News & Press

Physician, Find Your Voice!

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:41:00 GMT

New RAM President Dr. Deborah Barron explains why physicians must come together to reclaim their identity as doctors, contribute to the AI discussion, and actively advocate for themselves and their patients...Dr. Isaac Wornom reflects on the value of human life and how difficult social circumstances can result in hopelessness for patients and numbness for physicians...Following this General Assembly session's med mal scare, Executive Director Jim Beckner issues a call for physicians to tell profiteers, "Enough!"...How can you shore up your practice's cybersecurity? Experts from Towne Bank's cyber and fraud departments weigh in...Have extra dress clothes you want to rehome? Boots to Suits can help you put them to honorable use...As CMS considers introducing prior authorization AI bots to traditional Medicare, RAM and Virginia Cardiovascular Specialists' Brigette Terrell examine that inescapable feeling of déjà vu...Compounding pharmacies are a local, versatile, and trusted part of the care team; find out from an expert why they could make a great partner for your practice...Don't forget: RAM and VCU Health CE are offering RAM Members FREE and discounted CME opportunities!...The Academy celebrates its first-annual practice staff appreciation luncheon...Learn more about the Maryland Sleep Society in our "Five Questions for..." segment...And much, much more in this edition of RAMifications!

You've Made Us Stronger

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 19:17:00 GMT

Dr. Tovia Smith reflects on her tenure as RAM President and how our members have strengthened our organization…Dr. Isaac Wornom shares what he is most thankful for this holiday season…Executive Director Jim Beckner opines on what it takes to be a health care ally…Healthcare workplace violence is getting more frequent. What has been done to prevent it?...Want to grow your retirement nest egg? Learn the best strategies from financial planners…RAM teams up with Moral Injury in Healthcare to launch a new survey seeking quantitative data on physician moral injury…Want to share your blessings with others this holiday season? We profile various health care nonprofits and charities that would love to hear from you…The Doctors Company shares tips on how to combat medical misinformation among your patients…Tons of event photos…RAM’s forthcoming events calendar…An interview with statewide mental health advocate Vocal Virginia…And much, much more in the Fall 2025 issue of RAMifications!

The Cavalry Isn't Coming

Tue, 5 Aug 2025 17:36:00 GMT

RAM President Dr. Tovia Smith investigates Richmond's clinical trials landscape and discovers a vibrant network...RAMifications Editor Dr. Isaac Wornom reflects on how trust in medicine has waned in his lifetime and what we must do to get it back...Executive Director Jim Beckner calls all physicians to stand up in defiance to the negative changes in healthcare, including disregard for science...Marketing experts Barry Martin and Lucien Roberts discuss what you can do to better market (and weather) your practice in the coming storm...VCU Masse Comprehensive Cancer Center Director Dr. Robert Winn discusses the federal Cancer Moonshot program, its victories, and how health care has failed to relay those wins to the general public and government officials...ImmunizeVirginia delves into the history of today's anti-vaccine movement, and the science that can dispel it...RAM lobbyist James Pickral tells you everything you should know about the Virginia General Assembly's health care legislation this past session...Did you attend a RAM event this past few months? See if you made our photo pages!...A full schedule of fun and fascinating events awaits this summer and fall in RAM's calendar...Meet the newly recharged Richmond Pediatric Society and learn how it aims to put children's health front and center in Central Virginia...Plus much, much more in this issue of RAMifications!

Foundations of Good Care

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 14:20:00 GMT

Richmond’s 2024 Christmas Mother, Dr. Lydia Johnson, reflects upon experiences in that capacity and how they relate to care, as RAM President Dr. Tovia Smith examines other charitable actions in RVA’s healthcare scene…Observations from Executive Director Jim Beckner on whether being a doctor is a job or a calling…RAMifications examines physician burnout and how three health systems are combatting it, as editor Dr. Isaac Wornom provides his thoughts on the crisis…PAs Erich Grant and Kathy Scarbalis explain how Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners are far different animals… RAM’s Endowed Scholarship winner Rebecca Alemu shares her inspiring life story and aspirations…Dr. Hazle Konerding’s unmatched legacy of care and advocacy lives on in a joint RAM-West Richmond Rotary Club fund benefiting Access Now…What have RAM members been up to? Check out our photos to find out!...What’s next on the RAM calendar…A profile of the Virginia Podiatric Medical Association by its president, Dr. Ushita Patel…And much, much more in this edition of RAMifications!

Town & Gown: You, Me, and Our City's Medical Learners

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 19:29:00 GMT

RAM President Dr. Tovia Smith highlights the mutual benefits of physician mentorship in our community…Physician Editor Dr. Isaac Wornom explains just what it is that keeps him from hanging up the scrubs just yet…The essential guide to title transparency, with thoughts from Dr. Debbie Barron…RAM and VCU Health are partnering to offer an entire FREE CME library for RAM members…Lunch on Tuesday welcomes Dr. John Daniel as its new Chair…Long COVID: What you should know, and what we’re uncovering locally, with Drs. Richard Wenzel and Raoul Gharbo…What the Doctors Company is doing to advocate for safe AI in health care…Event photos showcase all the goings-on at the Academy recently…Mark Jakobowski, president of the Virginia Society, Sons of the Revolution in the Commonwealth of Virginia, tells us about his organization and how RAM Services Corporation helps it succeed…And much, much more in this Fall’s edition of RAMifications!

Hey, Break the Walls!

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 17:41:00 GMT

How physicians are cooperating beyond health system affiliations to help patients…Live your most successful life this summer…Where do your patients come from?...Diseases from the history books are making a comeback…RAM’s Change Healthcare advocacy actions…James Pickral’s 2024 Legislative Update…Prescribing out of state: What you should know…Learn how you can make a difference by volunteering with SOAR365…RAM’s Medicine Ball is coming in November!...How to handle negative online reviews…Check out the Virginia Bariatric Society…And much more in the Summer 2024 RAMifications newsletter!

RAM holds keys to a brighter future

Wed, 6 Mar 2024 16:43:00 GMT

A vision of RAM's bright future from new President Dr. Tovia Smith...What are your RAM resolutions?...Musings on progress and waste...RAM members weigh in on weight loss drugs like Wegovy...4PCP takes the pain out of chronic pain management...Protecting peer review...The true cost of prior authorization...Catching up with the Virginia Chapter of the American College of Surgeons...And much more in the Winter 2024 RAMifications newsletter!

No shortage of faults and fixes for the drug shortage issue

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 13:37:00 GMT

RAM's Fall 2023 RAMifications newsletter, including:

• No shortage of faults and fixes for the drug shortage issue
• The sum of its parts
• The cost of medical care: a threat or a blessing?
• The rise of ambulatory surgical centers
• Introducing Richmond’s new home for pediatric inpatient, emergency and trauma care
• Introducing ZoeStyle Medicine: your lifestyle medicine and obesity care consultants
• Private equity acquisitions in physician practices
• RAM Event Photos
• RAM Calendar
• Benefits of cyber liability insurance
• Five Questions for...RMGMA – Katie Nunn, President

Virtually a done deal: Telemedicine here to stay

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 14:17:00 GMT

RAM's Summer 2023 RAMifications newsletter, including:

Virtually a done deal: Telemedicine here to stay

The War on the Sanctity of Medicine
Original Thought and Artificial Intelligence
Finding Your TRUE Calling
5 Questions for...Dermatology - Laurie Shinn, MD, FAAD
RAM Event Photos
RAM Calendar
2023 End of Session Report
eComms Chaos & Fair Compensation: How Much is Your Time Worth?
Healthcare Staffing Shortages: Decrease Practice Risks
RAM's first zoo day

Board recerts: more consistency, less complexity

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 13:54:00 GMT

Board recertifications are necessary, but they add to a physician's already overloaded schedule. What can be done? Find out how to deal with disruptive patients and take a stroll through the RAM offices to see our treasures. It's all in the Winter 2023 edition of Ramifications!

To take care of others, take care of yourself

Wed, 9 Nov 2022 11:29:00 GMT

Providers must always consider how their own situations might affect their patients. That's why it's so important to take care of ourselves. Find out why a good night's sleep is essential. And why should you consider cyber-liability insurance? It's all in the latest Ramifications newsletter.

Removing our masks and moving forward

Fri, 1 Jul 2022 13:49:00 GMT

Finally, as the COVID-19 pandemic has started to wane, we are able to breathe a little easier again. But there's still more work to be done to ensure everyone remains safe. We look at the "new normal" of health care. What's with the worker shortage? And how can retired physicians continue to share their knowledge? It's all in Ramifications!

We can do this!

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 13:32:01 GMT

The pandemic has changed the way we practice medicine, but physicians are coming together to protect their patients and themselves. Learn how coaching can help you be a better doctor, all the ways RAM helps members and why civility is more important than ever. Check out the latest issue of Ramifications!

Reflecting on diversity in medicine

Thu, 21 Oct 2021 15:55:43 GMT

RAM members have learned the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion, and have developed a statement reflecting our values. What should a physician do when the lawyer calls? Plus, get the latest on drug prices, medical cannabis and long COVID. It's all in the Fall 2021 issue of Ramifications.

Filled with gratitude

Fri, 4 Jun 2021 18:17:26 GMT

Physicians finally have reasons to feel gratitude about the past year. Practice administrators jumped into action during the pandemic, finding creative solutions to myriad problems. Read why NOW is the time to address health disparities. And we say farewell to the Richmond Academy of Medicine Alliance. Read about it in Ramifications!

Ramifications Winter 2021

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 12:42:39 GMT

Finally, we're getting a break in the fight against COVID-19. Find out how free clinics stepped up during the pandemic, how medical credentialing has changed and how RAM is looking ahead. Check out the latest Ramifications newsletter!

Ramifications Fall 2020

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 16:11:33 GMT

COVID-19 keeps changing the way we practice, but RAM members have adapted. Find out how medical students are an essential part of the fight against the coronavirus, the latest on legislation that will affect your practice and some tips to speak the "business" of medicine. It's in the Fall 2020 issue of Ramifications.

We're in this together

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 17:56:51 GMT

The world has changed dramatically, but RAM members are in it together - for the long haul. Find out how the Richmond Academy of Medicine is adapting and responding to members' needs. It's in the Summer issue of Ramifications.

FALL 2019 Ramifications

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 20:47:39 GMT

Are we there yet? Not by a long shot. Time flies by, and RAM is about to turn 200! Find out about our history, plus our future, including a fascinating look at why trauma-informed care is so essential. It's all in the Fall issue of Ramifications!