As part of COVID-19 vaccine safety efforts, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring multiple safety systems, and to date, there has not been a safety signal identified in either the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) or Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD). DPH has issued a Health Update notification in order to enhance early recognition of persons who may develop the condition following vaccination. Health care professionals should consider myocarditis in an evaluation of chest pain after vaccination and report all cases to VAERS.

Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine is reported to be 100% effective in children ages 12-17 in a clinical trial. In June Moderna will seek Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency use approval to give the vaccine to teens. If approved, this would be the second COVID-19 vaccine available to US adolescents behind the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which federal regulators authorized for use for 12-15 year-olds earlier this month.

Governor Carney and the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announced on Tuesday the launch of DE Wins!, a public education and incentive program aimed at increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates in the state. The program has three components: a small business incentive fund, gift card distribution at DPH Clinics and Curative vaccination locations, and a larger raffle for prizes. On June 30, every Delawarean who received the COVID-19 vaccine in Delaware will be entered to win a $302,000 cash prize and two low-number Delaware license plates. Read the announcement.

Modern Healthcare reports the US Senate confirmed President Biden's nominee to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, who worked for the Obama administration and helped implement the Affordable Care Act, will oversee the agency. In her new role at CMS, one of her first duties will be implementing the ban on surprise billing passed by Congress last year. (Image attributed to Manatt, Phelps, & Phillips, LLC.)

The Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) and the Opioid Response Team are announcing community grant funding opportunities through DSAMH's federal State Opioid Response (SOR) grant, funded by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). For the first round of funding, grant applications are due on June 14, 2021, and funded projects may begin as early as July 1, 2021. Projects can vary in length but the final deadline for completion will be September 2022. Those who previously applied for Tier 1 funding to implement universal screening are eligible to apply. Read more.

The Medical Society of Delaware offices will be closed on Monday, May 31st in observation of the Memorial Day holiday. MSD will reopen Tuesday, June 1. Please take time to honor the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military.

MSD is spotlighting physician members throughout the state, highlighting your colleagues, whether they are new to membership or have been a member over the years.

This week's spotlight is on Lindsay D. Albanese, MD, an emergency medicine physician with Aspira Health in Lewes, DE. Read more.

If you would like to be featured in the Spotlight section, please contact Michelle.Seymour@medsocdel.org

Congratulations to the recently appointed MSD Nominating Committee members! The Nominating Committee is appointed annually by the MSD Executive Board and is responsible for developing the nomination slate for elected positions for consideration by the Council.

Over the course of the next several months, the Nominating Committee will be seeking out candidates with appropriate skills and qualities for leadership. If you are interested in getting involved in MSD, contact any member of the Nominating Committee or Mary LaJudice, Senior Director of Corporate Services for more information.

2021 Nominating Committee Members:

Robert J. Varipapa, MD - Chair

James M. Ellison, MD

James M. Gill, MD

Randeep S. Kahlon, MD

John Kehagias, MD

Shalini B. Shah, MD

Brintha F. Vasagar, MD

The MSD Bylaws Committee periodically reviews the Bylaws and may recommend revisions and modifications necessitated by changing times, methods, or conditions. Any proposals for amendments to the Bylaws are submitted to the committee for consideration and recommendations. The Bylaws Committee shall have jurisdiction on the interpretation of the Bylaws, resolutions, and rules of MSD. The committee meets on an as-needed basis at a time convenient for members of the committee. For more information on becoming a member of the Bylaws Committee, contact Mary LaJudice at Mary.LaJudice@medsocdel.org or (302) 593-8589.

Beebe Healthcare is joining Unite Delaware, a statewide network connecting health and social care providers in a collaborative ecosystem to meet people where they are and ensure they can access the resources they need, when they need them. The Unite Us Platform will provide Sussex County with the digital infrastructure to coordinate care and improve access for those who have barriers to health and social services. Joining the network is free to community-based and nonprofit organizations. Read more.

The American Hospital Association's Institute for Diversity and Health Equity named ChristianaCare a 2021 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award honoree. The award is an annual recognition of outstanding efforts to advance equity of care to all patients and to spread lessons learned and progress toward diversity, inclusion, and health equity. Read more.

MSD is pleased to highlight another of its 2021 Premier Educational Partners, Delaware Hospice. Since 1982, Delaware Hospice has committed to its mission of providing the highest quality health care and resources to the communities it serves. At the heart of our care is a passionate concern for individuals and their families coping with the most critical time of their lives. Delaware Hospice empowers individuals and their caregivers with education to provide comfort and personal care. They will work to develop a care plan that includes everything from symptom management, which ensures patient comfort, to emotional and spiritual support. Their goal is to provide a holistic approach that considers the combined medical, personal, emotional, and spiritual needs of the individual, who, along with loved ones, are living with a life-limiting illness. For more information.

MSD's Membership Department is pleased to announce the newest member of the Medical Society of Delaware. Welcome to the third oldest medical society in the country! If you know someone interested in joining the Medical Society of Delaware, please contact Michelle Seymour at (302) 224-4905 or Michelle.Seymour@medsocdel.org.

MSD members are afforded a seven-day review period from the date of this publication to comment regarding an applicant applying for membership. Please contact Michelle Seymour at (302) 224-4905 or Michelle.Seymour@medsocdel.org with any questions or concerns.