The holiday season is a time when we pause to celebrate life and family, and honor our friends and loved ones.  In keeping with this spirit, the Advocates for the Michigan Osteopathic Association are once again presenting a very special opportunity to remember that special person while supporting the programs of the Advocates.

The Tree of Peace will be displayed in the lobby of the MOA building for the month of December in Okemos.  With your support, it will glow brilliantly throughout the holiday with all dedications being listed in the Book of Honor displayed next to the Tree of Peace.

There are three ways to give-

• A Shining Light:  For a $10.00 minimum donation, a Light is dedicated in Memory of Honor of your loved one.

• A Keepsake Ornament:  For a $40.00 minimum donation, a Keepsake Ornament will be placed on the Tree.

• A Tree of Peace Sponsorship:  For a $100.00 minimum donation, a Keepsake Ornament will be placed on the Tree plus you will receive that Keepsake Ornament when the tree is taken down in January.

All proceeds of this fundraiser will benefit our ongoing projects in support of the Osteopathic Profession.  One such project, the Distracted Driving Simulator, continues to gain attention, and we are reaching out across the state to interested hospitals, service organizations and schools.

AMOA Tree of Peace Order Form

	Plan A - Low Option Rates	Plan A Rates With EHB*		Plan B - High Option Rates	Plan B Rates With EHB*
Single	$27.09	$27.09	$49.77		$49.74
Two Person	$49.31	$51.20*	$91.27		$92.82*
Family	$79.40	$97.53*	$163.50		$166.56*

After decades of treating patients and seeing first hand the medical consequences of obesity, Dr. Paul Ehrmann conceived the idea of providing nutritional education at the source- grocery stores.

And thus began the HealthyTown-Everywhere (HTE) initiative. A free, public program, Ehrmann developed HTE to help address the obesity epidemic by promoting healthy lifestyles and improving wellness, primarily through diet, exercise and behavior modification.

HTE participants receive education on nutrition, grocery store tours, BMI screenings and blood pressure readings. There is also information on healthy lifestyles for school children.

Link to Full MSUCOM story:

While the holidays represent a great time for family and friends to gather and celebrate, Beaumont Health notes it is also a good time to connect with family and discuss family health history. Genetics play such an important role in addressing health concerns and for many families the holidays are the only time family members may be together. Remind your patients this is a good time to recognize what hereditary risks may lie ahead and discuss what lifestyle changes could help to avoid heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancers. 

Link: Beaumont Article

Growing up, Safi Mohammed, DO, was taught that if he wasn't with his family for the holidays, he should be using that time to give back to others. The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) features a great story on Dr. Mohammed's efforts in his community.  

Dr. Mohammed, a resident at McLaren Macomb Hospital in Mount Clemens, Henry Ford Macomb Hospital's Mount Clemens campus and Beaumont Hospital in Farmington Hills. The AOA sat down with him to discuss the importance of community service in residency.

The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) will incentivize quality and coordinated care among clinicians who treat Medicare Part B patients. The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) has a good online resource for All-Things-MACRA, with information on payment models, options and how you can prepare. The video below outlines options:

MACRA 2017 Options

Sparrow Healthcare news includes stories on awards, new facilities and the amazing amount of effort Sparrow engages in the community. 

This week, Sparrow's Caregiver Spotlight is Jim Long. As Catering Manager, long uses a customer service approach to ensure that the patients' needs always come first.

Sparrow Caregiver Spotlight - Jim Long

Links:
Sparrow News
Sparrow TV

The MOA Pulse connects members, partners and the communities we serve. If you have any news or events you would like to us share, or if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact:

Todd Ross

Manager of Communications

Michigan Osteopathic Association

517/827-0615

[email protected]