As reported by the Washington Post and other news outlets, a panel of independent vaccine experts recommended Tuesday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorize a coronavirus vaccine developed by the Maryland biotechnology company Novavax. Once signed off on by all necessary agencies, it will become the fourth Covid-19 vaccine authorized in the United States. But it remains unclear when doses will become available. A decision by the FDA is unlikely to happen immediately because a review of data regarding manufacturing remains ongoing. The Novavax vaccine was shown to be 90 percent effective in a clinical trial run before the emergence of the omicron variant of the coronavirus. The results were announced a year ago, but the vaccine has repeatedly been delayed by manufacturing challenges. The Novavax vaccine is already authorized in dozens of countries, including Japan and Britain. The Novavax shot is a protein-based vaccine from traditional technology used against influenza and shingles. The two-shot regimen would provide another vaccine option, including for people who are allergic to ingredients in the mRNA vaccines currently available. The first vaccines to be authorized in the United States — from Pfizer and its German partner, BioNTech, and from Moderna — were based on messenger RNA technology, which instructs the body’s cells to build proteins that teach the immune system to halt the coronavirus. That technology had been under development for years, but the pandemic was the first time it was authorized — and the shots have now been widely used. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will need to sign off and an indication of when it will be available for ordering needs to be determined before Delaware can receive this fourth vaccine option.

Find session dates, times and links at: Terms of Use | Pfizer Medical Information - US (Schedule through July 8, 2022*. Please check back for future training session information.) Next session is scheduled for Tuesday, June 14th. Sessions will be updated to reflect the latest information. Continuing medical education is NOT associated with this event. 

Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided additional guidance to help prescribers evaluate potential drug interactions when using Paxlovid therapy for COVID-19. Prescribers should review each patient's full list of medications and use other resources to evaluate for potential drug interactions in patients who take medications that are not included on the Fact Sheet or checklist at this time (a listing of additional resources is provided at the end of the checklist). The checklist is intended to support clinical decision making and is a helpful additional to any prescriber's "toolbox." Please see the updated Prescriber Patient Eligibility Screening Checklist for more information.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has modified its monkeypox guidance, urging travelers to take extra precautions including wearing face masks as global cases of the virus increase. The most common mode of transmission for monkeypox is via direct contact with rash lesions or respiratory secretions. The CDC changed its alert to a level 2 on Monday, encouraging people to practice enhanced precautions to stem the outbreak, which has spread to 29 nonendemic countries in the past month. The Delaware Division of Public Health indicates the risk of monkeypox infection for the general public is still low. The smallpox-related disease has been confirmed in 14 states and the District of Columbia to date. Philadelphia reported its first case of monkeypox last week. No cases have been found in Delaware so far. The CDC has provided guidance for physicians on the monkeypox virus, with access to other information about the virus.

The Medical Society of Delaware will be represented by its Delegation at the Annual Meeting of the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates. The meeting is taking place June 10-15, 2022, in Chicago, starting one day earlier than normal to help address the business postponed during the past two years of virtual meetings. Representing MSD at the meeting are: Janice E. Tildon-Burton, MD, Delegate; Brintha F. Vasagar, MD, Young Physician Representative; Nancy Fan, MD, Organized Medical Staff Section (OMSS) Delegate; Matthew J. Burday, DO, MSD President; and Mr. Mark Thompson, MSD Executive Director. Other Delaware MSD member physicians attending the meeting are Stephen R. Permut, MD, MSD Past President and member of the AMA; and Siri M. Holton, MD attending as the Young Physician Section representative for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

appointed annually and is responsible for developing the nomination slate for elections at the MSD Annual Meeting in November. Over the course of the next several months, the Committee members will be seeking out candidates with appropriate skills and qualities for leadership. If you are interested in a position, contact any member of the Nominating Committee or Mary LaJudice, Senior Director of Corporate Services, for more information (Mary.LaJudice@medsocdel.org or 302-593-8589). Congratulations to:

Most are aware of the four people who fell victim to a gunman's wrath at the Tulsa, Oklahoma Saint Francis Hospital campus last week, one of several recent events from gun violence. The Oklahoma State Medical Association (OSMA) has established several options for anyone wishing to make a contribution in honor of Dr. Preston Phillips, one of the victims.

The Tulsa Saint Francis Health System has created a webpage in memory of the four killed.

An attempt to override Governor John Carney’s veto of a bill to legalize marijuana possession failed in the Delaware House of Representatives Tuesday. Numerous lawmakers who previously voted to pass House Bill 371, voted against the veto override. 

Last week the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), notified states that they now have an additional year - through March 31, 2025 - to use funding made available by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to enhance, expand, and strengthen home- and community-based services (HCBS) for people with Medicaid who need long-term services and supports. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the risks of institutional and congregate settings for older Americans and people with disabilities, underscoring the urgent need to expand access to high-quality HCBS to improve outcomes for people who need long term services and supports. HCBS allow Medicaid beneficiaries to receive services in their own home or community, rather than in institutions or other isolated settings. As a result of the ARP increase in the federal matching rate on activities, states originally had a three-year period - from April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2024 - to use the available state funds, attributable to the ARP's increased federal medical assistance percentage, on activities to enhance, expand, or strengthen HCBS in Medicaid. ARP funding allows states to identify and implement changes aimed at addressing existing HCBS workforce and structural issues, as well as expand capacity to provide critical services and met the needs of family caregivers and people on HCBS waitlists. Additional information on states’ spending plans — including a recently updated infographic summarizing planned activities and key investments — can be found at Medicaid.gov https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/home-community-based-services/guidance/strengthening-and-investing-home-and-community-based-services-for-medicaid-beneficiaries-american-rescue-plan-act-of-2021-section-9817-spending-plans-and-narratives/index.html.

Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) officials announced a new monthly high total of deaths from suspected overdoses during May and said they fear the vast majority of the deaths will be connected to fentanyl, a powerful synthetic pain reliever that is 50-100 times more potent than morphine, or to the increasing use of cocaine, a powerfully addictive stimulant. In May 2022, 42 people died from suspected overdoses in Delaware, according to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science. That surpassed the previous monthly high total set in August 2018 and tied in May 2020, of 39 deaths. Through May 31, 159 people have died from suspected overdoses in Delaware, which is about the same rate as 2021. Connecting people to treatment resources and services can be done by physicians and other medical professionals. Delawareans struggling with substance use disorder also can call DHSS’ Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health’s 24/7 Delaware Hope Line – a single point of contact where callers can connect to a variety of resources and information, including support from clinicians and peer specialists plus crisis assistance. For support, Delawareans can:

Please email CLDProj@mathematica-mpr.com if you would like to participate.

The American Medical Association (AMA) has launched a new learning collaborative opportunity for private practice physicians designed to help implement actionable changes that can quickly increase their practice’s efficiency. Each eight-week session in the Private Practice Simple Solutions series will focus on a single topic. Physicians will be able to access a pre-recorded didactic presentation and a discussion board (NOTE: the discussion board requires individual registration to access this closed community). The discussion board runs throughout the entirety of the eight weeks, offering opportunities to interact with fellow cohort members and ask questions of subject matter experts who oversee the sessions. A second pre-recorded presentation will follow the first, focusing on the common obstacles or questions identified on the discussion board. The first session, which provides insights on using the AMA STEPS Forward® E/M Documentation Burden Reduction Toolkit as a guide, will be released on July 7. The second recording will be released on Aug. 16.

The AMA is hosting an interactive session on accelerating behavioral health integration through telehealth on June 21. Participants will learn about the opportunities and challenges of incorporating technology to advance more coordinated and equitable behavioral health care, as well as practical solutions stakeholders across the health care ecosystem can pursue to advance digitally enabled BHI. The session will feature experts from Penn Medicine and the Department of Veteran Affairs, who will discuss their BHI models, how digital tools have been incorporated, and the comprehensive value it has generated.

Finding work-life balance during the COVID-19 pandemic has required parents to constantly recalibrate, shifting the demands of parenting to meet the needs of their employers. Burnout rates remain particularly high among physicians, and those who also take on the responsibilities of caring for their children face a unique set of challenges. This panel discussion webinar at noon on June 21 features multiple physician parents and will provide tips on how to set limits, balancing family life as a physician, simply finding the time, and best practices for managing family activities.

An Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) may be a perfect solution for employers looking to contain benefit costs or groups who currently do not offer any coverage. ICHRAs allow employers to maintain coverage options as well as attract and retain employees. Register now to join the webinar on June 21 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. to learn more. Read more about ICHRAs and whether it is a fit for your group. The Medical Society of Delaware Insurance Services offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit the website at www.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Sharon Ruth at (302) 397-0173.

Come mingle with the President! In light of COVID-19 safety concerns at the time, MSD did not plan a social event in conjunction with our November 2021 Annual Meeting. Our goal was to plan three social events for some time in 2022 when we all felt more comfortable in those in-person social gatherings. That time has come. You and your guest have the opportunity to attend one of the upcoming in-person Presidential Receptions that have been arranged at locations across the state. Find a date and location convenient for you! All events begin at 6:00 p.m. Dress is business casual.

On June 14 Planned Parenthood will hold one final session for parents of individuals with disabilities surrounded around healthy sexuality. This workshop was made possible by the Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) Healthy Sexuality project. This workshop will provide parents with tips and resources which will help them have this very important conversation with their young adults. This event will begin at 6 p.m. and will take place virtually. This flyer provides more details. This event is free but registration is required.

Join global nutrition experts in person to learn the latest in nutrition education and enjoy delicious meals and networking opportunities. Leading health care experts from around the world will share engaging lectures on the latest research behind the power of nutrition. This program is jointly provided by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, with up to 20 continuing medical education credits available. Seating is limited. Register with the code MSD for 10% off the cost of full admission, just for Medical Society of Delaware members. Review the full schedule and reserve your spot at PCRM.org/ICNM.

MSD is pleased to bring you a complimentary virtual session for financial planning for retirement on Thursday, September 22nd from 6 - 7:30 p.m. This event is recommended for physicians with presentations by:

For more information and to register visit: https://reg.planetreg.com/Retirement2022

The MSD "It's OBVIOUS" Campaign for Kids initiative will be hosting a 5k Run/Walk on Saturday, November 5, 2022, beginning at 9 a.m. at Rockford Park in Wilmington. Because not all heroes wear capes, we are inviting all MSD members to be a Superhero for Hope and register to participate. Registration fee through October 3rd is $25.

MSD hosted it’s second Pub & Politics event on Thursday May 26^th at the Painted Stave Distilling in Smyrna. Attendees had the opportunity to chat with local legislators, including Representative David Bentz, Senator Tray Paradee, and Representative Jeff Spiegelman while enjoying locally distilled spirits from the Painted Stave Distilling and a variety of tacos and nachos from Taco Jardin’s food truck. A very special thank you to our event sponsors, Diamond State Financial Group; ProAssurance and DELPAC. If you were not able to attend this time, plan to attend future Pub & Politics events later this year - we are planning to host additional events further north and further south in the state!

Bayhealth’s Graduate Medical Education (GME) residency program continues to grow, thanks to the generosity of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware. Highmark's total support of $1.6 million has strengthened Bayhealth’s efforts to bring more talented new physicians to the community. In appreciation of their significant gifts, Bayhealth announced the new naming of the Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware Family Medicine Residency Program Director role. MSD member, Brintha Vasagar, MD (pictured), serves as the Program Director of the Family Medicine Residency Program. In July, Bayhealth’s Family Medicine and Internal Medicine Residency Programs will each welcome their second class—composed of eight and 13 residents, respectively—and the General Surgery Residency will begin training its first three surgical residents. These medical school graduates join the 21 residents currently working in Bayhealth hospitals and Bayhealth Family Medicine, Dover and Bayhealth Internal Medicine, Milford practices.

Bayhealth announced it received the designation of “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Top Performer” in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 15th anniversary edition of the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). HEI is the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey of healthcare facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ patients, visitors, and employees.

Beebe Healthcare hosted U.S. Sen. Tom Carper late last week as he visited to tour the new Specialty Surgical Hospital on the Rehoboth Health Campus off of Route 24. The Surgical Hospital opened May 16 for its first orthopaedic procedure, and the surgeons and clinical teams have been caring for patients as more and more surgeries begin to be scheduled. In addition to public and private tours, Gov. John Carney and Rep. Lisa Blunt-Rochester have also visited the facility. 

In Delaware, 12.6% of households are food insecure, meaning they either don’t know how to provide food for their family or can’t. Likewise, affordable housing, as well as appropriate housing for individuals with physical and behavioral health needs, has become increasingly scarce, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. To increase access to food and housing among vulnerable populations in Delaware and Maryland, ChristianaCare is providing $1.1 million through its Community Investment Fund to 13 nonprofit organizations. This is the second round of grants since the Community Investment Fund’s launch in 2019. ChristianaCare is partnering with organizations that provide resources for healthy meals, a safe place to sleep, and homes that are healthy, safe and affordable, reflecting the findings of ChristianaCare’s Community Health Needs Assessment.

This week's spotlight is on Daniel R. Feldman, D.O., M.P.H., Internal Medicine Resident at ChristianaCare. Read more.

It is with sadness we share that MSD Member Jerry L. Case, MD passed away on May 24, 2022. He attended the University of Iowa Medical School and graduated 10th in his class in 1960. He completed a civilian internship in Phoenix, AZ, in 1960. During this time, Jerry committed to a career in the Navy Medical Corps Service in orthopedic surgery. In 1962, Jerry reported to the USS Prairie, a Destroyer tender based in San Diego, as the ship's General Medical Officer. As a young officer, Jerry promptly restructured the medical department on board – a legacy that still stands today. Jerry was accepted in 1962 into the Philadelphia Naval Hospital orthopedics residency. Part of his orthopedic training entailed a six-month pediatric orthopedic rotation at A.I. DuPont Institute (now Nemours Children's Hospital) which resulted in moving his growing family to Wilmington, DE. Completing his training in 1965, Jerry was assigned to a unit in the 1st Marine Division in Chu Lai, Vietnam from 1965 through 1966. Upon return from Vietnam, Jerry became Chief of the Orthopedics department at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital. In 1971, he left the Navy and entered private practice in Wilmington, DE. There, he established a successful orthopedic practice that spanned 43 years. Friends of Jerry are invited to call on Tuesday, June 14, at the Kuzo Funeral Home, 250 W. State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348, from 10:30 a.m., followed by a Service of Remembrance from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the same location. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Jerry Case's honor be made to the J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship Trust, 1974 Sproul Rd, Ste. 400,Broomall, PA 19008. Donate online to www.plattscholar.org. Read obituary.

We also recognize the loss of MSD member Joan K. Short, MD who passed away on May 29, 2022. Having the pioneer spirit, she was the only woman in her medical school. Joan graduated from Northwestern University of Medicine and her residency was at Charity Hospital in New Orleans in 1958 at the age of 27. She went onto Children's Hospital in Philadelphia until 1962. She was licensed not only in Delaware but in many other states she traveled to and worked. As an accomplished pediatrician, she worked in Haiti, Saudi Arabia and Landstuhl Germany as a Lt. Colonel. As a civilian, Joan went to Vietnam during Operation Baby Lift. She also donated much of her time as a doctor to many causes from the Rosebud Indian Reservation to Bhutan. Services and burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make the donation to The Ocean Conservancy or The World Wildlife Foundation. Read obituary.

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!

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 member(s) listed above.