Main Menu

President's Message

Terri A. Oskin, MD, President

Terri Oskin , MD, President

The Testy Climate in Neurology and Radiology (Feb, 2012)

Wow, can you believe it’s already February? I hope 2012 is getting off to a smooth start for everyone.
This year will continue to bring many challenges to the medical community regarding reimbursement and restrictions to our autonomy to practice medicine. In this month’s The Message, we are focusing on the technical, clinical and payment issues facing Radiology and Neurology where: 1) significant reductions in payment are expected for many procedures, 2) State and other payers are expected to refuse to approve or pay for new, experimental or emerging techniques in treatment of our patients and 3) Medicaid and others indicate they will rely on evidence-based, outcome-oriented and expert opinion tools before approving new technology use.

Our Photos

We archive and share our favorite photos at Picasa Web Albums

Facebook

Our Bookmarks

Delicious is a social book marking service where we tag, save, manage and share our documents in a centralized source. Click here to view our bookmarks.

About SCMS

The Spokane County Medical Society (SCMS) is a professional membership organization comprised of physicians and physician assistants. The SCMS is devoted to promoting the health and well-being of all the citizens of Spokane County and supporting the educational and professional needs of its membership.

Join the Medical Society

We Support You, Your Practice and the Quality of Care You Provide to Your Patients

PROGRAMS:

Developed Annual Editorial Calendar for a more content rich newsletter

Updated Quisenberry Advertising Agreement - expanding non-dues revenue from newsletter and website

Established formal advertising policy for newsletter and website

Added Hot Topic and other features to SCMS website

Researched Tamper Resistant Prescription Paper (TRPP) discounted vender

Key Informant Interviews – led to updated Project Access Communication Plan

November 17, 2010 proclaimed as Project Access Provider Appreciation Day by the City of Spokane Mayor

Updated Security ID Badge Program for members

Developed Medicor strategic and sustainability plan

Offered Category 1 CME programs and planned for 2011 programming

ADVOCACY:

Supported retention of regional, shared patient information system

Continued advocacy of Primary Care Workforce issues

Supported and advocated for the Beacon Community of the Inland Northwest (BCIN) Grant

Developed Washington Legislative Key Contact Program

Held meeting with SCMS Executive Committee and MQAC members to discuss MQAC updates

Received WSHA support and advocated for SCMS centralized Credentialing process

Medical Staff Bylaw discussion held with WA State Medical Association staff, hospital medical presidents/staff and SCMS EC

Leadership advocated locally, regionally and nationally on various issues including SGR, Medicaid interpreter fee, state budget and medical school

Partnered with Greater Spokane Inc, WSU and WWAMI to develop a four-year medical school in Spokane and expand Graduate Medical Education

LEADERSHIP:

Bylaws changed to include Medical Student and Resident on Board of Trustees

Developed 2010 Priorities & Focus Goals

Supported Spokane Scholars Program

Developed Grant criteria for SCMS Foundation

SCMS member appointed by Governor to Medical Quality Assurance Commission (MQAC)

Developed Pain Management Opiod Task Force through EC Leadership

Awarded scholarship to WWAMI student

SCMS member recommended and awarded WSMA Leadership Conference scholarship

EWU MBA/Health Certificate intern researched membership value proposition

Presented 2009 Physician Citizen of the Year Award

Supported Step-Up Spokane with in-kind and financial funding

MEDICAL INFORMATICS:

Assisting members on a citywide information network for electronic medical records, billing, coding & online eligibility & other E-Commerce issues
Assisting members with connectivity issues and adoption of hospital informatics
Medicor, a point-of-care information portal for members (www.spcmsmedicor.org)

PROJECT ACCESS:

Working to improve our community health status
Reflecting physician commitment to providing access to health care for Spokane County's uninsured
Offering greater malpractice insurance protection for Project Access providers
Evenly distributing burden of care for uninsured to participating physicians
Demonstrating public healthcare leadership -Collecting data on all charity care provided by physicians (for the first time)!
Serving over 3000 patients, with $10 million in care provided by 800 physicians (over 4 years)

PUBLICATIONS:

Monthly newsletter "The Message"
Annual membership pictorial directory

Documents

SCMS Membership Brochure (PDF)

Physician Membership Application 2012 (PDF)

Physician Assistant Application 2010 (PDF)

Medical Student Application Form (PDF)

SCMS By-Laws (PDF)

Principles of Medical Ethics and Opinions and Reports of the Judicial Council (PDF)

WSMA Member Benefits

The Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) offers a wide array of programs and services that help improve the practice of medicine for our more than 9,000 members and their staff.

Please see What We Did for You in 2011 brochure [PDF]

Advocating your position - WSMA gives you a voice in the legislative policymaking process, and the ability to affect change in Olympia and Washington, D.C. The WSMA has an effective lobby and legal staff that understands the myriad of issues, political rules and regulatory processes confronting medicine today, and works hard to enact laws that benefit physicians.

Practice Support Services - WSMA helps you in your day-to-day practice, so you can get back to what you do best - taking care of patients. Throughout the year the WSMA provide practice support educational seminars on topics such as coding, collections and employee satisfaction.

Professional Development and Services - The WSMA works hard to represent your interest on a professional level as well. Through our contract review services and legal representation, we make sure our members have a voice in the process. WSMA also provides valuable CME and leadership training.

Promoting your profession - The WSMA is the voice of physicians. Through our media and public relations efforts, WSMA keep Washingtonians abreast of the critical issues that impact physician practices and patient care.

To learn more about the WSMA works on your behalf, go to WSMA Benefits of Membership