are asking, and pick up practical financial insights along the way. Drop in anytime - by registering, you will receive a reminder the day of. Register here.
Real-World Financial Advice for Medical Students
& New Physicians - Via Zoom
Thursday, August 20, 6:30PM
This 60-minute session with Spencer Gauta is built for medical students and young physicians who want to get ahead financially. Learn how to manage loans, build good habits early, and avoid costly missteps that can impact your future. Register here.
HCMA Membership Dinner
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
6:30 pm - Social, 7:30 pm - Dinner & program
The Centre Club
This Membership Dinner will honor the legacy of Tapan Padhya, MD, with special guest speaker Karen Clay, president and founder of the Michael Phillips Foundation. Karen has received numerous recognitions and awards for her outstanding work in healthcare advocacy for individuals with disabilities. Join us as she shares her and her son’s incredible story. Watch your email for the invitation.
Women in Medicine Reception
Thursday, September 24, 2026, 6-8pm
Palma Ceia Country Club
Watch your email for the invitation |
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
PHYSICIAN WELLNESS PROGRAM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advocating for physicians and the health of the communities we serve.
|
|
|
|
|
|
