Posts by Brian Hunsicker
Mark Your Calendars for 2024 Events!
Two of WAFP’s annual events now have dates: the 2024 Family Medicine Advocacy Day will be held Jan. 22 in Olympia, while the 2024 Student & Resident Retreat will be held Feb. 10-11 in Leavenworth. At Family Medicine Advocacy Day, WAFP members work to advance family medicine and primary care in Washington state. In 2023,…
Read MoreWashington to Participate in New CMS Primary Care Model
Earlier in June, the Centers for for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Washington would be one of eight states to participate in Making Care Primary, or MCP. According to CMS, the new model aims to “improve care management and care coordination, equip primary care clinicians with tools to form partnerships with health care…
Read MoreStay Up to Date on Viral Hepatitis Guidelines
Our colleagues at the Washington State Department of Health remind you to promote viral hepatitis testing, vaccination, and treatment with your patients. The following resources are curated by DOH for you and your patients: Visit the DOH’s provider information webpage for more details. If you have questions or need support, please contact them at hepatitis@doh.wa.gov.
Read MoreA Focus on Primary Care in the Other Washington
In Washington, DC, two events took place Thursday that highlighted the current state and future hope for primary care. The first was a hearing before the Senate Finance Committee, which considered the effect of corporate consolidation in health care. Among the witnesses was the AAFP’s executive vice president and chief executive officer, Shawn Martin. Martin…
Read MoreWAFP Mourns the Loss of Dr. Jonathan Sugarman
The Washington Academy of Family Physicians is heartbroken to learn of the passing of Jonathan Sugarman, MD, MPH, FAAFP. Dr. Sugarman is a former WAFP president (2008-09), represented WAFP at the AAFP Congress of Delegates, and was an officer with the WAFP Foundation. He was and will remain a leading light for the Academy. His…
Read MoreCME: Uncovering and Navigating Racism in the Mental Health System
The Washington State Department of Health is offering a two-part CME to help clinicians, support staff, or anyone who works with children and young people. “Navigating Racism in the Mental Health System” will be held virtually on May 4 and 18, 2023, and led by Makinie Fortino, LMFT. Attendees will learn about the research behind…
Read MoreAAFP Adds Webpage for New Regulations for Physicians Who Prescribe Controlled Substances
The MATE Act, recently passed by Congress, changes requirements for physicians who prescribe controlled substances — most notably by requiring the completion of a one-time, eight-hour training session prior to their first registration or renewal of their DEA license. The AAFP has published a webpage collating this other requirements and guidance from federal agencies as…
Read MoreMake Your Voice Heard on Resolutions to the 2023 WAFP House of Delegates
WAFP members now may submit written testimony for the resolutions that will be debated by the 2023 House of Delegates. The House will consider nine resolutions and one bylaws amendment. Additionally, there are two late resolutions, which will be subject to a vote of acceptance by the House. Comments on the late resolutions are welcome,…
Read MoreDOH to End Masking Mandate in Health Care Facilities on April 3
The Washington State Department of Health has announced that its masking directive for health care, long-term care, and adult correctional facilities for people ages 5 and up will end April 3. DOH will continue to recommend masking, though local or tribal governments, facilities, or clinicians may choose to continue requiring masks. The State of Oregon…
Read MoreApply Today to Represent WAFP at the Nat’l Conference of Constituency Leaders
If you are a WAFP member who qualifies in one of the five AAFP-defined special constituencies, we invite you to apply today. This award pays for travel expenses and registration fees for the recipients. The deadline to apply is March 12. Read more about the conference here. NCCL special constituencies are as follows:
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