by: John Kalata, DO

The Value of Membership

“What Have You Done for Me Lately??”  Janet Jackson asked that famous question in 1986. In 1986, there were just over 3,000 osteopathic physicians in Pennsylvania. The first e-mails were conceived. Miss Jackson reached a whopping #4 on the Billboard charts. DO’s joined POMA because supporting our state’s osteopathic organization was tradition, a way to give back, the right thing to do…..

It’s 2023. Joining POMA is still the right thing to do. But it’s more than tradition. POMA in 2023 remains the only organization that supports and advocates for osteopathic physicians, our patients, and the communities we serve, at every stage of our careers. Growing to meet the needs of over 16,000 osteopathic physicians, residents, and students in Pennsylvania, and over 6,000 members, it’s worth asking: “What has POMA DOne for me lately?”

POMA has become a major player at the state level, preserving your osteopathic identity and practice rights by fighting scope of practice creep and bringing an osteopathic perspective to various state departments and boards. Averaged over 365 days, membership costs each of us $1.03 a day to preserve our practice rights!

For the same $1.03 a day, POMA supports CME and social activities within member districts. Some of last year’s events included District 7 enjoying the Erie Sea Wolves (twice) and District 4 watching hockey together in Wilkes-Barre. Districts 1,10, and 14 spent an afternoon with the Phillies, and District 5 and 9 hosted reorganization dinners to reconnect and gain members. District 8 got together at Seven Springs during their Winter Seminar. District 12 celebrated its District Competition win at Doolittle’s in DuBois.

Our major educational conferences provide quality, relevant AOA and ACCME-accredited CME at family-friendly venues, at Seven Springs and Kalahari resorts. We have hosted webinars on Buprenorphine prescribing (with 300 POMA member attendees) and podcasts on vaccine hesitancy and sleep apnea treatments for free CME credit. POMA provides all the state-required opioid, child abuse, and patient safety credits, both live and on-demand, necessary for licensure.  

Our “POMA DOes…”  podcast series produces podcasts twice a month to keep our members informed about topics that affect our practices.  Three clicks on the POMA Mobile App gets you there….!

For a dollar a day, members get webinars on physician retirement, scholarships for the “Sketchy” learning application for medical students, wellness activities both live and virtual, and a POMA staff ready to assist you every day……

“What has POMA done for me lately?” POMA continues to meet your needs in advocacy, education, community, and communication, all for just over a dollar a day! Membership continues to be the right thing to do, the way to support the organization that supports you, and the best value in our profession.     

Please join me in moving POMA forward, together.

Have a great summer!!

by: Diana Ewert

"Rest is not idleness and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time."

I found myself hurrying to complete one more article for the newsletter, far too late in the day for those waiting on me, with brain fog. What to say? What to write about? When can I get on the road? I’m heading out for a vacation. That is, if you count the 14+ hour drive with a dog who is not fond of car travel, the start of a perfect vacation. But in a sense, it really is, because I’m heading home. I’ll be spending time with my soon to be four-month-old granddaughter, soon to be 16-year-old granddaughter, and soon to be 14-year-old grandson. Of course, their parents as well, but those who know, know that being a grand is superbly grand.

Which brings me to wellness. We all need time to step back and care for ourselves. I believe that you carry many of the traits I carry in that you are mindful of your patients, your families, and often put yourself last on the list when it comes to self-care. I also put myself behind the needs of family, friends, and POMA, and not necessarily in that order. So, for the next two weeks, I’m going to do a lot of walking, meditating, pet playing, grandchild gathering, sister dinnering and wining (with a little whining as we catch up). I’ll spend some time in my favorite places churning up some childhood memories and doing my best to get a Tam Tan. I’ll be providing some parent relief whether it is for a date night or nap time or whatever my children need to make it through these next few weeks. There will be celebrations and birthdays and play dates. I haven’t looked so forward to some Di-Time for quite some time. I’m going to unplug and enjoy (except for a couple of conference calls).

So, here’s to summer fun and summer sun until I’m summer done (which in this case is two weeks). I will see many of you in July at the AOA HOD, but until then… don’t forget to take some summer time for yourself and watch a few clouds float by.

by: Andy Sandusky

Budget Season and Preventative Services Survival

POMA is currently in the throes of budget season at the state capitol in Harrisburg. While the budget is due at the end of June, there will be plenty of other bills that receive attention, including healthcare legislation.

As you may be aware, the no-cost coverage for preventative services provided by the Affordable Care Act was recently challenged in Texas. A group of plaintiffs filed a lawsuit that claimed among others, that their religious freedoms were being violated because it required them to cover care they opposed, mainly contraceptives. A Texas federal judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs which struck many of the preventative services from being covered with no cost-sharing to individuals. While the Biden Administration has appealed and is reportedly working out a deal with the plaintiffs while the appeals are exhausted, that has not stopped Pennsylvania from taking a bipartisan approach to addressing this issue in the Commonwealth.

Yesterday, with unanimous approval of both Republicans and Democrats on the House Insurance Committee, moved legislation that would require coverage of preventative services in the Commonwealth should this portion of ACA be struck down by the Courts. House Bill 1050, introduced by the Democratic Majority Chairman, Rep. Kevin Boyle (D-Philadelphia) was voted (21-0). It appears to be a needed bipartisan effort to ensure as many Pennsylvanians as possible, will continue to receive the preventative care they have been accustomed to, without disruption and without cost-sharing. 

District Dish

District 11

District 11 members gathered in Wyomissing, PA on May 24^th for food, fun and camaraderie. Members share stories and network while also learning about Wegovy. District. There were several new faces in the room and POMA leadership provide updates on the greater osteopathic community and members brainstormed future social and CME events, including a Yuengling Brewery Tour. 

The next District 11 event will be Saturday, July 8 at Yuengling. The event is a family-friendly tour of the oldest brewery in America. The tour is free. Click here for more information.

District Competition!
Year 3 Has Begun!

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 various additional items.  Click here for a complete list of challenges.

The winning District will receive a hefty traveling trophy, special recognition at the POMA Clinical Assembly, and bragging rights.  Contact your District Leadership to share ideas and for more details.

Current Standings as of June 15:

1^st Place - District 12
2^nd Place - District 4
3^rd 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. 

 POMA Retirement Series

Did you miss part 1 and/or part 2 of the POMA Retirement Series? We have you covered as they are now available on YouTube.

A panel featuring five retired physicians from different specialties and backgrounds from across the state discussed all aspects of retirement from preparation to after retirement. The audience was live and could ask questions and comment as they pleased. The five panelists were:

• Richard Johnson, DO – DuBois, PA – Dermatology
• Brenton Long, DO – Clarion, PA – Family Medicine
• Merrill Mirman, DO – Chester Heights, PA – Family Medicine
• Raymond Seifert, DO - Gibsonia, PA – Anesthesiology
• George Wolters, Jr., DO – West Chester PA – Emergency Medicine
• Moderator: Angela Zawisza, DO - Pottsville, PA – Pediatrics.

Part 1 focused on planning and preparation for retirement.  What questions should you be thinking about? What plans and adjustments do you need to make in preparation for financial, mental and social interactions? – Click here to watch

Part 2 focused on Post-Retirement Life. What did you expect vs how it actually is? How have your relationships changed? What did you wish you knew now that you are retired? – Click here to watch

Creating a Personal Mission and Vision Statement
by: Lisa Witherite-Rieg, DO

Over three decades ago, I’m not sure who suggested I add a personal statement to my curriculum vitae, but I’m sure it was somebody very smart, whose opinion I really respected and was probably doing what I wanted to do with my career. As time went on, and my career changed, my personal statement changed. In my early years, I was committed to providing the best care I could for the patients who trusted me with their well-being. As time went on and I evolved, and as an owner of a medical practice, my mission expanded, not only in commitment to my patients but to our employees, as they depended upon the success of the practice for their livelihood. When I started teaching in addition to serving as medical director for rural health clinics, my personal statement changed yet again, to focus on community, public health, and preserving our rich osteopathic heritage.

In all these cases, my personal statement summarized, in one or two sentences, commitments to osteopathic medicine, my family, my community, and myself. After retiring, I did create a new personal statement for my “retirement CV”. My personal statement included a commitment to leadership within our Osteopathic profession as well as volunteerism. As my tenure in POMA leadership winds down, and now, nearly three years after retiring from full-time practice and teaching, it was time to reevaluate my personal statement.

READ MORE >> 

Walk with a Doc – Darlene Dunay, DO, District 4

On Saturday, June 10, Darlene Dunay, DO, District 4 chair, exercised with a purpose. She is a regular runner and jogger, but today she slowed down for a good reason. Even with the smoke air from the Canadian wildfires, Dr. Dunay helped lead Walk with a Doc – Scranton.

Walk with a Doc in a national program that was started to “encourage physical activity and reduce the effects of a sedentary lifestyle.” While that is still 100% true, physicians have found that the simple act of taking a walk together has the power to transform lives and communities around the world. When physicians walk together with patients, each step can bring us closer to truly understanding and appreciating each other as a global community.

READ MORE>>

View the
newsletter online!

Table of Contents...

1. President's Perspective
2. Executive Opinion
3. Policy Points
4. District Dish
5. District Competition
6. POMA Retirement Series
7. How Are You DOing?
8. DOs DOing More
9. Upcoming District Events
10. Membership Dues Renewal
11. Welcome New Members
12. Classified Ads
13. Under the DOme
14. POMPAC
15. Follow POMA on Social Media
16. Check Out the POMA DOes... Podcast

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.

Joshua D. Czerwinski, DO
5165 Imperial Parkway
Girard, PA 16415
Active Member – District 7

Brian M. Danshaw, DO
100 East Lancaster Avenue, Suite 280
Wynnewood, PA 19096
Active Member – District 10

Gail D. Feinberg, DO
1700 East Cold Spring
Baltimore, MD 21251
Out-of-State Member

Yuriy Iskrenko, DO
531 Vermont Avenue
Erie, PA 16505
Active Member – District 7

Farheen R. Khan, DO
500 Starboard Side Lane
Webster, NY 14580
Out-of-State Member

Kateryna Kiselova, DO
1690 Big Oak Road
Yardley, PA 19067
Active Member – District 14

Tyler J. Salisbury, DO
1210 Broadcasting Road, Suite 100
Reading, PA 19610
Active Member – District 11

Usaima N. Siddiqi, DO
62 Bellwood Drive
Feasterville Trevose, PA 19053
Active Member – District 14

Joshua R. Stelmack, DO
965 Shamrock Lane
Corry, PA 16407
Active Member – District 7

William P. Wagner, DO
141 Medical Park Lane
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Active Member – District 6

Cameron V. Williams, DO
2901 Jolly Road
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
Active Member – District 10

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

Large Solo Family Practice for sale in PRIME location of Montgomery County. 

• Existing Practice for 50+ years
• Large patient base
• Opportunity for Employment or Practice Purchase
• Option of purchase of existing building (office +2 rental condos)

Turnkey practice, built for success. Please email [email protected] or call 215-815-8122.

HIRING - LEAD PHYSICIAN/ GROUP TO ASSUME OFFICE SPACE LEASE. Retired physician in northeast Philadelphia looking for lead physician/group to assume the lease of one of the largest family medicine/immediate care practices in Philadelphia. Some financial assistance available to resume the practice. Lease available from 3,000-17,000 SF of modern medical space in Northeast Philadelphia with portions approved for urgent care use. Perfect for a specialty group, surgical center, or dialysis center. Plenty of free parking in a high-density neighborhood. Contact Keith Kiner, 215-496-9675 x 15, [email protected] or Matthew Frederick, 215-496-9675 x 14, [email protected].

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.

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!

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