Advancing Care Through Education: KCMS Grant-Funded Initiatives
KCMS is committed to transforming healthcare through real-world insight, evidence-based tools, and equity-driven education. With support from our grant partners, we’ve targeted some of the most pressing challenges in patient care.
🎗️ Recurrent/Metastatic Cervical Cancer Care
Funded by Pfizer and Genmab, this project addresses the urgent barriers faced by patients and clinicians navigating recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer.
Survey findings revealed critical challenges in treatment access, care delays, and communication gaps across disciplines.
New! Prior Authorization Toolkit for Oncology Teams
Authorization delays aren’t just frustrating — they’re life-threatening. Our new Prior Authorization Toolkit equips clinicians with step-by-step guidance to:
- Streamline documentation and submissions
- Appeal denials quickly with ready-made templates
- Train staff using real-world case scenarios
- Implement fast-track referral systems for urgent cancer care
Explore: The Cost of Delay in Cervical Cancer Care
Discover how delayed authorizations affect survival rates—and what your team can do to act faster.
▶️ Watch the Cervical Cancer Video Series on YouTube
📊 View the Full Survey Results Presentation
🔗 Prior Authorization Toolkit
Explore the KCMS Cervical Cancer Grant Section →
🩸 Advancing Hemophilia Care – Now Live
With support from Pfizer and the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF), this KCMS-led is now complete. KCMS has developed a suite of clinic-ready tools for hemophilia care, shared decision-making, and treatments.
🧪 Preventing Lead Poisoning Through Community-Based Screening
This completed project focused on expanding lead testing awareness and education in high-risk communities.
What We Delivered:
- Community-centered outreach tools and screening materials
- Educational resources for clinicians, caregivers, and public health professionals
- CME/CNE opportunities on environmental health and lead exposure prevention
🔗 Explore the Lead Testing Grant Section →
These initiatives reflect KCMS’s ongoing work to support healthcare professionals, inform public health, and close care gaps — one project at a time.
KCMS 2025 Delegate Council Results
KCMS delegates showed physician-led advocacy can shape statewide policy.
How KCMS Shaped Health Policy at the 2025 WSMA HOD
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Patient access & equity: HIV prevention/treatment access adopted; care regardless of immigration status adopted; LGBTQ+ Section established.
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Physician-led care & safety: Prior authorization AI denials restricted; physician oversight of AI adopted; medical misinformation addressed.
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System accountability: Medicaid administration oversight advanced; private equity risks confronted; wealth tax for health equity supported.
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Workforce & liability: OB/GYN statute-of-limitations reform and comprehensive liability reform adopted, resident representation.
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Prevention & clinical tools: Expanded access to high-resolution anoscopy; Good Samaritan pathway for medical supplies.
Why this matters
WA’s health system faces workforce shortages, rising administrative friction, and widening inequities. KCMS delegates ensured physician led the solutions—grounded in evidence, focused on patient outcomes, and built for real-world implementation. The KCMS Delegate Council's next cycle is spring 2026. Contact Jared Feikes at jfeikes@kcmsociety.org.
EVENTS
Quotes From Doctors & Medical Students
"Covering KCMS memberships for our doctors is a responsibility our hospital takes seriously. Membership ensures their voices are heard and they are supported by us. Why wouldn't every hospital system do the same? It's crucial for delivering the best care to patients and our physicians."
"We are all crazy busy - but KCMS has been essential for my professional growth, offering resources and a strong voice in healthcare."
"Being part of KCMS is like voting – if you don't join, you can't complain. Our collective voice is crucial for making real changes in healthcare."
"THANK YOU to the KCMS for getting community healthcare providers vaccinated. You are the only agency that has made such an organized effort on our behalf. Thanks for your hard work!!"
"Covering KCMS memberships empowers our physicians with crucial resources and advocacy. Any hospital not doing this is failing to fully support their staff. It's our duty to ensure our doctors have the support they need."
"KCMS has excellent leadership, strategic management, & collaborative skills. It's nimble & responsive. To quote Hamilton, "'We get the job done!"
"Doctors cannot be passive observers; we want to set the standards, not have someone else tell us what the standards are."
"I'm a great believer in the physician as an advocate focused on the welfare of patients."
"Using the KeyBank mortgage discount saves me $1,000 per month!"
"We have to send the message to our mentees to get involved with organizations. The organization gains, and you gain. And I think it's critical to advocate for the policies ... and funding that will make a difference ... All of us have to be part of the solution." Dr. Ralph Sacco
🌍 Student Quote: "I realized I was not limited by my birth circumstances but rather by how hard I was willing to work. My journey is about more than becoming a physician; it's about uplifting communities through healthcare education and access."💬
🌿 Student Quote: "I am dedicated to advocating for health equity and providing culturally competent care to Native communities." 💬
💡 Student Quote: "Growing up as the son of two Filipino immigrants, I experienced firsthand the disparities in healthcare access. My dream is to advocate for equitable healthcare policies and provide compassionate care to underserved communities." 💬
🩹 Student Quote: "Witnessing the lack of medical resources in rural communities sparked my interest in osteopathic medicine, focusing on the whole patient, including socioeconomic and cultural aspects." 💬
✨ Student Quote: "Living with low income made it difficult for my patient to access fresh foods and safe areas to exercise, impacting her health. My goal is to empower patients like her to achieve their health goals." 💬
🩺 Student Quote: "As an aspiring physician, I strive to overcome healthcare disparities by adopting a growth mindset and promoting health equity for underserved communities." 💬
📚 Student Quote: "My background as a bilingual speaker and my experience in community health work have shown me the importance of representation in healthcare." 💬
🌟 Student Quote: "Medicine must transcend social, religious, and political differences. I aim to provide equitable surgical care to underserved populations." 💬
💪🏽 Student Quote: "Observing medically underserved communities, I was confronted with the disproportionate disease burden and barriers to care. I strive to use my experiences to better serve marginalized communities." 💬
KCMS News & Updates
Information about the KCMS Community Foundation's
Medical Student Grants
Free KCMS CMEs Available for you!
1) "Preventing Childhood Lead Poisoning" for credit. CLICK HERE.
2) "Racism in Medicine" for credit. CLICK HERE.
Listen to the KCMS Legislative Summit conversations with WA Governor Bob Ferguson, Representative Tina Orwall, and Senator Ann Rivers!
KCMS is a member of the NAM Action Collaborative on Decarbonizing the U.S. Health Sector. Learn more HERE.
BI-WEEKLY NEWSLETTERS & INFO BLASTS
Missed a KCMS newsletter? No problem, if you are a KCMS member you can see our full menu, or register to receive the newsletter.
From one of our members to his colleagues,
"Hi, Team. If you’re not a member of the KCMS, I would suggest you're missing out. Their publication (forwarded) is the best of its kind, an example of genuine quality and efficiency in communication. Take that left-over CME money and join this year to support your local medical society."
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
KCMS welcomes all doctors to Join Today. Once a member of KCMS, you can
- Become a KCMS Delegate.
- Be nominated for the KCMS Board of Trustees.
- Serve on a Committee, KCMS has active committees found HERE.
- Take advantage of the member benefits, including reduced mortgage rates at Key Bank for physicians.
KCMS does not review, investigate, or discipline physicians. The WMC is responsible for that process.