They Said It...
"As a physician, I want to remind you that now is the time to get vaccinated. Remember, by protecting yourself, you're also protecting your loved ones." Dr. Alexia Treviño, Director Of Public Relations at SILAMP Wellness, promoting vaccine awareness as part of the All Faiths Vaccination Campaign. To learn more, visit https://www.allfaithsvaccinationcampaign.org/.
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Things You Should Know... |
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City Council to Hold Hearing Next Week on Transfer of Tobacco Permits (Bill 210227) |
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The current tobacco retail regulation specifies that tobacco permits are for a given owner at a given location. Bill 210227 would undo this existing regulation to newly allow any retailer who held a permit as of Dec. 12, 2016, to move retail locations anywhere within the city of Philadelphia, including locations within 500 feet of a school and into communities overburdened by tobacco use. PCMS expressed strong opposition to Bill 210227. Please contact your City Council member today to express your concerns.
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Physician Assistant Legislation Expected to be Considered in Late June |
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Legislation intended to modify physician oversight and supervision of physician assistants (PAs) is up for consideration again. Senate Bill 397/398 outlined significant changes to, among other things, abolishing the countersignature requirement, discontinuing medical board approval of PA agreements and removing limitations on the number of PAs a physician could supervise. The Medical Society will continue to work to amend SB 397/398 with the goal of ultimately inserting language that continues to embrace the physician/PA relationship and improve efficiencies, all the while maintaining the highest quality patient care. For an update on legislation, click here.
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Mosquitoes are Back; so is West Nile Virus Season in Pennsylvania |
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The first WNV-positive pools were identified in near central Pennsylvania through the routine seasonal monitoring conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection surveillance program. The first mosquito positive pools indicate WNV may have begun to circulate in Pennsylvania.
Risk of human WNV infection is likely to remain elevated over the next several months. The health department would like to remind all health care providers to consider the diagnosis of arboviral infection in persons presenting with undifferentiated febrile illness or signs of meningoencephalitis, to ask about recent travel history and to collect appropriate diagnostic specimens. All arbovirus infections (for example, infections because of West Nile, dengue, chikungunya, Zika, Powassan, etc.) are reportable within 24 hours of diagnosis in Pennsylvania. Additional surveillance data is available at http://www.depgis.state.pa.us/WNV/index.html.
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PCMS has been made aware of recent reports regarding certain Tower Health facilities being in flux. To assist members with possible questions during this time, PAMED has developed a webinar and informational page to address physician questions and legal considerations. Visit the Tower Health Resource page. PAMED will continue to provide additional resources as further details are known and new developments emerge. If you or someone you know has a concern, please email us at [email protected]. |
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Did You Recently Miss a PCMS Educational Program? |
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Addressing Cultural Competency to Provide Quality Healthcare with Elana McDonald, MD, conducted virtually on May 24
This program helped participants recognize the cultural barriers that may affect physicians' ability to provide quality healthcare as well as make aware the history behind the African-American community distrust of the medical establishment. This was followed by a discussion on vaccination strategies to help improve COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and improve the vaccination rate.
Watch video:
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Art in Medicine: Using Creativity to Prevent Burn out with Susan Summerton, MD, conducted virtually on June 7
The program helped participants learn about the factors leading to stress/burnout, especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the symptoms discussed included prolonged physical and mental exhaustion, detachment and lack of empathy. It also helped identify objects and experiences that bring joy and determine ways the participant could bring creativity into their own lives.
Watch video:
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25 - Presidents Installation and Awards Night
Date: Friday, June 25
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: The Philadelphia Country 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. The deadline to RSVP is June 18.
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25 - Harm Reduction: Perceptions, Policies, Practices and Politics
Date: Friday, June 25
Time: 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
The Regional Overdose Prevention Coalition is hosting an update and panel discussion. Breakout sessions will be held following a lunch break. Deadline to register is June 22.
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