OSTEOFACTS | Your Voice Matters; Free PPE; Last Call for Abstracts;

01-26-24

January 26, 2024

	Final Call! Abstracts Due January 31 Abstracts are due Wednesday for the Ohio Osteopathic Symposium Research and Scholarly Activity Competition, sponsored by Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and Ohio Osteopathic Association. The competition is open to students, interns, residents, and fellows and will have both virtual and in-person components with cash prizes in three categories: Biomedical/Clinical Research Social/Behavioral Medicine/Medical Education Case Reports Virtual research presentations will take place in March and the poster session will occur in-person at the Symposium on Saturday, April 20. The Symposium is set for April 18-21 at the Columbus Hilton at Easton. The deadline to submit abstracts is January 31. Access the announcement, guidelines, and submission form here.
	Your Voice Matters The OOA House of Delegates is set to meet Friday, April 19 in Columbus in conjunction with the Ohio Osteopathic Symposium. The House, the policy-making body for the osteopathic profession in Ohio, is led by Speaker David A. Bitonte, DO, of Canton, and Vice Speaker Michael E. Dietz, DO, of Cincinnati. Resolutions are now being accepted. These formal requests are brought to the House for consideration and, if approved, guide the OOA’s work. Approved resolutions can then advance to the AOA House of Delegates in July if the policy is of national interest. To write a resolution, see the instruction sheet here. Submit your resolution to Teri Collins at tcollins@OhioDO.org.
	ODH Offering Free PPE The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is offering non-sterile personal protective equipment (PPE) to you at no charge. The PPE, including gloves, masks, gowns, and hand sanitizer, was purchased as part of Ohio‘s public health response during the COVID-19 pandemic. The PPE’s “use by” date will expire in time, and ODH wants to put it to good use by offering it to those who can use it now. Those who are interested in requesting PPE should complete an order form here. There are three shipping options: If you have a FedEx or UPS account, ODH can use your account to ship your requested PPE items to your location. ODH can arrange for you to pick up your order at the ODH Warehouse located in the Columbus suburb of Groveport. If your facility is within 25 miles from the ODH Warehouse, ODH will deliver orders of 5 or more PPE cases. For questions about this PPE offer or shipping options, contact the ODH Warehouse at RSS@odh.ohio.gov or 614-491-9013.
	Legislative Update Earlier this week, the Ohio Senate voted to override Gov. Mike DeWine’s vetoes on gender-affirming health care and local tobacco bans. The Ohio House of Representatives had already taken the same action. Since legislators reached the required three-fifths majority vote, both measures will become state law in 90 days. The Senate voted 24-8 to override DeWine’s veto of HB 68; this vote follows a 65-28 party-line vote by the House earlier this month. Sponsored by State Rep. Gary Click (R-Vickery), HB 68 places restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors, prohibiting them from starting hormone therapy and puberty blockers. The bill also restricts transgender girls from playing women’s sports in high school and college. DeWine vetoed the measure on December 29, following nearly a year of hearings and protests at the Statehouse. ACLU Ohio and other advocates are expected to file legal challenges. Several lawsuits are pending in other states where similar bills have been passed, though it remains unclear whether HB 68 would be delayed during litigation. OOA joined many physician groups in opposing HB 68 and will continue to work with the DeWine administration on rules related to gender-affirming care. It was the same vote, 24-8, to override DeWine’s veto of a provision that would prevent cities from banning flavored tobacco sales. Columbus and other Ohio cities had banned fruity vapes, menthol cigarettes, and other flavored tobacco products. Nationally, the American Lung Association and other groups are working to finalize rules to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars in the US. In the ALA’s annual State of Tobacco Control report released Wednesday, Ohio earned an A in smokefree air but Fs in tobacco prevention and cessation funding, tobacco taxes, and flavored tobacco products. The Senate Health Committee held a third hearing on SB 126, legislation that would place limits on the use of noncompete clauses in physician contracts. Sponsored by State Sen. Terry Johnson, DO, SB 126 would limit noncompete clauses used by hospitals to six months and 15 miles. Opposition testimony was submitted by the Ohio Hospital Association while proponents include provider organizations. Hearings and interested party meetings are expected to continue this spring, though the bill is unlikely to be enacted this year. See a list of all health care bills here.
	Trauma Committee Seeks Nominations The State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services (EMFTS) is seeking nominations for seat #15 on its Trauma Committee. Seat #15 is designated for an administrator of an adult or pediatric trauma center with substantial experience. Of note, EMFTS does not appoint more than one member to the Committee who is employed by or practices at the same hospital, health system, or emergency medical services organization. The Committee generally meets every other month. Interested candidates should contact the OOA Office at 614-299-2107. A CV and letter of interest are required as part of the nomination process.
	State Releases Suicide Prevention Plan The 2024-2026 Suicide Prevention Plan for the state reinforces a commitment to eliminating obstacles for families and individuals grappling with suicide. It was released this week by Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, which led the development of this comprehensive document, incorporating input from more than 30 private and public organizations. According to the Ohio Department of Health, there were 1,766 suicides in Ohio in 2021, an increase of 8%, from the previous year. That number is below the 10-year high in the state of 1,836 deaths in 2018. In November, 2023, the CDC released a report that the United States set a record for the number of suicide deaths with nearly 50,000 people dying by suicide in 2022. The national report indicated that middle aged adults account for the most suicides, while suicide numbers in pre-teens and teens had decreased. Key components of the plan include raising public awareness, enhancing access to timely data, expanding opportunities for health care access, and providing support for families coping with the loss of a loved one to suicide. It underscores the importance of collaborative efforts with behavioral healthcare providers, employers, health care systems, schools, and community organizations to stem the increasing rates of suicides. Read the plan here.
	Your Source for CME The Ohio Osteopathic Symposium is the premier osteopathic conference in the state with quality programming featuring experts in their field as well as plenty of time to network, visit exhibitors, and celebrate the Ohio profession. The April 18-21 agenda offers 29 AOA category 1-A credits with the option to attend in Columbus or virtually. Former Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, MD, is the OOS keynote speaker. Register for the OOS here. Flexibility is the keyword for The Virtual Osteopathic Conference. You can attend the live online conference February 16-18, or view the lectures on-demand any time before June 30, or listen to the lectures in audio format like a podcast. Plus, you can also choose and purchase lectures in 8-hour increments. Register for The VOC here. Your OOA membership gets you a discount on these CME events!
	Nominations are Open The OOA is accepting award nominations to recognize physicians who have made significant contributions to the osteopathic profession and/or their communities. Award recipients will be honored at the Ohio Osteopathic Symposium in April. Nominations are due by February 15 for the following awards: Distinguished Service Award Meritorious Service Award M. Bridget Wagner, DO, Humanitarian Award Trustees Award George L. Eckert, Jr, DO, Mentor of the Year Read more about the awards, see a list of past recipients, and submit your nomination here.
	Ohio ACOFP Seeking Award Nominations Nominees for Ohio ACOFP awards should be family physicians with a demonstrated commitment to osteopathic philosophy, patient care, community involvement, education and enrichment of self and others. Nominations are due for the following awards by February 15: Family Physician of the Year Distinguished Service Award Young Family Physician of the Year Family Medicine Resident of the Year A list of past recipients and nomination form are here.