Governor John Carney and Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long have proclaimed March 30, 2022, as Doctors Day in the State of Delaware, urging all Delawareans to show their appreciation for the important role physicians have in promoting health and providing care throughout the First State.

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) created a video that was published on the DPH Facebook page thanking physicians for being dedicated to the medical profession.

During the pandemic, you've given your all to help Delaware patients get well, all the while putting your health at risk. The MSD staff also sent their appreciation to our physician members through a virtual thank you message delivered on March 30th. If you did not see the video, please be sure to watch.

Governor John Carney today issued a revision to the Public Health Emergency (PHE) order and extended the order another 30 days to allow the State of Delaware and medical providers to continue COVID-19 vaccination and testing programs, ​and to allow continued staffing flexibility at hospitals and long-term care facilities. The revision enables the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services to maintain the State of Delaware’s eligibility ​for low-income Delawareans to continue receiving enhanced federal food benefits. Under Delaware law, Public Health Emergency declarations must be renewed every 30 days. 

Click here for Governor Carney’s Public Health Emergency revision. 

Click here for Governor Carney’s Public Health Emergency extension. 

The MSD 2022 Virtual Interim Council Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2022, beginning at 6:00 p.m. All Council members are highly encouraged to register early to ensure receipt of meeting materials to review prior to the meeting. As a Council member, please be sure you have renewed your membership! For more information and registration, visit the MSD website. Resolution submission deadline is April 1st.

MSD member Kirill Alekseyev, MD, Medical Director at Post Acute Medical (PAM) Hospital in Dover, along with Mr. Dave Tiberi of Donate Delaware and MSD Executive Director Mark Thompson, are working together to deliver much-needed supplies to Ukraine. This is an opportunity for Delawareans to support the people of Ukraine. For a list of items needed, please visit the PAM Health Delaware Supplies for Ukraine Facebook page. Download flyer.

The White House has released its proposed budget for fiscal year 2023, and it highlights multiple healthcare priorities for the administration. President Biden's proposed fiscal 2023 budget includes mandatory funding over five years to help prepare for future pandemics, with a focus on expanding access to vaccinations, such as the development of a new Vaccines for Adults program that would offer uninsured adults free access to vaccines to help reduce disparities and promote infrastructure for access to routine and outbreak vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would also see a budget increase to improve its immunization program and expand public health efforts. Investments that began under the former administration would be extended for a national strategy to reduce HIV/AIDS infections, committing to a 75 percent reduction in infections by 2025 through investment in access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and needed services and supports. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would see almost a 27% boost in discretionary funding (compared to fiscal 2021) under the proposal to improve the public health infrastructure, advance mental health care to include ensuring greater mental health parity, and make maternal health more equitable. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the CDC, and the National Institutes of Cancer would receive investments to advance the President's Cancer Moonshot initiative, aiming to reduce the cancer death rate by 50 percent over the next 25 years, as well as to improve the experience for people who are living with or have survived the disease. The proposed budget also supports extending telehealth coverage under Medicare beyond the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and to study its impact on the utilization of services and access to care. The budget is not a binding document, but an outline of the administration's priorities.

On Tuesday, March 29, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a second booster dose (FDA press release) of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for certain immunocompromised persons and those over the age of 50, at least 4 months after their first booster. On Tuesday evening, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) signed off on this authorization and expanded upon it to include an additional booster for those who initially received the J&J vaccine and booster. Data is limited but evolving. The new recommendations acknowledge the increased risk of severe disease in certain populations including those who are elderly or over the age of 50 with multiple underlying conditions, along with the currently available data on vaccine and booster effectiveness.

The CDC recommends second boosters, particularly for those 65 and older and those 50 and older with multiple underlying medical conditions that increase their risk for severe disease from COVID-19, as they are the most likely to benefit from receiving an additional booster dose at this time.

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is advising the public that if they have questions about whether to get a second booster, to talk to their health care provider. If you are not administering COVID vaccines, you may refer patients to the state's vaccine locator at de.gov/getmyvaccine.

The FDA and CDC’s advisory committees will not meet to discuss these recommendations further, however VRBPAC (FDA Advisory Committee) is scheduled to meet on April 6 to discuss offering a second booster to the general eligible population more broadly and to discuss the possibility of a universal/seasonal booster for COVID-19 in the fall. 

Effective last week, the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) announced that the HRSA COVID-19 Uninsured Program (UIP) would stop accepting claims for testing and treatment of COVID-19 due to a lack of sufficient funds. Now the program will no longer reimburse providers for vaccinating uninsured individuals as of 11:59 p.m. on April 5, 2022. Claims will be accepted up to that time via the COVID-19 CAF portal. HRSA notes that claims submitted by the deadline will be paid subject to their eligibility and the availability of funds. FAQs about the claims submission deadlines are available online at: 

https://www.hrsa.gov/coviduninsuredclaim 

https://www.hrsa.gov/covid19-coverage-assistance 

Free testing and vaccination options remain available for those without insurance in Delaware. Those without insurance can still access free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations at Division of Public Health (DPH) clinics. Those who have insurance are encouraged to seek testing and vaccinations at locations outside of DPH. For a list of testing locations statewide visit de.gov/gettested. For a list of vaccination sites, visit de.gov/getmyvaccine. You are encouraged to contact the site in advance to verify insurance requirements.

Yesterday, President Biden announced the launch of COVID.gov, a one-stop-shop where anyone in America can find what they need to navigate the virus: free vaccines and boosters, free at-home tests, test-to-treat locations, high-quality masks, information on local virus spread, and guidance on travel rules and restrictions.

As a result of declining COVID-19 cases, the Division of Public Health (DPH) is changing the frequency of data releases from weekly to monthly. The next data release will be April 22. DPH will issue releases prior to that date with any important situational updates. Data will continue to be updated daily on the My Health Community data portal – de.gov/healtycommunity.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC’s) new COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation calculator takes the stress out of deciding when, and for how long, people with COVID-19 and close contacts need to stay home, get tested, and wear a well-fitting mask. The calculator provides important information about what precautions people with COVID-19 and their close contacts can take to protect loved ones and prevent COVID-19 in their communities. This online, mobile-friendly calculator provides a simple, easy-to-use way to help people follow CDC’s Quarantine and Isolation guidance and get customized information that applies to their unique situation.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced last week that sotrovimab is no longer authorized for use at this time in the following states and territories:

New data included in the health care provider fact sheet shows that the authorized dose of sotrovimab is unlikely to be effective against the BA.2 sub-variant. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Nowcast data, the BA.2 sub-variant is estimated to account for more than 50% of cases in the states and territories in Regions 1 and 2 listed above as of March 19, 2022. There are several other therapies – Paxlovid, Veklury (remdesivir), bebtelovimab, and Lagevrio (molnupiravir) – that are expected to be effective against the BA.2 sub-variant, and that are authorized or approved to treat certain patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk for progression to severe disease, including hospitalization or death. Health care providers should assess whether these treatments are right for their patients.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2021-2030 National Health Expenditure (NHE) report, prepared by the CMS Office of the Actuary, that presents health spending and enrollment projections for the coming decade. The report notably shows that despite the increased demand for patient care in 2021, the growth in national health spending is estimated to have slowed to 4.2%, from 9.7% in 2020, as supplemental funding for public health activity and other federal programs, specifically those associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, declined significantly. The historical and projected estimates of NHE measure total annual U.S. spending for the delivery of health care goods and services by type of good or service (hospital, physician, prescription drugs, etc.), type of payer (private health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.), and type of sponsor (businesses, households and federal/state governments) and includes spending on government public health, investment in structures and equipment, and noncommercial research, as well as information on insurance enrollment and uninsured estimates. The report finds that annual growth in national health spending is expected to average 5.1% over 2021-2030, and to reach nearly $6.8 trillion by 2030. Growth in the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is also projected to be 5.1% annually over the same period. As a result of the comparable projected rates of growth, the health share of GDP is expected to be 19.6% in 2030, nearly the same as the 2020 share of 19.7%.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center) recently released a Request for Applications (RFA) to solicit a cohort of participants for the Accountable Care Organization Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health (ACO REACH) Model. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is hosting three webinars intended for Safety-Net providers interested in learning more about the model and how to participate in Performance Year 2023. The target audience includes, but is not limited to, Rural Health Centers, Community Health Centers (also known as Federally Qualified Health Centers), Critical Access Hospitals Method II, and Sole Community Hospitals. Read more.

On March 31, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published the updated hepatitis B vaccination recommendations that all adults aged 19 through 59 years receive the hepatitis B vaccine. Adults aged 60 years and older with known risk factors for hepatitis B may also receive the hepatitis B vaccine. CDC continues to recommend hepatitis B vaccination for all infants and unvaccinated children under the age of 19 years. Fully implementing existing and new recommendations can reduce the burden of hepatitis B, while also moving toward the elimination of the virus in the United States.

The Harrington Trust at ChristianaCare is sponsoring a virtual live-on-line MCAT preparation course in collaboration with Kaplan Partner Solutions to assist pre-medical college students from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine to successfully prepare for the MCAT. Applicants must be a Delaware resident or student attending college in Delaware. Students with DACA status are welcome to apply. Applicants must have a strong interest in pursuing graduate professional degree (MD/DO) in medicine and be currently enrolled and matriculating at a college/university and meet established eligibility criteria. The online Kaplan course will run from June 2022 – July 2022. The deadline for submitting applications for this competitive application process is May 02, 2022 by 5 PM ET. Read more.

University of Delaware Partnership for Healthy Communities Director and professor with the College of Health Sciences at the University of Delaware, Rita Landgraf, has been nominated by President Biden for the position of Assistant Secretary of Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Rita Landgraf is the former Cabinet Secretary for the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. Her nomination is awaiting confirmation by the United States Senate.  

Delaware Today magazine is looking for nominations for Delaware Today's 2022 Top Doctors. Honorees will be announced in the October issue. As a Delaware-licensed physician, you have the privilege of nominating your colleagues. The ballot is divided into five categories. Access each ballot below. If you need assistance, please contact Delaware Today magazine by emailing abreeding@delawaretoday.com.

Oncology

Cardiology

Pediatrics

Other Specialties

The American Medical Association's Political Action Committee (AMPAC) is the oldest non-union political action committee and leads the way on many political activities like strategic contributions to federal candidates, in-kind contributions, and independent expenditures. AMPAC needs the full support of all physicians. MSD is fortunate to have a direct connection with the AMPAC Board through MSD Past President, Janice Tildon-Burton, MD. Please consider your contribution to AMPAC today. Donations can be made online at: ampaconline.org.

My Green Doctor is a new, free money-saving membership benefit from the Medical Society of Delaware. My Green Doctor is about creating a sustainable environmental sustainability program for your office. One practice is saving more than $1,200 per doctor per year with no financial investment. Your office manager will add just five minutes of “My Green Doctor” to each regular office meeting agenda. Everything is scripted in My Green Doctor’s “Meeting-by-Meeting Guide” so there’s nothing to study in advance. With each meeting, you’ll make small changes that over time mean big improvements in your uses of energy, water, chemicals, paper, foods, and other supplies.

Your staff and patients will benefit from My Green Doctor’s library of educational brochures. This is how we can help prepare our patients for the health effects of climate change. Your entire practice and you can use the MSD discount code MGDMSD when registering as Partner Society members, saving $60 instantly and making My Green Doctor free. Ask your colleagues and manager to register:  https://www.MyGreenDoctor.org/ or https://www.MyGreenDoctor.es/ (en espanol). Easy!

If you are a partner society member and interested in coaching from My Green Doctor volunteers, please contact Todd Sack, MD, FACP, Executive Director of the My Green Doctor Foundation (tsack8@gmail.com or 904/403-6446).

MSD is pleased to highlight a 2022 Premier Educational Program Partner. Cover & Rossiter has been a part of the growing effort to keep our medical professionals educated through its partnership with MSD as a Premier Educational Program (PEP) Partner. Cover & Rossiter is an award-winning CPA advisory firm recognized for providing high-quality advice and personalized service to enable clients to achieve their objectives. Cover & Rossiter's core values are built on T.R.U.S.T. For over 80 years we have been guided by the principles of trust, service, and value for our clients and their professional advisors. We are dedicated to creating long-lasting relationships. The better we understand your needs, the better advisors we can be. We believe that an uncompromising commitment to provide superior service is the difference between success and failure. Finally, we seek to create a work environment that values diversity and fosters development, productivity, innovation, and teamwork. One of the industries the firm specializes in is Medical and Dental Practices. There are unique needs due to the growth of health care and technological advances, and the governmental regulations and compliance with the insurance industry. For more information visit https://www.coverrossiter.com/. If you would like to become a PEP Partner, please contact Lynn Robinson, Director of Professional Education.

Bayhealth Hospital invites health care professionals to attend their Medical Grand Rounds. This regularly scheduled series takes place every fourth Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Bayhealth Medical Center in Dover. You can also join via zoom. Registration is required. Upcoming dates for meetings are April 5, and May 3, 2022. To join the Zoom by meeting number use Access Code 2435 528 4699 and Password Bayhealth.

This 60-minute interactive webinar, being held on Tuesday, April 12th from 12:00 -1:00 p.m., provides an evidence-based review for increasing screening, testing, and referrals to the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP). The purpose of the webinar is to increase awareness of the National DPP and increase screening, testing, and referrals to this program. This webinar offers 1.0 hours of Continuing Education for Nursing for nurses and 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ for physicians. This webinar was developed through a joint partnership with the Delaware Division of Public Health and CDC grant funding. The webinar is appropriate for nurses, physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other health care team members. Download the webinar flyer for more details and to register.

As part of the League of Women voters of Delaware League Days 2022, the League is presenting a Zoom event on the need for climate emergency legislation in Delaware. This virtual event will take place on Tuesday, April 12th from 7-8:30 p.m. MSD member James M. Fletcher, DO, one of the presenters, will share insights on the particular need for climate mitigation in underserved neighborhoods. Download flyer. Register.

COVID-19 has put extraordinary stress on health care workers. Clinician well-being has never been more important. Join the American Medical Association (AMA) at 1:00 ET on April 19 to learn about insights from the 2022 national burnout benchmarking report. Highlights will include current trends in burnout, stress, and job satisfaction in addition to other key drivers of burnout that have emerged during the pandemic. The AMA will also share key strategies to address ongoing burnout and how health systems can reset as we emerge from the pandemic. https://bit.ly/STEPSW-041922

The AMA and the American College of Emergency Physicians will co-host an interactive session, “Clinical Case Study: Telehealth for Emergency Medicine,” on April 20 at 11:00 a.m. ET that will provide participants with an overview of innovative ways that telehealth is currently being used in emergency medicine. Register: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEqce6upzIjEtOxhhHSxJ0_QHYz8tG4zvaA

Network with fellow MSD members and learn about what some of the MSD committees are doing for you and the community! Committees highlighted at this event will include: Editorial Board, Environmental Health Subcommittee, and Prison Health Care Subcommittee. Join us Monday, April 25th at 6:00 p.m. Zoom meeting details will be shared 24 hours in advance of the meeting with all registrants. To register, click here.

Night at the Blue Rocks at Frawley Stadium in Wilmington is an exclusive event for MSD early career physician members. The Wilmington Blue Rocks will take on the Bowling Green Hot Rods on Friday, May 6, with game time starting at 6:35 p.m. As a member of the MSD Young Physicians Section, enjoy a night of minor league baseball and fireworks show following the game. Tickets are free for you and one guest, with the option to purchase additional tickets. Physician members of the MSD Young Physicians Section are those who are age 45 or younger or have been in practice fewer than five years after completing training. The 2022 MSD membership renewal must be up-to-date to register. Ticket purchase deadline is Friday, April 22nd.

In this virtual workshop sponsored by the Delaware Division of Public Health, practitioners, front-line workers, and health care leaders will explore multiple dimensions of culturally competent health care practices. Taking place on Thursday, May 12th from 1:30-4:30 p.m., participants will learn to apply culturally competent principles using case studies of common, point-of-care scenarios applicable to community health centers and the communities they serve. The speaker will teach participants how to apply an equity lens to health center policies, procedures, and practices governing patient interactions and encounters. Participants will understand the importance of using culturally competent approaches in delivering high-quality care and reducing health outcomes disparities. Learn more and register.

In the latest AMA STEPS Forward^TM podcast episode, Dr. Kevin Hopkins, Primary Care Medical Director at Cleveland Clinic and Senior Physician Advisor at the AMA, discusses the current state of telemedicine and why it’s important for practices and health systems to pivot from a “physician-does-it-all” mentality and embrace team-based care.

This week's spotlight is on Olivia Castro, DO, Family Medicine physician with ChristianaCare Primary Care at Middletown East in Middletown, DE. Read more.

If you would like to be featured in the Member Spotlight section, please contact Michelle Seymour, Manager of Membership.