News

The Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics (WCAAP) are co-hosting a webinar to address vaccinating kids ages 5-11 on Oct. 28 from 7:00 to 7:30 a.m. Discussion will include how to communicate with families about this next step in COVID-19 vaccinations, build trust with families, and share…

The Washington Medical Commission has announced that internationally trained medical graduates (IMGs) in Washington state may now obtain a two-year medical license for clinical experience. Licensees will have the option for one renewal, totaling four years of practice time in the field. IMGs must meet certain educational criteria, pass a background check, and maintain a…

Federal regulators will meet later this month and in early November to determine whether emergency use authorization should be granted to the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-12. A committee of the Food and Drug Administration will meet Oct. 26, while an advisory panel to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will meet…

The Washington State Department of Health wants to remind family physicians that managed care organizations (MCOs) are offering rewards/incentives for completion of eligible well-care visits for children up to age 21 (older ages may go to the patient). The MCOs and DOH have compiled a list of rewards parents can earn and clinics can use…

Karen Johnson, PhD, most recently with the Washington Health Alliance, has joined the AAFP as the new vice president of the Division of Practice Advancement. Johnson served as the director of performance improvement and innovation at the Seattle-based Washington Health Alliance, of which WAFP is a member. Prior to her time at WHA, Johnson worked…

AAFP members in the Active category in the 2019-2021 cycle will no longer be required to earn 25 CME credits through live activities, AAFP announced Tuesday. The change also affects members in the 2018-2020 cycle who received extensions through Dec. 31, 2021. The change is meant to eliminate confusion in reporting in-person CME activities that…

The University of British Columbia is hosting a virtual CME day focused on “back to the basics” palliative care on Oct. 22. The event, chaired by Dr. Pippa Hawley and Dr. Adam Fowler, will feature sessions on delirium, pain, orphan symptoms, nausea, renal failure, and goals of oncology care, all within the context of palliative…

At a special session of the Congress of Delegates on Monday and Tuesday, new leadership for the American Academy of Family Physicians was elected and installed. Sterling Ransone, MD, FAAFP, of Deltaville, VA, was installed as AAFP president. Ada Stewart, MD, FAAFP, of Columbia, SC, was elevated to Board Chair. The incoming president-elect is Tochi…

The US Department of Health and Human Services announced that additional funding will be available for health care workers affected by the pandemic. According to the Washington State Health Care Authority, $17 billion will be available in Provider Relief Fund Phase 4 for a “broad range of providers” who can prove less of revenue and…

Washington Maternal Mental Health Access (MaMHA) is offering three webinars to physicians and other health care workers to help lower the suicide risk and accidental opioid overdose in their perinatal patients. The webinar schedule: Sept. 15, 8-9 a.m.: Pregnancy Associated Deaths Due to Suicide Sept. 22, 8-9 a.m.: Pregnancy Associated Deaths Due to Accidental Opioid…