Monday Rx: The Latest on Volunteering, Physician Wellness and Updates on LACMA's Advocacy April 26, 2021 AltaMed Health Services, Cliníca Oscar Romero, COVID-19, Federally Qualified Health Center, Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach Convention Center., Medical Office Space, Physician Wellness, Pomona Fairplex, PPE, Pregnancy, Private Practice, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, unaccompanied minors, Volunteers 1244 Support for our Federally Qualified Health Center Partners LACMA has been active in supporting FQHC's in the area after launching historic partnerships with AltaMed Health Services in late 2019 and Cliníca Oscar Romero in early 2021. Specifically, LACMA has been able to deliver much needed PPE for both staff and patients. This week, we will be testifying in support of Assembly Bill 443 (Carillo) which will expand medical fellowship programs to help rectify inequities and increase the supply of multilingual and culturally competent physicians needed to address growing demand in underserved areas. AB 443 advances this effort and supports our FQHC's as they train, recruit, and retain the next generation of multilingual providers. Unaccompanied Minors Reach Long Beach and Soon Pomona Fairplex LACMA President Dr. Diana Shiba and I have been in conversations with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff regarding the unaccompanied minors reaching Los Angeles County and what are the volunteer and donation opportunities for members, as several have inquired. With 150 minors arriving in Long Beach late last week, the city of Long Beach launched an online portal, here, with detailed information on how physicians, community members, local organizations and businesses can help support the migrant children. They will be temporarily sheltered at the Long Beach Convention Center as part of the federal government’s national humanitarian effort to support unaccompanied migrant children arriving at the southern borders. Personal Volunteer Opportunities LACMA members interested in volunteering should submit a volunteer interest form with their name and contact information. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will be in contact as opportunities are identified. Click here to volunteer. What About Monetary Donations? The Long Beach Community Foundation has launched the cto accept monetary donations from community members, local organizations, and businesses. All donations are designated specifically to provide assistance and supportive resources related to the migrant children's humanitarian effort in Long Beach. Resources provided through these donations are intended to make the children more comfortable during their stay in Long Beach and during the reunification process. All monetary donations to this fund are tax-deductible. Click here to donate. How to Help with Pomona Fairplex? Up to 2,500 migrant children will be sent from detention facilities along the U.S.-Mexican border to the Fairplex in Pomona, where they will be provided temporary shelter. The unaccompanied minors will begin arriving in the next few days and detainees are expected to stay about a month, according to county and federal officials. Fairplex will become the second site in Los Angeles County to temporarily house children mostly from Central America who are trying to attain asylum in the U.S., joining the Long Beach Convention Center. LACMA has already submitted and been approved to help recruit volunteers. As soon as we get more details on how to volunteer and support, I will pass along to our members and partners. In the interim, below is a snapshot of the anticipated medical needs. Medical Team: 1 Medical Team Lead 1 Medical Officer-MD/NP/PA 5 RNs 1 Pharmacist 1 Behavioral Health 2 Public Health-swabbing, testing Package per 500 Medical Cache Addressing Physician Wellness As I’ve shared before, LACMA will be launching the Well Being Index in the next couple of weeks to ascertain what issues cause physician burnout. The survey tool is intended to be quick and easy, unlike the mountain of documentation today’s physician is already burdened with. We will collect the data, share results and most importantly, share ways we can help. The LACMA motto is “You care for your patients, we care for you.” We first need to know where you need help so we can act and make a difference. Skills to Survive and Thrive in Private Practice Managing a busy private practice brings as many challenges as it does rewards. Physicians who are willing to cope with changes and adapt to new mediums of care, technology, and more, are those that will preserve their valued autonomy and ability to realize long-term success. During this free one-hour webinar, Skills to Survive and Thrive in Private Practice, Debra Phairas, President of Practice & Liability Consultants, LLC, will address the top challenges physicians experience trying to remain independent and will discuss key considerations for transitioning to private practice from hospital or foundation employment. Register Now Skills to Survive and Thrive in Private Practice Date: Thursday, May 6 Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. PDT This webinar will address: Specific strategies to implement in small private practices to remain strong and viable Key Financial, A R and staffing ratios to maintain profitability How to run a “lean operation” to maintain net income The importance of marketing, internet presence, and online reviews Opportunities that can be found by merging practices Transitioning to private practice after hospital/foundation employment How technology, telemedicine and ancillary services can keep the practice viable And More! The discussion will be followed by audience Q&A. All registrants will receive the recording and slides once they are available. Register now to access these materials automatically after the live webinar. Medical Office Space Available for Lease Genevacho Medical Center has several medical office spaces available for lease in the Koreatown/Downtown Los Angeles area. To learn more, click here. Virtual Grand Rounds: COVID-19 and Pregnancy - What are the risks for mom and baby? More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that COVID-19 infection can pose increased risk during pregnancy and to newborns. During this virtual grand rounds, physicians engaged in research and clinical care of parents-to-be and current parents who are infected with or have been infected with COVID-19 will share the latest knowledge on COVID-19 infected parents and their newborns. The California Medical Association will also feature Erica Pan, M.D., the state epidemiologist, who will review the epidemiology of the disease, give vaccination updates and report on COVID-19 variants. Date: Tuesday May 11, 2021 Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Register Here #MondayMotivation “Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other." Gustavo Friederichsen Chief Executive Officer Los Angeles County Medical Association “If it matters to our LACMA members, it matters to me.”