The NCMS will host a reception for newly licensed North Carolina physicians and physician assistants on Thursday, April 26, 2012, 6:00 – 8:00 pm. The special reception will be held in honor of physicians and physician assistants who recently moved to North Carolina or passed their boards. The reception will be held at NCMS Headquarters.

Guests will have the opportunity to network with fellow new physicians and physician assistants, NCMS leadership from the Board of Directors, representatives from the NCMS Leadership College and the NCMS Staff.

We would also like to thank Fifth Third Mortgage for sponsoring this reception.

For additional information or to attend the event, please contact Richard W. Skinner, Associate Director, NCMS Member Services, rskinner@ncmedsoc.org, 919 833-3836 or 800-722-1350.

The NCMS will host a webinar on Medicare and Medicaid audits on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, which will provide an overview of the medical audit process and how to respond and challenge audits appeals. Speakers include Chris Brewer, JD, Partner, Poyner Spruill LLP and Jessica Lewis, JD, Associate, Poyner Spruill LLP. Both speakers will discuss the operation and focus of audit contractors; the audit, repayment, and appeal process; current audit activity; and strategies to decrease likelihood of an audit.

Click here to register for the webinar.

The North Carolina Health Information Exchange (NC HIE) will be hosting several sessions across North Carolina throughout the month of May to teach health care professionals about how NC HIE strives to implement the access, exchange and analysis of health information to improve the quality of care offered to patients. The sessions will provide an overview of NC HIE and will discuss its mission, structure and available data exchange solutions that facilitate patient centered care, clinical quality improvement and care coordination. Click here to view the schedule and to register.

Sebelius: Focus is on reform implementation, 4-19-12, Modern Healthcare
Writer Jessica Zigmond reports that HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is confident that the US Supreme Court will rule in favor of health care reform.

Report: Total Spending Due to ‘06 Health Care Law Hit $1.95 Billion in Fiscal 2011, 4-13-12, State House News Services
Reporter Matt Murphy writes that a new report suggests that the health care reform law signed in 2006 by then-Gov. Mitt Romney has had “modest” impact on state spending while helping to achieve near-universal coverage rates.

WNC Community Healthcare Initiative releases statement about committee’s decision on COPA, 4-19-12, Mountain Xpress News
Writer Caitlin Byrd reports on the NC House Select Committee on CON announced that they are not recommending any changes to Mission Health’s Certificate of Public Advantage at this time.

Bills Seek to Change Rule on Generic Drug Labels, 4-18-12, The New York Times
Reporter Katie Thomas writes that the Senate and House introduced companion bills that would permit generic drug companies to update warning information about the drugs they manufacture, a change that could allow patients to sue the companies for failing to warn about the risks of taking their drugs.

Survey Takes the Pulse of 650,000 Physicians, 4-16-12, Physician’s Money Digest
Reporter Ed Rabinowitz writes about the purpose of The Physicians Foundation nationwide survey.

Interpreters in ER may limit medical errors: study, 4-17-12, Reuters
Reuters reports that having professional translators in emergency rooms for non-English-speaking patients may help limit potential miscommunications, according to a US study.

Agency says more NC residents added to uninsured, 4-19-12, CBS News
CBS News reports that a new data from a North Carolina agency shows an increase in the number of uninsured residents in a six-year span.

Rex Healthcare Launches Rex Strategic Innovations to Advance Health Innovation, 4-13-12, Market Watch
Rex Healthcare announces the creation of Rex Strategic Innovations, a unique effort to spur healthcare innovations, improve healthcare delivery and foster job creation.

Upcoming ICD-10 Training Sessions for Practice Administrators: Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) across the state will be holding ICD-10 training and implementation sessions for medical practices. The sessions will assist practice administrators, managers, coders, billers and clinical staff understand ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes and identify documentation and implementation issues that may impact a practice. The program costs $135 for early registration and $150 up to ten days before the event. Click here for training session schedules, session agendas and to learn more about awarded continuing education credits.

Managing the Special Needs Patient, held by Cabarrus Health Alliance, Community Care of Southern Piedmont Medical Home Committee and Carolina Medical Center-NorthEast, will be on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm at the CMC-NorthEast Roper Commons. The event will provide primary care physicians with the knowledge and understanding needed to manage the care of special needs patients. Participants can receive up to 5.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Click here to register. Questions can be directed to Marcia Miller, CMC-NorthEast Program Coordinator, Physician Education, at marcia.miller@carolinashealthcare.org or 704-403-1466.

athenahealth Stage 2 Meaningful Use Webinar will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 3:15 pm and will provide insights and expertise on Stage 2 Meaningful Use. Topics include details of Stage 2 measures and how to meet them, guidance on sending feedback to CMS and the Office of the National Coordinator for HIT, details on the EHR certification criteria and athenahealth’s viewpoints on the Stage 2 delay and other policy implications. Click here to register.

PAI Medical Audit Webinar, which is based on the white paper recently released by Physician Advocacy Institute, Inc., (PAI), explaining the various types of audits and how to appeal adverse audit findings, will be held on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 10:00 am and Wednesday, April 25, 2012 (previously Thursday, April 26), 2:00 pm. Principal author of the white paper and webinar presenter Frank Cohen, MPA, MBB, will provide information and tools about how to respond to record requests for medical audits and how to discuss a survey recently conducted regarding the experiences of physician practices that have received and responded to overpayment recovery requests. Click here to register for the April 24 webinar and click here to register for the April 25 webinar. Questions can be directed to Mary Jo Malone, PAI EVP/CEO at maryjomalone@sbcglobal.net.

Current Status of Medicare Implementation of HIPAA Version 5010 and D.0 Conference Call, will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm and will address the current 5010/D.0 metrics, recommendations by Medicare and outstanding fixes impacting both Part A and B Version 5010 transition. There will also be a question and answer session. Click here to register.

North Carolina Society of Pathologists (NCSP) 2012 Annual Meeting will be held on Friday, April 27, 2012 at the Rizzo Conference Center, Chapel Hill. The meeting is designed for pathologists, fellows and residents and will discuss modern techniques applied to mesothelioma diagnosis, current status of thymoma classification, current regulatory, legislative and advocacy issues pertaining to the practice of pathology, and insurance payments and payor adherence to contract terms. Attendees can receive up to 3.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Registration forms should be submitted to NCSP, PO Box 27167, Raleigh, NC 27611. Contact Nancy Lowe, NCMS Associate Director Specialty Society and Meeting Services, at 919-833-3836 or nlowe@ncmedsoc.org for more information.

Clearing the Way for Better Patient Outcomes: Take a Deep Breath, a forum offered by EXCEL Continuing Education, will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2012, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm at Marriott Crabtree Valley, 4500 Marriott Dr., Raleigh. The forum is designed for health care professionals who are interested in learning more about managing and treating respiratory diseases. This event is free and attendees can receive up to a maximum of four AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Click here to register for the event. Questions can be directed to Grace Rebull, EXCEL Continuing Education, at 305-630-9414 or grace@excelcme.com.

First Spine Care Conference, offered by the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Multidisciplinary Spine Center, will be held from Friday-Saturday, May 11-12, 2012 at Kiawah Island, South Carolina. The conference will focus on diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, both operative and non-operative, for patients suffering from spinal disorders. Click here to register. Questions can be directed to Pamela Benjamin, MUSC CME Program Coordinator, at 843-876-1925 or benjamin@musc.edu.

NCDA 2012 Summer Meeting, which is also sponsored by the Wake Area Health Education Center (Wake AHEC), will be held Friday-Sunday, July 13-14, 2012 at the Homestead Resort, Hot Springs, Virginia. Attendees can receive up to 10.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Click here for discussion topics; meeting schedule and fees; accommodations information and to register. Contact Nancy Lowe, NCMS Associate Director Specialty Society and Meeting Services, at 800-722-1350 or nlowe@ncmedsoc.org for more information.

‘Alcohol Misuse and Abuse Affects Us All’ Patient Resources: ACTnowNC has launched an initiative to build awareness and communication about alcohol issues. Visit http://www.actnownc.org/ or contact Tayna Roberts, MSW, ICPS, NC ABC Commission Contractor, at 252-665-3424 or taynaroberts@gmail.com for these alcohol education resources.

CMS will be holding the following conference call and webinars for physicians:

Physician Quality Reporting System & eRx 2011 10-Month Feedback Report

Date and time: Tuesday, April 17, 2012; 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Topic: CMS Experts will provide an overview of the Electronic Prescribing 10-month Feedback Report.

Current Status of Medicare Implementation of HIPAA Version 5010 and D.0

Date and time: Wednesday, April 25, 2012; 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Topic: The call will address the current 5010/D.0 metrics, recommendations by Medicare and outstanding fixes impacting both Part A and B Version 5010 transition. A great tool to review before the conference call is CMS’ recently updated Version 5010 FAQs.  

Each call will include a question and answer session. Click here to register for both calls.

WEDI-CMS-Industry Collaboration & Problem Solving Webinar
Date and time: Thursday, April 19, 2012; 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Topic: The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI), along with CMS and other industry partners, will provide an overview of the WEDI 5010 Issue Reporting System in an effort to identify issues with and to work toward appropriate solutions for the system. Click here for more information and to register.

‘Avoiding Medicare Fraud & Abuse: A Roadmap for Physicians’ Web-Based Training
This web-based training includes definitions, laws exclusions, civil monetary penalties, case examples and other resources to educate physicians on fraud and abuse. Click here to access the training course.

Due to a high volume of questions coming in through the Member Resource Center, the NCMS features a Frequently-Asked-Question (FAQ) for its members each week to share information about current medical and health care issues that their colleagues are having.

Q: Can the NCMS help provide speakers for my organization’s meetings?

A: The NCMS can help identify and provide speakers for meetings of county medical societies, hospital staffs, and other organizations interested in learning about  topics, including but not limited to, NCMS accomplishments and current projects, membership and involvement in organized medicine, health policy and legislative updates, payor issues, access to health care for underserved populations, practice management and health information technology, and physician health issues. Speaker participation is typically subject to scheduling availability.

To arrange for a speaker, contact the Member Resource Center at 800-722-1350 or ncms@ncmedsoc.org.

Health care providers aim to improve care, lower costs, 4-11-12, The New Bern Sun Journal
Reporter Eddie Fitzgerald reports that two New Bern health organizations, Coastal Carolina Quality Care and Accountable Care Coalition of Eastern North Carolina, LLC, have been selected to be part of 27 accountable care organizations chosen to participate in the Medicare Shared Savings Program. NCMS member and CCQC chairman and president, Kenneth W. Wilkins, Jr., MD, was quoted in the article.

Rates cut; state tort laws cited, 4-6-12, The News and Observer
Writer Chris Bagley reports that the state’s second largest medical malpractice insurer has cut its premiums in response to the efforts of tort reform laws in North Carolina as well as other states.

Health care law will add $340 billion to deficit, new study finds, 4-9-12, The Washington Post
Reporter Lori Montgomery reports on differing opinions of the effect of President Obama’s health care initiative on the nation’s budget woes over the next decade.

Has The Saturation Point For Under 26 Coverage Been Reached?, 4-10-12, Kaiser Health News
Writer Christian Torres reports on the current status of the health law’s most popular benefit, which allows children to stay on their parent’s insurance up to age 26.

Q&A: ICD-10 delay a ‘pragmatic compromise without changing principles’, 4-10-12, Government Health IT
Editor Tom Sullivan interviews Kaveh Safavi, managing director of Accenture’s North America health industry unit, about his thoughts on the newly-proposed ICD-10 compliance deadline of October 1, 2014.

UNC health changes narrowly OK’d by House panel, 4-10-12, WRAL/ Associated Press
Reporter Gary Robertson writes that a divided legislative committee recommended placing more oversight and restrictions on the University of North Carolina Health Care System after a series of expansions by the state-owned hospital chain were questioned.

Doctors in Texas React As Aetna Drops 130 Lone-Star Physicians,4-3-12, The Courant
Blogger Matthew Sturdevant writes about Texas doctors’ reaction to Aetna dropping 130 physicians from their network as a result of standard business practice to preview local market provider networks. The NCMS would like to know if any members are also experiencing this.

Community Care Network Pilots Telepsychiatry Program, 4-6-12, The Pilot
The Pilot reports that Community Care of Sandhills (CCS) will use telemedicine to integrate psychiatry into primary care locations.

FDA in Hot Seat on Safety, 4-9-12, The Wall Street Journal
Reporter Thomas M. Burton writes that doctors are pushing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to strengthen reporting requirements for medical devices.

For the Elderly, Emergency Rooms of Their Own, 4-9-12, The New York Times
Reporter Anemona Hartocollis writes about how some hospitals are creating emergency rooms with an atmosphere more suited for elderly patients.

Please note: The NC IACT Program Presentation with Richard Boothman, JD, listed in last week’s Learning Opportunities Center has been cancelled. The presentation was set to take place tomorrow, April 14, 2012. Check upcoming Learning Opportunities Center for updates.

Upcoming ICD-10 Training Sessions for Practice Administrators: Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) across the state will be holding ICD-10 training and implementation sessions for medical practices. The sessions will assist practice administrators, managers, coders, billers and clinical staff understand ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes and identify documentation and implementation issues that may impact a practice. The program costs $135 for early registration and $150 up to ten days before the event. Click here for training session schedules, session agendas and to learn more about awarded continuing education credits.

Fourth Annual Sara Schuh Child Abuse Conference, which is being hosted by The Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center, along with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), South Carolina Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, Southern Regional Children’s Advocacy Center and South Carolina Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, will be on Thursday-Friday, April 19-20, 2012 at Seacoast Church, Mt. Pleasant. The conference is designed to facilitate new understanding and to upgrade professional practices in the prevention, recognition/diagnosis, management and legal handling of child abuse cases. Registration for both days is $35 and includes lunch on Friday. Attendees can receive a maximum of 11.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. There is an additional fee of $25 for CMEs. Click here for more information and to register. Questions can be directed to Anna Shaw, Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center Education & Program Manager, at ashaw@dnlcc.org or 843-723-3600.

2012 NC OB/GYN Society Annual Meeting, sponsored by the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, will be held Friday-Sunday, April 20-22, 2012, at the Embassy Suites Charlotte-Concord Golf Resort and Spa. Common conditions and concerns related to women’s health care will be addressed. Attendees can receive a maximum of 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. For more information about the meeting, contact Nancy Lowe, NCMS Associate Director Specialty Society and Meeting Services, at (919) 833-3836 or nlowe@ncmedsoc.org. Click here to register.

Managing the Special Needs Patient, held by Cabarrus Health Alliance, Community Care of Southern Piedmont Medical Home Committee and Carolina Medical Center-NorthEast, will be on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm at the CMC-NorthEast Roper Commons. The event will provide primary care physicians with the knowledge and understanding needed to manage the care of special needs patients. Participants can receive up to 5.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Click here to register. Questions can be directed to Marcia Miller, CMC-NorthEast Program Coordinator, Physician Education, at marcia.miller@carolinashealthcare.org or 704-403-1466.

athenahealth Stage 2 Meaningful Use Webinar will be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2012, 3:15pm and will provide insights and expertise on Stage 2 Meaningful Use. Topics include details of Stage 2 measures and how to meet them, guidance on sending feedback to CMS and the Office of the National Coordinator for HIT, details on the EHR certification criteria and athenahealth’s viewpoints on the Stage 2 delay and other policy implications. Click here to register.

PAI Medical Audit Webinar, which is based on the white paper recently released by Physician Advocacy Institute, Inc., (PAI), explaining the various types of audits and how to appeal adverse audit findings, will be held on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 10:00 am and Thursday, April 26, 2012, 2:00 pm. Principal author of the white paper and webinar presenter Frank Cohen, MPA, MBB, will provide information and tools about how to respond to record requests for medical audits and how to discuss a survey recently conducted regarding the experiences of physician practices that have received and responded to overpayment recovery requests. Click here to register for the April 24 webinar and click here to register for the April 26 webinar. Questions can be directed to Mary Jo Malone, PAI EVP/CEO at maryjomalone@sbcglobal.net.

North Carolina Society of Pathologists (NCSP) 2012 Annual Meeting will be held on Friday, April 27, 2012 at the Rizzo Conference Center, Chapel Hill. The meeting is designed for pathologists, fellows and residents and will discuss modern techniques applied to mesothelioma diagnosis, current status of thymoma classification, current regulatory, legislative and advocacy issues pertaining to the practice of pathology, and insurance payments and payor adherence to contract terms. Attendees can receive up to 3.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Registration forms should be submitted to NCSP, PO Box 27167, Raleigh, NC 27611. Contact Nancy Lowe, NCMS Associate Director Specialty Society and Meeting Services, at 919-833-3836 or nlowe@ncmedsoc.org for more information.

Clearing the Way for Better Patient Outcomes: Take a Deep Breath,” a forum offered by EXCEL Continuing Education, will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2012, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm at Marriott Crabtree Valley, 4500 Marriott Dr., Raleigh. The forum is designed for health care professionals who are interested in learning more about managing and treating respiratory diseases. This event is free and attendees can receive up to a maximum of four AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Click here to register for the event. Questions can be directed to Grace Rebull, EXCEL Continuing Education, at 305-630-9414 or grace@excelcme.com.

First Spine Care Conference, offered by the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Multidisciplinary Spine Center, will be held from Friday-Saturday, May 11-12, 2012 at Kiawah Island, South Carolina. The conference will focus on diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, both operative and non-operative, for patients suffering from spinal disorders. Click here to register. Questions can be directed to Pamela Benjamin, MUSC CME Program Coordinator, at 843-876-1925 or benjamin@musc.edu.

NCDA 2012 Summer Meeting, which is also sponsored by the Wake Area Health Education Center (Wake AHEC), will be held Friday-Sunday, July 13-14, 2012 at the Homestead Resort, Hot Springs, Virginia. Attendees can receive up to 10.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Click here for discussion topics; meeting schedule and fees; accommodations information and to register. Contact Nancy Lowe, NCMS Associate Director Specialty Society and Meeting Services, at 800-722-1350 or nlowe@ncmedsoc.org for more information.

‘Alcohol Misuse and Abuse Affects Us All’ Patient Resources: ACTnowNC has launched an initiative to build awareness and communication about alcohol issues. Visit http://www.actnownc.org/ or contact Tayna Roberts, MSW, ICPS, NC ABC Commission Contractor, at 252-665-3424 or taynaroberts@gmail.com for these alcohol education resources.

The North Carolina Dermatology Association (NCDA) will hold its 2012 Summer Meeting on Friday-Sunday, July 13-15, 2012 at The Homestead Resort, Hot Springs, Virginia. The meeting is co-sponsored by the NCDA and Wake Area Health Education Center (Wake AHEC). Attendees can receive up to 10.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.

Topics of discussion include, but are not limited to:

• Practice management needs in a dermatological setting
• Clinical and pathological acular malignancies and inflammatory disorders involving the eye
• Current advocacy and legislative updates from the American Academy of Dermatology
• PhRMA guidelines
• New treatments for nonmelanoma skin cancer
• Historical perspective of therapeutics in dermatology

Click here for the meeting schedule and fees; accommodations information and to register. Questions can be directed to Nancy Lowe, NCMS Associate Director Specialty Society and Meeting Services, at 800-722-1350 or nlowe@ncmedsoc.org.

Over the past couple of months, the NCMS has been publishing weekly frequently-asked-questions (FAQ) in the Bulletin due to the high volume of inquiries coming in through the NCMS Member Resource Center. Now we’d like to know what types of questions and answers NCMS members would like to see each week. Take this two question survey to let us know your thoughts. Your participation will help the Resource Center meet member needs more effectively.

Duke doctor on RDU-bound jet flies into action to save baby, 4-4-12, WRAL
NCMS member and WRAL Health Team physician Allen Mask, MD, reports that David Brizel, MD, who is also a member of the Society, saved an infant’s life on board a jet flying from London to Raleigh.

Dr. Redding Recently Recognized by Strathmore’s Who’s Who Publication, 4-2-12, pr.com
Victoria Brandon released that NCMS member and Past President Marshall S. Redding, MD, was recognized by Strathmore’s Who’s Who Registry for his outstanding contributions and achievements in ophthalmology.

Building a Network: State begins linking medical records, 3-30-12, Triangle Business Journal
Reporter Jason deBruyn writes that Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC) is the first qualified partner with the North Carolina Health Information Exchange (NC HIE).

Carolinas HealthPlan Analysis, Winter 2012, HealthLeaders InterStudy
Terri Gonzalez, NCMS Foundation Practice Technical Assistance Coordinator, contributes to the HealthPlan Analysis by showcasing the benefits of e-prescribing.

Legislators, DHHS plan ahead of Medicaid cutoff deadline, 4-4-12, WRAL
Reporter Mark Binker writes that North Carolina stands to lose $414 million in federal funding due to conflicts between how state and federal rules say personal care service dollars should be spent.

Answers to questions about possible changes to Medicare, 4-4-12, The News and Observer/ Kaiser Health News
Writer Marilyn Werber Serafini publishes questions and answers regarding overhauling Medicare and reducing spending, and proposals under consideration.

Many Medical Tests and Procedures Aren’t Needed–Doctor’s Groups, 4-4-12, Wall Street Journal
Blogger Anna Wilde Mathews writes that physician groups are starting the “Choose Wisely” campaign to limit number of medical tests and procedures performed when they aren’t needed.

Pneumonia Death Rate Drop May Not Be Real, 4-4-12, Medpage Today
Editor John Gever reports that an apparent decline in pneumonia mortality rates may actually reflect changes in diagnostic coding.

Last patients to leave Dorothea Dix in August, 4-4-12, The News and Observer
Writer Rob Christensen reports that the Council of State voted to close Dorothea Dix Hospital in August ending an era of treating the mentally ill since 1856.

Study of NC counties links health, affluence, 4-4-12, Winston-Salem Journal
Writer Monte Mitchell reports how North Carolina counties rank in regards to health.

NC IACT Program Presentation, hosted by the Integrated Accountability and Collaborative Transparency (IACT) Program, along with Carolina Dispute Settlement Services, Inc., The Collaborative Law Institute of North Carolina, and Campbell Law School will feature a presentation by Richard Boothman, JD, a trial lawyer who will be speaking about his experience at the University of Michigan Health System and the development of their disclosure-and-offer program. Presentations and a panel discussion will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2012, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm; 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm at Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, 225 Hillsborough St., Raleigh. Boothman will also share his perspective on how North Carolina’s IACT Program helps physicians and hospitals reduce litigation, save resources, and enhance patient safety. To RSVP, contact Lori Riley, of Carolina Dispute Settlement Services, Inc., at cdss@notrials.com or 919-755-4646. Include your name, email, phone number, profession/firm and the times you plan to attend.

Fourth Annual Sara Schuh Child Abuse Conference, which is being hosted by The Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center, along with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), South Carolina Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, Southern Regional Children’s Advocacy Center and South Carolina Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, will be on Thursday-Friday, April 19-20, 2012 at Seacoast Church, Mt. Pleasant. The conference is designed to facilitate new understanding and to upgrade professional practices in the prevention, recognition/diagnosis, management and legal handling of child abuse cases. Registration for both days is $35 and includes lunch on Friday. Attendees can receive a maximum of 11.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. There is an additional fee of $25 for CMEs. Click here for more information and to register. Questions can be directed to Anna Shaw, The Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center Education & Program Manager, at ashaw@dnlcc.org or 843-723-3600.

2012 NC OB/GYN Society Annual Meeting, sponsored by the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, will be held Friday-Sunday, April 20-22, 2012, at the Embassy Suites Charlotte-Concord Golf Resort and Spa. Common conditions and concerns related to women’s health care will be addressed. Attendees can receive a maximum of 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. For more information about the meeting, contact Nancy Lowe, NCMS Associate Director Specialty Society and Meeting Services, at (919) 833-3836 or nlowe@ncmedsoc.org. Click here to register.

Managing the Special Needs Patient, held by Cabarrus Health Alliance, Community Care of Southern Piedmont Medical Home Committee and Carolina Medical Center-NorthEast, will be on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm at the CMC-NorthEast Roper Commons. The event will provide primary care physicians with the knowledge and understanding needed to manage the care of special needs patients. Participants can receive up to 5.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Click here to register. Questions can be directed to Marcia Miller, CMC-NorthEast Program Coordinator, Physician Education, at marcia.miller@carolinashealthcare.org or 704-403-1466.

North Carolina Society of Pathologists (NCSP) 2012 Annual Meeting will be held on Friday, April 27, 2012 at the Rizzo Conference Center, Chapel Hill. The meeting is designed for pathologists, fellows and residents and will discuss modern techniques applied to mesothelioma diagnosis, current status of thymoma classification, current regulatory, legislative and advocacy issues pertaining to the practice of pathology, and insurance payments and payor adherence to contract terms. Attendees can receive up to 3.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Registration forms should be submitted to NCSP, PO Box 27167, Raleigh, NC 27611. Contact Nancy Lowe, NCMS Associate Director Specialty Society and Meeting Services, at (919) 833-3836 or nlowe@ncmedsoc.org for more information.

Clearing the Way for Better Patient Outcomes: Take a Deep Breath, a forum offered by EXCEL Continuing Education, will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2012, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm at Marriott Crabtree Valley, 4500 Marriott Dr., Raleigh. The forum is designed for health care professionals who are interested in learning more about managing and treating respiratory diseases. This event is free and attendees can receive up to a maximum of four AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Click here to register for the event. Questions can be directed to Grace Rebull, EXCEL Continuing Education, at 305-630-9414 or grace@excelcme.com.

First Spine Care Conference, offered by the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Multidisciplinary Spine Center, will be held from Friday-Saturday, May 11-12, 2012 at Kiawah Island, South Carolina. The conference will focus on diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, both operative and non-operative, for patients suffering from spinal disorders. Click here to register. Questions can be directed to Pamela Benjamin, MUSC CME Program Coordinator, at 843-876-1925 or benjamin@musc.edu.

Due to a high volume of questions coming in through the Member Resource Center, the NCMS features a Frequently-Asked-Question (FAQ) for its members each week to share information about current medical and health care issues that their colleagues are having.

Q: How do I volunteer to be “Doctor of the Day” at the NC General Assembly?

A: If you are interested in volunteering as “Doctor of the Day” during the 2012 Legislative Session, contact Dodie Renfer, of the North Carolina Speaker’s office, at  dodie.renfer@ncleg.net or 919-733-5463 to schedule a day that is convenient for you.

The hours for Doctor of the Day are:

Monday: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Tuesday-Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

The responsibilities of the “Doctor of the Day” include providing basic first aid services to legislators and visitors of the Legislative Building. The “Doctor of the Day” is introduced in both the House and Senate chambers, offered floor privileges, and has the opportunity to attend committee meetings and visit with local legislators throughout the day.

Volunteering as “Doctor of the Day” is a valuable opportunity to meet or renew acquaintances with legislators and see the General Assembly in action.  Serving as “Doctor of the Day” precludes participants from lobbying on their day of service.

Have a question? Contact the NCMS Member Resource Center at (919) 833-3836 or kfreeman@ncmedsoc.org.

The Physicians Foundation has distributed a survey to physicians across the nation asking for their perspective on today’s health care environment. The survey asks physicians about the state of their practice, morale, career plans and whether they can continue to provide services while managing current regulatory and financial burdens.

Survey results will be shared with NCMS members, political leaders, policy makers and media outlets nationwide. This is an opportunity to voice your concerns and opinions on the reality of practice environments. Click here to complete the survey.