DCMS Benefits - It Pays to be a Member!

Peer to Peer Networking/Physician Referral   Provides referrals for patients and physicians from over 2,000 physician members within Duval County.   Physicians are randomly selected (usually three) according to the needs of the person from the general public requesting a referral.  Furthermore, the DCMS manages nearly 400 Clay, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns County Medical Society physician members in Northeast Florida, creating an even stronger voice for medicine in NEFL. 

Advocacy in Action  Maintains strong relationships with the local legislative delegation and the Florida Medical Association to shape pro-medicine legislation and prevent bills detrimental to the practice of medicine (e.g., independent practice of medicine by allied health professionals).

Community Involvement  Represents the interests of medicine in all community projects concerning the well-being of Duval County residents (e.g., Healthy Start, Uninsured Coalition, Partnership for a Healthier Duval, School Health Advisory Council, Environmental Health Board, etc.).

Continuing Medical Education  The DCMS, in cooperation with the FMA and AMA, conducts a variety of workshops and seminars, on an “as needed” basis.  These include workshops on starting a medical practice, financial planning for retirement, health information technology, bio-terrorism, workers compensation and managed care.  DCMS publishes the only peer-reviewed county medical society journal in the state, NEFL Medicine, and provides complimentary continuing medical education (CME) credit opportunities to DCMS members.  This includes mandated CME topics.

Practice Management Resources  Actively addresses the expansion of Health Information Technology (eRx and EMR/EHR) in NEFL. Provides support for questions or complaints against private or public insurance.

Communication  Serves as a liaison to local media outlets with ongoing public relations efforts to ensure balanced stories are reported regarding physicians and their practices.  Publishes a comprehensive DCMS Membership Directory annually with expanded member information, local resources and practice management support information.  The directory has long been considered a “wealth of information”.  Distributes "News You Need to Know" emails and broadcast faxes to members on topics of interest to members and practice administrators. 

Business Partners - Preferred Vendors  Has developed relationships and offers discounted services with quality service vendors including FPIC (professional liability insurance), SunTrust, OptaComp (Workers' Compensation), Auto Solutions, and more.

DCMS Employment Connection - DCMS has partnered with Job Target to help you identify candidates for positions in your practice or for you to locate available positions in Jacksonville.

Emergency & Disaster Preparedness  Holds six (6) meetings annually to proactively prepare for acts of bioterrorism, disaster response and homeland security and supports the local Medical Reserve Corps.

Volunteer Health Care Services Supports recruitment of physicians to provide care for the uninsured and working poor through WeCare Jax, Volunteers in Medicine, and more (over $3.3 million of free, local medical care in 2007). Assists the Jacksonville Sports Medicine Program recruit physicians to provide complimentary pre-participation sports physicals to junior and senior high student athletes, and provides back-up support at a variety of local sports endeavors, including volunteer Team Physicians.

Medical Library Support  Has supported the University of Florida Health Science Center Library, the Borland Library, through donations.  DCMS members have complete access to the Borland Library system.