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by: Pamela S.N. Goldman, DO
We DO...Local Activities
Some of the best member benefits POMA has to offer are the local options for educational activities, professional networking opportunities, and social events. In POMA's statewide district structure, regional professional activities and educational programs can be found conveniently close to home.
Local Continuing Medical Education
Whether it is learning about a new pharmaceutical product, a disease process, or new diagnostic and therapeutic options in treating disease, continuing medical education is necessary. In the last year, POMA recognized that local CME is a valuable and dedicated part of your membership dues back to the district for the purpose of funding CME activities in your local community. Now, instead of product theater meetings, districts are using our own physicians and residents to provide CME over a meal. Look for a dinner meeting near you.
Networking
One of the benefits of interacting and socializing with other physicians in your community is that you build your professional network. At district meetings, you have a wide variety of practice types represented and people at different places in their career continuum. New professional opportunities arise from interacting with colleagues. It can be a venue to share your work stories with people who understand your perspective and may be able to offer advice. At district meetings, you can grow your referral base and build relationships with colleagues. Much can be learned from other’s experiences.
Social
Lastly, POMA recognizes the role your family, friends, and significant others play in helping you to be successful. For many of us, we could not do what we do well without them. In an effort to acknowledge these support people, funding has been put aside for each district to financially support social events in your community. Groups have gone to baseball games, hockey games, Cirque du Soleil shows, or attended a theater performance together. Interacting with your colleagues in context of their families brings a new perspective to who we are. Many social events will take place in the spring and summer. These events are free or have a nominal cost to participate.
Join your district activities today. Whether you attend to gain CME credits, network with a colleague, or enjoy chatting while watching a game, local activities are available for you! Look for more information under the “Community” tile on the POMA app or visit our online calendar. We look forward to seeing you there!
by: Diana Ewert
“The first blooms of spring always make my heart sing.” ― S. Brown
It feels like spring. I hear the birds before the alarm. I leave the office and it’s still light outside. With the exception of the past couple of days, it's been well above freezing and pushes to well above 50 degrees over the weekend. Phil didn’t see his shadow meaning an early spring. The next time you receive this newsletter, we will be in daylight savings time.
Why am I obsessed about spring? For POMA, it means change. With seven board member-at-large positions up for election, districts are making decisions. The Annual Clinical Assembly planning is well underway. The program is almost finalized. Registrations are coming in and exhibitors are signing up. We have started working with our president-elect, Dr. Gene Battistella, to prepare for his presidential year, as well as working on a call for volunteers for committee and task force service. We are also preparing to celebrate Dr. Goldman’s leadership – implementation and accomplishments under the strategic plan, activities to raise POMA’s profile both as an association and as a foundation, and a leadership role in defining osteopathic continuing medical education.
Here's to the birds and open windows and longer days!
Who Needs Prior Authorization Reform?
After speaking with many DOs at the POMA District 8 meeting earlier this month, there was a constant refrain when the issue of prior authorization reform came up for discussion. Which is, both patients AND physicians need prior authorization reform.
DOs have shared with POMA multiple frustrations they are experiencing on behalf of their patients with failed first (and second) policies, as well as knowing the correct “key words” an insurer is looking for that will get the approval for what a patient needs. Further, DOs often take the brunt of patient frustration after a DO spends time explaining why they believe a certain medication is the best choice for them, only to have a prior authorization request fail.
It is this type of real-world feedback DOs share that undergirds POMA’s fight to achieve legislative reform on prior authorization. The main goal is for physicians to know what is covered by a patient’s insurer from the beginning of the patient visit. POMA is working in a coalition of patients, providers and hospitals supporting reform. Stay tuned for an advocacy alert coming in early March on this issue!
District Dish
District 8
District VIII did it again! Another great seminar full of interesting topics and osteopathic fellowship. There were a record-breaking 358 attendees at this year's seminar which offered up to 24 Category 1-A AOA CME credits, including 2 patient safety credits and 2 child abuse education credits. Additional credits were also available for the Friday and Saturday afternoon workshops.
District VIII also held their yearly business meeting during the conference. 34 members attended the meeting and elected the district's POMA and AOA house delegations. Members discussed the current state of legislation and advocacy effort and heard from John Kauffman, DO, the founding dean of the future School of Osteopathic Medicine at Duquesne University. POMA president Pamela Goldman, DO and POMA CSO Diana Ewert, provided the group with updates on work of POMA and the POMA Foundations for the osteopathic community in Pennsylvania.
If you're interested in representing District VIII and serving as a delegate, please reach out to Dr. Battistella. And mark your calendar now for District VIII's 34th Annual Education Winter Seminar – January 28 -January 31, 2021!
District 9
District 9 members gathered for a coffee talk and networking on January 31 at the District VIII Winter Seminar. POMA President Pamela Goldman, DO and POMA CSO Diana Ewert updated the group on POMA’s efforts around the state, and the various resources POMA now offers at the local level. District 9 is in the process of reorganizing and several members volunteered to help organize some upcoming events.
District 9 has tentatively scheduled a dinner and networking event on April 15th. Additional details will be provided soon!
District 12
District 12 members gathered on February 1 during the POMA District VIII Winter Seminar for a brief meeting. The members received a POMA update from POMA President Pamela Goldman, DO and an advocacy updated from POMA's Vice President of Legislative Affairs, Andy Sandusky. District 12 discussed bringing in speakers from the seminar to lecture at the local level and also organizing another local theater event. The ideas were well received and the group was eager to start planning.
District 12 is looking to schedule an event for early May - keep an eye out for more information!
District 5
On a beautiful evening in York, over 25 osteopathic physicians gathered at the Eagles Nest Restaurant for camaraderie and networking. The group was greeted with wonderful views from the Eagles Nest Restaurant and a lively presentation on a newly approved FDA treatment to help reduce cardiovascular risks in diabetes patients.
Following the presentation, members discussed local and state advocacy topics and were able to ask direct questions to POMA staff. The district leadership held an election for POMA and AOA delegates, while also announcing an upcoming social event at a Harrisburg Senators game in June. The group had a wonderful time and are looking forward to their next meeting.
Registration is open for POMA’s 112th Annual Clinical Assembly & Scientific Seminar! The 2020 conference will be held April 29-May 2 in King of Prussia.
The tentative schedule is now available! Click here to download it.
Click here to register online or download the registration form.
If you have any questions, please contact Deb Cargill-Roan at (717) 939-9318 x170 or email [email protected].
We look forward to seeing you in April!
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View the
newsletter online!
Table of Contents...
- President's Perspective
- Executive Opinion
- Policy Points
- District Dish
- POMA ISMIE Affinity Program
- Classified Advertisements
- Upcoming District Events
- Upcoming Young Professionals Meetings
- Medical Records Copying Fees 2020 - Update on ACT 26
- POMA Urges Toomey/Casey to Support THCGME
- Welcome New Members
- Follow POMA on Social Media
- POMPAC
- POMA's 46th Annual Clinical Writing Contest Submission Deadline is March 8!
Upcoming District Events
District 3
CME & Networking Event
Thursday, March 5
Sunset Grille
Allentown, PA
District 6
Networking Event & Elections
Thursday, February 27
Elizabeth's An American Bistro
Lewisburg, PA
District 7
Networking Event
Tuesday, April 14
Public House
Erie, PA
District 9
Networking Event
Wednesday, April 15
TBD
District 10
CME & Networking Event
Friday, March 27
Panache Wood Fire Grill
Blue Bell, PA
District 11
Fellowship & Networking Event
Wednesday, March 4
Schuylkill Country Club
Orwigsburg, PA
District 14
Networking Event & Elections
Tuesday, February 25
Bonefish Grill
Langhorne, PA
Upcoming Young Physicians Meetings
East Region
Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020
6:30 pm
Bonefish Grill
160 North Gulph Rd.
King of Prussia, PA 19406
West Region
Wednesday, Mar. 4
6:00 pm
TimberCreek Tap & Table
Mercer, PA 16137
Central Region
Tuesday, Mar. 24
6:00 pm
POMA Central Office
1330 Eisenhower Boulevard
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Medical Records Copying Fees 2020
Update on Act 26
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has published guidelines and fees that a health care provider or facility may charge in response to a request for production of medical charts or records. The 2020 fee amendments are effective January 1 and may be found on the Department of Health website.
POMA Urges Toomey/Casey to Support THCGME
In an effort to preserve primary care training opportunities, POMA co-sponsored a letter urging Pennsylvania’s US Senators to support the Training the Next Generation of Primary Care Doctors Act of 2019, S 1191. Senators Pat Toomey and Bob Casey have received letters asking for their support of the bill, which would preserve over $13 million for Pennsylvania. Write your members of Congress today and ask them to co-sponsor S 1191. It’s easy, click here to take action now.
Welcome New Members
The following have applied for membership in the POMA. According to Article VI, Section 2 of the POMA bylaws, if no written objection is received within 30 days after publication, the following will be accepted for membership.
Katie L. Ahmadzadeh, DO
1000 East Mountain Boulevard
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
District 4 – Active Member
Justin R. Buland, DO
1071 Beechwood Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
District 8 – Active Member
Charles R. Clifton, DO
123 Gothard Road
Lutherville, MD 21093
Out-of-State Member
Anton L. Georgiev, DO
751 East 16th Street, Suite 100
Berwick, PA 18603
District 4 – Active Member
Michael E. Goldberg, DO
Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia
1501 Old York Road
Philadelphia, PA 19141
District 1 – Active Member
Nadia Hasan, DO
800 Walnut Street, Floor 17
Philadelphia, PA 19106
District 1 – Active Member
Danielle B. Johnson, DO
2000 St. Luke’s Boulevard, Suite 200
Easton, PA 18045
District 3 – Active Member
Tonya N. Kozminski, DO
Penn Highlands
145 Hospital Avenue, Suite 315
DuBois, PA 15801
District 12 – Active Member
Stephen S. Matta, DO
441 Lyceum Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19128
District 1 – Active Member
Jennifer Minkovich, DO
7811 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
District 1 – Active Member
Jubril Onaneye, DO
420 South 5th Avenue
West Reading, PA 19611
District 11 – Active Member
Rebecca A. Simcik, DO
The Pennsylvania State University
439 Student Health Center
University Park PA 16802
District 6 – Active Member
Ancy Skariah, DO
130 S. Bryn Mawr Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
District 10 – Active Member
Ryan W. Urbas, DO
230 West Washington Square, 4th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106
District 1 – Active Member
Kristen M. Whitney, DO
Brush Creek Commons II
125 Emeryville Drive, Suite 120
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
District 9 – Active Member
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
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!
  
 
POMPAC is the collective
voice of the osteopathic profession in Pennsylvania.
Send your personal check to POMPAC c/o POMA, 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17111, or charge your contribution to your credit card!
PAC contributions are not tax-deductible.
POMA's 46th Annual Clinical Writing Contest Submission Deadline is March 8!
All Pennsylvania osteopathic medical students and interns/residents training in Pennsylvania are invited to submit their research paper into this year's contest!
Judging will be conducted in March and finalists will be notified in April. All contest winners will be announced during the Opening Session of the 2020 POMA Clinical Assembly on April 29 in King of Prussia.
The deadline for submissions is March 8, 2020.
View all the details here.
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