by: Joan M. Grzybowski, DO

Amazing things happen when you look for them. This weekend on the Delaware Bay flocks and flocks of Canadian white geese flew over me in traditional V formation. They were too numerous to count and too beautiful not to stare.

Geese are a great example of team effort. Typically, one goose is the lead and takes the hardest force of the wind. This allows the geese behind him to benefit by getting a wind lift which makes their flight a bit easier and less tiring. Geese flying together spend 70 percent less energy than one goose flying alone. If one goose is ill and falls out of line two geese will accompany him to shelter to protect him from predators until he improves or dies.

Sometimes the lead will fall back in the V and let others take the lead until enough rest is achieved. Each goose gets to help the whole by the rotation of leadership.

We all strive to accomplish our goals on our own personal teams, be it a family team, a work team or the POMA team composed of Board Members, staff, administrators, officers and most importantly our members. Be assured, we are all working together to achieve goals that benefit the whole. Sometimes we work quietly behind the scenes solving individual member issues, other times we are actively meeting with legislators to affect public health policy.

As we approach this holiday season, I want you all to know how much I appreciate the team effort of each of you. Each person adds to our V formation and subsequently helps make our tasks easier to accomplish by providing lift and energizing us with their honks of encouragement.

May you all have a warm and loving Holiday Season.

by: Diana M. Ewert, MPA, CAE 

Happy Hanakwanzimas! All faiths and beliefs celebrate this time of year. We also spend this span of time following Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve reflecting on what we have done and what we hope to accomplish in the coming year. Perhaps it is a personal goal to exercise as penance for the treats consumed. Maybe it is a community goal to mentor the next generation in their chosen profession. Or possibly, it is a grand goal to “…make kinder the face of the nation and gentler the face of the world." (George H.W. Bush)

For #TeamPOMA, our goal is to execute the strategic plan developed by leadership based on the wants, needs, and desires of our members. Public policy and advocacy is a significant component of the strategic plan, so we have staffed-up in this regard. Andy Sandusky serves as our Executive Vice President of Public Policy and Association Affairs. This position was created out of the strategic plan. Andy has substantial experience working with healthcare as a lobbyist for medicine and as an executive of policy development for the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Andy will be working with the Committee on Legislation and Public Policy, as well as POMA’s contractors in the lobbying and public affairs areas.

2019 is a mere 17 days away as I write this. What are your goals for the new year?

It is our pleasure to announce that we have a new team member as of December 1. Mr. Andy Sandusky joins us as our executive vice president of public policy and association affairs. Mr. Sandusky has significant public policy, legislative, regulatory and executive branch experience in the Commonwealth. Andy will work with the team to implement the strategic plan and serve as 2nd in command.

Please join us in welcoming Andy to #TeamPOMA.  

Save the Date for POMA's 2019 CME Conferences!

POMA District 8 Winter Seminar · January 31-February 3 · Nemacolin Woodlands, Farmington

Register now to save – early-bird pricing ends December 20th!  Click here to register online or download the registration form.

POMA Annual Clinical Assembly · May 1-4 · Valley Forge Convention Center, King of Prussia

Registration opens next week – watch your email for more information!

If you have any questions, please contact Deb Cargill-Roan at (717) 939-9318 ext 170 or email [email protected].  We look forward to seeing you there!

District Dish

District 1

Hypoglycemia is a danger when someone is on insulin. It can come on quickly and unexpectedly.  Feeling shaky, chills and confusion are just a few possible signs.  Symptoms may appear differently every time.  As a physician, you are attempting to educate and assist your patients about this possible danger and prevent it from happening.

District 10

POMA District 10 gathered on Friday, December 7, 2018, for their monthly event at the Capital Grille, in King of Prussia, PA. The group enjoyed a lecture about Effective Clinical Utilization in Opioid and Alcohol Dependence by Christopher Davis, DO.

PGYP Meeting Recaps

East Region

The Eastern Region of the Professional Guidance Committee held its winter meeting with 17 enthusiastic residents and interns on December 5, 2018, at Maggiano’s in King of Prussia. After a spirited icebreaker where the room was divided into small groups and each group was asked to identify four things their group had in common with each other – with only being a physical attribute and being a DO could not be one of the four. The focus was on making a human connection in a few brief minutes which is essentially all that a physician has to make a patient comfortable and gain his/her trust during a visit.

PA Society Weekend Recap

by: Joan M. Grzybowski, DO

The holidays are a wonderful time for sharing any number of traditions. Maybe it’s a day in the kitchen baking cookies with the kids; a mandatory family viewing of a favorite holiday movie or, possibly, an ugly sweater contest. (Yes, I own at least one. No, I’ve never won!)

This season, I had the great fortune to be a part of an enduring, uniquely Pennsylvania, tradition with an entirely new family of sorts. Earlier this month, I spent three days in New York City celebrating the annual Pennsylvania Society weekend with hundreds of our fellow Pennsylvanians.

The PA Society was started in 1899 as a fairly small dinner party for a few dozen Pennsylvanians who had moved to New York. The idea was for these ex-pats to catch up on the news of the day from the Keystone State. They would not recognize PA Society today. The dinner itself remains the highlight but the Society now has 2,000 members. The ‘dinner’ is now an entire weekend that comprises dozens and dozens of receptions and gatherings of every stripe. Lawmakers, local officials, business owners and leaders, lobbyists, pundits, reporters and dozens of trade and professional association leaders descend upon the city in early December every year for this growing tradition.

I was joined by Immediate Past President George Vermeire and POMA’s Government Relations consultant Bruce Hironimus, who served as our chaperone, tour guide, scheduler, and, most importantly, the master of introductions. I can’t possibly list all of the lawmakers and key staffers who Bruce introduced me to, but it’s important for you to get a sense of the bipartisan reach POMA enjoys. Among many others, we chatted with State Sens. Pat Browne, Camera Bartolotta, Robert “Tommy” Tomlinson, Jay Costa, Lisa Boscola, and Judy Ward. We also spoke with House Speaker Mike Turzai, House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler, House Minority Leader Frank Dermody, State Reps. Kerry Benninghoff, Stan Saylor, Jesse Topper, and Marguerite Quinn. U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey shared their views of the events dominating our state today. I was especially pleased to be introduced to a handful of new lawmakers who will be taking office in January.

This is partly a social event with limited potential for lobbying but our presence and conversations with key legislators allowed us to share key messages in a less formal manner and in a venue that is strategic to our goals. Overall, I was impressed by the passion that so many lawmakers, advocates, and others have for their cause – and for the health and well-being of all Pennsylvanians and our state. I was encouraged by the complete lack of political rancor. I was also reminded – once again – that ours’ is a very large state, and lawmakers bring their regions and backgrounds with them to work. The view from Philadelphia is radically different than one in Centre County. It was refreshing that so many of these people from vastly different backgrounds shared the same excitement and commitment to playing a role in helping to shape our Commonwealth’s future.

I left New York optimistic about our political future and feeling more fortunate than ever to be able to call Pennsylvania home.

Advocacy Winds of Change at POMA

POMA heads into a new 2-year, state legislative session, in January. Physician leadership, POMA staff, and consultants are collaborating to enhance and sharpen the organization’s advocacy capabilities. We are developing ways to foster communication between POMA members and their state legislators. Better known as “grassroots lobbying”, and a significant portion of the strategic plan, POMA will enhance the velocity and timing of getting information into member's hands, so each physician, resident, and student can be heard by the state legislators that represent their home district. 

by: Randy Litman, DO, Board Chair

The State Board of Osteopathic Medicine convened on December 12, 2018. Board members present included five POMA members and represented North, Central, West and Southeast Pennsylvania. Areas to report include:

1. A reminder that all Osteopathic Physicians who hold DEA licenses, and are licensed in Pennsylvania, are required to register with the PA Drug Monitoring Program, PDMP.

2. The recent e-mail sent by PDMP to controlled substances prescribers was an advisory only and based on current recommendations, i.e. avoidance of coincident use of benzodiazepines with opiates.

3. Pennsylvania currently is in the exploration phase for the development of a new program to license physicians who already hold licensure in a U.S. partner state. The plan is to partner with neighboring and more distant states to develop a process to license applicants who have completed a single, more extensive application procedure. If successful, the program has the potential to extend access to care in less-served areas.

4. The board continues to refine the application process for new licensees and can follow developments on the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine website.

Who DO You Walk?

by Benjamin Park, DO

When I was first approached by a good friend to write this article for “how are you DOing”, I laughed.  But I wasn’t asked to write a “How are you DOing” I was asked to write “Who DO you walk?”

About 6 months ago I was doing a lot of adulting.  I was in a contract negotiation, my wife was pregnant, and we were in the process of buying a house, among other normal life stressors.  Then I ended up diagnosing my wife’s stillbirth while on call, and my world was incredibly shaken. We moved into the house within 24 hours of that, and I felt like I had no direction.  I needed to be there for my wife, and could not get time off, etc. etc...   

Student Corner

Andrea Weir Named Student DO of the Year

The DO Council at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has named Andrea Weir, DO class of 2021, Student DO of the Year (SDOY). She will now be considered for the National SDOY Award by the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents (COSGP), along with entrants from other osteopathic schools across the country.

SDOY candidates at PCOM are nominated by a committee of faculty, administration, and their peers, based on myriad criteria including a dedication to leadership, community service, the profession, professionalism and embodiment of the osteopathic philosophy.

View the
newsletter online!

Happy Holidays

In lieu of holiday cards to all of POMA’s friends, associations, societies and colleges, contributions have been made to The ALS Association, the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association. We thank you for your support and send you best wishes for a wonderful holiday season.

Table of Contents...

1. President's Perspective
2. Executive Opinion
3. Welcome to POMA, Andy Sandusky
4. Save the Date for POMA's 2019 CME Conferences
5. POMA ISMIE Affinity Program
6. District Dish
7. PGYP Meeting Recaps
8. PA Society Weekend Recap
9. Public Policy in PA
10. SBOM Report
11. How Are You DOing?
12. Student Corner
13. Happy Holidays
14. POMA Mobile App Survey
15. POMA Wants to Hear from You
16. Upcoming District Events
17. Upcoming PGYP Meetings
18. Applications for Membership
19. Classified Advertisements
20. POMPAC
21. OMM in Seriously Ill Patients
22. Your Input is Needed
23. POMAF Scholarships
24. Call for Poster Abstracts

POMA Mobile App Survey

Do you have an interest in helping POMA develop its mobile app?  POMA is looking for members to participate in a workgroup over the next few months to design, test and tweak in preparation for a spring launch. Click here to tell us more about you and your interest in helping us join the world of mobile apps!

POMA Wants to Hear from You!

POMA is seeking physician input on compound drugs in the Workers’ Compensation System. The system has seen an increase in the use of compound drugs, including topical opioid formula which are of unknown safety and efficacy.

Prior to developing next steps relating to topical opioid compounds, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry is seeking stakeholder input. If you provide care through the Workers’ Compensation System and utilize compounded topical creams, POMA would like to hear from you.

Email your contact information and availability to [email protected].

Upcoming District Events 

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

PRACTICES WANTED: Retiring physicians, part-time or full-time practices, call 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.

Follow POMA on social media for all the latest news!

   

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.

 Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine in Seriously Ill Patients 

Dear Physicians, 

Please participate in a 5 minute research study called "Use of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) in Seriously Ill Patients".  This study is designed to identify and quantify trends in physician use of OMM. To participate in this survey, click the link below. 

Survey link 

 Your Input is Needed! 

The Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (BOS) has proposed changes to the CME requirements. There is an open public comment period through December 19, 2018, for 2019-2021 CME Guide. 

POMAF Scholarships

Pennsylvania students who are enrolled as an OMS II, OMS III or OMS IV and residents are eligible to apply for the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association Foundation (POMAF) Scholarships 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. 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. 

Call for Poster Abstracts!

POMA’s annual scientific poster presentation day will be held on May 2, 2019, in conjunction with POMA’s Annual Clinical Assembly.  The poster session is coordinated by PCOM MEDNet and is open to all osteopathic residents training in Pennsylvania.

Abstract Submission Deadline:

January 8, 2019. Guidelines are available online.

Review and Selection:

Abstracts will be reviewed by the PCOM MEDNet Research Committee and will inform all authors of the decision no later than February 15, 2019.

Conference Details:

Presentation day is May 2, 2019, in King of Prussia, PA.  Presentations will be divided into morning and afternoon sessions.

For more information, visit www.poma.org or email Melanie LaPenta at [email protected].

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