CONNECT, NETWORK & SOCIALIZE
WCMS Member Affinity Groups
WCMS offers Affinity Groups as a benefit of membership. Affinity Groups provide the opportunity for you to connect, network and socialize with like-minded physicians and physician assistants.
WOMEN IN MEDICINE
Female Physicians and Physician Assistants
The Women in Medicine (WIM) group was WCMS’ first Affinity Group and remains very popular. All female physician and physician assistant members are invited to participate. The purpose of WIM is to help members who identify as female connect with each other, enjoy a time of collegiality and networking to discuss relevant content to women in the practice of medicine.
Women in Medicine meets quarterly at various venues.
Some recent WIM gatherings include:
- Painting with a Twist
- Narrative Healthcare Workshop
- Women in Leadership presentation
- Financial Goals and How to Get There
- Advocating for Women’s Health presentation
EARLY CAREER PHYSICIANS & PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS
For Those in Practice 10 Years or Less
The WCMS Early Career Group is a great way to meet other members in a similar demographic in a fun and relaxing atmosphere. This group provides socializing and networking opportunities for WNC physicians and physician assistants who have been practicing for 10 years or less. Residents, fellows and medical students are also invited.
The Early Career group meets quarterly at a different location to hangout and socialize.
Recent venues for Early Career gatherings include:
- Wagbar
- Sweeten Creek Brewery
- Urban Orchard Cider Co. and Bar
-
Thirsty Monk South
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS
The Physician Assistant Affinity Group was created to give WCMS Physician Assistant members a place to connect with each other, enjoy a time of collegiality/networking and to discuss relevant content related to the practice of medicine.
Some recent Physician Assistant gatherings include:
- Rafting at the Nantahala Outdoor Center
- Socializing at Highland Brewing
- The Behavioral Financial Advice Presentation
RURAL MEDICINE
Rural Physicians from the 16 Counties of WNC
The group can use WCMS as a hub for communications, think tank, grant proposals, grant management, and new non-traditional partnerships for rural medicine docs. Medical students and residents are always welcome to learn more about rural medicine from those in practice. Meetings take place in various counties outside of Buncombe.
The Rural Medicine Affinity Group’s interests include recruitment and retention, access to care, innovative practices, communications, collaboration, and training in rural WNC.
Recent venues for Rural Medicine gatherings include:
- Bold Rock Cider – Mills River
- Hillman Brewing – Old Fort
EMERITUS GROUP
Retired Physicians in Western NC
The WCMS Emeritus Chapter provides retired physicians in Western NC opportunities to network and stay in touch with one another and with the medical community at large.
The Emeritus Chapter has lunch meetings in the Asheville area with programs provided by local physicians and leaders in the medical and healthcare communities.
Some past topics of Emeritus luncheons include:
- ACOs and Population Health: A Brave New World
- 3D Mammography and Other Issues in Breast Screening
- Medical Missions and Public Health in Africa
- Robotic Surgery
BLACK PROVIDERS AFFINITY GROUP
Topics Relevant to African American Physicians
The Black Providers Affinity Group was created to provide an opportunity for Black and African American physicians and physician assistants to connect with each other, enjoy a time of collegiality and networking and discuss topics relevant to Black and African American physicians around the practice of medicine and life in Western North Carolina.
LIFESTYLE MEDICINE ADVANCEMENT GROUP
Lifestyle Medicine in Western North Carolina
The Lifestyle Medicine Advancement Group is an Affinity Group for Physicians and PAs interested in Lifestyle Medicine in Western North Carolina.
This group is open to those who are interested in getting certified or just interested in the field. The Lifestyle Medicine group meets quarterly.
Check out our calendar to find out when the next Affinity Group event will be.
For more information or to be added to an affinity group email list, please send an email to Casey Taylor at Casey@mywcms.org and make sure to mention which groups you are interested in!
