April 16, 2025

CMS President Kim Warner, MD, presented today to medical students in the Academic Medicine Leadership (AML) track at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM). The AML track comprises medical students interested in academic medicine, leadership, health systems structure, professionalism, community engagement, and more. These students aim to become leaders in the medical community and AML regularly welcomes community leaders to present about the structure and function of various organizations and how to lead those groups. Dr. Warner's presentation focused on the structure of the Colorado Medical Society and how CMS leadership solves problems for physicians and patients in Colorado. 

Join the Colorado Medical Society and the Holocaust Genocide and Contemporary Bioethics Program for a powerful discussion with visiting scholar Volker Roelcke, MD, PhD. This thought-provoking talk will explore how ethical boundaries broke down during Nazi medical crimes and what lessons we can apply today to safeguard human rights. 

We’re especially excited with the opportunity to connect with you in-person at the Copic/Colorado Medical Society Building located at 7351 E Lowry Blvd, Denver, CO 80230. Join us this upcoming Monday, April 21, 5:30–6:30 p.m. RSVP here.

All members of the Colorado Medical Society (CMS) are encouraged to register for a CMS Virtual Town Hall on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, from 6-7 p.m. to share your input on our new draft strategic plan. CMS values member engagement and seeks to ensure that the strategic plan aligns with the priorities and needs of Colorado physicians. We need your input! Register through the button below.

As a valued member of the Colorado Medical Society, you have exclusive access to an important benefit—the Transamerica Universal Life Insurance with Long Term Care protection. 

What makes this opportunity unique?

As a medical professional, you understand better than most that increased longevity comes with a greater likelihood of needing extended care. This protection isn't just prudent—it's a crucial part of comprehensive financial planning. This product offer has a long-term care rider that is available through Issue Age 65.

If a structured mentor or coaching program were available to help connect you with physician peers or physicians-in-training for professional growth, would you be interested in participating? Respond here.

The Colorado Psychiatric Society Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Committee invites you to help combat mental health inequities facing young people of color. Your time and dollars go a long way in making a difference for young people of color facing the mental health challenges and the impact of systemic racism.

Register today and get ready to run, walk and roll in person on Saturday, July 19, in Denver or in your own community to show support. Your efforts help promote awareness about and raise funds to support community organizations that have undertaken innovative awareness programs and/or have provided services to improve the mental health of young people of color. 

Help make your after-visit summaries even more valuable by letting your patients know about paid family and medical leave in Colorado. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment's Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI) encourages you to copy-and-paste the message below into your after-visit summaries: 

Did you know? Nearly all workers in Colorado qualify for paid leave to take care of themselves or a loved one with a serious health condition.  Pregnancy qualifies as a serious health condition, and both parents are eligible to take up to 12 weeks to bond with a new child. Find out more at famli.colorado.gov.

FAMLI also encourages you to print and include  our “What-Is-FAMLI” flyers in your discharge paperwork. They are available in both English and Spanish. These flyers are a great introduction to FAMLI, and will help your patients know the leave benefits available to them.

The occupational burnout rate among physicians in the United States continues to moderate after skyrocketing to a record-high in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a newly published study in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Despite improving rates, U.S. physicians remain at higher risk for burnout relative to other U.S. workers.

In the only study to regularly measure physician burnout rates between 2011 and 2023 during a span of substantial disruption in the health care delivery system, researchers from the American Medical Association (AMA), Mayo Clinic, Stanford Medicine and University of Colorado School of Medicine found the overall prevalence of burnout among U.S. physicians was 45.2% in 2023 after peaking at 62.8% in 2021. The lowest measured rate during the 12-year period was 38.2% in 2020. Prior to 2020, rates were 43.9% in 2017, 54.4% in 2014 and 45.5% in 2011. Each study consistently demonstrated that the overall prevalence of occupational burnout among U.S. physicians were higher relative to the U.S. workforce.

The AMA offers physicians and health systems a choice of cutting-edge tools, information and resources to help rekindle a joy in medicine.

In addition to advocacy that aims to reduce burden on physicians, the Colorado Medical Society supports Colorado physicians and medical students through the Doc2Doc program, providing access to three free, one-hour, confidential, pre-clinical peer wellbeing consultation sessions.

Call 720-810-9131 to speak to a masters-level clinician and set up a time for your consult with a physician psychiatrist. Discuss any concern — burnout, stress or situational issue. Nothing is to small or too big.

The 2025 CMS Annual Meeting has a new date! Please plan to join us Sept. 19-20 at Keystone Lodge. More details will be posted on the event page as they develop. Do you have a great idea for an educational session or social event at the meeting? Reply to this email to share your thoughts, or contact [email protected] with questions or comments.

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 plus an enduring material course. Remaining live events will be held in Costa Mesa April 26, New Orleans May 17, Miami May 31, Cincinnati Sept. 27, Pasadena Oct. 4 and Houston Oct. 11.  Each event offers up to 10 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Full accreditation information and registration available through the buttons below.

Mary Jo Heins is a former medical practice manager. As an independent Medicare insurance agent, she now helps people with all facets of Medicare – objectively and fee free.

Medicare Insurance Help – Be Medicare CONFIDENT

720-484-6946

www.medicareinsurancehelp.com

Do you have a position open at your practice? Space to sub-let? Selling your practice? Place a job board or classified ad with CMS! Members receive the first month free. Contact [email protected] for more information!