IN THIS EDITION of Central Florida Doctor magazine, we’re focusing on several legislative and technological topics that affect the healthcare industry, and that of our patients. For example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently put forth the decision that all Partially Hydrogenated Oils (PHOs) must be removed from the U.S. food supply by 2018. This decision is supported by medical associations and experts on a national and local scale, and as developments continue to unfold, we will learn more about what food manufacturers plan to do to replace this ingredient.
Your Polk County Medical Association (PCMA) Officers and Board of Trustees plan to attend the Florida Medical Association Annual Meeting at the end of this month, from July 31 to August 2. The conference will be held at the Disney Yacht and Beach Club near Orlando, so if you are able, I recommend planning to attend. If for some reason you are withheld from joining us at the event, however, then stay tuned because we’ll have a lot to report from the conference meetings, CME tracks, symposiums, banquets, and more.
Whether you’re a local physician who has practiced here for many years, or you’re just moving to the area, we welcome you to learn more about the Polk County Medical Association (PCMA). Some of the many benefits of membership include the following:
- Physician referrals
- Medical malpractice discounts with The Doctors Company
- Ongoing relevant communication
- Access to CME Programs
- Workers compensation insurance benefits
- Complimentary socials/dinners
- Strong PCMA physician representation in Central Florida Health News and Central Florida Doctor publications
- Listing advantages in the annual Central Florida Physician Directory & Medical Professional Guide
- Physician and medicine advocacy at all legislative levels
On a side note, we’d like you to mark your calendars and RSVP for our Fifth Annual Casino Night fundraiser. This annual tradition is coming up Saturday, October 24, and will be hosted by Fields Motorcars Mercedes Benz, 4141 North Florida Avenue in Lakeland. Entertainment for the evening will include casino table games (played with fake currency, of course), as well as a silent auction, music, food, drinks, and more. The proceeds from this event go directly toward We Care of Polk County and the Polk County Medical Foundation.
For more information about the upcoming FMA conference, PCMA membership, Casino Night tickets or how you can become a partnering sponsor for the event, please call Jackie Courtney in our office at (863) 644-4051 or email director@polkcountydoctors.com.
Arvind B. Soni, MD
Director of Radiation Oncology
St. Joseph’s Hospital, BayCare Health System
President, Polk County Medical Association
