Volume 117, No. 4: April 2021 Edition
They Said It...
"In my experience, for a lot of families, the diagnosis is a big part. But it's often what follows after that that is even harder." Dr. Renee Turchi, medical director of the Center for Children with Special Health Care Needs at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, discussing the impact of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome on families. You can read more in our Winter-Spring 2021 issue of Philadelphia Medicine, available here.
Things You Should Know...
NORCAL and ProAssurance Transaction 
Any physician insured with NORCAL should have received a personalized packet of materials regarding the NORCAL and ProAssurance transaction. If you have not already done so, NORCAL is recommending you immediately take the following important steps. Visit their conversion site at www.norcalconversion.com. You will need your 11-digit Account Code and 9-digit Control Code on the front of the Notice of Proposed Transaction that you received in the mail. If you do not have this information, please contact the Information Agent at 888-206-5970 and ask for it. If calling, you will need your policy name, address and number ready.

Proxy votes are due no later than April 21, 2021 and the NORCAL’s Board strongly encourages members to approve the Plan. NORCAL’s Board recommends that each eligible member elect Choice 1 – receive and sell Conversion Stock to PRA Professional. If you have any questions, please contact Ray Nolan at 610-357-3113 or ray.nolen@hubinternational.com.  
Introducing PracticeBeat 
PCMS has a partnership with PracticeBeat, a Carnegie Mellon University spin-off company specializing in growing your practices by finding new patients digitally. The solution has become an effective acquisition tool for many of the Philadelphia practices. PracticeBeat studies your current site and provides insight into your competitors. Some of the practices they have worked with have typically seen significant increases in new patient requests, an increase in quality and volume of online patient reviews and a high ranking in competitive and local search results online. To learn more, please contact Mark at mausterberry@philamedsoc.org or by phone at 215-563-5346.  
Immunity Legislation Advances in Pa. House
On April 6th the Pennsylvania House passed HB 605 which is legislation providing temporary, targeted protection from COVID-19 liability lawsuits for those complying with government health and safety guidelines. Our frontline heroes and providers who have sacrificed for us through the pandemic must not be victimized by those seeking to profit off the pandemic. The bill now moves to the PA senate for consideration. Contact your State Senator and ask him or her to support HB 605, which would provide limited civil immunity protections for physicians and other health care providers who follow the orders from the state and federal governments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Support HB 605 – Contact your State Senator
Restrictive Covenants Legislation Moving Ahead  
A restrictive covenants bill HB 681 was approved by the House Health Committee. The Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) will be reviewing the language to determine if it is a bill that they can support, ensuring that the legislation considers both small independent and employed physicians. PAMED will continue to actively educate our elected officials on how restrictive covenants can undermine the relationship between patients and their physician. The goal is to work to advance a legislative proposal that recognizes the difficulties employed physicians face when signing employment contracts by addressing geographic reach and duration of time of a restricted covenant. If you have thoughts/concerns on restricted covenant legislation, please share them with the PAMED Board at their member comments page.
J&J Covid-19 Vaccine Update 
On Wednesday, April 14, the federal government recommended to continue the pause of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution after an advisory panel put off a vote on how to move forward with the shots following reports that a small number of recipients developed life-threatening blood clots. This came after the PA Department of Health notified all COVID-19 vaccine providers in the Commonwealth to pause administering doses of the J&J COVID-19 vaccine until at least April 20. The Federal Advisory panel will be meeting again in an­other week or two to re­visit the is­sue. PCMS recognizes the critical importance of scientific integrity, transparency, and public trust as we fight to contain the global spread of COVID-19 and plan for the authorization, distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines. A link to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posting on their Health Alert Network addressing the J&J COVID-19 vaccine is available here
Last Call - Biosimilar Survey
Thanks to everyone that has taken the survey. If you have not done so, PCMS is conducting a short six question survey to determine our member biosimilar knowledge and accessibility. The information will help shape future educational programs and articles, and will help to determine if other initiatives would be helpful. Take the Biosimilar Survey
Interested in Being a Delegate to the PAMED HOD? 
Serving as a delegate at the PAMED House of Delegates helps develop meaningful policy that benefits Pennsylvania physicians and patients.  The 2021 House of Delegates will be held Oct. 29-31 as a virtual meeting. If you are a PCMS member and wish to be considered on the delegation, please email stat@philamedsoc.org or phone us at 215-563-5343.  
Calendar of Events
April
20 - How to Manage Your Finances and Invest for Your Future

Date: Tuesday, April 20
Time: 7:30 PM

Please join us for a discussion on “How to Go Beyond Investments and Connect Your Life & Your Finances” with Scott Nash, Executive Vice President/ Financial Advisor of Nash Wealth Management of Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC.



Date: Monday, April 26
Time: 7:00 PM

Learn how a multi-PI lab of emergency doctors, pharmacists and students was able to solve challenges in health care inside and outside the walls of the hospital throughout the COVID pandemic.

May
1 - The 10th Annual Clinical Update in Gastroenterology

Date: Saturday, May 1
Time: 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Our 10th Annual Clinical Update in Gastroenterology will be held on May 1! This year's topics include Motility Disorders of the Gastrointestinal Tract, An Update on Celiac Disease, An Update on Liver Disease: Cholestatic Diseases of the Liver, and Treatments for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. This program will be held as a Zoom video conference.


18 - The DO's and DON'Ts of Physician Use of Social Media

Date: Tuesday, May 18
Time: 7:30 PM

An educational program for Residents, Fellows and young physicians. More information will be available closer to the program date.




Date: Monday, May 24
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

An upcoming educational program covering the cultural barriers that may affect physicians’ ability to provide quality healthcare.


June

Date: Monday, June 7
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Please join us for a discussion on how to bring creativity into your life and how it can be an effective method to reduce stress and burnout.

25 - Presidents Installation and Awards Night

Date: Friday, June 25
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: The Philadelphia County Club, 1601 Spring Mill Road, Gladwyne, PA 19035

The Philadelphia County Medical Society will be celebrating the installation of our 160th President
Stephen R. Permut, MD, JD as well as the term of our 159th President
Natalia Ortiz-Torrent, MD, FAPA, FAPM. More details to come.

Philadelphia County Medical Society | stat@philamedsoc.org
215-563-5343 | http://philamedsoc.org