by: George D. Vermeire, DO

"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." Wise words from Winston Churchill. The end of the beginning is the point where we move from a mostly sedentary state of being to the point where we start attaining and achieving our goals and objectives. We are at the point where we have stopped looking back and now look forward. The beginning of the end is the point where we prevail more when challenged rather than keep to the sidelines.

This column marks the end of beginning - the end of my term; the end of our search for staff leadership; the end of a long needed modernization of our central office; and the end of a series of decisions made by the board of trustees to ensure that POMA endures. Joan Grzybowski, DO, will be installed as POMA's president on May 4. She starts her term standing firm on the foundation of an organization that is revived, reinvigorated and refreshed. POMA stands financially secure and able to implement strategic programs, products and services. Our POMA staff has truly become a team that believes in osteopathic principles and practices, and recognizes the unique qualities of our profession. My colleagues on the board of trustees and our many volunteers are really engaged and appreciate how far we've come.

And its time. Time for us to make room for a new generation of DOs. Time for us to develop strategically to meet the needs of students, residents, employed physicians and those in solo and group practices. Time for us to step up to the plate and get involved in issues that directly impact our ability to practice osteopathic medicine and advocate for our profession. Time for us to ensure that every individual in the Commonwealth has access to an osteopathic physician who sees and treats them as the unique person they are.

Your next president is ready. Your board is ready. Your leadership is ready. Team POMA is ready. Join us.

by: Diana M. Ewert, MPA, CAE

A little over one year ago, I was finishing up my tenure of almost 8 years with the AOA as vice president of affiliate relations and preparing to begin my tenure with POMA as your chief executive officer. What a difference a year can make! It is a pure privilege to work with and represent osteopathic physicians. It is an honor to work with such dedicated leaders. Physicians with vision who have the ability to see and articulate POMA’s future. And a dream team of staff and consultants who care deeply about this profession. Their desire to deliver on the promise of what osteopathic medicine can be when leadership, membership and resources align is unmatched. Our #TeamPOMA.

The 109^th Annual Clinical Assembly was easy for me. I talked with members, observed the board and House of Delegates, listened to the presentations and was pulled to the dance floor by a group of Mummers at the installation of George Vermeire, DO – my first experience ever with Mummers – and came back the next day. This year, it’s a different level of involvement. As I write this, TeamPOMA is deep in preparing for next week. We will be working for you starting with pre-meetings on Tuesday and ending with post-meetings on Sunday. In between there will be committee meetings, board meetings, the House of Delegates, and all of the education you could want. The face of the Clinical Assembly changed last year. We are taking the good parts, retiring some of the old, building in networking time with your colleagues, ensuring you learn new techniques and hopefully have some fun while doing so. Physician health and wellness are critical to you and to POMA.  We’ve modernized the face of POMA in the office and at the Clinical Assembly. There’s a TechBar in the Membership area in the exhibit hall. You’ll be able to look at your CME records and learn how to upload courses you’ve taken outside POMA. You can download the POMA110 app and complete your attestation online.

A little over a year ago, I was ready to move into a new phase of my career and my life. Over the past year, I’ve been tested and challenged, exhausted and energized, stretched and rewarded. Today, I couldn’t be in a better place, doing greater things for the finest profession in the world in the years ahead.

#POMA110 Register Now!!

Time is running out to save by pre-registering for the 2018 POMA Clinical Assembly! Pre-registration ends Friday, April 27 at midnight!! Be a part of #TeamPOMA and join us at POMA's 110th Annual Clinical Assembly, May 2-5, 2018 in King of Prussia!

The 4-day conference is complete with a superior slate of educational sessions and interactive workshops, a bustling exhibit hall, business meetings and social functions.

This year’s education program features expert speakers who will discuss cutting edge medical updates, licensure requirements and relevant information to help you provide the best possible care for your patients.  Sessions include cardiology, endocrinology, family medicine pearls, pediatrics, sports medicine/orthopedics and regulatory matters.  An OMM workshop, Child Abuse Education course and BLS course will also be held during the conference. In total, 40 Category 1A AOA CME credits are available.

There’s also plenty of time to catch up with your classmates and colleagues throughout the week.  Join us on Wednesday evening at our welcome reception, network and learn about new career opportunities at the Beers ‘n Careers event on Thursday, and celebrate the installation of POMA’s 107^th president, Dr. Joan Grzybowski on Friday evening. Register online now!

Have Questions?
If you have questions, please contact Deb Cargill-Roan at the POMA Central Office by calling 717-939-9318 ext 170, email [email protected] or visit www.poma.org. We look forward to seeing you next week.

*You may register for POMA's 110th Annual Clinical Assembly & Scientific Seminar by clicking on the image above or by filling out the registration form attached to this email. If you have difficulty logging in, please refer to the email that was sent to all members on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 that includes your login information. 

Download the POMA Clinical Assembly App 

The Conference App is back! We are excited to announce our partnership with Grupio this year to provide you a unique mobile experience at the POMA 110^th Annual Clinical Assembly & Scientific Seminar. Download the mobile app and access information about our event from the convenience of your mobile device. You’ll have access to the schedule, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, hotel floor plans and more. You can also see what others are tweeting about the event and post your own pictures and comments to Twitter and Facebook from within the app.

Download instructions:

iPhone – In your App Store, search for Grupio. Download the Grupio App then search for POMA Clinical Assembly 2018 within the app. You’re then set to go!  

Android – In the Google Play Store, search for Grupio. Download the Grupio App then search for POMA Clinical Assembly 2018 within the app. You’re then set to go!  

Blackberry Storm and Torch - Search for Grupio on App World. Download the Grupio App then search for POMA Clinical Assembly 2018 within the app. You’re then set to go!  

The next time you go to use the app, just click on the Grupio icon on your device. If the POMA app doesn't open automatically, you can search for it again within Grupio.

*Please note that not all content is yet available on the App. We will be continuing to add information up until the start of the conference. 

POMA's 3rd Annual Leadership Forum

 Attention Osteopathic Students, Interns and Residents

POMA has developed a program specifically for you! Designed by your peers, topics will include professional leadership opportunities, financial planning, work/life balance, reviewing contracts, and practice options. The speakers are leaders in their fields who will leave plenty of time to answer your questions!

The Forum will be held in conjunction with the POMA 110th Annual Clinical Assembly on May 5, 2018. For more information and to register, click here.

We are excited to bring you this opportunity and look forward to seeing you next week! 

*Pictures from the 2017 2nd Annual Leadership Forum

 The District Dish 

A recap of recent District events

District 3

POMA District 3 members met on Tuesday, April 10 at Kingfish American Bistro in Bethlehem, PA. The meetings presentation was given by Ronald D’Agostino, DO and focused on putting Repatha into practice. 

Read More>>

District 4

POMA District 4 members gathered at Isabella Restaurant in Wilkes-Barre on April 17th to discuss changes in diabetes treatments. Recaredo Berbano, Jr., MD led an interactive discussion on A1C levels and various treatment options. The group shared their own stories and discussed best practices.

Read More>>

by: Bruce Hironimus, Legislative Consultant

Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners HB100, SB25

While multiple groups rally in Harrisburg for public attention on an annual basis, limited media attention was given to the Association of Certified Nurse Practitioners on their annual lobby day. POMA established our public position in a press release to the media in advance of the CRNP press conference. Nonetheless, the CRNP group continues to actively advocate for legislative action on their bills for independent practice rights.

Read More>>

Workers Compensation Drug Formulary – SB 936

The Pennsylvania General Assembly passed Senate Bill 936 on April 17, 2018. Senate Bill 936 would establish a drug formulary for the Pennsylvania Workers Compensation system through the use of a Utilization Review Organizations (URO); ensuring high quality treatment, fair prices, all without system and drug abuse. 

Read More>>

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists - HB 789

The House Professional Licensure Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 789 which amends the Medical Practice Act by codifying existing regulations for the provision of anesthesia in certain settings.

Read More>>

Surprise Balance Billing – HB 1553

Affected stakeholders continue to meet in an effort to reach compromise to minimize financial exposure to patients who have received out of network services. HB 1553 is currently awaiting full House consideration pending the outcome of these discussions. 

Missed a legislative update? Find all our updates on the new Legislative Update page.  

APOMA's Annual Meet & Greet and Silent Auction

APOMA invites anyone interested in promoting the osteopathic profession to our open meeting on May 4, 2018 from 11:30am - 2:30pm in the Magnolia Room during the POMA Clinical Assembly and Scientific Seminar.

Join us for a cooking demonstration complete with tasting with the personable chefs from the Radisson at 11:45 am. We will also have PCOM forensic pathologist Gregory McDonald, DO speak to us about “CSI” at 2:00 pm.

APOMA will also be holding their annual Silent Auction during the Clinical Assembly on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 and Thursday, May 3, 2018, to raise funds for osteopathic medical students. Last year, they were able to donate $13,000 to help defray the cost of stethoscopes given to each first-year student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

This year's auction booth will be located at the main POMA Booth so stop by and place a bid! 

Click here for more information.

View the
newsletter online!

 In This Issue...

1. President's Perspective
2. Executive Opinion
3. #POMA110 Register Now
4. Download the POMA Clinical Assembly App
5. POMA's 3rd Annual Leadership Forum
6. District Dish
7. Government Affairs
8. APOMA Silent Auction
9. Upcoming District Events
10. Know Before You Go
11. Welcome Reception
12. Beers & Careers
13. Tech Questions? We Can Help.
14. Classified Advertisements
15. Facebook Group
16. Licensure Renewals
17. POMPAC

Upcoming District Events

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

Please address all correspondence for POMA Box Letters to:  Box __, c/o POMA, 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA  17111-2395.

PHYSICIANS WANTED:

CORRECT CARE SOLUTIONS: HIRING MEDICAL DIRECTORS in these cities: Cambridge Springs, Mercer, Huntingdon, Somerset, Waymart. For details call Robert Cross at 717-216-2055 or 570-954-0479.

OPPORTUNITY — PHYSICIAN POSITIONS AVAILABLE: Media and Lancaster. Flexible hours, private practice, 3-4 hour shifts, no on-call, malpractice insurance needed. For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or call 610-566-8885

Seeking family physician or internist, board certified MD or DO, for independent multi-specialty Johnstown, PA group established in 1984. Currently comprised of twelve physicians and physician assistants practicing family practice, podiatry, gynecology, medical psychology and non-narcotic pain management. Imaging, clinical trials, lab and numerous other on-site ancillary services available. Offering a four ten-hour day work week with no hospital work. Submit CV to [email protected] or call 814-288-1418 extension 7.

PRACTICES WANTED:

Retiring physicians, part-time or full-time practices, call (215) 669-4001.

FOR SALE:

Ritter Power Procedure Chair – Excellent condition, teal. $1,000 plus shipping from Huntingdon Valley. Email inquiries to [email protected].

CLASSIFIED AD
RATES
— Per insertion —

Member Ads*: $10 for the first 20 words, $.25 for each additional word. $2 each for special services: box letter, all caps or all bold type, boxing an ad in.

Non-member Ads: (Payment must be received in advance.) $50 for the first 20 words, .50 each additional word. $5 for each special service (listed above).

*Please Note: Member ad rate to be used only by POMA members and only for their medicine- or practice-related ads. Charges for other types of members’ ads will be calculated using the non-member ad rate.

POMA does not take a position of endorsing any organizations, individuals or services whose classified advertisements appear in this publication. The POMA Newsletter reserves the right to select and edit all advertisements submitted.

Follow POMA on social media for all the latest news!

  

PA DOc Talk - Facebook Group

The votes are in and the new name for POMA's Facebook Group is "PA DOc Talk." 

This private group is a place to ask questions and receive answers from other POMA DOs across the state just like you. Additionally, it is a place to network and get to know other POMA DOs.

Join the group here. 

Physician Licensure Renewal Reminder

Osteopathic physicians are reminded that the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine requires 100 CME credits for the 2016-2018 licensure cycle, which ends October 31, 2018. 

As part of the 100 credits, physicians must earn at least 20 Category 1A AOA CME credits, at least 2 hours of child abuse recognition and reporting (Category1 or Category 2), at least 2 hours of opioid education (Category1 or Category 2), and at least 12 patient safety credits (Category 1 or Category 2). The credits for child abuse recognition/reporting and opioid education are counted into the sum of 100 credits and/or sum of 20 Category 1A credits but do not overlap into patient safety.

Additionally, the child abuse recognition/reporting course must be documented and reported to the Pa. Department of State by an approved course provider. Topics that qualify for opioid education include pain management, identification of addiction or the practices of prescribing or dispensing of opioids. The credits for opioid education and patient safety credits must also be documented by an AOA, ACCME, AMA or AAFP accredited sponsor (institution, health system, professional association, etc.)

Please note: If you are a POMA member, we can affirm how many credits you have earned for all POMA-sponsored programs. However, if you have not completed your CME reporting forms and returned them to the Central Office, you will not receive credit. Any credits earned outside of the POMA must be sent to the Central Office in order for us to record them. POMA's new and improved CME module is now available!  Active members can access the system by clicking here.

IS 
The Collective Voice of the Osteopathic Profession

 Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Political Action Committee

Send your personal check today to POMPAC in care of the Central Office, 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17111-2395, or charge your contribution to your VISA or MasterCard! 
PAC contributions are not tax-deductible.

Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association | 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17111  (717) 939-9318 | www.poma.org