Welcome to LCMS Online...
with information, important updates, and news
of importance to medical society members
A Day at the Races
Saturday, July 10th — It was a spectacular summer outing clearly enjoyed by all who attended. There were 89 registrants who enjoyed the delicious buffet luncheon and camaraderie in the Governor's Room at Arlington Park Race Track. The comfortable room and private viewing balcony were the perfect setting for a summer afternoon of fun, rest and relaxation.
Lake County Medical Society sent eight delegates to the Illinois State Medical Society annual meeting this year, held April 23-25 in Springfield. The ISMS House of Delegates debated 61 member-submitted resolutions and voted on policies that will benefit Illinois patients and physicians.
[More on the meeting including photos in our online Newsletter section.] L to R: Dr. Rebecca Bergman, Mrs. Cathy Milam, Dr. James Milam,
Dr. Himani Dalia, Dr. Thomas Porter, Dr. Deepak Dalia during the annual
meeting of ISMS, at the President's Dinner in honor of Dr. James Milam
who just completed his year as ISMS President. Dr. Milam visited 37
counties around the state during the past year.
Left photo: Two Lake County Medical Society members have served as recent
Illinois State Medical Society presidents — James Milam, MD, whose term
ended April 25 and and Clair Callan, MD, who served ten years ago. Both are
pictured at the ISMS Annual Meeting President's Dinner, April 23, in Springfield.
Right photo: Two of Lake County's eight delegates, Drs. Rebecca Bergman and
Scott Cooper, at the ISMS House of Delegates meeting.
L to R: Dr. Rebecca Bergman, Jane Stein, Executive Director of LCMS,
Dr. Douglas Kaplan and Dr. Himani Dalia during the annual meeting of the
Illinois State Medical Society in Springfield, April 23-25.
Lake County is represented by 8 delegates and our District 1 Trustee,
Scott Cooper, MD.
North Shore Health Center Joins P2D2 Program,
Center Becomes Collection Site for Expired Drugs
The North Shore Health Center of the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center is now a collection site in Highland Park where residents can dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs in an environmentally safe way. The Health Center has joined P2D2, the Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal Program of Highland Park, which is working to keep prescription drugs out of the water supply and out of the hands of children. Drugs disposed of at this site are collected by the Highland Park Police and incinerated.
The public can drop off prescription drugs in a mail box shaped receptacle in the foyer of the North Shore Health Center, 1840 Green Bay Road in Highland Park, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The following items are acceptable for disposal:
Prescription medications (except controlled substances)
All over-the-counter medications
Medication samples
Pet medications
Vitamins and supplements
Medicated ointments, lotions, creams and oils
Liquid medication in leak-proof containers
Homeopathic remedies
Suppositories
Pills are accepted in any packaging, including glass, plastic containers, baggie (Ziploc) or foil. A permanent marker can be used to mark out personal information. Patrons may also remove labels prior to drop off.
Unacceptable:
Needles/sharps
Syringes with needles
Thermometers
Controlled substance prescriptions
IV bags
Bloody or infectious waste
Personal care products
Empty containers
Hydrogen peroxide
Illegal drugs and narcotics
The Highland Park P2D2 Program includes the Police Department, Highland Park High School's Green School Initiative and the SAVE A STAR Drug Awareness Foundation.
The program discourages residents from flushing drugs down the toilet. When drugs are flushed, the chemicals become integrated with the water and most treatment plants are unable to remove such chemicals from the water supply. Fish and wildlife in Lake Michigan are negatively affected by these drugs, showing signs of neurological and physiological damage. Unused portions of drugs in medicine cabinets also pose a danger to children who may accidentally ingest these drugs or to others who may use these drugs for recreational purposes.
In Highland Park, drugs may also be disposed of at the Highland Park Police Department, 1677 Old Deerfield Road in Highland Park, 24 hours a day.
LCMS Bylaws Under Review
The LCMS Bylaws are under review at this time, in their entirety. The complete set of Bylaws will be printed and mailed to members with the proposed changes indicated in color print. A cover page will be inserted on which you can vote and share your comments with the executive committee. Watch for your copy of the proposed changes soon.
State Crackdown on Licensure
The State of Illinois is enforcing some new, more stringent rules for licensure and renewal of licenses for many professionals and health care workers. Read items received from the Secretary of State very carefully. Licensure for registered nurses will require 20 hours of Continuing Education credit effective with the renewal period following the 2010-2012 two year renewal. All licensed nurses will be required to obtain proof of 20 hours worth of CE after June 1, 2010, and prior to May 31, 2012 in order to renew their licenses in 2012. CE taken before June 1, 2010 cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.
Visit the web site, www.nursing.illinois.gov/NursingCE.asp for more information. Advanced Practice Nurses holding an RN license should check with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) website for CE requirements. There are many options for qualifying courses, including some online education choices.
Volunteer for the Lake County Medical Reserve Corps.
In response to the outpouring of volunteer support in the days following September 11, 2001, the Citizen Corps. was created by the President. Citizen Corps volunteers work to make sure their families, homes, and communities are prepared in the event of terrorism, crime, and disasters of all kinds. One specialized component of this effort is the Medical Reserve Corps. [Get complete details!]
The following items are acceptable for disposal:
