by: John Kalata, DO

POMA – Forward, Together

Greetings from the sunny shores of Lake Erie!!

It has been two weeks since our Annual Clinical Assembly at Kalahari Resort in the Poconos. It was great seeing our POMA family together again. This was the first time our Clinical Assembly has been held outside of Valley Forge in decades, and I am pleased to report that we had 251 attendees on-site, and 912 physicians registered for the on-demand virtual program. Once again, the Clinical Assembly Education Committee produced an outstanding educational program, and the Clinical Assembly Convention Committee hosted our members in a beautiful, family-friendly venue. From Valley Forge, to Kalahari, to Seven Springs (the site of District 8's Winter Conference), to the virtual world, POMA continues to provide clinically relevant, affordable CME for our members. My deepest thanks go out to Diana Ewert, our CEO, and her POMA team, for their tireless work supporting us at the Clinical Assembly. We hope to see you all TOGETHER, again, at the 2024 Clinical Assembly, again at Kalahari, next year. May 1-4. Save the date, watch your emails and bring your families!!

At Kalahari, we had a successful series of governance meetings. We welcomed several new members to the POMA Board of Trustees elected from their districts. Our House of Delegates met and passed several resolutions to move our Association forward. The POMA Foundation Board discussed bylaws changes that will keep our philanthropic work thriving in the years ahead. Look for more news about the work of our Foundation in future newsletters and in our PODCASTS...

At our House of Delegates, I introduced the theme for my presidential year: POMA – FORWARD, TOGETHER. As we move forward with the work of our Association this year, I hope to enhance our osteopathic community by engaging all of our constituents: our students, residents, fellows, practicing physicians, physicians in the military, and our senior and retired colleagues. To that end, I have commissioned a Task Force on Military and Veteran Physicians, to identify the needs of our physicians who are serving or have served our country, to identify and meet their needs. Through our Committee on Postgraduate Engagement, we hope to involve our physicians-in-training in a more meaningful and sustained way. Our mentor committee will continue to connect our osteopathic colleagues, including students and those of us who are more "seasoned," to draw on each other's experiences as we journey TOGETHER.

During our week at Kalahari, I was continually impressed with the energy demonstrated by our members. I would like to thank each of you for your selfless commitment to your patients and to our profession. As our Association keeps pace with an ever-challenging healthcare environment, your commitment will keep POMA moving FORWARD, TOGETHER.

It is an honor to serve as your President. I look forward to a great year TOGETHER.

by: Diana Ewert

"Community is about doing something together that makes belonging matter."
― Brian Solis

Annual meetings are hard. They are hard on the body and mind. They are hard on the team. Annual meetings are also the most satisfying kind of hard there is because as #TeamPOMA, we get to see the impact of community. In coming together, the feeling of being isolated falls away in the face of community. It’s the very best thing about working here. We get to see POMA’s volunteer community in action. The osteopathic hugs, the delight in seeing each other. That’s community. And that’s what happened at the POMA Annual Clinical Assembly at Kalahari.

Community happens. I’d print that on a bumper sticker and put it on my car. Community goes beyond the annual meeting. Community happens when we gather for social exchange. It happens when we meet at roundtables, video conferences and board meetings. A community is more than a social group (which is what some definitions say), it is the commonalties we share. While community is sometimes referenced as a physical location, we learned during the pandemic that geography doesn’t seem to matter as much, if at all.

POMA is your community. In the osteopathic profession, you connect with individuals who share commonalties. It doesn’t matter what area of specialty you are in – family medicine, surgery, OB/GYN, emergency medicine, etc. – you are all part of the large community of osteopathic physicians and residents and students. You aspire to meet the tenets of the osteopathic profession. POMA provides you with opportunity to succeed, to improve, and to give back. That’s what it’s really all about. 

It’s time to renew your commitment to the osteopathic community. Renew your commitment and together, we can make belonging matter.

by: Andy Sandusky

Strategic Influence Pillar is Set to "Get to Work!"

With the installation of POMA's new president, John Kalata, DO, comes a reconfiguration of the three committees under the strategic pillar of influence.

The Government Affairs Committee (GAC) is led by Chair, Hans Zuckerman, DO and is made up of a dedicated group of POMA members who meet monthly to provide necessary guidelines and feedback to POMA’s lobbyists on healthcare issues being considered in state government. Additionally, the GAC makes formal recommendations to the Board of Trustees on positions that have been debated and are ready for ratification.  

The Public Policy Committee (PPC) chaired by Joan Grzybowski, DO is the second leg of the influence platform. The PPC has individual POMA members from all different backgrounds that consider overall public policy positions. In contrast to the GAC, the PPC doesn’t address single issues, but tackles the larger issues as a whole. The GAC often uses the policies developed by the PPC as guidance in its decision-making responsibilities. The PPC was originally formed as a Task Force to consider 20 years of organizational public policy and bring them up to date. It was no easy task, but after many meetings and much deliberation, the work was complete. However, the PPC still served a purpose and was granted full committee status and continues to consider and make policy recommendations to governance bodies of POMA.

Last, but certainly not least, is the PA Osteopathic Medical Political Action Committee (POMPAC). POMPAC is chaired by Gene Battistella, DO and has a five-member board of individuals steeped in POMA policy and history. POMPAC members draw on their collective experience to determine how to invest political action dollars that have been donated by POMA members like you. POMPAC augments POMA’s government affairs efforts. POMPAC invests in campaign committees for individuals who believe in the ideals of Osteopathic medicine and the high-value, quality care POMA members provide.

All three committees are separate, but all have connective tissue to each other under the strategy pillar POMA calls Influence. The Influence Pillar, its committees and chairs are ready to do POMA’s business!

Congratulations to the 2023-2024 POMA Leadership!

POMA 2023-2024 Officers
President: John Kalata, DO
President-elect: William Swallow, DO
Vice President: George Wolters, Jr., DO
Secretary/Treasurer: Eric Milie, DO
Immediate Past President: Lisa Witherite-Rieg, DO

POMA House of Delegates Officers
Speaker of the House: Jeffery Dunkelberger, DO
Vice Speaker of the House: Jessica Masser, DO

2023-2025 District Trustees & Alternates
District 1: Herbert Schecter, DO & J. Steven Blake, DO
District 2: Thomas Dardarian, DO & Ayanna Kersey-McMullen, DO
District 3: Rehab Tabchi, DO & Farah Mirza, DO
District 4: Karen Arscott, DO & Deborah Mistal, DO
District 5: Daniel Kambic, DO & Bruce Frantz, DO
District 6: Cynthia Meyer, DO & Steven Kramm, DO
District 7: Regan Shabloski, DO & Patrick Leary, DO
District 8: Cathleen McGonigle, DO & Jessica Masser, DO
District 9: Valeri Roth, DO & Robert Landfried, DO
District 10: Matthew Shore, DO & George Vermeire, DO
District 11: Angela Zawisza, DO & Leif Christiansen, DO
District 12: Eric Peck, DO & Mark Maloney, DO
District 14: Richard Purse, DO & Angelo Ratini, DO

2023-2024 Student, Resident & New Physician in Practice Trustees
Student Trustee: Bhuvan Bodipati, OMS-I
Resident Trustee: Sheeva Norooz, DO
New Physician in Practice Trustee: James Latronica, DO

That's a Wrap!
POMA's 115th Annual Clinical Assembly & Scientific Seminar at Kalahari a Success!

For the first time in 30 years, the POMA Clinical Assembly moved out of Southeast Pennsylvania and found a home at Kalahari Resorts in the Poconos.  Kalahari is an accessible, family-friendly location with great restaurants, an arcade and a huge indoor water park.  It was great to see so many of our colleagues with their families!

During our four days together, we socialized with friends, colleagues and classmates; celebrated the installation of John Kalata, DO as POMA’s 112th president; conducted business of the association; and learned new information from expert faculty so we can improve our patient care.

On-demand viewing of POMA23 is available until June 15, 2023.  The program offers 34.75 hours of Category 1-A AOA CME credit and includes 6.5 patient safety credits, 2.5 opioid credits and 2 hours of CPSL credit.  Earn the credits you need for PA licensure now!  Registration will remain open until June 12.

Spread the word and make plans now to join us for POMA’s 116^th Annual Clinical Assembly – May 1-4, 2024 at Kalahari.  Additional information will be provided later this fall.  We can’t wait to see you there! 

POMA House of Delegates Holds Annual Meeting

The POMA House of Delegates held its annual meeting May 3-4, 2023 at Kalahari Resort in conjunction with the 2023 POMA Clinical Assembly.  The meeting included the election of officers and trustees, reports from various bureaus and committees, review and approval of the 2023-24 operating budget, and discussion of resolutions.

Lisa Witherite-Rieg, DO, 2022-23 President, presented the Distinguished Service Award to Pamela Goldman, DO and Presidential Citations to the Substance Use Disorder Education Task Force and the Technology Workgroup.

The House also received greetings from AOA President-elect Ira Monka, DO and AAOA President Lori Hildebrand.

The House also received a second read and passed a resolution approving increases in dues for the Out-of-State and Associate membership categories.  The Out-of-State membership rate is now $150 annually.  The Associate membership rate is now $225 annually.  Both membership categories continue to receive discounted member rates for education programs, CME tracking and members-only information on the POMA webpage.

District Dish

District 1,10,14

POMA Philadelphia area Districts 1, 10, and 14 members ventured to Citizen's Bank Park to watch the Phillies play the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, May 7th. Over 90 POMA members and their families were in attendance to watch the Phillies win 6-1 - what a beautiful afternoon for baseball! The members enjoyed great friendship, food and entertainment.

More district events are in the works so watch your email for details.

District 4

District 4 gathered in Wilkes Barre for fun and a celebration of being named the newest district champion on Thursday, May 18th. The group discussed diagnosing and treating CKD.

Additionally, members talked about upcoming events including a Walk with Doc event on June 10th. Stay tuned for more details and events!

District Competition!
Year 3 Has Begun!

Congratulations to POMA District 4 on winning the 2nd Annual POMA District Competition!  They achieved this feat by organizing CME, social and volunteer events, such as their annual CME symposium, a hockey game with the Baby Pens, and working at a local soup kitchen.

District members will be rewarded with a POMA-sponsored event in their district, recognition at the POMA Clinical Assembly and House of Delegates, and the oversized District Champions trophy.

POMA Districts 8 and 10 tied for second-place honors and District 7 earned 4th place.

There is no time to rest on their laurels though as the 2023-2024 competition has already begun! Renew your dues, submit articles, participate in events, volunteer in your community - it all adds up to points that will help your district be victorious next year!

Current Standings as of May 18, 2023:
   1st Place – District 12
   2nd Place – District 4
   3rd Place – District 14

Gimme a P!
by: Joseph M.P. Zawisza, DO

If you’ve read any of my articles over the last year or so I bet you thought I was going to write about the POMA DOes … podcast series. Well, I am. Sort of.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend the POMA Past President’s Gavel Club breakfast for the second time. We welcomed Lisa Witherite-Rieg, DO, to the club after she successfully completed her year as president. Welcome, Lisa!

But it was also an enjoyable opportunity to sit down with others who have gone through some of the same experiences, trials, and victories as I have as the leader of our organization. These experiences vary from dealing with PR crises to starting up a brand-new member service, advocating for our members in front of the state legislature to leading your Board of Trustees through difficult financial decisions. The list goes on, but suffice it to say that the job of President of POMA is not just one where you sit back with your feet up. You have to be a cheerleader for POMA, its members, and all Pennsylvania osteopathic physicians and their patients when others are needing a boost in enthusiasm.

READ MORE >>

View the
newsletter online!

"May we never forget freedom isn't free"
– Unknown

We honor and remember the brave men and women who served and paid the ultimate price for our country and our freedoms.

Please note that the POMA Central Office will be closed on Monday, May 29th for Memorial Day.

We will return to regular business hours on Tuesday, May 30.

Table of Contents...

1. President's Perspective
2. Executive Opinion
3. Policy Points
4. POMA Clinical Assembly 2023 - Register Now
5. Congratulations 2023-2024 POMA Leadership!
6. That's a Wrap - POMA 115th Annual Clinical Assembly a Success! 
7. POMA House of Delegates Holds Annual Meeting
8. District Dish
9. District Competition Results
10. How Are You DOing?
11. Upcoming District Events
12. X-Waiver Crash Course Webinar
12. Welcome New Members
13. Classified Ads
14. POMA Steps 4 All
15. Under the DOme
16. POMPAC
17. Follow POMA on Social Media
18. Check Out the POMA DOes... Podcast
19. APOMA Recap
20. Facts on Vax

Welcome New Members!

The following physicians have applied for membership in the POMA. According to Article VI, Section 2 of the POMA bylaws, if no written objection is received within 30 days after publication, the following will be accepted for membership.

Angelique L. Colbert-Beckett, DO
36 Lancaster Drive
Westampton, NJ 08060
Out-of-State Member 

Elizabeth A. Flodin, DO
1665 Valley Center Parkway
Bethlehem, PA 18017
Active Member – District 3 

Jeff J. Hageman, DO
103 Nesbitt Road, Suite 101
New Castle, PA 16105
Active Member – District 9 

Sara Hawksworth, DO
1 Hospital Drive
Lewisburg, PA 17837
Active Member – District 6 

Michelle L. Jordan, DO
537 Bald Eagle Court
Lancaster, PA 17601
Active Member – District 5 

John E. Rodaitis, DO
20630 Route 19
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
Active Member – District 9 

Nicholas V. Weit, DO
169 Martin Avenue
Ephrata, PA 17522
Active Member – District 5

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

HIRING - LEAD PHYSICIAN/ GROUP TO ASSUME OFFICE SPACE LEASE. 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].

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 STEPS 4 ALL 2023

POMA Districts 4, 8, 12 would like to thank all Steps 4 All participants. Together we logged 5,524 team miles for charity! May is national walk month so keep up the good work and get ready for next year.  Next year, participation will earn your district points.

The top stepper was Louis DiToppa from White Oak in District 8, and he will be receiving a generous gift basket donated by District 4. Thanks again for who participated and keep on stepp’n.

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!

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