Monday Rx: Welcoming Dr. Shiba and COVID-19 Updates. July 6, 2020 COVID-19, Dr. Diana Shiba, LA County, LACMA President 1727 Welcome LACMA’s 149th President, Dr. Diana Shiba! Dr. Shiba, an actively-practicing ophthalmologist, will become the first Asian-American woman to serve as LACMA President, bringing a wealth of professional and advocacy experience at a critical time. “In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s crucial for us to take advantage of the expertise and impact of our medical associations,” says Dr. Shiba. “LACMA’s stature allows us to serve as a trusted resource for physicians, patients and policy makers; community organizations and the media,” she says. “That includes supporting public health, targeting financial support for front-line community programs and medical practices, and mobilizing volunteers for direct, on-the-ground assistance.” “I joined LACMA and the California Medical Association because I recognized how important it is for physicians to have a voice in our complex healthcare system,” Dr. Shiba says. “Nothing proves that more than the COVID-19 crisis. But we’re facing it head-on together.” As an advocate for patients and physicians, Dr. Shiba has been active for 16 years at the county, state, and national levels, as well as within her own specialty. She currently serves on the LACMA Executive Committee — as the organization’s President-Elect for the past year — and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the California Medical Association, the Executive Committee of America’s Physician Groups, and the Board of Directors of the California Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons. In addition to her work as an ophthalmologist, she is the Chief Government Relations Officer and a Regional Assistant Medical Director for the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente. In support of her specialty, Dr. Shiba conducts oral examinations and participates in exam development with the American Board of Ophthalmology, and she teaches advanced cataract surgical courses with the University of California, Los Angeles. She has taught several courses on physician leadership development and is a recipient of the annual clinical teaching award in Ophthalmology from the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Shiba will lead LACMA into its 150th year (2021) and will launch this month the new Health Equity Council to address racism and health inequality, as well as kick off the new Zoom series “Race Against Time” to foster increased dialogue and collaboration within the medical profession. Her other areas of focus include physician practice sustainability and support for physician well-being, especially during these challenging times. Dr. Shiba’s official installation will be a virtual gathering in mid-August. New Morning Brew Each week I will add a link to “Morning Brew”, a unique, unbiased news feed that is enjoyable. You'll learn about the latest economic tips, sports, energy, food and beverage and so much more! Morning Brew Virtual Grand Rounds Start July 14th The first Virtual Grand Rounds – State of COVID-19 with California Public Health Leaders – will be Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at 12 p.m. The 90-minute grand rounds webinars are free and open to all interested clinicians. Clinicians likely to encounter COVID-19 in their practice settings (e.g., front line physicians, nurse practitioners or physician assistants) are encouraged to join the monthly case-based presentations, which will include expert panel discussions and audience participation. State public health leaders will discuss past and current state efforts to prepare for COVID-19 surges, data collection methods for surveillance and planning, as well as related impacts to California communities. Participants include: Mark Ghaly, M.D., CHHS Secretary Alice Chen, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Director for the San Francisco Health Network (SFHN), and Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Sonia Angell, M.D., MPH, State Public Health Officer and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director Physicians can receive CME for participating in the COVID-19 Virtual Grand Rounds.* Register Here Have questions? Contact covidrounds@cmadocs.org for more information. *This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the California Medical Association (CMA) and California Health and Human Services Agency. CMA is accredited by ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. CMA designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. COVID-19: “Put it On!” LACMA’s Public Service Campaign, “Put it On” kicks off later this week. The sixty-second videos promote the wearing of masks and defend our public health officers. Several LACMA members took part in the production. The campaign will also feature a video on “social distancing” and “stay at home” orders until COVID-19 cases are reduced in California and Los Angeles specifically. As of today, there are nearly 115,000 cases and 3,500 deaths in Los Angeles County. #MondayMotivation “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” —Seneca Gustavo Friederichsen Chief Executive Officer Los Angeles County Medical Association “If it matters to our LACMA members, it matters to me.”