Topics: Benefits/How to Join/Dues
· WCMS provides a Physician Referral Service for the public. During business hours, patients can call and receive information about which physicians are taking new patients.
· WCMS provides a yearly Physician Directory (pictorial pocket directory) for members' use and provides bi-monthly "WCMS Bulletin" Newsletter.
· WCMS provides Educational Programs and Speakers, as well as social time with colleagues, through regular General Membership meetings. Four meetings are planned each year (see Calendar of Events). The dinners are usually held at the Bellingham Yacht Club (Breakwater Restaurant), and the meetings scheduled for this year promise to bring programs you won't want to miss.
· WCMS sponsors the highly successful, yearly Mini-Internship Program by inviting community leaders to step into the shoes of physicians for two days, thus fostering improved communication and mutual respect.
· WCMS provides important Committee functions such as: Grievance Committee (allows mechanism for patients to file complaints and protects against unnecessary law suits), Community Relations Committee (contact between the Society and general public, yearly grant to community organization(s) for community health-related project), Legislative Committee (stays up-to-date on current legislative issues, interviews prospective candidates, lobbies on behalf of physician interests), and Social Committee (organizes social events for members and their families in coordination with the Alliance. In the past, these events have included a Chinese New Year Party, St. Patrick's Day Suds & Spuds, Summer Family Picnic, and a December Holiday Party).
· WCMS provides Legislative Updates. With regular contacts with the WSMA Olympia office (weekly tele-conferences during the legislative session), the Society can provide members with up-to-date information on legislative issues which affect your medical practice.
· WCMS maintains & promotes Washington State Medical Association Affiliation. The WSMA House of Delegates, made up of representatives of county medical societies, including five from Whatcom County, is responsible for setting the direction and policy of WSMA. Working with and for physicians, WSMA is the recognized voice of organized medicine in the state, contributing to a physician's practice by dealing with the forces and organizations that impact your ability to practice medicine.
· WCMS supports the St. Joseph Hospital Medical Library. The Society provides financial support (through a yearly assessment) in maintaining the medical library.
· WCMS provides current medical Legal Information to members. If you have questions regarding medical legal issues, call the Society office. If we don't have the information available, we can research it for you.
· WCMS promotes Community Projects, such as sports exam physicals for returning high school students, the School Drug Task Force, the DoctorCare Program, Interfaith Clinic, COMMIT for Tobacco Free Whatcom County, etc.
HOW TO JOIN
To apply for “Active” Membership in the Whatcom County Medical Society, contact the Society office and request that a “new member” packet be sent to you. The packet includes an application, answers to commonly asked questions about WCMS membership, information on the DoctorCare Program, copies of WCMS and WSMA Bylaws, and a copy of the AMA's "Principles of Medical Ethics." The application requires two recommendation signatures from current, active WCMS members.
WCMS Bylaws require that a physician's application receive “first reading” at the next General Membership meeting following receipt of the application. The application will then receive its “second (final) reading” after the applicant has practiced in Whatcom County for a minimum of six months after application. In the interim period, you will be placed on our mailing list and will be welcome to participate in all Society meetings and activities.
Physician Assistants who are currently employed by a WCMS physician member may also apply for “Assistant” Membership. Retired physicians who move to Whatcom County may also apply for “Transferred-Retired” Membership.
DUES
WCMS dues for “Active” Membership are $215 per year. There is also an annual assessment of $60 to help maintain the medical library located at St. Joseph Hospital. Dues statements are issued to new members after their second reading, and then yearly each November 1. To qualify for Whatcom County Medical Society membership, a physician must also become a member of the Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) or the Washington Osteopathic Medical Association. WSMA dues are paid through WCMS, and there are no additional membership forms for you to complete. Washington State Medical Association dues are $460 per year. Membership in the American Medical Association is suggested and dues are $420 per year. (NOTE: Both WSMA and AMA dues are discounted for physicians in their first and second years of practice.)
Dues for “Assistant” membership (Physician Assistants) are $107.50 per year (or ½ of Active member dues). There is also the annual assessment of $30 to help maintain the medical library located at St. Joseph Hospital. To qualify for membership, the PA must be employed by a current, Active WCMS member and become a member of WSMA. WSMA dues are paid through WCMS, and there are no additional membership forms for you to complete. WSMA dues are $25 per year.
“Transferred-Retired” membership is also offered to retired physicians who are residing in Whatcom County, but did not practice here. To qualify, the retired physician must have been a member in good standing of his or her local medical society at the time of retirement, pay an annual fee of $50 to cover the expense of mailings and meals, and complete a form providing education and practice information. This invitation is extended as a courtesy to retired physicians in order to provide them with the opportunity to join in the fellowship of the local medical community. They are invited to attend all WCMS function, but because such physicians do not meet the criteria for “Active” membership, they may not hold office or vote in Society matters.