DOs Participate in DNR Stakeholder Meeting

The Ohio Department of Health held a stakeholder meeting regarding the DNR rule set, Chapter 3701-62, on Tuesday This meeting to review DNR protocol is held every five years.

The rule set provides definition of what entails Do Not Resuscitate, patient rights, and provider legal protection. There are currently two categories: Comfort Care and Comfort Care-arrest. There was a detailed review on the DNR form, which is the recognized provider order. There was great discussion on how the DNR rule and form can accomplish the typical desired goals of the patient with less confusion for all parties affected. EMS shared their challenges. It was important that physicians be present to participate in the process. Look for constructive changes to the DNR form.

The OOA was represented in person by Cleanne Cass, DO, and Edward Hosbach, DO, both hospice physicians, and Executive Director Heidi Weber. Other DOs attended via Zoom.

submitted by Edward Hosbach, DO

Osteopathic Medical Awards Presented

Six middle school and high school students received the Osteopathic Medical Award at the 2024 State Science Day, held online over two weeks in April. The awards, which carry a total of $650 in cash prizes, are supported jointly by the OOA and Ohio Osteopathic Foundation. A total of 85 students competed for the prize.

Projects were judged in two divisions, 7th-9th grade and 10th-12th grade, by Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (HCOM) students who volunteered their time. Thank you to HCOM student Anita Mancini who recruited and organized her peers. She is president of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association. In addition to Mancini, HCOM judges included: Victoria Cruz; Zachary Frank; Alyson Johnson; Sumedha Kappagantula; Caroline Kruithoff; Halie Leftwich; Aaron Lorton; Abigail McAllister; Josie Myers; Nandini Patel; Mirisha Sheth; Sophia Thompson; and Abigail Weidner.

State Science Day is sponsored annually by the Ohio Academy of Science. This year, there were more than 580 projects presented.

See a list of the projects and winners here.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Millions of people in the US are affected by mental illness each year. Established in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month is a national movement to strengthen the mental health of communities and increase awareness about the vital role mental health plays in overall health and well-being.

According to Mental Health America, the nation’s leading national nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of mental health and well-being:

• 1 in 5 US adults experience mental illness each year.
• About half of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime in their lives, with symptoms starting by age 14 for the majority of people.
• 23.1% of US adults experience mental illness.
• 22.5 million US adults experience major depression.

Wellness Resources:
Ohio Professionals Health Program
Encourages health care professionals to improve their health and well-being through educational and confidential programs.

Ohio Physician Wellness Coalition
Provides online resources for physician wellness.

Physician Support Line
Free, confidential telehealth service established by a DO.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
National network of local crisis centers that provides free, confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24/7.

Call for Volunteers

We are seeking a few members for a new Editorial Committee to assist with the Buckeye Osteopathic Physician.

Committee members will help shape the direction of the magazine, identify topics of interest to the osteopathic community, suggest articles, and review content.

The magazine was first published in 1923, as the Buckeye Osteopath. It was renamed in 1936.

To volunteer, send an email to cmarkino@OhioDO.org.

Upcoming Deadlines for Certifying Boards

Application deadlines are quickly approaching. Below are deadlines in May and June for osteopathic certifying boards.

American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology initial primary written exam – June 1 (first deadline); initial subspecialty and OCC subspecialty exams – June 22 (first deadline); clinical exam – June 30 (first deadline)

American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology initial primary exam – May 27 (final deadline)

American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine oral exam – June 21 (first deadline)

American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine initial subspecialty and OCC subspecialty exams – June 16 (first deadline)

American Osteopathic Board of Neurology & Psychiatry initial subspecialty exam – June 15 (final deadline)

American Osteopathic Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology primary oral and initial subspecialty exams – June 18 (first deadline)

American Osteopathic Board of Radiology initial subspecialty exams – June 27 (first deadline)

Hospice and Palliative Medicine initial and OCC exams – June 16 (first deadline)

Sleep Medicine initial and OCC exams – June 16 (first deadline)

Sports Medicine initial subspecialty exam – May 21 (first deadline)

For questions, contact Chaunessie Baggett at CBaggett@osteopathic.org.

New Ohio Vital Records System

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Bureau of Vital Statistics has completed the first round of user testing of its new vital records system, which is scheduled to launch on January 1, 2025. The system for recording births, deaths, and fetal-death events will replace the current systems – the Integrated Perinatal Health Information System (IPHIS) and the Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS).

The new system will offer features requested by funeral home directors, physicians, and other stakeholders, including enhanced security, accessibility on a mobile device, and integrated payment and ordering capabilities.

As work continues on developing Ohio’s new vital records system, the Bureau of Vital Statistics is committed to the following:

• Ensuring that current physicians, coroners, and funeral directors who use the system can successfully create a user ID and password with the new system prior to implementation.
• Reaching out to physicians who certify death certificates on paper to help them establish an account and gain access to the system.
• Reviewing all paper certificates prior to issuance to ensure all information collected is correct, complete, and verified as accurate.

Physicians who have questions or who would like to participate in user testing and haven’t already volunteered, should contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics, VS.Helpdesk@odh.ohio.gov.

Call for Research Abstracts

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) announced a call for research abstracts for OMED24. The virtual poster session provides an opportunity for researchers to share their research with a broad audience. In addition, approved abstracts are published on the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine website.

OMED is September 20-22 in San Antonio. The virtual poster session and student competition is September 20. The submission deadline is June 17.

More information is here.

Please Complete the Survey

A national survey of physician practices led by the American Medical Association and Mathematica is underway and we urge your cooperation with this effort. The objective of the Physician Practice Information (PPI) survey is to gather accurate data on practice costs and the hours of patient care that physicians provide to support fair and accurate physician payment.

Participation in the survey is voluntary but important. We urge you to complete the questionnaire if you receive it. The information you share will be kept private and reported in aggregate only.

The survey closes June 30.