Interested in Immunization Policy?

A coalition of stakeholders will host a free Immunization Summit on Wednesday, August 7 (11am - 3pm) in Columbus. Discussion topics will include pro-vaccine messaging, addressing vaccine hesitancy, improving data collection, working with rural populations, and more. Together, attendees will create actionable next steps.

If you are interested in attending, contact Executive Director Heidi Weber at HWeber@OhioDO.org.

Coats & Notes

The start of the academic year is just around the corner for first-year students at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. We invite you to welcome the Class of 2028 by making a donation to the OOA White Coat Fund.

For a donation of $45, you can make a meaningful impact by sponsoring the purchase of a white coat for a new student. Along with your contribution, you have the opportunity to share words of inspiration or advice directly. Your personalized message will be printed on an OOA notecard and placed in the coat pocket at the Convocation & White Coat Ceremony, creating a connection from donor to recipient.

Receiving the white coat is a first milestone in a student’s medical career, symbolizing commitment to learning and compassionate care. Your support ensures that these future osteopathic physicians begin their journey with a sense of community and encouragement.

To make your donation and write your message, visit the OOA website here.

OOA Joins Coalition to Oppose HB 319

Before the Ohio General Assembly adjourned last week for summer recess, the OOA joined about 50 health and business organizations to voice opposition to HB 319, the Conscientious Right to Refuse Act. A letter outlining concerns with the legislation was sent to House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) and House Health Provider Services Committee Chair Scott Oelslager (R-North Canton).

The bill, sponsored by State Reps. Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester) and Scott Wiggam (R-Wooster), seeks to prohibit employers, including hospitals and other health facilities, from requiring employees to receive influenza, COVID, or other vaccines as a condition of employment or practice. This has been a hot topic at the Statehouse for several years, even before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The letter notes, in part:

All Ohioans benefit from the crucial protections afforded to us by vaccines every single day, and HB 319 represents a real threat to this protection. The risk cannot be understated, and we emphasize that to risk one of our greatest assets in infectious disease prevention would not only make future outbreaks and epidemics more likely, but basically inevitable. We believe that we must work together to keep people safe and healthy, and HB 319 runs counter to that mission.

Read the letter here.

Call for Sessions

The AOA announces a Call for Sessions for the OMED24 Resident Track to be held Saturday, September 21, in San Antonio Texas. The target audience is residents, fellows, and osteopathic medical students looking to learn about life in residency. Presentations should be relevant to this audience.

Suggested topics include leadership, professional development, wellness and burnout prevention, advocacy, OMT, and innovation. Share best practices, innovations, and scholarly activity.

The deadline is July 12. Submit your proposal here.

GoodRx Scholarship Deadline August 2

Because fostering diversity among health care students is critical to creating a more equitable workforce that meets the needs of diverse patients, GoodRx is sponsoring the Students for Healthcare Equity Scholarship.

The $5,000 scholarships are eligible for renewal for up to three years for a potential total award amount of $20,000. Five will be awarded.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be a current, enrolled student pursuing a health care or allied health care career at an accredited program recognized by the student’s state.
• Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent).
• Self-identify as a person from an underrepresented population in the health care field.

Learn more about the scholarship here. The deadline is August 2.