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April 22, 2021
Emergency ACIP Virtual Meeting Friday
Discussion of Additional Recommendations for J&J Vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that a virtual meeting will be held on Friday, April 23rd from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET to discuss additional recommendations for the use of Janssen (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine. Please visit the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) homepage for information on how to listen in.

At this time, the recommended pause supersedes any other recommendations for use of Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine. Read more.
American Lung Association 2021 "State of the Air" Report
Earth Day Coverage and MSD's Environmental Health Subcommittee
With Earth Day celebrated this week, it is great to read that all three Delaware counties improved for ozone smog. Why should you care? Air pollution harms health and triggers asthma attacks, heart attacks, and stroke, placing children, older adults, and those living with chronic lung and heart disease at particular risk. Read the report.

In celebration of Earth Day on April 22nd, the Washington Post pulled together a Climate Solutions page for coverage of the people, organizations, and governments working on climate change mitigation (limited access without subscription).

If you have an interest in environmental health, consider joining MSD's Environmental Health Subcommittee. Email Mary LaJudice for more information.
ChristianaCare/Highmark Health Announce Joint Venture
Collaboration Aims to Transform Health Care
ChristianaCare and Highmark Health announced this week a game-changing collaboration that aims to create better health and to make health care more affordable for everyone by taking costs out of the system.

Through a new joint venture company, these two national health care leaders are combining their expertise and capabilities to completely transform health care by creating a new model of value-based care that is continuous and data- and technology-led. The new model will be a radical departure from the transactional, fee-for-service model that underpins much of American health care. Read more.
Call for Comments
ABMS Seeking Comments on Draft Standards for Continuing Certification
The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) has opened an 80-day "Draft Standards for Continuing Certification - Call for Comments" to obtain input and feedback from all stakeholders who possess, use, or rely upon the board certification credential as an indicator of a diplomate's professionalism and proficiency of specialty knowledge and skills. The "Call for Comments" will be open from Tuesday, April 20, 2021, through Thursday, July 8, 2021. Feedback received will guide and inform the development of the final Draft Standards for Continuing Certification, which will be considered by the ABMS Board of Directors in October 2021. Read more.
DEA National Drug Take Back
Event Set for Saturday
April 24 is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Delawareans can discard their expired or unused medications at 27 locations statewide between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Find the full list of specific locations. Access the list of permanent drop off locations by county.
UnitedHealthcare COVID-19 Billing Updates
National Public Health Emergency Extended
The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has extended the national public health emergency from April 20, 2021, to July 19, 2021. UnitedHealthcare has provided an overview of how that extension affects temporary provisions for COVID-19 testing and testing-related services. Read more.
Delaware's Latest COVID-19 Statistics
Increase in Hospitalizations
For the latest Delaware COVID-19 statistics, visit the Division of Public Health My Healthy Community data portal. Information includes Delaware's key public health metrics on confirmed cases, total deaths, number of current hospitalizations, and new admissions, as well as testing and vaccination statistics. Updates to the site are usually completed early afternoon each day.
MSD Presents "iPrescribe" Demo
Electronic Prescribing Application
The Medical Society of Delaware is working to ensure our members can comply with Delaware’s Electronic Prescribing Mandate that was effective January 1, 2021. Join MSD and DrFirst for a virtual demo on “iPrescribe” – Electronic Prescribing Application, Thursday, April 27, 2021, from 12:00 – 1:00pm. For more information and to register.
"It's OBVIOUS" Presents: The Dangers of Vaping
Free Public Education Session
MSD's "It's OBVIOUS" Campaign for Kids public education session is proud to present, The Dangers of Vaping on Thursday, April 29th from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Guest speaker Albert Rizzo, MD, FACP a Pulmonologist and Chief Medical Officer with the American Lung Association will present the latest information regarding the dangers of vaping. To register.
MSD Health Hub Presents: Virtual Health Best Practices
CME on Telemedicine
Join MSD for a virtual telemedicine 101 presentation on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. The session is presented by Joanne C. Brice, MD, FACP, Medical Director of Telemedicine, ChristianaCare Health Services. For more information and to register. See flyer.
Is Your Colleague a "TOP DOCTOR?"
Nominations Open for Delaware Today's TOP DOCTOR 2021
Who are the best doctors in Delaware? The folks at Delaware Today magazine want your nominations for Delaware Today's 2021 Top Doctors issue. Honorees will be announced in the October issue. To make voting easier, they have divided the ballot into five categories. You may nominate up to three physicians per category. Nominees must be licensed in Delaware and practice in Delaware. Only Delaware-licensed physicians may vote. The voting deadline is Monday, May 10th. Submit nominations.
In the Spotlight
Coverys
MSD is pleased to highlight another of its 2021 Premier Educational Partners, Coverys. Coverys is a leading provider of medical professional liability insurance and value-based care risk-based solutions. We are committed to helping reduce distractions so healthcare professionals and organizations can focus on patients. Coverys offers flexible coverage options; innovative analytics, risk management, and claim services; and unique support programs to assist healthcare providers who are experiencing a claim, adverse event, or burnout. You can be confident in Coverys’ financial strength and stability. Our underwriting companies have been rated “A” (Excellent) from A.M. Best, and we have served the medical community for 45+ years. Please visit coverys.com for more information.
Member Milestones
Welcome New MSD Members
Bradley P. Bakst, DO - Internal Medicine Resident, ChristianaCare
Nicole M. Kushner - Med. Student, PCOM '23
Michael Sabry Daniel, DO – Internal Medicine Resident, Bayhealth
Muhammad Shah Zaib, MD - Internal Medicine Resident, Bayhealth
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 the Medical Society of Delaware, please contact Michelle Seymour at (302) 224-4905 or Michelle.Seymour@medsocdel.org.
Pending Member
Madison R. Houff, DO
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.
"Rerum Cognoscere"
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.
14%
Percentage of those who downloaded the COVID Alert DE Mobile App.



Delaware Division of Public Health
150
Number of minutes each week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity recommended by the CDC.


 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
17th
PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area ranking for most polluted city in the nation for year-round average levels of fine particle pollution

American Lung Association
Upcoming Events
April 24 - First Annual GME Research Conference, 8:00 a.m. - noon, virtual event.
April 27 - MSD presents, DrFirst "iPrescribe” – Electronic Prescribing Application Demo, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m., virtual event.
April 29 - Campaign for Kids "It's OBVIOUS" presents: The Dangers of Vaping, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., virtual event.
May 3 - 58th Annual William J. Holloway Infectious Disease Symposium, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m., virtual event.
May 4 - MSD Health Hub presentation, "Virtual Health Best Practices," 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., virtual event.
June 15-19 - 43rd Annual Eastern Shore Medical Symposium, virtual event.
June 17, 18, 24 & 25 - Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM) Course and Exam, virtual event.
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