OSTEOFACTS | Donate to the White Coat Fund; AOA Installs New President

July 23, 2021

	Let’s Beat Last Year’s Total The Ohio Osteopathic Foundation’s White Coat Fund helps you connect with the newest members of the osteopathic family by purchasing a white coat for an incoming student. Last year, $3,350 was raised to give the OMS-I at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine their first white coats. This year, our tally currently stands at $900. Yikes! Make your tax-deductible donation today! You can send well wishes, a note of encouragement, or words of wisdom when you make your donation. Your message will be printed onto an OOA notecard and tucked inside the coat pocket. Be sure to write your message in the comment box.
	COVID Update COVID-19 hospitalizations and cases are rising again in Ohio—which has health officials concerned. This week, Ohio reported the highest total of new infections in almost two months as the more contagious delta variant spreads. Yesterday, 822 new cases were reported statewide. For comparison, daily cases have been under 1,000 since May 22. Three weeks ago, new daily cases were at 185. During a news conference this week Ohio Department of Health Chief Medical Officer Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, urged Ohioans to get vaccinated. “We are now looking at a pandemic of the unvaccinated,” he said. “It is when, not if, an unvaccinated person gets COVID-19.” As of this afternoon, 48.75% in Ohio have started the vaccine process. That equates to more than 5.69 million Ohioans. Over 5.33 million, or 45.6%, have completed the vaccination series. Seven counties have reached 50% or greater complete vaccinations: Cuyahoga, Delaware, Geauga, Lake, Medina, Warren, Wood.
	AOA Holds Successful HOD, Installs President Thank you to the 32 OOA members who gave their time and talent to serve in the AOA House of Delegates, July 16-18. They were among the 600+ DOs and osteopathic medical students who participated in the virtual meeting to consider policy statements for the profession, elect Board trustees, and more. Four resolutions submitted by the OOA were approved as amended: H-204 protective educational environments for LBGTQ+ youth H-301 availability of prescribing modalities H-303 direct acting therapy for Hepatitis C limitations H-304 extension of the FDA’s Shelf Life Extension Program Chelsea A. Nickolson, DO, of Dayton, was elected for a one-year term as the New Physician in Practice member and will chair the Bureau on Emerging Leaders. To see a list of all of the AOA leaders and committee chairs, see the 2021-2022 appointment book. Joseph A. Giaimo, DO, of Florida, was installed as AOA’s 125th president. Giaimo, who is AOA board-certified in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine and sleep medicine, has been in private practice for more than 30 years. He is the son of an osteopathic family physician who helped found a community hospital. The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduate completed his residency and fellowship training at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine and served in the Naval Reserves where he was attached to a mobile fleet hospital unit stationed in the US and abroad. Giaimo attained the rank of Commander.
	Medicaid Changes Policy to Improve Diabetes Care Policy changes by the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) and collaboration among Ohio’s Medicaid Managed Care plans mean new options for Medicaid patients with diabetes: Allowing diabetes self-management education (DSME) as a covered benefit. Making it easier for providers and members to obtain diabetes testing supplies by agreeing on a consistent, simpler prior authorization process; and working with vendors and pharmacists to make them available at drugstores, eliminating the need to order from specialty companies. These changes are to help increase the number of diabetic members with A1C values below 9%. Achieving this would mean 5,000 more Ohioans having their diabetes under control. The changes are also intended to help more patients know and understand their glycated hemoglobin levels, by ensuring that they have a recent A1C test. The goal is to help nearly 8,700 Medicaid patients get an A1c test. Managed care plans are working to raise awareness among providers about the coverage change. In addition, care coordinators will proactively contact members who could benefit from DSME and, in collaboration with their providers, help arrange appointments and transportation if necessary. Separately, managed care plans are enlisting pharmacists to provide more direct care to members with diabetes. Some plans already have their own pilot programs. They are also working with the Ohio Association of Foodbanks to use data to address disparities among members according to race, income, education and other social determinants of health. For more information, contact the DSME experts at each plan: Aetna: Holly Hampton hamptonh@aetna.com Buckeye Health Plan: Osa Ojo OOJO@CENTENE.COM CareSource: Joan Mendenhall Joan.Mendenhall@caresource.com Molina: Joanne Camiola Joanne.Camiola@molinahealthcare.com Paramount Advantage: Dan Morrissey Daniel.Morrissey@ProMedica.org UnitedHealthcare: Kate Bernard Katherine.Bernard@uhc.com
	Share Your Knowledge The OOA continues to develop its roster of CME presenters. Having a list of physician speakers helps us develop quality education programs. If you’re willing to share your knowledge and expertise with your peers, let us know by completing the online form. In general, lecturers complete a simple disclosure form, provide objectives, a CV, headshot photo, and present their expertise with the help of slides. In the case of virtual programs, your presentation could be pre-recorded. At this time, we’re seeking speakers for the following topics: Specific needs of pediatric patients with terminal illness Nutrition in medicine Common thyroid disorders for the PCP Telemedicine Impact of COVID on mental health Whether your expertise is in one of these topics or something completely different, you can help your DO colleagues enhance their own skills and maintain the required education for licensure and certification.
	Pause Your Student Loan Physicians with federal student loans do not have to make payments through September thanks to the CARES Act but current interest rates make refinancing attractive. Do you want to take advantage of today’s historically low interest rates when your federal student loan payments resume in the fall? With SoFi Pause, you can lock in today’s low interest rate and still enjoy the reprieve of payments until September. Members receive the exclusive rate discount of 0.25% when applying for this new program. SoFi Pause runs through October. To get the details, visit https://sofi.com/aoa.
	State Board Seeks Nominations The State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services (EMFTS) is seeking nominations for seat #2. It is designated for a physician who is active in the practice of trauma surgery and emergency medical services. The 21-member Board represent fire and emergency medical services, private medical transportation services, mobile intensive care providers, air medical providers, trauma programs, hospitals, emergency physicians, EMS training programs, and the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Appointments are made by the Governor. The Board generally meets every other month. Candidates should contact OOA Executive Director Matt Harney at mattharney@OhioDO.org for details about the nomination process.