Registration Deadline is October 28th

Register for MSD's 233rd Annual Meeting! Events taking place are as follows:

• Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 6 p.m. - Annual Meeting of the Council, Virtual

• Wednesday, November 2, 2022, 6 p.m. - Annual Meeting of MSD Holding Company Board (Holding Company Board members only), Virtual

• Thursday, November 3, 2022, 6 p.m. - Education Program, "Tragedy, Trust, Truth: Mending Our Society," Virtual

• Saturday, November 5, 2022, 6 p.m. - Inaugural Reception, Smyrna Opera House. Registration fee: $50 per person.

To learn more and to register, please visit the MSD 2022 Annual Meeting Information web page or use your cell phone camera to scan the QR code below.

For questions, contact Mary LaJudice, Senior Director of Corporate Services, at Mary.LaJudice@medsocdel.org or call (302) 224-5183.

COVID-19 Hospitalizations for This Age Group Rose in August

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) and the Delaware Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (DE AAP) have teamed up to encourage vaccination of the most recently eligible Delawareans. In a joint letter to pediatric health care professionals, they urgently ask that you please speak with the parents and guardians of your patients about the importance of COVID-19 vaccination and be prepared to address any concerns or hesitancies they might have. 

In Delaware, only 6.1% of children ages 6 months to 4 years old have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, despite the vaccine being authorized for this age group since June. That means only about 6 out of every 100 infants and toddlers in Delaware have critically important protection against this harmful virus. Meanwhile, in the last few weeks of August, COVID-19 hospitalizations among this age group rose nearly 15% and were one of only two age groups where hospitalizations aren’t declining. It is as critical as ever that physicians impress upon parents the importance of vaccinating their children against COVID-19. Your role as pediatric health care professionals is crucial in helping protect the youngest in our community!

Included with the joint letter is a one-page summary sheet (Spanish version) identifying the top five reasons why parents/guardians should get their child vaccinated. Please share with parents and initiate the discussion when any concerns are expressed. Additionally, fliers, posters, social media graphics and other communication tools for health care professionals specific to this age group and others, are available for direct download, or for ordering free quantities, at covidmaterialsde.com. 

CDC Says BA.4.6 is Currently the Second Most Common Subvariant in the US

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated its guidance Monday on the use of the intramuscular injection Evusheld. Evusheld is currently the only option for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) of COVID-19 and is authorized under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for use in immunocompromised individuals who may not mount an adequate response to COVID-19 vaccination, and for individuals for whom COVID-19 vaccination is not recommended due to a history of a severe adverse reaction.

The FDA is advising physicians and other prescribers to be aware of data released that showed a 1,000-fold decrease in the efficacy of the treatment against the omicron subvariant BA.4.6. This means the pre-exposure prophylaxis could provide minimal effectiveness against that variant. Because it is impossible for patients to know what variant of the coronavirus they have contracted, the FDA recommends that physicians inform patients of this risk and advise patients who develop signs or symptoms of COVID-19 to test for SARS-CoV-2 infection and promptly seek medical attention, including starting treatment for COVID-19, as appropriate if they test positive in order to decrease the risk of hospitalization or death for this population.  

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, BA.4.6 is currently the second-most common subvariant in the United States, accounting for 12.8 percent of infections. FDA continues to recommend Evusheld as an appropriate option for PrEP to prevent COVID-19, in combination with other preventive measures like getting vaccinated and boosted as recommended, as Evusheld still offers protection against many of the currently circulating variants and may offer protection against future variants. 

Posting Only Travel Health Notices that Changes Recommendations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued its first COVID-specific travel notice for China in January of 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic and continued updating its advisories list each week. The CDC announced on Monday it will no longer maintain a country-by-country list of COVID-19 travel advisories for foreign countries. Fewer countries are testing or reporting COVID-19 cases and the CDC's ability to accurately assess the COVID-19 Travel Health Notice levels for most destinations that American travelers visit is limited. Starting October 3, a notice will only be posted for a country if there is a concerning COVID-19 variant or other situation that would change the CDC's travel recommendations. The CDC advised that, regardless of destination, international travelers should stay-up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines and follow CDC guidance for international travel. 

Includes First Pediatric Case

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announced the state's first laboratory-confirmed case of influenza for the 2022-2023 flu season. The case involves a 32-year-old Kent County woman, with influenza strain A, who was vaccinated. The flu vaccine is recommended for Delawareans 6 months of age and older and can be administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine. Since it takes approximately two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against influenza virus infection to develop in the body, it is important to get vaccinated as early as possible to give your body time to build immunity. Getting the flu vaccine now will also provide protection during the entire flu season.

A schedule for flu vaccines at Public Health clinics for uninsured and underinsured individuals can be found at: https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/fight-the-flu/flu-vaccine-finder. While DPH no longer holds mass community flu clinics, it is offering flu vaccines at community-based locations where the DPH mobile units also provide additional health services. Flu vaccines also are offered through physician offices, many pharmacies (including those within grocery stores) and Federally Qualified Health Centers. For more information about the flu and where to get vaccinated, visit flu.delaware.gov or call 1-800-282-8672.

If So, Add Your Information to the DPH Flu Finder Website

October marks the start of the 2022-2023 influenza season. If your practice or pharmacy is offering flu vaccines this season, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) wants to help promote by adding your location to the DPH flu finder webpage at flu.delaware.gov. 

Additionally, if you are holding a flu clinic or separate event, you can submit that information as well. You may submit events throughout the flu season and may submit as many events as you would like. DPH will also promote events on its Facebook and Instagram channels throughout the season.

Submit your information to sean.dooley@delaware.gov and include the following:

• Event location including address
• Date and time
• Age restrictions
• Appointment requirements
• Cost
• Phone number
• Website
• Any extra options at the clinic, such as the availability of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines

Offering Flu, COVID-19, Monkeypox Vaccines and Lead Screenings

Westside Family Healthcare is hosting FREE community vaccine clinics, offering flu and COVID vaccines -1st, 2nd, 3rd, and updated boosters- for ages 6 months and up, monkeypox vaccines and lead screenings for children. The events are open to patients and non-patients and are rain or shine. Attendees will receive gift card incentives and hats and gloves for children. No appointment needed. 

All clinics are 9:00AM – 12:00 PM

• October 15^th, 2022 - 4th Street, 1802 W. 4^th Street, Wilmington, DE 1905
• October 22^nd, 2022 – Dover, 1020 Forrest Ave., Dover, DE 19904
• October 29^th, 2022 – Bear, 404 Fox Run Drive, Bear, DE 19701

Learn more at www.westsidehealth.org/covidvaccines.

Amended PREP Act Declaration Makes Several Modifications

The U.S. Department of health and Human Services has amended the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act declaration, expanding the pool of providers authorized to administer vaccines against smallpox and monkeypox. The amendment also specifies that the declaration applies to public health threats from smallpox, monkeypox, and other orthopoxviruses; extends the effective time period of the declaration to Dec. 31, 2032; and allows coverage of vaccine administration by several means, such as by subcutaneous, intradermal and intramuscular injections. 

Legislation Relating to Labor Issues

On Friday, October 7, Governor Carney will join Members of the General Assembly to sign multiple pieces of legislation relating to labor issues including Senate Bill 315, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 35, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 208, Senate Bill 280, and House Bill 299.



Senate Bill 315 modernizes the Workers’ Compensation Act. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 35 defines specific violations of wage payment and collection laws.  Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 208 clarifies that an employer is liable to an employee for liquidated damages if the employer does not make wages available on the next payday after an employee quits, resigns, is discharged, suspended, or laid off. Senate Bill 280 defines a “labor peace agreement.” House Bill 299 prohibits the seller of consumer goods or services from refusing to accept cash payment, except in limited circumstances.

Screening for Life Conversion Project Webinar

The Division of Public Health’s Cancer Prevention & Control Bureau (CPC) is working on a data modernization project to centralize key data elements and workflow processes across all programs. As they work through the final data system conversion, they have requested that, for the next 60 days, not to resubmit a claim for the same Screening for Life (SFL) service and date of service. Resubmitting these claims creates an additional system backlog that will further delay the processing of all claims. They are working diligently to process claims backlogs for SFL reimbursement claims. If you have claim-specific questions or want to check your claim status, please send your message to the resource mailbox dhss_dph_sflhcc@delaware.gov. Please allow the SFL team 24-48 hours to respond to inquiries. As the SFL team works through all claims submitted before July 1, 2022, a member of the SFL team will contact you to provide more details for the claim, such as screening forms, paper claims, and test results, to ensure claims are processed promptly. 

Next steps: You will receive an invitation email from the Cancer Prevention & Control Bureau to attend an informational webinar about the new SFL claims process. Two Informational Sessions are scheduled to unveil the new and improved SFL Data System and claims process. It is strongly encouraged that all physicians select one date to attend. If you plan to attend either of the information sessions, you are asked to RSVP by accepting the invitation to join. If you did not receive the link, please email Dawn Hollinger to receive the link.  If your contract has expired and you have not yet heard from a SFL team member, please contact Dawn Hollinger for the updated contract information. Read the letter to SFL Participants.

Helping Primary Care Professionals Meet the Needs of Kids with Behavioral Health Concerns

Through a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Delaware Children’s Department has developed the Delaware Child Psychiatry Access Program (DCPAP) that gives pediatric primary practitioners access to free psychiatric tele-consultation and training to improve and expedite treatment for their patients. DCPAP provides pediatricians, family physicians, advanced nurse practitioners, and physician assistants with direct psychiatric consultation to provide behavioral health treatment within their own practice. DCPAP also helps practitioners refer their patients for appropriate behavioral health services and identify other behavioral health resources for their patients ages birth to 21. The Goals of the Project Include:

• Improve pediatric primary access to psychiatric consultation;
• Provide free training and technical support to enable primary care practitioners to better identify, diagnose, and treat behavioral health conditions; and
• Improve primary care practitioners’ access to resources and referral services.

Register your pediatric or family practice today!  Text or call (302)-513-0929.

Program Will Train Primary Care Residents in Behavioral Health Conditions 

Through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will support a new notice of funding opportunity totaling nearly $60 million over 5-years to support training to expand the public health workforce.  Primary Care Training and Enhancement-Residency Training in Mental and Behavioral Health (HRSA-23-099) is a new program that will train primary care residents in the prevention, identification, diagnosis, treatment, and referral of services for mental and behavioral health conditions. In particular, the program will benefit pediatric, adolescent, young adult, and other populations who are at-risk or have experienced abuse, trauma, or mental health and/or substance use disorders, including those related to the effects of gun violence. Awards will support both classroom training and clinical rotations that focus on mental and behavioral health conditions.

Eligible entities include:

• Accredited public or nonprofit private hospitals;
• Schools of allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine;
• Residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education in family medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics or combined internal medicine and pediatrics (“med-peds”); and
• Tribes and tribal organizations, if otherwise eligible.

The Primary Care Training and Enhancement-Residency Training in Mental and Behavioral Health program is authorized by Section 747(a) of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 .U.S.C. § 293k(a)) and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, P.L.117-159. To be notified when this funding opportunity opens, sign up for Health Professions Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) updates.

Outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (Sudan Ebolavirus) in Central Uganda

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory about a recently confirmed outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Uganda caused by Sudan virus (species Sudan ebolavirus) to summarize CDC’s recommendations for U.S. public health departments and clinicians, case identification and testing, and clinical laboratory biosafety considerations. No suspected, probable, or confirmed EVD cases related to this outbreak have yet been reported in the United States. However, as a precaution and to remind clinicians about best practices, CDC is communicating with public health departments, public health laboratories, and health care workers in the United States to raise awareness of this outbreak.

For Discoveries Related to Human Evolution

The 2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is awarded to Svante Pääbo for his discoveries concerning the genomes of extinct hominins and human evolution. Modern DNA technology provides opportunities to investigate our ancient past with more precision. However, due to extreme technical challenges resulting from degradation of DNA during tens of thousands of years and contamination from micro-organisms and contemporary humans, it was long questionable whether the analysis of archaic DNA from extinct hominin forms would be possible. Svante Pääbo succeeded in obtaining the genome sequence of our closest extinct relative, the Neanderthal. This was followed by his sensational discovery of another extinct hominin, the Denisova, entirely from genome data retrieved from a small finger bone specimen. Svante Pääbo’s work further established that Homo sapiens had mixed with Neanderthals and Denisovans during periods of co-existence, resulting in introgression of archaic DNA in present-day humans. Striking examples of archaic gene variants that influence the physiology of present-day humans have already been demonstrated in a research field that is now highly dynamic.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to three scientists for their work in "click" chemistry, in which molecular building blocks are linked together quickly and efficiently and used in development of pharmaceutical, mapping DNA, and material sciences. 

Patients Should Prepare by Previewing the 2023 Health and Drug Plans Now

Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, 2022. During this time, people eligible for Medicare can compare 2023 coverage options on Medicare.gov. Medicare.gov provides clear, easy-to-use information, as well as an updated Medicare Plan Finder, to allow people to compare options for health and drug coverage, which may change from year to year. Medicare Plan Finder was updated with the 2023 Medicare health and prescription drug plan information on Saturday, October 1, 2022 to allow people to begin previewing health and drug plans before the enrollment period opens on October 15. 1-800-MEDICARE is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide help in English and Spanish as well as language support in over 200 languages. People who want to keep their current Medicare coverage do not need to re-enroll.

October 11 - MSD's Pubs and Politics, University & Whist Club, 805 N. Broom St., Wilmington, 5:30-8:00 p.m. Registration deadline October 3.

October 21 - Tilton Annual Award Event recognizing 2022 Tilton Award recipient Richard W. Henderson, MD, 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the University & Whist Club in Wilmington. Contact Katie Hamilton to register (Katie.Hamilton@medsocdel.org or 302/224-5192). 

November 5 - We are excited to announce our Annual "Superhero for Hope” 5K Run/Walk is happening again this year! The Medical Society of Delaware will host its 5th Annual Campaign for Kids..."It's OBVIOUS" 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at Rockford Park, Wilmington. This family-friendly event is being held in conjunction with a Community Health and Wellness Fair, co-hosted by MSD, Mom's House, and Vision to Learn. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. Back by popular demand is the "Oat Bowl" featuring a make-your-own oatmeal bowl with a variety of fixings. Race participants will also enjoy t-shirts and other post-race food and refreshments.

Beebe Healthcare

Beebe Healthcare Perinatal Loss Support Services will host the 18th Annual “Walk to Remember” beginning on 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9 at the George H. P. Smith Park, Block House Pond, in Lewes. After two years of virtual events, the walk will return to an in-person event. The Walk to Remember is held annually to recognize pregnancy loss, allowing parents, their friends and families, and other supporters an opportunity to remember babies who have died during pregnancy or after birth. Participants may pre-register or register on site the day of the walk. Parents wishing to have the names of their infant(s) included in the program will need to submit a registration at beebehealthcare.org/walk-remember. Parents and grandparents who pre-register prior to the event will receive a memorial T-shirt at no cost based on availability (early registration is encouraged). Friends, other family members and supporters may purchase a T-shirt for $10. For more information about the walk, to register, or to provide contributions, contact Barbara Rogers or Terri Wyatt at Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing by calling 302-645-3251.

The R. Randall Rollins Center for Medical Education at Beebe Healthcare has been readying for upcoming milestones in preparation for the first Family Medicine Resident Physicians and the second group of core clinical campus students in July 2023. These medical students will be in their third year of curriculum from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) and come to Beebe for education experiences in Family Medicine, General Surgery, OB/GYN, Psychology, Cardiology, Internal Medicine, Radiology, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, and Pediatrics with Beacon Pediatrics. As for the Family Medicine Residency, accreditation is expected this November, which will begin interviews with fourth-year medical students this winter. In March, Beebe will celebrate “Match Day” when four resident physicians are “matched” with the residency program.

ChristianaCare

There is a new option for pediatric care in northern Delaware and surrounding areas. On Wednesday this week, ChristianaCare opened a new 14-bed Pediatric Care Center that provides 24/7 combined short-stay inpatient and emergency care for children and teens. The new center is located on the first floor of the Center for Women’s & Children’s Health on ChristianaCare’s Newark Campus. (View video here.) The 24-hour Pediatric Care Center will be able to evaluate and manage 90% of the pediatric cases currently seen in the Christiana Hospital Emergency Department. The center expects to care for an estimated 6,300 patients the first year, with volume projected to grow 5% each year. The Pediatric Care Center will also provide care to children and adolescents with behavioral health emergency needs and appropriate referral sources for follow-up care.

Nemours Children's Health

Nemours Children’s Health announced three new specialty care sites opening by winter 2024 to serve the children and families of southeastern Pennsylvania. The new sites will provide the same family-centered care and offer expanded services in convenient locations throughout Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. With the addition of these new specialty care locations, Nemours Children’s will be able to care for more patients and expand its existing services. Opening October 12, 2022, Nemours Children’s Health, Abington, located in the Price Medical Building on the Jefferson Abington Hospital campus, will offer a variety of specialties including cardiology (pediatric and fetal), ECHO, EKG, endocrinology, gastroenterology, nephrology, neurology, nutrition, orthopedics, and pulmonology. Audiology and otolaryngology are planned for January 2023. Slated for spring 2023, services will be relocated from Bryn Mawr and Newtown Square to Nemours Children’s Health, Broomall at Broomall Commons. Nemours Children’s will operate a more than 19,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art outpatient pediatric specialty care facility, offering diagnostic services and 14 medical and surgical specialties, as well as physical, occupational and speech therapies. In winter 2024, Nemours will open its third planned new location in Pennsylvania, Nemours Children’s Health, Malvern. The Malvern site, located in Uptown Worthington, will be an ambulatory surgery facility and comprehensive pediatric care center offering 22 medical and surgical specialties. The location will also feature a sleep center, as well as physical, occupational and speech therapies.

Pablo O. Velasco, Jr., MD

It is with sadness we share that MSD member Pablo O. Velasco, Jr., MD passed away on October 3, 2022. He was born on the island of Panay in the Philippines. He attended medical school at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. He always knew that he wanted to be a doctor, and it was his dream to come to the United States to practice medicine. Pablo started his 30 plus medical career in Wilmington, DE working as a house physician, emergency room doctor, and then opened a private practice in Odessa, DE. He enjoyed taking care of people and being a rural doctor, he was always on call; it was not uncommon for him to have patients show up at the house and he would stitch them up on the kitchen table. In addition to his private practice, he worked nights at the Newark Emergency Center, Newark, DE, was the factory physician for Hercules, Inc., Wilmington, DE, and was the school doctor for St. Andrew’s School, Middletown, Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass 11 a.m., Friday, October 7, 2022, at Immaculate Conception Church, 455 Bow Street, Elkton, MD, with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, in care of Hicks Home for Funerals, 103 West Stockton Street, Elkton, MD 21921. Read obituary.

Bridget A. Peters, DO - Family Medicine, ChristianaCare, Wilmington

Asanthi M. Ratnasekera, MD - Trauma & Critical Care Surg, ChristianaCare

MSD's Membership Department is pleased to announce the newest members of the Medical Society of Delaware. Welcome to the third oldest medical society in the country! If you know someone interested in joining MSD, please contact Michelle Seymour at (302) 224-4905 or Michelle.Seymour@medsocdel.org with any questions. You could be eligible for a referral discount!

Timothy P. Kegelman, MD - Radiation Oncology, Radiation Oncologists, PA

Kyla-Gaye Pinnock, MD - Family Medicine, Bayhealth Primary Care Dover W

John M. Reynolds, MD - Ortho Surgery, Delaware Orthopaedic Specialists

Todd A. Spock, MD - ENT, Rhinology, Skull Base Surgery, ENT & Allergy of DE

William Strimel, DO - Cardiology, Partners in Cardiovascular Health

MSD members are afforded a seven-day review period from the date of this publication to comment regarding applicants for membership. Please contact Michelle Seymour at (302) 224-4905 or Michelle.Seymour@medsocdel.org with any comments on the current pending members(s) listed above.

• DPH Public Health Alerts: de.gov/publichealthalerts
• DPH Hotline - (866) 408-1899 (Monday -Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or DPHCall@delaware.gov
• Reporting suspected monkeypox rash in Delaware: Contact DPH Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology (OIDE), at 302-744-4990 (business hours) or 1-888-295-5156 (after hours).
• Delaware health care facilities that require specimen collection kits can order through OEMS@delaware.gov using a SHOC Request form.
• DPH website: de.gov/monkeypox
• DPH Social Channels: Facebook (@DEPublicHealth), Instagram (@depublichealth), DHSS Twitter (@Delaware_DHSS)
• FDA Monkeypox Response Website
• CDC Monkeypox Website
• CDC Case Definitions for 2022 Monkeypox Response
• CDC Considerations for Monkeypox Vaccination for the recommended use of vaccine in the U.S.
• CDC Monkeypox Treatment Information for Healthcare Professionals
• Specimen collection: Follow Lab Advisory: CDC Updates Specimen Collection Guidelines for Monkeypox Virus 

• DPH Public Health Alerts: de.gov/publichealthalerts
• DPH COVID-19 Booster Information: de.gov/boosters
• Federal website for information on navigating COVID: COVID.gov
• CDC COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Calculator
• COVID-19 Treatment Options
• Medical Provider Guidance for Administering Therapeutics
• COVID-19 Therapeutics Locator
• For testing flyers (available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole): https://covidmaterialsde.com/resources/community-organizer
• For all testing site referral locations, visit: de.gov/gettested
• For vaccination site referral locations, visit: de.gov/getmyvaccine
• Pfizer/Moderna pediatric vaccine information: de.gov/youthvaccine
• FDA At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests provides a list of all FDA-authorized at-home over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 diagnostic tests
• Know the COVID-19 Community Level where you live
• DPH COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Check Page
• Subscribe to the COVID-19 Update podcast - on Apple Podcasts or Simplecast.