WORD TO THE WISE Newsletter: July 2020 - Volume 20, No. 7

In this issue: Update from your president: COVID-19 on the rise Update from your CMS BOD rep: Local-only memberships New on the blog: Dr. Vinh Chung reflects on finding joy and gratitude through human connections News and resources: CDC warning on certain hand sanitizers; resources for breastfeeding mothers and infants; survey request from the Pueblo Food Project; survey request from Harvard on PPE Events: Federal CMS COVID-19 stakeholder calls; consortium lunch and learn series; Parkview events in 2020; Robert Hawkins Tribute canceled News from CMS: Elections to be held in August; annual meeting canceled News from AMA: AMA urges public to wear a mask to prevent spread of COVID-19

UPDATE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT: Marcel Junqueira, MD

COVID-19 again on the rise; stay well COVID-19 cases are rising again in Pueblo, though thankfully not at rates of some of our neighbor states and communities. The latest Pueblo County numbers from July 8 show 416 confirmed positive and probable cases and 31 deaths. Physicians continue to play an integral role on the front lines of the pandemic caring for those who have contracted the virus and educating the public on the best modes of prevention and safety. Because the mental strain of processing new information about the virus combined with isolation from friends, family and patients, I urge you to continue practicing self-care as much as possible, however you can. Access the Colorado Physician Health Program's free and confidential COVID-19 Care Line for Physicians at 720-810-9131.

UPDATE FROM YOUR CMS BOD REP: Brad Roberts, MD

Local-only memberships There has been recent considerable discussion regarding local-only membership allowance. Pueblo County Medical Society, El Paso County Medical Society, and Denver Medical Society each have local-only memberships as an option. I see local-only memberships as a bridge to broader involvement. As this discussion continues, I would encourage you to consider both sides and reach out to CMS leadership to express your thoughts. Read more here.

New on the PCMS blog: Patients Who Feed My Soul Dr. Vinh Chung writes about a recent patient encounter: Carlos was the last patient on his schedule for the day and he was seeing him at a Vanguard dermatology clinic an hour away from the main clinic and his home. It was the end of the day; he was exhausted and ready to go home. He felt a bit irritated that he couldn't leave early enough to beat rush-hour traffic. But meeting Carlos and learning his story affected him. "Sometimes, we need to pause and take a little extra time so our hearts can be reminded about 'Why' we chose to go into medicine in the first place. Like any important thing in life, we find meaning and fulfillment when our hearts can flourish." Read more here.

NEWS AND RESOURCES

CDC warning: Serious adverse health events associated with methanol-based hand sanitizers Most commercially available alcohol-based hand sanitizers or rubs (ABHSR) contain either ethanol or isopropanol as active ingredients. On June 19, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised consumers not to use any hand sanitizer manufactured by “Eskbiochem SA de CV” in Mexico, due to the potential presence of methanol, a “toxic alcohol,” as an active ingredient, which can cause blindness and/or death when absorbed through the skin or when swallowed. Since then, FDA has identified additional ABHSR products that contain methanol and is working with manufacturers and distributors on a voluntary recall of these products. Read more here.

Resources for breastfeeding mothers and infants; plus, Global Latch On event - Aug. 1, 2020 The Special Supplemental Nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) of Pueblo county can help a breastfeeding mother and infant when they are experiencing complications, including access to a certified lactation consultant and lactation counselors, and high-quality breast pumps for loan. Every year, the Pueblo WIC office celebrates our community’s breastfeeding families as part of the Global Latch On. This year, Global Latch On will be shortened to providing a drive-through version of information and incentives accompanied by a virtual latch at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 1, 2020. The focus this year is “Every Drop Makes a Difference,” specifically noting the benefits breastfeeding has for a healthy environment, healthy mind, healthy body and healthy community. For more information regarding the event please visit www.facebook.com/pueblowicprogram. Refer families to WIC at: www.coloradowicsignup.org. Read more here.

Survey request from Pueblo Food Project The Pueblo Food Project is executing a food access survey across Pueblo County. A survey of its kind has not been completed in our community since 2013. This information is critical to develop strategies that will lead us to a more equitable and vibrant food system. Anyone and everyone in Pueblo County can take the survey. They want as much participation as possible! Please take the survey yourself and share to all your networks. Those completing the survey will be entered to win an iPad and gift certificates from Springside Cheese. They survey is available in both Spanish and English; take it here. The survey closes today, July 13.

Harvard asks you to complete a 60-second PPE survey Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic various Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidelines have been published, but adherence to such guidelines has been variable. A group of Harvard Medical School researchers are collecting cross-country data on the usage of PPE by health care workers (paramedics, medical technicians, nurses, doctors and midwives) with the aim of identifying differences across the U.S. This will allow them to learn from different systems and help design unified guidance to optimize the protection of our frontlines. Click here to take the 60-second survey Participation is voluntary and all responses will remain anonymous. This study has IRB approval by the Ethics committee at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. For any queries, please email Oliver Darwish – odarwish@bidmc.harvard.edu.

EVENTS

Federal CMS to hold COVID-19 stakeholder engagement calls The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (federal CMS) hosts varied recurring stakeholder engagement sessions to share information related to the agency's response to COVID-19. These sessions are open to members of the health care community and are intended to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of the federal CMS and other subject matter experts. Office Hour Calls provide an opportunity for hospitals, health systems, and providers to ask questions of agency officials regarding the federal CMS’s temporary actions that empower local hospitals and health care systems to: increase hospital capacity, rapidly expand the health care workforce, reduce administrative burden and promote telehealth in Medicare. Upcoming Office Hour Calls: Tuesday, July 14, 3-4 p.m. MT | Toll Free Attendee Dial In: 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 2550919 | Audio Webcast link Tuesday, July 21, 3-4 p.m. MT | Toll Free Attendee Dial In: 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 7477995 | Audio Webcast link Tuesday, July 28, 3-4 p.m. MT | Toll Free Attendee Dial In: 833-614-0820; Access Passcode: 1492795 | Audio Webcast link

Lunch and Learn sessions: Wednesdays through October The Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention’s Provider Education Work Group continues their series of free lunch and learn sessions, held each Wednesday, 12:30-1:15 p.m. Each presentation is eligible for 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. To receive CME credit, you must pre-register here. If you would simply like to drop in, no pre-registration is required. For a complete list of topics and dates, please visit the Consortium website. All sessions will be held via Zoom at this link / Password: 620980. All events will be recorded and posted online for future viewing.

Parkview Medical Center – 2020 Symposiums All in-person Parkview classes, events, symposiums and large meetings have been canceled. Leadership will make a decision about other activities at a later date. Save the date for the following symposiums presented by Parkview Medical Center: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020: Neurosciences Symposium Below are the 2020 Parkview Medical Group (PMG) All-Provider Meetings: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m. And below are the 2020 Parkview General Medical Staff (GMS) meetings: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Canceled: Mental Health America of Pueblo Robert Hawkins Tribute & Award Ceremony The 19th Annual Robert Hawkins Tribute & Award Ceremony presented by Mental Health America of Pueblo that was rescheduled for Aug. 14, 2020 has been canceled. This year's honorees are Dr. Robert Tonsing, Teah Miller and Dominique Mundt.

NEWS FROM THE COLORADO MEDICAL SOCIETY

CMS news roundup: 2020 Elections will be held Aug. 1-31; Annual Meeting canceled All PCMS members who are also CMS members will receive an email Aug. 1 inviting you to vote in the 2020 CMS leadership election. We will elect the president-elect, two delegates to the AMA delegation, and approve COMPAC nominations. CMS urges you to participate in the election and your medical societies. Thank you! Also, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 CMS Annual Meeting has been canceled. It was originally scheduled to be held Sept. 24-25 in Denver. We look forward to when we can again gather safely in large groups.

NEWS FROM THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AMA, AHA, ANA: Open letter on mask use, stopping spread of COVID-19

The American Medical Association joined the American Hospital Association and the American Nurses Association in penning a letter to the American public urging everyone to take the simple steps we know will help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus: wear a face mask, maintain physical distancing and wash hands. Read the letter here.

MISSION:   Fa cilitating meaningful collaboration of medical professionals in Pueblo County through social networking, education, and advocacy!    VISION:   To c reate a medical society that serves as a venue for collaboration for the betterment of healthcare in Pueblo County, and improve the practice of medicine and life of medical professionals, locally.

Board Officers: President: Marcel Junqueira, MD; President-Elect: open position; Treasurer: Kathleen Brown, MD; Past-President: Tom Greidanus, MD |  Directors: CMS Representative Brad Roberts, MD; Teresa Braden, DO; Ross Patrick, MD; Jacob Mathew Jr., DO; Cheryl Walker, DO; and Kevin Weber, MD |  Chief Executive Officer: Cheryl Law, MA, MNM

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