by: Lisa Witherite-Rieg, DO

"FULFILL"

ful·fill [fo͝olˈfil] VERB(1) bring to completion or reality; achieve or realize (something desired, promised, or predicted) (2) gain happiness or satisfaction by fully developing one's abilities or character (3) complete (a period of time or piece of work) (4) carry out (a task, duty, or role) as required, pledged, or expected:

I can’t believe how quickly this past year has gone. As I start the process of crossing my t’s and dotting my i’s, making sure there isn’t anything I have overlooked or missed completely in fulfilling my obligations as POMA president 2022-23, I am completely awed by the amount of work and cooperation that goes into the functioning of the Award Winning Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association.

Reviewing the goals we set for ourselves near this time last year, I realized it would take dedication, support and collaboration to carry out the duties. I have been completely amazed at the results of our efforts. With a little more than half of a year left in the second phase of POMA’s strategic plan, nearly all of our initiatives have been completely or partially fulfilled – setting the groundwork for the next phase of strategic planning. Still, we have some challenges with our resident outreach, review of our governance structure and cleaning up some of our vital documents, but we continue to press forward in these areas.

Never have we seen more “active members”, both in numbers and in participation in our committees, task forces and work groups. As the groups fulfill their charges, take ownership of the results and realize how their efforts contribute to the strength and success of the association, the energy generated helps fuel further forward progression, proving together we can DO more. Accomplishment is fulfilling.

With the recent elections throughout all the districts, we see some new names in leadership positions. With the support of your colleagues, ongoing leadership training and a clear understanding of the mission of the POMA, I am certain your experience will be not only satisfying but personally and professionally fulfilling. In the districts that have been undergoing reorganization and revitalization – POMA is here to help you fulfill your goals. Share your ideas with leadership and Team POMA and let’s make it happen!

Over the next couple of months, you will have the opportunity to renew your POMA membership for the 2023-2024 year. I charge each member to reach out to a prospective member and invite them to join your professional association. At $1.03 a day, less than the cost of a cup of coffee at Sheetz or Wawa (don’t get me started…), the benefits they will enjoy as members will help us fulfill our mission to promote the distinctive philosophy and practice of osteopathic medicine for our patients, our members, and the communities we serve.

Need to fulfill your licensure and board certification requirements? Have we got CME programs for you!  It’s not too late to register for the 2023 POMA Clinical Assembly! Join us in-person May 3-6 at Kalahari or watch on-demand from May 15-June 15. I assure you, both options will award Category 1A credit. Early-bird pricing ends March 31 so register today!

by: Diana Ewert

"To everything turn, turn turn; there is a season turn, turn, turn; and a time for every purpose..."
― The Byrds

After writing over 70 some articles for this newsletter, I pause and consider whether I’ve covered every topic during my season with POMA. Then I laugh to myself because I will always have something to say, a story to tell, work to be done.  To everything, there is a season…

This is the time of year we wind down while winding up as we head into POMA’s Annual Clinical Assembly. Dr. Witherite-Rieg has been an outstanding president and representative of the association. We are meeting with Dr. Kalata to lay the groundwork for his term as president while we prepare for the education and governance events at the annual meeting. The May meetings will be the first for many new faces that are coming through the districts. The POMA House of Delegates will be reviewing the policies approved by the board of trustees since their last meeting while reviewing and approving the POMA FY2023-2024 (2024?!?!) Proposed Budget. Phase II of the POMA Strategic Plan will be winding down while research and surveys for Phase III will be starting up.  To everything, there is a season…

Every season adds to POMA as an organization. There was the season of modernization. The season of planning. The season of COVID. The season of renovation. I believe we are entering the season of growth. Our membership is growing. We have over 2,000 active members in POMA – physicians practicing in the Commonwealth – the most since I have been with POMA. After a downturn of resident members following the final implementation of graduate medical education under ACGME, resident membership is improving. Districts are coming together, collaborating, and welcoming new faces. And selecting individuals new to the POMA Board and POMA House of Delegates. More people are wanting to become involved in all aspects of POMA. This allows us to build bench strength in the leadership area which keeps an organization healthy. POMA could not be in a better position moving into 2023-2024.

And a time for every purpose… This is our time.

by: Andy Sandusky

CRNPs Forging Ahead...
Forgetting the Deal they Made

In 2020, POMA along with other physician groups entered an over 6 months long negotiation process with the CRNPs which resulted in a compromise deal. The CRNPs stated they would go into rural and underserved areas of Pennsylvania if the General Assembly granted them the authority to make acts of medical diagnoses and prescribe therapeutic responses without needing a collaborative agreement with a physician. The deal would give them the opportunity to prove what they have told legislators for years. Under the agreement, CRNPs could practice in Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) under a 6-year pilot program. Data would be collected and analyzed on the care provided by the CRNPs participating in the pilot program and a report sent back to lawmakers.

Every organization involved in the negotiations (including the nurses) sent an email to the Chairman of the House Professional Licensure Committee at the time declaring their support for the negotiated proposal. The bill passed unanimously with bipartisan support from Committee and the House (201-1). In fact, the prime sponsor in the House told the committee he applauded the lawmakers, stakeholders and legislative staff involved for their collective efforts in bringing the compromise forward. Unfortunately, we ran out of time before the bill could get through the Senate before the end of the legislative session.

But once the new session came, the CRNPs decided to change course and go back on their word that they negotiated in good faith. The Senate Bill was introduced (SB 25) and quickly went through the committee. But never went any further. There was no bill even introduced in the House because they believed the work was completed and the compromise between multiple organizations working with the General Assembly is what should be honored and enacted, if anything.

And here we are in 2023, in another new legislative session and the CRNPs have taken their cause to the media with the same points they made three years prior. Ironically, many of their issues were addressed in the compromise, not to mention the pilot project would have been halfway through its process. Nevertheless, we must make sure state lawmakers know the history of this issue. Please keep your eye out for a Call to Action email requesting you to contact your representatives and senators to support the deal made in 2020, or nothing.

Proposed Dues Increase – Out of State, Associate Member

The POMA House of Delegates approved a resolution calling for an increase in dues for the Out-of-State and Associate membership categories. The recommended increases will be a second read at the May 2023 POMA House of Delegates meeting. Per the POMA Bylaws, any dues increase must be posted for a minimum of 30 days in advance of the next meeting of the House. This notice was originally posted in the February 17, 2023 issue of the POMA Newsletter.

Proposed dues for Out-of-State membership are $150 annually. The current rate is $50. The difference in benefits between Out-of-State members and Active members is the ability to serve in leadership positions within POMA and to participate on POMA committees, workgroups, and task forces. Out-of-State members can participate in all educational programs at the member rate. POMA tracks CME for Pennsylvania State Licensure. Further, Out-of-State members receive The Journal of POMA, receive electronic copies of the monthly POMA Newsletter, Under the DOme and the bi-weekly COVID Update; and access to the Members-Only portion of the POMA website.

To comment on the Out-of-State Member dues increase, click here.

Proposed dues for Associate membership are $225 annually. The current rate is $100. The benefits of Associate membership have been expanded beyond member rates for educational programs to include CME tracking for Pennsylvania State Licensure; receiving The Journal of POMA, electronic copies of the monthly POMA Newsletter, Under the DOme and the bi-weekly COVID Update; and access to the Members-Only portion of the POMA website.

To comment on the Associate Member dues increase, click here.

District Dish

District 1

District 1 members met Thursday, February 23 at Gallos Seafood and Burger Bar in southeast Philadelphia for fun and fellowship. The members who were present both in-person and virtually, conducted district business. Joseph Zawisza, DO, POMA Immediate Past President, provided updates on POMA events and presided over elections. The members also discussed legislation, the upcoming POMA Clinical Assembly, the POMA DOes Podcast series, and an upcoming social event  - a Phillies game on Sunday, May 7th. 

There are still 10 delegate and alternate delegate opportunities to represent the district at the POMA House of Delegates in May. If you are attending the Clinical Assembly at Kalahari and are interested in getting more engaged in POMA, please email us at poma@poma.org.

District Election Results
District Chair: J. Steven Blake, DO
District Vice Chair: Herbert Schecter, DO
District Secretary/Treasurer: Open
District Trustee: Herbert Schecter, DO
Alt-District Trustee: J. Steven Blake, DO

District 3

District 3 members met Tuesday, February 21 at the historic Tavern at the Sun Inn in Bethlehem to conduct district business which included elections, and hold a CME event delivered by district member Steve Naftulin, DO, on percutaneous image-guided lumbar decompression.

District Chair Rehab Tabchi, DO provided updates on POMA events and presided over elections. The members also discussed legislation, the upcoming POMA Clinical Assembly, the POMA DOes Podcast series and and brainstormed ideas for upcoming events.

There are still 5 delegate and 11 alternate delegate opportunities available for district 3 members.  If you are interested, please email us at [email protected].

District Election Results
District Chair: Rehab Tabchi, DO
District Vice Chair: Farah Mirza, DO
District Secretary/Treasurer: Georgia Fliakos, DO
District Trustee: Rehab Tabchi, DO
Alt-District Trustee: Farah Mirza, DO

District 4

District 4 membership has been active, holding four events over the last month. First members gathered on Saturday, February 25, for the annual hockey night with the baby Pens in Wilkes-Barre. The following Monday, members gathered virtually to conduct district business including district leadership elections for officers and delegates to the POMA House of Delegates. Then on Saturday, March 11, the district hosted their 6th Annual Mid-Winter Symposium  in-person in Old Forge. The activities concluded with a product theater and business meeting on Wednesday, March 15th.

After District 4's whirl-wind month, they are teaming up with several districts across the state and encouraging all POMA members and their families to participate in Steps 4 All in April. They are also excited to be the host district for this year's Annual Clinical Assembly at Kalahari. More activities are in the works so watch your email for event announcements and be sure to join us!

District Election Results
District Chair: Darlene Dunay, DO
District Vice Chair: Catherine Patrick, DO
District Secretary/Treasurer: Elizabeth Gernhardt, DO
District Trustee: Karen Arscott, DO
Alt-District Trustee: Deborah Mistal, DO

District 6

District 6 members met Tuesday, February 21 at the La Primavera in Lewisburg for collegiality and fellowship. The members who were both in-person and virtually, conducted district business which included district elections. Lisa Witherite-Rieg, DO, POMA President, provided updates on POMA events and presided over elections. The members also discussed legislation, the upcoming POMA Clinical Assembly, and the POMA DOes Podcast series.

There are still 3 alternate delegate opportunities available for District 6 members.  If you are interested, please email [email protected].

District Election Results
District Chair: Kathleen Lewis, DO
District Vice Chair: Scott Vaughan, DO
District Secretary/Treasurer: Allison Schuessler, DO
District Trustee: Cynthia Meyer, DO
Alt-District Trustee: Steve Kramm, DO

District 7

A meeting for District 7 POMA members was held on Tuesday, February 28 at Calamari's Squid Row in Erie led by John Kalata, DO, POMA President-elect. 

Dr. Kalata provided an update on POMA activities, including a review of our advocacy efforts in Harrisburg, the POMA Podcast series, events within the Community Pillar, and our upcoming Clinical Assembly events at Kalahari in May. Governance issues at the state and AOA level were also discussed, and elections were held for district leadership and delegates to the POMA House of Delegates. They also had a robust discussion on resident and student involvement, including scholarship opportunities and the POMA Foundation's activities. The event concluded with a discussion of future events including plans for an Erie Seawolves game in June.

There are still 1 delegate and 6 alternate delegate opportunities to represent the district at the POMA House of Delegates in May. If you are attending the Clinical Assembly at Kalahari and are interested in getting more engaged in POMA, please email poma@poma.org.

District Election Results
District Chair: Sarah Breon, DO
District Vice Chair: Patrick Leary, DO
District Secretary/Treasurer: Eric Milie, DO
District Trustee: Regan Shabloski, DO
Alt-District Trustee: Patrick Leary, DO

District 12

District 12 members gathered in Dubois on Monday, February 27 for fun, fellowship, pizza and CME. The members conduct district business including leadership elections for district officers and delegates to the POMA House of Delegates. The members also raised funds to provide items for the APOMA silent auction and formed an activities council to plan local events. It was an enjoyable night for all attendees!

District Election Results
District Chair: Kathryn Graham, DO
District Vice Chair: Janice Kenneson, DO
District Secretary/Treasurer: Lisa Witherite-Rieg, DO
District Trustee: Eric Peck, DO
Alt-District Trustee: Mark Maloney, DO

District 14

Harvest in Newtown was packed with District 14 members on Wednesday, March 15^th. The members shared their views on local happenings, POMA legislative positions and upcoming POMA opportunities. The discussion, led by POMA Trustee at large, Jonathon Oline,  was insightful. The members concluded the evening with dinner and a product lecture regarding postmenopausal osteoporosis management.  The next district 14 event will be on Thursday, April 20 in Langhorne.

by: Samuel J. Garloff, DO

I just got off the phone with John in West Virginia. He received an Olds Ambassador Cornet from me to finish what I started. Over the last year, I acquired this instrument and found replacement slides and valves, restored it to the best of my ability and forwarded it to him for solder repair and refinishing. His work is exemplary. He called to inform me that it was received, gave me his assessment and told me when he would start completion of the work I initiated. 

READ MORE >>

View the
newsletter online!

Table of Contents...

1. President's Perspective
2. Executive Opinion
3. Policy Points
4. POMA Clinical Assembly 2023 - Register Now
5. Proposed Dues Increase Notification
6. District Dish
7. How Are You DOing?
8. Upcoming District Events
9. Welcome New Members
10. Classified Ads
11.POMA Steps 4 All
12. District Competition
13. Retirement Series Webinar
14. Under the DOme
15. POMPAC
16. Follow POMA on Social Media
17. Check Out the POMA DOes... Podcast
18. Facts on Vax
19. APOMA Silent Auction Baskets
20. PCOM OMM Conference

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

HIRING - LEAD PHYSICIAN/GROUP 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].

DOCTORS WANTED - DO’s
Full-time or part-time.
MD at HOME is expanding appointments to patients by telehealth/zoom and home visits to elderly and disabled home bound.
MD at Home, Inc.
717-840-4646
Fax CV’s to 717-840-8686 or email [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. 

POMA Districts from across the state are hosting STEPS 4 ALL 2023 throughout the month of April to get you outside and moving! This is a FREE virtual event for all POMA members, families and friends. Every step you take will raise money to a charity of your choice, without even opening your wallet!

Over the last two years, POMA members have logged over 6,700 miles and raised over $1,700 for various charities in just one month!  This year, we can do even better!

Get ready to join us for the month of April by prepping your Charity Miles account and joining this year's POMA team.  Be sure to register with POMA, too - every participant will receive a free gift for stepping up!

• Click here to register with POMA
• Download the Charity Miles app on your iPhone or Android device
• Pick a charity you want to donate to using the Charity Miles list
• Join the POMA Steps 4 All - 2023 team
• Log your steps every time you get outside

Want to make it even easier?  The Charity Miles app can sync with your phone’s pedometer so you don’t even have to log in.  Click here to find out how.

We hope you join us for Steps 4 All 2023 and helping many worthy causes!  Thanks for your support!

 District Competition

Who likes a little friendly competition? 

The second annual POMA District Competition is running from April 1, 2022 – March 30, 2023. 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 March 24: 

1st Place – District 4
2nd Place – District 8
3rd Place – Districts 10 

Want to help earn your district some points? Submit an article to the newsletter or Journal. Find out additional ways by contacting your district leadership.

Join us for our
Retirement Series Webinar

Retirement can be an exciting and scary phase of life. Are you thinking about retirement? Wondering how other people have done it? POMA's Mentor Committee is hosting a 2-part virtual event discussing aspects of retirement.

Part 1 will be held Thursday, April 27.  We'll focus 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?

The panel discussion will feature five retired physicians from different specialties and backgrounds from across the state.  They will share their experiences and be available to answer questions or comments.

Register for this free event today! 

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!

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POMA DOes...Podcast

 

Have you tuned into POMA's podcast series, POMA DOes... Episodes 1-30 have been published and are available on YouTube and everywhere you listen to podcasts. Our March episodes feature our second mini-episode about "POMA23 Education Program" and a CME episode about "Obstructive Sleep Apnea". Have an episode idea? Let us know!

New episodes for POMA DOes... are released on the second and fourth Fridays of the month. Subscribe today so you never miss an episode!

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Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy with Your Patients

Osteopathic physicians and their practice teams play a key role in preventing COVID-19 infections among patients and communities. Check out the Facts on Vax website for a variety of educational materials, tools and resources that will help you discuss the importance of COVID-19 prevention with your patients.

POMA also produced an episode for the POMA DOes podcast series which addressed COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. This episode offers CME credit for POMA members.

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APOMA Call for Silent Auction Baskets

Calling All Districts! 

Join the APOMA basket contest and raffles at Kalahari during the 2023 POMA Clinical Assembly. We’re asking each district to put together a basket that represents your region so APOMA can raffle it off.  Participation will also earn POMA District Competition Points.  

Each basket will be raffled off so your chance to win only increases with the number of tickets you put in!  Not interested in a basket raffle?  We’ll also have a 50/50 raffle. All proceeds from the baskets and raffles will go to the scholarship fund. 

Please contact Krissy Eisenhardt, APOMA President, at [email protected] with any questions. We look forward to seeing y’all at Kalahari in May!

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