In observation of the Thanksgiving holiday, the Medical Society of Delaware will be closing at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25th. MSD offices will reopen on Monday, November 30th. We wish all our members and their families a very happy, healthy, and relaxing Thanksgiving. We are thankful for all you do every day for the health and well-being of Delawareans! |
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MSD Joins DPH in Supporting Thanksgiving Guidance |
Please Share Information Broadly With Staff and Patients |
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the Delaware Division of Public Health, the best way to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from COVID-19 this Thanksgiving is to limit gatherings only to members of your household — people you’ve been living with during the pandemic. Please discuss the importance of social distancing and following this guidance with your patients. If possible, please share this printable Thanksgiving tip flyer widely with your patients and staff.
MSD President Joseph J. Straight shared the importance of being extra cautious this holiday season and the value of COVID-19 testing during an interview with Delaware Public Media. Read article.
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Governor Carney Issues Update on COVID-19 Restrictions |
Governor John Carney has issued restrictions statewide to slow community spread of COVID-19 as Delaware and the country experience a surge of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths heading into the winter months. The order includes:
- Indoor gatherings in homes must be capped at no more than 10 people.
- Indoor gatherings outside of homes must be limited to 30 percent of the venue’s stated fire capacity, up to a cap of 50 people. This includes all events, such as weddings, funerals, services in houses of worship, performances, political gatherings, and events in public spaces including fire halls.
- Outdoor public gatherings are limited to 50 people. Up to 250 may be allowed with a plan approved by the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH).
- Restaurants must operate at no more than 30 percent of fire capacity indoors, with allowances for additional outdoor seating.
- Governor Carney’s order will also prohibit Delaware youth sports organizations, teams and venues from hosting or participating in tournaments with out-of-state teams, effective at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 1. The order includes a provision prohibiting Delaware teams from traveling across states lines for tournaments.
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DPH Announces Latest COVID-19 Statistics |
Delaware Hits Record High Number of Cases at 649 in Single Day |
According to the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), Delaware has a total of 746 fatalities due to COVID-19. Delaware saw its largest single-day case total since May with 465 new cases reported on Thursday, Nov. 12.
The latest Delaware COVID-19 statistics include:
- 30,816 total laboratory-confirmed cases
- New Castle County cases: 16,900
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Kent County cases: 4,324
- Sussex County cases: 9,493
- Unknown: 99
- Age range: 0 to 104
- Hospitalized: 170; Critically ill: 26
Aggregate K-12 School-Related COVID-19 Statistics: Delaware cumulative number of COVID-19 positive students and staff, statewide, who were in-person at a school or child care facility while potentially infectious, reported to DPH between between Nov. 5 - Nov 12:
- Child care – 21 students and 17 staff
- Private K-12 – not reported (less than 10)
- Public K-12 – 45 students and 42 staff
Read more for additional information and an update on outbreaks in long-term care facilities .
Additional demographic data on COVID-19 cases and deaths, including race/ethnicity, more age-specific data and rates information by ZIP code, and information on Delaware's contact tracing efforts can be found on the Division of Public Health's My Healthy Community data portal.
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DPH COVID-19 Vaccination Playbook |
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The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) has released its COVID-19 Vaccination Playbook which lays out how it expects to navigate the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. Due to an expected shortage of the vaccine, Delaware plans to make the two-shot series available in a multiple step approach by prioritizing population groups starting with persons serving in health care settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials. View vaccine phase plan. Read full Playbook. To submit feedback, please email DPH_Covid19_VaccinePlan_Comments@delaware.gov
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MSD Annual Meeting / Educational Program a Virtual Success! |
Record Attendees, Rave Reviews |
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MSD members toast incoming President Matthew J. Burday, DO |
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Governor John Carney accepts the Daniel A. Alvarez, MD Distinguished Service Award
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The 2020 MSD Annual Meeting and Educational Program looked a little different this year. The three day event was held via Zoom to a record number of attendees. Governor John Carney, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, Senator Chris Coons, and AMA President Susan R. Bailey, MD all gave remarks. MSD's 177th President, Matthew J. Burday, DO was inaugurated along with the approval of the 2021 slate of MSD Officers:
- President - Matthew J. Burday, DO
- President-Elect - Robert J. Varipapa, MD
- Vice President - Bhavin R. Dave, MD
- Secretary - Shalini B. Shah, MD
- Treasurer - Brian J. Galinat, MD, MBA
- Speaker of the Council - Stephanie Guarino, MD
The following awards were presented:
- Daniel A. Alvarez, MD Distinguished Service Award to Governor John J. Carney
- President's Award to Karyl Rattay, MD - Director, Division of Public Health
- Special Recognition Award to Nancy Fan, MD
Although not presented in person, MSD also recognized those physicians for fifty years as a member of the medical profession and in appreciation of their dedicated service the community.
More than one hundred members registered to attend the Educational CME Program, Medical Implications of Climate Change, held on Thursday. Thank you to Stephen J. Kushner, DO, Chair of the Education Program Planning Subcommittee, and everyone who worked to pull off a very informational and successful virtual education session.
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AMA Special House of Delegates Meeting |
New Policies Include Racism, Telemedicine, and |
The American Medical Association (AMA) met virtually this week for a five-day policy-making meeting gathering physicians and medical students from all corners of the nation to shape the AMA’s health care agenda.
One important item of business for delegates was the future of telemedicine. Delegates adopted policy directing the AMA to continue its advocacy work with legislators and regulators who have an important opportunity to codify coverage, access and payment policies that support telehealth advancements throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. For a detailed report, read more. |
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Delaware “State of Lung Cancer” Report |
First State Ranks 17th for Survival Rate |
According to the 2020 State of Lung Cancer report from the American Lung Association, while more Americans are surviving the disease, people of color are facing poorer health outcomes than white residents. The 3rd annual report lists Delaware’s survival rate at 23.1%, ranking 17 out of 47 states measured. Delaware’s new case incidence rate is higher than the national average, ranking 39 out of 51 states. Early diagnosis in Delaware is among the best in the nation at 26%, ranking 5 out of 49 states measured. Read more. |
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Practice Management Lunchtime Webinar |
2021 CPT Code and Documentation Changes |
Mark your calendar for the next Practice Management Education lunchtime webinar on Wednesday, December 2 from 12:00 – 1:00 pm. This session, presented by Cindy Groux, CHBME, CEO, President, of Health Care Practice Management will provide an overview of the new CPT codes for 2021 including Prolonged Services and Clinical Staff Services, documentation changes to reduce administrative burden, decrease need for audits, promote coding consistency, and new rules for Time billing. To register. |
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We are sad to report Zakir Hossain, MD passed away on November 11th. Dr. Hossain, a well-respected thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon, was born in Bangladesh and immigrated to the United States in 1962. He worked for 45 years as a trusted physician and retired in 2007 to enjoy time with his family, including his wife of thirty years, Patty. Read obituary. |
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Katelin M. Haley, DO – Atlantic Adult and Pediatric Medicine, Lewes |
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. |
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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 Mary LaJudice at (302) 224-5183 or Mary.LaJudice@medsocdel.org with any questions or concerns.
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The Latin phrase Rerum Cognoscere translates to learn, examine, or become aware of facts or things. In this section we highlight measurable items of interest in health care from MSD, Delaware, the US, and the world. |
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11,743,780
Total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States as of November 20, 2020.
Johns Hopkins University
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252,861
Total number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the United States as of November 20, 2020.
Johns Hopkins University
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1M +
Number of U.S. infants, children, and teens who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. 111,946 cases were reported last week.
American Academy of Pediatrics
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Dec. 17 - SAVE THE DATE: MSD Practice Management Session: Emotional Well-Being Over the Holidays, noon - 1:00 p.m., virtual event.
March 13 - SAVE THE DATE: 25th Annual Diabetes Update, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., virtual event.
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Was the information in this newsletter useful? If so, forward to a friend to let them know the value of your Medical Society of Delaware membership. |
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Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved. |
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