Volume 119, No. 10: October 2023 Edition | |
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They Said It...
“After my rant, the patient paused, and then clarified, 'I'm not talking about the bulls#*t. Every job has bulls#*t, and you can't avoid that. I'm asking if you love your job?' Just then, fireworks went off in my head: this lovely man made it crystal clear: we can reduce but never eliminate nonsense, and we should never let it distract us from our true passion. In all the ways I am sure we have helped others through their life's journey, it is a true blessing of our profession that our patients unexpectedly guide us through ours." An excerpt from Dr. John Vasudevan's speech at our Annual President's Installation and Awards Night, where he was installed as our 162nd President. You can read his speech in full in our Fall 2023 edition of Philadelphia Medicine, available now.
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If you are interested in writing an article for Philadelphia Medicine, please contact us at [email protected]. We are accepting articles for both the newsletter and magazine. | |
Things you should know... | |
Congratulations to our PCMS Members! | |
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Natalia Ortiz, MD
Dr. Ortiz, PCMS President 2020-21 and the first Hispanic woman to hold this role was recently recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal as a Woman of Influence. The Women of Influence program annually highlights the region's most influential businesswomen who have made a difference in their communities, blazed a trail, and are leaving a mark on Greater Philadelphia's business community. Congratulations Dr. Ortiz!
Edith P. Mitchell, MD
Dr. Edith P. Mitchell was named the recipient of the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s (PAMED) 2023 Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Mitchell is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology and is a long-time PCMS member. PAMED’s Distinguished Service Award is considered the highest honor a member can receive from PAMED. Its first recipient in 1956 was Jonas E. Salk, M.D., who was recognized for his achievements in developing the anti-polio vaccine. Dr. Mitchell will be presented the award in October 2023 at PAMED’s Annual Meeting. Congratulations Dr. Mitchell!
Drew Weissman, MD, PhD
PCMS member Dr. Drew Weissman and Philadelphia biochemist and researcher Katalin Karikó, PhD were awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries that enabled the creation of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 that were critical in slowing the pandemic—technology that’s also being studied to fight cancer and other diseases. Congratulations to you both!
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Block Captain Meetings are back | |
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After more than 4 years, the PCMS Block Captains Health Advisory Council held their first in-person community meeting with nearly 100 Block Captains attending. Block Captains are neighborhood leaders working to make their communities safe and viable places to live, work and play. They also work to build and strengthen partnerships with neighbors and other neighborhood stakeholders.
The event was hosted by Independence Blue Cross with special guest former US Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams as the keynote speaker, who spoke about health equity and his life growing up. In addition, there were representatives from the Philadelphia Department of Public health who provided an update on the 2023-2024 Flu and COVID season as well as a representative from the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) who reviewed PCA services and programs.
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AMA wants your feedback on Guides update | |
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A proposal to update the musculoskeletal system chapters (Upper Extremity, Lower Extremity, Spine) of the AMA Guides® is being considered by the AMA Guides Editorial Panel for adoption in 2024.
AMA is currently holding the first of three public comment periods where you will have the opportunity to learn and opine about the anticipated changes. The proposal will build upon the update to the sixth edition changes issued in 2023. Interested parties and organizations who utilize the AMA Guides are encouraged to participate in the process to comment on the proposed changes to the medicine and impairment ratings. The AMA Guides Editorial Panel will consider all available information and comments prior to adopting these changes as part of AMA Guides Sixth 2024.
The public comment period runs until October 27, 2023. The deadline to request a copy of the proposal is Friday, October 20, 2023.
Click here for more information on how to participate and to begin the request process.
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New cybersecurity training videos available on AMA Ed Hub | |
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The AMA Ed Hub has published a new video training series, “Cybersecurity for the Clinician”. This activity provides physicians and students in the medical profession with what they need to understand how cyber-attacks can affect clinical operations and patient safety.
The eight videos in the series use easy, non-technical language to explain how you can do your part to help keep health care data, systems and patients safe from cyber threats.
In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, take advantage of these other resources:
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405(d) Program - This program offered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is focused on providing the health care sector with impactful resources, products and tools to raise awareness and strengthen its cybersecurity posture against threats.
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AMA Physician Cybersecurity Webpage - The AMA has curated resources and tips for physicians and health care staff to protect patient health records and other data from cyberattacks.
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Philadelphia Department of Public Health issues RSV update | |
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The Philadelphia Department of Publich Health issued an update last week on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Over the past several years, the virus has peaked in irregular and unexpected months.
RSV infection is the leading cause of hospitalizations in infants and can also be very serious among the elderly. Two new modalities for RSV prevention in infants and young children are available this year. Additionally, two new vaccines against RSV are available for prevention of RSV LRTI in adults 60 and older. View the full Health Advisory to learn more.
The CDC Center for Forecasting Analytics anticipates that RSV will return to normal seasonal patterns this year. Based on sentinel surveillance from six hospitals in Philadelphia, the number of specimens testing positive for RSV is much lower currently than this time in the past two years.
Additional RSV resources:
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Recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month | |
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Every October, we recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, but early detection can drastically increase the survival rate. Also, on Friday, October 13th in Pennsylvania, our elected official declared it Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, which emphasizes the importance and the need for increased research, funding, and support for those affected.
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Emergency Department overcrowding – Take action now! | |
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Emergency department overcrowding is a dire problem facing all of Pennsylvania—especially Philadelphia. PAMED/PCMS are calling attention to this issue and we are asking you to take action!
Share your personal story of being affected by emergency department overcrowding and ask your legislators to urge the Governor to address the root causes and ensure Pennsylvania citizens have better access to care, lower mortality rates and increased quality of care.
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CONTRACT CORNER BRIEFS
by Karen E. Davidson, Esquire
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 |  | CONTRACT EXIT STRATEGY. Physicians considering a change of employment need to be strategic, informed and careful. They are essentially playing multiple hands of poker, so need to keep their cards close to their vests. For example, a physician may be trying to negotiate new compensation and/or other terms with his/her present employer while seeking to make a “deal” with a new employer. Compensation survey data can be helpful for both sets of negotiations. While we have found that physicians typically make the most financial gains when moving to a new employer, they can do so if they have a strong negotiating position with their present employer. Present compensation, which is usually subject to a confidentiality obligation, should not be shared with prospective employers. This can help a physician garner fair market value compensation and not just an increase over previous compensation. Also, it is important to ascertain whether a physician will lose any incentive or other compensation as a consequence of termination. If so, perhaps the new employer can provide a sign-on or other bonus to make up the differential. The same may be possible if a physician will be liable for the cost of tail coverage with the present employer. (See previous Contract Corner Briefs for related discussions.) In these and other ways, the respective negotiations can help inform each other.
Physicians ultimately choosing to leave their positions also need to ascertain their termination notice obligation, so that the start date with the new employer can be synced-up. This can be challenging to determine from the outset, but will become clearer as negotiations proceed. It is also a best practice to make sure that the fully signed, new contract is in-hand before giving notice of termination with a present employer.
With respect to non-competes, physicians leaving their present employment should consider whether it would be prudent to include language in the new contract that the physician cannot be placed in a location that violates the previous non-compete. Physicians should also ascertain if there may be a time period when the previous and new non-competes might both apply. If that would be the case, perhaps the term/termination provisions of the new contract should be changed. Again, each of the contracts and their negotiations can inform how to proceed with the other.
Remember, contract exit and entry can be rife with issues, but can be navigated with careful close attention and strategy.
| The content of “Contract Corner Briefs” has been prepared by Karen E. Davidson, Esq. for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information in this e-newsletter shall not be construed as an offer to represent you, nor is it intended to create, nor shall the receipt of such information constitute, an attorney-client relationship. We hope that you will find the information informative and useful, and we would be delighted to connect you with Karen Davidson. | |
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Pennsylvania HAI Summit
Date: Thursday, October 19 and Friday, October 20
The PA Department of Health, Bureau of Epidemiology, and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health are holding the Pennsylvania HAI (Healthcare-Associated Infections) Summit on October 19 and 20, 2023. This free virtual conference taking place over two half days will cover a wide range of priority issues for leaders in long-term care and acute care settings including Candida auris advances, water management programs, respiratory viral infections, and much more. Learn about up-to-date data and scientific developments from the CDC, state and local health departments, as well as clinical and laboratory leaders. Continuing education credits will be available.
See the agenda for Summit details and for links to register.
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Introduction to Buprenorphine Prescribing in Primary Care
Date: Friday, October 27
Time: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is offering a free MOUD 1-day preceptor program for primary care providers in Philadelphia. This program is developed to support providers who are interested in prescribing buprenorphine. This is the first part of a mini-residency program, followed by an individual on-site observation with an experienced faculty preceptor.
Register Here
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PAMED House of Delegates
Date: October 27-28
The HOD’s purpose is to democratically hear the diverse voices of the membership and, after deliberation and consideration, establish broad policy on health, medical, and governance matters.
Learn More
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How to Improve Your Administrative Leadership Skills without an MHA
Date: Thursday, November 9
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Place: The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 19 S 22nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
The first of four programs in the Doctors Lounge Lecture Series, co-hosted by The College of Physicians of Philadelphia and The Philadelphia County Medical Society. This program includes a reception, panel discussion and an open discussion period. Dr. Wilson Jackson, PAMED President, and Dr. Baligh Yehia, President of Jefferson Health, will be speaking at the event. Attendees are welcome to bring a guest.
Register Here
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