|
by: Lisa Witherite-Rieg, DO
CELEBRATE!
The dictionary defines celebrate: cel·e·brate [ˈseləˌbrāt] - verb - to acknowledge a significant or happy day or event with a social gathering or enjoyable activity.
This past month, we have certainly done that! With the return to in-person learning and activities at the POMA Annual Clinical Assembly, COM graduation ceremonies on both sides of the state, exceptional accomplishments by our POMA members, and, by no means least, our moms, we certainly have a lot to celebrate!
After three (long) years of waiting for that all-important osteopathic hug, the 114th Annual Clinical Assembly returned to a modified, hybrid function, including in-person learning, governance and social events. Though we are proud of the educational product we produce and accredit, regardless of the in-person or virtual and on-demand delivery, we missed our members who were not physically there to enjoy the welcome reception, House of Delegates and Board of Trustees meetings, and our “Family Reunion.” Understanding the needs of our members to connect with both their given and chosen families, the POMA has secured more family-friendly locations for upcoming clinical conferences. We look forward to seeing you at the POMA District VIII 36th Annual Educational Winter Seminar at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion, Pa., Jan. 26-29, 2023, and at the POMA 115th Annual Clinical Assembly at Kalahari Resort and Indoor Waterpark in Pocono Manor, Pa., May 3-6, 2023. Mark your calendars and plan to join us – registration is open!
Later this month, I will have the distinct privilege to travel to Philadelphia and Erie to personally welcome the newest osteopathic physicians to our family. I look forward to attending these ceremonies to present awards to the POMA Outstanding Graduates from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Seton Hill Campus, and LECOM Erie Campus. Talking with our graduates and their families always invigorates me, renewing my enthusiasm for our profession and reassuring me our future is promising.
Whenever I have the opportunity to witness one of my colleagues receiving local, state or national recognition for their work in our profession, I feel such pride. When those individuals are personal friends, that pride and admiration magnifies! Our own Jessica Masser, DO (and a whole bunch of other initials that would add too many characters to this column) was one of eight women honored by the Johnstown YWCA for community service. In the words of the event chairwoman, “These women are role models who have achieved success as leaders, mentors, innovators, creators, and they are committed to serving others. Their efforts demonstrate the positive influence and impact women have on our community every day.” It truly was my honor to be there, and it is my honor to call Dr. Masser my friend.
Speaking of honoring women, I would like to give a huge shout-out to our moms — those we see as well as those we cannot see. Moms are the people who know us the best and love us the most (anyway). In our home, every day is Mother’s Day. On the second Sunday of May, we add more flowers!
Whatever and whoever it is you are celebrating this month, make it memorable.
by: Diana Ewert
"Celebrate good times, come on..." - Kool and the Gang
It’s a celebration! May is historically a celebratory time for people. Mothers, graduates, the start of summer, the end of school, vacations, reunions… Celebrations give us a sense of achievement. It is a way to reward our family, peers and colleagues for a job well done. We started our season of celebration with the POMA Family Reunion where we installed Lisa Witherite-Rieg, DO as our 2022-23 President. We celebrated the success of Joseph Zawisza, DO, who is now our Immediate Past President. We celebrated the fact that we could come together, reach out to each other and give/receive our osteopathic hug.
We’re going to keep the energy high and the celebration on the move. New podcasts, more grants through our POMA Foundation, more social functions through our districts, the renovation of our second-floor office space and our POMA DOes recording studio. We will be celebrating the incoming classes for LECOM, LECOM Seton Hill and PCOM. More white coats, more stethoscopes and more Sketchy.
And this little celebration coming up in Chicago this July where Ernie R. Gelb, DO, a past POMA President, will be installed as 2022-2023 President of the AOA. Mummers the word.
Yep, there’s a party going on right here. Join us!
Congratulations to the 2022-2023 POMA Leadership!
2022-2023 Officers and Board of Trustees
President: Lisa Witherite-Rieg, DO
President-elect: John Kalata, DO
Vice President: William Swallow, DO
Secretary/Treasurer: Eric Milie, DO
Immediate Past President: Joseph Zawisza, DO
POMA House of Delegates Officers
Jeffery Dunkelberger, DO – Speaker of the House
Jessica Masser, DO – Vice Speaker of the House
2022-2024 Trustees-at-Large
Carol Bowes-Lawlor, DO
Donna Delfin, DO
Kathryn Graham, DO
Jonathan Oline, DO
Benjamin Park, DO
George Wolters, Jr., DO
Hans Zuckerman, DO
That's a Wrap!
POMA's 114th Annual Clinical Assembly & Scientific Seminar A Success!
For the first time in three years, POMA’s Annual Clinical Assembly returned as an in-person event! And for the first time, it was provided in a hybrid format! Those in-person were enthusiastic to see their friends, colleagues, classmates, teachers and students, to catch up on lost time and share that osteopathic hug. Those participating virtually joined us from across the country and contributed heavily in the discussion forums. Congratulations to the planning committee for a job well done!
As always, the education program provided high-quality, informative lectures with updates critical to you, your practice and your patients. In total, 34 hours of Category 1-A AOA and AMA PRA Category 1 Credits were offered, including credits applicable to patient safety, opioid and mandated reporter education. On-demand viewing remains available through May 31, 2022. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity to re-watch or catch up on anything you missed. The attestation and evaluation processes are conducted within the virtual platform. Refer to the on-demand access email that was sent on May 17 for additional information.
The biggest news of the week was the announcement that the Clinical Assembly has a new home next year! Make plans now to bring your family to Kalahari Resorts in the Poconos, May 3-6, 2023. Planning is already underway, and registration is open. We can’t wait to see you there!
House of Delegates Recap
The POMA House of Delegates held its two-day meeting during POMA22. The meeting included the election of officers and trustees, bureau and committee reports, approval of the 2022-2023 budget and discussion on five resolutions.
Joseph Zawisza, DO, 2021-22 President, presented the Distinguished Service Award to Michael Zawisza, DO and the Presidential Service Award to Richard Purse, DO. Gene Battistella, DO, 2021-22 Immediate Past President, presented the Presidential Service Award to Les Pallone, DO and Diana Ewert, MPA, CAE.
The House of Delegates also received greetings from AOA President-elect Ernest Gelb, DO and AAOA President-elect Lori Hildebrand.
The following resolution was presented, discussed, passed, and forwarded to the AOA House of Delegates:
Resolution 2022-1
Addressing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as a Profession
RESOLVED, that the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) strongly affirms its commitment to be a diverse, inclusive and equitable organization in the provision of patient services, employment practices and engagement of volunteers; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the AOA strongly affirm its nondiscrimination policy including, but not limited to, the basis of sex, color, creed, race, religion, ability, ethnic origin, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, locus of medical training and military service.
(Passed; forwarded to AOA)
Facts on Vax
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.
Facts on Vax is a partnership of osteopathic organizations committed to lowering the rates of COVID-19 through prevention, of which POMA is a member. We are collaborating in partnership to prepare osteopathic physicians to discuss the importance of COVID-19 prevention, including vaccinations with patients. Learn more today!
District Competition
Year 2 has Begun!
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 May 18
1st Place - District 12
2nd Place - District 11
3rd Place - District 8
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.
District Dish
Congratulations to everyone! Over the course of the month, the group logged 2,230 miles! That is an amazing accomplishment. We did a very special thing for charity. People were stepping from Erie to Philadelphia, from Pittsburgh to Wilkes-Barre. We covered the entire state.
But, there is no reason to stop stepping for all. The more steps you log, the more money your chosen charity will receive. Thank you for all your hard work! POMA and District 4, 6 and 9 leadership appreciates it. Keep stepping!
by: Samuel Garloff, DO
Willie, Mickey and the Duke
Play ball! Baseball is back. Thank goodness. Those of you who, like me, love the game are happy that the strike ended before the season was irreparably damaged. Those of you who could “care less”, still might enjoy a little “backstory“.
One could not begin a tale of baseball past, without an obligatory mention of the Yankees. Within our association, the Yankees are well represented. John Ferretti, DO, president of LECOM, is an ardent Yankees fan. Our past Executive Director, Mario Lanni is also. He also happens to be a Steelers fan. Some people refuse to suffer. Our past president, John Callahan, DO was in the Yankee farm system, leaving only because advancement would have interfered with his graduate work in chemistry. The late Bob Czwalina, DO, suited up with the best in the majors. I fondly remember discussing our (separate) encounters with Earl Weaver, “The Earl of Baltimore”.
Let’s go back to 1890. “We are the people!”, was the refrain reverberating throughout Brotherhood Park, home of the Chicago Pirates located in Chicago’s south side. “We are the people” was a phrase from the manifesto of the newly formed Players League. The manifesto also stated, “Players have been bought and sold as if they were sheep instead of American citizens. The player had to submit or get out of the profession in which he had spent many years achieving a proficiency”. The problem? Baseball’s reserve clause.
READ MORE >>
|
View the
newsletter online!
Table of Contents...
- President's Perspective
- Executive Opinion
- Register for POMA22 On-Demand
- Congratulations 2022-2023 POMA Leadership
- That's a Wrap - POMA's 114th Annual Clinical Assembly a Success
- House of Delegates Recap
- Facts on Vax
- District Competition
- District Dish
- Another Voice
- SoFi Loan Refinancing
- COVID-19 News Update
- Upcoming District Events
- Welcome New Members
- Classified Ads
- Under the DOme
- POMPAC
- Follow POMA on Social Media
- Be a Mentor
- POMA DOes... Podcast
- Bright Ideas Grant
POMA continues to monitor the rapidly changing information surrounding COVID-19. 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.
Upcoming District Events
Districts 1 & 10
Baseball Social Event
Sunday, June 5
1:35 pm
Philadelphia, PA
District 2
Soccer Social Event
Sunday, June 26
6:00 pm
Chester, PA
District 5
3rd Annual Night at the Ballpark
Saturday, June 11
6:00 pm
FNB Field
Harrisburg, PA
District 6
Night with the Crosscutters
Saturday, June 4
6:35 pm
Muncy Bank Ballpark
Williamsport, PA
District 10
Business Meeting &
Product Theater
Friday, June 3
5:30 pm
Blue Bell Inn
Blue Bell, PA
Virtual Option
District 14
Baseball Social Event
Saturday, June 11
Trenton, NJ
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.
Satyam Arora, DO
834 Eaton Avenue, Suite 301
Bethlehem, PA 18017
Active Member – District 3
Scott F. Blumhof, DO
1250 South Cedar Crest Boulevard, Suite 205
Allentown, PA 18106
Active Member – District 3
Nathan J. Dincher, DO
637 Hoyt Road
Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006
Active Member – District 10
Elena M. Kazlo, DO
300 Evergreen Drive, Suite 150
Glen Mills, PA 19342
Active Member – District 2
Abbie L. Kelley, DO
OSS Health
102 East Greenbriar Drive
York, PA 17407
Active Member – District 5
Steven J. Kleinman, DO
1 Medical Center Boulevard
Upland, PA 19013
Active Member – District 2
Chadd K. Kraus, DO
1495 Smoketown Road
Lewisburg, PA 17837
Active Member – District 6
Benoit J. Mapa, DO
1155 East Mountain Boulevard
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Active Member – District 4
Brian R. Miller, DO
5 Docwill Drive
Barto, PA 19504
Active Member – District 11
Stephen Naylor, DO
455 Woodview Road
West Grove, PA 19363
Active Member – District 2
Robert S. Nolte, DO
1619 Bennett Road
Culpepper, VA 22701
Out-of-State Member
Phillip M. Orlando, DO
Belmont Behavioral Hospital
4200 Monument Road
Philadelphia, PA 19131
Active Member – District 1
Benjamin L. Schellhase, DO
32 Kenwood Road
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Active Member – District 5
Suzanne J. Templer, DO
3601 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Active Member – District 8
Brian M. Walsh, DO
Geisinger Medical Center
100 North Academy Avenue
Danville, PA 17822
Active Member – District 6
Roger T. Weiss, DO
10644 Worleytown Road
Greencastle, PA 17225-9686
Active Member – District 5
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS
Chair, Department of Pediatrics - Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
RowanSOM in Stratford, NJ is seeking a Chair for the Department of Pediatrics. Candidates must hold a D.O. or M.D. degree and be either AOA or ABMS Board Certified in Pediatrics, and have five years of professional experience, including prior experiences in management role. We offer a competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a comprehensive benefits package. Qualified candidates must apply to this link to be eligible for consideration - https://jobs.rowan.edu/en-us/job/495975/chair-department-of-pediatrics
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.
Under the DOme
Did you catch POMA's advocacy newsletter, Under the DOme?
Under the DOme is a member benefit providing you with an update of the advocacy work POMA is engaged and/or monitoring to ensure DOs and their patients have the best possible opportunity for strong physician-patient relationships and care. POMA is THE organization that represents you as a DO in the state in all areas of advocacy.
We hope you find Under the DOme to be a valuable advocacy tool. Send your feedback to [email protected].
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!
  
 
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.
POMA DOes...Podcast
Have you tuned into POMA's 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 1-9 have already been published. The most recent episode was titled "POMA Members: It's All About You" and discussed the work we do for you, our members.
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.
Bright Ideas Grant Proposals
Accepted thru June 8, 2022
The POMA Foundation is gearing up for its second round of grantmaking this year! This latest Request for Proposals (RFP) is seeking applications for Bright Ideas Grants. This grant program seeks to support projects that improve community health, quality-improvement/education, or scholarly activity.
The RFP is linked here. Please feel free to share it with anyone in your circle who might be interested in applying for a grant. Eligible applicants can be nonprofit organizations, individuals, or for-profit organizations, including those with a sponsorship agreement with a nonprofit. Applications are due June 8, 2022.
Contact information, along with other details about the grant and how to apply, are included in the RFP.
The POMA Foundation is excited to engage directly with those supporting the osteopathic profession, its principles and its practices to support Bright Ideas. We look forward to hearing from you!
|
