UMass FMCH Tuesday Talk - March 30, 2021/DIVERSITY
Welcome to the FMCH Tuesday Talk. Please continue to send us your announcements, celebrations, and accomplishments to [email protected].
Message from the Chair

As today is National Doctors Day, I want to acknowledge the extraordinary service and sacrifice that all our FMCH physicians make each and every day. Thanks for all you do. I am so proud to have you as colleagues!
 
As presented at MGMT, attached is the updated slide outlining our 2021 Doctors’ Day celebration activities 
Message from Josephine Fowler, MD, MSc, FAAFP

Happy National Doctor's Day

"The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease."- William Osler.
 
Happy National Doctor's Day to all of you! You are the heroes of health care and today we celebrate all that you do and your commitment to the profession and most importantly to the people we serve. There is no hiding all that you have done for your patients and colleagues during the last year. You are flexible, innovative, attentive, analytical, brave, calm, learned, kind, enthusiastic, committed, optimistic, and more. Because of you, the world is a better place.
 
Today we celebrate you and want you to know that you are appreciated. As physicians and healers, you show yourself valuable to us all. May today be a day of reflection of the great things you do for all of us and your patients. 
Table of Contents
1.    Upcoming Events
2.    Focus of the Week - Diversity
3.    Announcements
4.    Frankly Speaking Podcast
5.    Faculty Presentations/Publications
6.    Department Member Recognition
7.    COVID 19 Updates
8.    Wellness Resources
9.    Working on Wellness
Upcoming Events

FMCH Grand Rounds
March 30th, Tuesday - 12 - 1pm: "Teaching about Population and Community Health". Presented by Warren Ferguson, MD, Suzanne Cashman, ScD, Heather-Lyn Haley, PhD, Susan Hogan, MD, Janet Hale, PhD, RN, FNP and Vanessa Carson-Sasso, MSW.
Meeting ID: 191 986 273 Password: FMCH
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/191986273?pwd=NEtlZmNkdWlSUGwyeTJQU3dCeUs1QT09

Your Well-Being and Why We Care
March 30th, Tuesday - 12 - 1pm: The new UMMS Office of Well-Being, part of the HR People Strategy and the Chancellors IMPACT 2025 Strategic Plan is hosting a virtual kickoff event to give you an initial introduction. You will learn about upcoming programs and events, benefits of integrating well-being into your life, and how the OWB will support you through your well-being journey.  If you have questions prior to the event, please feel free to reach out to the OWB via phone or email at (508) 856-1555 or [email protected]. Webinar ID: 983 3064 3092 Passcode: 051380
The 2021 Primary Care Days
Please take note: event scheduled for April 13th and 14th have been CANCELLED. 
Focus of the week - Diversity

"We must be reminded that remaining silent in the face of hatred is not an option." - FMCH Statement Against Violence and Racism, March 2021. In order to build bridges of understanding, we'd like to highlight several initiatives in the department and institution to help you stand up in the face of injustice.    
  1. We would like to elevate the message of the well-received February 23rd Grand Rounds on the “Anti-Racism Task Force: Curricular Initiatives." Drs. Kedian, Van Duyne, Lee, and Howard-Young shared the progress of the residency’s SOAR Committee (working to end Structural Racism And Oppression) in building the capacity of our faculty to lift their teaching to this new standard of excellence. The DRIVE Committee stands ready to help as you develop curriculum that addresses structural racism and oppression within every content area. Reach out to [email protected].   
  2. As part of that capacity-building, our department will be offering a faculty and professional development session entitled “Stand Up: Taking Action to Reduce Bias and Racism”. June23rd, Wednesday,12:15pm. RSVPto [email protected].  
  3. Thanks to all who have joined us for Monday Lunch so far. April sessions will focus on Camara Jones' metaphors for racism (April 5th & April 12th) and Training Active Bystanders (April 19th & April 26th). Watch this space for directions to RSVP or reach out to Heather-Lyn Haley to put your name on the list.

“Explaining Racial Disparities in Health Care: Racism – Not Race – is the Root of Inequities” by Khiara Bridges, JD, PhD, professor of law at the University of California Berkeley School of Law. Dr. Bridges is a sought-after speaker and national scholar on the intersectionality of race, class, reproductive rights, and you can read her profile here. On April 1st, the weather Department of Medicine is rebroadcasting her recent Grand Rounds to the Department of OB/GYN, which has been widely viewed via word of mouth as a powerful and compelling lecture. Click here to register via Zoom. Please email DOMCommunications should you experience any issues with any of the links. Dr. Bridges will be present at the end of her video lecture via zoom for Q&A and will stay for a post-lecture discussion from 1-1:30 pm.  We strongly encourage you to attend this discussion and invite you to bring questions and discussion points. If you’d like, you can watch the video lecture in advance here. (You will need to download the video to watch the whole broadcast.) Thanks to Jennifer Reidy for sharing this opportunity. 
Announcements

MassAFP: Family Physician of the Year
Former Fitchburg faculty member Margarite Castro-Zarraga was named Family Physician of the Year at the MassAFP’s award ceremony on March 26th. Margarite moved to private practice in the Boston suburbs doing primarily direct primary care. She continues to do a great deal of volunteer work and welcomes UMMS students to join her in service projects in Philippines (pre-COVID).  

FHCW Wednesday Cultural Rounds
The residents at FHCW host the event each Wednesday from 5 – 5:30pm. We welcome a member of the community to talk about their culture and the ways it can impact their health and the care they receive. The sessions are informal and involve a robust Q&A. Through these weekly discussions, we hope to promote cultural humility and the continuous process of learning about perspectives outside of our own in order to improve the care we provide. We welcome anyone interested in joining us each week at the link below: https://umassmed.zoom.us/j/91563174994pwd=Um1MVWdPalloMWE2V3ptMXB5aDA1dz09

Research-Oriented Faculty Development Workshops
Judy Savageau, MPH will lead two faculty development workshops: May 12th & May 26th. RSVP to [email protected].
  • #1. Dissemination: Getting Started, Picking the Right Journal, Authorship, Responding to Reviewers’ Comments, and More. May 12th, 5:30-7:00 pm
  • #2. Writing for the Peer-Reviewed Literature: What Goes into Each Section of a Manuscript. May 26, 5:30-7 pm.

Upcoming Conferences and Calls for Abstracts
The research staff maintains a list of upcoming meetings and conferences that FMCH faculty members often attend. The list has information on deadlines for abstract submissions and links to conference websites. Contact Kate Sullivan if you would like to
add a conference to the list: [email protected]. The list can be downloaded from the Department website:

Research Support
A reminder that the Department offers support for FMCH faculty research leading to scholarly publications and/or presentations. You can find more information, including a form for requesting support, on the FMCH website: Research Initiatives - UMass Medical School - Worcester.

The FMCH Town Halls are once again being recorded for those unable to join the live meeting. A separate folder has been created on the FMCH website under Faculty Resources. No password is required to view these recordings. This URL will take you to the Faculty Resources portion of the FMCH website and it can be bookmarked for future reference. https://www.umassmed.edu/fmch/faculty-resources/gr/
Frankly Speaking Podcast

A great way to keep up on hot topics! Thanks Frank Domino, MD for keeping us up to date. Listen in as Frank speaks with Dr. Jill M. Terrien, PhD, ANP-BC regarding Vaccination. "Direct Communication Improves Vaccine Receipt"
Faculty Presentations

Stacy Potts, MD, MEd moderated a discussion of Review Committee Chairs and follow up Question and Answer session at the ACGME 2021 GME Stakeholders Congress on Preparing Residents and Fellows to Manage Pain and Addiction, March 30th and 31st. Dr. Potts also served on the planning committee for the Congress over the last two years.  
Department Member Recognition

Lee Mancini, MD's work developing the PASS (Pediatric cardiology Athletic Sports Screening) and CATCH (Cardiac Athlete Treatment and Clearance Hub) was highlighted in the Sunday, March 28th issue of the Worcester Telegram. The programs ensure follow-up for student, college or adult athletes who have been diagnosed with COVID.  
Clinical Services Spotlight: COVID 19 Updates
COVID-19 UPDATES
Research: Children and COVID Vaccine
  • Both Pfizer and Moderna have launched clinical trials for the COVID vaccine.
  • Pfizer evaluating vaccine for children less than 12 years old.
  • Moderna's trial will enroll children from the US and Canada between the ages 6 months and 11years old.
  • Johnson and Johnson plan to study the vaccines in adolescents.

Massachusetts
  • Confirmed Cases 592,778. Active Cases 30,772. Deaths 16,775. Hospitalizations 657, and 92 intubated.
  • After the vaccine: Keep wearing masks in public places, stay 6 feet apart from each other, avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces. 
  • Guidance strongly encourages avoiding unnecessary travel.

COVID and Pregnancy
  • Total cases in pregnant women in US 80,590 and total deaths 88. Hospitalized cases 13,674.
  • Recent evidence suggests COVID antibodies transmit from moms to babies during pregnancy.
  • Optimal time for COVD vaccination is second trimester. 

Travel Policy Updates
UMass Memorial provided updated travel guidelines on March 26th: 
In an effort to keep our caregivers safe and in alignment with the state’s current guidelines, as well the Medical School as our academic partner, we advise the following:
 
  • We continue to strongly encourage limiting travel as there are still risks with the COVID-19 variants becoming more prevalent, as well as uncertainties around vaccine efficacy. We also strongly recommend vigilance with masking and distancing while traveling. 
  • Business travel internationally or out of state may resume pending manager approval and must adhere to our travel policy guidelines for domestic and international travel.
  • Fully vaccinated caregivers who are traveling in the 50 U.S. states more than two weeks post-vaccination and those who have had documented COVID-19 infection in the prior 90 days do not need to complete an Employee Travel Form or contact Employee Health. If they were vaccinated outside of UMass Memorial Health Care, they will need to take a photo of their vaccination form and email it to Employee Health prior to travel. They do not need to be cleared by Employee Health before returning to work unless they develop symptoms.
  • Caregivers who are traveling in the 50 U.S. states and are unvaccinated, have not completed their vaccination series or are not two full weeks past vaccination at the beginning of their trip must submit an Employee Travel Form and be tested before returning to work. View the detailed travel policy for more information.
  • For international travel (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), caregivers who were vaccinated, unvaccinated and those who have had documented COVID-19 infection must submit an Employee Travel Form prior to travel and continue to adhere to our updated travel policy upon return from travel:
  • You should plan your travel and quarantine time prior to travel and work with your manager to accommodate your absence.
  • If you interact with patients, you will need to quarantine for 14 days upon your return and follow CDC and Employee Health requirements for testing, outlined in our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for Caregivers and our Employee Travel Form. A negative COVID-19 test prior to or upon return does not change the need to complete the quarantine period.
  • If you do not interact with patients, you must quarantine for seven days and follow CDC and Employee Health requirements for testing outlined in our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for Caregivers and our Employee Travel Form. A negative COVID-19 test prior to or upon return does not change the need to complete the quarantine period.
Wellness Resources

The Caring for the Caregiver Program provides resources such as the Caregiver Support Line (508-334-HELP) and The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which offers a variety of services and supports (including virtual peer support and wellness tips. EAP can be accessed at 866-263-3525, or www.LiveandWorkWell.com, [company code UmassMemorial]. More information is available on the Caring for the Caregiver page.
Working on Wellness
Yoga Classes with Dr. Liz Erban

Please join department members for early morning gentle yoga, Wednesday mornings 6:30am via Zoom. Much appreciation to Dr. Erban for hosting these outstanding classes. Join Zoom Meeting
Zumba with Dr. Anna Zheng
Please join department members Monday mornings at 6:00am, Thursday evenings at 6:00pm, Saturday mornings at 9:00am and get moving with Zumba via Zoom. Much appreciation to Dr. Anna Zheng for hosting these outstanding classes. Join Zoom meeting: https://kennedychc.zoom.us/j/5578995952?pwd=bzVnY0xXdFNTQkpQQ1hmZkw3Snh6Zz09