March 2020
President's Remarks on COVID-19

Hi All,

The last two to three weeks have been one of the most unique times that our organization has encountered in more than a generation. The challenges that we face have and will continue to reach new pinnacles and hardships much greater than we ever imagined. I am writing this article in an attempt not to review the facts about COVID-19 or to educate our already knowledgeable members, but for a different purpose. Whether you are a medical director, nurse practitioner, or function in nursing you are all leaders in your communities, your nursing facilities, and to your patients. 

PMDA has always been at the head of the class, educating the entire state of Pennsylvania in nursing home medical affairs. We’ve assisted in policy education and provide answers to those who are “lost” on which direction to go. Essentially it is imperative for you to remember that you are all leaders not just in the medical direction, but leaders in your community, your colleagues, and your homes and populous you treat.

Your communities entrust in you the guidance of “what to do” and “what’s next” - for that matter even though others may talk a good game the fact is in most cases you are the informed party with the facts. You provide information in reality for preparation and planning. As members of PMDA you are the truth and the cog to derail panic over misguided ignorance. In this dynamic process there are updates and adjustments as well as CDC recommendations every day.

We all know nursing homes are one of the highest risks in mortality and sequelae of events of corona virus. Nursing home and personal living communities will continue to look towards us for implementation of CDC guidelines as well as hopefully new treatments and updates for this pandemic.

Because of whom we are and have been, for our organization to be one of the forerunners in our corner of the medical world, it is important that our entire membership continues to unite in corresponding and sharing of best practices.

AMDA and PMDA will continue to send out information as it becomes available. Due to current events AMDA will be a virtual conference this year. PMDA’s Williamsport spring education will become a morning statewide Zoom educational event. We are currently working on securing lectures on updates on COVID-19 as part of the Zoom meeting. More information to follow.

PMDA members: I encourage all to use our email chat lines to optimally share questions and answers amongst our members.

Yes, these are a very difficult and tough times. We are challenged in our medical crisis in ways we have never seen in our lifetimes. I remind all that all of you are valuable professionals to your corners of the state. You are all leaders and your voice not only will be heard, but will be cherished for directional guidance. Educate yourselves as much as possible. Be a teacher and extend your knowledge where able. As it has already been quoted -“We will get through it” - and PMDA going forward will be a helpful medical entity that will participate in the foundation of healing.
Brian B. Kimmel DO CMD
PMDA Awards
Daniel R. Steiner, MD, CMD-R

In an effort to recognize dedication, performance and accomplishments of its members, the Pennsylvania Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, PMDA, has established two awards that are presented at the fall Annual Symposium business meeting. One, the Duncan S. MacLean Founder's Award for Distinguished Service, is named in honor of its first recipient, Duncan S. MacLean, and is awarded based on efforts for and dedication to the organization. The other, the Long-Term Care Clinician of the Year Award, is awarded to the clinician demonstrating excellence in providing and/or promoting quality clinical care in the long-term care arena. Further specifics regarding the awards are defined below.
 
 
Duncan S. MacLean Founder’s Award for Distinguished Service
The Duncan S. MacLean Founder’s Award for Distinguished Service recognizes significant contributions to building the organizational strength, image and mission of PMDA, which is “to promote Medical Direction and Physician Services in long-term care, to enhance the reputation of PMDA, and to advance goals enabling the Association to improve care delivered to patients throughout the long-term care continuum.”
 
The nominee must be:
1. A physician in good standing with the community and profession.
2. Active in the field of long-term care.
3. A PMDA member in good standing.
4. Not a current board member of PMDA.
 
Prior recipients include:
Duncan S. MacLean, MD, CMD
Daniel Haimowitz, MD, CMD, FACP
David Nace, MD, CMD
J. Kenneth Brubaker, MD, CMD
Thomas E. Lawrence, MD, CMD
 
The Long-Term Care Clinician of the Year Award recognizes those individuals whose vision, passion, leadership, knowledge, and commitment succeed in taking patient care in the facilities they serve to exceptional levels of quality, excellence, and innovation.
 
The nominee must be:
1. Nominated by NHA, DN, Medical Director or other clinicians from a facility where the nominee serves as a clinician (Physician, NP, or PA). The facility may be a SNF, ALF, or LIFE Program.
2. A PMDA member in good standing.
3. Recipient determined based on the demonstration, within the nominating letter, of the clinician’s role in any or all of the following achievements: quality improvement, annual state survey, patient satisfaction surveys, staff moral and retention, community/hospital relations and outreach, medication management, reduction in unnecessary rehospitalizations, and overall impact of his/her role as a clinician in the facility.
 
Prior recipients include:
Neelofer Sohail, MD, CMD
Tracy Polak, CRNP, MSN
Christina DeFrancisco, DNP, CRNP, FNP, CWS
 
Nominations are accepted year-round but must be submitted and received this year by September 11, 2020 . Please consider nominating a deserving individual for one or both awards, both this year and in future years. Congratulations again to all our previous recipients!
The PMDA Trainee Education Fund supports PMDA’s efforts to educate, recognize and inspire post-acute and long-term care clinicians in training in the benefits and rewards of a career in the PALTC continuum. Your contribution will allow us to continue to offer complimentary registration to the Annual Symposium for fellows, residents and students and support PMDA’s contribution to AMDA’s Futures Program. Help us invest in the future of practice in PALTC medicine.
Upcoming PMDA Events

  • Spring Board Meeting - 5/15/20 - Zoom Virtual Meeting
  • PMDA 2020 Spring Consortium - 5/16/20 - Zoom Virtual Educational Event
  • Regional Meeting - 9/15/20 - Six (6) locations and individual virtual attendance. Registration fees: $25 PMDA Members; $30 non-members.
  • Fall Board Meeting - 11/5/20 - Hotel Hershey, Hershey, PA
  • 2020 Annual Business Meeting - 11/6/20 - Hotel Hershey, Hershey, PA
  • 28th Annual Symposium - 11/6/20 - 11/7/20 - Hotel Hershey, Hershey, PA
PMDA COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update:
PMDA is very aware of the concerns with the spread of the coronavirus. The PMDA board and staff are closely following and monitoring the situation on a daily basis. We will provide regular updates to the attendees and PMDA members. 

We continue to monitor the changing situation daily and reviewing all recommendations from the  CDC  and  WHO . We encourage all meeting attendees and exhibitors to follow CDC and WHO recommendations for protecting yourself and others from infection.

PMDA places the health and well-being of our attendees and members as our top priority. We continue to work with the venue to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all attendees is implemented. This includes
  • encouraging all attendees to frequently wash their hands
  • increasing the number of hand-sanitizing stations
  • increasing the cleaning and disinfecting processes at the venue and meeting area
  • implementing a “no-handshake policy” at the meeting
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth

If you are showing symptoms, please consider other meeting attendees and choose to stay home instead of potentially spreading illness.
Job Board

Accelerate your career search by checking AMDA's Job Board frequently.
AMDA Virtual Conference Now Includes Archived Recordings
As previously announced, AMDA's Annual Conference will be held virtually April 2-5 . We acknowledge that during the COVID-19 pandemic, medical directors and all clinical leaders and team members are needed in their facilities to provide care for their vulnerable residents and patients.

For this reason , anyone registered to attend AMDA's 2020 Annual Conference will get the Archived Recordings for FREE! This will allow you to tend to your patients and facilities as needed, participate in live sessions when time allows, and listen to the archived recordings at a later date. The health, safety, and well-being of the community is our highest priority.

Haven't registered yet? Register today!
Upcoming Webinars

Sexuality and Intimacy in Older Adults
Date: March 11, 2020
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

2020 International Pressure Ulcer/Injury Guideline: The Long-Term Care Specific Updates
Date: March 25, 2020
Time: 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM

AMDA On-The-Go
Podcast Series
New Online QAPI Course

QAPI significantly expands the level and scope of a facility's quality improvement activities, mandating adoption of advanced, systematic data-driven methodologies to sustain and improve the quality of care and life of nursing home residents. The Conditions of Participation identified by CMS means nursing homes need to make QAPI the foundation of their work.

The Society has a new online course to help. Take the course and earn 6.0 CME credits, 6.0 MOC points, 6.0 CMD management hours, 6.0 nursing contact hours, and 6.75 NAB participant hours.