05/27/2026

The Latest in Cincinnati Medicine

from the Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati

In This Edition

Save the Date: Academy of Medicine Foundation Gala
Advocacy Updates: Your Voice Needed
Member Spotlights: Tom Charlton, MD honored with Star of Life Award; Keith Melvin, MD shares message of hope
Upcoming Events: Guidance for your Practice; Women's Health CME
The Business of Medicine: Reducing Denials & Preventing Lost Revenue; Contract Negotiations: What to Know Before You Sign

Save The Date

2026 Academy of Medicine Foundation Gala

Save the Data 2026 Gala

Academy Foundation Gala

Thursday, September 24, 2026
Cooper Creek Event Center

Join physician leaders, healthcare organizations, and community partners for an evening celebrating physician leadership, community impact, and the shared commitment to strengthening health across our region.

Additional details coming soon!

Advocacy

Opportunity to Represent the Physician Voice in Ohio Legislative Candidate Interviews

OSMAPAC is seeking 5–6 physicians from the Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati to participate in brief candidate interviews for an open-seat Ohio General Assembly race in the Cincinnati area. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom during one weekday evening in early to mid-June and will focus on issues directly impacting physicians and patient care, including insurance reform, scope of practice, and public health.

Candidates participating include Cara Jacob (D) and Zac Haines (R) for Ohio Senate District 7. Physicians interested in participating should contact Jessica Sellar at the Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati.

Medicare WISeR Program: Physician Feedback Requested

OSMA, in collaboration with the AMA, is gathering physician feedback on the new Medicare WISeR program, which uses AI vendors within traditional Medicare to conduct prior authorization reviews for certain services in Ohio and five other states.

If you have encountered prior authorization requirements under this program, please consider completing the survey linked below. Physician feedback will help inform ongoing advocacy efforts aimed at improving the program and reducing unnecessary administrative burden on practices and patients.

Survey

Member Spotlights

Academy EMS Protocol Committee Chair Tom Charlton, MD Awarded Ohio EMS Medical Director of the Year

Congratulations to Thomas “Tom” Charlton, MD, Medical Director for the Springfield Township Fire Department on being named Ohio EMS Medical Director of the Year. The award recognizes Dr. Charlton’s extraordinary leadership, dedication to EMS professionals, and lasting impact on emergency care across our region.

Through his leadership of the Academy’s regional EMS protocols—used by EMS agencies throughout Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky—Dr. Charlton has helped advance consistent, high-quality emergency care for thousands of patients each year.

In addition to his work in emergency medicine and physician leadership, Dr. Charlton serves as Medical Director of the Tri-State Peer Support Group, an organization that has expanded mental health resources for firefighters and EMS professionals across the region. Through countless volunteer hours, education, mentorship, and service, he continues to make an extraordinary impact on the health and wellbeing of communities across our region.

Article

Daniel Drake Humanitarian Award recipient Dr. Keith Melvin shares a moving message of resilience, faith and hope.

Dr. Melvin joins WCPO’s “Come Have Coffee” sharing how the three-time cancer survivor continues to inspire the community while facing his latest battle with strength, compassion and humor.

Dr. Keith Melvin WCPO Interview

Upcoming Events

A Night with the Experts: Your Blueprint for Practice Success

Thurs, 6/4, 5:30p-7:30p
Kenwood Country Club

Physicians, residents, and fellows welcome

More Details

CME: Women’s Health Update: Navigating Menopause, Obesity Medicine & Breast Health

Fri, 6/19
The Summit Hotel

8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

Women’s healthcare is evolving rapidly — especially in the areas of menopause care, obesity medicine, and breast health. Join HERmedicine for a comprehensive one-day CME experience designed to help clinicians navigate these increasingly complex areas of care with confidence.

Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati members receive $50 off registration using code AOMC50.

Details & Registration

The Business of Medicine

Reducing Denials & Preventing Lost Revenue: Insights from Academy Webinar

The Academy recently hosted a virtual educational session, “2025 Payer Report Card,” focused on the growing impact of payer denials and revenue cycle inefficiencies on physician practices. Presented by Tim Kappes, PhD, CEO of Impart Knowledge, the session highlighted practical strategies to identify and prevent revenue leakage before it impacts cash flow and operations.

A summary of key clinical pearls and operational insights from the session is included below for members and practice leaders who were unable to attend.

View Summary

Fundamentals of Negotiating Physician Employment Agreements

By: Jeff Levine, Esq.
Partner, Strauss Troy

Before signing a physician employment agreement, physicians should carefully evaluate negotiable terms like restrictive covenants, termination rights, productivity metrics, and malpractice coverage to avoid costly long-term consequences.