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by: Joseph M.P. Zawisza, DO
Running Down the Clock
This may sound blasphemous to many of you as we come to the end of the NFL regular season and enter the playoffs, but I don’t like football. I should qualify that by saying the game of football is enjoyable enough, but the downtime of the game is not. A quick Google search indicates that out of the 3 hours that it takes to play a 60-minute football game, only 11-18 minutes is actual play time. While I do appreciate hearing a statistic like who has the seventh-most touchdown passes of any rookie quarterback whose home field is a dome so that I don’t have to lay awake at night trying to figure it out myself, I don’t appreciate the staged theatrics of watching the play clock go down to zero before they snap the play or waiting to see if they called that strategic timeout that you know is coming at exactly the right second. So often, the last minute of the game (translated 1.7% of the ticket you paid for) doesn’t matter as we watch the teams run across the field while the clock is still running down. I realize my friends in Black & Gold Nation were not thinking that two weeks ago.
If I seem a little snarky, I apologize. Although the calendar says it’s a new year, I’ve written before about how our year operates more on a May to April time frame. So, in essence we’re coming to the end of our year, but POMA doesn’t run down the clock. To the contrary, we’re increasing our activity. Our newest achievement is the POMA Podcast series: POMA DOes... The first episode was released last Friday and the second episode – the first of a two-part episode with POMA leadership – will be released next Friday. Having overseen this project requested by our members as part of our Strategic Plan for more than a year now, I must say it’s quite exciting to see it come to fruition! You can catch the first and future episodes on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Podcast Addict, Audible, YouTube, and other platforms that you enjoy podcasts on.
POMA District 8 has prepared another phenomenal program with their 35th Annual Educational Winter Seminar. You will not want to miss this program or the 24 Category 1-A AOA credits that are offered. It’s not too late to register for the virtual program by clicking here. And as a testament to POMA’s ability to adapt to any situation in the best interest of its members, we are finalizing plans for the annual Clinical Assembly to be held April 27-30, 2022 with a new format again this year that combines the best educational program with the safest possible design. Watch for registration to open soon!
As one more example of POMA Still on the Move! we have several mentoring events lined up to start the year. The successful program on Osteopathic Board Prep Panel is being followed by Contracts: Need to Knows and How to Succeed When Starting Your Rotations.
So, unlike that football game that you can probably turn off at the two-minute warning, POMA plays a good game that is exciting right down to the last two seconds of a tied game in overtime that has playoff hopes riding on it. Happy New (calendar) Year and welcome to 2022! Hopefully, this is a more pleasant year than last, although I feel like we said the same thing in 2021.
by: Diana Ewert
"The strength of the group is the strength of the leader."
- Vince Lombardi
As you may have guessed from the team picture we posted on social media, #TeamPOMA is really into sports. Particularly football. Particularly professional football. Wildcard Weekend left disappointment and elation in its wake. GO CHIEFS!
This brings me to the quote for the month. The indomitable Vince Lombardi got it right for football and surprisingly right for associations. The strength of the POMA is the strength of her leaders. In my field, it is unusual when leadership collaborates at high functioning levels. For POMA? It is not usual… it is expected.
The vice president is embraced and becomes a member of the 4P+ (president, president-elect, vice president, immediate past president, and secretary/treasurer). Leadership then embraces the strategic pillars and each becomes a pillar champion. Bimonthly conference calls strengthen the collaboration between our leaders as they focus on the strategic plan, committee activities, and the resulting programs, products, and services. A perfect example of this leadership collaboration is POMA DOes..., our podcast and newest service for the profession.
It's true - Dr. Zawisza has been working on this podcast as the champion of the Communications Pillar for longer than he admits. The goal of the podcast was but a dream on the pillar well over two years ago. Dedication to the strategy, collaboration with the other pillar champions, and working within the committee structure resulted in the launch of POMA DOes... The collaboration with leaders, committees, staff, the investment in time spent discussing, formulating, looking at the pros/cons, and finally recording and editing the first episode was driven by leaders.
The strength of the group is the strength of the leader.
Here's to the 4P+ Drs. Zawisza, Witherite-Rieg, Kalata, Milie, and Battistella. Thank you for your leadership.
by: Andy Sandusky
Prior Authorization and Step Therapy:
Feedback Needed
Over the past few months, POMA has been working to find common ground with insurers as we attempt to amend current law to reform prior authorization and step therapy insurance requirements for select patient care. Many of the insurance carriers operating in Pennsylvania point to the training and online information/portals they provide respectively to Osteopathic physicians, as proof they are providing enough information to you and therefore no change in current law is necessary. This includes providing clear guidance to you on treatment prior authorizations that are easy to follow, understand and use to get patients what they need at the time of the visit to your office. This further includes you are receiving prescription drug formulary information for your patients in real-time so that you know what is covered and what requires prior authorization at the time of the visit. If you are reading this and you either agree or disagree, I want to hear from you. Please let me know your practice specialty, family medicine, oncology, etc., your assessment of the prior auth and step therapy process and what you would recommend to the insurers if you disagree with their current training and electronic portals are not working. Please send your feedback to Andy Sandusky at [email protected]. Any and all feedback is appreciated!
Wear RED Day
On Friday, February 4th, POMA will be going RED to help raise awareness of women's heart health. Please join us by wearing red and sending us a photo or posting it on social media and tagging us. We will share any photos you send us on our different social media channels.
District Dish
District 4
District 4 members kicked off their 2022 event schedule with a business meeting at Rikasa in Pittston on January 13th. The members, both virtually and in-person, received updates on the latest POMA legislative initiatives, the POMA House of Delegates, and the district event plans for the upcoming year. The district has social, CME and wellness events in the works.
District 4's next business meeting will be on February 17th at Rikasa in Pittston, where members will nominate and elect members to represent the district at the POMA House of Delegates. A virtual option for the elections will be available. Email Darlene Dunay, DO, District 4 Chair, for more information.
District 8
POMA District 8 members and their families enjoyed an exciting basketball game at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh on January 8th. The Pitt Panthers won 69-67 as Boston College missed a last-second shot in an attempt to tie.
The next District 8 members meeting will be held in conjunction with the district's 35th Annual Educational Winter Seminar with a virtual option to participate. Join us on Saturday, January 29th at 1:40 pm - click here to register. Members will elect delegates to the POMA House of Delegates on April 28-29, 2022 in King of Prussia, and delegates to the AOA House of Delegates happening in July 2022. Local osteopathic leaders will also provide updates on the happenings of the profession locally and statewide.
Contact Jason Leeper, [email protected] for more information on virtual access to the meeting.
Who likes a little friendly competition?
From April 1, 2021 – March 30, 2022 POMA will be hosting a District competition. Districts receive points based on holding events; survey and event participation; members writing in publications (POMA and external); membership retention; and various additional items. Click here for a complete list of challenges.
The winning District will receive a POMA sponsored dinner before POMA HOD 2022, a hefty traveling trophy, special recognition at the POMA Clinical Assembly, and priority seating at the POMA House of Delegates, and bragging rights. The leaderboard will be published in POMA’s monthly newsletter.
Contact your District Leadership to share ideas and for more details.
Current Standings as of January 20th:
- 1st Place - District 12
- 2nd Place - District 4
- 3rd Place - District 7
Want to help earn your district some points? Submit an article to the newsletter or participate in a POMA survey.
Find out additional ways by contacting your district leadership.
POMA Launches the
POMA DOes... Podcast
POMA is kicking off 2022 with the launch of its new podcast, POMA DOes...
Our podcast provides a voice for osteopathic medicine by sharing insights on issues important to osteopathic physicians, residents and students, and those who embrace the osteopathic philosophy. Episode 1 features POMA President Joseph Zawisza, DO who explains POMA's mission and vision with a focus on the communications pillar and what's coming up in future episodes.
POMA DOes... is available through all of the popular podcast platforms, services and apps. Find us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Podcast Addict, Audible and YouTube - listen and subscribe today! Episodes are released on the second and fourth Fridays of the month.
We're excited to share information in a new way and to meet you on the go! Kudos to our Technology Workgroup for all your hard work over the last six months to bring this project to fruition. Check out POMA DOes... and let us know what you think!
Upcoming Webinar - Contracts: Need to Knows
The POMA Mentor Task Force is hosting a Contracts: Need to Knows webinar on Thursday, January 27 at 7:00 pm. The event will feature Richard Moses, DO, JD, who will discuss contract insights including non-compete clauses, student loan reimbursement, and what is actually negotiable. Don't miss out!
The event will take place on Zoom. Click here to RSVP. Connection information will be shared via email after registering.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Karen Arscott, DO, Mentor Task Force Chair, [email protected] or Sara Bustard, POMA Staff, [email protected].
We look forward to your participation and seeing you there!
Calling All Researchers!
Submit Your Paper Into POMA's 2022 Contest!
All Pennsylvania osteopathic medical students and interns/residents training in Pennsylvania are invited to submit their research papers 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 2022 POMA Clinical Assembly.
The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2021.
View all the details here.
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View the
newsletter online!
Table of Contents...
- President's Perspective
- Executive Opinion
- Policy Points
- Wear Red Day
- SoFi Loan Refinancing
- District Dish
- District Competition
- POMA DOes... Podcast
- Contracts Webinar
- POMA's 48th Annual Clinical Writing Contest is Now Open
- COVID-19 News Update
- Upcoming District Events
- Save the Date for the 2022 Clinical Assembly
- Upcoming PGYP Event
- Welcome New Members
- JPOMA Survey
- Classified Ads
- Under the DOme
- POMPAC
- Follow POMA on Social Media
POMA continues to monitor the rapidly changing information surrounding COVID-19. Visit www.poma.org/covid-19 for all of our updates, as well as resources we are finding to be most useful and accurate at this time.
Upcoming District Events
District 4
Business Meeting & Elections
February 17, 2022
6:30 pm
Rikasa
Pittston, PA
District 6
District Meeting & Elections
February 16, 2022
7:00 pm
VIRTUAL
District 8
35th Annual Educational Winter Seminar
January 27-30, 2022
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
Virtual Option Available
District 8
Business Meeting & Elections
January 29, 2022
1:40 pm
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort / Virtual Option Available
District 10
Business Meeting & Elections
January 28, 2022
5:30 pm
Blue Bell Inn
Blue Bell, PA
District 11
Business Meeting & Elections
February 9, 2022
6:30 pm
VIRTUAL
District 12
CME Event, Business Meeting & Elections
February 23, 2022
6:00 pm
Mechanistic Brewing Company
Clarion, PA
SAVE THE DATE
2022 POMA Clinical Assembly
POMA's 114th Annual Clinical Assembly and Scientific Seminar will be held April 27-30, 2022. The planning committee is working on this year's program and hopes to offer both face-to-face and virtual education. More information will be available soon!
Upcoming PGYP Events
East Region
Thursday, March 3
6:30 pm
Location TBD
Central Region
Wednesday, March 23
6:30 pm
Gilligan's Restaurant
Harrisburg, PA
West Region
Tuesday, March 29
7:00 pm
Location TBD
Welcome New Members!
The following physicians 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.
Anthony D. DiMatteo, DO
403 Magnolia Court
Wexford, PA 15090
Active Member –– District 8
Edward J. Dzielak, DO
104 Swallow Avenue
Greenfield Township, PA 18407
Active Member –– District 4
Laura M. Fox, DO
1324 Lakeland Hills Boulevard
Lakeland, FL 33805
Out-of-State Member
Julie C. Greissinger, DO
343 East Gore Road
Erie, PA 16509
Active Member –– District 7
Anna R. Kent, DO
112 N 7th Street
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Active Member –– District 5
Philip Talarico, DO
18201 Conneaut Lake Road
Meadville, PA 16335
Active Member –– District 7
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
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Competitive salary, bonuses, EMR, and outpatient only. No weekend hours. A wonderful, friendly staff in a relaxed environment, and a state-of-the-art facility opening in January 2022. Rare opportunity for physicians looking into possible partnership track in the primary care practice, if interested. Ready to interview and hire immediately.
Qualifications: MD/DO. BC/BE in Family Medicine. Licensed, or eligible, to practice medicine in the state of Pennsylvania.
Contact Dr. John and Matthew Trzesniowski at either [email protected] or [email protected] with CV.
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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: all caps or all bold type.
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.
Under the DOme
Did you catch POMA's advocacy newsletter, Under the DOme?
Under the DOme is a member benefit providing you with an update of the advocacy work POMA is engaged and/or monitoring to ensure DOs and their patients have the best possible opportunity for strong physician-patient relationships and care. POMA is THE organization that represents you as a DO in the state in all areas of advocacy.
We hope you find Under the DOme to be a valuable advocacy tool. Send your feedback to [email protected].
POMPAC is the collective
voice of the osteopathic profession in Pennsylvania.
Send your personal check to POMPAC c/o POMA, 1330 Eisenhower Blvd., Harrisburg, PA 17111, or charge your contribution to your credit card!
PAC contributions are not tax-deductible.
Follow POMA on social media for all the latest news!
  
 
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