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Vol. XLV, Issue 20

October 18, 2019

President's Perspective Dr. Goldman

by: Pamela S.N. Goldman, DO

We DO...Perspective, Vision, and Empathy

As the post-graduate world enters the final stages of integration, it may seem that there are no longer differences in medical students entering into residency training and from there, no longer differences in physicians in practice. I beg to differ.

One has to ask, is there truly a difference between an osteopathic physician and an allopathic physician?  We practice in the same fields, hold the same titles, and we get paid the same wages. There are not stark differences in the way we practice medicine, but rather in our perspective, our vision, and our empathy.

On the first day of osteopathic medical school, we were taught the tenets of osteopathy and the philosophy behind it: the body is a unit; the body has the ability for self-regulation; structure and function are reciprocally related; and rational treatment is based on understanding these basic principles. The philosophy that supports those tenets allows us to provide complete medical care by combining the patient’s needs with evidence-based medicine. 

Our perspective of the patient is that of caring for the whole person, not just their disease. Through the belief that the body is a unit and homeostasis is the desired state of the mind, body, and spirit, we look at illness as a dysfunction of homeostasis rather than an isolated organ system failure. We understand that it is the failure of proper function and failure of back-up coping mechanisms that disrupt the balance within and cause illness.

Osteopathic vision of the practice of medicine continues to shape healthcare. The knowledge that preventative care is the best care is now pervasive in the modern narrative of healthcare. Our heritage is filled with examples of this unique vision of how to practice effective medicine.  We started hospitals to treat the under-served. We practice inclusion of women as physicians in every medical school class since the founding of the first osteopathic school in Kirksville. We fought for inclusion and full practice rights as physicians, not wavering from the core osteopathic beliefs. Today, many healthcare systems and allopathic medical schools include parts of the tenets in their practices and curricula.

Not only do we have a broad perspective of the whole person and the vision to drive effective medical practice into the next century, we have something powerful and difficult to describe or fully understand, but you know it when you see it. This one bold difference between an allopathic physician and an osteopathic physician is our empathy. It is perpetuated by the requirement that a DO must write a letter for consideration to the osteopathic medical schools. Many of us are first-generation physicians in our families and that gives us a different understanding of what it takes to get where we are. You cannot be successful without the support and encouragement of people around you. And that support comes with a gratitude for the opportunity to be a physician and to serve others. When you are caring for patients, this gratitude and practice of listening to people along your journey draws out empathy and compassion towards people.

As the post-graduate system is aiming to unify training, our philosophy will remain a unique feature of osteopathic physicians. I fully believe there will always be a difference between us. In fact, it is likely with further integration, our colleagues will come to an understanding that osteopathic philosophy is the best way to practice medicine for the past 125 years and for centuries to come.


 

Executive Opinion Diana Ewert

by: Diana Ewert

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." - Coretta Scott King

I’ve been working in the physician community for more than two decades. It all started as an executive director for a state academy of family physicians. I have always loved family medicine and the physicians who care for multiple generations. It was during this time that I became acquainted with my counterpart at the osteopathic medical association who also served as the executive for the state osteopathic family physicians. As I got to know her and learn more about the profession, I confess that I sort of wanted her job. Osteopathic family physicians had it going on. The philosophy, the skill set, the sense of community. Fast forward to 2017, the year I came full circle as I returned to a state osteopathic physician organization who also serves the osteopathic family physicians’ organization.

There is a real, tangible sense of community at POMA. Community embraces. Community encourages. Community engages. POMA offers all three. Embracing starts the day you begin medical school. POMA, the POMA Foundation and the Advocates of the POMA gift you with your first stethoscope. POMA provides your first white coat. POMA encourages you throughout your career by providing the tools and education needed to improve patient care and maintain your license to practice osteopathically. POMA engages you through leadership, opportunities to interact with legislators, and network with your colleagues.

Community is DOs doing more. It’s serving on the board of the local Red Cross; assessing the health of the monks living in a Buddhist temple; being a soccer dad; and helping members of the military as an Army Reserve Officer. Community is helping others by sharing stories of how to cope with the stress of being a physician. Community is mentoring the next generation of osteopathic physicians.

Coretta Scott King says that the greatness of a community is measured by the compassionate actions of its members. If so, this POMA community is truly great as its compassion is limitless.


 ISMIE


Policy Points

 

PA General Assembly Update

The PA General Assembly will be back to session in Harrisburg next week and the week after next. Three issues that POMA is interested in and have been churning behind the scenes, may reach a critical mass in Harrisburg. The first issue is prior authorization legislation.  POMA supports efforts to streamline and provide more transparency on the process for both physicians and patients.  A rally is taking place in Harrisburg in two weeks in support of the legislative efforts and POMA will be represented in a coalition of patient and provider groups. 

The next issue is that of legislating how telemedicine is regulated in the Commonwealth.  There are multiple ideas and not a lot of agreement. Let us know what you think of telemedicine by emailing Andy Sandusky at [email protected].

The third legislative issue likely to percolate soon is balance billing.  POMA does not have a specific position yet on the issue and would love to hear any thoughts the membership of POMA may have on it. Again, please contact [email protected] with any support or concerning feedback.


Registration Open for the District VIII Winter Seminar!

Nemacolin Woodlands District VIII

Make plans now to attend POMA District VIII’s 33rd Annual Educational Winter Seminar!  The 2020 conference will be held January 30 – February 2 at Nemacolin Woodlands.  This year’s program will offer up to 24 Category 1-A AOA CME credits.

Registration is now open!  Click here to register online or download the registration form.

If you have any questions, please contact Deb Cargill-Roan at (717) 939-9318 x170 or email [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you there!


 District Dish

District 1

District 1 meeting

Even with a Nor’easter outside, District 1 physicians gathered in NE Philadelphia for comradery and conversation. POMA member, Greg Aaronson, DO led a lecture on pulmonary diseases and the treatments recommendations. POMA CEO Diana Ewert provided an update on regulatory and licensure questions. The attendees discussed their experiences coming into compliance for ACT 96. Additionally, scope of practice legislation concerned the attendees, and Ms. Ewert discussed the efforts of POMA and what is occurring on the national level.

READ MORE >>


ISMIE's Risk Management Symposium – November 1, 2019

Looking to mitigate risk and get additional CME credits? As a benefit of your POMA membership, POMA members can attend ISMIE’s Risk Management Symposium on November 1, 2019 at the Westin Chicago Lombard at a discounted rate of $300 – AND receive an additional 10% off their registration.

Register here before October 25th to receive this additional 10% discount by using the promo code “POMA”. This live activity is designated for a maximum of 5.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits (full details about CME for this event can be found here).

If you are already insured through ISMIE, we are proud to offer our Risk Management Symposium at no charge. For more information on the ISMIE Risk Management Symposium, visit https://www.ismierms.com/schedule.html


 POMAF Scholarships

The Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association Foundation (POMAF) is pleased to announce several scholarships are now open for application. Pennsylvania students who are enrolled as an OMS II, OMS III or OMS IV and residents are eligible to apply as long as they meet the criteria. The scholarships and applications are accessible online.  Applications can also be downloaded and mailed to the POMA Foundation. Scholarship amounts will be determined by the Foundation board. The deadline for applications is January 15, 2020. The Foundation board will review all applications and awards will be made late February/early March.

We would greatly appreciate your help in circulating this among your student and resident contacts. Feel free to share the information and link in social media, newsletters, etc. Make sure to use the hashtag #POMAF20 and tag us on Twitter, @POMA_DOs and Facebook, @POMADOs.


Department of State Launches New Licensure Processing Guide

This week the Pennsylvania Department of State launched a brand new public facing licensure processing guide website.  The guides help Pennsylvanians know what to expect when applying for a professional license under any of the 29 licensing boards and commissions.  The Osteopathic Medicine Navigator is one of the first three guides released with additional guides being added over the coming months.

The Osteopathic Medicine licensing guide breaks down the licensing process into three phases, gives the average timeline for each phase, provides tips to avoid delays, and explains how to best use the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) in applying for a license.  The guide also provides a list of helpful links to additional resources.

The guides are part of a substantial overhaul of BPOA and PALS processes. Acting Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar stated, “In the last several months, our leadership team and staff have been conducting a top-to-bottom review of license processing, from the moment the application is first made to the final granting of the license.  We are working in partnership with licensing boards, licensees, stakeholders and staff to identify factors that cause delays, and to implement procedures to improve license processing times and customer service across the board.”

In addition, the Department of State has created two short videos on “How to Apply for a Professional License” and “What Happens to My Application?

Please check out the new Osteopathic Medicine Licensing Guide and share your experience with us via email, [email protected].


by: Aarisha Shrestha, DO

Maintaining a Balance for Wellness

Wellness Wordcloud

As residents, working 12 hours a day, we often wonder, “How do we do it all?” It feels easy to be overwhelmed at the idea of achieving wellness. While we strive to have the perfect professional and personal life balance, it sometimes feels impossible to read, exercise, do household chores, and fulfill the role of a loving partner/parent/child/friend when we return back home. 

In discussing wellness, I was once asked, “Let’s say you earn $100 a month, what do you do with the money?” I thought, “I would probably spend about $80 on necessities and put $20 into savings.” Just as saving 20% is valuable to ensure we have backup funds to tackle unanticipated circumstances, it’s important not to spend all 100% of our energy just at work, and instead conserve energy to recuperate and cope with difficult times. This strategy describes the essence of true wellness – being mindful of what we have, what we need to achieve, and conserving our capacity to withstand difficult situations. 

READ MORE >>


DOs DOing More

Rice Foundation Medical Mission to Honduras Volunteer

Rice Foundation Medical Mission Trip

Meet “Pedro”. Pedro is a farmer in El Jaral, Honduras. He uses a machete to cut the canes that are processed into the sweet addition to so many things we enjoy without even considering where it originated. Pedro spends hours bent over, swinging the large blade, tying the canes and carrying the bundles. Pedro is a decade younger than me. He came to see me at the Rice Foundation outreach clinic complaining of “dolor de cabeza” or “brain pain” as my teenage interpreter explained to me.

When I inquired “How long?” the response was “Tres.” Three. That could mean three days, three weeks, three years. Time in El Jaral has little impact to a Honduran farmer who goes from season to season and field to field. A headache has a great impact, in productivity especially. Through our interpreter we figured out the pain had been for at least three months. Examination showed a normal neurological exam, but his osteopathic musculoskeletal examination had me wondering how this man was walking, let alone swinging a two foot long blade attached to a heavy wooden handle and carrying fifty pound bundles on his back from sunrise to sunset daily. I had prednisone and cyclobenzaprine available on our limited formulary, but I wanted, needed to DO more for him.  

READ MORE >>

View the
newsletter online!


Table of Contents...

  1. President's Perspective
  2. Executive Opinion
  3. POMA ISMIE Affinity Program
  4. Policy Points
  5. Registration Open for District VIII Winter Seminar
  6. District Dish
  7. ISMIE's Risk Management Symposium
  8. POMAF Scholarships
  9. Department of State Launches New Licensure Processing Guide
  10. How Are You DOing?
  11. DOs DOing More
  12. Upcoming District Events
  13. Upcoming Young Professionals Meetings
  14. POMA Urges Toomey/Casey to Support THCGME
  15. Welcome New Members
  16. Classified Advertisements
  17. Follow POMA on Social Media
  18. POMPAC
  19. Save the Date - Upcoming CME Conferences
  20. Online CME Available
  21. Under the DOme
  22. AAOA Fun Run

Upcoming District Events 

District 11
Schuylkill Fall CME Day
Saturday, October 19
7:00 am – 12:30 pm
LVH – Schuylkill E. Norwegian St.
Pottsville, PA

District 2
Networking Event
Wednesday, October 23
6:30 pm
LaFava
Glenn Mills, PA

District 14
Wednesday, October 30
6:30 pm
Rocco's at the Brick
Newtown, PA

District 4
Networking Event
Wednesday, November 6

6:30 pm
Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
Wilkes-Barre, PA

District 10
Networking Event
Friday, November 15
5:30 pm
Blue Bell Inn
Blue Bell, PA


Upcoming Young Professionals Meetings

East Region
Thursday, Dec. 12

6:30 pm
Radisson Valley Forge
1160 1st Avenue
King of Prussia, PA 19406

West Region
Wednesday, Dec. 4

6:00 pm
Location: TBD 

Central Region
Tuesday, Dec. 17

6:00 pm
POMA Central Office
1330 Eisenhower Boulevard
Harrisburg, PA 17111


POMA Urges Toomey/Casey to Support THCGME

In an effort to preserve primary care training opportunities, POMA co-sponsored a letter urging Pennsylvania’s US Senators to support the Training the Next Generation of Primary Care Doctors Act of 2019, S 1191.  Senators Pat Toomey and Bob Casey have received letters asking for their support of the bill, which would preserve over $13 million for Pennsylvania.  Write your members of Congress today and ask them to co-sponsor S 1191.  It’s easy, click here to take action now


Welcome New Members

The following 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.

Kelley A. Anderson, DO
3200 South Water Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15203
District 8 – Active Member

Michael A. Campbell, DO
231 Granite Run Drive

Lancaster, PA17601
District 5 – Active Member

Stephanie D. Miller, DO
5230 Centre Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15232
District 8 – Active Member

Liana Sze-Weng Sgrignoli, DO
2025 Technology Parkway, Suite 108

Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
District 5 – Active Member


  CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS

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

PHYSICIANS WANTED:

PRN MEDICAL SPACE ready exam rooms for Drs on the go! Five locations in Philadelphia and Bristol. Call 215-669-4001.

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. Email CV to [email protected] or visit http://bit.ly/CrozerPAFP for more information.

ROWANSOM SEEKS A CHAIR FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS. The position provides leadership, director and development of all teaching, clinical, research, community, and support activities within the Department of Pediatrics. Candidates must hold a DO or MD degree, be either AOA or ABMS board certified in pediatrics, and have five years of professional experience. The RowanSOM clinical campus is located in South Jersey, 8 miles from Philadelphia, 1 hour from the Atlantic Ocean and 2 hours from New York City. Click here for more information and to apply online. 

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!

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POMPAC

POMPAC is 
the collective voice of the osteopathic profession in Pennsylvania.

Send your personal check today to POMPAC c/o POMA, 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17111, or charge your contribution to your credit card! 

PAC contributions are not tax-deductible.


SAVE THE DATE - Upcoming CME Conferences

POMA District 8 33rd Annual Educational Winter Seminar
Jan. 30 – Feb. 2, 2020
Nemacolin Woodlands, Farmington, PA
Registration Now Open!

POMA 112th Annual Clinical Assembly
Apr. 29 – May 2, 2020
Radisson Valley Forge, King of Prussia, PA
Registration will open winter 2019!

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 soon! 


Looking for Online CME?

On-demand programs, webinars and live educational opportunities that address a wide variety of topics are available on DO-CME.

DO-CME is an online collaborative education center with the osteopathic state societies and AOSED.

Visit DO-CME.org to start earning credits today!


Under the DOme

Under the DOme

Did you catch POMAs new advocacy newsletter, Under the DOme

Under the DOme is a new 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]


AAOA Still Fit for Life Fun Run

To all the physicians and their guests attending OMED 2019 in Baltimore this month, please consider registering for the Fun Run sponsored by the advocates of the AOA and endorsed by POMA and its advocates.   If you choose not to run there is an option to “Hit the Snooze Button”. Thank you.

 

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