Pertinent Information

FDH West Nile Virus Warning

Hillsborough County is under a Mosquito-borne Illness Advisory after an asymptomatic West Nile Virus (WNV) positive blood donor was detected. WNV is endemic in Florida and typically, human cases are seen between June and September. Please contact the Florida Department of Health-Hillsborough Epidemiology Program by the next business day if you suspect West Nile virus infection to ensure prompt mosquito control efforts. If you have any questions or would like to obtain a list of warning signs, please contact the Florida Department of Health-Hillsborough Epidemiology Program at 813.307.8010, Kristine Aviles, DVM, MPH, Epidemiology Program Manager, Kristine.Aviles@flhealth.gov. Prevention strategies for mosquito-borne illnesses that patients can be educated on:

• Drain standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.
• Cover your skin with clothing and use mosquito repellent that is EPA-recommended which includes those containing 10-30% of the active ingredient DEET or the active ingredient picaridin.
• Cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out.

Nobel Prize goes to scientists who made mRNA COVID vaccines possible

Hungarian-born biochemist Katalin Karikó and American immunologist Drew Weissman found that a chemical change to genetic code called mRNA eliminated a problematic side effect when used in vaccines. Read more.

Does the risk of getting long Covid increase each time you get reinfected?

There is a lot of research underway exploring the many still-unanswered questions about long Covid. Ziyad Al-Aly, chief of research at the VA St. Louis Healthcare System and clinical epidemiologist at Washington University in St. Louis, talked with STAT about what we understand about long Covid so far, and what scientists are still trying to figure out. (One of his studies, for example, showed that vaccination appears to lower, but not eliminate, the risk of long Covid.) Read the interview.

3 respiratory viruses in FL and a vaccine for each. Should you get all 3?

The short answer is yes, but a Central Florida expert weighs in on how you should receive the vaccines this season ahead of another possible "tripledemic." Read more.

Online harassment of physicians is out of control

Survey data shows 2 out of 3 physicians now face harassment and threats online—especially when correcting misinformation. Social media platforms won't help, so what can be done? You may also be interested in: 5 tips to battle anti-science aggression.

Medscape Young Physician Compensation Report 2023: Do rising salaries boost job satisfaction?

In 2022, physicians younger than 40 years, on average, enjoyed a compensation bump that exceeded what older counterparts received. The gender pay gap between younger male and female doctors narrowed as well, meaning raises for women were on a healthy trajectory. Despite these positive developments, younger physicians less often felt fairly compensated than they did one year earlier. Read more. 

HCMA Membership Committee to be revitalized...

One of the goals of HCMA President, Dr. Michael Cromer, is to revitalize the Membership Committee. The Committee will be charged with developing campaigns to recruit and retain members and will be asked to commit to following through on assignments. If you enjoy meeting new colleagues and passing on your enthusiasm for the Association, please CLICK HERE for more information or to volunteer.  

Encourage a colleague to join the HCMA and they will receive membership through 2024!

Throughout all the changes in healthcare, your HCMA has remained a strong leader and physician advocate. Please encourage your colleagues in Hillsborough AND surrounding counties to join the HCMA. Share this edition of Enews or direct them to our website to learn more about the HCMA and all the benefits we offer! They can also call the HCMA office at 813.253.0471 or email Debbie Zorian, Executive Director for more information. Your assistance is appreciated as we continue to provide great benefits and services to members and our communities.

Retired physicians needed

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, OLLI-USF, serves the local community as a continuing ed hub that brings learning opportunities via workshops, trainings, lectures, non-credited courses, and networking events to adults 50+ in Tampa Bay. As they begin faculty recruitment for upcoming semesters, they are seeking out retired professionals and experts in their field who may desire to teach/volunteer a topic of their choice via a medium they are most comfortable with. Click here to view OLLI's homepage. For more information, contact Precious Goodson, Florida Gulf Coast University, M.A. Ed Leadership Graduate Student/Class of 2024, at pgoodson5582@eagle.fgcu.edu

HCMA Membership Directories have arrived

The 2023 Summer edition has been mailed to active members.  The printed edition is also available on the HCMA website.  Please check your listing.  If there is an update to be made, you can make it by logging into your profile on the HCMA website or by calling the HCMA office at 813.253.0471.  Please click here for updates we have received from your colleagues, as of today.

HCMA's new website feature - YOUR website!

Visitors to the HCMA website can not only find the office address and phone number for members - we have included the opportunity to list your website too!  To add your website to your online HCMA profile, simply log into your HCMA profile (www.HCMA.net) or call the HCMA office, 813.253.0471.

See us on your social media feed!

Click these links and "follow" us so we will show up in your feeds.  Keep updated on events, legislative alerts, and see what we have been up to. 

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Member Spotlight … we want to hear from you!

If you have received an award, 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.

Attention Practice Administrators

The HCMA is in the planning stages of another reception to honor HCMA members' practice administrators.  Please call Asta at the HCMA (813.253.0471) or email her your name and contact information by CLICKING HERE. We look forward to another fun event!

AMA is seeking ambassadors

Are you an AMA member? Consider joining the AMA Ambassador Program. It’s an easy, fun, and effective way to increase your involvement with the AMA. Click here to learn more.

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.

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.

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.