by: William Swallow, DO

Happy New Year! I hope that all of you have begun 2025 in good health and uplifting spirit. By the end of this month we will be two-thirds through the 2024-2025 POMA year. Since my last letter to you, my travels have been limited but the holidays were well-celebrated. However, the staff at POMA Headquarters continued their never-ending list of tasks. The plans for another successful Clinical Assembly, to be held at Kalahari, May 7-10 and virtually May 15-June 15, 2025 are nearing completion. Please plan to join us by registering online and making your hotel reservations before the room block fills. The Assembly promises to be an event to remember. The keynote speaker is well-known for his talent as a motivator. The Wellness Committee has several opportunities planned that you are sure to enjoy. Don't wait to earn the credits you need for licensure. Join us this year!

The election of District officers, trustees and alternate trustees plus delegates to the POMA and AOA House of Delegates will be conducted between now and early March. The POMA House of Delegates will meet during the Clinical Assembly at Kalahari. The AOA House will meet in Chicago July 17-19. Currently, POMA is the third largest delegation at the AOA and our voices are heard. I encourage each and every one of you to consider becoming a delegate. I ask each and every one of you to also consider leadership in your respective District. Watch your email, social media and the online calendar for more information!

In the very near future, you will receive an interest survey for you to become a POMA committee member. Whether you currently serve on a committee or wish to serve on one, PLEASE promptly complete the survey. Participation on committees includes all active members and our osteopathic medical students and residents. A podcast will be released on January 24th that will address POMA committees and a call for participation. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn about our committees and get involved!

As always, please support the POMA Foundation and POMPAC in any way you can. There are many new faces in the state legislature. Consider contacting your local legislators and introduce yourself as an Osteopathic physician in his/her district and that you are able to advise him/her on legislation relevant to your profession and the patients that you serve.

You can rest assured that the POMA staff team, led by CEO Andy Sandusky, is providing you, the member, with high quality and pertinent services with integrity and pride.

God bless you all.

by: Andy Sandusky

Happy New Year to you and your families, and I hope you had a wonderful holiday season! 2025 is here, and POMA physician leaders and staff are working hard to bring to you the member benefits you have come to know as hallmarks of the organization. Our two focus areas are education and advocacy.

POMA is the gold standard in Pennsylvania and one of the best in the country for delivering quality continuing education for Osteopathic physicians and providing accreditation for Osteopathic content. POMA's education governing committees and staff do their best to listen to what YOU want and try hard to deliver it. It is not easy trying to fit it all into POMA events, which includes getting speakers to provide the education, coordinate the schedule, deliver at a quality venue that provides a comfortable and suitable environment for people in attendance, and so many more details it would take an entire day just to list them! Next week, this planning and preparation will all pay off as POMA works with the District 8 physician leadership to deliver the 38th Annual Educational Winter Seminar at Seven Springs ski resort. I look forward to seeing everyone and cannot wait to be there!

One thing you may not know is that POMA’s educational offerings bring in more revenues to the organization than does POMA’s dues collection from its membership. Said another way, if POMA did not have strong educational programming, all the benefits you have come to know and rely upon would need to be significantly curtailed without it. POMA’s educational programming provides revenue for POMA to deliver upon its mission way beyond simply education.

Advocacy is also top of mind to all POMA members. POMA invests in a full-time lobbyist and a consulting firm in Harrisburg to ensure that we have eyes and ears blanketed throughout the Capitol building in Harrisburg and in the healthcare agencies in the Shapiro Administration. There isn’t much that gets through the backstop of our government affairs team and POMA prides itself as being a top organization by lawmakers and staff consultants on any healthcare-related policy. Whether it is scope of practice, medical professional liability and tort reform, realizing changes in laws dealing with prior authorization and physician non-compete employment contracts, POMA has led the way in defending and advocating on behalf of Osteopathic physicians and their patients. If anything, the current political environment demands more every day that POMA is well-represented in Harrisburg.

Membership, how POMA recruits and retains Osteopathic physician members, is what we will continue working on in the months and years to come. POMA does great work, but frankly, we need to do a better job at “tooting our own horn.” POMA physician leaders and staff are continuing to look for ways to market to prospective members, the great things POMA offers. I am preaching to the choir here, because if you are reading this, you are a member. (BTW, thank you!) My challenge to you is, what are your ideas? What inspires you to be a POMA member and what advice do you have that would be important for prospective members to hear? We want to know. Please email me direct at [email protected].

by: Tyler Burke

On January 7, 2025, newly elected and legislators who won re-election made their way back to Harrisburg to be sworn-in for the start of the new legislative session. Along with swearing-in, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives elected Rep. Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia) for a second term as Speaker of the House. In the Senate, Senator Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) was also re-elected Senate Pro Temp. The House and Senate return to Harrisburg on January 27th for normal legislative business.

Be sure to read next month’s Under the DOme for more information on the upcoming legislative session!

We provide the canvas, you provide the fun! We have teamed up with Canvas n Cup to host a virtual paint night on Wednesday, February 12 at 7:00 pm. Each participant will be mailed all the supplies they need and an experienced art teacher will lead the class in painting "Spring Flowers."

Discounted pricing is available for physicians, students and guests. The deadline to register is February 1st. Try something new – register today!

The virtual paint night has been coordinated by POMA's Physician Wellness Committee, which also hosted a virtual yoga session to kick off the week. Certified yoga instructor Bailey Reale, LECOM SH OMS-IV, led participants of all ages and abilities through poses and motions of a beginners level gentle flow yoga session. What a great way to relax and reset intentions for 2025!

Missed this week's session? You're in luck! Another virtual yoga session is in the works - stay tuned for more details!

Last call for the February issue! Submit your entries by January 15th for the next issue of the JPOMA which is themed "The Past, Present and Future of POMA". The editorial board is looking for contributions in the following areas:

• Research (posters, articles, etc.)
• Medical Vignettes (100 word description of your journey in osteopathic medicine and what still resonates with you)
• Business of Medicine (share your experience on starting a practice, building and marketing your practice, choosing or changing your specialty, retirement planning, or life after retirement)
• Academia (students, residents, deans, program directors, faculty)
• Creative Writing (art, poetry, short stories, blog-style pieces, music)
• Advocacy (articles related to supporting the well-being, safety and best interest of Pennsylvania's osteopathic physicians and their patients and communities)

The JPOMA is a safe space for all DOs to have a voice and be heard. Publishing opportunities are open to all osteopathic medical students, residents, and physicians!

Email your submissions to [email protected].  Upcoming submission deadlines are January 15th and April 30th.  We can't wait to hear from you!

Welcome Resident Members!

POMA is proud to support osteopathic residents and their programs across the Commonwealth. And, we appreciate the programs that value the benefits of POMA membership and support their residents by paying for their annual POMA resident dues. We'd like to acknowledge and thank the following programs:

• Lancaster General Hospital/Penn Medicine - Family Medicine

It's never too late to join and take advantage of all that POMA offers our postgraduate community. If you have questions about individual or bulk payments, please email [email protected].

It's more important than ever to make the right connections! Join us on Saturday, January 25 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort to network and learn more about residency and training opportunities from across the state! This event is held in conjunction with the POMA District VIII 38th Annual Educational Winter Seminar. Click here to see a list of participating programs and register today!

All Pennsylvania medical students and residents training in Pennsylvania are invited to submit their research into the 2025 POMA Clinical Assembly Digital Poster Session!

Abstracts must be emailed to [email protected] no later than February 15, 2025. Submissions will be reviewed in February and first authors will be informed of the decision to present no later than March 10, 2025. Posters will be shared at the POMA Clinical Assembly, May 7-10, 2025 and made available for viewing on the POMA website beginning in May 2025. 

Click here to learn more.

It may be cold outside, but the district competition is heating up! The POMA calendar is full of exciting social and CME events in your area. Don’t miss out – join in the fun!

Current Standings as of January 13th:
    1^st Place - District 7
    2^nd Place - District 4
    3^rd Place - District 12
    4^th Place - District 14

Make 2025 the year to get involved with POMA!  Earning points is easy - write for the JPOMA, participate in surveys, recruit your colleagues to join POMA, get involved in your community.  Talk to your local district leadership and share your ideas on how you can DO more with POMA!

Calling all districts! APOMA is always preparing for the POMA Annual Clinical Assembly and our silent auction/basket contest. All proceeds go to the APOMA scholarship fund. We look forward to seeing your districts represented - all donations are appreciated.

For those who are members of the AAOA, please remember to pay your annual dues by January 31. 

Looking ahead to the summer, applications for Special Projects grants to support osteopathic family mission will open on June 1st. More to come on this great opportunity!

Finally, AAOA President and APOMA Past President Krissy Eisenhardt will be attending the AOA BOT mid-year meeting in February, and for the first time attending the annual AMOPS conference along with some military spouses. Our members are encouraged to stop by and say hello if you are there. 

View the
newsletter online!

Table of Contents...

1. President's Perspective
2. Executive Opinion
3. Policy Points
4. POMA25 Registration is Open!
5. Join Us for Virtual Paint Night
6. Call for JPOMA Submissions
7. Welcome Resident Members!
8. Join us at POMA's Winter Residency Fair
9. 2025 Research Poster Session
10. District Competition Update
11. APOMA Updates
12. Upcoming District Events
13. Welcome New Members!
14. Help Us Spread the News - POMA is Here for You!
15. Military Appreciation
16. Check Out the POMA DOes... Podcast Series
17. Contribute to POMPAC
18. Classified Ads

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.

Heather M. Beauparlant, DO
1001 Chesterbrook Boulevard
Berwyn, PA 19312
Active Member – District 2

Teiah M. Moore, DO
180 Meadow Lane
Marlton, NJ 08053
Active Out-of-State Member

Minh H. Nguyen, DO
1199 Colonial Road
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Active Member – District 5

Nam D. Nguyen, DO
3900 Woodland Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Active Member – District 1

Beth Anne Roberts, DO
320 East North Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Active Member – District 8

Robert J. Thurick, DO
52 Cedar Creek Drive
Ashland, PA 17621
Active Member – District 11

Rouslan Tourtsev, DO
35 Boiler Court
Phoenixville, PA 19460
Active Member – District 2

Spread the News -
POMA is Here for You!

The new membership year has begun, but it's not too late to join!

Talk to your friends, colleagues, new graduates, and students about POMA. Share why you are a member and urge them to join, today!

Together, we can DO more! 

POMA supports and honors our military members!

Whether you are active duty, reservist or retired; Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marines or Coast Guard; POMA wants to hear from you! Click here to share your military history with us or email [email protected].

POMA DOes...Podcast

Have you tuned into the POMA DOes... podcast series? You can catch them on YouTube and everywhere you listen to podcasts. Recent episodes focus on "Taking Care of You in 2025" and "A Visit from St. Nick: POMA Edition."

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!

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.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

PRN Medical Space — Ready exam rooms for Drs on the go! Five locations in Philadelphia and Bristol. Call 215-669-4001 or visit prnmedical.space.

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.

Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association | 1330 Eisenhower Blvd., Harrisburg, PA 17111
www.poma.org | [email protected] | (717) 939-9318