The Gavel Has Passed

On Saturday during the Ohio Osteopathic Symposium, Henry L. Wehrum, DO, was officially sworn-in as OOA president.

Dr. Wehrum specializes in nephrology at Dennison Renal Care in Columbus. He is a graduate of Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and served his internship at Brentwood Hospital; his residency at Cuyahoga Falls General; and a fellowship at Cleveland Clinic.

He is an award-winning preceptor and earned OU-HCOM’s highest recognition for teachers, the master clinical faculty award. He also teaches residents and interns as an assistant program director for Internal Medicine at Doctors Hospital.

Dr. Wehrum comes from a family of DOs, as his father was an osteopathic family physician and two brothers are DOs. 

Thank you to Sandra L. Cook, DO, for her service as president this past year.

DEADLINE: MONDAY Support Your Osteopathic Family with a Glass of Wine

Do you want to donate to the osteopathic family? Do you think wine is delicious? If so, you’re in luck! The Ohio Osteopathic Foundation is hosting a Virtual Wine Tasting on May 13. Tickets cost $100 and proceeds benefit the osteopathic family through various OOF projects.

You’ll choose three wines—which will be shipped directly to you from Debonne Vineyards, the largest estate winery in Ohio. Then log on to Zoom May 13 to learn about your selections and have an enjoyable evening with your osteopathic family.

Registration and details are at OhioDO.org/wine.

OOA Honors Award Recipients

OOA members are doing incredible work for the profession, for patients, for students and residents, and for communities. At a special awards ceremony during the Ohio Osteopathic Symposium, their service and accomplishments were celebrated.

Distinguished Service Award
Cleanne Cass, DO

Trustees Award
Victor D. Angel, DO

OOA/Osteopathic Heritage Foundations George L. Eckert, Jr., DO, Mentor of the Year
Shannon C. Trotter, DO

M. Bridget Wagner, DO, Humanitarian Award
Jill Y. Porter, DO

Meritorious Service Award
Amy Acton, MD

In addition, 20 physicians achieved life member status in the OOA. Congratulations to: John S. Allerding, DO; Sandra R. Beichler, DO; John A. Brose, DO; William D. Bruner, DO; Richard L. Catterlin, DO; George N. Darah, DO; Thomas E. Darrah, DO; David R. Delliquadri, DO; Robert R. Gardner, DO; Philip B. Howren, DO; Frederic A. Humphrey, DO; Richard T. Klapchar, DO; David H. Krahe, DO; Gary D. Kresge, DO; Susan H. Lackey, DO; Barry A. Lampl, DO; Lenard G. Presutti, DO; Bruce H. Rank, DO; Christopher Simpson, DO; and Charles L. Valone Jr., DO.

Poster Winners Present Research

The annual osteopathic research poster contest held annually at the Ohio Osteopathic Symposium was modified to become a Virtual Research Competition this year. The event was structured very differently from prior competitions. For example, there was only one category: biomedical/clinical research. In addition, only three winning researchers were announced. They used the 3-minute thesis format to present their work. Congratulations to:

FIRST PLACE
Association Between Receipt of Nutritional Counseling During Antenatal Care Visits and Anemia Among Ethiopian Women
Eden Taddese, OMSII, HCOM Dublin

SECOND PLACE
Challenges and Opportunities in Virtual Care for Veterans
Katelyn Lotz, OMSII, HCOM Dublin

THIRD PLACE
A Retrospective Analysis of Health Determinants Associated with Opioid Prescribing Rates
Corrin Pelini, OMSIII, HCOM Athens

Thank You!

Sincere thanks to the speakers, moderators, and registrants who attended the Ohio Osteopathic Symposium.

Attendees must submit their CME paperwork by May 10, and can expect to receive a CME certificate verifying credits via email within four weeks.

Thank you to the 2021 sponsors: Abbvie, ISMIE, NephU, OrthoNeuro, Sedgwick, Vibrant America.

Ohio Vaccine Providers Resumed J&J Vaccine

Last Friday night, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said coronavirus vaccine providers can resume using the Johnson & Johnson shots, hours after a federal panel cleared them. He released the following statement:

“Our country’s vaccine safety system has worked as designed – these extremely rare, serious blood-clotting events were reported into the CDC’s Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), and the vaccine distribution was paused to allow a thorough review of the facts and time to educate health care providers on the rare events. Now, a comprehensive analysis by the independent medical professionals on the ACIP has resulted in the recommendation that the benefits of Johnson & Johnson vaccine outweigh the risks, and that vaccine administration resume. The CDC and FDA have accepted those recommendations, lifting the pause on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Providers in Ohio are permitted to immediately resume administering Johnson & Johnson vaccines in Ohio, provided they continue to follow all guidance by the CDC and FDA.”

The Ohio Department of Health issued guidance to providers to ensure they have access to the latest information on the use of Johnson & Johnson vaccines, and that health care providers are aware of treatment methods for these extremely rare but potentially life-threatening cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).

According to the FDA, people who have received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and develop shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling, persistent abdominal pain, neurological symptoms (including severe or persistent headaches or blurred vision), or petechiae beyond the site of vaccination should seek immediate medical care. 

DeWine Ends Quarantine Rules for Vaccinated Ohioans

Vaccinated Ohioans no longer will have to quarantine after being exposed to someone with coronavirus, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Tuesday in a change to state health guidelines.

This health order applies to all adults, except those who are in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or other congregate care settings.  Nursing homes and long-term care facilities, including staff and residents, should continue to quarantine following CDC guidance. 

“The power of the vaccine allows us to do this,” DeWine said. “Fully vaccinated Ohioans, including high school students, will be able to participate in sports and other activities, even if they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.”

An individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines or two weeks after the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

As of this afternoon, over 4.68 million Ohioans have received their first vaccine, and 3.78 million are fully vaccinated.

COVID-19 Case Count

The Ohio Department of Health reported 1,786 new COVID-19 cases in the state yesterday, bringing the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic to 1,070,771. The two-week case rate dropped sharply, to 155.6 cases per 100,000 residents, down from 200 cases two weeks ago. This marks the second straight week the rate has dropped, after going up for four straight weeks before then.

There are three counties this week below the threshold of 50 per 100,000: Noble (27.7), Vinton (30.6) and Gallia (36.8). The highest rates are in:  Lucas (299.1); Erie (251.8); Cuyahoga County (231.5)

Forty-five Ohio counties are on red alert this week for concern over the spread of coronavirus this week. That’s the lowest this number has been in months. There are no counties listed as Level 4/purple, the highest; 39 are at orange, and four at the lowest Level 1/yellow.

ODH reported 127 new hospitalizations yesterday, with 12 ICU admissions. There are currently 1,200 COVID-19 patients in Ohio’s hospitals, and 324 COVID-19 patients in the ICU.

Legislative Update

The House Health Committee approved two bills this week: HB 37 regarding emergency prescription refills this week. The panel accepted an amendment that would prohibit emergency refills from being consecutive and setting the duration at 30 days for the first and seven days each for the third and fourth. HB 176 revises the law governing the practice of athletic training.

The Health Committee continues to debate HB 193, regarding electronic prescriptions and Schedule II controlled substances. Several professional associations testified this week indicating the bill does not provide enough flexibility for physicians and other providers to comply. The OOA has joined other physician associations in discussing possible exceptions with the bill sponsor.

The fireworks bill, SB 113, is on tap in the House of Representatives Veterans and Public Safety Committee next week. The legislation would allow Ohioans to legally use fireworks they buy in the state.