Newsletter header

Vol. XLV, Issue 13

July 12, 2019

President's Perspective Dr. Goldman

by: Pamela S.N. Goldman, DO

We DO...Practice Management
Influence Pillar

Practice management encompasses all business aspects of a medical practice.  It includes financial management, human resources, information technology, quality and regulatory compliance, marketing and promotion, and operations.

Practice management means something different for each physician.  For some, it involves your interaction with your office manager, your biller, your quality personnel, and your accountant.  For others, little interaction with these practice managers occurs, such as if you are employed by large healthcare system or academic center where many of these activities are managed behind the scenes without your awareness other than submitting billing for the patients you see.  Regardless of your practice situation and involvement in the management of the practice, knowledge of how the business of medicine is done and how to be successful in this changing arena is key, whether you’re employed or self-employed.

At POMA, we recognize there are challenges in successfully navigating the business of medicine.  We’ve heard feedback from our new-to-practice physicians who often say that they did not receive enough training or exposure during residency or medical school to fully understand how to be successful in medical practice.  As I’ve said many times to the residents I teach, medicine is a business and a political entity.  It would benefit you to be aware of the influence these areas have on the practice of medicine.  I encourage those who find these areas interesting, consider jumping into an influencer role.  

In response to these needs of our resident members, POMA provided basic education regarding employment contracts, navigating competing priorities, and finding balance between time with patients and documentation at our annual Resident Leadership Forum.  As this seems to be a common issue among our physicians, regardless of what stage of profession you’re in, POMA is considering ways to provide further resources and educational opportunities to learn more about practice management.  We will provide more information as we develop additional resources for the benefit of our members.


Executive Opinion

"Without you, there is no us." - Unknown

POMA exists to support the osteopathic profession; to protect the practice of osteopathic medicine; to educate on osteopathic practices and principles; and to support osteopathic physicians, residents and students. It is a charge that your #TeamPOMA embraces and believes. We are able to do these things because you belong. We are able to develop programs, products and services that are substantial and meaningful to POMA members because you pay dues. We report and track more than 80,000 credits of continuing medical education each year because you pay dues. We are able to keep the registration cost of the Annual Clinical Assembly lower than any other organization in the country offering a similar amount of credit because you pay dues. We influence the legislative, regulatory and executive branches of government because you pay dues. We are able to support residents and students because you pay dues. We are able to execute POMA’s strategic plan because you pay dues. Without the support of members, there is no POMA. Without you, there is no us.

The final dues notification went to all of you who have not yet renewed your membership. Ensure that POMA continues and renew your membership today.


  ISMIE


Policy Points

 

Act 96 of 2018

Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act - Professional Prescription, Administration and Dispensing

Act 96 of 2018 requires electronic prescriptions for scheduled drugs II-V. The public policy intent is a very good one, which is to mitigate scheduled prescriptions falling into the wrong hands. It is likely that many POMA members already use e-scripts for their scheduled drug prescriptions. In these cases, Act 96 merely codifies in the law what you are already doing. However, what if you are a small independent POMA member?

The Department of Health is required to promulgate regulations before the effective date of the law in October 2019. As the Department continues to work on the regulations, it is putting into place a temporary exemption process via an electronic form which covers one year from the time of submission to the Department. The reasons for the request for temporary exemption is for any or all of the following: Economic Hardship, Technical Limitations and Exceptional Circumstances.

READ MORE>> 


POMA Membership Status

Active – marked by present movement or use. 
Grace – an act of kindness, courtesy or clemency.

Do you know which you are?

Choose POMA

Your current POMA status is 

If your status is active, we have received your dues for the 2019-20 membership year and thank you!

If it is anything else, your membership ends on September 30. This also means you lose access to all member benefits like your CME records.

Active members can access their CME records on-line at their convenience. Active members can print out the CME certificate to the Annual Clinical Assembly with a simple button click. Active members can upload programs they’ve attended accredited by other organizations very soon and have a complete picture of their professional development over the two-year cycle. But if you are ”Graced” it means your access ends on September 30.

We’ve made it easy for you to renew online through the POMA website. Log into www.poma.org, update your profile, and renew. For your convenience, your username is  

It’s as simple as that! It’s easier than ever to remain a part of our osteopathic community.

Questions? Contact [email protected].


District Dish

District 3

District 3 Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil describes their show Crystal as “a world that springs to colorful life with astounding visual projections and a soundtrack that seamlessly blends popular music with the signature music."

District 3 members and their families had a chance to experience this for themselves. The members gathered in Allentown for a showing of Crystal on Saturday, June 29th. The show was exciting, full of amazing acrobatics and breathtaking stunts, all on ice. Attendees enjoyed sharing an evening out for this experience with their fellow members. 

READ MORE >>

District 5

District 5 Senators Baseball game

Hot dogs, fireworks, and beautiful weather. Nothing better than baseball on a summer evening. District 5 members and their families gathered at FNB Field on the first day of summer, Friday, June 21st to watch the Harrisburg Senators battle the Bowie Bay Sox. POMA members enjoyed front row seats behind home plate along with a buffet dinner. Though the Senators lost, that did not hinder any of the members' enjoyment.

READ MORE >>


Osteopathy Has Lost Its Lion 
Memories of Leonard Finkelstein, DO

by: Katherine E. Galluzzi, DO

Leonard Finkelstein

The osteopathic profession lost a leader this week, as those of us who knew him immediately realized, but Leonard was so much more than a leader. He was visionary at a time when no one wanted to see; bold at a time when others were timid. He took decisive action at the time when others were willing to sit back and watch, and he was vilified for it. Some have never forgiven him. But he was right, he was prescient, he was steadfast, and with time he has been fully vindicated. Arguably, he single-handedly saved PCOM, the flagship of our profession.

It seems like no coincidence that the announcement of the closure of Hahnemann Hospital came on the same day that Leonard departed this realm. It was he who predicted, over a quarter century ago, that large underfunded urban hospitals were going to go the way of the dinosaur. And so they have, but not before he divested the college of the whale that was gobbling up all the funds that could have been invested in smaller schools of fish: all the educational departments, library renovations, technology, and physical infrastructure that was put in place with funds from the sale of the hospital. The verdant, leafy quadrangle between Evans and Rowland Hall was once an unsightly, asphalt parking lot. You could literally drive under Rowland Hall to deliver patients to a dark, covered portico, which is now the spacious first floor reception area. Remembering the old layout helps to appreciate fully Leonard’s gift to us: the magnificent urban campus we call “P-Com.” (Leonard was an urologist. I chuckled when I saw his placement of obelisks at the entrances to campus; only thing missing was a dribbling fountain).

Yes, he sold City Avenue Hospital – “our hospital,” and Parkview Hospital in Juniata Park, both of which had been bastions of osteopathic clinical care and education. And yes, he could be incisive and at times scathing in his analysis of situations. But he was always a gentleman, always a scholar, always witty and urbane. He had the ability to look beyond the surface clearly to appreciate the shape of the future.

I met Leonard in 1992, shortly after the death of my own physician father. I had been encouraged to accept a position as a geriatrician at PCOM but initially declined the offer. Dean Daniel Wisely, DO, another early advocate for geriatric medicine, re-contacted me and insisted that I be interviewed by his boss, Dr. Finkelstein. I will never forget that day or our interaction. Leonard immediately put me at ease with his warmth and ready humor. (Several months later at a college function, I introduced my husband to Leonard. Kevin inquired what type of doctor he was and Leonard, without missing a beat, said “Oh! I just concern myself with coming and going!”)

At our meeting, after the usual pleasantries, Leonard got down to business. His recruitment style was engaging and straightforward: he described what he saw as the importance of clinical geriatrics and education and offered me the position of Chair. I was stunned and flattered, but still unconvinced. I asked Leonard why I should accept the offer. He simply smiled and said, “Location, location, location.”

Leonard was not only an early advocate for geriatrics, he was a tireless proponent of “informatics” at a time when electronic health records and hand-held devices were unheard of. Leonard was a quick study and an early adopter: PCOM’s on-line library and technological capability are a large part of his vision. Development of educational technology was just another “no-brainer” for him (he drove a Tesla).

Allow me to lionize this man, this Leonard Finkelstein, DO. He was one of a kind, and he is irreplaceable.


 LECOM Summer CME 2019


MHTF Grant Program Updates

UPMC Lititz - Paint Night

UPMC Lititz Residency Paint Night

Paint night was a greatly appreciated event organized by the Wellness Committee. Several residents joined the painting class at a local studio to create their own version of the artwork on display. Being able to polish their artistic skills while exploring their natural creativity, it reminded the residents the importance of individuality and unique qualities that everyone brings to the residency program.  

READ MORE >>


40 Under 40

The Pennsylvania Medical Society 2019 Top Physicians Under 40 winners were nominated by colleagues and selected by a committee of Pennsylvania Medical Society member physicians. POMA is excited to recognize the 13 Osteopathic Physicians named to the list. 

  • Leah Campbell, DO, Erie
  • Michael Desiderio, DO, Williamsport
  • Peter Din, DO, Erie 
  • Andra Fee-Mulhearn, DO, MPH, Meadville
  • Andrea Heller, DO, Coudersport
  • Jordan Kirsch, DO, York
  • Amy Maley, DO, Newville
  • Nicholas Mulhearn, DO, Meadville
  • Umang Patel, DO, Langhorne
  • Megan Stobart-Gallagher, DO, Philadelphia
  • Jillian Ventuzelo, DO, Wyomissing
  • Katie Warren, DO, Meadville
  • Kelly Williams, DO, Scranton

Congratulations to all the physicians who made this year’s list. 

 

 

View the
newsletter online!


Table of Contents...

  1. President's Perspective
  2. Executive Opinion
  3. POMA ISMIE Affinity Program
  4. Policy Points
  5. POMA Membership Status
  6. District Dish
  7. Osteopathy Has Lost Its Lion
  8. LECOM CME Conference
  9. MHTF Grant Program Updates
  10. 40 Under 40
  11. CME Certificates Update
  12. Upcoming District Events
  13. Upcoming Young Professionals Meetings
  14. POMA Urges Toomey/Casey to Support THCGME
  15. Applications for Membership
  16. Classified Advertisements
  17. Follow POMA on Social Media
  18. POMPAC
  19. Save the Date - Upcoming CME Conferences

CME Certificate Update

CME Certificates

CME certificates are now available for attendees of POMA’s 111th Annual Clinical Assembly. Emails have been sent over the last month with instructions for accessing your records. If you did not receive the email, you can view our POMA CME Module video here.

As a reminder, if you have not submitted your attestation form, please do so by July 21, 2019.


Upcoming District Events 

District 12
Wednesday, July 17
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Pinecrest Country Club
Brookville, PA

District 10
A Night with the Phillies
Saturday, August 3
6:45 pm

Citizen's Bank Park
Philadelphia, PA

District 8
A Night with the Curve
Saturday, August 17
5:45 pm

PNG Field
Altoona, PA 


Upcoming Young Professionals Meetings

East Region
Thursday, Sept. 26

6:30 pm
Maggiano’s
205 Mall Boulevard
King of Prussia, PA 19406

Central Region
Tuesday, Sept.17

6:00 pm
POMA Central Office
1330 Eisenhower Boulevard
Harrisburg, PA 17111

West Region
Wednesday, Sept. 25 

6:00 pm
North Country Brewing Company
141 South Main Street
Slippery Rock, PA 16057 


 

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


Applications for Membership

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.

Paramvir S. Bains, DO
203 Sulky Manor Lane

Washington, PA 15301 - A

Peter M. Barnovsky, DO
44 S Water Avenue

Sharon, PA 16146 - A

Nicole E. Burns, DO
4103 Fernhurst Court

Murrysville, PA 15632 - A

Timothy M. Fullerton, DO
5040 Bear Run Road

Cranberry Township, PA 16066 - A

Carlin B. Lucky, DO
7340 Cascade Court

Apt. 1123
Fort Worth, TX 76317 - O

A = Active   O = Out-of-State Member 


 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

Please address all correspondence for POMA Box Letters to: c/o POMA, 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA  17111-2395.

PHYSICIANS WANTED:

FAMILY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN OPPORTUNITIES: The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) seeks qualified physicians for our primary care and urgent care practices located in Philadelphia, PA and Sullivan County, PA. There are full-time and part-time positions available within our Department of Family Medicine. Must have a DO degree and be residency trained. Must have experience in clinical primary care and teaching medical students. For more information, please go to our employment page and apply.

ATTENTION DOs! MD AT HOME, Inc., is in need of a part-time doctor (great for retired doctors) one to two days a week making home visits to the elderly and the disabled that are homebound.  Chauffeured by a medical assistant in a company vehicle to scheduled appointments. Email [email protected] for more information.

Family Medicine Residency Core Faculty PositionCrozer-Keystone Health System, in suburban Philadelphia, is seeking a Family Medicine Physician for a Core Faculty position in our nationally recognized Residency Program. Must have broad-based inpatient and outpatient clinical skills and strong interest in teaching residents and medical students. Excellent benefits, generous CME allowance and malpractice insurance with tail coverage. For more info, visit  http://bit.ly/CrozerFamMed or send CV to [email protected]

OPPORTUNITY — PHYSICIAN POSITIONS AVAILABLE: Media and Lancaster. Flexible hours, private practice, 3-4 hour shifts, no on-call, malpractice insurance needed. For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or call 610-566-8885

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: 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!

Facebook Logo            LinkedIn Logo 

Instagram     YouTube icon 


POMPAC Logo

IS 
The Collective Voice of the Osteopathic Profession

Send your personal check today to POMPAC in care of the Central Office, 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17111-2395, or charge your contribution to your credit card! 

PAC contributions are not tax-deductible.


SAVE THE DATE - Upcoming CME Conferences

POFPS 44th Annual CME Symposium & 60th Anniversary Celebration

POFPS 60 Anniversary

Aug, 9-11, 2019
Hershey Lodge, Hershey, PA
Registration Now Open!

POMA District 8 33rd Annual Educational Winter Seminar

Jan. 30 – Feb. 2, 2020
Nemacolin Woodlands, Farmington, PA
Registration will open fall 2019!

POMA 112th Annual Clinical Assembly

Apr. 29 – May 2, 2020
Radisson Valley Forge, King of Prussia, PA
Registration will open winter 2019!

If you have any questions, please contact Deb Cargill-Roan at (717) 939-9318 ext 170 or email [email protected].

We look forward to seeing you soon!

 

 

 

Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association | 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17111  (717) 939-9318 | www.poma.org