Legislative Wrap-Up: COVID, Collaboration, and Compromise
This year’s session was very different from previous years. With COVID still in full swing and very few people vaccinated, the legislature opted for a hybrid version of the session. Committees that were typically held in small rooms were moved to larger spaces, all committees were given video access (most previously were audio only), and participants were encouraged to participate remotely. Because of the larger space, people were allowed to attend committees. Masks were required at all times and chairs were spaced far apart.
We made the determination that it was best for us to participate remotely and it ended up being a great decision. Thanks to the hard work of the capitol tech staff, things ran very efficiently with very few hiccups.
Compromise was definitely the theme of this year’s session. Read more...
COVID Vaccines Now Available to ALL Utahns 16+
As of Wednesday, March 24, all Utahns ages 16 and up can sign up to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Appointments can be found in the following four ways:
New Podcast: The Addiction Files
Dr. Petersen and Dr. Cook are board certified addiction medicine and family medicine physicians providing evidence-based education, clinical pearls and resources to physicians, residents and students while striving to destigmatize the treatment of addiction in our medical culture and save lives.
Dr. Paula Cook and Dr. Darlene Petersen
Tune in to learn about the latest treatments for all things addiction. Join them as they conduct expert interviews, review clinical pearls and best practices and discuss the latest updates in addiction medicine. No explicit language but this podcast discusses the abuse and treatment of legal and illegal drugs and may not be appropriate for all listeners. Find them wherever you listen to podcasts or listen now on Apple Podcasts.
Right Place, Right Time: Family Physician Helps Save a Life in a High School Gym
Michael Frischknect, MD, FAAFP & medical assistant Geri Brailsford
Josh Sharp is a fighter and incredibly lucky, especially when it comes to being in the right place at the right time. Josh has gone into cardiac arrest twice without any warning—and on both occasions he’s had healthcare workers nearby to help save his life.
At a high school drill competition, Sharp collapsed. Michael Frischknecht, MD, family practice physician, and Geri Brailsford, medical assistant, from Manti Family Clinic, were also in the gym that day. They knew Josh was facing a life-threatening situation related to his heart history, as he’s a patient at their clinic. Read more...
Match Day Is a Record-breaker for Family Medicine
AAFP - The COVID-19 pandemic forced medical students and residency programs into a completely virtual interview process this Match season, but that challenging experience didn’t dampen enthusiasm for family medicine. When results from the National Resident Matching Program Main Residency Match were released on March 19, they showed that 4,493 applicants had matched into family medicine, marking 12 years of growth for the specialty and the 10th consecutive year that an all-time record number of students had matched into family medicine. Read more...
Michael Bishop, student at University of Utah School of Medicine, matched at Utah Valley.
University of Utah Researchers Studying Possible COVID-19 Treatment
Salt Lake Tribune - A decades-old antidepressant drug may stop coronavirus from causing serious illness — and the University of Utah is enrolling patients in a study to confirm whether it works.
The drug, fluvoxamine, is an early selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor developed in the 1980s.
But, infectious diseases professor Dr. Adam Spivak said Thursday, “there’s a lot of research that suggests it acts as a very strong anti-inflammatory.” Read more...
NOW OPEN: 2021 NHSC Loan
Repayment Programs Application Cycle
- The NHSC Loan Repayment Program (NHSC LRP) awards up to $50,000 in exchange for a two-year commitment to provide primary medical, dental or mental/behavioral health care at approved sites in high-need, underserved areas.
- The NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program (NHSC SUD Workforce LRP) provides up to $75,000 in exchange for a three-year commitment to health care professionals who provide substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services.
- Providers in rural communities may apply to the NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program (NHSC Rural Community LRP), which awards up to $100,000 for three years of service.
FREE for UAFP/AAFP Members:*
Getting Back on Track - Catching up on Care During COVID
Saturday, April 17
8:00 AM - 1:15 PM
Some patients have been delaying preventative care and treatment for chronic conditions during the COVID pandemic. This valuable CME event will cover important updates for crucial prevention and treatment that your patients may be behind on.
Last Change to Nominate an Outstanding Resident!
Nominations
Due March 31
Help UAFP recognize the outstanding leadership and accomplishments of graduating residents from our four Utah family medicine residency by nominating a deserving individual. Nominations may be made by individuals who have knowledge of the nominee's accomplishments including faculty, residency staff, fellow residents, and medical students. A nominee must be a resident member of UAFP and a current third year resident at a family medicine residency in Utah. Nominations due March 31, 2021. Winner will be announced in April. Learn more here.
Upcoming CME & Events
Engaging Patients in Diabetes Care ECHO Series
Wednesdays from April 7 - May 5, 2021 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM
Hosted by Comagine
Learn more and register here
AAFP Physician Health & Well-being Conference Livestream
Wednesday, April 7 – Friday, April 9
Hosted by AAFP
Common Problems in Pediatrics
June 6 - 9, 2021
Hosted by the Utah Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Utah Certificate of Palliative Care Education (UCoPE) at the University of Utah
June 15-19, 2021
Hosted by the University of Utah
Learn more and register here
