Newsletter header

Vol. XLVII, Issue 7

July 23, 2021

Presidents Perspective Dr. Zawisza

by: Joseph M.P. Zawisza, DO

Shaking Hands

After a year and a half of nothing staying constant except that everything has changed, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the changes and see them only as negative. But since I last wrote I’d like to highlight some changes that have happened that have been positive.

The first is that patients have started shaking hands again when you greet them in the exam room and at the conclusion of the visit. Raised to look people in the eye when you speak with them and shake their hand when you greet them, this is something that has always been important to me. As osteopathic physicians, we all learned the value of touch from the earliest days of medical school. We know how much human touch can help a patient’s progress or just make them feel better overall. Now, I’m not saying that shaking hands with patients cures their conditions or solves all their problems, but it does help put them at ease and strengthen the physician-patient relationship that we strive to improve with every patient encounter. Obviously, the pandemic, social distancing, and lockdowns have all contributed to a decrease in our closeness to each other, and with good reason. Cautiously reestablishing that contact with our patients is one small osteopathic step we can take to help our patients in their journey to good health. If you haven’t had the opportunity to shake a patient’s hand yet, I encourage you to do so if you are comfortable and it is appropriate. You’ll get a lot out of it, too.

The second is a different kind of shaking hands. July 1st has come and gone. From the third year of medical school (or second year plus one day as it was put on my first rotation) to well into your career as a physician, I think this is a day that strikes fear, excitement, and anxiety in most if not all of us. Like many of you, I reached the point several years ago where I had seen enough July 1sts to not be rattled by them. But I bet most of us can remember the first Tylenol order that we wrote (now read “entered”) as an intern (now read “PGY-1”) with shaking hands. Or even more frightening, the first patient you saw as an attending when you realized there was no one looking over your shoulder, no one to come into the room after you and confirm your findings and plan, and that another human being was placing their life in your hands simply because you “hung your shingle” in their town. I’m willing to bet that no matter how good your training was, what your rank was in school, or how confident you were on the last day of fourth year or as a senior resident, the very next day was enough to make all of us a little uneasy. But we faced that day and all the ones after it with courage, just as we osteopathic physicians face every day of the pandemic and all of the other trials and tribulations of being a physician with courage.

The last change is that there is new leadership at the Association of Osteopathic State Executive Directors. On July 15th I had the privilege of administering the oath of office of President to our own Diana Ewert! Their organization is clearly in good hands and she will serve them well. Congratulations Diana!

With that, I welcome all of our new osteopathic physicians to the profession, and all of our new members to POMA. Whether you are a brand-new first-year osteopathic medical student, a fallen away member who has rejoined POMA, or this is your first time joining your professional organization, we’re delighted to have you as a member and we look forward to serving you. I can’t wait for you to see POMA On the Move!


Diana Ewert

by: Diana Ewert

"Our life is what our thoughts make it."
- Marcus Aurelius

How many of us are our own worst critics? It is easy to champion the others around out, but when it comes to ourselves, we hem and haw and make excuses or, worse yet, accept whatever the outcome as something that might have been different if only we hadn’t…

I recently read an article about mental prisons which led into a discussion of mindfulness and growth mindsets. We are learning more about the capacity of a human to grow by encouraging learning, embracing challenge, seeking (and celebrating) the inspiration and success of others. If there has been any benefit to the past year, it is this. I have learned from my leadership and my team. Learning how to do things differently, running headfirst into the challenges that presented, and celebrating the myriad of successes that resulted has changed me. I daresay it has changed us all in ways that are immeasurable.

How do we fix it? We can reframe our inner speak to move outside of the mental prison we all to willingly walk into. And I’m going to start by giving myself the grace I extend to others. I often tell my team, “We’re human and we make mistakes.” Not exactly what I say to myself and not so politely framed either. I’ve also started to take some air before speaking when my inner jailer wants to jump out of my mouth (again, not so politely).

Flip the switch with me.


Policy Points

by: Andy Sandusky

 

Public Emergency Law and Regulation Waivers are a Mixed Bag for POMA Members

Pennsylvania is inching close to the end of the public health emergency declaration in late September. Throughout the pandemic, Governor Wolf used his powers granted under a public health emergency to waive certain regulatory and legal requirements for the sake of dealing with the crisis we all endured. Many of those waivers had to do with nonhealthcare-related issues. But many more were directly related to public health and healthcare occupations. There were some favorable actions for Osteopathic physicians that included waving face-to-face CME requirements for state licensure and providing liability immunity for physicians treating patients during the pandemic.

However, in treating patients at the height of the pandemic, there were also several scope of practice expansions in the all-out attempt to address many shortcomings in Pennsylvania’s public health infrastructure. POMA has opposed legislation introduced in the General Assembly that would create a one-size-fits-all approach and grant ALL the waivers to continue after the emergency declaration is over. Instead of that action, thankfully, House Resolution 88 passed to require the PA Joint Government Commission (JSGC) to study and report on all the waivers made under the jurisdiction of the Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA). The BPOA houses the respective state healthcare boards and generally oversees scope of practice rules and regulations. POMA is currently reviewing 25 pages of waivers that emanated from the BPOA in order to provide POMA’s input on them. We will share the results of that work in the coming weeks.


ISMIE Ad


AOA House of Delegates 2021 Meeting Wrap

Pennsylvania was well represented at the AOA’s Annual House of Delegates meeting, which was held virtually July 16-18, 2021.  The POMA delegation consisted of 46 delegates and 12 alternate delegates.  Several members of the delegation served on various House Reference Committees:

  • Joseph Zawisza, DO – Chair of Public Affairs Committee
  • Jeffery Dunkelberger, DO – Chair of Rules & Order of Business Committee
  • Lisa Witherite-Rieg, DO – Vice Chair of Professional Affairs Committee
  • Thomas Dardarian, DO – Vice Chair of Constitution & Bylaws Committee
  • Ernest Gelb, DO – Member of the Joint Budget Committee
  • John Kalata, DO – Member of Educational Affairs Committee
  • William Swallow, DO – Member of Public Affairs Committee
  • Jessica Masser, DO – Member of the Ad Hoc Committee
  • Darlene Dunay, DO – Member of Credentials Committee

POMA also took center stage when our own Ernest Gelb, DO and Frank Tursi, DO were elected by the House to serve as AOA President-elect and Trustee, respectively. Robert Dolansky, Jr., DO continues to serve as an AOA Trustee, as well. Pennsylvania is proud of the three outstanding leaders serving on the AOA Board of Trustees.

Joseph Giaimo, DO, from Florida was installed as the 2021-22 President of the AOA during the annual business meeting. Board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine and sleep medicine, he has served on the AOA board of trustees since 2008 and was the 2004-05 president of the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association.

Click here for more information on resolutions, speeches and more from the 2021 AOA Annual Business Meeting and House of Delegates. 


Pennsylvania Shines on the National Stage

POMA Leaders

Pennsylvania can proudly boast that we have four individuals in the presidential lineage of national osteopathic organizations!

Last week at the American Osteopathic Association's (AOA) annual meeting of the House of Delegates, Ernest R. Gelb, DO, FACOFP, was elected president-elect of the AOA. A board-certified family physician, he has represented Pennsylvania as an AOA trustee since 2011. Dr. Gelb will be installed as AOA president in July 2022.

On July 15th, POMA's Chief Staff Officer Diana Ewert, MPA, CAE was installed as president of the Association of Osteopathic State Executive Directors (AOSED). POMA President Joseph Zawisza, DO, joined the AOSED meeting and administered the oath of office to her. Ms. Ewert will serve a two-year term.

At the Advocates for the American Osteopathic Association (AAOA), Caryn Tabby is serving as the 2020-21 AAOA president and Lori Hildebrand is the 2020-21 vice president. Ms. Tabby and Ms. Hildebrand took the helm in October 2020 during OMED.

Congratulations to all our leaders! We are #POMAProud!


LECOM ad


District Dish

District 4

District 4

Local POMA members gathered on Wednesday, July 21 at Isabella's Restaurant in Wilkes-Barre for our first district face-face event since February 2020. Attendees were excited to be back together in person to share stories, fellowship, and laughter. After a discussion about type 2 diabetes, Joseph Zawisza, DO, POMA President, Zoomed into the meeting. The attendees discussed legislative developments, advocacy, local issues, and learned about upcoming events. 

We hope to see everyone at our next meeting in late August - watch your email and social media for more information!

District 10

District 10 meeting

Your fellow POMA District 10 members gathered at the Blue Bell Inn on Friday, June 25th to elect an alternate trustee and discuss events for the upcoming year. The membership elected Donald Sesso, DO, as the alternate trustee. His role is to be the voice of the district at the governance level if the district trustee Jennifer Lorine, DO is unable to participate.

The district is organizing several events in the upcoming months, including monthly dinner events at the Blue Bell Inn and a local CME event for later this year. The district is also hosting a social event at Crossing Vineyards in Newtown on Friday, August 6. Click here to register!

District 12

District 12 yoga

On Wednesday, July 21, District 12 sponsored a social event for members and their families/friends at Calhoun Farms in Falls Creek. Attendees participated in the unique practice of goat yoga, shopped the farm stand and enjoyed snacks from the food truck. It was a beautiful night of fun activity, fellowship and furry friends.

It was also announced that Mark Maloney, DO was affirmed as the alternate trustee for District 12, serving as the voice of the district if district trustee Eric Peck, DO is unable to participate in governance events.

District 12 leadership is starting to plan several more fun, social and community-based events - share your event ideas with Mark Maloney, DO, District 12 chair, or email POMA.


SoFi

View the
newsletter online!


COVID

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.


Table of Contents...

  1. President's Perspective
  2. Executive Opinion
  3. Policy Points
  4. POMA-ISMIE Affinity Program
  5. AOA House of Delegates 2021 Meeting Wrap
  6. Pennsylvania Shines on the National Stage
  7. LECOM Summer CME Conference
  8. District Dish
  9. SoFi
  10. COVID-19 New Update
  11. Membership Dues Renewal
  12. Upcoming District Events
  13. Upcoming PGYP Events
  14. Welcome New Members
  15. Podcast
  16. JPOMA Survey
  17. Classified Ads
  18. Under the DOme
  19. POMPAC
  20. Follow POMA on Social Media
  21. District Competition

Membership Dues Renewal

POMA logo

POMA's current membership year ended June 30 - renew today to remain an active member of your osteopathic community!

Click here to renew today! Your username is

Thank you for your continued commitment and keeping POMA On the Move!


Upcoming District Events

Elections & Dinner
Thursday, August 19
6:30 pm
Kingfish American Bistro and Wine Bar
Bethlehem, PA
Summer Concert Event
Friday, August 6
6:00 pm
Crossing Vineyard and Winery
Newtown, PA 
Upcoming PGYP Events
Tuesday, September 21
6:00 pm
Thursday, September 23
Time: TBD
Thursday, September 16
7:00 pm

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.

Julie Ann E. Corcoran, DO
The Washington Hospital

95 Leonard Avenue
Washington, PA 15301
Active Member – District 8 

Gem-Estelle M. Lucas, DO
1768 Business Center Drive, Suite 100

Reston, VA 20190
Out of State – VA

Troy A. Moritz, DO
6250 Run Cross Lane

Enola, PA 17025-1295
Active Member – District 5 

Jessica Souchet, DO
381 Holland Road

Holland, PA 18966-1811
Active Member – District 14

Nancy A. Swiader, DO
Geisinger Medical Center
100 North Academy Avenue
Danville, PA 17822
Active Member – District 6 


Podcast

Interested in helping POMA develop its own podcast?
Send an email to [email protected] with the Subject: Podcast and let us know why you are interested!

Survey


The Publications Committee wants to hear from you!

Click here to complete the JPOMA Readership Survey - we want to make sure your opinions and suggestions are considered as the Journal evolves to better serve you. Thanks for participating!


CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
___________________

LEGAL AND COMPENSATION ANALYSIS OF PHYSICIAN AGREEMENTS.

Physician Agreements Health Law is a law firm that focuses exclusively on physician contracts, with a particular emphasis on physician employment agreements. Have your agreement reviewed by Dennis Hursh, author of the definitive book on physician employment agreements. https://pahealthlaw.com/ 
___________________

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.


Under the DOme

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

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!

Facebook Logo            LinkedIn Logo 

Instagram     YouTube icon  


District Competition

Who likes a little friendly competition?

District competition

From April 1, 2021 – March 30, 2022 POMA is 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.  Help your district win by engaging with POMA!

Current Standings as of July 23:

  • 1st Place: District 12
  • 2nd Place: District 4
  • 3rd Place: Districts 6 & 14

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