by: Pamela S.N. Goldman, DO

We DO...Districts - Local Outreach

Pennsylvania is a large state.  It covers 46,000 square miles.  Over 8,400 osteopathic physicians and medical students in the state serve the 12.8 million residents.  The current structure of POMA divides the state into 13 Districts.  As a member of the association, you are assigned to a geographic district based on your work address or residence.  As a member of my local community of osteopathic physicians, I enjoy attending District meetings.  There are many benefits to being a part of this group, including networking, continuing medical education, communication, and social interaction. 

NETWORKING

In-person meetings allow us to network with physicians serving a similar population.  We can support each other by getting to know the referring physicians and specialists.  Often times, it is in the informal conversations that professional relationships are built.  Gaining from the experience and knowledge of others only serves to make our communities stronger and support our patients better.

EDUCATION

Districts provide continuing education opportunities.  Whether it is a new drug to market that will benefit our patients, enhanced screening techniques for cancer, new specialty equipment at a local health system to aid in diagnosis or treatment of disease, or information on when to refer based on abnormal testing results, the District education provides opportunities for our physicians to learn and keep up to date on changes to the practice of medicine.

COMMUNICATION

Do you know our District Chairs gather for regular conference calls to share ways to enhance the member experience at the local level?  Not only are ideas shared, but also synergy is being created through combined meetings and sharing of best practice on how to organize effective meetings.  At District meetings and through electronic communication, you will hear about activities surrounding legislative issues affecting the practice of medicine in Pennsylvania, updates on licensure requirements or opportunities to obtain the needed credits, and the latest information on the national level impacting the practice and education of osteopathic medicine.

SOCIAL EVENTS

POMA recognizes the means of obtaining continuing education and professional interaction is changing.  Since 2018, money is allocated to the districts specifically to support social events to include families.  As you know, spouses and significant others support us to do what we do and it is important that they be included.  Given the limits of who can attend pharmaceutical-sponsored dinners, this is a way for us to provide an option to interact with those key people in our lives.

Get to know your District leaders.  Hear about a new medical technology.  Attend a ball game with your family and colleagues.  Learn about legislative issues impacting your practice.  District meetings are open to any POMA member.  I encourage you to get involved and take advantage of this member benefit. 

If you would like to find out more about your District happenings or interact with your District Chair, contact Jason Leeper, District Program Manager, at [email protected].

"Every summer has a story..." - Unknown

June. Schools ending with graduates becoming residents. Then there’s June 21. The first day of summer. Summer means so much to so many. I like to reflect back on the carefree summers of youth – parents, vacations, pools, sun, travel – it starts too slowly and ends too quickly. We implemented summer flex time in the central office this year. For a bit of extra time spent each day during the week, the team gets to take every other Friday off. It’s an opportunity to enjoy a bit longer weekend by getting a jump on beach traffic, or planning that weekend BBQ.

There is a story for this summer of 2019. The story will be taking shape at the AOA's 99^th Annual Business Meeting and House of Delegates. Yep. Important business thrown right in the middle of catching fireflies, watching fireworks and attending ball games. Business that has never been more important or critical for the osteopathic profession. June 1 started the final countdown to the single accreditation system. This is a subject where there appears to be no middle ground. Either you believe it is the path to a renewal of the osteopathic profession born of acceptance of the tenants on which the profession has been built, or you view it as the end of osteopathic and continuing osteopathic medical education as it is known today.  Osteopathic physicians, residents and students will be reviewing resolutions and bringing their own experiences to the discussion. The POMA delegation will be participating and, in some cases, leading reference committees set up to seek input on the issues brought forward by states and specialties. The POMA delegation reflects the many faces of the profession representing solo/small group practices, new physicians, employed physicians, academics, all of which helps POMA respond to the resolutions filed, discussed and voted on. Actions taken over this three day period can have a significant impact on the future of and those involved with this osteopathic profession that means so much.

Every summer has a story. This year’s remains to be written.

A Busy June for POMA at the Capitol

We are in the final days of legislative session before the Pennsylvania General Assembly breaks for the Summer and the legislative process is running on all cylinders.

POMA has managed to limit most of the more damaging legislation to this point. Earlier in June, the Senate voted (44-6) on final passage of Senate Bill 25, which would permit CRNPs to practice medicine without oversight or collaboration with a physician. The fight now moves to the PA House of Representatives. No further action is expected before the break. POMA will continue its work to help our legislative supporters who do not want CRNPs to practice medicine independent of physician collaboration or oversight. 

READ MORE>> 

POMA Dues Renewal

DO you know:

• POMA is the go-to organization representing the osteopathic profession in Pennsylvania,
• POMA provides all of the CME credits you need to maintain your Pennsylvania DO license,
• POMA is your osteopathic voice at the Capitol in Harrisburg and in your local community,
• POMA provides opportunities to mentor and network with your colleagues,
• POMA is your osteopathic home in Pennsylvania!

POMA's 2019-20 membership year begins July 1 and it's easier than ever to remain part of our osteopathic community when you Choose POMA. Renew online today or call 717-939-9318 x170.

Together, we DO!

District Dish

District 10

POMA District 10 gathered on Friday, June 14, 2019 for their monthly event at the Blue Bell Inn in Blue Bell, PA. The group enjoyed a lecture about Interventional Pulmonary Updates by Rohit Kumar, MD.

READ MORE >>

Provider Enrollment Deadline
Your Claims May Be Denied

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) has implemented the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provision requiring all CHIP network providers and practitioners who render, order, prescribe or bill for items or services to CHIP enrollees to be screened and enrolled with DHS.

Effective July 1, 2019, claims for services rendered to a CHIP enrollee that are submitted by a provider who does not have a PROMISe ID that corresponds to the location where the service(s) were rendered will be denied in accordance with DHS requirements.

If you would like to continue receiving payment for services rendered to CHIP enrollees, please complete your enrollment with the Department as soon as possible.

Enrollment information and the ability to enroll electronically are available by clicking here. 

Providers are encouraged to enroll electronically.

If you have any questions or issues with the enrollment process, contact the Provider Enrollment Hotline at 1-800-537-8862, select options 2, 4 and finally option 2 to speak to a representative. 

MHTF Grant Program Updates

Penn State Health St. Joseph Family Medicine Residency

From the bottom of our hearts here at St. Joes, thank you! Our wellness day was a resounding success. The gears that were meticulously put in place by our Wellness committee, led by Dr. Accamma Joy, DO, started turning on February 27th, 2019 in part thanks to the fuel and drive YOUR grant provided to us.

We are an unopposed community hospital residency program, which means our Residents are woven into the very fabric of the day to day operations of the hospital. To rearrange the tasks that our patients and care centers depend on us for translates to delegation of responsibilities to our already burdened providers and administrators. However, we want to take a moment to thank them in this piece - this day would not have been made possible without them.

READ MORE >>

DOs DOing More...

Creating Positive Change in the Community

A community with an unrecognized health crisis just needed a spark to make a change.  Five years ago, the head monk of the Lao Proutha Thammaram Buddhist temple in South Philadelphia suffered a heart attack.  A temple member and former nurse at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) became worried for the health of all the monks. She reached out to PCOM’s Dr. Barry Rosenfield for help. 

The nurse was worried the diet and lack of exercise could lead to similar fate of the other monks in residence. The monks rely completely on community donations for food. “The food that the community members donate is food that they think is very special, because they love and respect the monks,” said Rosenfield. “So, the type of food that they think is very special is the kind of food that they might bring to a party.”

Food is a large part of the community life and it is shared in abundance. Much of the food is fried and/or also sweet. The monk lifestyle is very sedentary, with many hours spent in meditation. The monks also had no health insurance or health care. That is the perfect incubator for cardiovascular issues and diseases. 

READ MORE >>

View the
newsletter online!

Table of Contents...

1. President's Perspective
2. Executive Opinion
3. POMA ISMIE Affinity Program
4. Policy Points
5. POMA Dues Renewal
   
6. District Dish
7. Provider Enrollment Deadline
8. LECOM CME Conference
9. MHTF Grant Program Updates
10. DOs DOing More...
11. CME Certificates Update
12. Upcoming District Events
13. POMA Urges Toomey/Casey to Support THCGME
14. Classified Advertisements
15. Download the POMA App
16. Follow POMA on Social Media
17. POMPAC
18. Save the Date - Upcoming CME Conferences

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CME Certificate Update

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 

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 Position — Crozer-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.

Download the NEW POMA App Today!

POMA’s free mobile app can be used all year long to find information on advocacy, education, association events, member benefits and more!

• Be in the know 
• Get engaged
• Stay connected
• Access conference tools
• And many more valuable resources

Search POMA in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store to download our free app today! 

Follow POMA on social media for all the latest news!

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

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