UMass FMCH Tuesday Talk - October 3, 2023/CLINICAL

Welcome to the FMCH Tuesday Talk. Please continue to send us your announcements, celebrations, and accomplishments to FMCHtuesdaytalk@umassmed.edu. 

Table of Contents

Message From the Chair

Focus of the Week – Clinical

Announcements

Department Member Recognition

Presentations and Publications

Frankly Speaking Podcast

Clinical Services Spotlight

Message From the Chair

Please join me on October 24th at 6:00pm for the department’s Annual Awards ceremony. Please RSVP to Jean Roy Jean.Roy@umassmed.edu by October 13th. The event will be in-person in the Faculty Conference Room on the University campus with appetizers and wine from 6:00-6:30pm and the program starting at 6:30pm. This is our opportunity to reflect on the year and recognize the efforts of faculty across the department. We will also recognize Judy Savageau’s legacy in the department and community. All are welcome! 

UMass Memorial Benefits enrollment is Monday, October 16th to Friday, October 27th. Everyone MUST enroll to continue benefits coverage. If you miss the window to enroll you will not have benefits for the coming year 2024 (medical, dental, vision, flexible spending, etc.) and will not be able to enroll until next year unless you have a life qualifying event such as marriage, new child, etc. If you would like to review your current 2023 benefits you can see them here: http://mybenefits.umassmemorial.org/.

Click on “Benefits” then “My Benefits”. To download a full summary click on “Download” in the top section for “Estimated Cost”. If you have questions about this year’s enrollment. you can call: UMass Memorial Open Enrollment Support Center at 877-295-2577. Benefits information will be coming out soon so please pay close attention to emails from the Benefits Contact Center.

Flu Vaccination

• Please note that the influenza (flu) vaccine is mandated consistent with Massachusetts Department of Health (“DPH”) regulations for all caregivers each year.
• All caregivers, clinical and non-clinical, who may work on any UMass Memorial Health site for at least one day during the influenza season (between October 1 and April 30) regardless of their employment status, must report having received the flu vaccine or attest they are declining the immunization for medical, religious or personal reasons by December 1.
• Those caregivers who decline the vaccine must wear a UMMH-issued surgical mask at all times while in clinical care areas.
• Please see the attached document listing the UMass upcoming Flu clinics.

The Worcester Free Care Collaborative (WFCC) programs are seeing a rising number of people seeking care due to the settlement of new refugees. They need the help of additional physicians and APPs. Their faculty advisor, Jim Ledwith, is happy to share about how the free care programs work with anyone interested. The work is generally relaxed, and it is a real pleasure to see our students developing their clinical skills and connecting their studies to real patient care in their 1st and 2nd years. Please don't feel a need to commit to weekly volunteering – a single evening or once every 1-2 months would be greatly appreciated! Programs run from Monday to Thursday from 6:00 - 8:00pm. If you are interested in getting involved, even if just for one shift, let student Gil Avramovich know when you can attend.

(james.ledwith@umassmemorial.org; gil.avramovich@umassmed.edu)

"Equity from the Start" Community Forum

Wednesday, October 11th, 5:30 - 7:30pm, Worcester Senior Center, 128 Providence Street, Worcester. Please join to help build a comprehensive actionable Early Childhood Plan for the city. See flyer for additional information.

The UMass Chan Diversity Summit will be held on October 11th and 12th, and for the first time it is open to all members of the institution. This is a great opportunity to learn about work in the community, education, professional development, and recruitment/retention strategies related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Register by September 30th.

https://umassmed.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5nAqI1lwhBcaSTc



Teaching of Tomorrow (TOT) is a nationally recognized and highly acclaimed faculty development program that focuses on building and refining foundational skills for effective clinical teaching in inpatient and ambulatory settings. Preceptors from any specialty and discipline will enhance their clinical teaching skills through discourse and practice. Workshop dates are November 17-18, 2023, and March 8-9, 2024, and will be held at the Hotel Northampton. Participants must attend all four days. See the brochure for details and

register at https://umassmed.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0GUbJ2w3HifJC8S.

Department Member Recognition

Joanne Calista, an instructor in the Department and executive director of Center for Health Impact/Central MA AHEC has been invited to join the Board of Directors of the National Association of Community Health Workers.

Presentations and Publications

Daniel Mullin, PsyD, MPH, and recent graduate of the BH Fellowship, Ashley Mitton, PsyD, had an article published in Families, Systems, and Health: Clinician Commentary on Adapting Psychotherapy in Collaborative Care for Treating Opioid Use Disorder and Co-Occurring Psychiatric Conditions in Primary Care. 

https://doi.org/10.1037/fsh0000834 or https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37732977/

Frankly Speaking Podcast

A weekly Podcast series covering newsworthy topics in primary care medicine.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/frankly-speaking-about-family-medicine/id1194659367.

Please join us for an overview: Discover how wearable fitness devices are transforming early detection of atrial fibrillation with their potential to reduce stroke risk. In this episode, we share insights on leveraging smartwatches to improve health outcomes and when to encourage their use in patient care. Guest: Mariyan L. Montaque, DNP, FNP-BC, presents: "Smart Prevention: Wearable Devices and Stroke Defense" - Frankly Speaking Ep 348.

COVID-19 MA

• Confirmed cases in the last 7 days, 2,745.
• The 7-day percent positivity is 10.06%.
• The confirmed deaths in the previous 7 days are 28.

COVID-19 UMMMC

• Prior 7-day average, 6.3%.
• There are 37 in-house with 2 in the ICU. Of the 37, 68% are fully vaccinated.

COVID-19 and Vaccination

• Everyone 6 months and older should get an updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine. Nearly all MA residents can still get a COVID-19 vaccine for no or little cost.
• You can find a vaccine near you by following the link below. https://www.vaccines.gov/
• CDC Recommends the following:
• Everyone aged 5 years and older should get 1 dose of the updated PfizerBioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID-19.
• People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional doses of the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
• Children aged 6 months–4 years need multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccines to be current, including at least 1 dose of updated COVID-19 vaccine.
• COVID-19 vaccine recommendations will be updated as needed.
• On or about Saturday, October 23, you’ll be able to go to any retail pharmacy and get the new COVID-19 vaccine with no out-of-pocket cost to you. (Vaccine coverage through Optum RX)

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.

Yoga Classes with Dr. Liz Erban



New members always welcome. 

Please join for early morning gentle yoga, Wednesday mornings 6:30am via Zoom.

Much appreciation to Dr. Liz Erban for hosting these outstanding classes. 

Join Zoom Meeting ID: 923 9393 3653 Passcode: 764113

https://umassmemorial-org.zoom.us/j/92393933653?pwd=RW9TL3FhZGtLUVZBa09oMWhIQzZDUT09