by: Pamela S.N. Goldman, DO

We DO...Changes and Adaptability

by: Diana Ewert

There’s no pithy quote for this article. Just respect and gratitude for two groups. First and foremost, our members. You are literally putting yourself out on the front line to care for your patients. No questions. No complaints. Just putting one foot in front of the other and doing your part.  Students, interns, residents, and physicians, you are my heroes – each and every one.

The second group is our team. The individuals I work with every day who are taking this lockdown in stride. Working from home. Working for you. Virtually. Staying on top of the issues and the programs. You are heroes as well.

In a time of uncertainty, you can be certain of POMA. We will continue to work on your behalf. We’ll be in the office when we can be, working remotely when we can’t. We will be responding to you just as we have while you serve the public. God bless you and be safe.

Social Distancing Consumes the Capitol

Unprecedented steps were taken in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives last week where the body approved rules changes that will permit official voting by proxy. The Senate took similar action this week amending its rules. The changes were done in a bipartisan level and highlight the unusual circumstances Pennsylvania, and the entire world, is feeling at this tenuous time.

The Capitol building has been closed to outside visitors, including lobbyists, since last Friday. In sum, lawmaking in Pennsylvania has come to a grinding halt. In the administrative branch of state government, Governor Wolf and the Department of Health Secretary, Dr. Levine, have worked around the clock and have been providing daily press briefings and updates. As Governor Wolf stated, “We are all in this together.” Well, speaking for myself, I cannot wait to hit the Hill again and lobby for POMA members and their patients! But just like everyone and everything, we will take it one step at a time. 

Ode to a Virus
by: Joan M. Grzybowski, DO, POMA Immediate Past President 

Using your N-95 could keep you alive.
Washing your hands is now the demand.
21 seconds of a hand scrub,
might help you from being the next one subbed.
Sneezing into your arm could help limit the harm.
So keep your safe space by using a 6 foot pace.
Use your phone as you work from home.
This virus is very rough, and our response needs to be very tough.
Stay in touch because our hearts still need so much.
Stay viral clear so we are all here next year.
So, see you soon,
once this virus is no longer causing so much doom. 

 District Dish

Over the past month, there were a number of POMA District networking events. Each event saw a great turnout with lively and informative discussion on everything from POMA happenings to COVID-19. If you missed your district’s event this past month, you can check out the recap by clicking on each district’s respective link below.

• District 2
• District 3
• District 4
• District 6
• District 14

Note, all previously scheduled in-person district events have been postponed until further notice. If you would like your district to schedule a virtual meeting, please contact your district chair or email [email protected].

#POMASeeksVolunteers

“POMA On The Move!” You may have heard this tag line from colleagues or seen it in print on POMA information being relayed to members over the last years. Indeed, much has been happening with YOUR professional organization, on behalf of its members and our patients.  All of what has been proposed and undertaken by POMA can be categorized under one of our four Strategic Plan Pillars: Communication, Community, Education or Influence. Although the accomplishments that have occurred thanks to the efforts of our members over the last several years is profound within this plan, there is still so much more that we can accomplish. That leads us to YOU!

We need members like YOU to get involved and share YOUR talents, knowledge and passion with POMA.  There are so many committees, task forces, and other areas where YOU could provide invaluable insight and a possible fresh perspective for the benefit of all.  As the old saying goes, “Many Hands Make Light Work.”  Please consider committing just a little of yourself for the future of POMA, our members and the Osteopathic Profession in Pennsylvania, to help preserve and give back to this great profession which has been so wonderful to me, and I would suspect to YOU as well.

Please join me as YOUR soon-to-be President for the upcoming year, your POMA Board and other POMA volunteer members as we continue to look to an amazing future building upon the accomplishments of our predecessors.

Click here for more details and to see what may be of interest to YOU. Click here to go directly to the Volunteer Form and sign up today. 

Please strongly consider this opportunity and sign up by April 17. I look forward to collaborating with YOU in the year to come!

Fraternally,

Registration is still open for POMA’s 112th Annual Clinical Assembly & Scientific Seminar! The 2020 conference is planned for April 29-May 2. Given current conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the planning committee is working on solutions to deliver the educational content and governance meetings virtually. We will continue to provide status updates on a weekly basis to keep you informed. Should you decide to cancel your registration at this time, the current refund policy stands in place.

Click here to view or download the tentative schedule.

Click here to register online or download the registration form. Please note, online or fax submissions are preferred. If you need to register over the phone, please call 717-939-9318 x170 and leave a voicemail so we promptly know to return your call.

If you have any questions, please email Deb Cargill-Roan at [email protected].

Check our website and social media channels for continued updates for POMA20! 

 PGYP Recap

West Region

The POMA Professional Guidance – West Region met for an evening of discussion and dinner on March 4, 2020. After some time of socializing, the group explored their inner-super hero persona with an ice-breaking activity.

Dr. Battistella informed the group of the activities from the most recent Board of Trustees meeting, including the active and thoughtful participation of resident representative Chris Trumbetta, DO in contracting with a new lobbying partner for POMA. The key issues being addressed in Harrisburg were discussed.

Opportunities for scholarly activity were also highlighted, including poster presentations, grant availability from the POMA Foundation, and lecturing opportunities at the district and state levels. It was noted that PGY1 resident Grant Schirmer, DO will be lecturing on Friday afternoon at this year’s POMA Clinical Assembly.

READ MORE >>

APOMA will be holding elections for its Board of Directors this spring. Any interested persons should submit a completed application to the Nominating Committee before April 20, 2020. Submission of an application does not guarantee a position on the board. Applications will be reviewed by the nominating committee who will then present a slate of nominees at the Annual Business Meeting of the Advocates for the POMA. The slate will also be posted in advance on the POMA website. Nominations will be accepted from the floor during the annual business meeting of the APOMA. Click here for the 2020 APOMA candidate application.

View the
newsletter online! 

POMA continues to monitor the rapidly changing information surrounding the spread of COVID-19. Please 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.

POMA's Annual Clinical Assembly is more than 5 weeks away. The planning committee is diligently working on solutions to deliver the educational content and governance meetings virtually. We will continue to provide status updates on a weekly basis to keep you informed. 

Table of Contents...

1. President's Perspective
2. Executive Opinion
3. Policy Points
   
4. Ode to a Virus
5. District Dish
6. POMA ISMIE Affinity Program
7. Call for Volunteers
8. PGYP Recaps
9. APOMA Board of Directors Elections
10. Classified Advertisements
11. Postponed District Events
12. Upcoming Young Professionals Meetings
13. Medical Records Copying Fees 2020 - Update on ACT 26
14. POMA Urges Toomey/Casey to Support THCGME
15. Welcome New Members
16. Classified Ads Information
17. Follow POMA on Social Media
18. POMPAC

POSTPONED District Events 

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!

POMPAC is the collective
voice of the osteopathic profession in Pennsylvania.

Send your personal check to POMPAC c/o POMA, 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17111, or charge your contribution to your credit card!

PAC contributions are not tax-deductible.

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