May 2021 E-Newsletter

Mark Your Calendar

• 2021 House of Delegates (May 6): It’s not too late to represent your local chapter at the 2021 House of Delegates! Sign up today.
• 64th Annual Scientific Assembly (May 7-8): Featured speakers include Dr. Tochi Iroku-Malize, AAFP Director, speaking on COVID-19’s long-haul effects; Dr. Renee Crichlow, incoming vice chair of health equity at Boston University, speaking on racism in medicine; and Dr. John Tomkowiak, founding dean of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. As a continued membership benefit, this is offered free to WAFP members. Click to register for May 7 here; click to register for May 8 here. There are different registration links for each day; though May 8 is primarily for medical students and residents, all WAFP members are welcome to attend. Full schedule and other information available here. 
• Family Medicine Advocacy Summit (May 18-19): Join WAFP leaders and staff as we speak with Washington’s congressional delegation to highlight the importance of primary care and the critical role of family medicine in the nation’s health care. Learn more and register here, or contact Brian Hunsicker with questions.

Stay In The Know

• ’21 Legislative Session Ends: The 105-day session of the Washington State Legislature concluded Sunday, with the legislature agreeing to a new budget among other major initiatives. Most WAFP legislation of interest was approved by the legislature and on their way to Gov. Jay Inslee, including HB 1091 (clean fuel standards), HB 1152 (public health districts), HB 1196 (audio-only telemedicine), and SB 5140 (pregnancy- and miscarriage-related care). Another bill, SB 5068 on extending postpartum health coverage, has already been signed by Inslee.
• New Chronic Pain Toolkit: The AAFP has developed a chronic pain toolkit for members who care for patients with chronic pain. The toolkit helps family physicians with effective assessment, diagnosis and management of chronic pain. Learn more on the AAFP’s website. And stay tuned for an article detailing this information and providing practice examples in an upcoming journal edition! 
• UW Dept. of Family Medicine 50th Anniversary Speaker Series: The next speakers in the series will be Laura-Mae Baldwin, MD, MPH and Matthew Thompson, MBChB, DPhil. The date of their presentation is May 27th at 5:30 p.m. More information and a link to register will be available on the department’s website.

Engage with WAFP

• Make Your Voice Heard on WAFP Resolutions: Seven resolutions will be considered by the 2021 House of Delegates; these proposals will influence WAFP’s work over the coming year. As a WAFP member, you are encouraged to weigh in on these resolutions (deadline is May 2). We also welcome in-person testimony by delegates – if you would like to serve as a delegate, please register here. Use the links below to submit written testimony: 
  • Advocating for Informed Consent for Drug Screening in Pregnancy
  • Debt Relief for Coronavirus Front-line Physicians
  • Resolution Seeking Emergency Authorization of HPV Self-Test Collection
  • To Serve When Called: WAFP Should Prepare Its Members to Serve as Public Health Officers
  • Including Medical Students and Physicians with Disabilities in Diversity
  • Support for Unpaid Family Caregivers 
  • Human Trafficking is Modern Slavery
  • Treatment Instead of Punishment for People with Substance Use Disorder
• Fellowship Convocation: If you are eligible to become a fellow of the AAFP, there will be a convocation ceremony immediately following the House of Delegates on May 6, between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. You do not need to participate in the House of Delegates to be a part of the fellowship ceremony. For more information, contact Lindsay Soyer.
• Stay tuned for this year’s fundraising auction! Highlighting the essential work of the WAFP Foundation, we will host a small but mighty online silent auction, opening in early May. This year’s theme is Enjoying Washington’s Great Outdoors; more information coming soon!

Take Advantage of Other Opportunities

• CROP+TR CME Webinar Series: Washington State University’s Center for Rural Opioid Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery (CROP+TR) is hosting a series of free webinars in the coming months called “Innovative Approaches for Substance Use Treatment and Recovery in Rural Washington.” Topics will include the clinical management of opioid, cannabis, and stimulant misuse. Webinar attendees have the option of applying for 1 hour of AMA PRA Category 1 CME credit for each event. More information and registration available here.  
• 2021 COD to be Held In Person in Kansas City: The Congress of Delegates will be held Sept. 26-29 in Kansas City, MO, moving from its original location of Anaheim, CA. The Congress will also utilize virtual hearings from some reference committees on Sept. 12.
• WMC Openings in 1st, 7th Districts: The Washington Medical Commission is accepting applications for upcoming openings. The commission is seeking physicians from the 1st Congressional District (represented by Rep. Suzan DelBene) and the 7th Congressional District (represented by Rep. Pramila Jayapal). Learn more and apply at the WMC website.