by: Joseph M.P. Zawisza, DO

Oh, You're a Doctor!

How did you read this title?

A few months ago when I was waiting to check in at the hotel where I was attending a conference, a man who clearly felt he was very important walked in front of the check-in line that had assembled and demanded something from the desk clerk. I’m sure we’ve all been in that position before and usually, the offender is just asking a quick question with little harm done. That was not the situation that day; he was rather rude with his request. In an attempt to calm her impatient customer, she asked the man what he did for a living as she waited for something to appear on her computer screen. He gave a quick reply, and her response generated the topic of this article. Thankfully, she did not ask my occupation when I got to the desk; after witnessing the interaction I think I might have been embarrassed to answer.

There are many meanings this exclamation could carry. Did it come up in conversation when you were meeting people, perhaps your future spouse’s family for the first time? Did you have the privilege to be in the right place at the right time and step in to save someone’s life when no one else knew what to do? Or maybe you are reading this on Match Day – I pray after good news – and just realized, “Oh, you’re about to be a doctor!” Hopefully, when we hear it though, it is an acknowledgment of the respect that our vocation has carried through history guided by our humility for the opportunity we have been given to serve others.

So, why am I sermonizing here? Fortunately, most of the time when I’ve heard this to myself or colleagues it did carry that air. I suspect I’m preaching to the choir here. Most of us realize that our vocation involves more than just going and sitting in an exam room all day writing prescriptions. We’re entrusted to be leaders for our patients and in our communities. Perhaps that means showing up at your patient’s bedside at two in the morning to get them admitted. Perhaps it means coaching your child’s baseball team or serving as a reader in your church. Maybe you hold a local government position.

Regardless of your role as a leader, one thing that I believe all great leaders have in common is leading by example. Think of Jesus, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Teresa, George Washington, and the list goes on. They all practiced what they preached and were “in the trenches” with those they led. Rarely do you hear of a king or queen who ruled from their throne as a great leader.

So today, I’m not coming to you asking for your service, though of course that is always welcomed and encouraged. I’m letting you know that POMA, your professional organization, is here to serve you so that you can serve others. I hope that you have seen the value of that through the life of your membership, however long that may have been, and that you will continue to take advantage of this value. If you haven’t already done so you can renew your membership HERE.

With all this in mind, let us always remember the last line of the Osteopathic Pledge of Commitment that we recite which reminds us to “Live each day as an example of what an osteopathic physician should be.”

by: Diana Ewert

"It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret." - Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Birds. The spring songbirds are out. I pause in the morning to breathe deeply and listen. It’s so beautiful and feels that it has been a long time coming. I am so ready for the fresh air and sunshine. Spring conveys movement, potential and growth. Spring reminds us that good things are coming – confirmations, flowers, graduations, gardens, fresh produce, weddings – and we embrace it all.

TeamPOMA is looking ahead and preparing for change. There is the change in leadership. There is the change in the Annual Clinical Assembly that will combine virtual learning with in-person programs. There is change within the team although to the best of my knowledge, no one will be preparing for a birth this year (thank you, Brenda and Jason). We are all looking ahead to the next budget, the next fiscal year, and reaching for the long-term goals in the strategic plan.

We are also looking back, not with regret, but with a strong sense of achievement. POMA has accomplished so much in the past year. You will hear more about this at the Annual Clinical Assembly during the Leadership Fireside Chat. While the COVID pandemic may have slowed us down in some areas, it put our feet to the fire in others. Our first hybrid educational program was held in District 8 in January. That taste of success prepared us for the Annual Clinical Assembly which allows us to provide you the option to participate virtually or in-person or a combination of both. About 22 percent of our registrants to date have elected to attend the on-site education in person. TeamPOMA is looking forward to seeing and serving you.

Regrets? I’ll admit it. I have one. I always regret saying good-bye to our leaders when they complete their term on the POMA Board of Trustees. POMA has been blessed…truly blessed with wonderful leaders. I have learned so much from them since I arrived in 2017. I’ll bid goodbye to our immediate past president with the hope that he and all of those I’ve been privileged to work with share the same sense of accomplishment. Looking back, I see where these leaders broke ground, prepared the garden, planted the seeds, tended the plants, and continue to nurture the new growth. Because of their efforts, POMA will continue to evolve and meet its mission – "to promote the distinctive philosophy and practice of osteopathic medicine in Pennsylvania, for our members and their patients."

by: Andy Sandusky

Primary Elections Update

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court finally ruled on the final maps for the state House and Senate districts this week. This means candidates will need to gather signatures to get on the primary ballot with a condensed timeframe. What is normally a 3-week process will be shortened to just 10 days. Individuals running for a state House seat need 200 voter signatures and 300 for state Senate candidates. The unanticipated process has forced the House to cancel its session days scheduled for next week so that those running for office can knock on doors and canvas their districts for signatures. The new maps also create consternation between multiple redrawn state House districts that pit incumbents against one another. This has added to the growing list of retirements. One notable retirement (not related to redistricting) is southeast Senator Tommy Tomlinson, the longtime Republican Chairman of the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee. Unfortunately, Senator Tomlinson did not see eye-to-eye with POMA on several scope of practice issues, including CRNPs. As you can imagine, there are many moving parts with the Primary Election and even more in store for the General Election. But POMA and its political arm, POMPAC, will work to keep Osteopathic physicians in the best strategic position for access to care by all patients who need them! If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me, [email protected] or 717.727.3668. 

District Dish

District 7

District 7 members came together virtually on, Thursday, March 10^th. POMA President Joseph Zawisza, DO and POMA Vice President and District 7 Chair John Kalata, DO, provided an overview of all the osteopathic happenings in Pennsylvania. The members discussed legislation, the upcoming POMA Clinical Assembly, the POMA DOes Podcast series, work of the POMA Foundation, and elected delegates to the 2022 POMA House of Delegates. They also discussed ideas for future events such as an Erie Seahawks game and engaging/supporting local residency programs. Be on the lookout for upcoming event details.

District 10

District 10 members gathered on Friday, March 4th virtually and in-person at the Blue Bell Inn for their monthly meeting. They received updated information regarding state legislation, the POMA DOes... podcast, the POMA Clinical Assembly, the POMA Call for Volunteers, and PCOM alumni events. The members also enjoyed a product theater discussing treatment for CAD and/or PAD. District 10's next event will be Friday, April 8th.

District 4 Mid-Winter Recap

After a 1-year hiatus due to the pandemic, District 4 hosted their 5^th Annual Mid-Winter Symposium on Saturday, March 5. Twenty-four POMA members gathered in Wilkes-Barre to listen, network, and learn. Local experts presented on pain management, substance abuse, breast cancer, and travel health. Kudos to District 4 leadership for their hard work organizing the event. Be sure to join us at our next meeting on Wednesday, March 23rd in Wilkes-Barre beginning at 6:00 pm.

District 14

District 14 members came together in person, for the first time since 2019, on March 4^th at the Bonefish Grill in Langhorne. POMA President Joseph Zawisza, DO attended and provided an overview of all the osteopathic happenings along with updates from POMA leadership. The members discussed the upcoming POMA Clinical Assembly, elected delegates to the 2022 POMA House of Delegates, and discussed new scholarships and grants provided by the POMA Foundation. The meeting stretched long into the evening as the members were enjoying being in-person again. The next district event will be on April 5th.

District 1

District 1 is BACK! District 1 held their first in-person meeting since October of 2019 last night at Randi’s Restaurant and Bar in northeast Philadelphia. Members, virtually and in-person, discussed POMA’s legislative concerns, the POMA DOes…a podcast, the POMA Clinical Assembly, and elected District 1 Delegates to the POMA House of Delegates. The members enjoyed interacting in person and are looking forward to upcoming events.

District 1 still has a few open delegate positions. If you are interested in being a part of POMA governance and helping to guide the osteopathic profession in Pennsylvania, contact poma@poma.org for more information.

Virtual Charity Event

POMA Districts 4, 6 and 9 are hosting STEPS 4 ALL 2022 to get you outside and moving!  Every step you take will raise money to a charity of your choice, without even opening your wallet!

This is a FREE virtual event for all POMA members and their families which will run the entire month of April.

Be inspired to welcome spring by getting out to walk, run, bike or hike and break free from the winter blues.

Click here for more information.

Have You Subscribed to the POMA DOes... Podcast?

In January, POMA launched its new podcast series, POMA DOes... We are providing a voice for osteopathic medicine by sharing insights on issues important to osteopathic physicians, residents and students, and those who embrace the osteopathic philosophy. Episodes 1-5 have already been published. The March episodes focus on the Match and the SOAP process.

POMA DOes... is available through all of the popular podcast platforms, services and apps. Find us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Podcast Addict, Audible and YouTube - listen and subscribe today! Episodes are released on the second and fourth Fridays of the month.

Be a Mentor

The POMA Mentor Task Force is building a database of individuals interested in fostering the next generation of osteopathic physicians. If you are interested in being a mentor, complete this brief questionnaire. The task force will reach out to candidates when someone requests a mentor.

by: Samuel J. Garloff, DO

Carolina Moon

I read and reread the editorials by our association president Dr. J. Zawisza (President’s Perspective) and CEO Diana Ewert (Executive Opinion) distributed 2/18/2022. The first reading was completed while I was in my “right brain”, the second whilst I was in my “left brain”. Both authors are to be congratulated as my better 9/10ths would be quick to tell you that “no brain” is my default setting.

That being said, one reaction was “Right On”, the other was along the lines of “Show Me the Money”. This is the difficulty I sometimes experience when attempting to combine both halves of my brain. Perhaps you are familiar with the process. Osteapathy? Complacency? In the words of the late Walter Winchell, “let’s go to press”.

What if I told you that I was going to lecture about an artist who at the age of 24 was accused of sodomy with a model in his mentor’s studio? What if I added that at age 26 instead of living off the profits of commissioned works, he instead took a job designing weapons for a living? Lastly, what if I added that at age 38, while single, he adopted a 10 y/o boy to “teach him”? Would you attend the lecture?

Who was the artist? Leonardo da Vinci.

Read more >>

View the
newsletter online!

Table of Contents...

1. President's Perspective
2. Executive Opinion
3. Policy Points
4. Register for POMA's 114th Annual Clinical Assembly
5. District Dish
6. POMA DOes... Podcast
7. Steps 4 All
8. Be a Mentor
9. Another Voice
10. SoFi Loan Refinancing
11. COVID-19 News Update
12. Upcoming District Events
13. Save the Date for the 2022 Clinical Assembly
14. Upcoming PGYP Event
15. Welcome New Members
16. District Competition
17. Classified Ads
18. Under the DOme
19. POMPAC
20. Follow POMA on Social Media
21. APOMA

Upcoming District Events

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!

APOMA

The positions to be filled for the 2022-2024 APOMA Board of Directors are:

• President-Elect/Vice President 
• Recording Secretary
• Treasurer
• Director

You can find more information and an application here.

Applications are due by March 31, 2022.

Email completed application to  a[email protected]. 

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