by: Joan M. Grzybowski, DO

Fall is fast approaching and Nature parallels real life. Animals are readying for the change in season by storing food, building up their fat content and preparing their young cubs for a cold winter. Monarch butterflies are heading to Mexico to unite and propagate. They travel hundreds of miles daily on thermal currents to get there. The Monarchs that make that strenuous journey are a super prototype of that species and can live up to 8 months. Only the fittest of the species survive.

In my current role as a practicing physician that teaches students and residents, I have a unique opportunity to listen to the current generation of "us.” I hear what it is like to be a 4th-year medical student. They are applying for residency positions, trying to figure out finances, dealing with aging parents, planning a marriage or anticipating the birth of their first child. Many are accepted into residency programs with little or no osteopathic direction. I was getting a little disheartened by that prospect until I started to hear questions from them about maintaining their osteopathic genome. They are asking questions like ..."Can I still be involved in the AOA or POMA even if my program is not osteopathic focused. I have the perfect answer for them...YES! You see the osteopathic organizations have changed to adapt to the coming change in season of 2020. We have opened gates and doors that were closed, and all are welcomed, as it should be.

The next few years will be challenging but I do see people bending on both sides of the osteopathic/allopathic fence. People are helping each other.

We are protecting our osteopathic cubs and getting them ready for a predictable change of season. We are finding and creating more ways to help them maintain an osteopathic focus and philosophy.

POMA is out there trying to keep our osteopathic flame alive. We are currently working on medical licensure issues in Harrisburg. Why? Because you came to us with an issue and we are successfully addressing it. So be our fuel, maintain your membership and we will be a flame to guide the way.

Thank you all for your commitment to your profession.

by: Diana M. Ewert, MPA, CAE 

Fall is in the air.

We are moving from a short, rainy summer to hopefully a cooler, more beautiful fall. It’s my favorite season and not just because of all things pumpkin related. It’s because of the activity. Don’t get me wrong - summer is busy for POMA with the AOA House of Delegates, the POFPS CME Symposium which is put together with the help of POMA’s staff team, the August meeting of the POMA Board of Trustees just to name a few. But fall. Fall means cooler nights, sweaters and changing leaves. Fall also means white coat and stethoscope presentations. Fall means students, residents, and physicians new to practice. Fall means licensure renewal, CME credit reporting, and scholarship applications.

I attended my first white coat/stethoscope ceremony last September. It was amazing. You could sense the excitement and wonder in the room. These young men and women represent the future of the osteopathic profession. The students marked this milestone by receiving a white coat and a stethoscope in front of their families and friends. The white coats are provided by POMA and the stethoscopes are provided by the POMA Foundation and the Advocates for the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association. The students hung those scopes around their necks and, perhaps for the first time, the dream of becoming an osteopathic physician was real. I look forward to doing this again with POMA leadership for the Class of 2022.

Speaking of scholarships, the POMA Foundation spent the last year reviewing and revamping their scholarship program. The POMAF has opened applications for seven different scholarships that recognize volunteerism, advocacy, osteopathic skills and knowledge, diversity and promoting health. Initially, POMAF scholarships were focused on students. Now residents can apply for four of the seven. Click on the POMAF Scholarships link to learn more. Applications are accepted up to January 14 and will be awarded in late February/early March.

Here's to pumpkin lattes!

The Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association Foundation (POMAF)  has reviewed its scholarship program and is pleased to announce several new scholarships now open for application. Pennsylvania students who are enrolled as an OMS II, OMS III or OMS IV AND residents are eligible to apply as long as they meet the criteria. The scholarships and applications are accessible online.  Applications can also be downloaded and mailed to the POMA Foundation at the address contained in the application. Scholarship amounts will be determined by the foundation board. The deadline for applications is January 14, 2019. The foundation board will review all applications and awards will be made late February/early March.

We would greatly appreciate your help in circulating this among your student and resident contacts. Feel free to share the information and link in social media, newsletters, etc. Make sure to use the hashtag #POMAF19 and tag us on Twitter, @POMA_DOs and Facebook, @POMADOs.

SBOM Licensure Issues

The state of Pennsylvania transitioned from paper applications to an online application process for all licensed professionals. The Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) become effective June 15. Since this time, POMA has received calls and emails from osteopathic physicians seeking support to obtain a license. The Osteopathic board is not the only professional board having issues with the PALS system. POMA has written to Commissioner for Professional and Occupational Affairs detailing specific instances of delay, lack of response, and issues with both the online and phone system along with less than desirable customer service.

The SBOM met on August 22 and the issue of delayed licenses was brought forward. State staff provided an update on implementation. The state is changing the interactive voice response phone system to ensure individuals are directed to the appropriate resources within the department. IVR modifications will take effect by the end of the month. State staff also indicates the backlog of paper applications is nearing completion. The state is also adding capacity for applicants to add an email for a hospital/health system/employer so that they are also kept apprised of the process. Currently, application to receipt of license is taking anywhere from 30 to 90 days.

If you are beyond 90 days from application, you can reach out to POMA by email to [email protected]. Provide the date you applied, any outreach you’ve made to the board (email, phone calls, etc.) and if there are any extenuating circumstances leading to a hardship if the license is not received. POMA will be meeting with the commissioner to discuss the renewal process in an effort to better prepare you for the process. Check the newsletter and website for the most up-to-date information.

PCOM Holds Stethoscope Ceremony for Class of 2022

On August 9, 2018, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) held a stethoscope ceremony for the Class of 2022 on the Philadelphia campus. POMA Immediate Past President George D. Vermeire, DO, was on hand to address the students. The stethoscopes, which were provided by the POMA Foundation, represent the students’ entrance into the osteopathic profession.

On September 30, 2018, PCOM will hold a white coat ceremony for their first-year students. The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) Erie will hold its stethoscope and white coat ceremonies on September 8, 2018 while LECOM at Seton Hill will hold ceremonies for its Class of 2022 on October 6, 2018.

Littmann® Stethoscopes 

First-year osteopathic medical students in Pennsylvania receive a Littmann® Stethoscope during their stethoscope ceremony. There is an app that you can download which will help you register and then practice your auscultation skills using you new Littmann® Stethoscope.  Visit the POMA website to find out how to download the app. 

Photo by Leslie Reagan Bodin on Unsplash

Mental Health Task Force Grant Program Updates

The 2017-2018 Mental Health Task Force Grant recipient evaluations continue to roll in. Participants are sharing what they learned from the experience and how it impacted the participant individually and the residency collectively. This week's update is from the LECOM Health Psychiatry Resident program. 

LECOM Health Psychiatry Resident Wellness Pilot 

Residency training can be physically, emotionally, and spiritually draining which is why the goal of the LECOM Health Psychiatry Resident Wellness Pilot was to create and implement a program that promotes resident wellness based on the four domains of wellbeing: professional, physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. By providing residents with healthy outlets, we hope to create an environment of camaraderie, unity, and support. Initially, our pilot program will work with the psychiatry residents at LECOM Health who are continuously exposed to and bombarded with emotionally and spiritually disheartening and draining stories of trauma, abuse, and/or neglect. We want to make sure that our residents are able to return to their families and loved ones with a lesser burden from the stress of caring for their patients. We strive to provide an environment for our residents to become beacons of wellness and healing who inspire others - we want to be the future of well-physician training.

Read more>>

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.

*If you have not yet paid your 2018-2019 membership dues to maintain your "Active" status, you will no longer have access to POMA’s online CME module effective August 25, 2018. Any requests for a CME record or a reprint of a POMA sponsored CME program will result in a $75 fee per request.

Just Be Still

by: Guy Hamilton, PGY-2

When we were young, my brother and I spent much of our summers at my grandma and grandpa’s farm in Boswell, Indiana. Running around with our cousins in the country and being doted on by grandparents was typically much more appealing than being cooped up in the suburbs and getting assigned the perfunctory summer chores from our mom.

Every night, our cousins would eventually go home and leave my brother and me to play, roughhouse or bicker like only two young brothers can. But as soon as our Grandpa would come in from the field, if we were causing too much of a ruckus, we would hear grandma’s loving yet firm directive, “boys, it’s time to be still.”

Read more >>

Calling All Writers!

The Journal of the POMA is seeking professional articles from YOU! The September 2018 issue is coming up and will focus on those individuals whom you feel have made significant contributions to medicine and healthcare. For more information or to submit an article, contact Brenda Dill at [email protected].

View the
newsletter online!

POMA Membership Status

If you have not yet paid your 2018-2019 membership dues to maintain your "Active" status, you will no longer have access to POMA’s online CME module effective August 25, 2018. Any requests for a CME record or a reprint of a POMA sponsored CME program will result in a $75 fee per request.

Your current membership status is  for 2018-2019. 

Click here to pay now. 

 In This Issue...

1. President's Perspective
2. Executive Opinion
3. POMAF Scholarships
4. POMA-ISMIE Affinity Program
5. SBOM Licensure Issues
6. PCOM Stethoscope Ceremony
7. Littmann Stethoscopes
8. MHTF Grant Updates
9. Physician Licensure Reminder
10. How Are You DOing? Blog
    
11. Calling All Writers!
12. POMA Membership Status
13. POFPS CME Certificates
14. POFPS Survey Reminder
15. Upcoming PGYP Meetings
16. Upcoming District Events
17. Free CME Events
18. Applications for Membership
19. Classified Ads
20. POMPAC

POFPS CME Certificates

POFPS Symposium CME Certificate Update -- We are working as fast as we can to process CME credits for the 2018 POFPS CME Symposium. We anticipate that all certificates will be ready by the end of August. Just as a reminder, if you have not submitted your attestation form, please do so by October 15, 2018. Stay tuned for future progress updates.

Survey Reminder!

The POFPS 43rd Annual CME Symposium Outcomes Survey is now available!  Physicians who complete the 10-minute survey can earn up to 2 Category 1-A AOA CME credits. Click here to complete the survey online.  The deadline for completion is September 15, 2018.

Upcoming PGYP Meetings

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

Please address all correspondence for POMA Box Letters to: 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.

Looking for a part time Physician in Family Medicine or Internal Medicine in Philadelphia. Please contact me @ 215-669-4001.

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.

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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