Mississippi Family Physician Winter 2019

An Official Publication of the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians | Volume 54, No. 2 | Winter 2019 | www.msafp.org

Top: Dr. David Wheat, FAAFP, MAFP President 2018-19. Bottom: Dr. Tim Alford, FAAFP, MAFP Family Physician of the Year 2018.

Sometimes You Need a Specialist Allen Langford is your typical-atypical Mississippi professional. On weekends he loves hunting, fishing, and puttering around as the proud farmer of one or two pears per year – about the most he can keep away from the deer. On weekdays, however, he functions as the CEO of United Medical Recovery, one of Mississippi's few remaining local debt collection agencies. He is often found behind his oversized computer screen combing through the local newspapers in areas where most of his client accounts are found. It is not uncommon to find a debtor subject to a large judgment pictured in the paper with an acknowledgment of some company milestone. Allen pays the premiums to access extensive skip tracing databases, but newsprint on his hands often means money in his client's pockets.

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1021 N. Flowood Drive, Flowood, MS 39232

Volume 54, No. 2 | Winter 2019 | For Every Family, A Family Physician David B. Wheat, MD, FAAFP president

William M. Grantham, MD president-elect James W. Griffin, MD vice president

Carlos Latorre, MD, FAAFP secretary

William E. Loper III, MD, FAAFP treasurer

Katherine T. Patterson, MD, FAAFP & aafp delegate

immediate past president

Timothy J. Alford, MD, FAAFP aafp delegate

John R. Mitchell, MD, FAAFP alternate delegate

Susan A. Chiarito, MD, FAAFP alternate delegate

directors

Paul M. Pavlov, MD - District 1 Chrystal A. Sumrall, MD, FAAFP - District 2 J. Lee Valentine, DO - District 3 Evelyn R. Walker, MD - District 4 John P. Vanderloo, MD, FAAFP - District 5 Stephen C. Hammack, MD - District 6 T. Bruce Longest, MD - District 7 Christopher L. Park, DO - District 8 Christy B. Vowell, MD - At Large P. Brent Smith, MD, MSC, FAAFP - At Large

staff

Beth Embry executive director

beth@msafp.org Kristen Kern public awareness director

kristen@msafp.org Jewell Buckley special projects coordinator

jewell@msafp.org

IN THIS ISSUE...

Academy

Advocacy for Family Medicine Dr. Wheat’s Priority......................................................................................... 4 MAFP Docs Earn FAAFP Honor.........................................................................................................................5 Academy Celebrates 70th Anniversary................................................................................................................6 ’70 for 70’ Club to Benefit Foundation.................................................................................................................7 Executive Director’s Report..................................................................................................................................8 Milestone Anniversaries.....................................................................................................................................11 New Members......................................................................................................................................................11 Flying High with Family Medicine....................................................................................................................12 Committees Make Recommendations...............................................................................................................12 Leadership Sets Roadmap...................................................................................................................................13 Board of Directors................................................................................................................................................14

Advocacy

Delegates Help Set Policy in the Big Easy..........................................................................................................15 Celebration in Jackson During Capitol Day......................................................................................................16 FamDocPAC Needs Support..............................................................................................................................18 Academy Advocates Wanted..............................................................................................................................18 Dozens Serve as Doc of the Day.........................................................................................................................19 2019 Legislative Forecast....................................................................................................................................19

Workforce

MAFP Visits Medical Schools, Residency Fairs................................................................................................20 New Family Physicians Encouraged to Stay Involved......................................................................................22 Academy Ambassadors Stronger Than Ever.....................................................................................................22 Resident/Student Board Orientation Held........................................................................................................23 Mississippi Represented at National Conference.............................................................................................23

Professional Development

Be Well Do Well Focus of Annual Meeting in July..........................................................................................24 MAFP Joins 12 States at SEFM..........................................................................................................................26 Relaxing Setting for Fall Conference.................................................................................................................27 FMX Reception Held in New Orleans...............................................................................................................28

Public Awareness

Dr. Alford, Dr. Wells Honored as Physicians of the Year................................................................................30 Miss Mississippi, Medical Students Teach Tar Wars......................................................................................31 Dr. J.D. Polk Honored with MAFP Military Award........................................................................................32 Carlton Chooses Service to Patients, Soldiers...................................................................................................33 Foundation Board of Directors...........................................................................................................................34 Exhibitors Win in More Ways Than One at Silent Auction, Draw Down................................................... 34 Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians 755 Avignon Drive · Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157 · p 601-853-3302 · f 601-853-3002 · www.msafp.org

The Mississippi Family Physician has a circulation of 1,000 Mississippi physicians, residents and medical students.

Manuscripts are encouraged for publication. The Editorial Board reserves the right to accept or reject any articles or advertising matter. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements are solely those of the authors or sponsors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians.

To submit an article, please e-mail kristen@msafp.org or fax to 601-853-3002. the mississippi family physician

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ACADEMY

Advocacy for Family Medicine is Dr. David Wheat’s #1 Priority “We need our Academy to be a strong voice for family physicians. No one is going to protect our specialty more than [MAFP].”

D

r. David B. Wheat of Clinton accepted the gavel of MAFP leadership July 24 at the Annual Dinner, succeeding Dr. Katie Patterson of Indianola. He will lead the MAFP in the coming year and chair the Board of Directors.

Dr. Wheat, a family physician who has earned the AAFP Fellow distinction, owns and operates Clinton Family Care in Clinton. Dr. Wheat began service on the Board of Directors in 2014 and 2015 as the District 4 representative. He was then elected secretary in 2016 and served as president-elect in 2017.

Dr. Wheat and his wife, Sherry, have been married 40 years. They have two children and one grandson. The Wheats live in Clinton.

WHEAT’S BACKGROUND A native of Stuttgart, Arkansas, Dr. Wheat graduated from Stuttgart High School.

Wheat recalls becoming familiar with family medicine as a young boy. “I was delivered by a family physician, Dr. Fred Stone,” Dr. Wheat said. “He made house calls when I was sick or broke my ankle.

I played with his kids and went to church with his family. I was cared for throughout my life by Dr. Stone. You notice I didn’t say treated -- I was taken care of by Dr. Stone. I looked up to Dr. Stone and he obviously had a significant influence in my life.”

After receiving a bachelor’s degree at Arkansas Tech University in Russelville, Dr. Wheat earned his master’s degree in physiology from Mississippi State University. He was then accepted at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

“After I was accepted to medical school,

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Dr. Wheat owns and operates Clinton Family Care in Clinton.

Dr. Wheat and his wife, Sherry, have been married for 40 years. and came back home for a weekend, Dr. Stone wanted me to come by and see him,” Dr. Wheat explained. “I went to his office and we visited over coffee. He congratulated me on medical school, then told me that he wasn’t going to tell me how to study for gross anatomy or histology. He encouraged me to become involved in the political arena because people who are not physicians were making decisions that were going to affect medicine, our patients and how we practiced in our clinics. Those same words were true back in the mid 70’s and are still true today.

Those words have stuck with me for years.”

As a medical student at UMMC, Dr. Wheat served as president of the Family Practice Club and became involved in AAFP, attending the AAFP National Conference for Residents and Students. Dr. Wheat

Dr. Wheat served as a preceptor for UMMC student Amy Kaur recently. completed his residency at Anniston Family Practice in Birmingham, Alabama, before practicing in Mississippi and Alabama for several years.

Wheat has practiced in Clinton since 1997, first at Methodist Family Practice, then at MEA Medical Clinic, before hanging out his own shingle in private practice at Clinton Family Care in 2001.

ADVOCACY IMPORTANCE Dr. Wheat has articulated advocacy as his number one priority for his year as president, and he said being unified behind the Academy is of utmost importance. “We need our Academy to be a strong voice for family physicians,” Dr. Wheat reiterated.

“No one is going to protect our specialty more than our state Academy. No one speaks more for us than our Academy.”

AVIATION INTEREST An avid aviator, Dr. Wheat is a member of the Civil Aviation Medical Association and is a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner – FAA. He owns his own Cessna private plane and says flying was his first dream.

“I wanted to be a fighter pilot,” Dr. Wheat said. “I tried to join the Air Force 4 times — once after college, once after I was accepted to medical school, and twice after I became a physician, but for one reason or another, it just didn’t work out. I finally realized that God didn’t want me in the military. He did, however, give me an avenue so that I was able to learn to fly.”

CALLING, NOT A PROFESSION Dr. Wheat said he believes he was called to be a family physician and truly enjoys his work.

“The things that happened to me and the way events occurred in my journey to become a family physician, many people would say were simply coincidences, but I know in my heart that God has put me where I am today,” he continued. “I feel that my practice is as much a ministry as it is a medical practice, just as I am sure many of you do. There is no other specialty in medicine that allows us to be so much a part of our patients’ lives than family medicine.

We become a part of their families and they a part of ours, we laugh with them, we cry with them and we pray with them.”

MAFP Docs Earn FAAFP Honor

O

ne of the MAFP goals is to promote the Degree of Fellow to our membership. At the Annual Meeting in July, three member physicians were presented with the AAFP Degree of Fellow. Drs. Mona Castle of Oxford, Carlos Latorre of Vicksburg, and John Vanderloo of Jackson each earned the distinction this year and were inducted by Dr. Conrad Flick, former AAFP board member.

Established in 1971, the AAFP Degree of Fellow recognizes family physicians who have distinguished themselves through service to family medicine, by their advancement of health care to their community, and by their professional development through medical education and research. These physicians make family medicine the premier specialty in service to their community and profession. Being a Fellow signifies not only ‘tenure’ but one’s additional work in the community, within organized medicine, within teaching, and a greater commitment to continuing professional development and/or research. There are 108 Fellows in Mississippi and 17,000 nationwide.

Any Active, Life or Inactive member, with dues and re-elections in good standing, may, upon application to the American Academy of Family Physicians, be elected to receive the Degree of Fellow upon fulfilling the requirements. Please email beth@msafp.org or visit MAFP/Professional Development at https://www. msafp.org/professional-development/fellow.

The next convocation ceremony will be held at Spring Conference the weekend of April 13-14. Contact beth@msafp.org for more information.

ACADEMY

Wheat has set as a priority invigorating the key physician program so that if lobbying a particular legislator is necessary, MAFP will know a physician member who has a personal relationship with that legislator. Called the Academy Advocate program, members have used the program’s form (see page 18) to formally let MAFP know their relationships with local and state elected officials. “The most important part of a lobbying effort is a direct conversation with a constituent,” he explained. “We must get members involved at the grassroots level to contact their senator or representative personally.”

Since physicians hold a lot of sway in our local communities, we must use that to the Academy’s advantage, Wheat said. “We as physicians maintain a level of respect and authority that no other profession comes close to. We have a voice that people will listen to and in order to be heard, we must speak as a group.”

Drs. Carlos Latorre and John Vanderloo, left, were presented with the Degree of Fellow by former AAFP Board Member Dr. Conrad Flick, right, at the Annual Meeting Dinner. Not pictured is Dr. Mona Castle.

the mississippi family physician

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ACADEMY

Academy Celebrates 70th Anniversary; Governor Declares Family Medicine Week A

-- they were board-certified. General to 50,000 -- only 16 percent of practicing practitioners were left out in the physicians -- plus there was a lack of interest cold. It was time to organize. in relevant residency programs. To combat California’s General this uncertain future, these generalists Practitioners officially became specialists, Association launching the specialty of and the ‘general practice.’

American At the time, there M e d i c a l were already 19 medical Association’s specialties with examination general practice and certification processes, and these physicians wanted section were the most to join their ranks. The active groups to organize American Board of Family out of this time period.

Practice (now Family They met in 1947 to form Medicine) was established in the American Academy 1969, and the first residency of General Practice, program in family medicine which had as its main began that year. condition of membership In an unprecedented the requirement of a move, the American Board certain number of hours of of Family Medicine was the continuing education. first board to offer a limited This post-WWII On Feb. 1, 1949, the American period of certification, upheaval had a serious Academy of General requiring recertification impact on the field. Within Practice granted MAFP this every seven years. Never 25 years, the number official charter. Now both of practicing general organizations carry the name before had physicians had to have continuing education practitioners plummeted Family Physicians. and recertification to maintain their status.

Here in mostly-rural Mississippi, the same things were happening on a state level.

On January 16, 1949, eleven family physicians met to organize and apply to the American Academy of General Practice for a charter.

That charter was granted February 1, 1949 and our Academy was officially formed. The group held its first Annual Meeting in May 1949 in Biloxi, starting a tradition of meeting at a coast location that still continues today.

Although there are few records of the early days of the Mississippi Academy, the past comes into clearer focus upon examination of the first printed newsletter, put out in January 1959. This inaugural edition of the “Magnolia State Family Physician” boasts that they have 202 members and encourages those members to recruit others. Its second issue has a full-page editorial titled, “Do We Need a Board of General Practice” with a full page of reasons supporting the affirmative.

Here’s to celebrating 70 years, and Governor Phil Bryant declared Jan. 28-Feb. 1, 2019 Family Medicine Week in Mississippi beyond! s the Academy celebrates its platinum anniversary, we look back on the 70 years of our history and how our origins shaped our present and future.

For generations family physicians have battled to be on the same footing as other medical specialists, and the present surge in numbers is now bringing about a sea change in the attitude towards primary care.

In 1931, there were 112,000 family physicians (then called general practitioners) in the United States, which was 70 percent of all practicing physicians. But that was about to change.

After going overseas as soldiers in World War II, these doctors returned home from service to find themselves unable to practice effectively because they no longer had hospital privileges. Most general practitioners had only one year of postgraduate training and were not recognized by other specialists as being sufficiently trained to continue to practice in hospitals. The specialists who were taking over had proof of their bona fides

in honor of MAFP’s 70th anniversary, and MAFP President Dr. David Wheat was present for the official signing.

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‘70 for 70’ Club to Benefit Foundation

ACADEMY

We applaud the 70 members who have led the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians over the 70 years we have grown as an Academy. Each of them has taken on the responsibility of leading the state’s largest medical specialty association while also managing the duties of a busy medical practice.

The ‘70 for 70’ Club is a program we have established to help celebrate our milestone anniversary, remember our outstanding leaders and help build our Foundation.

Help us honor one (or several) of these outstanding physicians by giving a donation to the MAFP Foundation in their name.

Here’s how it works: MAFP members are invited to donate $70 to the MAFP Foundation in honor of one or more of the 70 presidents of the MAFP, listed below. It takes a minimum of $70 to honor one past president, and donations in multiples of $70 to honor more than one past president. (For example, you may wish to give $140, and using the numbers below, you may specify that $70 of your donation is in honor of president #1, Dr. Kety, and another $70 is in honor of #70, Dr. Wheat.)

All donations will benefit MAFP Foundation’s scholarship and educational programs. Please send your donations to: MAFP Foundation 755 Avignon Drive Ridgeland MS 39157 Donors will be recognized by name in the next issue of this journal, in the newsletter and other Academy materials. Act now to honor the past president of your choice!

1. Seiberth S. Kety, MD, 1949-50 2. John B. Howell, MD, 1950-51 3. S. K. Johnson, MD, 1951-52 4. Gus A. Rush, Jr., MD, 1952-53 5. Charles P. Crenshaw, MD, 1953-54 6. W. Moncure, Dabney, MD, 1954-55 7. William E. Lotterhos, MD, 1955-56 8. Aubrey V. Beacham, MD, 1956-57 9. John C. Longest, MD, 1957-58 10. Addison T. Tatum, MD, 1958-59 11. Robert J. Morehead, MD, 1959-60 12. Tom H. Mitchell, MD, 1960-61 13. Guy T. Vise, MD, 1961-62 14. J. Roy Bane, MD, 1962-63 15. Lawrence H. Brisco, MD, 1963-64 16. Frank C. Massengill, MD, 1964-65 17. Max L. Pharr, MD, 1965-66 18. Eldon L. Bolton, MD, 1966-67 19. Joseph E. Johnston, MD, 1967-68 20. Charles R. Jenkins, MD, 1968-69

Family physicians gathered in May 1949 for the first-ever banquet, held in Biloxi. This event followed the Academy’s founding in February 1949.

21. Walter W. Crawford, MD, 1969-70 22. William H. Parker, MD, 1970-71 23. James O. Stephens, MD, 1971-72 24. Eugene F. Webb, MD, 1972-73 25. William Bernard Hunt, MD, 1973-74 26. Thomas J. Anderson, MD, 1974-75 27. Richard T. Furr, MD, 1975-76 28. Walter H. Rose, MD, 1976-77 29. Ralph L. Brock, MD, 1977-78 30. John M. Estess, MD, 1978-79 31. Edgar D. Johnson, MD, 1979-80 32. J. Edward Hill, MD, 1980-81 33. Ben E. Kitchens, MD, 1981-82 34. Louis E. Rubenstein, MD, 1982-83 35. Hardy B. Woodbridge, MD, 1983-84 36. James C. Waites, MD, 1984-85 37. Eugene G. Wood, MD, 1985-86 38. Leonard H. Brandon, MD, 1986-87 39. Walter D. Gunn, MD, 1987-88 40. Malcolm S. Moore, Sr., MD, 1988-89 41. George R. Bush, MD, 1989-90 42. James R. Stingily, MD, 1990-91 43. D. Stanley Hartness, MD, 1991-92 44. John F. Hassell, MD, 1992-93 45. Frank W. Bowen, MD, 1993-94

46. Joe D. Herrington, MD, 1994-95 47. Edward E. Bryant, MD, 1995-96 48. Judith G. Gearhart, MD, 1996-97 49. George E. Abraham, MD, 1997-98 50. Word M. Johnston, MD, 1998-99 51. Dwalia S. South, MD, 1999-00 52. R. Lee Giffin, MD, 2000-01 53. Timothy J. Alford, MD, 2001-02 54. William G. Jackson, MD, 2002-03 55. Mary Gayle Armstrong, MD, 2003-04 56. Randy Easterling, MD, 2004-05 57. Lucius M. Lampton, MD, 2005-06 58. Charles F. Brock, MD, 2006-07 59. Steven C. Brandon, MD, 2007-08 60. Dewitt G. Crawford, MD, 2008-09 61. Michael L. O’Dell, MD, 2009-2010 62. John R. Mitchell, MD, 2010-2011 63. William B. Jones, MD, 2011-2012 64. Susan A. Chiarito, MD, 2012-2013 65. William W. Dowell, MD, 2013-2014 66. Jennifer D. Gholson, MD, 2014-2015 67. Samuel N. Crosby, MD, 2015-2016 68. Sue H. Simmons, MD, 2016-2017 69. Katherine T. Patterson, MD, 2017-18 70. David B. Wheat, MD, 2018-19

Family Medicine Strong Stories

The MAFP would like to share your story of why you chose family medicine. We will utilize on our social media outlets, website and newsletters. If you’d like to share your story, please email it to Kristen Kern (kristen@msafp.org) as a Word document along with at least 2 photos. Please keep all submissions to no less than 200 words, but no more than 1,000 words, if possible. If you have a Twitter or Facebook account and would like for us to tag you, please provide that in your email as well. the mississippi family physician

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Executive Director’s Report July – December 2018 Beth Embry | Executive Director

ACADEMY

T

he MAFP applauds our membership on its 70th anniversary this year. We kicked off the celebration at MAFP’s Capitol Day in January in a big way. We shared what Family Medicine is at our exhibit in the rotunda, the Governor proclaimed the week ‘Family Medicine Week’ in Mississippi, and our docs, residents and students wore 70th stickers during the day and we shared 70th petit fours with legislators at our dessert event. To help commemorate the 70th anniversary throughout the year, we will feature Throwback Thursday on social media that includes photos of folks and events throughout the years. We also want to share “Family Medicine Strong” stories from our members on why you chose family medicine. See the box on page 6 for details. A lot has changed in 70 years, but one thing is steadfast: family physicians are the pillar of America’s health system. With your valued membership we will keep family medicine strong in Mississippi.

ACADEMY – Maintaining a sustainable association through engaged membership and leadership • Held MAFP Membership meeting during MSMA meeting in August • Contributed $500 to MSMA’s 150th celebration • Purchased new exterior lighting for front of building from donation from Drs. George Bush & Lakeisha Chism • Held 5 committee meetings prior to MAFP Fall Conference with over 50 attendees • Began production of 2019 Membership Directory • Began membership renewal campaign including personalized contact • Hosted reception with LAFP for members during AAFP’s COD and FMX in New Orleans • Contacted members who lack CME • Mailed other specialties information regarding referral directory • Hosted Avignon Business Owners Association Meeting, Beth Embry named secretary on Board • Held strategic planning session for MAFP staff on October 25 and set over 20 goals • Held Board strategic planning session for December 14 ADVOCACY – Serving as the unified voice of family physicians in Mississippi • Drs. James Griffin and David Wheat and Beth Embry attended Southeastern Family Medicine Forum with 12 other states • Drs. Tim Alford, Susan Chiarito, John Mitchell, Katie Patterson, and Beth Embry represented MAFP at the AAFP Congress of Delegates • Dr. John Mitchell was an observer on reference

ACADEMY

committee for AAFP Congress of Delegates • Applied and received 2019 Advocacy grant from Pfizer • Letter mailed to GI group outlining issues of offering chronic care management • Letter mailed to CMS outlining issues with 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule • MAFP President Dr. David Wheat signed letters for FamDocPAC membership drive • Created MAFP Scope Task Force. Members include Drs. Jennifer Gholson, Word Johnston and Katie Patterson • Formed MAFP Medicaid Advisory Committee to meet quarterly with Medicaid staff. Members include: Drs. Bill Grantham, John Mitchell, Chris Park, Katie Patterson and David Wheat.

• Attended Invest in a Healthier Future’s Press Conference for Tobacco Tax Increase WORKFORCE – Expanding the family physician workforce to meet patient and community needs • Presented MAFP opportunities to UMMC first year medical students with lunch on August 9, gained 100 new student members • Hosted William Carey medical students for testing at MAFP headquarters • MAFP Former President Dr. Sue Simmons addressed MSU Rural Medical Scholars • Sponsored 12 Academy Ambassadors to attend MAFP Annual Meeting • Sponsored 3 residents, each from different FM residencies, to attend Annual Meeting • Awarded 4 scholarships to medical students to attend AAFP’s National Conference • Awarded stipend to 2 Student Externs • Applied and received AAFP grant for Spring Fling • Assisted UMMC with FMIG Grant application • Exhibited at WCUCOM’s Residency Fair September 28 • Exhibited at UMMC Recruitment Fair October 3 • Met with OMPW to discuss leadership opportunities October 22 • Met with MS Rural Scholars Program to discuss 2019 legislative session November 20 • Presented to WCUCOM students on October 30, gained 60 members • Conference call with UMMC Dept of FM to discuss Spring Fling • Sent 2019 Spring Fling Save the Date reminders to all residencies and medical schools • Hosted Board Orientation for residents and students in July • Mailed MAFP information packets to home addresses of new residents PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT – Providing education through a variety of

ADVOCACY

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WORKFORCE

delivery mechanisms • Recognized 3 Fellows at Annual Meeting • Mailed 1,300 “Sun. Sea. CME.” postcards to other specialties promoting Annual Meeting • 523 total attendance at Annual Meeting: 139 registrants, 80 exhibits, 182 exhibitors, 180 family members, 7 staff and 15 speakers • Knowledge Self-Assessment Working Group Session during Annual Meeting • Utilized new app at Annual Meeting • 73 total attendance at Fall Conference held at Pickwick: 36 physicians, residents and medical students; 17 family members; 8 exhibitors; 6 staff and 6 speakers • MAFP recommended Dr. Mary Gayle Armstrong for MSMA Leadership program • MAFP recommended Drs. Katie Patterson and Brent Smith for AAFP Commissions • MAFP working toward a full delegation for the 2019 AAFP’s NCCL • MAFP President represented MAFP at TNAFP Annual Meeting in October PUBLIC AWARENESS – Improving public awareness of the roles and position of family physicians • Major General Dr. J.D. Polk received MAFP Military Award • Dr. Tim Alford honored with Physician of the Year Award • Dr. Jeremy Wells honored with New Physicians of the Year Award • Miss Mississippi met with MAFP and visited 12 schools presenting Tar Wars • MAFP Foundation Board member Dr. Melissa Stephens featured in Hattiesburg American as Tar Wars Champion • Bi-weekly E-Newsletter has an average 37% open rate out of 710 usually sent out • 4 Tar Wars presentations made to more than 70 medical students • Press releases: Dr. David Wheat, President; Dr. Tim Alford, Family Physician of Year; Dr. Jeremy Wells, New Physician of the Year; and Fellow: Dr. Carlos Latorre and Dr. John Vanderloo • MAFP Journal mailed to over 629 members, delivered to 100 legislators, and sent to other Academies and other Mississippi Associations.

• Foundation Draw Down raised $24,275 and Silent Auction raised $7,150 • Tobacco Grant Lunch and Learn with Drs. Word Johnston, Harpreet Sood and John Vanderloo • Kroger and Amazon Rewards Program started in November for Foundation • Created ad for Live Healthy car tag to promote to other association newsletters • Created special MAFP Past President’s Pin

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

PUBLIC AWARENESS

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10 | the mississippi family physician

Milestone Anniversaries Celebrated Don’t miss receiving your anniversary pin by attending the 2019 Annual Meeting to be held July 20-24.

New Members MAFP from Jun. 1-Dec. 31, 2018 ACTIVE Aaron A. Amos, MD, Belden Joshua Taylor Black, MD, Starkville Adelaide Francois, MD, New Orleans, LA Ronald M Frye, MD, Fayette Benjamin Robert Gilliland, MD, Tupelo Earl Leslie Mahaffey, MD, Prentiss Joseph Brooks Montgomery, MD, Madison David Lawrence Moody, MD, Carthage Megan Rae Moran, MD, Columbus Richard Allen Nance II, DO, Meridian Ndeke Nyirenda, MD, Gloster Rhonda Monique Odom-Funches, MD, Ridgeland Brett Donald Robbins, MD, Hattiesburg Ashley Simone Simon, MD, Marrero, LA Elizabeth Barr Verna, DO, Ocean Springs Oliver Grey Waldrop, MD, Ocean Springs Gisela Kathleen Williams, MD, Odenville, AL TRANSITIONAL Julissa Placencio, MD, Flowood Monica Toor, MD, Olive Branch William David Wallace, MD, McCarley RESIDENTS Jennifer Ashley, DO, EC-Healthnet Danish Ather, MD, UMMC Blayne E. Beene, DO, NMMC Parth Pareshkumar Bhavsar, MBBS, UMMC Jason Brown, MD, EC-Healthnet James Craig Bullock, MD, UMMC Matthew Capalbo, DO, EC-Healthnet Sarah Champagne, DO, UMMC Catherine Ifeyinwa Chokuba, MD, UMMC Robin Conley, DO, EC-Healthnet Andalib Danandeh, MD, EC-Healthnet Robert Dickson, DO, NMMC Matthew Dowdy, DO, NMMC Justin Dyer, MD, Forrest General Taylor James Eisenmenger, DO, EC-Healthnet Ross Ganucheau, MD, Forrest General Adam Guntharp, DO, NMMC Rachel Claire Harper, MD, EC-Healthnet Maria Syed Abid Hussain, MD, UMMC Daniel Khakshooy, MD, EC-Healthnet Benjamin Lambert, MD, NMMC Robert Toms Kidnie, MD, UMMC Brody LeBlanc, DO, EC-Healthnet Dennis Matthews, MD, EC-Healthnet Brad A. Murray, MD, NMMC Ronni Rebekah Naramore, DO, EC-Healthnet Amber W. Norris, DO, Forrest General Jenisus Owens, DO, EC-Healthnet Danielle Parker, MD, EC-Healthnet Mitul Deepak Patel, MD, UMMC

James Presgraves, MD, Forrest General Leslie Ann Rutkowski, DO, EC-Healthnet Michael S. Thompson, MD, NMMC Samuel A. Twedt, DO, NMMC Michael Gabriel Vanderloo, DO, Forrest General Kshama Ayant Vyas, MD, UMMC Matthew Aron Ward, DO, EC-Healthnet Eric Ryan Woods, DO, UMMC Rachel Yi, MD, Forrest General UMMC Students Amira Abbas Matthew Brian Alias Abigail Arcement Nathan Armstrong Joshua (Hunter) Aultman Kaleb Barnes Madelyn Barr Agatha Louise Berryhill Stewart Taylor Bertrand Andrew Biesemier Dustin Bihm Lauren Billington Amanda Boudreaux Kameron Boulton Leah Bowlin Brett Bowling Matthew Bridges Mark Briscoe Caleb Buckner Jeremy Burt Blair Bush India Byrd Anthony Carter Ellen Berry Carter Joseph Andrew Carter Ana Gayle Christian BS Ian Coate Annaleigh Coleman Kyle Cooper Jordan G. Cothern BA Jack Culbertson John Andrew Del Castillo Maggie Dickerson William Dungan BA Thomas Brent Ferguson Taylor Ferris Courtney Filliben Ruth Fowler Anna Fryar Sebastian Galante Tyler Gatewood Anna Gathings Kimberly Gilbert Ashley Gnam Adam Goodman

Jamie Lou Goodwin Rana Gordii Jack Hanson Mary Harvey Bismah Arif Hasan Reya Hayek Sean Himel D. Graham Hodge Michael Holman Kathryn Howell Yousef Hreish Gracie Hubacek Jeremy J. Hudson Jeshanah Johnson Taylor Johnson Elizabeth Jones Katie Jones Monica Kala Amandeep Kaur Daniel Kennedy Darius Kennedy Hasna Khandekar John Khoury Alexander Knight Rachael Nicole Kuehn Caroline Lambert David Mitch Lang Anna Elizabeth Langford Tracey Thuy Phuong Le Kever Lewis Mark Lewis David Li Parker Litchliter Harrison A Livingston Arien Loo-Hernandez Khalid Manzoul Andrew Duncan Maxwell Rosalynn May Alexandra Mazzola Matthew McMullan Keely McNeer Roland Joseph Mestayer Brittany Mitchell Mary Caroline Morris Summer Morrissette Kristin Myers Somtochukwu Ngwudike Adam Niolet Lee Ogletree Shannon Palmer Yasmin Partee Hamza Patel Niki Patel Ritesh Patel Taylor Patterson Joseph Pongetti

Christopher Price John Austin Puckett John Nathan Rhodes James Roberts Chad M. Ross Renira Rugnath Khoula Saleem Dean Scafidi Hayley Schrock Jacob Scoggin Gulrukh Shaheen Andrew Shine Wilkes Skelton Chelsey Smith Nathaniel Sparks Kristen Stephens Ross Straughan Shelby Swede Marjada Tucker Amit Tzivion Kevin Varghese Seth Warren Zachary C. Watters Katie Webb Taylor Webb Mary Frances Weeks John Whitaker Bethany Wilemon Cal Wilkerson Jessica Williams Lane Barry Williamson Gerri Anne Wilson Lindsey Winbome Christian Young WCUCOM Students Kiran Akbani David Anderson Michael Anderson Raymond Bener Sarah Bergman Hannah Borchelt Tyler Borges Stephen Bower John Bradley Richard L. Burgan Courtney Byers Allen Byl Natalia Cardona Sarah Carl Alex Carstens Taewhi Choi Christopher Clark Tessa Cucurullo Taylor Curry Allison DeHart

Alex Dougherty Zachary D. Ellis Rejina Fahhown Anita D. Fazeli Darryl Gaudet Ryan Gillentine Tyler Harless Henry Haruthunian Alex Hutchison Nuriva Kamran Omar Khan Sarah Kim Nicholas LaCivita Daniel Lawrence Faray Lukhana Brady Milanes Stephanie Mohmed Katelyn Murray Aiswarya Nair Kennedy Nies Joseph Noonan Abena Obeng Sumair Ozair Harsh Patel Christine Peddapanga Yasemin Sulton Polat Kyle A. Quist Hannah Campbell Ramsey Syed Danyal Raza Spencer Rhodes Jay Shah Jonathan Colby Smith Logan Soileau Katelyn St. Germain Daniel Stawrsky Orooj Syed Chloe Telles Nicholas S. Tito Jiwan Toor Anthony Trah Elizabeth Voirol Kaitlyn Warren Caleb White Marcus J. Wilson Anthony Yeh

Medical University of the Americas (Nevis) Megha Singh

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ACADEMY

More than a dozen members received their MAFP membership anniversary pins at the 2018 Annual Meeting. This year’s milestone anniversaries recognized during the Business Session or at the Dinner during the Annual Meeting included: • Edward Carruth, MD, FAAFP (40 years) • Melissa R. Stephens, MD, FAAFP (25) • Donald Conerly, MD (40) • Margaret M. Glynn, MD (20) • Walter E. Johnston, MD, FAAFP (40) • Carlos A. Latorre, MD, FAAFP (10) • Jack Evans, MD, FAAFP (35) • Sue H. Simmons, MD (10) • David B. Wheat, MD, FAAFP (35) • Brent Smith, MD, FAAFP (10) • William M. Grantham, MD (30) • Bradley Suggs, MD, FAAFP (10) • Evelyn R. Walker, MD (30)

ACADEMY

Flying High with Family Medicine Dr. Kevin Koehler of Access Family Health in Tupelo was honored in August as Physician of the Year by the Community Health Center Association of Mississippi (formerly known as the Mississippi Primary Health Care Association).

CHCAM Kevin Koehler, MD represents 21 community clinic organizations across the state. Dr. Koehler was honored with MAFP’s Military Service Award in 2010.

Dr. Carlos Latorre of Vicksburg joined the Mississippi Division of Medicaid (DOM) in November as the agency’s first full-time medical director. He is a graduate of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he also completed his Carlos A. Latorre, MD, FAAFP family medicine residency.

Latorre is presently MAFP’s secretary and is a MAFP Foundation past president.

AAFP has named Dr. John Mitchell of Pontotoc, director of the Office of Mississippi Physician Workforce, to the Reference Committee on Education. He will serve until 2020.

Dr. Jennifer Bryan of Flowood was elected in John R. Mitchell, MD, FAAFP

August as the first elected female chair of the Mississippi State Medical Association Board of Directors. She also earned the MSMA Community Service Award for 2018.

Dr. Timothy Quinn of Jackson earned the Jennifer Bryan, MD

MSMA Excellence in Wellness Promotion Award in August for spearheading the MSMA Prediabetes Awareness Campaign and a pilot program at a Jackson high school to promote wellness exams for teens.

Timothy Quinn, MD

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Committees Make Recommendations

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ore than 50 physicians, exhibitors, residents and medical students attended September’s Fall Conference at Pickwick Landing State Park in Counce, Tennessee. The meeting featured CME, social events and board/committee meetings. In addition to the MAFP Board and the MAFP Foundation Board, the Academy’s five committees held meetings. Some of the actions that came out of the committee meetings: Academy Committee: (Dr. Bill Grantham, Chair) • Reviewed membership trends for our chapter and awards received.

• Discussed ways members can be involved in other organizations to represent MAFP and Family Medicine. Committee requested a list of state boards/committees where our members can serve.

• Discussed alternative ways to communicate with membership other than through email (texting, FB, FB messenger, Twitter, etc.).

• Discussed recruitment efforts and ways to keep membership informed. For example, encouraged members to send news from their clinic for us to share on social media.

Advocacy Committee: (Dr. Katherine Patterson, Chair) • Discussed strategy for various issues on the 2019 legislative session • Discussed and made plans for the 2018 winter board meeting as it relates to inviting area legislators to attend • Pressed upon the importance of doctors attending Capitol Day Professional Development Committee: (Dr. Bruce Longest, Chair) • Recommended shorter lecture sessions at CME meetings • Proposed developing a one-day meeting on a Saturday with a social aspect, in place of the 3-day fall conference • Suggested break-out session topics at Get involved by serving annual meeting on a committee? E-mail • Discussed needed CME topics kristen@msafp.org with • Offered topics for roundtable your interest area. discussions at spring conference • Discussed ways to encourage members to pursue Degree of Fellow Public Awareness Committee: (Dr. Carlos Latorre, Chair) • Discussed ways to increase visibility of family physicians in the local community • Evaluated the Academy’s website, social media presence, e-newsletter and printed magazine • Recommended putting Academy Awards Nomination Form online to encourage more submissions Workforce Committee: (Dr. James Griffin, Chair) • Wants to establish a Speaker’s Bureau of physicians interested in speaking to residents and students • Recommended residency visits by MAFP staff include a graduate of the residency program now in practice • Encourage members to be preceptors • Encourage District Directors to call new physicians in their area to introduce themselves

Strategic Plan for MAFP Leadership Sets Roadmap 2019-2021

VALUES:

MISSION:

VISION:

Support Family Medicine physicians as they improve the health of all Mississippians.

For every person in Mississippi to have access and availability to a well-trained family physician to manage their medical care.

ADVOCACY: Serving as the unified WORKFORCE: Expanding the family voice of family physicians in physician workforce to meet Mississippi patient/community needs ⚫ Formalize legislative committee ⚫ Expand interest in legislative process

⚫ Educate legislators and statewide leaders on importance of Family Medicine ⚫ Maximize and utilize FamDocPAC to advance Family Medicine ⚫ Promote family physicians on boards dealing with healthcare, patient care, and professional development

⚫ Support Graduate Medical Education ⚫ Engage and retain new physicians ⚫ Offer physician happiness and wellbeing resources ⚫ Continue involvement with rural scholars, workforce office and pipeline programs

⚫ ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ ⚫

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Providing relevant education through a variety of delivery mechanisms ⚫ Continue CME offerings

Responsiveness Accountability Integrity Sustainability Excellence

PUBLIC AWARENESS: Improving public awareness of the roles and position of family physicians. ⚫ Update website and social media continually

⚫ Work with AAFP to eliminate or overhaul MOC

⚫ Utilize journal as outreach tool

⚫ Focus on population health at CME meetings

⚫ Promote community involvement of family physicians

⚫ Provide training on social media outlets to include business development tool

⚫ Offer patient education in blogs and podcasts

⚫ Tell the family physician story

⚫ Develop ways to increase involvement with students and residents

⚫ Increase interest in state and national awards

⚫ Encourage and promote the Degree of Fellow

⚫ Strengthen relationships to improve the quality of patient care in Mississippi

ACADEMY OPERATIONS: Ensure a sustainable, engaged and organized association ⚫ Develop leadership track

⚫

Continue member recruitment & retention

⚫ Maintain financial stability

More than 20 family physicians met in December to decide the Academy’s strategic direction for the next three years. The session was moderated by Dr. Jason Dees of New Albany.

Twenty MAFP members met to plan the Academy’s 3-year strategy for the future on Friday, Dec. 14, followed by a networking dinner, then a Board meeting the next day. The weekend was held at Eagle Ridge Conference Center in Raymond.

Board members and past presidents were invited to take part in the strategic planning session, conducted by Dr. Jason Dees of New Albany. It focused on the Academy’s goals and priorities for the coming three years, and the work product will be voted on at the April Board meeting.

Dr. Dees led a discussion about the Academy’s role and responsibilities in the next three years, applauding the Academy for its recent growth and success while mentioning issues that may arise in the future. Members were able to voice concerns and suggest new policies and

priorities for MAFP. Prior strategic planning sessions were held in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015.

MAFP, founded in 1949, is an affiliated chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians with 1,299 total members. As a medium size AAFP chapter, the Academy is

⚫ Review organization periodically

grouped nationally with other states having between 401 and 1001 Active members.

As of January 2019, the Academy had 562 Active members, 87 Resident members, and 535 Student members. The Academy’s Active member number represents 85.2% of all potential Active members paying dues, and in the 2018 membership year, the Academy retained 96.5% of its 2017 membership.

The Academy recognizes the importance of engaging first-year new physicians and offers a 50% dues discount to this member segment. This past year, 87.1% of MAFP graduating Resident members converted to Active membership. The MAFP annual dues are $300 and AAFP dues are $450.

Dividing into small groups, physicians thought strategically about different areas of the Academy. In the foreground, Drs. Mary Gayle Armstrong, John Vanderloo, Susan Chiarito and Chrystal Sumrall brainstormed about Public Awareness. the mississippi family physician

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ACADEMY

⚫ Maintain visibility of family physicians in government affairs

⚫ Enhance shadowing and mentoring opportunities for students and residents

#msafp

MAFP Board of Directors 2018-19

PRESIDENT-ELECT William Grantham, MD

VICE PRESIDENT James W. Griffin, MD

SECRETARY Carlos A. Latorre, MD

TREASURER William E. Loper III, MD, FAAFP

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT AND AAFP DELEGATE Katherine T. Patterson, MD, FAAFP

DELEGATE TO AAFP Timothy J. Alford, MD, FAAFP

ALTERNATE DELEGATE TO AAFP Susan A. Chiarito, MD, FAAFP

ALTERNATE DELEGATE TO AAFP John R. Mitchell, MD, FAAFP

DIRECTOR DISTRICT 1 Paul Pavlov, MD

DIRECTOR DISTRICT 2 Chrystal A. Sumrall, MD, FAAFP

DIRECTOR DISTRICT 3 Lee Valentine, DO

DIRECTOR DISTRICT 4 Evelyn R. Walker, MD

DIRECTOR DISTRICT 5 John Vanderloo, MD

DIRECTOR DISTRICT 6 Stephen C. Hammack, MD

DIRECTOR DISTRICT 7 T. Bruce Longest, Jr., MD

DIRECTOR DISTRICT 8 Christopher L. Park, DO

DIRECTOR AT LARGE Christy B. Vowell, DO

DIRECTOR AT LARGE P. Brent Smith, MD

RESIDENT MEMBER Lindsey McCormick, DO

ACADEMY

PRESIDENT David B. Wheat, MD, FAAFP

STUDENT MEMBER Adam Purvis

ALTERNATE RESIDENT MEMBER Stephen Morgan, MD

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ALTERNATE STUDENT MEMBER Will Casey

All MAFP members are invited to write and submit resolutions for consideration at the MAFP Business Meeting held on the Tuesday before the MAFP Annual Scientific Assembly. Submissions are due June 1.

Delegates Help Set Policy in the Big Easy Dr. Tim Alford | Kosciusko

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Smith of Cleveland who distinguishes us by being President of the AAFP Foundation. He reported significant humanitarian progress among which is substantial giving to free clinics around the country.

Dr. Jason Dees of New Albany is President of FamMedPAC, the AAFP political action committee, and he reported over $1 million raised in this year alone, making it the second most successful healthrelated PAC in the country as the AAFP continues to gain more and more clout on the Hill in Washington.

Our Chapter Exec, Beth Embry, remains one of the most respected execs amongst 50 states bringing forth fresh new ideas, always committed to “her doctors.” There were 65 members of MAFP registered to attend the Scientific part of the meeting, AAFP’s Family Medicine Experience (FMX) in New Orleans which followed the COD meeting.

Delegates representing Mississippi at AAFP’s Congress of Delegates included Drs. James Mitchell, Katie Patterson, Susan Chiarito and Tim Alford.

What’s Your Specialty?

ADVOCACY

our MAFP delegation recently completed its work at the AAFP Congress of Delegates (COD) 2018 in New Orleans, LA. The delegation consisted of Dr. Tim Alford, Kosciusko, Delegate; Dr. Katie Patterson, Indianola, Delegate; Dr. Susan Chiarito, Vicksburg, Alternate Delegate; Dr. John Mitchell, Pontotoc, Alternate Delegate.

The AAFP Reference Committee work has become much more efficient and relevant to the practicing family physician. You can see policy shifts before your eyes as it is immediately incorporated and edited into policy during the Congress.

For example, from the Education Committee, it is apparent there is an on-going conversation with the leadership of AAFP and the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM - Board Certification entity). The Congress’ message to the Board this year via our colleagues back home is that Board Certification should not be the sole criteria for privileging, credentialing, and payment. Secondly, there is still plenty of room for improvement on the maintenance of certification process, as well as the cost.

The Congress reasserted graduate medical education (GME) financing reform and strengthened its policy about GME funding, setting the goal of 25% of medical school graduates choosing family medicine by the year 2030 with six principles to guide us.

AAFP continues to pound away at prior authorization and feels that getting rid of the hassle factor is subsumed within an overall reformed payment system. This payment model called the APC - APM Payment Model includes a per member per month approach, coverage for non-face-toface services, fee for service when needed, and prospective payment. Direct Primary Care payment has gained a foothold within this payment model!

Resolution 516, from the Advocacy Committee, asked for expansion of the legislative tool kit to include model state legislation to stake ground for a more favorable primary care spending rate.

The Committee on Public Health heard appeals from many microphones for AAFP to develop a singular statement concerning the overwhelming evidence for climate change and its profound public health consequences.

There was action taken to develop a national immunization registry for children and adults that could be accessed on-line. Alleluia! There was a request to develop and use evidence-based non-pharmacy interventions for pain control: i.e. medicinal marijuana and acupuncture. A request was made to create policy opposing continued patient segregation of care within the healthcare system by insurance companies and hospitals. For example, some hospitals have outpatient facilities for private insurance and another set of clinics for Medicaid and non-paying patients.

The Congress of Delegates adopted Substitute Resolution 402, which took on a relevant end-of-life issue. The Congress adopted a position of “engaged neutrality” toward medical aid in dying. In the process, the AAFP ends the use of the term “assisted suicide.”

Mississippi was well represented by Dr. Brent

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ADVOCACY

Celebration in Jackson During Capitol Day Over 40 family physicians, family medicine residents and medical students joined MAFP at the State Capitol on Jan. 30 for Capitol Day, a day of networking with legislators and showcasing family medicine’s impact on the state.

Highlighting the day was the proclamation of Family Medicine Week in Mississippi, signed by Gov. Phil Bryant in honor of the Academy’s 70th anniversary. MAFP President Dr. David Wheat of Clinton had a private meeting with Gov. Bryant as he signed the proclamation in MAFP’s honor that day.

The day was a great way to meet legislators, said EC HealthNet resident Dr. Lindsey McCormick of Meridian.

“MAFP gave us all contact numbers for our local senator and house rep, and I sent a text to each to let them know I was at the Capitol and would love to meet with them if time allowed.

Rep. Charles Young Jr. of Meridian responded within the hour,” she said.

“He came to our event and specifically asked to meet with me, by name, and we got to take photos and spend time talking about Family Medicine and Meridian and found we had a lot in

Representative Charles Young of Meridian with Drs. Lindsey McCormick and Moumita Biswas, also of Meridian.

common around the community. He was very friendly and very easy to talk with and even offered to meet for dinner once back in Meridian!”

The day started with a breakfast in the Capitol rotunda, followed by a tour of both the Capitol building and the Capitol Medical Clinic. After being introduced in the Senate gallery, several people met with legislators privately and attended committee meetings.

Representatives Patricia Willis of Diamondhead and Bill Denny of Jackson with Dr. John Vanderloo of Jackson.

16 | the mississippi family physician

Celebratory cake was served to members and legislators at Capitol Day in honor of MAFP’s 70th anniversary.

At the afternoon reception, 83 legislators attended and received a goodie bag with information about Family Medicine and a pottery mug.

The reception featured celebratory cake for MAFP’s 70th anniversary.

Many thanks to MEA Medical Clinics for attending and doing health screenings.

Representatives also attended from the Office of Mississippi Physician Workforce and the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program.

Many of the students who attended were Rural Scholars interested in family medicine.

UMMC and EC HealthNet sent representatives from their residency programs, including Drs. Lindsey McCormick, Jessica Douglas, Renee Taylor, Melissa Sanders, David Green, Alana Piersanti and Michael Yeung-Lai-Wah.

Dr. Katie Patterson was interviewed by Jackson-based WAPT-TV about the Academy’s legislative priorities and activities during the day.

1014 North Flowood Drive, Flowood, Mississippi 39232 p. 601.939.4910 t. 1.800.272.0709 serviceprintersinc.com

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ADVOCACY

More than 40 family physicians, residents and students wore their white coats to the State Capitol and participated in a day of legislative activities January 30.

Wheat Seeks FamDocPAC Support

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n a November letter personally signed and sent to MAFP members, MAFP President Dr. David Wheat of Clinton asked for donations to the FamDocPAC. If you set your letter aside, there is still time to donate. PAC donations may be sent to the MAFP office: FamDocPAC, 755 Avignon Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157.

President David B. Wheat, MD, FAAFP Clinton

755 Avignon Drive Ridgeland, MS 39157 601-853-3302 (P) 601-853-3002 (F) www.msafp.org

President – Elect William M. Grantham, MD Clinton Vice President James W. Griffin, MD New Augusta Secretary Carlos A. Latorre, MD, FAAFP Vicksburg Treasurer William E. Loper, III, MD, FAAFP Ridgeland Immediate Past President Katherine T. Patterson, MD, FAAFP Indianola Executive Director Beth Embry Madison AAFP Delegates Timothy J. Alford, MD, FAAFP Kosciusko

ADVOCACY

Katherine T. Patterson, MD, FAAFP Indianola AAFP Alternate Delegates John R. Mitchell, MD, FAAFP Pontotoc Susan A. Chiarito, MD, FAAFP Vicksburg Directors District 1 Paul M. Pavlov, MD Biloxi District 2 Chrystal A. Sumrall, MD, FAAFP Laurel District 3 J. Lee Valentine, DO Meridian District 4 Evelyn R. Walker, MD Jackson District 5 John P. Vanderloo, MD Madison District 6 Stephen C. Hammack, MD Kosciusko District 7 T. Bruce Longest, MD Bruce District 8 Christopher L. Park, DO New Albany

Director at Large Christy B. Vowell, MD Eupora

[Type text] Director at Large

P. Brent Smith, MD, MSC, FAAFP Cleveland

Dr. Katie Patterson, Senator Dean Kirby, MAFP lobbyist Ashley Thompson, and Dr. David Wheat met December 14 to discuss legislative issues. Kirby is chair of the Public Health & Welfare Committee and has been a senator since 1992.

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WĂƌƚ ŽĨ ďĞŝŶŐ Ă ƐƚƌŽŶŐ ĐĂĚĞŵLJ ŝƐ ŵĂŝŶƚĂŝŶŝŶŐ Ă ƐƚƌŽŶŐ W ͘ tŚŝůĞ ŽƵƌ &Ăŵ ŽĐW ŝƐ Ɛƚŝůů ŐƌŽǁŝŶŐ͕ ŝƚ ŝƐ ŝŵƉĞƌĂƚŝǀĞ ƚŚĂƚ ĨĂŵŝůLJ ƉŚLJƐŝĐŝĂŶƐ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ŝƚ ƚŽ ĞŶƐƵƌĞ ƚŚĞ ƐƚĂďŝůŝƚLJ ŽĨ LJŽƵƌ ƉƌĂĐƚŝĐĞƐ ĂŶĚ ůŝǀĞůŝŚŽŽĚƐ͘ tĞ ŶĞĞĚ Ă ǀŝĂďůĞ ƌĞƐŽƵƌĐĞ ƚŽ ŚĞůƉ ĞůĞĐƚ ƚŚŽƐĞ ůĞŐŝƐůĂƚŽƌƐ ǁŚŽ ǁŝůů ďĞ ĨƌŝĞŶĚůLJ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŵĞĚŝĐĂů ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ĂŶĚ ƚŽ ĨĂŵŝůLJ ŵĞĚŝĐŝŶĞ͘ / ƵƌŐĞ LJŽƵ ƚŽ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ŽƵƌ &Ăŵ ŽĐW ͘ tĞ ŶĞĞĚ ĞǀĞƌLJ ĨĂŵŝůLJ ƉŚLJƐŝĐŝĂŶ ŝŶ ŽƵƌ ƐƚĂƚĞ ƚŽ ĐŽŶƚƌŝďƵƚĞ͘ Ɛ ϮϬϭϵ ŝƐ Ă ƐƚĂƚĞ ĞůĞĐƚŝŽŶ LJĞĂƌ͕ ǁĞ ƉůĂŶ ƚŽ ĨŝŶĂŶĐŝĂůůLJ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ĐĂŶĚŝĚĂƚĞƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŶĞdžƚ ϭϮ ŵŽŶƚŚƐ͘

/ ĐŚĂůůĞŶŐĞ LJŽƵ ƚŽ ŐŝǀĞ Ψϭ Ă ĚĂLJ ĨŽƌ Ă ƚŽƚĂů ŽĨ Ψϯϲϱ ƚŽ ĞŶƐƵƌĞ ƚŚĂƚ ĨĂŵŝůLJ ŵĞĚŝĐŝŶĞ ƌĞŵĂŝŶƐ Ă ƉƌŝŽƌŝƚLJ ĨŽƌ ŵĞŵďĞƌƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƐƚĂƚĞ ůĞŐŝƐůĂƚƵƌĞ͘ /Ĩ LJŽƵ ĐĂŶŶŽƚ ĐŽŵŵŝƚ ƚŽ ƚŚĂƚ ůĞǀĞů͕ ƚŚĞŶ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌ ĚŽŶĂƚŝŶŐ ΨϭϬϬ ĨŽƌ ϮϬϭϴ͘

/Ĩ LJŽƵ ŚĂǀĞ ĂŶLJ ƋƵĞƐƚŝŽŶƐ ĂďŽƵƚ ŚŽǁ ŵƵĐŚ ƚŚĞ D &W ĚŽĞƐ ĨŽƌ ƵƐ ĂŶĚ ĨŝŐŚƚƐ ĨŽƌ ƵƐ͕ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ĚŽ ŶŽƚ ŚĞƐŝƚĂƚĞ ƚŽ ĐĂůů ŵĞ͘ ,ŽƉĞĨƵůůLJ ƚŚĂŶŬŝŶŐ LJŽƵ ŝŶ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞ͕ / Ăŵ ^ŝŶĐĞƌĞůLJ LJŽƵƌƐ͕

ĂǀŝĚ ͘ tŚĞĂƚ D ͕ & &W WƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚ

MISSION: Dedicated to advancing the specialty of Family Medicine and improving the health of all people in Mississippi.

Senator Buck Clarke of Hollandale met Jan. 30 with MAFP President-Elect Dr. Bill Grantham of Madison.

Clarke is chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and has served as a senator since 2004.

Academy Advocates Wanted T he Mississippi Legislature is in session in Jackson.

Although an election year, legislators are busy.

MAFP President Dr. David Wheat of Clinton wants you to sign up as an Academy Advocate, so if you know a statewide official or member of the Mississippi Senate or House, please let us know by completing this form.

Sign up now to be one of our “go to” contacts.

Please fill out form and return to:

755 Avignon Drive | Ridgeland, MS 39157 601-853-3302 • Fax 601-853-3002 kristen@msafp.org

Name__________________________________________________________________________________________ Cell Number__________________________________________________________________________________ E-mail__________________________________________________________________________________________ Name of Official(s) with whom you have a relationship, and what is the relationship? ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Are you a constituent of the Official(s)?

18 | the mississippi family physician

n Yes

n No

Dozens Serve as Doc of the Day

S

erving as a Doctor of the Day at the Mississippi State Capitol creates visibility for family docs and you in turn, learn about the legislative process. You will see legislators, officials and Capitol staff for common ailments in the Capitol Medical Clinic staffed by a nurse and equipped with a state-of-the-art telemedicine hookup. As Doctor of the Day, physicians are granted floor privileges to both chambers and will be introduced in the House and Senate floors. You must be a member of MSMA since they sponsor and fund the program. Thank you to these MAFP members who are have signed up to serve this legislative session. Thank you to these MAFP members who are currently signed up to serve as Doctor of the Day this legislative session:

Interested in signing up? Email beth@msfap.org Capitol Day registrants received a tour of the State Capitol Medical Clinic, which is staffed by a nurse and equipped with a telemedicine hook-up.

ADVOCACY

Jan. 8.......... Marc Johnson, MD Jan. 9.......... Scott Hambleton, MD Jan. 10........ Micah Walker, MD Jan. 11........ Carlos Latorre, MD, FAAFP Jan. 16........ Scott Hambleton, MD Jan. 17........ John Mitchell, MD Jan. 22........ William Allen Martin, DO Jan. 29........ Carlos Latorre, MD, FAAFP Jan. 30........ Katherine Patterson, MD, FAAFP Jan. 31........ John Mitchell, MD, FAAFP Feb. 5......... Jennifer J. Bryan, MD Feb. 7......... John Vanderloo, MD, FAAFP Feb. 12....... John Mitchell, MD Feb. 25....... Marc Johnson, MD Mar. 1........ Stephen Coachys, MD Mar. 8........ Randy Easterling, MD Mar. 12...... Susan Chiarito MD Mar. 18...... Melissa R. Stephens, DO Mar. 21...... John Mitchell, MD Mar. 22...... Christy Vowell, DO Mar. 27...... Mary Gayle Armstrong, MD Apr. 2......... Marc Johnson, MD Apr. 4......... Shannon Myers, MD

Serving as Doctor of the Day on Jan. 29, Dr. Carlos Latorre of Vicksburg took a photo with Warren County’s House delegation, including (from left), Rep. Kevin Ford, Rep. Oscar Denton, Latorre, Rep. Deborah Butler-Dixon, and Ann Lincoln, the Capitol nurse.

2019 Legislative Forecast

T

he 2019 legislative session has begun.

The session kicked off on Tuesday, January 8 and legislators have been hard at work with committee meetings and reviewing various pieces of legislation. The 90-day session is set to Sine Die on Sunday, April 7. We anticipate a busy session with thousands of bills introduced; however, the last year of a four-year term typically ends quietly. We plan to monitor all healthcare issues and be available to oppose any bills dealing with changes to our state’s vaccination laws, scope of practice, or bills that try to regulate the practice of medicine through statute. We are always supportive of the Rural Physicians Program, the

Office of Physicians Workforce, and the Department of Health’s budget requests.

Later this year we will see the entire membership of the Senate and House of Representatives up for re-election as well as all statewide offices. There are already numerous members who have announced they are not running in 2019, and we want doctors to fill those seats! Please contact the Academy office for a list of open seats in both chambers. There is currently not one physician sitting member in the legislature, and we know at least one of you could be a difference maker for our profession and healthcare in Mississippi by joining the legislature. the mississippi family physician

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MAFP Visits Medical Schools,

WORKFORCE

Takes Part in Two Residency Fairs 160 student members joined the MAFP as a direct result of 2 lunch presentations given by our own Academy Advocates.

The Family Medicine luncheon for UMMC M1 students was held August 9, and 100 student members joined that day. On October 30, a similar luncheon was held for William Carey University COM students, and 60 students joined at the event.

This kind of interest has fueled MAFPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rise to the top of the list of AAFP chapters when it comes to student membership. In 2017, MAFP received the first place award nationally for percent increase in student membership, among chapters of the same size.

At UMMC, the MAFP Foundation and the Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) partnered to provide lunch for 165 new first-year medical students.

Presentations from MAFP and student members discussed their experiences with MAFP and encouraged others to join. FMIG president Will Casey and MS Rural Physicians Scholars Program director Wahnee Sherman gave presentations during the luncheon.

Many thanks to Beth Wilson of the UMMC Family Medicine Department for coordinating the lunch.

At William Carey, MAFP provided lunch for 100 OMS 1 and 2 students on campus. After MAFP staff gave a short presentation to the students, two medical student members shared how they have benefited from MAFP membership. That afternoon, MAFP member Dr. Jeremy Wells of Hattiesburg spoke to the family

20 | the mississippi family physician

Helping recruit new M1s as members at UMMC Family Medicine Day were: Joshua Jackson, Jackson Browning, Sonny Hodge, Ragan Maxwell, Kay-Lynn Meador, Kaylie Bradshaw, Weston Eldridge, Wisam Beauti.

Celebrating 100 new membership applications received on August 9 were Will Casey, FMIG president; Kaylie Bradshaw, Joshua Jackson, and Van-Vi Le.

Dr. Jeremy Wells, fourth from left, spoke to WCUCOM medical students about sports medicine and being a practicing physician.

medicine interest group at WCUCOM, discussing his day-to-day activities and talking to students about exploring sports medicine as a family physician.

Several WCUCOM faculty helped with the luncheon, including Drs. Makayla Merrit, Rance McLain and Melissa Stephens.

This past fall, MAFP also had a presence at residency fairs for both medical schools, with a booth and staff members promoting family medicine.

Students attended both fairs to find out more about primary care.

WCUCOM 4th-year students Adam Purvis and Terra Cody assisted MAFP in recruiting new members from the 1st- and 2nd-year ranks at their school. On October 30, more than 60 members joined as a result of their efforts.

WORKFORCE

MAFP staff member Kristen Kern and WCUCOM student Richard Burgan, president of the ACOFP student chapter, at the WCUCOM Hospital Day on September 28.

MAFP staff member Jewell Buckley, right, talks about family medicine to two WCUCOM students. MAFP had a booth at WCUCOM Hospital Day in September.

Eight residents from Mississippi family medicine residencies attended this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Annual Meeting, including Drs. Vineeth Sankoorikal, Jessica Douglas, Alana Piersanti, Susan Williams, Lindsey McCormick, Craig Moffett, and Sarah Hudson. Not pictured, but in attendance, was Dr. Brock Banks.

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New Family Physicians Encouraged to Stay Involved T he MAFP is proud to welcome 30 new graduates to the ranks of active physicians from Mississippi’s four family medicine residency programs. Ceremonies took place in summer 2018

at each program. Each of the graduates received a congratulatory package including a calendar of events, a membership application reminding them the MAFP gives a 50 percent discount to

WORKFORCE

North Mississippi North Mississippi Medical Center Family Medicine Residency 2018 graduates are Drs. (top row) Will Davis, Jordan Steele, Cole Wilkerson, (middle) Jessica Lauderdale, Joel Moore, (front row) Chris Richard, Emily Landrum, and J.R. Davidson.

first-year active members, a journal and a gift certificate for free registration to attend a future Annual Meeting. We hope to see them at a MAFP event in 2019.

EC HealthNet The 2018 graduates of EC-HealthNet Family Medicine Residency, from left: Drs. Hunter Harrison, Matthew Roberts, Matthew Capalbo, John Thames, Christopher Moore, and Gabriel Madu.

Forrest General The 2018 Forrest General Family Medicine Residency graduates include: Drs. Jessica Tullos, Judd Reynolds, Jordan Ingram, Joshua Derryberry, Jason Fisher, and Meagan Taylor.

University of Mississippi UMMC Family Medicine Residency’s 2018 graduates are Drs.(back row) Jonathan Flowers, Jon Dray Lee, Vance Washington, Matthew Meece (front row) Hannah Ray, Charvi Patel, Kristie Alvarez, Ashley Simon, Liana Singh and Ashlie Booth.

Academy Ambassadors Stronger Than Ever T welve medical students chosen as Student Academy Ambassadors spent July 21-25 at the MAFP Annual Meeting in Destin, FL, getting to know each other, learning about family medicine at education sessions, and networking.

Academy Ambassador Weston Eldridge shared about his experience, “thank you so much for being such a big part of my summer and giving me the opportunity of my externship and the conference. My love for family medicine has increased tremendously because of this summer. I met so many people and had such a joyful time! After a year full of stress, angst and at times despair, this summer has been refreshing.

Working with MAFP added to my enjoyment and I look forward to working with you in the future.”

The Ambassadors provided invaluable help to MAFP staff -- they were in the thick of things, preparing for activities, helping staff events, working a booth in the exhibit hall, and selling MAFP clothing and Draw Down tickets.

The Student Ambassadors met practicing physicians, Mississippi residency programs, more

22 | the mississippi family physician

than 80 exhibitors, MAFP leaders and Dr. Conrad Flick, former AAFP Board member. And did we mention fun? In addition to some free time to enjoy Destin, students also took part in MAFP activities like golf, shard-art, the Academy Amazing Race, family fun night, charter fishing, bingo and bay day.

Students apply to be an Academy Ambassador online and if selected, the MAFP and Foundation pay for hotel rooms and meals during the meeting.

2018 Ambassadors included William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine students: Terra Cody, M3; Adam Purvis, M3; and Anita Santpurkar, M3.

Ambassadors from University of Mississippi Medical Center were: Wisam Beauti, M2; Kaylie Bradshaw, M1; Will Casey, M4; Weston Eldridge, M2; Sonny Hodge, M3; Regan Maxwell, M4; Falan McKnight, M3; Conner Sears, M1; Hannah Whitlock, M1.

Interested in being an Ambassador?

Email kristen@msafp.org

The 2018 MAFP Student Ambassadors were (back row) Kaylie Bradshaw, Wisam Beauti, Anita Santpurkar, Falan McKnight, Hannah Whitlock, Conner Sears, Terra Cody, Regan Maxwell, (front row) Adam Purvis, Will Casey, Weston Eldridge, Sonny Hodge.

Resident/Student Board Orientation Held N ewly-elected MAFP student and resident board members visited the MAFP office for an orientation Friday July 6, conducted by Drs. Brent Smith of Cleveland and Jeremy Wells of Hattiesburg, along with MAFP staff.

During orientation, students and residents took part in discussions about the responsibilities and expectations of a board member, learned more about the committee structure and strategic plans, and discussed ways to improve Spring Fling and other resident and student activities.

New board members participating in orientation were Dr. Lindsey McCormick, Dr. Jessica Douglas, Dr. Jeremy Wells, Falan McKnight, Dr. Sarah Hudson, Will Casey, Dr. Brent Smith, Adam Purvis, and Anita Santpurkar.

The eight new board members represent all 4 of Mississippi’s family medicine residency programs and both of the state’s

medical schools. They will each attend MAFP events the rest of the year to take part in board activities.

Mississippi Represented at National Conference

UMMC and WCUCOM medical students gathered for a photo at the AAFP National Conference for Residents and Students, held August 2-4, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. Scholarships are available for those interested in attending the 2019 conference.

Interested in a scholarship?

Email kristen@msafp.org

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WORKFORCE

The MAFP Foundation awarded scholarships to four Mississippi medical students to attend the AAFP’s National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Students in August. The scholarship covered their meals plus travel expenses to Kansas City, Missouri.

Three WCUCOM students, Johnny Campbell, Marco Garcia and Rubana Khan, and one UMMC student, Meg Mathis, were the scholarship recipients for 2018.

“The serious, purposeful atmosphere of the conference made me proud to be a future family doc,” Mathis said. “My favorite aspect of attending was being a part of a large group of like-minded young professionals in an environment that promoted professional development.”

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

BE WELL DO WELL Focus of Annual Meeting in July In July, MAFP inspired physicians to take care of themselves with a “Be Well, Do Well.”

Theme at the annual meeting held in Sandestin, Florida. The zen-like theme carried over into the week’s events and amid the calming atmosphere, docs had lots of fun.

There were 139 registrants, 80 exhibits, 182 exhibitors, 180 family members, 7 staff and 15 speakers for a total of 523 total attendance. Our Mississippi physicians were joined during the week with physicians from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. We had 28 first time attendees this year and we invite them to return in 2019.

Attendees enjoyed annual favorite activities during the meeting, including Family Fun Night, Bay Day, Spouse Bingo and the President’s Reception. Prior to the kick off of the meeting, a Knowledge Self-Assessment on Women’s Health was held on Saturday.

The meeting offered attendees 20 hours of

CME on varied subjects such as atrial fibrillation, treating transgender patients, musculoskeletal imaging, lupus, and reproductive health. There were 13 new physicians joining us this year and multiple sessions were aimed at new physicians and residents, with sessions on coding, the business of running a practice, and alternative practice models. Mental health was also a focus, with a session on physician wellness and another on how to be a ‘rock star’ in the clinic.

Gathering for fellowship helped every physician to Be Well as Family Fun Night featured carnival-style games with prizes, plus facepainting, caricatures, personalized airbrushed t-shirts and karaoke music by AJC. The ballroom was decorated in primary colors and the little ones in attendance were given stress-relief balls, water bottles and fun prizes at the carnival. Other family-friendly events included Marina Bay Day, Jolee Island Getaway with huge water slides, Loot and Scoot, and the first Academy Amazing Race

MAFP members gathered at Annual Meeting for a big group photo.

Medical students and physicians got to know each other at the Saturday evening reception, including Weston Eldridge, Hannah Whitlock, Kaylie Bradshaw, Dr. Carlos Latorre, Regan Maxwell, Dr. Katie Patterson, and Conner Sears.

24 | the mississippi family physician

where families or teams competed in a scavenger hunt with challenges along the way.

The Annual Dinner was elegant, with physicians given the chance to dress up and have a sit-down meal with colleagues while celebrating a successful past year. New board members were sworn in, Dr. Katherine Patterson of Indianola received her past president’s green jacket, and Dr. David Wheat of Clinton accepted the gavel of the MAFP presidency (see story, page 4-5).

The highlight of the evening was the surprise presentation of MAFP Family Physician of the Year to Dr. Tim Alford of Kosciusko and MAFP New Physician of the Year to Dr. Jeremy Wells of Hattiesburg (see story, page 25-26).

This year’s meeting is July 21-25, 2019 at Baytowne Conference Center in Sandestin, Florida.

Wearing MAFP shirts on the beach are Dr. Kimberly Estes of Meadville with her husband, David, and their children, Audrey, Harvey and Jamie.

Dr. Derrick Duffield of Hattiesburg brought his children, David and Danielle, to Family Fun Night.

Dr. Rita Redd of Meridian, second from left, with her family including children Corren, Maxon and Easten, at Family Fun Night.

Zen Master Dr. Katie Patterson and her sons, Samuel, Reilly, Nicholas and John Kastens enjoyed Family Fun Night.

Former presidents sporting their green jackets at the Annual Meeting were (back row) Drs. Bill Jones, Bill Jackson, Jennifer Gholson, Katie Patterson, Susan Chiarito, (front row) Lee Giffin, Sue Simmons, Tim Alford, Word Johnston and Mary Gayle Armstrong.

Left: Dr. Patrick Whipple and his wife, Brigette, and children Allie, Aubrey, Preston and Duncan, dressed in matching gear to get ready for the challenge in the Academy Amazing Race.

Dr. Paul Pavlov, Blaine Lindsey of Aledade, Dr. Lee Giffin and Dr. Word Johnston played golf as a foursome at the Annual Meeting.

To promote a zen-like atmosphere, massage therapists and nail technicians were in exhibit hall to treat physicians and exhibitors to a bit of self care.

Families enjoyed the bay side at the Marina Bay Day, featuring games for adults and kids. the mississippi family physician

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Conley and Noah Campbell of Saltillo, sons of Dr. Luke Campbell, had their faces painted at Family Fun Night.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

MAFP JOINS 12 STATES at SEFM Dr. David Wheat, MD, FAAFP, Clinton

B

eth Embry, Dr. James Griffin and I attended the Southeast Family Medicine Forum. It was in Amelia Island in August, hosted by the Florida Academy of Family Physicians. It was a beautiful venue and the Florida Academy did a great job of hosting the event. It was good to renew old friendships with executives and leaders from some of the other states.

We had sessions concerning vaccination programs, prison medicine, HIV and political futures, all from nationally-known speakers. The most interesting talk was from Marie Spano, Sports Nutrition Expert for the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Falcons, and a consultant for Olympic athletes. Her focus was on the importance of protein not only in athletes but in the elderly as well.

The legislative update from the 12 Southeastern states continued to have many of the same concerns we have in Mississippi including scope of practice and the opioid epidemic.

Telemedicine occupied a prominent spot in many statesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; agendas along with reimbursement issues, physician workforce, and, of course, medical marijuana.

Drs. David Wheat, left, and James Griffin at the Southeast Family Medicine Forum in Amelia Island. They attended sessions and represented the state at this regional event.

26 | the mississippi family physician

Representing Mississippi at the Southeast Family Medicine Forum were Beth Embry and MAFP officers Drs. David Wheat and James Griffin.

MAFP President David Wheat and his wife, Sherry, attended SEFM at Amelia Island, Florida, at which a dozen states convene to discuss issues important to AAFP members.

Dr. Robert Raspa, a member of the AAFP Board of Directors presented an update from the AAFP and we conveyed our great concern in the proposed changes in reimbursement by CMS and how the AAFP should respond. He shared our concerns and the next day we received a favorable response from AAFP Executive Vice President, Dr. Doug Henley.

We enjoyed an evening dinner with the Louisiana contingent. It was good to share issues with our neighboring state in one-on-one discussions. All in all, it was a great meeting for fellowship, sharing issues and learning strategy for our state.

Louisiana and Mississippi family physicians dined together in Georgia during the 3-day Southeast Family Medicine Forum.

Relaxing Setting for Fall Conference ore than 50 physicians, exhibitors, residents and medical students attended the Fall Conference September 21-23 at Pickwick Landing State Park in Counce, TN. The meeting featured CME, social events and meetings. The MAFP Board and Foundation Board held meetings.

There was a wide variety of educational subjects discussed during the CME sessions Saturday and Sunday, but there was also time for fun. Social events included a Friday night barbecue picnic style with a bonfire on the lake, where physicians reconnected and enjoyed sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;mores. Following CME on Saturday, the spouses shopped in Corinth, one group visited nearby Shiloh Military Park, and several docs took an afternoon pontoon cruise. A rainstorm on Saturday afternoon did not diminish the fun as MAFP former president Dr. Bill and Linda Jackson of Corinth hosted a Saturday evening reception at their home on Pickwick Lake, featuring live music, a fried catfish dinner and fellowship with physicians.

A group of students and residents attended the board meetings, committee meetings, CME sessions, met with exhibitors, and networked with fellow doctors.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

M

Dr. Bill Jackson of Corinth with Cecil and Dr. Sue Simmons of Maben at the conferenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s barbecue picnic.

Residents and students were able to relax and spend time talking at the catfish dinner at the home of Dr. Bill and Linda Jackson. Pictured are Dr. Jessica Douglas, Anita Santpurkar, Marco Garcia, Falan McKnight, Adam Purvis and daughter Lucy, Terra Cody, and Will Casey.

Dr. Amy Holliman speaks with exhibitors at the Fall Conference.

Physicians enjoy socializing at the Pickwick Lake home of Dr. Bill and Linda Jackson.

Right: During throwback t-shirt day, there was a wide range of shirts worn by Terra Cody and Drs. Anna Marie Hailey-Sharp, Sue Simmons, Lakeisha Chism, Tim Alford, Carlos Latorre and Bill Jackson.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

FMX Reception Held in New Orleans

A

t The Chicory in the French Quarter October 9, dozens of Mississippi and Louisiana family physicians networked and had fun at the MAFP/Louisiana AFP’s joint Welcome Reception, held in connection with the AAFP Congress of Delegates and Family Medicine Experience (FMX). Goodie bags and prizes were awarded and the entire group ‘let the good times roll!’ Mississippi had almost

Elaine and Dr. John Mitchell, left, with Louisiana physicians at the Oct. 9 joint reception.

60 physician members registered for the FMX conference.

AAFP will host FMX, the Family Medicine Experience, Sept. 24-28, 2019 in Philadelphia.

Dr. Jason Dees and Dr. Katie Patterson, left, networked with Louisiana physicians during the joint reception between the two state academies.

Groups of Mississippi and Louisiana physicians and their guests at the joint reception held by both Academies on Oct. 9.

Beth Embry, MAFP executive director, and Dr. Chrystal Sumrall at the Mississippi/Louisiana joint reception during FMX.

Free Lunch & Learn for Your Clinic MAFP Foundation offers free Lunch and Learn sessions at clinic locations to share tobacco cessation resources for patients. MAFP has completed two sessions for the 2018-19 fiscal year, and three spots remain for physicians to take advantage of this opportunity.

MAFP staff member Jewell Buckley, who conducts the sessions, furnishes lunch for physicians and staff and provides all materials. There is no cost or no work for the physicians or clinics – just show up to eat lunch and learn. A bonus is that physicians receive 3 CME credits, 1 hour

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by attending and 2 additional hours for Translation to Practice (t2p).

“I had heard of the tobacco quit line in passing before, but the Lunch and Learn really went in depth about what it is, how to refer to it, and even how to follow up on referrals,” said Dr. John Vanderloo of NewCare in Madison, who hosted a session this summer. “This, along with learning how to get nicotine replacement covered through the program, made for a high-yield CME program that now benefits my patients even more.”

Dr. Word Johnston and Dr. Harpreet

Sood also hosted a session in Collins this past fall.

These sessions are funded by a grant from the Foundation’s partnership with the MS State Department of Health Office of Tobacco Control. Lunch and Learn training sessions are available until June 30, 2019.

Interested in hosting a lunch and learn? Email jewell@ msafp.org

Extended: Special Offer from the ABFM The ABFM invites board-certified family physicians to enroll in PRIME Registryâ&#x201E;˘ free for the first three years!

PRIME Registry is a practice and population data tool developed by the ABFM that safely extracts patient data* from your electronic health records (EHRs) and turns it into actionable measures, presented in an easy-to-use, personalized dashboard, maintaining its full confidentiality. PRIME not only simplifies quality reporting for payment programs such as MIPS and CPC+, but also allows you to better evaluate aspects of your practice, patient groups, and individual patients, illuminating gaps or successes in patient care.

Another bonus for ABFM Diplomates: the integrated Performance Improvement (PI) activity tool allows Diplomates to easily use EHR data to complete PI activities and earn points toward the ABFM continuous certification requirements.

Coming this summer, PRIME will add social determinant and community resource data, showing clusters of disease, poor outcomes, and community resources for patients and clinics via the new Population Health Assessment Engine (PHATE â&#x201E;˘).

By enrolling in PRIME now, you will secure free MIPS reporting through PRIME in 2019, and you will be able to take advantage of all the features PRIME has to offer.

Ready to get started? Enroll at primeregistry.org. Have questions? Email prime@theabfm.org or call 877-223-7437. * All registry data are maintained in compliance with HIPAA, subject to a Business Associates Agreement, but the ABFM has gone farther to protect your data. The registry vendor has no rights to use identified data without your permission, and the ABFM purposefully cannot touch patient data except for research purposes and after Institutional Review Board approval.

Webinar Series: Prime Registry Dashboard Demonstration In this PRIME Registry demo,attendees will learn how practiceEHR data are turned into actionable clinical quality measures throughthe PRIME Registry on-boarding process, and how automated reporting reduces and streamlineseffort for a wide variety of reporting and performance improvement needs. Attendees wi ll also view a demonstration of the PRIME Registry dashboard and see ho w to target opportunities for improvement at the patient, clinician, and practice level (and across multiple sites of a sing le practice). This interactive webinar is led by PRIME Registry Recruiting CoordinatorAlison Morris and the PRIME Registry technical team. Thoseinterested will only need to attend one of the webinars.

Register for the Wednesday July 18, 2018 12:30-1:30 pm (EST) webinar here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/2460941606450379521 the mississippi family physician

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Dr. Alford, Dr. Wells Honored as Physicians of the Year 2018

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PUBLIC AWARENESS

t the MAFP Annual Meeting in July, Dr. Tim Alford of Kosciusko and Dr. Jeremy Wells of Hattiesburg were honored for their dedication to family medicine and for their years of service to the Academy.

The MAFP Awards Committee, comprised of past Family Physician of the Year winners, selected the two honorees from nominations received from membership.

B. Howell Memorial Award, known as the Family Physician of the Year. He is a longtime family physician who worked in private practice for 31 years.

Dr. Alford has been very involved in MAFP, having served as president in 200102, Foundation president for five years, and on the national level, representing Mississippi on the AAFP Congress of Delegates for the past 16 years. He was even selected as the AAFP’s official torch bearer Alford, Family Physician of the Year for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Dr. Tim Alford received the John Dr. Alford completed medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and his family medicine residency in Columbus, Georgia, before returning to Mississippi to practice medicine.

He served as a family physician with Premier Medical Management at Kosciusko Medical Clinic for almost 30 years before opening Kosy Direct Care, where he worked for two years. He Dr. Tim Alford, left, accepts the Family Physician of the Year award from Dr. Isaac presently works at Aultman, the previous year’s winner.

Kosciusko’s Baptist Medical Center.

But what really sets him apart as a natural selection for Family Physician of the Year is his commitment to his community.

He is the founding and current chair of the Kosciusko Foundation for Excellence in Education. He served on the Kosciusko City School Board for ten years and At the Annual Meeting, Dr. Katie Patterson, right, presented Jeremy Wells with the is a former PTA New Physician of the Year award for 2018. president. Dr. Alford

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is the founding organizer of KosciuskoAttala Habitat for Humanity and the former baseball commissioner for Kosciusko Parks and Recreation.

Alford and his wife, Mary Al, live in Kosciusko. Their three children are Timothy Alford (Mary Bruce), Leah Mabry Hendrix (Tal), and John Paul Alford (Jana).

They have nine grandchildren.

Wells, New Physician of the Year Dr. Jeremy Wells was honored with the New Physician of the Year award, given to a family physician who completed residency less than 7 years prior. This was the first year for the New Physician award, which was created by the Public Awareness committee in Fall 2017.

Wells is a family physician specializing in sports medicine at Hattiesburg Clinic and serves as vice president of the MAFP Foundation.

Since 2015, Dr. Wells has served as a sports medicine physician at Hattiesburg Clinic, where he is active in sports coverage and team physician duties.

Dr. Wells completed medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and stayed at UMMC for his 3-year family medicine residency. Following residency, he completed a 1-year fellowship in primary care sports medicine at UMMC. Dr. Wells distinguished himself from the earliest part of his career by his passion for medical student and resident education.

The Family Medicine Department at the University of Mississippi Medical Center presented him with the Gary Jeffcoats Teaching Award for 2012-13 while he was a family medicine resident. Dr. Wells also served as chief resident his final year of residency.

Continuing his love of teaching others, Dr. Wells serves on the clinical faculty of both William Care College of Osteopathic Medicine and the UMMC Family Medicine Department.

Dr. Wells has been involved in the MAFP since his time as a medical student.

He is credited with conceiving the Future in Want to nominate someone for MAFP award, visit www.msafp. org/awards.

Chelsea and Dr. Jeremy Wells after he was named New Physician of the Year 2018.

Dr. Tim Alford and his wife, Mary Al, have three children and nine grandchildren. presenter on sports medicine topics.

As vice president of the MAFP Foundation, Dr. Wells is part of the academy’s fundraising arm that raises

Miss Mississippi, Medical Students Teach Tar Wars The children file into the school program to as many of Mississippi’s children cafeteria quietly, some of them agape at the as possible is one of the MAFP Foundation’s sparkly crown on the head of the person at main goals, and Miss Mississippi helps the podium. Even before speaking a word, accomplish that.

Mississippi’s medical schools also play Aysa Branch has the kids’ attention with her friendly smile, smart outfit, and sash bearing a huge role in making sure kids know the dangers of tobacco. UMMC third-year the words “Miss Mississippi.”

Once the teachers get every student medical students each present Tar Wars to a local classroom seated and ready the 2017-18 school year, 205 Tar during their family to listen, Branch For Wars presentations were made around rotation, begins an interactive the state. Between UMMC and William medicine and WCUCOM presentation to the 4th Carey medical students and Miss and 5th graders at John Mississippi. 8,998 4th and 5th graders first- and second-year around the state were educated on the Hopkins Elementary effects of tobacco use and the damage students offer group presentations to Pine School in Jackson. She it can cause.

Belt schoolchildren as encourages them to work hard in school, be kind to others, eat part of their scholastic requirements.

Miss Mississippi is in demand as a speaker healthy and take good care of their bodies.

Branch moves around the cafeteria, around the state. In the 2017-18 school year asking the group questions and calling on alone, the reigning Miss Mississippi spoke the students who eagerly raise their hands. to 3,900 children about Tar Wars. From She high-fives one answerer and tells her, August 2018 to present, Branch has reached more than 3,500 students, and there are still “You’re spot on, sister!”

It’s all part of a Tar Wars presentation, five months left in the school year.

Branch continues her presentation, sponsored by the MAFP Foundation. This is just one of the 20 Tar Wars talks Branch showing the children a set of stained teeth, will give to schools around the state during emphasizing the harmful chemicals in cigarettes, and encouraging kids to say no her reign as Miss Mississippi.

Tar Wars, the tobacco-free education if someone asks them to try tobacco in any program sponsored by the AAFP, is aimed form.

“Smoking is not doing anything good for at teaching 4th and 5th graders the dangers of tobacco and nicotine. Bringing this you,” Branch says.

Aysa Branch spoke to students at John Hopkins Elementary School in Jackson Dec. 7, calling a few to the front to take part in the interactive presentation.

At the conclusion, Branch poses for photographs with groups of students before the school’s faculty and staff start lining up for pictures too. Branch smiles patiently until everyone waiting gets a photo.

When a celebrity like Branch is at your school, it creates energy not only among the kids, but the adults, too. Chances are good that they remembered her message long after she leaves.

Interested in Tar Wars?

Email jewell@msafp.org.

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PUBLIC AWARENESS

Family Medicine Spring Fling for residents and students that recently celebrated its sixth year. Dr. Wells helps plan each year’s event and has served numerous times as a

thousands each year for family medicine education and training to promote the wellness of all Mississippians. Additionally, he serves as one of MAFP’s orientation leaders for newly-elected student and resident board members.

Wells and his wife, Chelsea, live in Hattiesburg with their 1-year-old daughter, Katsie.

PUBLIC AWARENESS

Dr. J.D. Polk, Major General (ret), honored with MAFP Military Award Dr. J.D. Polk of Raymond was presented with the MAFP’s Military Award at the Fall Conference. Six MAFP members have been honored with the award since it was established in 2006.

MAFP President Dr. David Wheat commended Dr. Polk for his “outstanding dedication and service to his community and to his nation.” He was chosen for the award by the MAFP Awards Committee.

Dr. Polk achieved the rank of Major General during his time in the Mississippi Army National Guard and retired from the military in 1998. He practices medicine at Richland Primary Care in Richland.

Dr. Polk, the son of a veterinarian, said he grew up watching his friend’s father, his next-door neighbor, practice medicine as a generalist. “My father treated their horses, and his father treated me,” he said. Dr. Polk vividly recalls going on house calls with his neighbor and that had a big influence on him and his intention to go into family medicine.

“I saw that as a kid, and I said this is what I want to do,” he said. “It’s in my blood.”

Born in Auburn, AL, Dr. Polk graduated from high school in Raymond, completed Hinds Community College and earned a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi College.

He completed four years at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and received his doctor of medicine degree in 1971. As was customary in those days when there were no family medicine residencies, he did a 1-year internship at Mississippi Baptist Hospital in Jackson and earned his certification from the American Board of Family Practice (now Family Medicine).

Dr. Polk began practicing family medicine at South Central Medical Clinic in 1972, became a full partner in the clinic in 1973 and later purchased the business in 1979. The clinic moved to Rankin County under the name of Richland Primary Care in 1991.

After joining the Mississippi Army National Guard in 1972, Dr. Polk was commissioned as a first lieutenant and served for the next ten years as a general medical officer in the Mississippi Army National Guard. He was promoted to preventative medicine staff officer, commander of a support battalion, and later became commander of the 213th medical brigade of the Mississippi Army National Guard. Over a 16-year career, he was promoted through the ranks and became a Brigadier General.

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For more information on MAFP awards and how to nominate someone, visit www.msafp.org/awards.

Dr. J.D. Polk of Raymond and his wife, Gay. Dr. Polk humbly credits his friendship with U.S. Congressman G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery, who represented Mississippi in Congress from 1966 to 1997, with his rise through the ranks. “He recommended me for generalship,” Dr. Polk said. “I was in the right place at the right time.”

Over the years, Dr. Polk completed multiple military schools: the Medical Specialist Course and the AMEDD Reserve Officer Advanced Course, both at the Academy of Health Sciences; and the Command and General Staff College.

In September 1995, Dr. Polk was promoted to Major General and accepted a position in the Office of the Surgeon General of the U.S. Army in Falls Church, VA, serving for the next three years as Special Assistant to the Deputy Surgeon General, at the time Dr. Alcide M. Lanoue.

In the 1980s, working at the Pentagon for the man Dr. Polk says was “50 years ahead of his time” gave Polk a broad perspective of medicine and its future.

Polk described how he took part in Dr. Lanoue’s quarterly “think tank” meetings at which physicians of all specialties brainstormed the future of medicine and its integration into the military. “[Lanoue] invented telemedicine,” Dr. Polk said, adding that he also predicted robotic surgery, gene editing and patient self-diagnosis using the internet.

In 1998, he completed his service and retired from the military. Dr. Polk continues to work at Richland Primary Care Center.

After many successful years as CEO of the corporation, he sold the practice in 2014 and remains on staff there today.

Dr. Polk takes pride in serving as a preceptor for medical students interested in family medicine. “It’s part of an obligation we as physicians have,” he said, “to pass the knowledge on.” His early business partner, Dr. John Murphy, taught him all about running a business, and Dr. Polk is passing on that knowledge to the next generation.

Dr. Polk and his wife, Gay, have a successful small hay farm in south Hinds County. They have three children, William Alan Polk, Jason Lane Polk and Joe Vertucci.

They have 7 grandchildren and 1 greatgrandchild.

Dr. David Wheat, left, presented Dr. Polk with the MAFP Military Award at the MAFP Fall Conference in 2018.

Carlton Chooses Service to Patients and Soldiers

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completing his family medicine residency in Honolulu, Hawaii. He practiced after that at Fort Polk, Louisiana, before returning to the small town of Columbia, Mississippi.

“I wanted to be a family physician in a small town in Mississippi,” Carlton said of his time in Columbia. “I had a great time doing that for 11 years.”

The ballot box brought the Carltons to Jackson. Virginia, an elected member of the state House of Representatives from 200406, was accustomed to traveling to Jackson for work. But when she was elected to the Mississippi Court of Appeals, the family permanently moved to the state capital.

She is serving an 8-year term after running unopposed for re-election in 2014.

Dr. Carlton is currently employed as a family physician at MEA Medical Clinics, working out of the Old Canton Road clinic in Jackson. He said he is lucky to have a good work environment and adds that his partners cover for him while he’s deployed. He plans to step back into the clinic with no problems at the end of his tour.

“I don’t mind giving back,” he said of his military service. “I’m glad I [have the opportunity.]”

Dr. Carlton recently rotated off the MAFP Board of Directors after six years of service during his career. He served from 2005-09 while living in Columbia and from 2016-18 while in Jackson. He and his wife, Virginia, have three adult children, Rachael, Read and Phoebe.

Dr. Carlton expertly guides his parachute during a jump. the mississippi family physician

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PUBLIC AWARENESS

spent the summer between any physicians say his junior and senior years medicine has always of high school serving in the been their calling, but Dr. National Guard, which was Scott Carlton of Jackson the beginning of a lifelong has always felt drawn to the commitment. military as well.

Dr. Carlton serves as Carlton is taking part a preceptor for students in what he calls “90 days from both Mississippi boots on the ground” in medical schools. He said he Camp Taji near Baghdad, emphasizes the benefits of Iraq, this winter as part of family medicine to all the the Mississippi Medical medical students he works Command unit within with. “I try to sell them on the the National Guard 155th rewards of family medicine,” Armored Brigade. He left the United States in December Dr. Carlton in his National Guard he said. “It’s stimulating to and will return home in uniform during his previous deal with different patients all the time, and I would be March 2019. deployment in Kosovo. bored doing one thing all While in Iraq, Dr. day.”

Carlton will work in a clinic setting serving Carlton said choosing family medicine outpatients alongside other American was natural to him. His “aha” moment physicians. “I’ll be doing mostly sick call, came his third year in medical school. Upon taking care of minor injuries, burns, hearing that family physicians treat all ages transfusions and battlefield injuries,” he and conditions, “It’s like a bell went off in my said. “As a family physician, I am very wellhead,” he said.

“That’s what I believe doctors qualified for that.” are, in the first place.”

This is his second deployment, having As a military doctor, he has taken a served with the same military unit in 2012 in different path than other medical school Kosovo, a country in Southeastern Europe. graduates and, as a result, has seen a lot of Serving his country has been second different practice settings. He transferred nature to Dr. Carlton who joined the military to the Army Reserve before medical school at the age of 17 with the encouragement of because of scholarship opportunities. After his father, who was also a soldier. Carlton medical school, he matched into the Army Reserve Family Medicine Residency in Fort Benning, Georgia, where he served his internship year.

Around this time, Dr. Carlton met and married Virginia Carter from Columbia, a recent graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law. She joined the Army JAG Corps as a military lawyer and they began serving in the military together.

Dr. Carlton served as an emergency room physician while he and Virginia were stationed Dr. Carlton worked with other physicians during his 2012 deployment in Hanau, Germany, for a in Kosovo, and is shown with fellow family physician Dr. Shawn Baker, few years then returning to the United States and left, with Carlton.

PUBLIC AWARENESS

MAFP Foundation Board of Directors 2018-19

PRESIDENT Bradley Suggs, MD

MAFP EX-OFFICIO Katherine Patterson, MD

VICE PRESIDENT Jeremy Wells, MD

SECRETARY/TREASURER John Vanderloo, MD

BOARD MEMBER William Arnett, MD

BOARD MEMBER Jonathan Buchanan, MD

BOARD MEMBER Susan Chiarito, MD

BOARD MEMBER Lakeisha Chism, MD

BOARD MEMBER Melissa Stephens, DO

BOARD MEMBER Thais Tonore, MD

RESIDENT BOARD MEMBER Jessica Douglas, MD

ALT. RESIDENT BOARD MEMBER Sarah Hudson, DO

STUDENT BOARD MEMBER Anita Santpurkar

ALT. STUDENT BOARD MEMBER Falan McKnight

Exhibitors Win in More Ways Than One at Silent Auction, Draw Down

The result of the Draw Down was 204 tickets sold (the most sold since 2014) and $24,275 in gross revenue for the MAFP Foundation.

The Silent Auction raised a total of $7,184.

The items raising the most money were: an original oil painting donated by MAFP member Dr. Charles Guess, followed by separate weekend getaway packages at Pearl River Resort in Choctaw and Sandestin Resort in Florida.

Draw Down winners splitting $10,000 were Lee Rushing, Dr. Sharee Melton, Dr. Carlos Latorre and Dr. Katie Patterson.

By combining its Silent Auction and atmosphere led to friendly competition between Draw Down in the exhibit hall July 23 during auction bidders.

Annual Meeting, MAFP raised interest in the Exhibitors embraced the events by donating events, increased attendance, and raised a total and bidding on Silent Auction items, and 33 of $31,425 for the Foundation. percent went the extra mile by purchasing Draw The exhibit hall is the hub of activity Down tickets to support MAFP. One exhibitor, during the Annual Meeting and rearranging it Lee Jenkins, was one of the lucky Draw Down to create an open area in the ballroom brought winners. lots of people in to watch the Draw Down and The Draw Down took about an hour, during bid on the more than 100 total Silent Auction which each of the tickets were drawn out until items displayed on tables, easels and panels in there were only four left in the barrel. At the front of the Draw Down stage. end, the owners of the final cards chose to split The event was held Tuesday before the the $10,000 evenly. Winners were exhibitor Lee Annual Dinner and featured beverages and Jenkins of the Brain Injury Association, and Drs. food to whet physicians’ and exhibitors’ Carlos Latorre of Vicksburg, Sheree Melton of appetites for bidding high. The congenial Jackson, and Katie Patterson of Indianola.

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Exhibitors Kristin Wallace of the MS State Board of Medical Licensure, left, and Julie Mitchell of Mitchell Day Law Firm, discussed bidding on Silent Auction items.

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