Washington State Medical Association (WSMA)

07/04/2026

Help Me Grow Washington is supporting physicians by connecting patients to resources, from nutrition to housing, and will partner with the WSMA on a new grant-funded clinical QI effort. Physicians, physician assistants, and clinical teams are invited to join us in Chelan to learn more from the Help Me Grow team and the rest of our top-notch line-up of conference speakers. All the details at wsma.org/ldc.

03/04/2026

The WSMA is grateful to see Sen. Tina Orwall’s bill adopting common-sense guardrails for the use of AI in prior authorization processes signed into law. As WSMA Vice President Bindu Nayak, MD, says, “SB 5395 advances the goal of keeping patient care in the hands of physicians and not opaque AI systems.” Read more about this bill and other ways physicians are advocating for the patient-doctor relationship at: wsma.org/your-care-is-at-our-core

03/04/2026

We're honored to be welcoming Sen. Marcus Riccelli at this year's WSMA Leadership Development Conference! Sen. Riccelli will speak to his legislative advocacy around public health and free school meals, plus tips on how you can engage with the state Legislature. Register at wsma.org/ldc.

02/04/2026

How do you know who you should screen for a**l cancer? Join Robert Geise, MD, tomorrow, 4/3, at noon for a free webinar on the gold-standard method for detecting and treating precancerous lesions before they become invasive disease: https://bit.ly/4rZLA2N

A**l cancer disproportionately affects people living with HIV, men who have s*x with men, transgender women, and communities of color—groups that already face significant barriers to care. When access to HRA is limited, those at highest risk are least likely to receive timely screening and treatment, leading to avoidable late-stage diagnoses and worse outcomes.

In 2025, the WSMA House of Delegates adopted Resolution C-3 - Expanding Access to High-Resolution Anoscopy. Join us tomorrow at noon to hear from Dr. Geise, a resolution author and section chief of infection disease and travel medicine Virginia Mason Franciscan Health for an overview of this critical screening.

01/04/2026

Both friend and foe in an era of misinformation, social media is here to stay. At this year's WSMA Leadership Development Conference, Lora Shahine, MD, will empower physicians and groups with communication strategies to improve clarity, empathy, and trust when educating patients and the public—both in person and online—about their health.

Join us at the conference this May to learn how you can elevate evidence-based health information to make the most impact: wsma.org/ldc.

01/04/2026

Social drivers of health such as nutrition access shape outcomes across specialties. Nutrition and policy expert Jim Krieger, MD, kicks off this year's WSMA Leadership Development Conference with a keynote connecting the dots for physicians on how nutrition policy impacts practice. Register to join us in Chelan! wsma.org/ldc

31/03/2026

This past week was , and from the exam room to the stage, WSMA member physicians are committed to caring for their patients and communities. For Matthew Grierson, MD, what began as a small journal club with fellow physicians focused on dance medicine evolved into Seattle Dance and Performing Arts Medicine, a free clinic for those in the performing arts with a deeply collaborative and integrated approach to care.

His own history in dance and the challenges of finding specialized care helped shape his medical career and, in turn, this unique resource for the Seattle-area performing arts community. Read the Q&A with Dr. Grierson: https://bit.ly/4rYN6Cr

30/03/2026

WSMA members: Join us tonight, 3/30, from 5-6 p.m. to be a part of the conversation about the future direction of the Washington Public Health Advisory Board. Board chair Bill Hirota, MD, and Gina Legaz, MPH, from the Washington State Department of Health will cover what the board does and hold a listening session for physician feedback. Register free: https://bit.ly/4bWVGvm

30/03/2026

Happy ! From President Bridget Bush, MD, and all of us at the WSMA, thank you for your service to your communities; for being trusted and respected voices for your patients and profession; and for helping build a healthy population in Washington state. Thank you—today and every day!

WSMA President Bridget Bush, MD, with a thank you message to WSMA members and the wider physician community on National Doctors' Day, Monday, March 30, 2026.

29/03/2026

Professional development of physicians and teams is the core of WSMA Leadership Development Conference. For our closing workshop this year, expert coaches will help you take what you've learned and turn it into a plan of action for when you return to work: wsma.org/ldc

26/03/2026

Each year, we host the WSMA Leadership Development Conference at Campbell's Resort on Lake Chelan, a historic, family-owned resort that's been a favorite getaway for visitors since 1901. Join us for the conference May 15-16 and stay an extra day or two to enjoy this beautiful resort and one of the most stunning regions in our state:

🏖️ 1,800 feet of private beach on crystal-clear Lake Chelan (cold plunge, anyone?).
🌡️ Heated pools (perfect for kids!).
🥬 Seasonal dining at the on-site restaurant and bar just steps from the water.
🍇 Visit one of the 40+ wineries and tasting rooms in the Lake Chelan AVA.
🎷 Enjoy music and world-class wines at the Lake Chelan Wine & Jazz Festival, taking place the same weekend as the conference.

Explore everything the resort has to offer: https://campbellsresort.com/

26/03/2026

Help us recognize your peers (or you!) for exceptional service, advocacy, and contributions to patient safety by submitting nominations for the WSMA Apple Awards. We'll recognize the winners at this year's WSMA Annual Meeting in September.
🏆 Make your nominations and see a list of previous winners at https://bit.ly/4srHuRH. Nominations due by April 24.