The Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) president John Sealey, DO, FACOS, traveled to Washington D.C. in an effort to protect the Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program. This program is the only federal program primarily dedicated to training medical residents to go into primary care in medically under-served areas. Recognizing the current primary care physician shortage, the bill facilitates expansion of the program by funding entirely new centers and new programs at existing THCs. Dr. Sealey was invited to speak to the National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC). The forum offered health care leaders the opportunity to explain the success the THCGME program has achieved and urgency of maintaining the funding.

Currently, funding for the program is scheduled to end September 30, 2017. But a bill in the House of Representatives would continue funding. H.R. bill 3394 is cosponsored by 67 congresspersons from 27 states, from both the Democratic and Republican parties.

Dr. Sealey explained how the program offers a win-win opportunity in terms of training primary care physicians in a time where the country faces acute shortages of primary care doctors. He appealed for support of the bill with a personal perspective -  "I am a product of the Teaching Health Center GME program, and I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for it."

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) has been very active on this issue urging their members to let congress know the importance of THCGME.  

Links:
AOA Advocacy "Save the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program"
Fierce Health article "Federal training, reducing physician burnout keys to tackling the primary care doctor shortage"

Hashtags:
#PrimaryCareWorks
#THCGME

Autumn Convention November 3-5, 2017
The Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) will host its Autumn Scientific Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the beautiful Amway Grand Plaza. The event has grown over the last 12 years and will offer 20 AOA 1-A credits. Grand Rapids has been a great city for the convention, offering a wide variety of dining, shopping and attractions.

Surviving medical school for couples

The Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) Student Advocate Association and the Advocates for the Michigan Osteopathic Association (AMOA) are hosting a seminar on managing relationships during medical school. "Surviving medical school for couples" will be held on the MSU campus and will feature speakers on relationships and finance issues.  

When: September 26, 2017 5:30-7:00 PM
Where: Conrad Hall, 888 Wilson Road, East Lansing MI
Dinner will be provided. RSVP required.
Presented by: MSUCOM Student Advocate Association

Topics include:
Relationships for medical student couples with Dr. John Taylor
Finances during medical school with Angelene Patton
RSVP: [email protected]

The annual Michigan Society of Association Executives (MSAE) Diamond Awards once again saw the Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) garner awards as associations from across the state gathered to recognize excellence in the industry. The MOA was recognized in the four categories where entries were submitted.

• Gold for Meetings and Expositions - Spring Convention
• Silver for Social Media Campaign - Opioids, Safe Drug Disposal
• Honorary Mention for E-Newsletter - The Pulse
• Honorary Mention for Magazine - TRIAD Online

But the highlight of the night was the induction of Kris Nicholoff into the Association Hall of Fame. The award honors individuals who have excelled in the association management profession. MOA President John Sealey, DO, FACOS, provided an introduction recalling a personal story and providing comments on how Nicholoff's extensive network in the legislative arena has served the MOA well.

"I've been in this business for over 30 years, but I never thought of any honor like this. I am truly humbled," said Nicholoff. He received the award with a crowd of supporters looking on.

The MSAE Diamond awards recognize excellence among Michigan associations and this is the 6th straight year the MOA has been honored in multiple categories.    

Standing Up for Michigan Drivers, Accident Survivors and Health Care Providers
The Coalition Protecting Auto No-Fault is working on behalf of Michigan drivers, accident survivors and healthcare providers to improve Michigan's no-fault system. Michigan's auto insurance laws have long been considered a model for the country, but recent court cases and other issues have created flaws in the system that must be addressed.

CPAN has developed 24 reforms that will improve Michigan's no-fault system by making auto insurance more fair and affordable for drivers while also ensuring accident victims get the care they need.

Links:
> 24 Reforms (PDF)

> MLive article

Choosing a career in medicine is just the first step in becoming a DO. One of the biggest decisions every physician makes in their career is selecting a specialty.

There's no denying that certain personality traits tend to match up with specific specialties. The DO has created a short personality quiz to suggest the specialty that may fit well with your outlook.

Taking the quiz will lead you to one of seven specialties common among DOs: emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), osteopathic manipulative medicine/neuromusculoskeletal medicine (OMM/NMM), pediatrics and surgery.

Whether you're well-established in your chosen specialty or are a medical student still figuring out which path calls to you most, you'll enjoy seeing where your answers take you.

Link:
The DO Quiz: What's the ideal medical specialty for your personality?

The Michigan Health and Hospital Association has launched a new campaign and website- MiCareMatters. The site offers information on the benefits of hospitals from healthcare to community outreach to economic impact. Visitors can quickly sign up for newsletters, contact their legislators on important healthcare issues and view stories of how local hospitals are a positive force in their communities. The site also offers podcasts and videos with the MiCare message.

Link:

> MiCareMatters.org

Hashtag

#MiCareMatters

The Oakland County Osteopathic Association (OCOMA) and the Oakland County Medical Society (OCMS) are sponsoring "An Afternoon of Wellness," a program examining physician burnout and how to develop healthy strategies to minimize the causes. The event will feature a panel discussion- "Avenues to Freedom," as well as breakout sessions. 

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Roger Smith, Assistant Dean for Graduate Medical Education and Professor of Clinical Biological Sciences at Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine. 

The Michigan Osteopathic Association designates this program for a maximum of 3.5 Category 1-A credits and will report CME and specialty credits commensurate with the extent of the physician's participation in the event. 

Links:

> Registration for An Afternoon of Wellness 

> Flyer for An Afternoon of Wellness (PDF) 

News and Resources

MSU Today: Fighting the protective barriers of bacteria
> MSU Today article