Welcome to the FMCH Tuesday Talk. Please continue to send us your announcements, celebrations, and accomplishments to FMCHtuesdaytalk@umassmed.edu. |
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Table of Contents
Message From The Chair
Upcoming Events
Focus of the Week - Diversity
Announcements
Faculty Presentations/Publications
Frankly Speaking Podcast
Clinical Services Spotlight
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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
I want to remind everyone about our search for a Vice Chair of Community Health as Warren Ferguson will step down from the position this summer. The job position summary is attached; please share it with your networks. Any questions can be forwarded to Linda.Cragin@umassmed.edu. This is an important leadership position and I appreciate your assistance in promoting this opportunity.
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Upcoming Events
FMCH Town Hall
Tuesday, March 29th, 12:00 - 1:00 pm.
Passcode: 334605
Psychiatry Grand Rounds
Thursday, March 31st, 12:00 - 1:00 pm. Sarabeth Broder-Fingert, MD, MPH, presents: "Early Autism Diagnosis: What's Structural Racism Got to do With It?"
Password: PsychGR1
Howe Lecture Grand Rounds
Thursday, April 7th, 12:00 - 1:00 pm. Constantinos Michaelidis, MD, MBA, MS, David Clive, MD, Jessica Boatman, MD, and Eric Thibodeau, BSN, RN, present: "Hospital at Home: Considering the New Interface of Medicine, Technology, Humanity and Ethics in the Hospital at Home Care Model". Register in advance for this webinar:
Spring Department of Family Medicine and Community Health Retreat:
Vision 2030 - The Next Chapter for FMCH
Save the Date: Friday - May 20, 2022
8:00am-6:00pm
Plan for in-person retreat at South Street Campus, Shrewsbury
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Focus of the Week - Diversity
We want to shine a light on some great programming around diversity on campus this month, and share some funding opportunities that might help you move forward with your ideas to work with community partners to reduce disparities. We’d like to extend our congratulations to the Diversity in Recruitment Committee for a successful match that broadens representation in the residency, with a full 58% of the new cohort identifying as BIPOC, and 50% as immigrants, children of immigrants, or refugees.
Events and activities to deepen understanding:
- Thursday, March 31, the Department of Psychiatry hosts their Shriver Center Lecture "Early Autism Diagnosis: What’s Structural Racism Got to Do With It?" with speaker Sarabeth Broder-Fingert MD MPH, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, UMass Chan Medical School and Vice Chair of Clinical Research in the Department of Pediatrics, Associate Director of Research at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center. See the link above.
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If you missed the latest in the Diversity and Inclusion Office’s Centering the Margins series, the 3/16/22 talk "Explaining Racial Disparities in Health: The Limitations of Implicit Bias" presented by Khiara M. Bridges, JD, PhD, professor of law, UC Berkeley School of Law, the session was recorded and is available until April 16 at https://umassmed.wistia.com/medias/y6gqnyfkj3
- The Diversity and Inclusion Office is working
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on rubrics to guide the description and measurement of diversity work in faculty annual performance reviews. We’d love to hear your thoughts and are planning sessions for our departmental Diversity and Equity Action Plan at the retreat on May 20th.
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While you’ve got your calendar out, the SOAR Grand Rounds is tentatively scheduled for June 28th. Stay tuned to Tuesday Talk for details. SOAR: Structural Oppression and Anti-Racism Committee.
Funding opportunities for work to address disparities with community partners:
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The Community Health Partnership of North Central Mass (CHNA9) is pleased to announce another round of mini-grant opportunities, up to $2,000; for short-term/limited projects, activities, or events that address health equity as defined on the CHNA9 website, demonstrate direct impact on the people most directly affected by health disparities, and address a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) strategy as outlined in one of the CHIP Priority Areas (full CHIP plan is available for download at www.chna9.com/northcentralchip) and forms to apply at https://chna9.com/grant-opportunities/. Funding is limited to one year. The total funding available is $10,000. Proposed projects/activities/events must complete proposal and submit to chna9grants@gmail.com. Deadline: April 25, 2022 by 5:00 p.m.
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Funding for Food Security Programs: Application Deadline: April 29, 2022. The Greater Worcester Community Foundation (GWCF) has partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to administer the CARES Act Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG-CV”) Food Security Program in Central and Southern Worcester County. This grant is intended to direct vital resources to individuals and households experiencing food insecurity as a result of COVID-19. Grants will be made available to Community Based Organizations (CBOS) that seek to expand and/or improve the capacity of food provision programs to deliver services – specifically through the purchase of operational supplies and equipment. Most grants awarded will fall in the range of $5,000 to $100,000. For more information: https://www.greaterworcester.org/Grants/Grant-Opportunities/CDBG-Funds-for-Food-Security
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Announcements
National Doctor's Day in the United States is March 30th, 2022
Thank you to every one of you who gives so much to our patients. Over the last few years, we have seen more of your strength and commitment. We appreciate the many hours you have rendered to make life a little better for our patients. We appreciate you!
Happy Doctor's Day!
Jim Ledwith serves on the medical school’s Library and Learning Resources Committee and the team is eager to get feedback on how students and faculty wish to use the library. Renovations are anticipated over the next 3 years. This may be particularly important as we adopt the new VISTA curriculum. Please also think about any new needs that you might foresee in regard to clinical practice, research, education and community engagement. Please contact Jim Ledwith with suggestions, or to be included in a survey that will be distributed soon – james.ledwith@umassmemorial.org.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is providing a loan repayment program (MLRP-2022) managed by the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, Inc. for health care professionals who commit to working full time or part time for two years in an eligible health care organization (up to $25,000 per year for two years). https://massleague.org/Programs/WorkforceDevelopment/MLRP.php Applications are due April 26th. Loan repayment funds are available for a range of health professionals providing primary health care services, please see the Program Guide on the website for a complete list of professions. The work location must be in a Health Professions Shortage Area (HPSA). Hahnemann and Benedict Family Medicine, Family Health Center, EMKennedy Health Center qualify, Fitchburg and Barre do not. You can easily check if your work location qualifies here: https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/shortage-area/by-address Contact Linda.Cragin@umassmed.edu if you have any questions.
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Faculty Presentations/Publications
Judy Savageau and Hugh Silk were co-authors on a presentation by Jessica Eskander, one of our 2nd year medical students. This project (a summer research project during 2021) received an award from the MA Chapter of ACP (American College of Physicians) and as such Jessica is getting travel and lodging expenses covered to present the work at the annual ACP meeting next month. Eskander J, Savageau J, Silk H. Assessing the oral health of the homeless population in central Massachusetts. 2022 American College of Physicians Internal Medicine Meeting, Chicago, IL, April 29-30, 2022.
The learning objectives are:
- Define what mindfulness and compassion is and what it is not
- Explain the neuroscience benefits of mindfulness
- Incorporate the purposeful pause into your day
- Utilize meditation to increase calm and steadiness
This program focuses on skill building and practicing mind body techniques. Go to
For more information see attached brochure.
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Frankly Speaking Podcast
A weekly Podcast series covering newsworthy topics in primary care medicine.
Please join us as we discuss the trajectories of prescription drug misuse from adolescence through adulthood. This session explores the findings from a longitudinal cohort study demonstrating the need for screening patients from adolescence through adulthood for substance use disorder. You'll walk away with the tools and resources you need to accurately screen patients and determine next best steps for each individual. Guest: Jill M. Terrien, PhD, ANP-BC, presents: "Screen Patients Early and Routinely for Prescription Drug Misuse". - Frankly Speaking Ep 269.
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Clinical Services Spotlight: |
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COVID-19 UPDATES
Should we forget?
With a decrease in COVID numbers, we are tempted to forget our precautions. Please continue to exercise caution. Now is not the time to let down our guard.
COVID-19 Update US
- New reported cases in the US: 29,999. Total confirmed cases: 81,618,888.
- Total Confirmed deaths are 1,003,430.
- Several countries are experiencing a new surge with COVID but the US and many are moving forward with the changes in mask requirements.
- CDC prevention reminds us to vaccinate, maintain social distancing, and wear a mask.
- Those greater than 2 years old should wear a mask in areas where COVID risks are high.
- People with a weakened immune system may not be protected even with vaccination.
- If you are exposed, follow the CDC guidelines for quarantine.
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COVID-19 Update MA
- Massachusetts had an increase in COVID cases in the last week.
- The 7-day average of percent positivity has increased to 2.08%.
- MA had 1109 new cases last week.
- Total confirmed cases: 1,692,177.
- The number of hospitalized patients with COVID is 222. Of the 222 patients, 32 are in the ICU with 19 patients intubated.
- There have been 20,072 confirmed deaths in the state as of 3/27/2022.
COVID-19 UMMMC
- The 7- day positivity rate is 6.2%, up from 3.9% seven days ago.
- The 7-day average of COVID positive in-house is 24. Of the 24 cases, 58% are fully vaccinated.
- The 7-day new cases per day average equals 17.
- Of the 5 cases in the ICU, 3 are fully vaccinated.
Avian Flu
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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.
Wellness
You are invited to become a member of the Department Wellness Committee. Key goals for this year include improving the efficiency of use with the Electronic Health Record. Watch your email for future training sessions.
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Yoga Classes with Dr. Liz Erban
Last class will be March 2nd, and then a brief hiatus/pause, with classes resuming on May 4th, 2022.
Great time to join!
This is a great time to join, new members always welcome. Start your mid week with some relaxing yoga!
Please join department members for early morning gentle yoga, Wednesday mornings 6:30am via Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting ID: 923 9393 3653 Passcode: 764113
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Zumba with Dr. Anna Zheng
Thursdays 5:45pm: In-person or ZOOM
Please join department members Thursday evenings at 5:45pm**(30 Anna Street: tall & spacious indoor location) and get moving with Zumba. Please note details and any changes via webpage: http://annazheng.zumba.com/. ZOOM still an option for all classes.
Much appreciation to Dr. Anna Zheng for hosting these outstanding classes. New to the class? Please email Dr. Zheng at ZumbawithAnnaZheng@gmail.com to register, complete brief health screen if it's your first class and the ZOOM link.
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