Statewide Focus on Flu "Flu Shot Day" A Success

October 2, 2018 Issue 66

Statewide Focus on Flu “Flu Shot Day” A Success

Wednesday, Sept. 26 successfully served as the Focus On Flu campaign’s statewide ‘Flu Shot Day’ as announced during the Sept. 18 press conference that drew media attention from across Kentucky.

KMA and the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky kicked off a busy agenda with a live appearance on Louisville FOX affiliate, WDRB. Anchor Candyce Clifft was joined by KMA President Bruce Scott and Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky President and CEO Ben Chandler to discuss the campaign and emphasize the importance of flu vaccine. Clifft then actually received her flu shot on air. The segment can be viewed here .

Flu Shot Day also saw the debut of a series of ‘Flu Myth Buster’ videos featuring KMA physicians. Each thirty second segment aims to debunk a common flu myth or misconception. KPLI graduates Casey Lewis, M.D., Mamata Majmunda, M.D., and James Borders, M.D. all served as the expert physicians for the videos. In addition, Rhonda Rhodes of the KMA Alliance filmed a short video emphasizing the importance of getting vaccinated.

KMA President Bruce A. Scott, M.D., and Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky President and CEO Ben Chandler appear with Candyce Clifft on WDRB-TV September 26 to promote Kentucky Statewide Flu Shot Day.

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Flu Mythbusters: Why Do I Need the Flu Vaccine Every Year?

KMA member Mamata Majmundar, M.D., talks about why you should get a flu shot.

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Focus on Flu wrapped up Flu Shot Day by teaming up with Passport Health at Louisville’s WFPK Waterfront Wednesday.

Kentucky Physicians Leadership Institute to be Honored with MediStar’s A.O. Sullivan Award for Excellence in Education

Three KMA Member Physicians Also Selected as MediStar Honorees, Including Physician of the Year

The Kentucky Physicians Leadership Institute (KPLI) has been announced as the recipient of the A.O. Sullivan Award for Excellence in Education . The award will be presented on Oct. 30 during the twelfth annual MediStar Awards , to be held at the Muhammad Ali Center.

The MediStar Awards honor healthcare professionals for their achievements in advocacy, innovation, education, leadership and aging, as well as announce the Physician and Nurse of the Year. The A.O. Sullivan Award is presented to the organization that takes creative approaches to developing and implementing programs, which enhance the level of knowledge, education and career opportunity in healthcare.

The 2018 MediStar Awards will also honor three KMA member physicians for their contributions to healthcare. Sarah Moyer, M.D. , and Bryan Loy, M.D. , will be presented with The Centerstone Healthcare Advocacy Award, which recognizes an individual that has worked to raise awareness of health challenges in the region and worked to affect change.

Sandra Shuffett, M.D. , a Nicholasville radiologist with Baptist Health Medical Group, will be presented with The Dean Dorton Physician of the Year Award. This award is given to a physician who has shown outstanding leadership and vision and has contributed to their workplace, leaving a lasting legacy.

Anthem Rescinds Proposed Lab Fee Schedule; Credits Feedback from Health Care Professionals

Recently, Anthem announced that it was rescinding a proposed lab fee schedule change that was to take effect on Sept. 25. The change affected many common pediatric tests, including rapid cultures for influenza and strep.

In its letter announcing the decision, Anthem credited input and feedback from individual health care professionals. The full statement from Anthem is available here .

KMA worked with the Greater Louisville Medical Society and KPLI graduate and Bullitt County pediatrician Casey Lewis, M.D., to push back on the proposed change.

KMA is working to identify administrative barriers to patient health through its AIM for Better Care initiative. For more information on AIM, visit kyma.org/AIM .

Physicians Needed to Help Monitor Flu Cases in Kentucky

Influenza season will be underway soon, and the Kentucky Influenza Surveillance Program needs your help! In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) works with clinicians throughout the state to conduct surveillance for influenza-like illness (ILI) in outpatients . These clinicians volunteer as sentinel providers and are an invaluable part of our influenza surveillance program. Sentinel providers help assess the timing, location, and impact of influenza viruses, and also help to identify the influenza virus strains that are circulating in the community.