District 4 & 6 Recap - October 24, 2018

Asthma affects over 26 million Americans.  The condition affects over a million adult Pennsylvanians alone. District 4 and District 6 combined a membership meeting to learn about different ways to treat the condition. Sandra Gawchick, DO lead the discussion of different treatments and how patients reacted to them. She emphasized educating patients that you must continue treatments, even if they do or do not see results. It is a long-term plan.

The attendees talked about different firsthand cases of asthma and other dangerous respiratory conditions. They discussed cases of emergency respiratory incidents due to allergic reactions and the victim not using their epinephrine (epi pen). The doctors encouraged each other to remind their patients, who require epi pens, to always have them. Do not be afraid to tell their patients, that nothing can help you if you die.

Upon the conclusion of the product theater, Timothy McCloskey, DO, and Darlene Dunay, DO, district 4 chair, discussed changes and upcoming events with POMA. They mentioned legislative successes but warned the battles will come back after the elections. Diana Ewert, POMA CEO, and Joan Grzybowski, DO, POMA President, updated the members about license renewal issues and future POMA plans to benefit membership. Social and networking conversations concluded the evening.