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ASAP e-newsletter: Feb. 22, 2024

White coats at the Capitol for prior authorization reform

Yesterday, Feb. 21, 2024, the House Health and Human Services Committee passed HB24-1149, sponsored by Rep. Shannon Bird (D-Westminster) and Rep. Lisa Frizell (R-Castle Rock), on a 10-2 bipartisan vote to streamline and improve Colorado’s prior-authorization system. This legislation will empower patients and providers to make important medical decisions and reduce the financial costs, patient trauma, and wasted valuable provider hours caused by delayed care. Learn more about the bill here.

This bill will be sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Dylan Roberts (D-Frisco) and Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer (R-Brighton).

Patients, doctors and advocates held a press conference in support of HB-1149 on the West Steps of the State Capitol Building yesterday. THANK YOU to all of the physicians who took time from your busy day to rally in support of this bill! View coverage of the press conference on Fox31.

Two-minute survey: We need your help to improve CMS Continuing Medical Education

We have just three asks:

Rate the importance of five topics on a scale of 1 to 5
Choose your top 3 preferred educational formats
Give us other topics, areas of interest, or suggestions

Complete the three-question survey here. All responses will be kept anonymous.

RSVP today for a CME event on Artificial Intelligence, Feb. 28 at Glenmoor Country Club

Hosted by the Denver Metro component societies of CMS
CME/COPIC Point available; view accreditation here
6 p.m. check in/dinner; 6:30 p.m. program
RSVP to ADEMSstaff@gmail.com

More details and accreditation here.

Plan to join the Colorado Physician Health Program (CPHP) and Colorado Medical Society (CMS) for "Running on Empty: Physician Stress and Wellbeing."

When: Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2023, 6-7:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom
Speaker: Michael Gendel, MD
About: Earn up to 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ and 1 COPIC Point

Find more information, accreditation and the link to register here.

Webinar: Opioid best practices, Naloxone training and more

The Colorado Medical Society, Colorado Consortium, Naloxone Project, and CDPHE Medication Take-Back Program will host an informational webinar Tuesday, March 5 at 12 p.m. You will learn:

MATE Act (DEA licensure/re-licensure) training requirement for providers and where to obtain free training
How to administer the opioid overdose reversal drug Naloxone
How your office an get free Naloxone
Resources for safe medication disposal

All practice staff are welcome! Register here to attend this free program live or receive the link to the on-demand recording.

Join the March cohort: Health Equity Champions Program

Join a cohort of peers for a three-month journey to deepen your equity knowledge and skills. In partnership with the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians, this opportunity has been opened to all CMS members as well as CAFP members. Receive hand-selected materials delivered to your inbox weekly, plus participate in monthly cohort debrief sessions to receive a certificate and 16.5 CME credits. The next cohort begins March 11 and registration is open. The cost for non-CAFP members is $500. Take the next step.

View more information, CME accreditation and register here

RIHEL ALTP Applications are Open!

Applications accepted through April 26

For over 25 years, Advanced Leadership Training Program (ALTP) has supported health and environmental professionals with engaging and enriching learning experiences.

This year-long program provides a foundation of exemplary leadership practices focusing on: justice and belonging; collaboration and teamwork; coaching and practical skills.

The next cohort runs from August 2024 through May 2025. View program details.

Colorado physicians can help MHMS raise money for Blackwood scholarship

The Mile High Medical Society (MHMS), with support from the Colorado Medical Society, asks physicians to donate to the Charles J. Blackwood, MD, Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of Colorado School of Medicine (CUSOM). The scholarship is named for the late Charles J. Blackwood, MD, who in 1947 became the first African American graduate of CUSOM, and aims to help develop a more diverse, inclusive health care workforce for Colorado's underserved communities. MHMS is working toward a milestone match and must raise a significant sum before June 30, 2024. Find more information and donate online here.

Medical students: Apply for CMS scholarships; deadline April 5

The Colorado Medical Society Education Foundation has opened the application period for medical student scholarships.

The Alfred D. Gilchrist Student Leader Scholarship is open to third- and fourth-year Colorado medical students who have demonstrated a significant leadership contribution to organized medicine. Deadline: April 5, 2024. Read more here.

The Rural Track Scholarship is open to Colorado medical students finishing their first year of a rural medicine track or program. Deadline: April 5, 2024. Read more here.

Questions? Contact kate_alfano@cms.org.

Empowering Colorado parents: Medication disposal for safer homes

Medication safety is a shared responsibility. Guide your patients in the proper disposal of unused medications to reduce the risk of misuse and accidents. Find your nearest drop box at TakeMedsSeriously.org/safe-disposal. More information here.

An easier way to keep teens safe starts in your medicine cabinet.

The Ludeman Family Center for Women’s Health Research at CU Anschutz is proud to host the 22 ^nd Annual Women’s Health Symposium on Feb. 24, 2024, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.. This free event designed to meet the educational needs of health care professionals can be attended in-person or online and offers 4.25 CME and MOC credits. There will be six talks discussing important primary care/family medicine topics and promoting women’s health.

For more information, accreditation and registration, please visit https://cvent.me/5lBV7N

Thanks to our Partners in Medicine

View all Partners here

Tebra is the leader in practice growth with the only all-in-one solution that empowers healthcare providers to improve every digital touchpoint of the patient journey. As experts in the healthcare technology space, Tebra makes it easy for providers to promote their practice online, attract patients, and retain them for life. To instantly see how you compare to other practices in your local area and specialty: https://compare.patientpop.com/cms

Job board

Telluride Regional Medical Center seeks to hire an experienced Primary Care Physician. Telluride Regional Medical Center (TRMC) is seeking a full-time Family Medicine or Med-Peds Physician to be part of our primary care team serving our community of local residents and visitors and members of our neighboring communities. Read more here or apply at https://jobs.tellmed.org

We have the perfect practice opportunity in Colorado! The Healing Gardens Health Center is a well-established and well-respected primary care and integrative medicine center in beautiful Fort Collins, Colo. This is an opportunity to not only build your dream practice, but also to create and benefit from ownership, all while working with a great team of like-minded providers. We are looking for an experienced board-certified Primary care and integrative/functional medicine provider. We are open to MD, DO, NP or NDs. Read more here or contact jcwhitefields@aol.com.

Do you have a position open at your practice? Space to sub-let? Selling your practice? Place a job board or classified ad with CMS! CMS members receive the first month free. Contact debra_will@cms.org for more information!

Upcoming CMS meetings and events

All Colorado Medical Society committee meetings and events are open to all CMS members and you are welcome to attend! All are held via Zoom unless otherwise noted. Find a full list of events here: cms.org/events. Questions? Contact membership@cms.org.

Council on Legislation (virtual) - Wednesday, Feb. 28, 6-7:30 p.m. Email chet_seward@cms.org for more information

Committee on Physician Wellbeing (virtual) - Tuesday, March 5, 6-7 p.m. Email kate_alfano@cms.org to register

Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury Committee (WCPIC) (virtual) - Wednesday, March 6, 7:30-8:30 a.m. Email chet_seward@cms.org for more information

Council on Legislation (hybrid at CMS office in Denver/Zoom) - Wednesday, March 6, 6-7:30 p.m. Email chet_seward@cms.org for more information

DEI Committee (virtual) - Thursday, March 14, 6-7:30 p.m. Email kate_alfano@cms.org to register

Registration is required for most meetings; non-members or those unable to be identified at the time of virtual meetings may be removed. Unsure if you are a CMS member? Verify your membership here.

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