The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is strongly recommending medical practices go through the process of registering to be a COVID-19 vaccinator, regardless of whether the intention is to vaccinate. Being enrolled will allow small practices to have the option to vaccinate their own staff once the vaccine becomes available. The process to enroll can take time, so it is important not to delay. For answers to questions please email COVIDVaccine@delaware.gov. To learn more.

Delawareans can now order the overdose reversing drug naloxone by mail. According to the Division of Public Health, Delaware to date has recorded 316 suspected overdose deaths this year. Last year 421 Delawareans died as a result of an overdose. The decision to approve mail-order naloxone was made as more people are struggling to maintain their sobriety because of the stresses of COVID-19 and social distancing, which prevents meeting at in-person support groups. Ordering by mail also avoids any stigma, which can be a barrier to getting the medication. Read more.

Aggregate K-12 School-Related COVID-19 Statistics: Delaware cumulative number of COVID-19 positive students and staff who were in-person at a school or child care facility while potentially infectious, reported to DPH between between Dec. 3 - Dec. 9. Please note, these figures do not indicate that the infections were caused from being in the school setting. 

Click here for additional information and an update on outbreaks in long-term care facilities.

Additional demographic data on COVID-19 cases and deaths, including race/ethnicity, more age-specific data and COVID rate information by ZIP code, and information on Delaware's contact tracing efforts can be found on the Division of Public Health's My Healthy Community data portal. 

MSD's incoming President Matthew J. Burday, DO was recently highlighted in the Cape Gazette. Dr. Burday, an internal medicine physician with ChristianaCare will begin his Presidency on January 1, 2021 as the Medical Society of Delaware's 177th President! Among other things, Dr. Burday plans to focus his presidency on supporting primary care in Delaware and encouraging patients to utilize their primary care physicians, especially during the pandemic. Read more.

Thank you to all the MSD physicians who responded to this week's request and sent in their photo wearing PPE with the completion of the sentence, "I am getting the COVID-19 vaccine because..." Social media graphics have been designed and are circulating broadly and are trending very well.

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) in partnership with MSD is hoping each of you will take a few minutes to send us your picture (wearing a mask/PPE) and email the completion to the sentence "I am getting the COVID-19 vaccine because..."

To submit your photo and sentence, please email them to Mary.Fenimore@medsocdel.org. Don't forget to give us your full name as you would like it to appear.

View gallery of testimonial.

This year more than ever food banks across the country need help filling the shelves for those less fortunate! The Medical Society of Delaware has teamed up with the Food Bank of Delaware for a Virtual Food Drive. This holiday season, please consider donating - a single dollar provides three meals and you can give the hope of a holiday meal without leaving your home or office (aka social distancing done correctly!) To donate.

Register now for the next MSD Practice Management Education lunchtime webinar, Emotional Well-Being Over the Holidays, on Thursday, December 17th from noon - 1:00 p.m. For many physicians and health care professionals, the “most wonderful time of the year” can quickly turn into the most stressful time of the year. The season can bring about feelings of being overwhelmed and anxious. As the holidays draw near, it is important to prioritize your mental health and take steps to prevent the stress and depression that may come during the holiday season.

To register.

As the younger members of the Medical Society of Delaware, you may be wondering how you can get involved in our organization. We have an amazing opportunity for you to join the Environmental Health Subcommittee, which is reorganizing under the leadership of Dr. David Donohue, a board certified physician in Internal Medicine and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. The EXCITING news is that with some common objectives, we can improve the health of patients, the environment, and the planet. We have plans to make a real difference in Delaware and beyond. Join the MSD Environmental Health Subcommittee and help us start moving the dial!

Membership on the Environmental Health Subcommittee is on an annual appointed basis. Meetings are normally held during the evening. As this Subcommittee is under reorganization, the frequency of meetings is yet to be determined.

Please contact Mary LaJudice, MSD Senior Director of Corporate Services at Mary.LaJudice@medsocdel.org to let us know why you are interested.

Quality Insights is recruiting one medical practice with patient populations that have risk factors for food insecurity to consider collaborating on a project that aims to screen and provide appropriate clinical support to alleviate food insecurity. This quality improvement project will focus on improving health outcomes by facilitating the reduction of or management of food insecurity at the point of care. Read more.

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.