Physician Association of California

10/13/2026

Keeping up with CME shouldn't feel like another administrative task.

PAC is partnering with Vinea, a physician-founded, mobile-first learning platform built to make continuing education fit into an independent physician's day.

Through Vinea, PAC members can:
• Find relevant CME and educational content
• Track credits and professional development in one place
• Learn through reflection and with peers
• Get personalized learning recommendations

During the launch, PAC members get 50% off their first year.

Explore Vinea: https://pac.getvinea.com/

10/12/2026

Large health systems have a compliance department. Independent practices have you.

If you missed our webinar with Jake Yates, Compliance Consultant at Healthcare Compliance Pros, the full recording of "Riding the Waves of Corporate Compliance" is now available.

Inside the recording:

• How to build and run an effective corporate compliance program
• Spotting conflicts of interest and fraud, waste, and abuse
• Understanding the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law
• The California-specific requirements that apply to you

Watch it on your own schedule and share it with your practice manager:

It's no surprise that compliance can "make waves", especially if th...

10/09/2026

He covers college football games until 3 a.m., and nobody assigns it.

Dr. Michael Leathers is a second-generation orthopedic surgeon in Midtown Sacramento and a PAC member. He knows the case for leaving private practice as well as anyone, and he's staying anyway.

On Episode 15 of PAC & Forth, he explains what his father's generation had that his doesn't, and what he has that he wouldn't trade.

Listen now: https://linktr.ee/PACDoctors

10/08/2026

"I hope I never leave private practice."

In this clip from Episode 15 of PAC & Forth, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Leathers talks about what changes when the community work is his choice. At a larger group, someone else decides where you go and what you cover. In his own practice he picks the work himself, and he says he's more bought in because of it.

In his words, he feels like he's built something.

🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://linktr.ee/PACDoctors

10/06/2026

What does an independent physician bring to the sidelines?

In Episode 15 of PAC & Forth, we sit down with Dr. Michael Leathers, a second-generation orthopedic surgeon who runs his own practice in Midtown Sacramento and volunteers as team physician for Christian Brothers High School, Sacramento and Sacramento State.

He shares why owning his practice gives him the freedom to choose community work, how he keeps young athletes healthy, and why he's still all in on private practice despite falling reimbursement.

Essential listening on how independent physicians show up for their communities.

Listen now:
Spotify: https://linkly.link/2vKaZ
Apple Podcasts: https://linkly.link/2vKaZ
YouTube: https://linkly.link/2vKaW

PAC & Forth · Episode

10/05/2026

When was the last time your practice asked its benefits broker how they get paid?

Vincent Catalano spent 20+ years as a California employee benefits broker. On PAC & Forth, he laid out three questions every independent practice should be able to ask:

How much do you make off my practice?
What happens to your compensation when my rates go up?
What in my benefits package can we negotiate?

He said a broker who puts your interests first answers all three without hesitating. Independence means knowing who's working for you.

Listen to episode 10 of PAC & Forth: https://linkly.link/2kIk6

10/01/2026

Four PAC-supported bills are now California law.

We're proud to share that the Governor has signed SB 964, SB 1049, AB 1703 and AB 1199, each one a step toward less red tape and more time with patients for independent physicians.

Swipe through to see why PAC supported each one.

Wins like these happen because PAC members show up for private practice.

Learn more about PAC and join us: pac-md.org

09/30/2026

You order a $100 steak, eat all of it, and then decide to pay the restaurant $40.

That's how PAC CEO Matt Robinson describes downcoding. Some payers automatically lower the level of a billed visit, with no review of the medical record and no explanation on the EOB.

On PAC & Forth, Dr. Lamia Gabal, founder of Prestige Medical Group in Orange County, talks about what that pressure looks like inside an independent practice, and why she joined PAC.

Listen to Episode 5: https://linkly.link/2esiR

09/28/2026

PAC & Forth is coming back for season 2....

This season we're sitting down with more independent physicians and numerous voices to discuss what healthcare looks like in California.

New episodes start in October.

Catch up on past episodes here: https://linktr.ee/PACDoctors

09/25/2026

Some of his patients switched insurance plans just to come back.

Dr. Michael Leathers keeps hearing the same thing from patients who spent years inside a big health system. They felt like a number. Another chart in a long line of charts.

A few of them left his practice because a job changed, or an insurance plan did. Then they came back.

That's the kind of care we're fighting to keep in California. If you're an independent physician, join us at pac-md.org