May 25, 2023

In this issue:

• Connect Care lab results: please use provider and submitter IDs on all requisitions

• ABCs of Blended Capitation 

• Celebrate Rural Health Week from May 29 to June 2

• Interested in assisting the AMA Board with the financial oversight of the association?

• AMA mourns passing of past president, Dr. Christopher Varvis

• MD Financial Management

  • Retirement timeline for physicians: How to prepare for a comfortable retirement

Connect Care delivery of lab results: please use provider and submitter IDs on all requisitions

Providers in the community who order lab tests or submit specimens for testing need to take action to ensure they receive these results. If requisitions are incomplete, patients could receive results before their providers.

Every requisition given to a patient or sent with a specimen (including microbiology and anatomic pathology) needs to contain the authorizing provider’s full name, clinic name, address and submitter ID, plus the provider ID for the authorizing provider.  

ABCs of Blended Capitation

Have you heard about the Blended Capitation funding model and wondered if it's a good alternative for you and your patients?

As the third webinar in the Battle Burnout series, the Edmonton Southside and Edmonton West Primary Care Networks invite you to learn more about the ABCs of Blended Capitation from the Alberta Medical Association’s Dr. Brad Bahler and Dr. Melanie Currie.

The webinar will be held on June 1 at 7 - 8 p.m.

Celebrate Rural Health Week

from May 29 to June 2

From May 29-June 2, the Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP) is celebrating Alberta Rural Health Week (ARHW)! During ARHW, communities are invited to show appreciation for the contributions of the rural health providers whose abilities enhance the quality of life in rural Alberta. ARHW is also an opportunity to say “thank you” to the local volunteers who go above and beyond to support health care and health professionals in their rural Alberta communities.

How can you celebrate?

Visit the ARHW web page (rhpap.ca/arhw) to access an online celebration toolkit and a list of ideas.

Make some noise on social media to salute the health professionals and volunteers who help keep health care close to home – and remember to use the hashtags #RuralHealthMatters and/or #ABruralHealthWeek!

Are you interested in assisting the AMA Board with the financial oversight of the association?

The AMA is currently recruiting to fill one vacancy on the Committee on Financial Audit (COFA). Key activities of the COFA include reviewing financial statements with management and the auditors as well as reviewing compliance with regulatory requirements and board financial policies. The COFA also monitors the employee pension fund, reviews the annual business plan/budget and undertakes related projects at the direction of the AMA Board of Directors. The term start date to serve on the COFA is October 1, 2023, and will run until September 30, 2026.

Our online application process makes it easy to apply! Visit the AMA committee recruitment web application to view the postings, committee descriptions and apply. Member login required. The AMA is committed to diversity and inclusion in its committee appointment process.

The deadline to apply is June 20.

AMA mourns passing of past president,

Dr. Christopher Varvis

We regret to inform you of the passing of past AMA president, Dr. Christopher Varvis on May 2. Dr. Varvis served as AMA president from 1971-72.
 
Dr. Varvis was an accomplished physician who was also a member of and speaker for the Canadian Medical Association and various organizations related to his specialty in internal and respiratory medicine. Dr. Varvis had a practice in Edmonton at the Links Clinic and the Royal Alexandra Hospital from 1960 through 1999 and was a professor of internal medicine at the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. You can read Dr. Varvis’s full obituary in the Edmonton Journal.
 
In honour of Dr. Varvis, the AMA has made a memorial donation to the United Way. Please join us in offering sincerest condolences to Dr. Varvis’s family including his wife, Vivian Varvis and their two daughters, Alita and Esme.

Retirement timeline for physicians: How to prepare for a comfortable retirement

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Winding up their career may be the furthest thing from a young physician’s mind, but a successful retirement takes long-term planning. Breaking down your career and life stages into smaller chunks can make retirement planning easier to digest. Here's a rough retirement timeline for Canadian physicians. 

Upcoming events

ACFP Thursday Evening Webinars

June 15

Social media training for AMA members:
 

Social Media 101

September 20
5:30-6:30 p.m.

Social Media 201

October 11

5:30-6:30 p.m.

Media Relations 101

July 12 & September 27

5:30-6:30 p.m.

Media Relations 201

June 14 & November 16

1-4 p.m.
 

View all upcoming events on the AMA website.

Have an event you'd like to promote?

Review our criteria and submit your event.

Recognition Roundup

Below are special dates deserving recognition:

June:

Rural Health Week

(May 29 - June 2)

National Indigenous History Month

Pride Month

Canadian Men's Health Month

Crazy Socks for Docs

(June 2)

National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21)

World Environment Day

(June 5)

ALS Awareness Month

Recommend a special date.

Last issue's top stories

- Optimized Prescribing with Seniors

- Your investment strategy transformed

In the May 25
MD Scope Classifieds
you'll find listings for:
 

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- For sale or lease
- Services

More from the AMA

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