Volume 114, No. 7Top
July 2018 Edition

They Said It...


"It's frustrating. You can't let it get you down." Timothy Amorim, a disease intervention specialist for the Philadelphia Dept. of Public Health, on the monumental challenge of trying to track down city residents who have syphilis. Our cover story in the magazine issue of Philadelphia Medicine, reports on the syphilis outbreak in Philadelphia, and how difficult it is to try to arrest.

In the News... 
Mosquitoes with West Nile Virus Found in Philadelphia A1

Mosquitoes with WNV have been detected in Philadelphia and neighboring counties.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) is calling on all physicians and other health care providers to notify PDPH promptly if they find patients with unspecified neuroinvasive infections as well as travel-related arboviral infections such as Zika and dengue.

Notifying PDPH is essential to implementing mosquito-control measures in a timely manner. You can call the PDPH Division of Disease Control at 215-685-6740 during regular business hours, or 215-686-4514 after hours.

For more information visit https://hip.phila.gov.

When a Friend Tells You There's Never Anything Good on TV... A2

Tell your friend it's time to take a look at telemedicine. Senate Bill 780, which is making its way through the Pa. legislature, could help make telemedicine more of a reality in the state.

The bill would establish a statutory definition of telemedicine, mandate that its services are reimbursed, and prohibit audio-only services. Video must be available if either the patient or provider requests it.

SB 780 has been approved unanimously by the Senate and sent to the House Professional Licensure Committee. The Pa. Medical Society (PAMED) is encouraging you to contact your local House representative and urge him/her to support the bill.

Register Now for the Medical Cannabis Course A3

Physicians who want to counsel and advise patients who have questions about medical cannabis, whether or not the physician has decided to register with the state medical marijuana program, are encouraged to take this course.

The four-hour course will be held at 8:00 a.m., at the University of the Sciences McNeil Science and Technology Center at 45th Street and Woodland Avenue in Philadelphia. The course costs $175 if you register before July 16, and if you sign up after that date, $225.

For more details go to: https://www.usciences.edu/about/substance-use-disorders-institute/medical-cannabis-education/philadelphia2018-medical-society.html

You can find more information on this course in the Calendar of Events at the end of this newsletter.

A License to Volunteer A4

You need to apply for a volunteer license, if you wish to volunteer as a physician and you're retired, or you're not retired but not practicing, and don't maintain professional liability insurance under the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Act.

To qualify for a volunteer license, you must hold an active unrestricted license. On the application for the volunteer license you must verify that you intend to practice without personal remuneration for professional services in an approved clinic.

You can obtain an application by clicking here

For more information on a volunteer license go to https://www.pamedsoc.org/detail/article/volunteer-medical-license-pennsylvania?

And Speaking of Volunteers -- PCMS Wants You... A5

PCMS President Max Mercado, MD, is calling on fellow members to volunteer for the society's committees. It's a chance to make a significant contribution to the well-being of your fellow physicians and the city's residents.

PCMS is seeking volunteers for the:
  • Editorial Review Board - oversees content for the PCMS monthly e-newsletter and quarterly magazine.
  • Delegate Caucus to PAMED Annual Meeting - develops and reviews resolutions for the PAMED House of Delegates annual meeting in Hershey.
  • Public Health - works closely with the Philadelphia Dept. of Public Health to help develop effective health care programs for city residents.
  • Membership - oversees outreach and benefits for the society's members.
  • Early Career Physicians Section - targets society services and programs for doctors 40 years old and younger.
  • International Medical Graduates Section - a forum for IMGs to discuss their concerns.
  • Residents/Fellows Section - a forum geared to helping residents and fellows meet their professional goals and needs.
If you're interested call 215-563-5343, ext. 102.

Classified Ads A3

Part Time Medical Consultant

IM or FP physicians wanted for part time medical consultations in the Philadelphia or Montgomery County area. Four hour sessions, once or twice a week. No administrative responsibilities. Please respond for additional specifics to: nwma589-docs@Yahoo.com


Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology

Drexel University College of Medicine is seeking an exceptional leader to become the Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Drexel University College of Medicine and Hahnemann University Hospital. Applicants must be excellent, active clinicians, and have a strong record of clinical education. The deadline to apply is July 15.

For more information please visit: https://philamedsoc.org/job/chair-of-the-department-of-ophthalmology/

Calendar of EventsDatingService

July
19 - Medical Cannabis 4-Hour Certification Training

Date: Thursday, July 19
Time: 8:30 AM - 12:45 PM
Place: University of the Sciences, 45th St at Woodland Ave, Philadelphia

The purpose of this CME program is to educate physicians seeking to register with the Pennsylvania Department of Health's Medical Marijuana Program or desiring clinical education about medical cannabis and Pennsylvania regulations.

Members of the Philadelphia County Medical Society receive a $50 discount if they register by July 16.



September
20 - PCMS Board of Directors and Member Social

Date: Thursday, September 20
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Place: The Philadelphia County Medical Society, 2100 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130

Save the date! All members are invited to our annual social. Come meet our leadership and enjoy free food and drink.

29 - 2018 Regional Opioid CME and Listening Session

Date: Saturday, September 29
Time: 7:30 AM - 11 AM

The Pennsylvania Medical Society is hosting a free 2-hour opioid CME program, which will review how to appropriately and effectively manage patients suffering from chronic pain, followed by an hour listening session where you'll have the opportunity to tell PAMED trustee leadership what's on your mind.


October
26 - House of Delegates 2018

Date: October 26-28
Place: Hershey Lodge, Hershey, PA

Join your colleagues for a lively, informative weekend of continuing education, leadership development, advocacy, and networking at the Pennsylvania Medical Society's House of Delegates Meeting and Annual Education Conference.


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