Jan. 22, 2025

Colorado Medical Society members who are actively practicing have a unique opportunity to enroll in a life insurance + long term care benefit. Long term care is the type of care that you may require if you are unable to perform activities of daily living. It is generally not covered by health insurance. A new plan offered in partnership with Copic Financial Services Group is simplified issue, which means that you can enroll and receive coverage with just a few medical questions – no physicals or blood work. Your rates are locked in based on current age, and spouses are eligible to enroll. Watch for more information as we roll out this benefit in early February and join us for an informational webinar Thursday, Feb. 13, 12-1 p.m.

Today, on her birthday, the Colorado Medical Society honors Dr. Justina Ford (1871–1952), a trailblazer in Colorado medicine and the first Black woman licensed to practice medicine in the state. Known as the “Baby Doctor,” Dr. Ford delivered over 7,000 babies during her remarkable career, providing care to immigrants, people of color, and underserved communities who often had nowhere else to turn.

In the face of systemic racism and sexism, she dedicated five decades to serving the Denver community from her home, embodying resilience and compassion. Though initially barred from joining the Colorado Medical Society, Dr. Ford gained membership in 1950, paving the way for diversity and inclusion—values we as a medical society strive to embrace today.

Her inspiring legacy is further amplified by the unveiling of a statue, pictured above, in the Aurora Highlands Art Park in May 2024. This work is part of the Statues for Equality movement, led by artists Gillie and Marc, that seeks to balance gender and racial representation in public art. Dr. Ford’s bronze statue celebrates her immense contributions to medicine and society.

The 10th Annual Chronic Liver Disease Seminars, jointly provided by the Colorado Medical Society and SC Liver Research Consortium, offer a comprehensive educational series on liver diseases. The program includes nine live events nationwide and an enduring material course, each offering up to 10 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. The curriculum covers:

The enduring material course launches on Feb. 21, 2025. Live seminars will be held in Louisville, Chicago, Philadelphia, Costa Mesa, Miami, New Orleans, Houston, Cincinnati and Pasadena. Access registration links through the buttons below.

The devastating wildfires in California have left countless families and communities in urgent need, with access to health care disrupted and critical medical resources scarce. The AMA Foundation’s Disaster Recovery Fund is dedicated to responding to FEMA-declared natural disasters, ensuring those affected receive essential care and assistance -- and Colorado physicians utilized the Fund after the devastating Marshall Fire in Boulder County.

Your support will help:

Every donation made will go directly toward supporting physicians and their communities affected by the California wildfires. Together, we can uphold our shared commitment to improving health and making a difference when it’s needed most.

Visit amafoundation.org/donate to make a donation. Thank you for your generosity and dedication.

Join fellow physicians and legislators for the Metro Medical Societies Legislative Night Open House, a casual meet-and-greet reception in the Rendezvous Cafe at History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway, Denver. Meet your legislators, hear an update on 2025 health care legislation, discuss the post-election political landscape, and learn how you can advocate for your profession this session.
 
There is no cost to attend, food and drinks will be provided, and there are many easy parking options! The Metro medical societies -- Arapahoe-Douglas-Elbert Medical Society, Aurora-Adams County Medical Society, Denver Medical Society and Foothills Medical Society -- ask for registrations by Jan. 31.

Your insights are essential to our advocacy efforts. By completing this quick survey, you’ll help CMS identify the issues you’re most passionate about—whether it’s Medicaid or Medicare reimbursement, administrative burdens like prior authorization, mental health, or workforce challenges.

Your responses will ensure we can connect with you when your voice is needed most at the Capitol. Together, we can make a stronger impact for Colorado physicians and patients.

Looking for more frequent and detailed updates than what PolicyPulse provides? Members can sign up for our Insider's Edge Roundup, your trusted source for near-weekly advocacy insights and in-depth legislative updates.

Take two minutes to make a difference. Your voice matters!

We need at least 300 more Colorado physicians to share your input on the impact of specific payer practices and why practice owners might enter alternate financing arrangements.

Through a partnership with the American Medical Association, your survey responses will be used to inform how the Colorado Medical Society can best support physicians across different practice arrangements in a time of increased consolidation in health care.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey if you are an independent practice owner, employee, physician in a private equity (PE) arrangement or former practice owner-turned-employee. 

CMS member Matt Wynia, MD, MPH, will present "How Healers Became KIllers: Eugenics, Power and Justice" on Monday, Jan. 27, from 12 - 2 p.m. MT, in recognition of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. He will be joined by Spero M. Manson, PhD (Little Shell Chippewa), who will provide insights into the medical treatment of Indigenous peoples. 

This hybrid program delves into the chilling history of eugenics, tracing its influence on Nazi racial policies and its connection to U.S. racial laws, revealing how medicine has been used to perpetuate oppression. Find more information, location and registration on the RSVP page here.

The nomination period for the 2025 Colorado Medical Society all-member election is open through Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. The 2025 election will occur in August. Nominees who have declared their candidacy so far are listed below.

President-elect
Sean Pauzauskie, MD

AMA Delegation
Amy Duckro, DO, MPH
Carolynn Francavilla, MD, incumbent AMA Delegation
Jan Kief, MD, incumbent AMA Delegation
Lynn Parry, MD, incumbent AMA Delegation
Tamaan Osbourne-Roberts, MD, incumbent AMA Delegation
Brigitta Robinson, MD, incumbent AMA Delegation
Michael Volz, MD, incumbent AMA Delegation

The Colorado Medical Society is committed to promoting diversity in every facet of organized medicine and encourages all members to consider nominating a colleague or self-nominating for a leadership position this year or in the future.

What are your 2025 goals? Whether relocating, buying or growing your practice, or strategizing your student loan repayment, Panacea Financial is ready to help you.

Panacea’s mission is to make doctors’ lives better with products and services that cater to the needs of doctors throughout every stage of their careers, a commonsense approach to lending, and helpful resources along the way.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your personal or professional journey or just want to explore your options, check out Panacea Financial. CMS members have access to exclusive discounts.

Panacea Financial is a division of Primis Bank. Member FDIC.