9 minute read
Practice Management
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
By Brent Hazelett, MPA, CAE NCAFP Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Funding Available to Improve Childhood Vaccination Rates
Independent primary care practices are now eligible for a $5,000 grant to support efforts to improve rates of childhood vaccinations. As you know, rates of childhood vaccinations have fallen sharply during the pandemic, leaving children and the adults around them vulnerable to preventable diseases. These grants are intended to provide additional resources to independent primary care practices working to address the problem. The North Carolina Division of Public Health, in partnership with NC Area Health Education Centers and Community Care of North Carolina, are providing these grants to pediatric and Family Medicine practices to support interventions aimed at boosting compliance with scheduled immunizations and wellchild care. FQHCs and rural health centers are also encouraged to apply.
To apply for the DPH Keeping Kids Well Fund Initiative or to learn more, see www.ncafp.com/ immunization-grant-funding.
PUBLIC HEALTH
The NC Department of Health and Human Services released the NC Comprehensive Cancer Control Action Plan 2020-2025 late last year. The plan includes strategic actions to address disparities among historically marginalized and rural communities who experience a disproportionate burden of cancer disease, disability, and death. “The NC Cancer Action Plan is a statewide blueprint for everyone working to reduce the burden of cancer on North Carolinians,” said Dr. Susan Kansagra, NCDHHS Chronic Disease and Injury Section Chief.
The action plan lists strategies to increase screening rates and prevention measures for priority cancers that are preventable through screening and/or vaccination. The six priority cancers include lung, female breast, colorectal and prostate cancers, which are the four most deadly cancers in North Carolina, as well as cervical and skin cancers. Each cancer section looks at risk factors, prevention, early detection, treatment, and strategic actions to reduce mortality and incidence rates. The goals are:
• Reduce cancer risks by supporting health behavior change in North Carolinians. • Increase cancer screening and early detection of cancer. • Improve access to cancer care, enhanced care coordination and quality treatment. • Improve the knowledge and understanding of cancer, cancer care and the relationship between cancer and other chronic diseases among health care professionals and the general public.
Dr. Vickie A. Fowler currently serves as the NCAFP representative on the NC Advisory Committee on Cancer Coordination and Control, which approved the plan.
Dr. Dennis graduated from medical school at East Carolina University School of Medicine in 1999 and completed his residency in 2002 at Anderson Area Medical Center in Anderson, SC. Prior to his medical career, he graduated from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Journalism, and spent 20 years as an editor, reporter, and columnist at the Henderson Daily Dispatch newspaper in Henderson, NC. During medical school, Dr. Dennis was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society, was a 1996 Rural Health Scholar, received the Merck Award for Academic Excellence in 1998, and was awarded the American Society of Clinical Pathologists’ Award for Academic Excellence and Achievement in 1999. He served as president of the NCAFP in 2014.
A Family Physician's Humorous Take on 2020
By William A. Dennis, MD
My whole family posed for a picture late in 2019. We sent it out as a Christmas card in 2020.
It has turned out to be a more accurate view of the future than any offered by pollsters in the November election. (OK, so that doesn’t set the bar very high.) I hear Bill Gates whispering, “Microsoft good. Apple bad.”
As some may know, I decided to retire from Henderson Family Medicine in June and take a position with a Duke Urgent Care pilot project called “Walk-In Wellness.” As soon as I started, however, my clinic was converted into a respiratory care center dealing with patients who have symptoms or complications of covid-19. We had the option of moving to a different site if we were “skeered,” but I elected to stay. I actually have enjoyed the work, and have learned a new Life Lesson: “’Tis far better to swab, than to BE swabbed.”
With the majority of our family now living in Asheville, those of us who are still low-landers went up the mountain last year to gather for a great Christmas. The picture was taken at the “Funkatorium,” a brewery best known for its unique sour beers. Who knew it would be the last time we’d all be together for, well, that remains TBA?! And who knew just how sour and full of funk the coming year would be?!! Not to mention how often we’d be in need of strong drink. You can quote me on that.
I don’t want to make light of the pandemic. It truly has been horrible - rapidly getting worse, in fact - but we all should strive to seek light in the darkness. I have found a few sunny rays, not the least of which is being able to “go to church” in my pajamas while sipping a mimosa and eating sausage. This is an option they should discuss continuing when this is all over. Maybe set up an early service, or perhaps a separate lounge. Just putting that out there.
In addition, with more free time on my hands, I have worked to become more handy around the house. Cases in point: my lawnmower, which refused to keep going in the rare instances when it actually started, and my bike, which locked in on one gear and stuck to it. Why pay big bucks to the repair shops, I thought? There’s a YouTube video for fixing ANYTHING these days.
Truly, it has been a year. I think the Grinch may actually have gotten away with it this time. But we’ll be back. There is hope on the horizon.
Despite working in a respiratory clinic since July, I have managed to dodge the viral bullet. So far. In fact, just before writing this column (just before Christmas), I got the initial dose of the coronavirus vaccine. Duke put me in the first wave since I met both main qualifications: 1.) Old. 2.) Pollyanna-ish enough to work all day with covid-19 patients.
For those debating whether to get the shot, I can report I haven’t noticed any side effects. Other than occasionally seeing microchips in my urine. Also, when I close my eyes, So, I met with Mr. Google (masks in place, of course) and found the appropriate videos. The obvious problem with my mower was the carburetor. I ordered new parts, followed the YouTube expert, and in under two hours had the fresh parts in place. Not a single piece was left over, which is my metric for a job well done. The bike was clearly in need of new shifter cables. Again, I got the proper replacements. Again, the work was deeply gratifying. Left me pumped up and feeling downright Tim the Tool-Mannish.
There was the minor annoyance that neither mower nor bike came close to working properly after my labors - another reminder of the recurrent need for strong drink -
See '2020' on Back Cover
RECAP continued from page 18
I would be remiss if I did not give a big heartfelt thank you to our dedicated and hard-working Winter Weekend meeting chairs. When they committed to chairing the NCAFP’s biggest and most popular annual conference in early 2020, a virtual format was never part of the discussions. Please join us in thanking program chair, Dr. Victoria Kaprielian, and program vice-chair, Dr. Jay Patel, for their commitment, flexibility, and enthusiasm for a fantastic event, regardless of the format. The hugely successful cyber event would not have been possible without their continued dedication and support from start to finish. The Meetings Department would also like to thank the many terrific guest speakers and faculty for helping make the virtual weekend a tremendous success. Our tradition of providing incredible content and memorable conference experiences would not be possible without fantastic folks like them who are willing to share their expertise and knowledge with our attendees. Thank you! As we look ahead to brighter days in the new year, we are excited to announce two exciting CME opportunities in 2021. Mark your summer calendars for Saturday, August 7, 2021, for a terrific OneDay Saturday CME Opportunity. Also, be sure to save the dates for the 2021 Winter Family Physicians Weekend, scheduled for Thursday, December 2, - Sunday, December 5, 2021. We will keep you well-informed of the in-person and/ or virtual plans for both opportunities.
On behalf of the NCAFP, thank you for what you continue to do every day within your communities. Please continue to be safe and stay healthy. We appreciate you, we are so proud of you, and we cannot wait to see you again. If you have any questions regarding the NCAFP’s terrific CME opportunities, please contact Kathryn Atkinson, CMP, Manager of NCAFP Meetings & Events at Katkinson@ncafp. com.
2020 continued from page 27
but now that I’ve taken each to its respective repair shop, they’re both functioning perfectly. So, I invite you to just bask in the inspiration. You never know what you can (or can’t) do until you try!
In other news, the family is doing great overall. My wife has suffered the covid troubles common to most. She is not so happy that we introverts now command the universe. At last. She really misses family. And she feels she’s taking her life into her own hands every time she enters the grocery store. (Hey, some of us felt that way BEFORE covid!!) But I think she’s handled it all very well. Apparently, starting Hallmark Christmas movies in May is actually better medicine than hydroxychloroquine or injecting Clorox. She had our house looking festive and sparkly for the holidays, even though nobody got to see it but us. your N-95, face shield, double gloves, and gown. And don’t breathe while inside. Visits are limited to 3 minutes. Enjoy!
Our most hopeful wish for 2021 is similar, I expect, to many of yours: Simply that we’ll get to see - and hug - our family all together again very soon.
This time, for the sake of prognosticating, I think we should skip Funkatorium and meet at French Broad Chocolate Factory. Sweet things surely must follow. Come go with us.
We’ll try our best not to wind up at Wicked Weed down the street… who KNOWS what kind of year would follow that!! So to all, here’s to a happy and hopeful 2021.
NOTE: A version of this column first appeared in the Henderson Daily Dispatch over the holidays.
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