by: Joan M. Grzybowski, DO

A few weeks ago, I traveled to Florida for a wedding. The wedding did not have a lot to do with POMA but a lot to do with Osteopathy. Many of the guests were Osteopaths who had traveled long distances to share our wishes of happiness to a young couple whose dad was a Doctor of Osteopathy. It was a day of community support, friendship renewal, and thanks.

While in Florida I met a retired Naval Commander that showed me his personal wall of fame. The wall was a visual history of medals, a progression of rank, and thank you's, chronologized by time. Seeing this wall made me step back and think about where we are at POMA today and how we began. I imagined what POMA 's wall of fame would look like. The first posting would have been in 1903 when our organization first began with a small group of physicians. Today we represent over 8,000 physicians. The wall of fame and thank you's over those years would be massive.

The organization has been blessed for decades to have an amazing staff. They are extremely committed to POMA. We would not be where we are today without their input, IT (Informational Technology) help, new ideas, and inspiration. Our current CEO brings us Chicago style talent and knowledge to help us craft POMA into an advanced strategic organization. Our past Directors have helped direct and mold POMA into an organization that has been well respected for decades. Our past presidents and Board members have also been a keystone piece to any successes we have had.

If POMA had a Wall of Fame all of the above would be on it. Perhaps this country too needs a wall, a wall of thank you's and recognition.

I personally want to thank all of you, and I will keep you on my hearts wall of thank you's.

by: Diana M. Ewert, MPA, CAE 

"The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice." - Brian Herbert

As of April 1, we will be four weeks way from POMA’s 111^th Annual Clinical Assembly. That’s F-O-U-R weeks. The program machine that comprises your POMA staff team has been working on the programs for almost one year. There are two faces to the Annual Clinical Assembly, and both are equally important. Osteopathic physician education and learning is one face. Ensuring you receive the latest in evidence-based medicine to ensure high-quality patient care, meeting with those who are share research and data about the latest in treatment therapy, and getting your OMT on is a significant component of the program. Leadership is the other.

It is at the Annual Clinical Assembly that POMA transitions leadership within the board of trustees and committees. The POMA House of Delegates, comprised of your colleagues representing each of the districts, meeting to conduct POMA’s business, determine policy, approve the budget, and elect our future leaders. Of course, this comes with the traditional Friday evening President’s Banquet and Installation and Mummers welcome. Pamela S.N. Goldman, DO will be installed as the 108^th President of POMA, the fifth woman to lead POMA and the first graduate of LECOM to hold this position. It’s an event we look forward to every year.

As usual, I started my column with a quote. I chose this quote as it represents those in the osteopathic profession. Becoming an osteopathic physician is a gift to your patients. Listening to your patients with empathy to treat them as a whole and unique person is a skill. And you are ever willing to learn – to care, to treat, and to lead.

See you in four weeks!

Call for Volunteers

DO Volunteer — Get Involved with POMA!

What is a POMA Volunteer?

Volunteers are members of POMA who support the osteopathic profession and want to “give back.” Individuals just like you give their time, energy and expertise to help shape, advance and promote osteopathic medicine in the Commonwealth.

Why should I volunteer?

Would you like to help shape the future of POMA and the profession? Or share your knowledge to make a difference in the lives of patients? What if you could be in on creating policies involving osteopathic medicine? Or maybe you just want to advance your professional career and have fun? No matter your motivation, POMA needs you! The application is simple and takes only a few moments to complete.

How much time is involved?

Whether you have an hour a month for a standing committee or a block of time to help with a short-term project, we can find a place for you to exercise your volunteer muscle. It all depends on you. 

DO Get Involved! Click here to apply online.

Register Today for POMA's 2019 CME Conference!

Early-Bird Pricing Ends March 31!

POMA Annual Clinical Assembly · May 1-4 · Valley Forge Convention Center, King of Prussia

Registration is OPEN! 

Click here for more information, including a schedule of events.

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 there!

Pennsylvania Auditor General Focuses in on Pharmaceutical Benefit Managers (PBMs)

This week, Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale testified in a legislative hearing of the House Health Committee about his report, “Bringing Transparency & Accountability to Drug Pricing.” Auditor General DePasquale’s report shows how Pharmaceutical Benefit Managers (PBMs) - or middlemen - impact the costs of prescription drugs, and in many cases, PBMs are making the cost of prescriptions higher.

READ MORE>> 

 District Dish

District 1

The right diagnosis can be difficult. Symptoms can be a sign of several different possible issues. X-ray and scan technology can clarify a challenging situation. But there may be even more advanced techniques and technologies that will help make it more clear, with less risk.

Philadelphia area members gathered, hosted by POMA District 1, at the Delmonico's Steak House on City Avenue near the PCOM campus on Wednesday, March 13^th to discuss and learn about such technologies. The evolutions of bronchoscopy have taken another step forward and members watched and learned firsthand. The group was taken aback by how far things have come, and the doctors enjoyed learning more about these robotic options that help with recovery time and lower dangers for their patient. The members are excited about the enhanced care this will provide to patients.

READ MORE>>

District 4 - A Night of Hockey

Several POMA members and their families enjoyed a NIGHT OF HOCKEY sponsored by POMA at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre.  The group was treated to an overtime win by the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins. POMA’s sponsorship of casual family-friendly events ties into the strategic initiative to enhance collegial and family bond within POMA. Look for the social event coming to your district soon

PGYP Meeting Recaps

PGYP West Region

Representatives from four different hospital residency programs met to discuss their concerns and opportunities POMA offers with POMA leadership on Thursday, March 7 at the Industry Public House in Pittsburgh, PA.

With the help of the leadership exercise “Two truths and a lie”, we learned that our resident representatives have danced ballet professionally, grew up on a sheep farm and plays the piano.

Review of POMA’s strategic plan, opportunities for scholarly activity and the upcoming educational programs sponsored by POMA were discussed. Attendees were asked to consider serving as a delegate to the POMA House of Delegates in May.

READ MORE>>

PGYP East Region

The Professional Guidance/Young Physician Committee – Eastern Region meeting was held on March 13, 2019, in King of Prussia with the 2018-19 resident group.  We had a good turnout, representing each residency, including many of our own POMA leadership, adding to the overall learning and discussion with the resident leaders.  We discussed current events affecting medical practice in Pennsylvania, brainstormed new activities/needs of our residents, and opened with an icebreaker, learning more about our colleagues by sharing victories or lessons learned in the last year. 

READ MORE>>

DOs DOing More... 

A Bridge to U.S Healthcare: A PCOM Student Traverses the Journey

by Brett Lipetz, MS4

*Brett Lipetz (center) with the AMCSCare

Cancer not only affects individuals but also affects families and loved ones, as well. The process can be extremely difficult, with immense challenges for all involved.

During the past year, I have been involved in the volunteer role as a medical consultor to the American Medical Concierge Services (AMCSCare), an international oriented healthcare organization. AMCSCare is committed to providing the critical assistance necessary for international patients, in order for them to be able to navigate and traverse the complex procedures involved in seeking and receiving medical treatment in the United States. These procedures include, but are not confined to securing and organizing comprehensive international patient reports for the various U.S. hospitals involved; as well as securing visa, transportation and housing services for those who may be accompanying the patient to the U.S. The AMCSCare Team aims to elevate the level of care offered to international patients, creating a global standard of excellence in culturally sensitive care with a particular focus on wellness, compassion, and respect.

READ MORE>>

Mental Health Task Force Grant Program Updates

First Annual Resident Wellness Day at Conemaugh Memorial Emergency Medicine

Thanks to the support from POMA and the Mental Health Task Force grant, Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center Emergency Medicine Residency was able to host our first annual Resident Wellness Day. While the residents were a little skeptical about what to expect initially, they ended the day with smiles on their faces and many positive remarks about the event.

We started the day with a brief 20-minute lecture from Dr. Kutz, the psychology program director at our hospital who has a personal passion for wellness. After his talk, we watched a TED Talk regarding wellness and listened to a podcast from a couple of well-known EM physicians regarding their views on resident wellness. The residents wrote anonymous shout outs to each other, to boost group morale, and wrote a list of the reasons they went into Emergency Medicine and what aspects of being an EM resident they feel they excel at. They were instructed to keep these lists in their desk drawers to review when they are having an off day.

READ MORE>>

APOMA's Annual Meet & Greet and Silent Auction

APOMA invites anyone interested in promoting the osteopathic profession to join us at an open meeting starting at 9:00 am on May 3, 2019, during the POMA Clinical Assembly and Scientific Seminar in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Officer Christopher Dolga, Community Oriented Policing Division, Upper Merion Police Department will speak about Personal Safety and Defense; this audience-driven interaction is intended to relate practical ways to recognize suspicious or dangerous behavior along with basic principles for attack prevention and survival. This program is for teenagers and adults.

There will be other events planned throughout the conference. Visit the APOMA page for more information. 

View the
newsletter online!

Table of Contents...

1. President's Perspective
2. Executive Opinion
3. Call for Volunteers
4. Save the Date
5. POMA ISMIE Affinity Program
6. Policy Points
7. District Dish
8. PGYP Meeting Recaps
9. DOs DOing More...
10. MHTF Grant Program Update
11. APOMA's Annual Meet & Greet and Silent Auction
12. Former Nurses Needed
13. Upcoming District Events
14. Upcoming PGYP Meetings
15. District Election Results
16. Applications for Membership
17. Classified Advertisements
18. POMPAC
19. What Do You DO?
20. PCOM Alumni Weekend
21. Call for Presenters
22. Donate an Auction Item

Former Nurses Needed!

Were you a nurse or nurse practitioner before you became a physician? If so, we need you!

Click here to send us an email and let us know.

Upcoming District Events 

Please address all correspondence for POMA Box Letters to: c/o POMA, 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA  17111-2395.

PHYSICIANS WANTED:

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.

Follow POMA on social media for all the latest news!

   

IS 
The Collective Voice of the Osteopathic Profession

 Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Political Action Committee

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 VISA or MasterCard! 
PAC contributions are not tax-deductible.

 What Do You DO?

The POMA Newsletter is adding a new feature section. In the second edition of each monthly newsletter, we will be featuring a Pennsylvania DO, student, or resident and highlighting what they do outside the profession. So, if you or someone you know is doing something extraordinary, out of the box, or just straight up awesome outside of their professional work, we want to know about it. 

You can contact Jason Leeper at [email protected] to give him details. We look forward to hearing about what else you all DO! 

PCOM Alumni Weekend 2019!

NEW DATE!

Extend your stay at POMA and join PCOM for Alumni Weekend on May 3-4, 2019! We're offering new activities for alumni in addition to annual favorites. Make the most of your trip and come to alumni weekend! Click here for the schedule of events and registration info.

CALL FOR PRESENTERS!

POMA and the POFPS are looking for presenters willing to share their expertise and enhance professional growth in the osteopathic medical field. We are searching for presentations to address topics/discussion that would attract dedicated osteopathic and allopathic professionals committed to enhancing patient care and medical practice management through the continuing education process.

If you're interested, check out the link for more information and to apply.

Donate an Auction Item! 

APOMA is gearing up for their annual silent auction at POMA's Annual Clinical Assembly and Scientific Seminar and they are looking for people willing to donate items.

Donate a basket or an item for the Silent Auction - APOMA needs YOUR help to make this event a success!

Contact Sally Ann Rex, APOMA President at [email protected].

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