San Francisco Medical Society Blog

10,000 Health Care Providers to Rally to Stop Medi-Cal Cuts at State Capitol

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:21:30 GMT

SFMS and CMA have joined an unprecedented coalition of physicians, dentists, health care workers and hospitals working to stop the 10% Medi-Cal reimbursement rate cut.

The We Care for California coalition was borne of an effort to build a strong coalition of diverse organizations fighting to ensure that California’s health care system doesn’t continue to get short changed. So often in the past, health care advocates have become divided in their efforts, so focused on individual organizational interests, that the collective strength is weakened. We Care for California intends to stand undivided in using the coalition’s collective influence in defense of health care.

The coalition’s first major effort is to ensure that two CMA-sponsored bills—SB 640 (Lara) and AB 900 (Alejo)—are passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Brown. Both bills, sponsored by CMA, would stop the 10 percent Medi-Cal rate cut.

Join “We Care for California” in Sacramento on Tuesday, June 4 from 11 am to 4 pm

to call on State Legislators and the Governor to stop the $1 billion reduction in provider rates in the Medi-Cal program. SFMS/CMA physicians will stand with nurses, dentists, and other health care providers as well as patient and consumer groups to advocate for the support of SB 640 and AB 900.

This will be the largest health care gathering ever at the state Capitol, and will send a powerful message that we expect our elected leaders to stand up for quality care in California.

The goal is to bring 10,000 health care providers together from across the state participate.

Buses will be available to transport anyone who wants to participate from hospitals around the state to the Capitol building in Sacramento at no charge to the participant. If you are interested in attending the event, please register at www.wecareforca.org to reserve a seat on the bus nearest you.

Click here for detailed event and RSVP information.

Medical Philanthropy in San Francisco – Zero Prostate Cancer Run

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:52:43 GMT

By David Kornguth, MD

As a physician at Golden Gate Urology (GGU), I see the human toll of prostate cancer on a daily basis. All of us at GGU seek to help patients and their families stay healthy. This is the reason why my colleagues and I decided to sponsor an event benefitting men and their families who face prostate cancer and draw awareness to prostate cancer prevention and screening.

The ZERO Prostate Cancer Run is the first Bay Area prostate cancer run. It’s part of the ZERO Prostate Cancer Challenge, that brings together athletes, physicians, cancer survivors, and those who care about them to help fund research to end prostate cancer and to provide free testing and education.

The June 15^thevent includes fun and interactive activities to educate and raise awareness of the disease. In addition to the 5K run/walk, we are organizing a shorter walk that allows patients to learn about prostate cancer in a healthy environment.

At GGU, our vision is to lead the transformation of health care in the bay area by partnering with patients, doctors and researchers in providing better urologic care and enhanced patient education as we strengthen our community outreach to create a lasting positive impact in our field. We want men to know the truth about prostate cancer treatment so their lives are healthier and enjoyable. For those with prostate cancer, we want to cure them.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer found in men with over 200,000 men diagnosed each year. Fortunately, most men are diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer and can be cured. A simple blood test called a PSA can help find even early prostate cancers. PSA tests save lives, yet many men do not get screened. If more men learn about modern treatment techniques and the truth about prostate cancer, fewer men will die or develop disability because of advanced prostate cancer.

The goal of the ZERO Prostate Cancer Run is to promote prostate cancer education and prevention. I hope you will consider joining GGU and fellow colleagues in this event.

Click here for event details.

All Golden Gate Urology physicians based in San Francisco are members of the San Francisco Medical Society. To find a SFMS member physician by location, specialty, type of insurance accepted, and more, please use the SFMS Physician Finder, a free service provided by the SFMS.

Exclusive Screening of Open Heart, 2013 Oscar-Nominated Documentary

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:16:30 GMT

SFMS members are invited to an exclusive screening of the Oscar-Nominated short documentary Open Heart, sponsored by Emergency USA.

Monday, April 8, 2013

6pm – 9pm

The Fisk House, 700 Hayes Street

The film is about Italy-based EMERGENCY, which has treated over 5 million people in war-torn areas with high standard and free of charge medical and surgical care since its inception in 1994.

Open Heart was directed by Kief Davidson and was nominated for an Oscar in the 2013 Academy Awards. The documentary depicts the work of EMERGENCY and follows eight Rwandan children who leave their families to embark on a life or death journey to the Salam Center (in Sudan), the only hospital of its kind in all of Africa.

Click here to view the trailer.

RSVP to Jane Yin at jane@jsypr.com.

One Physician’s Story on Medical Volunteerism

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:49:28 GMT

By Howard B. Kleckner, MD, Medical Director, thesecondopinion

I first started volunteering in medicine while I was on summer vacation from high school. My mother, faced with the possible of a teenage son hanging around the house for the summer, found a summer job for me volunteering at a local hospital. Following that, my career was set.

Fast forward 50 years and I, like many other physicians in their 60s, was facing retirement. For most of us, practicing medicine had been a way of life. Few of us had developed other interests and hobbies. Medicine both consumed and fulfilled us and despite all the hassles it remains the most rewarding of all careers. So much of our identity had been connected with our profession and we were now facing giving it up.

I felt 35 years practicing Oncology had given me knowledge and skills which I could continue to share in some way. It was the only thing I knew how to do well. Fortunately my retirement plan provided me with sufficient financial security that I and my family would not have to worry. I knew I would miss the collegial interaction, the intellectual stimulation, and the powerful relationships one develops with patients and their families. At the beginning of training medicine is all about obtaining knowledge, as we practice we discover it is all about people and relationships. I knew I would miss these. I began to ask and look around for things I could do which would utilize my skills and experience.

I remembered having sent cancer patients who could not afford a second opinion or sought an independent eye from outside of our health plan network to thesecondopinion in San Francisco. I inquired and was invited to attend a session and then asked to join as a volunteer medical oncologist.

Thesecondopinion is a 501©3 nonprofit which provides free second opinions to people with cancer in the State of California regardless of income. It has been existence over 30 years in different forms. More than 60 volunteer physician cancer specialists meet 3 times a month and reviews 3 cases each on the Tumor Panel. All medical records, imaging studies, and pathology slides are obtained and reviewed by panelists in advance of the meeting. On the day of the Tumor Panel, the 4 or 5 physicians consisting of a medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, radiologist, pathologist and surgical specialist discuss the cases over lunch at our offices at 1200 Gough in San Francisco. The patients and their families are then invited in one by one to spend 30 to 40 minutes with the Panel asking questions about the diagnosis, treatment, or prognosis. It takes the form of a Tumor Board, but the questions are patient and not doctor driven. The session is recorded on CD and given to the patient and a letter is sent summarizing our discussion to the attending physicians somewhat like a formal consultation. Patients and families are incredibly grateful and leave with more comfort and clarity about their disease.

Two years ago I was asked to become Medical Director, a job with more responsibility but still part time and providing me with sufficient time and flexibility to pursue other interests. I still have time for my grandchildren, community engagements, reading, and trips. As thesecondopinion is a nonprofit, I am also engaged with fundraising but it is a joy to tell our story to foundations and donors. The community has been extremely generous and supportive. I feel I can give back now using my years of experience in a different role and continue to make a difference in people’s lives.

Click here for more information about physician volunteer opportunities at thesecondopinion.

Click here to view more physician stories about medical volunteerism in the March 2013 issue of San Francisco Medicine.

Thesecondopinion is a 501©3 nonprofit organization which provides second opinions for California cancer patients about diagnosis and treatment at no cost. The organization have been in existence for over 30 years and are located at Geary Boulevard and Gough Street in San Francisco. Click here for more information or view a short CBS5 video clip about the organization.

Local Event: A Bright Future for Health Care: Is It Possible?

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 17:43:36 GMT

The Commonwealth Club, in collaboration with the Lundberg Institute, will be hosting a talk from Donald Berwick, MD, former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, on the future of health care.

Dr. Berwick is an expert in the management of health care systems with emphasis on using scientific methods and evidence-based medicine and comparative effectiveness research to improve the tradeoff among quality, safety, and costs. Hear Dr. Berwick’s ideas on how true delivery system reform—changing care to better meet the needs of patients, families and communities—provides a sensible and effective alternative to the much-feared threat of rationing of care.

December 18, 2012

5:30 pm Networking Reception; 6:00 pm Program

Gold Room, Commonwealth Club

Cost: $20 standard, $8 Commonwealth Club member, $7 students (with valid ID)

Click here for event details and to purchase tickets.

Don't Gamble with Your Future: Know What's in Your Contract

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 18:04:06 GMT

The American Medical Association (AMA) and the law firm of Kessemick, Gamma & Free are hosting a dinner presentation on evaluating and negotiating contracts. This event is open to all SF residents, fellows, and physicians in their first few years of practice. Enjoy complimentary dinner and drinks while local attorney Frank Gamma JD, MBA, FACMPE shares his 20 years of experience working with physicians.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012
McCormick & Kuletos
The Captain Room
900 N. Point, San Francisco, CA 94109
6:30 pm – Registration
7:00 pm – Dinner and Presentation

To RSVP for this event, please email Patrick O'Keefe at patrick.okeefe@ama-assn.org.

Join SFMS at the 5th Annual B a Hero Gala: Don't Gamble With Your Liver!

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 17:00:28 GMT

SFMS has been a partner of the SF Hep B Free Campaign since its inception. Please help celebrate the campaign and draw awareness viral hepatitis by registering for the B a Hero Gala today!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Intercontinental Hotel

888 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

6:00 – 7:00 pm No-Host Cocktail Reception

7:00 – 9:00 pm Dinner and Silent Auction

The B a Hero Gala is the biggest night of the year towards raising awareness and funds to end viral hepatitis in America. All proceeds of the gala go directly towards ending Hepatitis. In 2011, we have helped organize or participate in 25 outreach and screening activities, held the largest joint Hep B and Hep C screening in the country, and are close to reaching 1,000 doctors signing up for the SF Hep B Free Clinician Honor Roll and pledging to screen and vaccinate all of their at-risk patients.

Click here to RSVP. For more information, please contact Carrolyn Kubota at (415) 373-4003 or ckubota@awfoundation.com.

Why We Walk; Join SFMS for the Golden Gate Walk on September 15

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 14:54:07 GMT

By Peter Curran, MD, SFMS President. Adapted from the President's Message in the July/August 2012 issue of San Francisco Medicine.

Your San Francisco Medical Society is sponsoring the American Heart Association Heart Walk in Golden Gate Park on September 15. The executive committee of the SFMS Board voted unanimously to sponsor a booth at the event to showcase organized medicine's commitment to local health improvement efforts. Volunteers and survivors representing several local hospitals will walk a scenic three-mile course in Golden Gate Park to raise awareness for fighting heart disease. An additional benefit of supporting the walk is the message it gives the community about physicians' resolve in advocating for health in our own neighborhoods. Much appreciation for the work of Dr. Shannon Udovic-Constant, Ms. Jessica Kuo, and the membership committee at SFMS in organizing this and other community-related activities.

Community service is not new to organized medicine in California. The SFMS membership has pioneers in local community advocacy. The San Francisco Free Clinic, founded in 1994 by SFMS members Tricia Hellman Gibbs, MD, and Richard Gibbs, MD, was awarded the Public Health Heroes Award for Health Care Delivery in 2006 for its service in providing medical care to the uninsured “working poor” in San Francisco. In addition to providing a vital service to the community, the clinic has given primary care training to young physicians and students from several medical schools, including UCSF. Similarly, SFMS member Marcus Conant, MD, one of the first physicians to diagnose and treat AIDS patients in 1981, founded the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and, later, the Conant Foundation, which expanded AIDS awareness to the legislative arena on behalf of patients. Adam Schickedanz, MD, a UCSF pediatric resident, started the Financial Fitness Program at San Francisco General, which provides crucial financial information and services to underserved patients with needs that go beyond health issues. Schickedanz’s program was awarded a $10,000 grant by the SFMS and the San-Cop Foundation and continues to grow.

At a time when organized medicine is struggling to remain relevant in the midst of health care delivery reform, perhaps it is simplistic to think that participating in a local Heart Walk will change medicine’s fortunes or even grow membership within SFMS. But public health and advocacy, which remain tenets of our mission at SFMS, are relevant regardless of the political climate of the times if they are done with conviction in support of the greater community benefit.

That is why we walk. Please lace up your walking shoes and join me on September 15 in Golden Gate Park. Training recommended but not required.

Click here for more information about SFMS' participation of the Golden Gate Heart Walk and ways you can get involved.

SFMS Members Deliver Inspiring Care; Receive Health Care Heroes Awards

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:53:10 GMT

Three SFMS members were honored at the 2012 Health Care Heroes Breakfast on July 25.

Organized by the San Francisco Business Times, this annual event recognizes individuals and organizations from the local health care community and their dedication and commitment to the enhancement of the value and quality of health care.

Toni Brayer, MD, past SFMS president and chief medical officer of Sutter Health West Bay Region, was recognized for leading medical missions to disaster areas. She worked long hours in challenging conditions to deliver care to people in crisis in Haiti and New Orleans.

Vivian Reyes, MD, an emergency medicine physician, was honored for developing the Emergency Response Team at Kaiser Permanente. The team specializes in helping keep hospitals ready for natural disaster or emergency that could affect the entire region.

Gina Gregory-Burns, MD, an internal medicine physician, was acknowledged for helping Kaiser Permanente San Francisco achieve health equity by spearheading programs and strategies for delivering culturally competent care in diverse communities.

SFMS would like to congratulate our members, whose tireless commitments to health care are invaluable to a thriving medical community!

7/24 PCP Workshop: HPV Vaccination as a Model for Cancer Prevention

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:51:15 GMT

The President's Cancer Panel will conduct the first of four meetings to assess the scientific basis for, current status of, and continuing efforts for effective vaccination against HPV-related cancers.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

Realization of a preventive vaccine for HPV stereotypes most commonly associated with HPV-related cancers is a major advance in preventive oncology. This workshop, “HPV Vaccination as a Model for Cancer Prevention,” will examine questions related to safety, efficacy, duration of protection, population impact, and next-generation vaccines

Tuesday, July 24, 2012
8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Hilton San Francisco Financial District, Jackson Room
750 Kearny Street, San Francisco

Click here to view the workshop schedule.

SFMS Members Selected as Finalists for 2012 Health Care Heroes Award; Join the Celebration on July 25

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 14:13:06 GMT

Join the San Francisco Business Times and SFMS as we honor the true heroes in the health care profession. Our goal is to recognize excellence, promote innovation, contribute to the enhancement of the value and quality of health care, recognize unsung heroes who enrich the lives of those they serve, and ultimately, to give recognition to those deserving.

Winner and finalists were chosen in the following categories: Allied or Non-acute Care, Alternative Health, Community Impact - Individual, Community Impact - Organization, Emergency Medical, Fundraising, Mental Health, Nurse, Physician, Research & Development, Safety, Technical Innovation, Unsung Hero, Volunteer, Lifetime Achievement.

We also would like to congratulate the following SFMS members for being selected as finalists for the 2012 Health Care Heroes Award:

Gina Gregory-Burns, MD, Kaiser Permanente
Toni Brayer, MD, Sutter Health West Bay Region
Vivian Reyes, MD, Kaiser Permanente

A breakfast and award ceremony will be held on July 25 at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis to recognize all of the honorees.

Click here for event details and registration information.

Supreme Court Decision: What’s Next?

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 12:17:36 GMT

Join SFMS/CMA for our complimentary webinar on the Supreme Court health care reform ruling.

Supreme Court Decision: What’s Next?

Thursday, July 5, 2012

12:15 pm to 1:15 pm

This webinar will provide a recap of the Supreme Court decision regarding the Affordable Care Act from both the legal and policy perspectives, as well as an update on what will happen next. CMA staff specializing in government relations, medical and regulatory policy, and legal affairs will present information the ACA as it stands, and what can be done to improve it.

To register for this webinar, please visit www.cmanet.org/events.

Your Input Needed on Gross Receipts Business Tax Reform

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 09:48:27 GMT

Two separate ballot measures to reform San Francisco's business tax policies were introduced at the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday. Both proposals, one put forward by Mayor Ed Lee and board president David Chiu and the other by Supervisor John Avalos, seek to eliminate the city's 1.5 percent payroll tax and replace it with a gross receipts tax that would tax the annual revenue of a business.

The first, introduced by Mayor Lee and Board President Chiu, proposes to generate an additional $13 million in revenue. The second, introduced by Supervisor Avalos and co-sponsored by Supervisors Olague, Campos, Kim, and Mar proposes to generate an additional $40 million in revenue. Please note that multiple Supervisors expressed their desire to merge the proposals into one over the next 30 days.

Click here to view Mayor Lee and Board President Chiu's proposal.

Click here to view Supervisor Avalos' proposal.

The Office of Small Business and Small Business Commission will be working with the legislative sponsors and the Controllers office to perform analysis and updates will be provided in the upcoming weeks.

The Small Business Commission will be holding a hearing on June 25, 2012 at 2:00pm in Room 400 on these ordinances. It is important to get you and your organizations feedback on the gross receipts tax and license fee increase changes. Please remember, this proposal was initially intended to be revenue neutral and now is moving in the direction of having $13-$40 million in additional revenue.

Volunteer Teaching Opportunities at UCSF

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:49:00 GMT

Are you a San Francisco physician interested in:

Making a lasting impression on the future generation of physicians?
Having a medical student in your office for four weeks?
Passing on invaluable knowledge?
Obtaining UCSF Volunteer Clinical Faculty status?

Help foster future physicians by precepting a first- or second-year medical student in your practice setting. Please consider signing up for a volunteer teaching opportunity at UCSF. There's a need for primary care physician preceptors, but all San Francisco physicians are eligible to participate. Time commitment ranges from a few hours to a few weeks.

Click here to view detailed opportunities and program contact.

Laguna Honda Partners with Chinese American Coalition for Compassionate Care

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 11:29:37 GMT

Laguna Honda will announce a community partnership with the Chinese American Coalition for Compassionate Care (CACCC) at a press conference on June 8 at the hospital. CACCC is dedicated to the advancement of palliative medicine and end-of-life care in the Chinese American community.

Laguna Honda and CACCC will be sponsoring two weekend-long training sessions in July for palliative care volunteers from the San Francisco Chinese community. The partnership furthers Laguna Honda’s implementation of the Health Commission’s 2002 standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) and the hospital’s strategic goal of community partnership.

To download a copy of the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form, click here.

Ready for Version 5010?

Wed, 30 May 2012 12:22:24 GMT

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Regional Offices are hosting a series of webinar on Version 5010 for health care providers, clearinghouses, vendors and others.

Version 5010 refers to the standards that HIPAA-covered entities must use when electronically conducting certain health care administrative transactions, such as claims, remittance, eligibility, and claims status requests and responses.

Health care organizations that submit transactions electronically are required to upgrade from Version 4010/4010A to Version 5010 transaction standards. To be compliant, organizations must use Version 5010 to send and receive claims and all other HIPAA-adopted electronic transactions starting January 1, 2012; however, CMS has implemented an enforcement discretionary period, which is in effect through June 30, 2012.

Current Conversion Statistics
Final Preparations for 5010/D.0 Cutover
Operational Concerns
Future of EDI Communications
Resources and Contact Information

The next webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, June 20, 2012, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm PST.

Click here to register.

HealthShare Bay Area Founding Members to Form Health Information Exchange

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:25:11 GMT

Eighteen Bay Area health care organizations will be founding members of the region’s first community health information exchange (HIE) program, HealthShare Bay Area (HSBA).

The founding 18:

Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association
Alameda County Community Health Center Network
Alameda County Medical Center
Brown & Toland Physicians
California Pacific Medical Center
Glide Health Services
Haight Ashbury-Walden House
Hill Physicians Medical Group
John Muir Health
John Muir Physician Network
Lyon-Martin Health Services
Mission Neighborhood Health Center
North East Medical Services
St. Anthony Medical Clinic
San Francisco Department of Public Health
San Francisco Medical Society
South of Market Health Center
Women’s Community Clinic

The HealthShare Bay Area HIE will provide a secure, safe, and interoperable method for exchanging patient health information among providers of care and patients in the San Francisco Bay Area.

In the coming weeks, the founding members will form a governing board for the HIE. The board will then contract with a vendor that will provide the technical infrastructure for the exchange. The chosen technology will operate according to robust data privacy and security standards.

The governing board will also be tasked with securing additional funding for HSBA. The HIE’s four-year, $11 million startup and operating cost will come primarily from the founding members’ participation fees. Additional federal and private grants will be sought to supplement expenses as HSBA develops. New members joining the exchange in the coming months will provide additional revenue.

HealthShare Bay Area began as a grass-roots community initiative. In August of 2009, the California eHealth Collaborative brought together various San Francisco parties interested in creating a HIE within the city. This meeting was precipitated in large part by the passing of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA), which allocated $20 billion for the deployment of health information technology. The ARRA also calls for medical organizations to participate in HIEs.

In March of 2010, a governing committee was formed under the auspices of the San Francisco Medical Society Community Service Foundation. A similar movement was also underway in the East Bay – the Alameda-Contra Costa Health Information Organization, fostered by the Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association. That fall, the San Francisco and East Bay groups joined forces. In April of 2011, the effort officially became HealthShare Bay Area.

4/17 Legislative Lobby Day: Meet California Legislators and Gain Leadership Development Skills

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:56:07 GMT

All SFMS members are invited to participate in the 2012 CMA Legislative Leadership Conference/Lobby Day.

Join more than 400 physicians, residents, and medical students from across California as they convene in Sacramento to lobby their legislative leaders as champions for medicine and their patients.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

9:30 am to 5 pm

Sacramento Convention Center

The morning includes speeches from a number of key legislative leaders, including lunchtime keynote speaker California Governor Jerry Brown. Other exciting speakers include:

California Attorney General Kamala Harris
Former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez
Former Senate Republican Leader Jim Brulte
Los Angeles Times political reporter Anthony York

Click here for a flyer with more information. A tentative agenda can be viewed here.

Please note this is a member-only event, and registration fee is waived for all SFMS members. To register, please contact info@sfms.org or (415) 561-0850.

Hotel Details

CMA has secured a discounted rate of $159/night for members at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento for 2012. Online reservation instructions are available here. Reservations can also be made by calling (800) 325-3535 or (916) 447-1700 – ask for the California Medical Association corporate rate.

Long-Time SFMS Member Honored by UC Berkeley School of Public Health

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:29:54 GMT

Long-time SFMS member Marcus A. Conant, MD will be honored with the 16^th annual Public Health Heroes Award from the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health along with former president of Ireland Mary Robinson.

Dr. Conant is an honored and respected pioneer, lecturer, physician, and outspoken advocate for people with HIV and AIDS. Among the first physicians to identify AIDS in 1981, he helped create one of the largest private AIDS clinics, was a founder of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and his work contributed to development of some of today’s top HIV medications.

In 1989 he created The Conant Foundation, a nonprofit education foundation that provides patients, their caregivers, and the community with educational tools and information regarding diagnosis, treatment, and management of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Dr. Conant and the foundation have contributed to more than two dozen clinical trials involving many of today’s leading HIV medications. He continues his strong, passionate and uncompromising demands to give hope to all people with AIDS through state-of-the-art treatment and the assurance they can live with dignity and respect.

Dr. Conant is a SFMS member since 1971, and has been a contributing author to San Francisco Medicine.

The Public Health Hero award was founded in 1996 to recognize innovative leaders who have made meaningful contributions to the protection and promotion of health. Previous award recipients have included actor Rob Reiner, co-founder of the I Am Your Child Foundation; Roe v. Wade attorney Sarah Weddington; and Dr. Paul Farmer, founding director of Partners in Health.

For information about this year’s Public Health Heroes Awards ceremony at Hotel Nikko on March 21, please visit http://www.publichealthheroes.org.

SFMS Meets with Local Legislators

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:30:07 GMT

SFMS, represented by Drs. Peter Curran, John Maa, Andy Calman, and Edward Melkun, attended a January social event honoring newly elected San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. SFMS took this opportunity to introduce Mayor Lee to the medical society and our work on public health and access to care issues.

Our physician members were also able to meet with Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, with whom SFMS has partnered on several projects including Hep B Free, and Supervisor Malia Cohen, a collaborator on the AMA-approved SFMS resolution on “crisis pregnancy center” and the (lack of) service it provided. Assessor Phil Ting was also in attendance in support of Mayor Lee.

(Top Left) John Maa, MD with Mayor Ed Lee

(Bottom Left) Edward Melkun, MD, Malia Cohen, and Peter Curran, MD