Event Rescheduled Due to Weather Associated with Tropical Storm Debby

Due to the anticipated rainy weather scheduled for Friday evening, August 9th, the MSD Night at the Wilmington Blue Rocks event is being rescheduled to the following week on Friday, August 16th. Those who registered to attend the event on August 9th will be contacted about the rescheduled date.

The August 16th game will feature the Blue Rocks taking on the Brooklyn Cyclones. Game time is 6:35 p.m. with gates opening at 5:45 p.m. at Frawley Stadium in Wilmington. Friday night games include fireworks - stay for the show after the game! By registering for this event, you are reserving an entrance ticket for yourself and one $10 gift card that can be used at any concession stand at the stadium. Tickets for this event are offered at no charge to MSD members. Additional tickets may be purchased for $16 each, which can be purchased using the "Self-Pay Tickets" registration option.

If you would like to attend the game on Friday, August 16th, the deadline for registration is close of business on Thursday, August 15th. Click here to register.

Amends Delaware Code Relating to Drivers' Licenses, Reporting

House Bill 314, which updates the outdated mandatory reporting requirements for loss of consciousness due to a central nervous system condition, was supported by MSD and had passed both chambers. On Friday, August 2nd, Governor Carney signed the legislation into law. MSD President, Robert Varipapa, MD, testified that the mandatory reporting system did not function effectively, especially in the emergency room setting where individuals are often inappropriately reported to the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) resulting in overworked DMV personnel and a substantial backlog in the physician's office. It was also noted that the mandatory reporting requirement placed physicians in the awkward role of being a law enforcement officer, leading some patients being hesitant to truthfully disclose seizures or other episodes of loss of consciousness to their physician due to fear of losing their license. MSD testimony stated that physicians and other medical professionals should still report cases to the DMV based on medical evidence, not only limited to repeated loss of consciousness, but also other conditions such as dementia and stroke. This Act does all of the following: (1) Allows for all licensed practitioners (physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant) who are treating a driver for a medical condition to report findings and sign Division paperwork, which mirrors verbiage found in Title 24; (2) Updates the name of Medical Council to Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline which ensures compliance with code in handling of individual cases; and (3) Changes the Secretary of Health and Social Services to Secretary of Transportation for determining the status of driver’s license for individuals with a potential medical condition which allows for quicker response and ensures the confidentiality of a driver. Lastly it removes a section from the Medical Licensure Act consistent with the other provisions of the bill.

Making Sure Students Have What They Need to be Successful

Governor John Carney on Wednesday, August 7, joined Speaker of the House Valerie Longhurst, Secretary of Education Mark Holodick, other elected officials, and advocates to sign two pieces of legislation that support student mental health in schools. Governor Carney signed House Bill 200 and House Substitute 1 for House Bill 5 at William Penn High School. By establishing a mental health services unit for Delaware high schools, House Bill 200 will lower ratios of students to counselors and increase access to mental health services for students in grades 9 through 12. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 5 expands the reimbursement of school-based behavioral health services.

"Navigating Health Care Legislation"

MSD announces that Episode 5 of our podcast is now live! Join host Nicholas Biasotto, DO as he dives into the world of health care legislation with two distinguished guests. In this episode, we welcome Richard Henderson, MD, FACOG, a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist, MSD Past President, and current Chair of the Government Affairs Committee, along with Kimberly B. Gomes, MPA, Partner at ByrdGomes and seasoned lobbyist for MSD. Together they explore the crucial role lobbyists play in shaping health care policies in Dover and beyond. Discover the impact of legislation on health care and the importance of advocacy in driving change. From prior authorizations, primary care reform, and education transparency/title misappropriation, to medical aid in dying, medical marijuana, mandatory education for Alzheimer's/other dementias, the Protect Medicaid Act of 2024, Diamond State Hospital Cost Review Board, and deadly weapons - this episode covers it all.

Tune in to Episode #5 today on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon, Tuneln + Alexa, iHeart Radio, PlayerFM, Samsung, and Podchaser. Follow "Delaware Health Care Reality" on the Podbean app. Please send your questions, comments or ideas about our podcasts to our dedicated email at HealthCare.Reality@medsocdel.org. Stay tuned for more thought-provoking episodes coming your way every other Wednesday. Happy listening!

A Fun Time for All While Helping the Environment

For the third year in a row, MSD is joining DNREC's Coastal Clean Up at Herring Point, Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes, taking place on Saturday, September 14th beginning at 10 a.m. (rain date September 21st). In 2023, our efforts netted over 75 pounds of trash collected from the beach. Join us this year to beat the 2024 goal. All are welcome! Bring your kids for a special day and a good cause to help clean up the environment. Watch a video clip with a special message from MSD member Dr. Sarah Mullins about this event. Be sure to register by Monday, August 26th to get a commemorative MSD Beach Clean Up T-shirt!. Click here to register.

CDC Health Update

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update to provide additional information about the outbreak of monkeypox virus (MPXV) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); the first Health Advisory about this outbreak was released in December 2023. The current outbreak is more widespread than any previous DRC outbreak and has resulted in clade I mpox transmission to some neighboring countries.

The World Health Organization (WHO) will convene an expert group to determine if the increasing spread of the mpox virus in Africa warrants being declared a global emergency.

Incentivizes Coordination During Surgery and 30 Days Following

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center is pleased to announce the finalized Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM). The five-year mandatory model will incentivize coordination between health care professionals during a surgery as well as the services provided during the 30 days after surgery with the aim of:

• improving the quality of care for people with Medicare undergoing certain surgical procedures;
• reducing rehospitalization and recovery time;
• lowering Medicare spending; and
• driving equitable outcomes.

TEAM will focus on lower extremity joint replacement, surgical hip and femur fracture treatment, spinal fusion, coronary artery bypass graft, and major bowel procedure. The model will start in January 2026 and end in December 2030.

New Mandatory Model to Improve Health Outcomes Post-Surgery, Advance Climate Resiliency

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), issued a final rule updating Medicare payments and policies for inpatient hospitals and long-term care hospitals. The rule improves the health of people with Medicare by addressing key social determinants of health and strengthening emergency preparedness. 

2024 Update of The Lancet Commission on Dementia

In a study published in The Lancet, scientists reported that new evidence now supports adding vision loss and high cholesterol to the list of 12 modifiable risk factors that increase the chances of a dementia diagnosis. For the two latest risk factors that were identified, the study authors urged doctors to detect and treat high cholesterol from midlife on, while also making vision loss screening and treatment more accessible. Read more.

Next Generation Disposable, All-in-One Continuous Glucose Monitor

Medtronic announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its next generation continuous glucose monitor for people with diabetes. The Simplera CGM is about half the size of prior Medtronic devices and features a two-step insertion process with a sensor that does not require the user to tape the device in place. It is designed to be used as part of a smart multiple daily injection system alongside Medtronic's InPen smart insulin pen and its Simplera Sync sensor.

Seth Borochaner, DO - Internal Medicine Resident, ChristianaCare

Ajay N. Chatim, DO - Internal Medicine Resident, ChristianaCare

Thomas M. Connelly, MD - Internal Med/Emergency Med Resident, ChristianaCare

Angela E. Gallucci, MD - Internal Medicine Resident, ChristianaCare

Bryce N. Grohol, DO - Internal Medicine Resident, ChristianaCare

Brielle J. Grote, DO - Emergency Med/Internal Med Resident, ChristianaCare

Connor T. Holthouse, MD - Internal Medicine Resident, ChristianaCare

Elizabeth Klingensmith, MD - Internal Medicine Resident, ChristianaCare

Abraham Kwan, MD - Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Resident, ChristianaCare

Victoria Lui, DO - Internal Medicine Resident, ChristianaCare

Sreya Muchivolu, MD - Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Resident, ChristianaCare

Eric G. Ni, DO - Internal Medicine Resident, ChristianaCare

Dip V. Patel, DO - Internal Medicine Resident, ChristianaCare

Karan Patel, DO - Internal Medicine Resident, ChristianaCare

Cecilia Richardsen, MD - Emergency Med/Internal Med Resident, ChristianaCare

Lyndsey E. Sbarro, DO - Internal Medicine Resident, ChristianaCare

Fenghan Zhang, DO - Internal Medicine Resident, ChristianaCare

Niraj Sangroula, MD - Psychiatry Resident, Delaware Psychiatric Center

Please join MSD in welcoming the newest member(s) of the Medical Society of Delaware. As the third oldest medical society in the country, MSD has an amazing history. Thank you for taking part in our continued success!

Sean Considine, MD - Ophthalmology, Eye Consultants, LLC

Connor B. Devoe, DO - Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Resident, ChristianaCare

Emmanuel Mensah, MD -Chief Medical Officer, ChristianaCare Wilmington Campus

Ramez Rawhani, MD - Neonatal Fellow at TJUH/Nemours Children's Hospital

Erin C. Schulze, MD - Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Resident, ChristianaCare

MSD members are afforded a seven-day review period from the date of this publication to comment regarding applicants for membership. Please contact Michelle Seymour at (302) 224-4905 or Michelle.Seymour@medsocdel.org with any comments on the current pending member(s) listed above or if you know of someone interested in joining MSD. You could be eligible for a membership referral discount on your dues!

Matthew J. Ferris, MD

MSD spotlights members throughout the state, highlighting medical students, residents, and practicing colleagues, whether they are new to membership or have been a member over the years.

This week’s spotlight is on Matthew J. Ferris, MD, Assistant Professor, Radiation Oncologist, Medical Director at Maryland Proton Treatment Center. Read more about Dr. Ferris.

If you would like to be featured in a future Member Spotlight, please contact Michelle Seymour, Membership Manager.

Don't Wait! This Fundraiser Only Runs Throughout August

As a year-round charity fundraising effort, MSD supports the Kind to Kids Foundation to make an impact in the lives of children and teens in foster care. MSD is announcing our Back-to-School fundraising event for Kind to Kids, running throughout the month of August. This is a wonderful opportunity to support children and teens in foster care as they prepare for the new school year. Here's how YOU can help:

• By purchasing identified items - Visit the Amazon link to buy school supplies. Remember to leave your name and mention MSD in your order note. Kind to Kids will personally thank you for your generosity.
• Monetary donations - Use our direct MSD donation link to contribute. 100% of every dollar donated online will go directly to help a foster child during these difficult times.

As a convenience for mobile phone users, download the flyer to scan the QR codes.

Calculate and Reduce Your Travel Carbon Footprint

Most of us love to travel. But travel’s “dark side“ is its environmental cost:  the carbon dioxide and other pollutants created from the fossil fuels burned for travel by air, land, or sea. The Green Travel Guide from MSD's My Green Doctor offers ways to calculate and reduce your travel carbon footprint. My Green Doctor is a free money-saving membership benefit provided through the Medical Society of Delaware. Members and practice managers use the “Meeting-by-Meeting Guide” to learn how to adopt environmental sustainability, save resources, address the health threats of climate change, and help create healthier communities. This requires adding just five minutes to each regular clinic or practice staff meeting, making small changes at each meeting that really add up. Watch the “Three Minute Video” explaining how easy it is to incorporate My Green Doctor into your practice. We welcome everyone in your practice to register as Partner Society members at https://www.MyGreenDoctor.org or at www.MyGreenDoctor.es (si, en espanol). Use the discount code MGDMSD when you register to get free access to My Green Doctor and save money!

New Service from Wilmington Airport to Philadelphia Airport Announced

On Wednesday, American Airlines announced a luxury tarmac-to-tarmac bus service from Wilmington Airport to Philadelphia Airport. Travel in comfort between airports with Landline, a premium motorcoach experience offering many of the same amenities as a flight and is booked just like any other connecting flight in their network. Park at Wilmington Airport, check your bags to your final destination, and clear security before your journey begins. Relax on your way to and from Philadelphia. The premium motorcoach service will begin October 7th and tickets are now available at aa.com or through American’s mobile app for one-stop connections to more than 100 destinations. Passengers must enter Wilmington Airport (ILG) as the flight origin and select the destination (i.e. MIA) as the endpoint, just like a flight itinerary. 

Improve Self-Compassion with Group Coaching

Some health care professionals are reducing their burnout through online group coaching programs like Better Together. In a recent podcast, the physicians who designed Better Together discussed how the coaching works and how it differs from mentoring and therapy. Participants say the program improved their imposter syndrome, moral injury, and emotional exhaustion.

LEARN MORE:

• Toolkit: Individual Resilience and Well-Being
• Podcast: Reduce Burnout, Improve Self-Compassion With Group Coaching

AMA STEPS Forward^® offers a collection of engaging and interactive educational content designed to help put the joy back into medicine. Access the archive of previous Pearl email topics.

Information on Recent Product Recalls

CADD-Solis and CADD-Solis VIP Ambulatory Infusion Pump Software

Smiths Medical is correcting software for CADD-Solis and CADD-Solis VIP Ambulatory Infusion Pumps due to multiple issues that may occur when using these infusion pumps without the latest software versions. The potential issues may happen with software versions before v4.3. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. This recall involves correcting devices, and does not involve removing them from where they are used or sold. This device may cause serious injury or death if you continue to use it without correction.  

NIM Vital Nerve Monitoring System

Medtronic is correcting the NIM Vital Nerve Monitoring System product due to reports of false negative responses. This can occur during procedures, where the device may fail to issue an electromyography (EMG) tone when the NIM probe is placed on a nerve. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. This recall involves correcting devices, and does not involve removing them from where they are used or sold. This device may cause serious injury or death if you continue to use it without correction.  

Heparin Sodium 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection

Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) is voluntarily recalling one lot of Heparin Sodium in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection to the consumer level due to the potential for elevated endotoxin levels based on issues related to the bacterial endotoxin test specific to lot number N008235. Use of heparin with higher than acceptable endotoxin levels may lead to significant adverse health consequences ranging from febrile reactions to toxic shock, multi-organ failure and death. To date, Baxter has not received any reports of adverse events related to this issue. Heparin Sodium in Sodium Chloride Injection is indicated as an anticoagulant to maintain catheter patency and is packaged in 2,000 USP units, 1,000 mL in VIAFLEX Plus Plastic Container-1 unit per pouch.

Bayhealth

The Bayhealth Foundation recently appointed four new members to its Board of Directors. Michael G. Sweeney, MD, has been a member of the Bayhealth medical staff since 1989. He has served on and chaired multiple hospital committees over the years, and was a member of the hospital board for 11 years. Dr. Sweeney moved to Dover in 1986 while serving in the Air Force. Gary Camp is the vice president of Marketing and Communications for Dover Motor Speedway. Mr. Camp has been a member of the Speedway team for 19 years and oversees the planning and implementation of the facility’s marketing and communications efforts. He also serves as the primary agent for communicating the activity and business position of the Speedway to the media, generating positive publicity for the track’s NASCAR race weekend, music festivals and other Speedway Motorsports events. Holly Pfeifer, who was married to the late Donald Pfeifer, MD, is a long time donor to Bayhealth. Most recently, she contributed to the Bayhealth Sussex Campus project, including a gift to dedicate the Medical Staff Lounge in the new hospital in Dr. Pfeifer’s memory. A former home design and residential architecture freelance consultant, Ms. Pfeifer freelanced with architectural firm French & Ryan on the design of the third building for The Dickinson Medical Group — now known as Bayhealth’s Quinn Medical Offices. Kathy Newcomb is the vice president of business development for Coldwell Banker Premier in Rehoboth Beach, and she is involved in the financial oversight and management of her family restaurant, Irish Eyes Pub & Restaurant.

TidalHealth Nanticoke

TidalHealth Nanticoke is proud to announce that it has received a prestigious 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in its recently released 2024 Hospital Quality Star Ratings. This distinguished recognition underscores the hospital’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care and achieving outstanding patient outcomes. TidalHealth Nanticoke is the only hospital in Delaware to earn this top rating, highlighting its role as a leader in healthcare excellence within the state. Nationally, TidalHealth Nanticoke is one of only 381 hospitals out of approximately 3,000, representing the top 8% of hospitals across the United States, to receive the highest possible rating from CMS. The 5-star rating reflects excellence across five critical quality measures: mortality, safety, readmissions, patient experience, and timely & effective care.

TidalHealth’s Richard A. Henson Cancer Institute in Salisbury and Ocean Pines, MD and the TidalHealth Allen Cancer Center in Seaford, DE have all been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in radiation oncology as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology® (ACR®). The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting specific requirements based on Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards developed by ACR after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified radiation oncologists and medical physicists who are experts in the field.

August 15 - Delaware Division of Public Health One Health EpiChat Webinar "Vaccine Preventable Diseases" 12-1 p.m. Registration required. Learn more at https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/epi/onehealth.html

August 23 - Delaware Day 2024 Healthcare Recruitment, 9 a.m. -1 p.m., Ammon Education Center at ChristianaCare, Newark. Recruiters will be on site from various hospitals across the state, as well as Westside Family Healthcare, to discuss career opportunities with individuals seeking employment as a physician, advanced practice clinician, and nurse.

September 13 - 9th Annual Neurovascular Symposium, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., John H. Ammon Education Center, ChristianaCare Newark Campus. This activity has been approved for a maximum of 6 AMA PRA Category 1 credit.

September 19 - DAFP Geriatric Medicine Symposium, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., virtual and in person at the Ammon Center, ChristianaCare Newark Campus.

September 19 - Delaware Division of Public Health One Health EpiChat Webinar "Fungal Diseases," 12-1 p.m. Registration required. Learn more at https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/epi/onehealth.html

September 25 - 2024 Delaware Healthcare Workforce Summit, Breakfast and lunch included, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Delaware State University, Dover.

October 15 - 31st Annual E.G. Scott Microbiology Symposium, 8:15 a.m.-3:00 p.m., virtual and in-person at the Ammon Center, Newark. This activity has been approved for a maximum of 5.25 AMA PRA Category 1 credit.

October 17 - Delaware Division of Public Health One Health EpiChat Webinar "Respiratory Season," 12-1 p.m. Registration required. Learn more at https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/epi/onehealth.html

October 18 - 53rd Annual Margaret I. Handy Memorial Lectureship, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., virtual. This activity has been approved for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 credit.

October 19 - DAFP Healthcare Heroes 5k, 9 a.m. start, Cape Henlopen State Park, Fort Miles.

October 29 - 28th Annual Delaware Healthcare Forum, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Bally's Dover Casino Resort, Rollins Center, Dover.

November 21 - Delaware Division of Public Health One Health EpiChat Webinar "What is One Health," 12-1 p.m. Registration required. Learn more at https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/epi/onehealth.html

November 23 - SAVE THE DATE! MSD Annual Meeting and Presidential Reception, Christiana Hilton and White Clay Creek Country Club, Newark.

December 12 - SAVE THE DATE! Immunization Coalition of Delaware 2024 Immunization Summit, 12:30-5:30 p.m.

December 19 - Delaware Division of Public Health One Health EpiChat Webinar "Candida Auris," 12-1 p.m. Registration required. Learn more at https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/epi/onehealth.html

February 28-March 4, 2025 - SAVE THE DATE! Medical Society Consortium on Climate & Health 2025 Annual Meeting, Arlington, VA (In-person congressional visits will be held in Washington, DC).

The Latin phrase Rerum Cognoscere translates to learn, examine, or become aware of facts or things. In this section, we highlight measurable items of interest in health care from MSD, Delaware, the US, and the world.