Pertinent Information
The HCMA office will be closed on Tuesday, July 4th. Happy Independence Day!
The Florida Department of Health issues mosquito-borne illnesses advisory
On June 26th, the Florida Department of Health (Department) is issuing a statewide mosquito-borne illness advisory following four confirmed and recovered local cases of malaria in Sarasota County. All individuals have been treated and have recovered. Malaria is transmitted through infected mosquitoes. Residents throughout the state should take precautions by applying bug spray, avoiding areas with high mosquito populations, and wearing long pants and shirts when possible - especially during sunrise and sunset when mosquitos are most active. Read more.
Public health advisory issued for Bahia and Davis Island beaches due to high bacteria levels
Due to high bacteria levels, the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County has issued a public health advisory for Bahia and Davis Island Beaches. This should be considered a potential risk to the bathing public, and swimming is not recommended. Read more.
Health officials issue blue-green algae bloom alerts for two private access lakes
The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County has issued a Health Alert for harmful blue-green algal toxins at Lake George—North and Little Half Moon Lake—South. This is in response to water samples taken on 6/15/2023. The public should exercise caution in and around these lakes. Read more.
Important announcement re: HRIG
A notification from The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County (FDOH-Hillsborough) states they will no longer administer Human Rabies Immunoglobulin (HRIG) for patients bitten by animals where rabies postexposure was probable. They will continue to administer rabies postexposure (PEP) vaccines. If it is determined by FDOH-Hillsborough that a patient needs HRIG, a referral form will be given to the patient to present to the local emergency department for rabies postexposure treatment initiation. Click here to read the letter regarding this change that will be in effect as of July 1, 2023. Recommendations related to rabies postexposure remain the same. If you have any questions related to this change or need additional technical assistance, please contact Mr. Douglas King, Environmental Supervisor, at 813-559-4331.
Learn more about three "M" infectious diseases: measles, mpox and malaria.
These illnesses are among the recent healthcare headlines. A panel of physicians takes a closer look at them and other topics in the news. Listen here.
Take action now! Contact your members of Congress.
Tell Congress to support legislation that would reform the flawed Medicare physician payment system and provide annual inflationary updates. More Information. Click here to contact your legislator.
Warning: Scammers are still impersonating DEA agents
Victims are losing money and personally identifiable information. Anyone receiving a call from a person claiming to be with DEA should report the incident to the FBI at www.ic3.gov. The Federal Trade Commission provides recovery steps, shares information with more than 3,000 law enforcement agencies and takes reports at reportfraud.ftc.gov. For any victims who have given personally identifiable information like a social security number to the caller, can learn how to protect against identity theft at www.identitytheft.gov. Read more.
Will the doctor see you now? The health system’s changing landscape.
The “front door” to the health system is changing, under pressure from increased demand, consolidation, and changing patient expectations. An estimated one-third of all physicians in the U.S. are primary care doctors according to the Robert Graham Center, a research and analysis organization that studies primary care. Other researchers say the numbers are lower, with the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker reporting only 12% of U.S. doctors are generalists, compared with 23% in Germany and as many as 45% in the Netherlands. That means it’s often hard to find a doctor and make an appointment that’s not weeks or months away. Read more.
Is gun violence an epidemic in the US?
Deaths and injuries from guns in the U.S. have increased for years, mirroring the 1990s - the last time gun violence was considered an epidemic. Six months into the year, more than 21,000 people have died because of gun-related injuries in the United States. Doctors and public health officials have a word to describe the rising number of people killed or hurt by guns in recent years: epidemic. Read more.
Delegates are needed!
The HCMA has 35 seats in the FMA House of Delegates
HCMA Delegates to the Florida Medical Association (FMA) have prepared four resolutions submitted to the House of Delegates for consideration at the FMA Annual Meeting. During the FMA Annual Meeting, the new president is installed, CME opportunities are available, and the FMA House of Delegates meets to discuss and debate proposed policy and legislative topics that are presented by delegations from all over the state.
The FMA Annual Meeting is being held July 28-30 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. Delegates are responsible for their travel and lodging. If you are interested in serving as an HCMA delegate to the FMA, please contact Elke Lubin for more information.
HCMA Annual Membership Directory - LAST CHANCE TO ADVERTISE
Promote your practice to your colleagues and to the public. The HCMA Annual Membership Directory, published each summer, lists all members alphabetically and practicing physicians are listed by primary specialty. The Directory is printed and mailed to all Active HCMA members and is also posted on the HCMA website. Physicians can enhance their listing and/or secure additional advertising space. Members receive a discounted rate to advertise. Details can be found HERE.
Member Spotlight … we want to hear from you!
If you are serving as a keynote speaker, conducting research, have written an article pertinent to medicine, or if you are serving our communities by volunteering for your favorite charity, we would love to showcase your endeavors! Submit a photo along with a brief description of your activities and watch for it in a future edition of Enews, The Bulletin, or on the HCMA website’s upcoming Member Spotlight feature.
Cancer care news for primary care providers
HCMA partner, Moffitt Cancer Center, has created a Cancer Care Update electronic newsletter targeted at primary care physicians. Read the latest edition here. You can register for emails, with topics that apply to your practice, by clicking here.
Health Department Community Newsletter
Enjoy the July/August newsletter of the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County.
Health Department Community Newsletter
Enjoy the July/August newsletter of the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County.
HAVE YOU CREATED YOUR HCMA PROFILE YET?
In order to make use of our innovative new database and all of its features, all HCMA members need to create a password for their profile.
By setting up your profile, it will ensure that you have full access to our website in which you can register for all events, update your office information, your home mailing address, pay your dues, and receive all future correspondence from the HCMA.
Please follow these few simple steps to set up your profile:
- Log in to your HCMA account at www.hcma.net
- Click the orange sign-in icon located in the upper right-hand corner
- Enter your email address - IF YOU HAVE NOT CREATED A PASSWORD YET, click the "forgot password" link and follow the instructions.
If you have any questions please contact Anni Blackwell.
