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by: John Kalata, DO
With A Little Help From Our Friends
Volunteerism has long been at the heart of our profession. Serving as a preceptor for our students, teaching in a residency program, lending a hand in your religious congregation, serving on a medical mission, or participating in POMA’s work for our profession are all ways that we give back, every day. I would like to take a minute to reflect on the accomplishments of our Association over the last several years and to note the exceptional work driven by our volunteer members.
Our podcast, POMA DOes, was pushed forward by our student volunteers on the Digital Engagement Committee, and continues with participation from members from every corner and every specialty in the state. The Opioid Use Task Force was led by thought leaders on addiction medicine. The Task Force on Military and Veteran Engagement is developing substantive ways to recognize and support those who serve. The Wellness Committee brings forth unique wellness activities, both virtual and in-person, to our members. Our Foundation is making an impact for our trainees, our practicing physicians, and now in our communities, fueled by the work of our donors and our volunteer committee members. Our educational programs continue to deliver contemporary CME, reviewed and delivered by thoughtful and committed members. POMA’s work advocating for osteopathic physicians and our patients is led by tireless efforts of the Government Affairs Committee.
POMA’s successes in communication, advocacy, education and community clearly is the result of the commitment and energy of our volunteer members.
There is more work to be done. Providing relevant CME for our members will always be a hallmark of our association. Engaging physicians throughout the spectrum of our careers, from students through retirement, will remain important to us. Recognizing our veteran and military members must be a part of our efforts. Most importantly, supporting our members in active practice, who care for patients day in and day out, will remain at the center of our efforts. Ringo Starr, lead vocalist on just 11 Beatles songs, once reflected, “I get by with a little help from my friends.” POMA’s work will be impossible without “a little help from our friends.”
Our President-elect, Dr. Bill Swallow, has issued a Call for Volunteers. Please respond with your areas of interest. With a little help from each of you, we continue to move POMA forward, together.
Stay warm!! See you next month.
by: Diana Ewert
“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you're not going to stay where you are.”
- J.P. Morgan
POMA is not where it was last year, or the year before, or even the year before. And by the time 2024 ends, we will be in yet another place. The good news is that we are building a map that will tell us where we are going, who is riding with us, and how we will utilize the diverse assets of POMA to get there. If you want to determine if an association is member-driven or staff-driven, look at the website, reports, information provided, educational programs, and elected leaders. Who do you see? Who comes to mind? When something is achieved, who is putting it out there? POMA is member driven.
POMA completed its second phase of our strategic plan in November 2023. The leadership and membership are looking forward together to determine the association’s future direction over the next three years. The board will be taking the feedback obtained from POMA Committees, Workgroups, and Task Forces within our strategic pillar framework and begin building towards first steps. The decision has been made to continue forward progress in supporting the osteopathic profession in Pennsylvania. The strategic pillars remain intact and reflect the highest priorities of the osteopathic profession in the Commonwealth. Communication, Community, Education, and Influence remain as relevant today as they did back in 2019 when the first phase of the strategic plan was implemented. The strategies, goals, and objectives continue to evolve, as they should. Our 2019 Education programs are offered completely differently today – virtual access and in-person programs both remain relevant.
Our Community has changed. It is generational as we still serve the Silent Generation and Boomers while courting the X-ers, Millennials, and Gen-Z. Demographically we support the age-old identifiers of male and female. I’ve recently read there are anywhere from 7 to 107 different gender identities. Are you aware that we are nearing a physician population that is almost 50% employed? These changes, or evolutions, mean our programs, products, and services need to adapt to remain relevant to shifting demographics. The purpose of strategic planning is to address these issues in a positive, forward-moving plan that will continue to evolve as we go.
We’ve already started. We recognize that employers will have (some? all?) control over the continuing medical education funds accessible to their physician staff, and the leave granted to in-person physician participation. Our programs can be accessed virtually and in-person for significant continuing medical education that is dually accredited. Have you noticed the shift in our district programs? Fewer product theaters, more social programs, and greater opportunities for complimentary continuing medical education close to home. Regardless of how you define as an individual, you are all bound within the osteopathic profession.
It’s 2024. Like J.P. Morgan, we won’t be “here” much longer. And that’s a good thing.
by: Andy Sandusky
2024 State of POMA Government Affairs
A mentor of mine once shared that organizational success in government affairs is dependent on three things: good lobbyists, grassroots involvement, and a strong political action committee (PAC). They are the three legs to the stool and if you lose one, it can topple the whole government affairs platform.
POMA has worked hard to ensure all three systems are in place for the success of Osteopathic physicians and your patients. The POMA Board of Trustees (Board) recognizes that 91% of the POMA membership believes that “state advocacy on behalf of osteopathic physicians” is “absolutely critical” or “very important.” This is the highest of all the benefits members want from POMA according to its 2023 membership survey.
POMA employs an in-house lobbyist as well as a contract lobbying firm to ensure that all issues impacting you are addressed in the way that the Board supports. Grassroots is well represented in the form of software adoption, used for physician advocacy tracking and facilitating their communication with legislators. POMA also does an incredible job raising money for its political action committee (PAC), POMPAC. More importantly, POMPAC invests those political action funds wisely by donating to legislative campaign committees that recognize and understand the ideals of Osteopathic medicine.
These efforts combined, have positioned POMA as a statewide voice on healthcare policy and legislation. A position that POMA employs with the utmost care and respect to ensure POMA and Osteopathic medicine always have a seat at the table when important issues are being deliberated. Looking forward to a great 2024!
Don't miss out on your chance to make a difference!
Sign up by February 29th!
POMA is our professional organization in Pennsylvania that serves us as osteopathic physicians. Now is our opportunity to serve POMA, our members and colleagues, and our patients.
Our members are the motivation behind everything that POMA does. Every committee, task force, and work group within the organization is led by and driven by POMA members like you. And we need our members to continue that tradition by volunteering their time, talent, and expertise to these groups.
Please look through the opportunities to serve. These range from technology to political advocacy, writing articles to presenting CME, mentoring to finance, and everything in between. We all have unique talents and this is our chance to share them with the organization that serves us.
Click here to go directly to the Volunteer Form and sign up by February 29, 2024.
Join us for Mocktail Mania -
January 25 at 7pm!
The POMA Wellness committee has teamed up with Blind Tiger Spirits to host a virtual mocktails event on Thursday, January 25 at 7:00pm. Each participant will receive five 8.4 ounce mocktails mailed directly to them prior to the event. We'll discuss the history of mocktails, how various mocktails are created, and how to turn mocktails into cocktails. Join us for a fun event and unwind with your colleagues!
The cost is $10 to participate. Registration closes Sunday, January 21st - RSVP today!
Have questions? Contact Jason Leeper, [email protected].
Dear Fellow POMA Members,
Happy New Year! I hope things are off to a happy and healthy start.
With a new year comes new events! From social gatherings like pizza and pool parties, to CME and product theaters, your volunteer District Chairs continue to work on your behalf to create fun and educational opportunities where you can connect and learn. Districts are provided with social and CME funding to make these events possible. The strength of our association lies in the collective engagement of its members, and I want to emphasize the critical role each of you play in making POMA what it is.
POMA is more than just an organization — it's your professional community that thrives on the active engagement of its members. Your engagement is crucial, not only for your personal and professional growth, but also for the association's overall direction. We’re strongest when we work together towards common goals and objectives, and we need your participation and voice to accomplish that. Your voice matters in the selection of leadership and the decisions that shape the future of POMA.
I urge you to actively participate and engage in your respective District this coming year. Districts will be holding meetings in January and February to elect representatives for the POMA and AOA House of Delegates, and plan for the year ahead. Check out the POMA Calendar to see what’s coming up! Through your participation, you contribute to the camaraderie and collective learning of our association and help leadership understand your needs so that they can better serve you.
Thank you for all that you DO! Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any ideas, questions, or concerns. Your feedback is invaluable in helping POMA continue to improve and evolve.
Here’s to an incredible 2024 – Cheers!
Darlene Dunay, DO
District Leadership Council Chair
District Dish
District 4
POMA District 4 gathered at Harvest Seasonal Grill in Moosic last night and enjoyed great food and fellowship. Members discussed legislative issues and upcoming POMA events. They also learned about obstructive sleep apnea.
Local leadership announced upcoming events, including their upcoming Social Pizza Party and Election Meeting on Friday, February 16th, and their 5th Annual Wilkes-Barre Penguins hockey game on Saturday, January 27th. Special thanks to all who were able to attend. We can’t wait to see you at our upcoming events!
District 8
Despite the winter snowstorm and a delay in replacing broken glass at the arena, District 8 members, friends, and family came together to socialize and enjoy an exciting Johnstown Tomahawks 5-1 win vs the New Jersey Titans! We look forward to seeing more of our D8 family at future events… stay tuned!
District 12
POMA members gathered on January 14th to kick off 2024 with a splash! Members and their families enjoyed food, fun, and fellowship at the YMCA in DuBois. District leadership organized a family-friendly event where attendees enjoyed delicious food and games in a private room, followed by private access to the pool. District 12 is planning more events for the near future - so keep an eye on your inbox!
All Pennsylvania medical students and residents training in Pennsylvania are invited to submit their research into the 2024 POMA Clinical Assembly Digital Poster Session!
Abstracts must be submitted no later than February 16, 2024 to Melanie LaPenta, PCOM GME. Submissions will be reviewed in February and first authors will be informed of the decision to present no later than March 11, 2024. Posters will be shared at the POMA Clinical Assembly, May 1-4, 2024 and made available for viewing on the POMA website beginning in May 2024.
Click here to learn more.
Districts and Delegates and Directors, Oh My!
by: Joseph Zawisza, DO
As each year ends and another begins, January brings us many new things. The NFL playoffs, having to remember to write a different year when you date checks (for those of us that still do that), and Election Season! I’m not talking about the nasty and deceiving commercials that are already starting to assault us on TV and other media. I’m talking about the selection of our leaders throughout POMA.
POMA governance is set up as a checks and balance system with three main areas: the House of Delegates, the Board of Trustees (or Directors), and the Districts. The structure is designed for the different groups to work together for the betterment of POMA and our members. The House of Delegates is the ultimate governing body of POMA that meets at least once a year and is made up of members selected by their districts. Just like the US House of Representatives, the number of delegates each district sends to the House is determined by the DO population of the district. Similarly, like the US Senate, each district sends one trustee to the Board of Trustees, although our current bylaws also call for an additional seven at-large trustees on the Board selected from the entire state membership and not specific to a district. This group meets at least four times a year and because of its considerably smaller size, can act more quickly to make policy and other decisions for POMA that will later be presented to the House (hopefully) for endorsement. Finally, districts act as smaller autonomous units of POMA representing the smaller regions of the state that POMA is divided into. Some functions of districts are conducted on their own authority, such as elections for officers and representatives to the two aforementioned bodies, while other functions require approval of one of the other bodies such as spending money on events for the district. This system makes sure that POMA is always working for the good of its members and that your valuable membership dues are being used appropriately for that purpose.
Elections in POMA are held on an annual basis, although not all positions are elected annually. District officers are elected biannually in odd-numbered years, as are trustees from the districts. However, at-large trustee positions are selected biannually on even-numbered years, and delegates are elected annually. And as I said, election season is upon us.
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View the
newsletter online!
Table of Contents...
1. President's Perspective
2. Executive Opinion
3. Policy Points
4. Register Today for the 2024 POMA Clinical Assembly
5. Call for Volunteers
6. Community Collaborative
7. District Dish
8. Digital Research Session
9. How Are You DOing?
10. Upcoming District Events
11. Member Appreciation Giveaway
12. Welcome New Members
13. Military Appreciation
14. District Competition
15. Classified Ads
16. Check Out the POMA DOes... Podcast
17. APOMA Call for Baskets
18. POMPAC
19. Follow POMA on Social Media
20. Protect Yourself from Flu & RSV this Winter
Upcoming District Events
District 1
CME Dinner with Business Meeting & Elections
Thursday, February 1
6:30 pm - Business Meeting
7:00 pm - Lecture
Zorba's Tavern
Philadelphia, PA
District 3
CME Business Meeting & Elections
Tuesday, February 13
6:30 pm - Business Meeting
Sunset Grille
Allentown, PA
District 4
5th Annual Hockey Night
Saturday, January 27
6:05 pm - Puck Drop
Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
District 4
Pizza Party
Friday, Friday Feb 16
6:30 pm - Business Meeting
Arcaro and Genell
Old Forge, PA
District 5
Satellite CME
Saturday, February 24
9:00 AM
Multiple Locations in Southcentral PA
District 6
Social with Business Meeting & Elections
Friday, January 26
6:30 pm - Business Meeting
John Ryan Brewery
Williamsport, PA
District 10
CME and Elections
Thursday, February 29
6:00 pm
Panche Woodfire Grille
Blue Bell, PA
District 12
CME Event
Tuesday, February 20
6:30 pm
Luigi’s Restaurant
Dubois, PA
Thank you for being a POMA member! We are stronger, louder and better with you!
Each month, POMA is holding a drawing to show our appreciation for YOU! Congratulations to Paul Baron, DO of North Wales, PA in District 10 - winner of the December giveaway!
Click here to enter this month's drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card. Thank you for all you DO!
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.
Deborah Bieter-Schultz, DO
1441 Maryland Avenue
Havertown, PA 19083
Active Member – District 2
Scott R. Brown, DO
UPMC Shadyside
5215 Centre Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Active Member – District 8
Tara H. Budinetz, DO
227 Heather Lane
Nazareth, PA 18064
Active Member – District 3
Paul D. Ehrlichman, DO
200 Village Drive
Greensburg, PA 15601
Active Member – District 8
Steven P. Hand, DO
3234 Silver Ridge Court
Hermitage, PA 16148
Active Member – District 9
Joanna M. Kraynak-Appel, DO
236 West 3rd Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Active Member – District 4
Aldith Lewis, DO
8869 Paseo de Valencia Street
Fort Myers, FL 33908
Active Out-of-State Member
Luke J. Morley, DO
1807 Old Farm Lane
Lancaster, PA 17602
Active Member – District 5
Jeffrey L. Newswanger, DO
1527 Ridge Road
Lancaster, PA 17603
Active Member – District 5
Keyoor Patel, DO
United Health Services
30 Harrison Street, Suite 250
Johnson City, NY 13790
Active Out-of-State Member
Joshua P. Pregnar, DO
2424 S 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148
Active Member – District 1
Anthony Tran, DO
92 Maplewood Lane
Enola, PA 17025
Active Member – District 5
Ryan P. Zimmerman, DO
Tower Health
301 S 7th Avenue, Suite 340
West Reading, PA 19611
Active Member – District 11
POMA wants to support and honor our military members!
Whether you are active duty, reservist or retired; Army, Navy, Air Force; POMA wants to hear from you! Click here to share your military history with us or email [email protected].
District Competition
The third annual POMA District Competition is running from April 1, 2023 – March 30, 2024. Districts receive points based on holding events; survey participation; writing in publications (POMA and external); membership retention; and more. Click here for a complete list of challenges.
The winning District receives a hefty traveling trophy, special recognition at the POMA Clinical Assembly, and bragging rights. Contact your District Leadership for more details.
Current Standings as of January 19th:
1st Place – District 1
2nd Place – District 4
3rd Place – District 12
4th Place - District 14
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.
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
PRN Medical Space — Ready exam rooms for Drs on the go! Five locations in Philadelphia and Bristol. Call 215-669-4001.
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.
POMA DOes...Podcast
Have you tuned into the POMA DOes... podcast series? We have released 49 episodes, which are available on YouTube and everywhere you listen to podcasts. Our most recent episodes focus on "The Kids of POMA" and "Medicine and the Arts". We'll have 2 CME episodes next month focusing on RSV and Flu.
Have an episode idea? Let us know! New episodes for POMA DOes... are released on the second and fourth Fridays of the month. Subscribe so you never miss an episode!
APOMA Call for Silent Auction Baskets
Calling all districts!
Join the APOMA basket contest and silent auction at Kalahari. The top 3 baskets will earn POMA District Competition points. Please put together a basket that represents your district, if possible, so that APOMA can auction it off. All proceeds from the baskets will go to the scholarship fund.
Questions can be directed to Krissy Eisenhardt, APOMA President, at [email protected].
We look forward to seeing y’all in May at Kalahari!
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!
  
 
Flu and RSV season runs from Fall through Spring, peaking between December and February. Protect yourself and your family by following these easy tips:
- Prevent the spread of germs by washing your hands frequently.
- A flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older, per the CDC.
- The RSV vaccine is recommended for pregnant patients and adults 60 years and older, per the CDC.
- Don't get too run down; get 8-10 hours of sleep every night.
- Eating fruits and vegetables, and staying hydrated boosts your immune system to naturally fight off infection.
Watch for new episodes of the POMA DOes... podcast series for upcoming episodes focusing on RSV and Flu!
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