WORD TO THE WISE
Newsletter: January 2021 - Volume 21, No. 1
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In this issue:
- Update from your president: COVID-19 vaccine update
- Update from your CMS BOD rep: Good news as we start 2021
- Update from the CEO: Roundup of major projects
- News and resources: SCEMA donation; COVID-19 vaccine educational videos; Parkview nurse receives award; COVID-19 provider roundtable
- Events: COVID-19 roundtable; optimizing telehealth in family practice (series)
- News from CMS: CMS partners with organizations on the Colorado Opioid Solution
- News from AMA: Ways to support physician resiliency
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UPDATE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT: Marcel Junqueira, MD
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COVID-19 vaccination update
I hope most of you have received your first and possibly second dose of COVID-19 vaccination. PCMS has been working hard to distribute the latest local information for Pueblo providers from the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment. Sarah Joseph, public information officer for PDPHE, said in a Jan. 5 Pueblo Chieftain article that health care workers who haven't yet received a vaccine should call the PDPHE COVID information line, 719-583-4444. For your patients, Pueblo is currently in phases 1a and 1b of vaccine distribution, which includes health care workers, first responders, and long-term care employees and residents. Individuals age 70 and older can sign up here to receive alerts of upcoming vaccine clinics and we expect eligibility for vaccine to open to 65+ soon, given revised state and federal guidelines. This process -- along with COVID-19 cases trending down -- makes me hopeful for the beginning of the end of this pandemic. Thank you for all you are doing for your patients. I wish you good health in the new year.
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UPDATE FROM YOUR CMS BOD REP: Brittany Carver, DO
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Looking forward to 2021 and beyond
Happy New Year, fellow PCMS members! I assume all of us collectively are ready to tackle 2021 and are more than ready to leave 2020 behind us. First, some good news to start the year off. COVID-19 cases are down and vaccinations have started in Pueblo. Both hospital systems have shown remarkable initiative in rapidly vaccinating 1a and 1b candidates. Next up is the 70+ group. I personally have received both doses, and I encourage you all to partake when your turn comes as well. This is the next step toward normalcy, and I know we all miss our families, friends and social events. We are not out of the woods just yet, however. We need to coordinate, cooperate and participate collectively in order to set the example for the public.
Second, I have noticed that we are starting to see some presentations of the intermediate lingering effects of COVID, in addition to the effects of postponed presentations for other serious acute and chronic illnesses. I would stress to you the importance of educating your patients on what can wait and what cannot. Please also continue to be vigilant in our management of mental health issues. This has been a tough year in many ways. From our young population and virtual schooling, to unemployment of a large number of working adults, to our vulnerable elderly population – everyone’s mental health has been tested. Now is the time our patients need us most, and it is vital to reinforce interpersonal relationships and support both in and outside our respective practices.
Last, and perhaps most important, please continue to provide the excellent care you always do for our community at large. Our city has always been resilient, and the present situation is no different. I wish you all the best in this coming year!
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UPDATE FROM YOUR CEO: Cheryl Law, MA, MNM
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Highlights of PCMS's major projects in 2020 and continuing into 2021
Here's a quick rundown of some of the major projects your local medical society has been collectively collaborating on over the past year, which will continue throughout 2021:
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Parks RX Program – a true collaboration between PCMS and Parks RX America, Pueblo Parks and Recreation, SRDA, Health Solutions, Parkview Medical Center and St. Mary Corwin Medical Center. Through these partnerships we are developing a unique platform for the city and county of Pueblo. Currently, PCMS is completing a mini-grant proposal for the program to begin promotion among medical professionals in the surrounding areas and help educate patients on the success and benefits of nature at no cost to them, medical providers, or the Pueblo Community. More details to come your way throughout the year as the program gets underway.
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Potential Partnerships – in an effort to power up your membership perks with access to discounted resources, exclusive savings, and more, the PCMS Board of Directors is looking into the validity of products being offered by two organizations. Their products have been recognized by other medical membership societies as innovative, progressive, and helping members gain greater recognition as premier medical professionals.
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Health Care Access to Care Discussions – PCMS has been working collectively with the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment and others to examine what is known about access to care in Pueblo County pre-COVID and identify what is now happening post-COVID. The ultimate goal is to develop, collectively, a unified message locally regarding the importance of seeking care.
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Smoke Free Protections Coalition – in conjunction with our society and other community partners, this essential group was formed to make a significant impact on our community around keeping Pueblo and Pueblo County indoor air smoke-free. Within its purpose falls the prevention of marijuana hospitality establishments. Work groups within the Coalition meet monthly and are building a strong case to educate elected officials and our communities about the implication of these establishments and cannabis in Pueblo. If you are interested and able to serve on this Coalition, please contact cheryl.law@pueblocms.org and we can send you our meeting invites and get you up to speed on our efforts so far.
It’s been a challenging year for us all. Let’s hope with the vaccine, normal will once again become the lay of the land, and F2F events will begin again! Yours truly, Cheryl
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Helping hands: SCEMA donates winter items to Posada
SCEMA has been collecting coats/hats/mittens and books for children for the last month and has had great success. They are still collecting through this month. Reply to this email if you would like more information on donating items. The first donation was sent to Posada and a portion of that donation is shown here in the picture.
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Educational videos: Learn about COVID-19 vaccines
Developed in partnership with leading health organizations and Dr. Anthony Fauci, a four-part video series from the Ad Council and COVID Collaborative is designed to help health care providers better understand and answer common questions about COVID-19 vaccination. View them here.
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Congratulations to Parkview ICU nurse for alumni award
A nurse working in the Parkview ICU caring for COVID-19 patients has been named one of the Colorado State University Pueblo’s 2020 distinguished young alumni for courage and fortitude in the face of a global pandemic. Kelly McLean is the College of Health, Education and Nursing’s Distinguished Young Alumni, having received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in 2018. The honor, bestowed by the university’s foundation and alumni association, goes to exceptional graduates who are younger than 35. She is also taking classes for a doctorate of nurse practice at CSUP. Read more here. Congratulations, Kelly!
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COVID-19 Provider Roundtable - Dec. 30 materials
View the PowerPoint slides from the Dec. 30 COVID-19 Provider Roundtable here. View the PowerPoint slides from Ashok Rambhai Patel, MD, here. The Provider Roundtable is sponsored by PCMS, the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment and Pueblo Health Care.
Did you miss this roundtable? Follow this link to the Dec. 30 recorded session. Access Password: COVID12/30!
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Online PCMS Board Meeting
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Tuesday, Jan. 26, 6 - 7:30pm. Dr. Sami Diab, CMS president, will be joining us and sharing a 15-minute presentation followed by open discussion. If you are interested in joining us, please contact cheryl.law@pueblocms.org for an invitation.
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Next COVID-19 Provider Roundtable: Jan. 20
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Project Echo: Optimizing Telehealth in Family Practice - Wednesdays Jan. 13-27, 2021, 12 - 1 p.m.
Health organizations quickly adapted to delivering care via telehealth during the COVID-19 crisis. However, a strategic approach is critical to the sustainability of telehealth well beyond the pandemic. The goal of this three-part series is to provide support for telehealth delivery and sustainability through brief updates on best-practices and extended Q&A with leading telehealth implementation experts: Prime Health Executive Director Rachel Dixon and Telehealth Consultant Sam Lippolis. Three weekly ECHO sessions held virtually, Wednesdays 12 - 1 p.m. MT, Jan. 13 - 27, 2021. Registration will be capped at 30. Limit three participants per practice. Sign up here.
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NEWS FROM THE COLORADO MEDICAL SOCIETY
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CMS works to develop "the Colorado Opioid Solution"
The Colorado Medical Society along with specialty societies of Colorado developed the nation's first comprehensive, multispecialty medical guidelines to address and resolve the opioid epidemic in Colorado. Read about the release of these new guidelines here.
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NEWS FROM THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
6 practices to support organizational resiliency and physician well-being
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Authors of a discussion paper, Organizational Evidence-Based and Promising Practices for Improving Clinician Well-Being, that was published on the National Academy of Medicine website, share systemic approaches that focus on fixing the workplace rather than “fixing the worker.” This can improve well-being and resiliency of the organization. Read more here.
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MISSION: Facilitating meaningful collaboration of medical professionals in Pueblo County through social networking, education, and advocacy!
VISION: To create 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.
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Board Officers: President: Marcel Junqueira, MD; President-Elect: open position; Secretary: Kathleen Brown, MD; Treasurer: Robert Tonsing, MD; Past-President: Tom Greidanus, MD | Directors: CMS Representative Brittany Carver, DO; Teresa Braden, DO; Jacob Mathew Jr., DO; Ross Patrick, MD; Brad Roberts, MD; Cheryl Walker, DO; and Kevin Weber, MD | Chief Executive Officer: Cheryl Law, MA, MNM
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This newsletter is intended for the members and interested persons of the Pueblo County Medical Society. If you have received this and wish to opt-out call 719-281-6073 or use the “unsubscribe” link below.
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