by: William Swallow, DO

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Recently, Liz and I were wandering around the Lehigh Valley Mall doing more window shopping than anything else. It became obvious that Thanksgiving is being overlooked again this year. Many of the displays had the usual leftover Halloween decorations and candy on sale. However, the stores were also decorated for the Christmas holiday along with a preview of the shopping season with this past Friday being designated a Black Friday sale.

The past few weeks were busy for me. I managed to visit Districts 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, and 11. It seems that all is well in the POMA world. Attendance is excellent. The social event are engaging. The product theaters well done. It is apparent to me that the discussions that go on at the District Leadership Council meetings afford the district leaders the opportunity to share successes and develop new ideas. My appreciation to the district leaders and the staff for their support of the Council.

I also managed to visit the first and second year students at PCOM. We had an old-fashioned ice cream social ala 2024. The energy and enthusiasm of the students is amazing! While they were digging into the cooler in search of their favorite ice cream bar, the conversations were many and varied in subject matter. I truly believe that the “COVID” hangover has resolved. It is remarkable to see how the didactic and clinical training of our students has evolved. Simulators and high-tech modalities used to educate the students differ vastly from days gone by. However, as I was walking past one of the OMM labs, it became clear that the basic tenets of Osteopathy were part of the discussions and practices. It is apparent that we are leaving the profession in good hands (no pun intended).

So, as I close the seventh edition of my newsletter column, please remember to register for the 2025 POMA District 8 Winter Seminar, January 23-26, available in-person at Seven Springs Mountain Resort and virtual simulcast. It promises to be another excellent conference. Also, since “giving” is the operative word during the holiday season, consider supporting POMPAC and the POMA Foundation. There are several different ways to support them; and it is easy to do.

I would like to extend my appreciation to the POMA staff for their commitment and diligence in the performance of their duties. And finally, I would like to extend to all well wishes for peace and prosperity throughout the holiday and into the 2025 New Year.

by: Andy Sandusky

Time for Thanks and Giving!

Often Thanksgiving provides an opportunity to be retrospective and share what we are thankful for. Yes, that is a good exercise. We are thankful for so much here at POMA and the Foundation! But with so much more to accomplish, I for one cannot spend much time thinking about the successes of the past, because I am laser focused on our future! A future that asks what more can be given to POMA members to ensure they are best equipped to provide excellent quality care to Commonwealth patients?

PEOPLE
We are thankful to have an unbeatable staff that accomplishes more than organizations that are double the size! In fact, we added another staff member to fulfill the advocacy and government affairs role for POMA, with the hiring of Tyler Burke, POMA’s Senior Director of Government Affairs. Tyler comes to POMA and brings new energy, ideas and an entrepreneurial way of thinking that will take POMA advocacy efforts to the next level and beyond! But I continue to ask the questions, what more can we give, or can we give in different ways that bring the best return on investment for our members? What are we doing good, that we can be doing better? This doesn’t necessarily mean more staff but to maximize the value we collectively produce for our members from our current staff efforts.

PROCESS
We are thankful that POMA and the Foundation operate at the highest level with the precious resources we have been provided from our membership. Our staff and Osteopathic physician leadership and volunteers collectively provide incredible products and services for the membership. But we must consistently review and evaluate how we get from here to there, which is our processes. How can we give more time and energy to our processes to refine our great collective work? You can have the best staff, the best volunteers, and the best products, but if your process is not properly aligned and running efficiently, you are not achieving all that is possible. I am committed to giving POMA members the best bang for their buck as we continually refine the ways we do things in strategic areas.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
We are VERY thankful and proud of all the products and services POMA and the Foundation provide to not only its members, but in communities throughout the Commonwealth with our philanthropic work that embodies the tenants of mind, body and spirit. From CME to Advocacy, to Wellness to Fellowship, to Philanthropy to Residents and Students, POMA and the Foundation cover a large amount of ground for the membership. But can we give and focus on ways to find and develop strategic partnerships to lighten the load and enhance services? Is POMA and the Foundation doing too many “nice-to-haves” instead of what is necessary for its membership? Where are the gaps and what could we be doing for our members that we are not? I don’t have all the answers, but with the framework I outline here and a strong strategic plan, I am confident we will collectively be successful.

I am very thankful for being in this position as your CEO. I am thankful for all the many things that we collectively give to each other; in order to thrive as an organization and be the best we can be representing Osteopathic physicians, resident physicians and students, as well as to the communities we serve. But I am equally excited to give! Give more strategic attention to the people we have, the processes we use, and the products and services we provide!

I hope that you all have a great happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday!

POMA Board of Trustees Holds Quarterly Meeting

We would like to extend a warm welcome to our Senior Director of Government Affairs, Tyler Burke. Tyler will be supporting POMA’s legislative, regulatory and political advocacy initiatives. Prior to joining POMA, Tyer worked for 5 years as an associate at Milliron Goodman. You can reach Tyler at [email protected].

Get to know Tyler!