Volume 112, No.8
August 2016 Edition
 
They Said It...
 
"They are like crazy people. They think they can just go to Africa and change the world. They truly believe that." Dr. Pak Shan Leung, of the Einstein Healthcare Network, describing the dedication of the Doctors Without Borders physicians he recently worked with in war-torn South Sudan. An interview with Dr. Leung will appear in our fall issue of Philadelphia Medicine magazine.
 

Trying to Heal OurselvesA1

PCMS will host a seminar on August 20 at 6:30 p.m., on a particularly painful reality in the medical community - the shocking rate of physician suicides. Each year about 400 doctors take their own lives - many of them steeped in depression, overwhelmed by the pressures of the medical profession. Female doctors commit suicide at more than twice the rate of women in the general population. Men in the profession are not far behind their female colleagues.

The organization, care2, is sponsoring the seminar. It will take place on the National Day of Solidarity to Prevent Physician Suicide. Speakers from the medical community will discuss why these tragedies are taking place, and what can be done to prevent them. The event will also be open to questions from the floor. Details are in our newsletter calendar, "Dating Service." You can also find more information by going to www.care2.com/savedoctors.


When a Friend Asks What You're Doing in Your Spare TimeA2
 
Tell your friend you're busy doing volunteer work for PCMS. PCMS President Daniel Dempsey has several suggestions that would give you a lot of satisfaction and go a long way toward helping your colleagues. Dr. Dempsey is looking for volunteers to join the society's committees:
  • Editorial Review Board - Oversee content for the PCMS monthly newsletter and quarterly magazine.
  • Delegate Caucus to PAMED Annual Meeting - Develop and review resolutions for the Pennsylvania Medical Society's House of Delegates annual meeting in Hershey.
  • Public Health - Promote effective health care programs for the residents of Philadelphia. The committee works closely with the city's Department of Health.
  • Membership - Oversee outreach and benefits for the society's members.
  • Young Physicians Section - Target society services and programs for doctors 40 years of age and younger.
  • International Medical Graduates Section - A forum for IMGs to discuss their common concerns.
  • Residents/Fellows Section - Another forum -- geared to help residents and fellows meet their professional goals and needs.

If you're interested, call 215-563-5343, ext. 102.

 

Keeping Track of the BugsA3

The Phila. Dept. of Health says a growing number of mosquito pools in our area have insects carrying the West Nile virus (WNV). So the department has issued an advisory to physicians on testing and reporting requirements for WNV and other arboviruses. You can find the advisory at https://hip.phila.gov. If you have questions after reading the document, contact the Phila. health communications specialist at Katherine.waser@phila.gov.

To update your contact information for the Health Alert Network, or to register to get health alerts, go to https://hip.phila.gov/HealthAlerts/SignUpHealthAlerts.

Looking for a Fix to the Prior Authorization ProblemA4

Doctors sometimes feel they hit a wall built by insurance companies when it comes to getting prior authorization for medical tests and procedures. Pa. Rep. Marguerite Quinn (R-Bucks) wants to at least put a gate in that wall. She has introduced HB 1657, to try to make the system more consistent and timely.

The bill would increase transparency and consistency in the criteria used for prior authorizations, establish standards designed to reduce the use of prior authorization, make the process more electronic, and develop a standard prior authorization form.

You Can Help to Get Action on the Physician Credentialing BillA5

You have an opportunity to help change the way Pennsylvania credentials physicians. HB 1663 would streamline the cumbersome, serpentine physician credentialing process. PAMED is hoping the bill will soon be considered by the House Health Committee. PAMED is urging you to tell your state representative of frustrations you or a doctor you know experienced during the credentialing process. You can contact PAMED for more information on the bill, which is sponsored by Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga).

When Your Doctor Friends Tell You About an Annoying State RegulationA6

Tell them they can do something about it. They can submit a resolution to PAMED's House of Delegates by working with the PCMS delegation that will attend the annual meeting in October. Get your resolution to the PCMS Caucus by the August 26 deadline. And if you would like to be a member of the PCMS delegation, contact Executive Director Mark Austerberry, at stat@philamedsoc.org, or call him at 215-563-5343, ext. 101.

Where Did You Find That?A7

On the PAMED app, of course. It offers timely alerts, vital networking and advocacy efforts on Pennsylvania legislative issues crucial to physicians. To get the PAMED app, search for "PAMED" in your app store.

Dating ServiceA8

August
10  - CDC / AMA Webinar -- Preparing for Zika Transmission in the U.S. 

Wednesday, August 10
7:00 - 8:00PM
 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Medical Association (AMA) invite you to join an important webinar focused on Zika virus. CDC Medical Epidemiologist Susan Hills, MBBS, MTH, will present an update on the epidemiological and clinical aspects of the current outbreak. CDC Medical Officer Kiran Perkins, MD, MPH, will present on the implications for pregnant women, including CDC's updated interim clinical guidance, before fielding questions from webinar participants. For more information on Zika, visit www.cdc.gov/Zika.  
20 - National Day of Solidarity to Prevent Physician Suicide

Saturday, August 20 
6:30PM
 
Please join us on August 20th, as medical students, doctors, administrators, friends, and family come together in Philadelphia as part of a national day of solidarity to raise awareness of the medical community's suicide epidemic. Together we will show those suffering in silence that they are not alone, and start conversations to create change within our medical schools and hospitals.
 
Come listen to speakers from the medical community share their experiences, observations, and ideas for how to combat the suicide epidemic. Share your own personal story or ideas during the open mic portion of the event. And help us remember those who have lost their lives to suicide during the event's closing candlelight vigil.
 
September 
8 - Philadelphia Primary Care Career Fair

Thursday, September 8 
5:30 - 8:30PM
 
You'll  meet practices and health centers looking for providers with a passion and purpose for primary care. And you'll find a wide variety of opportunities at Community Health Centers , rural health clinics, and hospitals and health systems.  Find out more about Community Health Centers and other Career Fair exhibitors at www.paprimarycarecareers.org/Career-Fairs .
 

  
13 - Gender Inequalities in Medicine

Tuesday, September 13 
7:00 - 8:30 PM
 
This Forum will focus on the experiences of women physicians regarding the key aspects of the culture of Medicine, where men and women are equally engaged in their work and share similar leadership aspirations, yet institutions have failed to create and sustain an environment where women are fully supported to succeed.
 
 
24 - President's Installation and Awards Night

Saturday, September 24 
Reception 6:00 PM 
Dinner and Program 7:00 PM

Celebrating the Inauguration of Daniel T. Dempsey, MD, FACS as the 155th President of The Philadelphia County Medical Society at the Philadelphia Country Club, 1601 Spring Mill Road, Gladwyne, PA.
 
October
5 - The Child Abuse Reporting Training Program

Wednesday, October 5
6:30 - 8:30 PM 
 
Last chance to attend a live 2 hour training program as required for your medical license renewal. This program will cover the topics of child abuse recognition, what you need to know in order to report it, and the penalties for failing to report. This program is free and open to all physicians. Please RSVP by Sept 26. 

 
November
13 - Type 2 Diabetes Education Program

Thursday, November 3
7:00 PM 
 
The Philadelphia County Medical Society invites you to join your colleagues and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to learn more about Invokana®, an individualized approach to the treatment of adults with Type 2 Diabetes.

Click Here to Register 
 
 
PCMS People Wanted
 
Your colleagues would like to know what you have been up to! Email news about academic or other appointments, achievements, awards and promotion, etc., to stat@philamedsoc.org .

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