ACMS SNAPSHOTS

ACMS Bi-Weekly Newsletter 12.5.2022

Local Physician Advocacy Survey - Deadline Dec. 9

Dear ACMS Members,

It has always been a priority of the ACMS to advocate on behalf of our members and the patients that they serve. Traditionally this advocacy has been at a State level with the help of the PA Medical Society and their Political PAC. More recently your board has expressed interest in advocating locally for the needs of physicians and patients specifically in Allegheny County.

In order to achieve this goal, we feel that we need to do a better job of interacting with our large local health care networks to include AHN, St Clair, UPMC, and others. We have initiated an ad hoc committee to begin this process. At the committee’s first meeting on November 1^st, the committee members suggested a survey be sent to all the ACMS members asking them to comment on possible barriers to the excellent health care that we all feel our county’s populace deserve. Further, to comment upon the health and wellbeing of our physician providers. Along those lines, we are asking you to take a few moments to take the “Survey Monkey” that we have developed.

We have put out some suggestions for you to rank in order of importance to your practice. We have also left a “write in space” for other ideas that we may not have listed. We all recognize the challenges that our health systems face with regard to staffing in this economic environment, so suggestions that are actionable (economically) are especially welcome.

On behalf of the committee, thank you for taking the time to respond. Your input is absolutely essential. The deadline to complete this survey is Friday, December 9, 2022.

Take the Survey

Sincerely,

Peter G. Ellis, MD

ACMS Board President

What TV Doctor Would You Want at Your Bedside?

Captain Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce - MASH

Dr. Perry Cox - Scrubs

Dr. Gregory House

Dr. Miranda Bailey - Grey's Anatomy

Dr. Nick - The Simpsons

ACMS Foundation Feature: Angels' Place

For 38 years single parent families have shaped a pathway to a brighter future for themselves and generations to come. The kind support of the Allegheny County Medical Society Foundation during the 2021-2022 program year helped Showcase of Scholar families have access to life-changing programming. The Early Childhood Education and Family Support services created opportunities for children to learn and grow alongside their parents.

Ensuring that families in the Pittsburgh community have access to high-quality child care and family support services remains a focus for Angels’ Place and are essential to responding to the loss of child care that the region has encountered. Superior child care allows single parents meeting low-income guidelines the ability to pursue their education and career goals.

To Learn More about Angels’ Place Visit: www.angelsplacepgh.org

The Mission of the Foundation is: Advancing Wellness by confronting Social Determinants and Health Disparities.

This mission works to fulfill an overall vision of a healthy and safe Allegheny County. Throughout the ups and downs of the past few years, the Foundation’s work has become even more important in supporting local non-profit organizations.

Donate to the ACMS Foundation to help support annual grants, like the one awarded to Angels’ Place.

ACMS Noteworthy News

Management Professionals in Health Care 2022

On Wednesday, November 16, 2022, 70+ practice administrators gathered in-person at the Westin Pittsburgh for the Management Professionals in Health Care (MPHC) conference hosted by Allegheny County Medical Society and the Pennsylvania Medical Society. Our keynote speaker, Jordan Corcoran, CEO and Creator www.listenlucy.org, spoke on mental health in the workplace and attendees left with self-care and coping techniques to share with staff. Attendees also had the opportunity to break out in groups and discuss challenges and innovations in staffing, recruitment, and retention.

Other conference highlights included:

Legislative and Regulatory Update given by David Thompson, Senior Director, Government Affairs, of Pennsylvania Medical Society
Sonda Kunzi, CPC COC CPB CRC CPCO CPMA CPPM CPC-I - Coding Advantage, LLC offered insight into the high level changes for E/M Code Sets in 2023 and the current landscape of Telehealth.
The Stigma of Addiction presented by Kimberly Kabernagel, DO, FASAM- Medical Director at Geisinger Marworth Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center
Digital Marketing guidance presented by Rick Cancelliere, Founder and CEO, Treatspace
Patrick Hussey, PharmD, MBA, Pharmacy Director, SYMBRIA and Aime Harrison, MPT, CDP, Care Transition Manager for Presbyterian SeniorCare Network, discussed Patient Transitions of Care and how physician practice managers help improve patients transition to a senior care facility.

Thank you to our planning committee: David Chimento, MHA, FACMPE, Lynn Garver, MPA, Renee J. Gorney MBA, Steven Hamel, CPA, MBA, MT, and Cindy Popovich.

Thank you to the following who provided support of the program: Healthcare Management Advisors, Inc., PraticeBeat, Aetna, Dementia360, Favorite Healthcare Staffing, Gallagher Home Health Services, Highmark/Allegheny Health Network, Pennsylvania Medical Group Management Association, PNC, Sanofi, Symbria, Third Generation and Vertilocity.

The Allegheny County Medical Society, working closely with the MPHC Planning Committee, will begin planning 2023 educational offerings in January.