Category Archives: Family Medicine

Family Medicine

From foster care to military family medicine residency – uoflnews.com

John Bowlings childhood was a struggle.

At age nine, he was placed in a childrens home due to difficulties his mother experienced from cerebral palsy. He lived there until his junior year of high school when he relocated with foster parents, staying with them through high school graduation. Supported by his foster family and his biological mother and sister, he attended Lee University and graduated in 2013 with a degree in broadcast journalism.

Im living proof that there are lots of kids out there who have so much potential but due to circumstances out of their control, are unable to realize it, he said.

Unsure of his next step, Bowling accepted a position through Teach for America as a high school biology and chemistry special education teacher in Hawaii. During his time there, he was inspired to pursue medicine. As much as he loved teaching, Bowling felt a call elsewhere after spending time with a physician mentor who encouraged him to consider medicine.

Going from teacher to doctor

When he made the difficult decision to move back to the mainland and pursue medicine, Bowling searched for programs that would help him obtain his pre-requisite courses for medical school and found the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He enrolled in the Post Baccalaureate Pre-Med program which provides individuals with a bachelors degree looking for a career change to participate in a two-year preparation program to gain pre-med science coursework and offers assured admission to the UofL School of Medicine.

Bowling has been an active student leader during his time at the School of Medicine, serving as historian and using his technical skills in digital media, as well as his interest in social media to help document and promote the activities of his classmates. In addition, he was elected president of the Medical Student Council. During his time as president, Bowling led a complete renovation of the medical student lounge, spearheaded initiatives to support and uplift diversity groups, and contributed to several social events that brought all four classes together despite the COVID pandemic.

As a former teacher, Bowling brings a unique perspective to his medical practice that will undoubtedly benefit his patients. His advice for students pursuing medicine emphasizes the importance of following ones passions.

Be sure of yourself and your decision; it will require effort and commitment beyond what you could ever expect, Bowling said. Surround yourself with people who encourage you and build you up, but also those who will hold you accountable. Always take time for yourself and do the things that make you happy.

Upon graduation, Bowling will begin his residency training in family medicine with the Naval Medical Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.

It is an honor to be able to serve in the U.S. military, and Im beyond excited to get started this summer, he said. I love traveling and adventure. My communications with the U.S. Navy confirmed my decision. Ive made some amazing friends through boot camp and cannot wait to go active duty.

UofL Commencement is May 13

The UofL May Commencement Exercises are May 13 at the KFC Yum! Center.

Morning exercises begin at 10 a.m. honoring graduates from the College of Arts & Sciences, Brandeis School of Law, Graduate School (Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies only), Kent School of Social Work & Family Science, School of Dentistry, School of Medicine, School of Nursing and School of Public Health and Information Sciences.

Afternoon exercises begin at 3 p.m. honoring the graduates of the College of Business, the College of Education & Human Development, the J.B. Speed School of Engineering and the School of Music.

For more information, visitlouisville.edu/commencement.

By Edison Pleasants

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From foster care to military family medicine residency - uoflnews.com

Family Medicine

How joy in practice drives Dr. Harmon in his senior years – American Medical Association

At 71, Gerald E. Harmon, MD, has earned the opportunity to retire from medicine. Besides having practiced for more than 35 years as a family physician in rural South Carolina, he has served as assistant surgeon general for the U.S. Air Force, chief physician for the National Guard Bureau, board chair and president of the South Carolina Medical Association, chair of the AMA Board of Trustees, secretary of the AMA and, most recently, AMA president, from 2021 to 2022.

But retiring isnt something hes comfortable doing just yet.

What would I retire from? What would I do? Dr. Harmon said during a recent interview. I already do plenty of fun things. I hunt and I fish. I spend time with my family. I go to my grandkids events. I have a full life.

Dr. Harmon is also a member of theAMA Senior Physicians Section, which gives voice to and advocates on issues that impact senior physicians, who may be working full time or part time or be retired. In honor of Older Americans Month, May also is marked each year by the occasion of AMA Senior Physicians Recognition Month.

I live in a retirement community in a small rural area thats a destination for many folks, he said. Sometimes I'll get up in the morning and see folks walking their dogs, and if I want to be walking my dog too, Ill ask myself what keeps me going at my age. I'm not trying to be self-aggrandizing, but I always think: Im going to be a doctor come heck or high water. Because I enjoy it and its important."

To illustrate this, he likes to quote Dr. Joseph Warren, a major general in the American Revolutionary War who famously urged his fellow revolutionaries: Act worthy of yourselves.

Dr. Harmon served as a major general too, in the U.S. Air Force.

What we're doing today affects the lives of millions of Americans to come, he said, paraphrasing Dr. Warren. I took an oath when I applied to medical school. Like every other doctor, I said: I want to serve humanity. I feel I have a gift.

For this Q&A, Dr. Harmon discussed in depth what motivates him to keep working and providing care after the age at which many of his peers have retired. At the top of that list: Patients still need him.

AMA: To achieve all that you have in your career, youve obviously put in a lot of time. How many hours a week do you work?

Dr. Harmon: I work a minimum of 65 hours per week, as I always have. But I also vacation and goof offIm pretty aggressive about doing that too. I hear folks saying you should live every day as if it's your last, but I'm not quite that pessimistic. In fact, I describe myself as a pathologic optimist. I'm not manic, but I enjoy every day.

AMA: The physician shortage stands to affect patients of all ages, but older Americans might end up being among the hardest hit. With your being in family medicine, it seems much of the work of caring for older patients will fall to you and your colleagues in that specialty. Does that add to your sense of calling in your senior years?

Dr. Harmon: It does give me perspective, no question about it. We know from the Association of American Medical Colleges that there is an expected shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034, along with a 42% increase in Americans 65 or older. We also know that 40% of doctorstwo out of fiveare going to be 65 or older within the next decade.

I think I'm optimally set up to be a provider for my temporal peers. The challenge is not only around the shortage of geriatricians, or folks who are specialized in medicine for older people, but around the shortage of family medicine and adult internal medicine specialists.

I am trained to be a geriatrician without an extra fellowship year, and having 40 years of practice means I'm experienced in delivering health care for those who are 65 or older. My challenge is to do it in a quality, predictable, scientifically evident mannerin other words, to maintain my skill set and to recognize when I don't have it.

AMA: So what do you do if you suspect that your skill set might no longer be where it ought to be?

Dr. Harmon: One of the reasons we aging physicians are somewhat driven to retire is we're concerned that we may not have the mental acuity that we once had. So first we have to be aware, but we have to also trust the folks were working withwhether it's nurses, technicians or other physiciansif they tell us were not listening or comprehending as well as we used to. In other words, the aging physician needs to be accountable to the workforce.

But there are also lots of resources out there to help keep us sharp. One of those is the AMA Ed Hub, which is a lifelong training initiative. We have an opportunity to go back and learn how to use EHRs, learn how to use augmented intelligence, or AI, learn coping mechanisms for when we have to deal with workforce limitations, and maybe even retrain ourselves so we can volunteer. These things can enhance and extend physicians career paths.

AMA: You mentioned AI. What are your thoughts on it in the clinical and teaching environments?

Dr. Harmon: The first pushback you might get from aging physicians, particularly, is that they don't want to learn these newfangled things. And yet, were already using AI in the electronic health record. And if you think about it, its largely the same as what weve gone through with other technologies. For example, we use cameras and videos now in many professionswe no longer use slide rules. We use computers and calculators. These are the tools we have to become proficient in if we're going to succeed as health care providers.

The same is true in other professions. For example, Ive been flying planes for 40 years, and I use an autopilot in my airplane all the time; I don't try to do everything by hand. It's a time-saving device and a reliability device. When I turn it on, my focus shifts. Im no longer overwhelmed by a multidisciplinary approach to flying an airplane. Autopilot is augmented intelligence too, and weve become very comfortable with it.

AMA: What about the health needs of older Americans? How can senior physicians not just help fill the gap in access due to the physician shortage but even improve the care of older patients?

Dr. Harmon: One of the things were working on at the AMA and other health care organizations is advancing health equity by addressing health disparities. We know that patients of color tend to have better results when their physicians are people of color. They have better communication and they tend to be given better care when the folks that are taking care of them look like them and have similar life experiences.

I would say the same thing for older Americans. When someone in their advanced years is cared for by someone who is of the same demographic, I think we can expect that they're going to have better shared decision-making, be more adherent to the recommendations and have better outcomes. Also, I think we've been able to show that weve given good advice. We have a track record of competence.

And I'll tell you, older Americans do present a more complex burden because of the prevalence of chronic diseases. We have this old saying in medical school that the average person gets about a disease a decade. So, by the time someone is 60 years old, they might have six chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, lung disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease.

All these things tend to have a burden of overlapping therapies and interventions, and older physicians like myself have the experience to know that we don't always have to order a CT scan or a PET scan. I can examine a patient and have a good predictive instrument going forward. And I might be a little bit more efficient in utilization, or whatever health care matrix I'm giving those older patients.

AMA: Do you think the COVID-19 pandemic affected you and other senior physicians differently from younger physicians? In particular, was there any feeling that your decades of hard work were being undone as the health care system came under siege and physicians and other health professionals started quitting under the workload?

Dr. Harmon: No, but what was disheartening was the pandemic of mistrust that was laid on top of the pandemic of the virus. You heard me talk about that in an AMA Moving Medicine podcast episode. It was a pandemic of lack of faith in the institution of medicine.

But it also gave me an opportunity to step up as a voice of reason. Most people trust their family doctor, often more than anybody elsemore than politicians, more than journalists and almost as much as the military, which has always been one of the most trusted institutions. So it was kind of a bipolar situation: first a little discouraged, but then, hey, that's why I'm here.

AMA: So any plans to retire?

Dr. Harmon: Kind of. I've set an artificial date of three to four years from now just to reassess my situation, because if I don't do it by then I might wish I had. But Ill keep going as long as it's fun and as long as I'm making an impact and I dont have a major physical or cognitive limitation. The good thing about being my age is I realize time is relative and value is everything.

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How joy in practice drives Dr. Harmon in his senior years - American Medical Association

Family Medicine

MU School of Medicine to Award 110 Degrees at Commencement … – University of Missouri School of Medicine

Honorary degree will also be conferred to renowned orthopaedic oncologist

The University of Missouri School of Medicine will celebrate the graduation of 110 students in the class of 2023 at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 13, in Jesse Auditorium, 205 Jesse Hall.

This years graduating class includes 18 graduates who trained at the schools Springfield Clinical Campus in southwest Missouri. The Springfield Clinical Campus is a public/private partnership with MU and CoxHealth and Mercy hospitals.

MU School of Medicine alumnus Benjamin Schmidt, MD, was selected by this years graduating class to serve as commencement speaker. Schmidt is a gastroenterology fellow at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital who is known for his popular social media videos that aim to educate and entertain.

The 2023 class of medical students from the MU School of Medicine was highly sought after: 97% of the class received a residency program match, meaning many hospitals and health systems chose graduating MU medical students as their top resident physician candidates.

After receiving their medical degrees on Saturday, these physicians will go on to receive additional training in their chosen specialties. Many of the physicians 31% of MU School of Medicines class of 2023 will remain on the MU campus for their residency training. 44% of the MU School of Medicine 2023 class will remain in Missouri, and 36% of this graduating class selected residency programs in internal medicine, family medicine and pediatrics. Of those graduating, 71 are from Missouri and the others represent 16 other states and three other countries.

Graduates of the MU School of Medicine consistently score higher than the national average on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). MU School of Medicine graduates are trained, evaluated and expected to be competent in their ability to deliver patient-centered care, including their capability to communicate with the patient, family members and colleagues working as part of an interdisciplinary team.

The commencement ceremony will also feature a special honor. Kristy Weber, MD, the Abramson Family Professor in Sarcoma Care Excellence, Chief of Orthopaedic Oncology and Abramson Cancer Center Sarcoma Program Director at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine will be conferred with the honorary degree of Doctor of Science. Weber is a 1987 graduate of MU, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree after studying Animal Science at CAFNR. In her current role, she specializes in the treatment of children and adults with benign and malignant bone and soft tissue tumors as well as metastatic bone disease. She is the first female president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the worlds largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists.

Watch a livestream of the ceremony

Friends and family of the graduates can visit the University of Missouricommencement pagefor more information.

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MU School of Medicine to Award 110 Degrees at Commencement ... - University of Missouri School of Medicine

Family Medicine

Stay up to Date With AAFP Immunization Resources – AAFP News

Thanks to funding from Merck & Co. Inc., the Academy recently sent all active members full-color copies of the 2023 adult, childhood/adolescent and catch-up immunization schedules, which were developed by the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices with assistance from the AAFP and several other medical specialty organizations.

For convenience, members can also access the immunization schedules on the AAFP mobile app.

The materials give family physicians the latest vaccine-related information and recommendations, while also serving as a valuable communications tool that FPs can use in the clinic with patients who have questions or concerns about immunizations.

According to Richard Zimmerman, M.D., M.P.H., M.A., M.S., a professor in the Departments of Family Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, key changes for the schedules include the addition of COVID-19 vaccines; a notice of preference for enhanced influenza vaccines for older adults; and entries for recently approved vaccines for the prevention of hepatitis B and measles, mumps and rubella. These changes, he said, should decrease hospitalizations, conserve resources and reduce deaths.

I use expanded and enhanced vaccines in my practice to prevent suffering and to save lives, said Zimmerman.

For patients who express concern about vaccine safety, Zimmerman suggested briefly addressing any particular misconceptions they have, then giving a strong recommendation in favor of vaccination.

I focus on two direct messages: One, my family and I take these vaccines ourselves; and two, I, the patients primary care physician, recommend the vaccine for this particular patient, he said.

Another ACIP recommendation of interest to family physicians concerns vaccination against pneumococcal disease. In 2021 the FDA approved a 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and a 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, bringing the total number of pneumococcal vaccines licensed for use in the United States to four. While the increased number of vaccines is expected to improve vaccine coverage and reduce the incidence of pneumococcal disease, it has also caused some confusion among clinicians in determining which vaccines to administer based on patient age and vaccination status.

As a result, the Academy (supported by a cooperative agreement from the CDC) has created a free, 30-minute, 0.5-credit CME on-demand video for family physicians and other health care professionals that specifically addresses the ACIP recommendations.

The on-demand video features case scenarios designed to increase knowledge of pneumococcal vaccines and develop practices for implementing the recommendations. Individuals may review the education as often as needed to reinforce concepts and effect change in learner competence.

Participants who complete the activity will be able to identify

Zimmerman, who serves as speaker for the CME video, said that although pneumococcal vaccine recommendations are complex, vaccination will reduce illness and deaths from pneumococcal disease. Along with the module and the AAFP mobile app, he recommended that clinicians download the CDCs PneumoRecs Vax Advisor mobile app to help determine which vaccines patients need and when.

The AAFP is developing additional educational programs on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in young children and the importance of maternal immunizations. Watch the Academys CME webpage for these and other programs as they are published.

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Stay up to Date With AAFP Immunization Resources - AAFP News

Family Medicine

Prevention and Management of Chronic Diseases presented by … – Sentinel-Tribune

Espinoza.

PERRYSBURG Learn about the latest research and guidelines in cancer screenings, heart disease prevention, lipid and diabetes management, as well as practical tips for making lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of chronic diseases. As part of the Mercy Health Better Living Speaker Series, Dr. Nicholas Espinoza will educate and empower individuals on Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Way Public Library, 101 E. Indiana Ave.

Attendees will learn about the latest research and guidelines in these areas and practical tips for making lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of chronic disease. The program will also provide resources for further education and support.

Espinoza is board-certified in family medicine and has over 25 years of medical experience. He joined Mercy Health in 2016 as the Clinical Faculty and Medical Director of Family Medicine Residency. Espinoza received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine in 1990 from Ohio University. He is dedicated to providing medical education along with patient-centered, respectful, and compassionate care to all. Espinoza lives in Perrysburg with his wife and is a dad of two daughters.

This educational presentation is free and open to the public. It will take place in the Mercy Health Activity Center on the main floor of Way Library. Registration is not required. For specific accommodation requests or inquiries, contact the library at [emailprotected]. For more information about the program, visit waylibrary.info or call 419-874-3135 ext. 119.

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Prevention and Management of Chronic Diseases presented by ... - Sentinel-Tribune

Family Medicine

What physicians earned in 2022, in 4 charts – The Daily Briefing

According to the report, lower-paying metro areas often have older healthcare infrastructures and declining populations. Because of this, some physicians may be moving to other cities around the country for higher pay and improved housing costs, particular in mid-sized cities in Florida, Texas, and the Midwest.

With the COVID-19 pandemic leading to higher workloads, 68% of physicians said they were burned out, and 53% said they felt angry or anxious. In addition, 38% of physicians said they wanted to retire in the next year.

However, despite these increased workloads, many physicians said they still find their work rewarding. Overall, 73% of physicians would choose to work in medicine again if given the opportunity.

Notably, 99% of dermatologists and 97% of orthopedic surgeons were satisfied with their choice of specialty, whereas roughly two-thirds of physicians in internal medicine and family medicine would choose the same specialty again.

When asked about what they found most rewarding about their jobs, physicians said gratitude and relationships with patients (27%), finding answers and making diagnoses (25%), and helping others (23%). In comparison, some of the least rewarding aspects were having so many rules and regulations (23%), long work hours (15%), and difficult patients (15%).

Many physicians also generally felt that their compensation was fair, with a majority of physicians in public health and preventive medicine, oncology, and plastic surgery agreeing. However, this was not the case in all specialties. Less than half of physicians in OB/GYN, internal medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, among others, said they were fairly compensated.

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What physicians earned in 2022, in 4 charts - The Daily Briefing

Family Medicine

Honors Convocation celebrates ‘beautiful things’ achieved by OUWB … – News at OU

Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine held its 2023 Honors Convocation Thursday, paying tribute to students and faculty with exceptional achievements.

More than 250 people attended the 90-minute event held at Oakland Universitys Oakland Center.

The event is held annually on the day before the schools commencement ceremony for the years graduating class.

The OUWB Honors Convocation recognized everything from outstanding student and faculty achievements to excellence in diversity. (See complete list below.)

Two awards presented were new this year: the Deans Distinguished Professor Award (Douglas Gould, Ph.D., professor and chair, Department of Foundational Medical Studies), and the Compass Service Honors, which were given to graduating students who completed more than 150 hours of community service during their time at OUWB.

Duane Mezwa, M.D., Stephan Sharf Dean, OUWB, said he took time during the ceremony to think about all of the beautiful things were celebrating here. Namely, he said, the kind, caring, compassionate physicians that graduate from OUWB.

As the dean of Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, it is a privilege to be here today to celebrate the outstanding achievements of faculty, staff, and medical students from all four of our classes, he said.

Students expressed gratitude for the formal recognition of their achievements.

Margaret Bohr, M4, received recognition for several accomplishments: induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society; Compass Service Honors; Class of 2023 M1 Award for Outstanding Academic Performance; Award for Outstanding Performance in the Diagnostic Medicine Clerkship; and Glasgow-Rubin Certificate of Commendation for Academic Achievement.

It all feels unreal to have been just starting medical school four years ago and now be at the end of the road, she said.

Ive made a ton of great friends and had a lot of supportits exciting to be here celebrating with everybody.

Amelia Najor, M4, shared similar thoughts. Najor was recognized for receiving the OUWB Community Student Scholarship, and Award for Outstanding Performance in the Surgery Clerkship.

Being recognized for all of the hard work and effort we put in seals the dealwere going to be doctors tomorrow, she said. For everyone to recognize that weve worked really hardit feels good to be recognized. Im very happy.

Not all students recognized will be part of OUWBs 2023 commencement on Friday. Kevin Van and Fanny Huang, both M2s, each received an Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion Student Award.

David Howell, M2, received the Michele D. Raible Award. The award is named in honor of Raible, founding associate dean, OUWB, who died from complications from Acute Myeloid Leukemia just before the school welcomed its first class.

The award annually goes to a student who best personifies what Raible brought to the school someone who is compassionate, cares deeply about others, demonstrates a true love of learning, and functions as a mentor for their classmates.

Its truly an honor because there are so many qualified people, said Howell. Just to be considered is a privilege, but to be nominated and then receive the award is really something else.

Students also were recognized for induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Mallory Evans, M4, was recognized for receiving the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award.

Three students participated in the military promotion ceremony: Benjamin Collaer, promoted to captain in the U.S. Air Force; Adam Wahl, promoted to lieutenant in the U.S. Navy; and Brianna Walter, promoted to captain, U.S. Army.

Recognition of Distinguished Service Awards were given Mezwa, Robert McAuley, Ph.D., associate dean, Institutional Effectiveness and Technology, and Ronald Samarian, M.D., chair and associate professor, Department of Psychiatry. All three are retiring.

Several faculty awards also were given, including the first Deans Distinguished Professor Award that went to Gould.

Gould said he was filled with thanks and gratitude and took a few moments before the ceremony to reflect on his decision to join OUWB about 11 years ago.

Im extremely grateful that Ive been able to stay here for as long as I have and work with all of these great people that I have had the privilege of meeting, collaborating with, and befriending, he said. I really do view them as an extension of my family and its been a really great honor to receive this award.

Malli Barremkala, M.D., associate professor, Department of Foundational Medical Studies, was among other faculty honored Thursday. He received the Foundational Medical Studies Excellence in Teaching Award. He called it a big deal.

I started with the school in 2014 and Im coming up on my 10-year anniversary so this feels great to be recognized and given this award, he said.

Barremkala said it also meant a lot to celebrate with others who were recognized at the ceremony, including all of the students he worked with in the schools anatomy lab.

Its a great honor to be given an award at the same ceremony where students are being recognized for their achievements, he said.

Here is the list of honorees from the 2023 OUWB Honors Convocation:

Awards for Outstanding Student Achievements

Class of 2023 M1 Award for Outstanding Academic PerformanceRecipients: Margaret Bohr, Sienna Ringgenberg, Elizabeth Seeley

Class of 2023 M2 Award for Outstanding Academic PerformanceRecipients: Elizabeth Seeley, Brittany Silverman, Brent Yelton

Class of 2023 M3 Clerkship Awards

Award for Outstanding Performance in the Family Medicine ClerkshipRecipient: Corey Carney

Award for Outstanding Performance in the Internal Medicine ClerkshipRecipient: Moneb Bughrara

Award for Outstanding Performance in the Neurology ClerkshipRecipient: Brent Yelton

Award for Outstanding Performance in the Obstetrics and Gynecology ClerkshipRecipient: Benjamin Galen

Award for Outstanding Performance in the Pediatrics ClerkshipRecipient: Katherine Hole

Award for Outstanding Performance in the Psychiatry ClerkshipRecipient: Abiba Salahou

Award for Outstanding Performance in the Surgery ClerkshipRecipient: Amelia NajorClass of 2023 M4 Clerkship Awards

Award for Outstanding Performance in the Anesthesia and Pain Medicine ClerkshipRecipient: Andrew Lee

Award for Outstanding Performance in the Diagnostic Medicine ClerkshipRecipient: Margaret Bohr

Award for Outstanding Performance in the Emergency Medicine ClerkshipRecipient: Natalie Liogas-Deneau

Class of 2023 AMWA Glasgow-Rubin Commendation for Academic Achievement

Glasgow-Rubin Certificate of Commendation for Academic AchievementRecipients: Margaret Bohr, Camilla Cascardo, Stephanie Gappy, Sienna Ringgenberg, Elizabeth Seeley

Embark Competitive Scholarship Awards

2022 Kenneth J. Matzick Embark Program Competitive Scholarship, Manuscript of the YearRecipient Camilla CascardoSubmission Title: Surveillance of Dual-Mobility Hip Systems: Damage Mode and Clinical Data AnalysisMentors: Drew Moore, M.D.; Corinn Gehrke, M.S.

2022 Ravitz Foundation Embark Program Competitive Scholarship, Manuscript of the Year 1st Runner-UpRecipient: Eric JamesSubmission Title: Chief Complaint and Geriatric Depression in the Emergency Department: Assessing Risk for 30 and 90-Day ReadmissionMentors: Victoria Lucia, Ph.D.; Joan Michelle Moccia, DNP, ANP-BC

2022 Ann V. Nicholson Embark Program Competitive Scholarship, Manuscript of the Year 2nd Runner-UpRecipient: Sara DiltzSubmission Title: The Impact of Tumor Location on Cardiac Toxicity in Patients Receiving Partial Breast IrradiationMentor: Joshua Dilworth, M.D., Ph.D.

2022 Kenneth J. Matzick Embark Program Competitive Scholarship, Manuscript of the Year Honorable MentionRecipient: Flora MartzSubmission Title: Outbreak Risks at Religious Schools: Prevalence of Nonmedical Vaccination Exemptions Among Michigan KindergartensMentor: Mark Navin, Ph.D., HEC-C

2022 Ravitz Foundation Embark Program Competitive Scholarship, Manuscript of the Year Honorable MentionRecipient: George CholackSubmission Title: Casual Mechanisms in Basic Science Education - Do They Aid in Recall and Application Performance?Mentors: Stefanie Attardi, Ph.D.; Kristina Lisk, Ph.D.

Recipient: Nicholas MielkeSubmission Title: A Prospective Sonographic Evaluation of Peripheral Intravenous Catheter-Associated ThrombophlebitisMentor: Amit Bahl, M.D.

Recipient: Han NgoSubmission Title: Impact of a Structured Recording Template on the Quality of HRCT Radiology Reports for Interstitial Lung DiseaseMentor: Sayf Al-Katib, M.D.

Newman Family Foundation Embark Program Competitive Scholarship, Manuscript of the Year Honorable MentionRecipient: Claire McNarySubmission Title: Impact of Imposter Phenomenon of Medical Learners and Clinicians: A Scoping ReviewMentor: Edward Rohn, Ph.D.

2022 Ann V. Nicholson Embark Program Competitive Scholarship, Manuscript of the Year Honorable MentionRecipient: Mallory EvansSubmission Title: Leadership Training in Undergraduate Medical Education: A Systematic ReviewMentor: Misa Mi, Ph.D., M.A.

OUWB Scholarship Awards

The W.J. and Lillian Kemler ScholarshipRecipient: Dana Rector, Class of 2023

The OUWB ScholarshipRecipient: Andrew Lee, Class of 2023

The OUWB Community Student ScholarshipRecipient: Amelia Najor, Class of 2023

The OUWB Faculty ScholarshipRecipients: Stephanie Mrowczynski; Mitchell Pfennig, both Class of 2023

Beaumont Health Foundation Scholarship Awards

The Deans ScholarshipRecipients: Camilla Cascardo, Yousef Ibrahim; Eric James, all Class of 2023

Beaumont Foundation ScholarshipRecipients: Joshua Jones, Skyler Porcaro; Sienna Ringgenberg, all Class of 2023

The Schostak Family ScholarshipRecipient: Hayley Walton, Class of 2023

Beaumont Foundation ScholarshipRecipient: Yasmine Abushukur, Class of 2023

Awards of Distinction

Excellence in Diversity Awards

Excellence in Diversity Faculty AwardRecipient: Changiz Mohiyeddini, Ph.D., professor, Department of Foundational Medical Studies

Excellence in Diversity Staff AwardRecipient: Ann Voorheis-Sargent, Ph.D., LPC, director, Center for Excellence in Medical Education, assistant professor, Department of Foundational Medical Studies

Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion Student AwardRecipients: Fanny Huang; Kevin Van, both Class of 2025

Awards for Outstanding Faculty Achievements

Awards for Educational Excellence

Foundational Medical Studies Excellence in Teaching AwardRecipient: Malli Barremkala, M.D., associate professor, Department of Foundational Medical Studies

Clinical Science Excellence in Teaching AwardRecipient: Bhavinkumar Dalal, M.D., associate professor, Department of Internal Medicine

Foundational Medical Studies Excellence in Research AwardRecipient: Changiz Mohiyeddini, Ph.D., professor, Department of Foundational Medical Studies

Clinical Excellence in Research AwardRecipient: Girish Nair, M.D., associate professor, Department of Internal Medicine

Foundational Medical Studies Excellence in Service AwardRecipient: Jason Wasserman, Ph.D., HEC-C, professor, Department of Foundational Medical Studies

The Deans Distinguished Professor AwardRecipient: Douglas Gould, Ph.D., FAAA, professor and chair, Department of Foundational Medical Studies

Golden Apple Awards

(Selected by students in the 2021-2022 academic year)

M1 Foundational Medical Studies Faculty AwardRecipient: Sarah Lerchenfeldt, Pharm.D., BCPS, associate professor, Department of Foundational Medical Studies

M1 Clinical Faculty AwardRecipient: Elizabeth Wey, M.D., assistant professor, Department of Pathology

M2 Foundational Medical Studies Faculty AwardRecipient: Gustavo Patino, M.D., Ph.D. associate professor, Department of Foundational Medical Studies

M2 Clinical Faculty AwardRecipient: Jaime Taylor, D.O., assistant professor, Department of Adolescent Medicine

M3 Teaching Resident/Fellow AwardRecipient: Jacob Applegarth, M.D., Department of Surgery

M3 Clinical Faculty AwardRecipient: Allison Ball, M.D., associate professor, Department of Pediatrics

M4 Teaching Resident/Fellow AwardRecipient: Sean Masters, M.D., Department of Surgery

M4 Teaching Clinical Faculty AwardRecipient: Ty Kwaiser, M.D., assistant professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Award of Honor

Michelle D. Raible AwardRecipient: David Howell, Class of 2025

PRISM Mentor Recognition

Presented by Brittany SilvermanRecipient: Hannan Alsahlani, D.O. | The Alsahotties

Presented by Elizabeth SeeleyRecipient: Susan Bork, M.D. | Borkupines

Presented by Katherine HoleRecipient: Barbara Herzig, M.D. | Get Ziggy Wit It

Presented by Kelsa KazyakRecipient: Elie Mulhelm, M.D. | Elie Elite

Presented by Corey CarneyRecipient: Neetu Sharma, M.D. | Do NO Sharma

Presented by Sienna RinggenbergRecipient: John Tu, M.D. | TUne Squad

Presented by Mitchell PfennigRecipient: Kurt Wharton, M.D. | Wharton Jellies

Presented by Abiba SalahouRecipient: Angela Xavier, M.D. | Xaviers School for Gifted Children

For more information, contact Andrew Dietderich, marketing writer, OUWB, at adietderich@oakland.edu.

To request an interview, visit the OUWB Communications & Marketingwebpage.

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Family Medicine

Governor Kemp makes appointments to various positions – ValdostaToday.com

ATLANTA Governor Kemp made various appointments and re-appointments of 58 people to state boards, authorities, and commissions.

Governor Brian P. Kemp announced the appointment and re-appointment of 58 people to various state boards, authorities, and commissions.

Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority and North Georgia Mountain Authority

Governor Kemp has recommendedCharles Burtonto serve as Executive Director of the Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority and North Georgia Mountains Authority, subject to board approval. With over 34 years of experience managing resort properties, he currently serves as General Manager of Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa. Previously, he worked directly with Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge and Unicoi State Park & Lodge as a Regional Manager. Burton also served honorably in the United States Marine Corp Reserve for six years and was on active duty during Desert Storm. He and his wife, Stephanie, have two children.

Board of Directors of the Georgia Lottery Corporation

Caylee Nogglewas recently named as the incoming president and CEO of the Georgia Hospital Association and will step into that role later this year. Currently, she serves as Commissioner for the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), managing the $18 billion agency responsible for health care purchasing, planning and regulation, and improving the health outcomes of Georgians. Prior to joining DCH, Noggle was Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations in the Office of Governor Kemp and also served as Interim Chief of Staff. Before joining the Kemp administration in January 2020, Noggle served in various leadership roles at the Georgia Student Finance Commission and as Director of Physical and Economic Development at the Governors Office of Planning and Budget. She earned a bachelors degree from Millikin University and a masters in College Student Affairs from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Noggle has extensive experience in management, operations, and finance within Georgias state government systems.

Georgia Board of Nursing

Ryan LokeandAshlan Porterwere reappointed.

Georgia Board of DentistryDr. Debra Wilson, Dr. Don Spillers, and Dr. Brent Stiehl were reappointed.

Board of Review of the Department of LaborHarvey Persons, III and Bambi Riley were reappointed.

State Properties CommissionYi Jeng Jay Lin was reappointed.

State Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and AudiologyTracy Jordan was reappointed.

Georgia Student Finance Commission Board of CommissionersDavid Perez was reappointed.

Chattahoochee Circuit Public Defender Supervisory PanelAustin Gower, Jr. is a partner at Gower Attorneys at Law and a member of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association and the Columbus Trial Lawyers Association. He is a graduate of Auburn University and the Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law.

Eastern Circuit Public Defender Supervisory PanelFalen ONeal Cox is a founding partner at Cox, Rodman, and Middleton, a litigation law firm practicing criminal defense, personal injury, family law, business formation, contract law, and employment law. She began her legal career at the Eastern Judicial Circuits Office of the Public Defender and ultimately became a senior trial attorney. Cox founded Best Foot Forward (B.F.F.), a PCBA program which mentors 8th-grade girls enrolled in a local charter school. She also serves on the Savannah Classical Academys Foundation board, which works to benefit Savannah Classical Academy.

Georgia Agricultural Exposition AuthorityJoshua Whitworth is an agriculture educator at Madison County Middle School. He is a Georgia Junior Livestock board member, a Young Farmer Advisor, a livestock judging instructor, and a livestock show teams coordinator. Whitworth earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia before earning his masters and specialist degrees at Auburn University. He also earned a PhD from Murray State University.

Georgia State Rehabilitation CouncilDeborah Hibben, Cherise Mlott, Jennifer Page, Peggy Venable, and Samuel Verniero, Jr. were reappointed.

Matthew Barnes is an employment specialist with the ARC of Southwest Georgia Vocational Services Program, where he has assisted those with disabilities for over two decades. He also currently serves on the Dougherty Special Olympics Management Board, is a Special Olympics coach, and is the past president of the Southwest Georgia Rehabilitation Association. Barnes holds a bachelors in psychology and a masters of Education in Rehabilitation Counseling.

Lisa Leiter is a Transition Resource Specialist for the Cobb County School District. She is also an active member of the Metro Atlanta Transition Council and the Statewide Interagency Council. Leiter and her family served as the ambassador family for the 2013 March of Dimes Cobb Signature Chefs, and she was named Volunteer of the Year by Cobb Life Magazine in 2014 and awarded the 2018 Teacher of the Year recognition from the Marriott Foundations Bridges from School to Work Program. Leiter earned a bachelors of Science in Education, with a concentration in Intellectual Disabilities, from the University of Georgia and a masters of Science in Education with an emphasis in Secondary Special Education and Transition from the University of Kansas.

Michele Mason has more than 20 years of experience serving the disability and special populations community. She currently serves as the Disability Services Lead for the Technical College System of Georgias Office of Workforce Development and has held several positions in this field, including Rehabilitation Employment Specialist, Employment Services Manager, and most recently Board and Council Liaison for the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. Mason studied Human Services at Audrey Cohen College of Human Services, earned a degree in Organizational Leadership from Point University, and is a Certified Public Manager and Certified Work Incentive Practitioner.

Myndi K. Pryor is a mission strategist at Goodwill of North Georgia, where she also served as Senior Director of Career Services and Director of Workforce Development. Pryor has also held several positions at the Georgia Department of Labor, including Rehabilitation Unit Manager and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She holds both a bachelors and masters degree in Psychology.

Board of Natural ResourcesMark Hennessy is the owner of Hennessy Cadillac, Inc. In 2020, Hennessy was appointed to the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia, where he served until Spring of this year. In addition to his undergraduate degree, he holds an MBA in Management from Georgia State University. He and his wife live in Atlanta and have two adult children.

Board of Directors of the Georgia Emergency Communications AuthorityBilly Grogan, Billy Hancock, Alex Lee, Steve Nichols, and Ted Wynn were reappointed.

Barry Woodward, Sr. currently serves as a Lieutenant over the 911 Center and Tech Operations of the Decatur Police Department. He began his public safety career with the State Civil Defense Office, now the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, as a communications officer. Throughout his career, he has held positions in the DeKalb County Police Department and the Stone Mountain Park Police and Fire Department. Woodward is a certified police officer, firefighter, EMT, communications officer, and emergency manager. He also serves on the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council as the communications specialist on the advisory board.

Vernica Crockett has been the Coffee County E-911 Director for nearly 20 years. She is a member of the Georgia National Emergency Number Association and is a past vice president for region 9 on the board. She is also a member of the Georgia Association of Public Safety Communications Officials and is on the Georgia 911 Board of Directors. Crockett is also active in her community, having served on the Coffee County Chamber Board of Directors and on the Coffee County 4-H Board of Advisors. She and her husband, Willis, have three adult children.

Douglas Jamieson serves as the County Manager and EMA Director for Schley County. He is a retired Air Force officer, former County Commissioner, and former Vice President of Operations for Southwest Georgia Wholesale Builders Supply and Kings Custom Builders. Douglas retired from the Air Force following 28 years of honorable service as a Lieutenant Colonel and Command Pilot. In 2017, he was appointed to the Middle Flint Regional E911 Authority and has been serving as the boards Vice Chairman since January 2020.

Scott Wood was named City Manager of Riverdale in July 2014. With extensive experience in local government management, he has served on numerous boards, authorities, and commissions during his career. Additionally, he has taught local government classes at Georgia College and State University. Wood earned a bachelors degree in Political Science from Mercer University and a masters in Public Administration from Georgia Southern University.

Rhonda Chatham currently serves as Executive Vice President and Executive Director at Georgias Rural Telephone & Broadband Association where she works with state and local partners to receive broadband grants and improve telecommunication services across Georgia. Previously, she worked in accounting and in event planning for both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. Chatham earned a bachelors degree in Business Administration from the University of North Georgia.

Rich Johnson is Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs for AT&T, managing and directing engagement with policymakers and regulators throughout the state. He previously served as the AVP of External Affairs. Prior to joining AT&T, Johnson served as the Senior Director of Government and Public Affairs for the Technology Association of Georgia. He also serves on the board of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence and Education, Georgia 811, the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, and the Council for Quality Growth.

Bradley Andersonhas over 26 years of experience as a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the State of Georgia. He is the owner and operator of Low Country Cremation and Burial in Reidsville and the Glennville Funeral Home in Glennville. Anderson also currently serves as the Tattnall County Coroner and a certified police officer, having previously served as the City of Collins Chief of Police. He is active in a number of civic organizations, including serving as the past Chairman of the Reidsville Housing Authority, past president of the Reidsville Lions Club, and as a member of the Greater Tattnall County Chamber of Commerce, the Rising Sun Lodge 32, the Tattnall Shrine Club, and the Glennville First United Pentecostal Church. Anderson earned an associates degree from East Georgia College and an associates degree from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service.

Shanna Jackson Sheats has been a Georgia Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer for 24 years. She currently works at Jackson-McWhorter Funeral Home in Athens and is a Restorative Art Instructor at Gupton-Jones College. Sheats is a member of the Georgia Funeral Service Practitioners Association, the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, the Links Incorporated, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Sheats obtained a bachelors in Business Administration and an MBA from Piedmont College, as well as an associates degree in Science in Funeral Service from Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science and a masters in Pharmaceutical and Forensic Science from the University of Florida.

Georgia Public Service Commission Advisory CommitteeMatthew Bergen currently serves as the Fayette County Environmental Project Manager. Prior to this role, he was the Utility Service Manager for the Fayette County Water System and was General Manager at Rabey Utilities. Bergen is on the Georgia Utilities Coordinating Council (GUCC) Legislative Committee, the GUCC Safety Committee, and has been on the Fayette Utilities Coordinating Council for over a decade.

Chris Rotalsky currently serves as the Public Works Director for the City of Gainesville, providing guidance and leadership to eight divisions. He has served in several capacities within the Public Works Department, including as the Assistant Director. Prior to working in local government, his career in the private sector focused on project management and operations within the construction industry. Rotalsky is an active member of the Georgia Chapter of the American Public Works Association and has served as both the Chapter President and Chairman of the Advocacy Committee. He earned his bachelors in Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia.

Lisa McKnight is a damage prevention professional in the underground utilities industry with 25 years of expertise in natural gas regulatory compliance, pipeline safety, and public awareness programs for pipeline operators. She currently serves as the City of Lawrencevilles Damage Prevention Director and represents the city on several commissions, advisory panels, and stakeholder groups, including the Georgia 811 Board of Directors and the Leading Women of Damage Prevention Advisory Board. Previously, she served as Assistant Gas Director with the City of Lawrenceville and as a Lead Investigator of Regulatory Compliance. Her leadership and community engagement include serving as a member of the Lawrenceville Rotary Club, the Georgia Utilities Coordinating Council, and as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.

Georgia Board of Health Care WorkforceWilliam Fricks, Jr. practices family medicine in Albany, Georgia and is currently the Program Director of the Phoebe Family Medicine Residency, the Chief Medical Informatics Officer for Phoebe Physicians, and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia and Mercer University School of Medicine. He serves on the board of the Phoebe Physicians Group and has previously served on several other Phoebe Putney and Phoebe Physicians committees. Fricks graduated from the Medical College of Georgia.

State Board of the Technical College System of GeorgiaMike Long currently serves as the Agency Relations Consultant for the Southern Trust Insurance Company. Previously, he was President and Co-Owner of Partners Risk Services South Insurance Agency in Jesup, Georgia. He is a past member of the State Board of Education, the State Workforce Development Board, the Georgia Rehabilitation Association, the Georgia County Workers Association, and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Institute Advisory Council. Additionally, Long has served as Chairman of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, Vice Chair of the Wayne County Solid Waste Authority, and was a member of the Wayne County Industrial Authority and the South Georgia Hospice Board of Directors.

Georgia State Board of Architects and Interior DesignersCraig Buckley was reappointed.

Ralph Raymond is a Senior Associate at HOK and has worked on significant projects like Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Porsche Cars North America headquarters building, Solis Hotel Two Porsche, the Center for Civil & Human Rights, Emory Health Sciences & Research Building, Grady Center for Advanced Surgical Services, AstraZeneca Cell Therapy Lab, and others. He also serves on HOKs worldwide Technical Board. An active member in community and social organizations, he held leadership positions with the National Organization of Minority Architects Atlanta, the American Institute of Architects Georgia, the National Council of Architectural Registration Board, and the ACE Mentor Program. He also currently serves as president of the American Institute of Architects Georgia Board of Directors and the National Organization of Minority Architects Atlanta. Raymond earned both a bachelors of Science in Architecture and a masters of Architecture from Georgia Tech.

Alapaha Circuit Public Defender Supervisory PanelSuzanne Mathis was reappointed.

Appalachian Circuit Public Defender Supervisory PanelLynn Doss was reappointed.

Atlanta Circuit Public Defender Supervisory PanelJonathan Hawkins was reappointed.

Cherokee Circuit Public Defender Supervisory PanelHarold Choate III was reappointed.

Dublin Circuit Public Defender Supervisory PanelJ. Stanley Smith, Jr. was reappointed.

Macon Circuit Public Defender Supervisory Panel

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Governor Kemp makes appointments to various positions - ValdostaToday.com

Family Medicine

Medical students present their discoveries at PCOM South Georgia … – Moultrie Observer

MOULTRIE PCOM South Georgia medical students showcased their research discoveries with colleagues and medical officials during PCOM South Georgias first research symposium Tuesday.

PCOM South Georgia medical students showcased their research discoveries with colleagues and medical officials during PCOM South Georgias first research symposium Tuesday.

At Research Day, PCOM South Georgia students gave poster and podium presentations of their research and evidence-based projects.

Research Day here at PCOM South Georgia is an opportunity for our students to engage in scholarly work. It gives them the opportunity to ask a research question, go through the research question process and interact with clinical researchers if they do a clinical case report, Dr. Jennifer H. Shaw said.

PCOM South Georgia held its first Research Day program Tuesday afternoon. More than 50 medical students shared their discoveries while presenting their findings to colleagues and health professionals.

The annual symposium began with students attending a presentation from the keynote speaker, Dr. Herman Staats, PhD, a professor of Pathology, Immunology & Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine, Duke Human Vaccine Institute.

Staats's presentation, Development of Intranasal Vaccines for Infectious Agents, Drugs of Abuse & Food Allergy, focused on food allergy development and how to improve therapeutic methods for food allergies.

The medical students took the floor presenting their work to colleagues in the multipurpose room.

PCOM South Georgia student Comfort Orekoya conducted research along with Tiffany Pittman, Kylie Parrish, Grace Perry, Shiv Dhiman and Savita Arya on a case study called, Colonic stenosis in an elderly patient.

PCOM South Georgia Medical Student Oyindamola "Comfort" Orekoya is pictured in front of her group research project, Colonic stenosis in an elderly patient. Orekoyaconducted research along with, not pictured, Tiffany Pittman, Kylie Parrish, Grace Perry, Shiv Dhiman and Savita Arya todetermine the underlying cause of colonic stenosis, which is the inflammation of the small intestines, in a deceased 83-year-old Caucasian female.

Orekoya explained the study aimed to determine the underlying cause of colonic stenosis, which is the inflammation of the small intestines, in a deceased 83-year-old Caucasian female.

Her group analyzed Did the patient's colonic stenosis cause diverticulosis a condition where parts of the colon wall become weakened or did the diverticulitis cause the colonic stenosis?

Orekoya participated in research projects during her undergraduate studies but found conducting them at PCOM South Georgia was different.

What I really learned this time around was how to work in a group and research. We had to [learn how to] divide up the parts, have a group effort and get the results. Celebrating the results as a group was definitely a unique experience for me, and it also taught me that science is advancing in the healthcare profession. As medical professionals, hopefully doctors one day, we will need to use this research and knowledge to advance in the field, she said.

Daniel Santiago, MD, a postgraduate year two Family Medicine Resident at Georgia South Family Medicine Residency Program, took the floor kickstarting the 10-minute podium talks segment. Santiago worked with PCOM students Danielle T. Rosenzweig, Humaira Bibi and Woodwin M. Weeks of the Georgia South Family Medicine Residency Program on an analysis of vulnerable obstetrics patients: A needs assessment of migrant farmworkers in rural South Georgia.

Pictured from left are Daniel Santiago, MD, a postgraduate year two Family Medicine Resident at Georgia South Family Medicine Residency Program; PCOM students Danielle T. Rosenzweig, Humaira Bibi and Woodwin M. Weeks of the Georgia South Family Medicine Residency Program. The group members project was "An analysis of vulnerable obstetrics patients: A needs assessment of migrant farmworkers in rural South Georgia."

Rosenzweig said, We were focused on patients at Ellenton Clinic and what their barriers might be to accessing healthcare not only during their pregnancy but beyond. We gave them a survey questionnaire and it was presented in English and in Spanish. They rated on a scale from one to five what they felt impacted their access to healthcare.

Their findings were skewed due to survey complications. The students are reviewing their work and determining how they can move forward with the study to potentially provide resources to the clinic patients in the future.

Didem Aydin with Zizah-Wosseni, Blair Justice Dove and Stacie Fairley, PhD, found that there was an 61.9% increase in opioid overdoses in Georgia from 2019 to 2021. Through their research, Aydin said, the distribution of methadone clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) by county demonstrated that urban communities had a higher number of these facilities compared to rural communities.

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Medical students present their discoveries at PCOM South Georgia ... - Moultrie Observer

Family Medicine

U of A helpline to support new and expectant moms’ mental health – Arizona Daily Star

New and expectant mothers experiencing mental health and substance use disorderswill soon have an additional level of support with the rollout of a 24/7, Tucson-based helpline.

The Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Linewill connect providers across the state with specialists.Primary care physicians, OB/GYNs, pediatricians, family medicine doctors, physicians' assistants and nurses will all have round-the-clock access to experts who can help them diagnose and determine the best next steps of treatment for their patients.

The helpline, free to use, is scheduled to launch June 2 and is funded through a $1.6 million grant from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, the state's Medicaid system.

It was created by perinatal psychiatrists Dr. Saira Kalia and Dr. Kathryn Emerick, who work as clinicians and professors in the University of Arizona College of Medicine.

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It's focusing on perinatal patients but will support women along the entire reproductive health spectrum, from premenstrual to peri-menopausal, Kalia said.

There's a big need for a tool like this in Arizona, where the 915 psychiatrists aren't enough, she said.

"There are counties in Arizona that have no psychiatrist at all. Our ratio in Arizona is one psychiatrist to 8,000 people," Kalia said. "There's this limited pool of psychiatrists and then within that, there are even fewer who are trained in reproductive psychology. That makes it really, really challenging to provide good, evidence-based care, or any care."

With the launch of the helpline, staffed primarily by Kalia and Emerick, with support from an additional four or five psychiatrists, Arizona will become the 20th state to have this type of consultation line.

Maternal mortality rate

Kalia became interested in women's reproductive mental health when she was a medical student, saying her status as a Pakistani immigrant piqued her interest.

"Women's health is not exactly prioritized in third-world countries, let alone women's mental health, so part of what I wanted to do was (go) somewhere I could train in women's mental health. So this sort of work is a lifelong passion and drive," Kalia said.

In addition to her work as a perinatal psychiatrist, she also works as the associate training director for the UA's psychiatry residency program. She said very few programs teach women's reproductive mental health or offer fellowships, meaning it's not woven into regular psychiatric training.

For the last six years, Kalia has been running the women's reproductive mental health track and teaching the program residents.

Perinatal Psychiatrists and APAL Directors Saira Kalia, MD, and Kathryn Emerick, MD. The University of Arizona Health Sciences, Noelle Haro-Gomez

In early 2022, she realized that despite all the training she'd done, it wasn't doing much to move the needle when it comes to reducing the burden of perinatal mood and anxiety disordersand maternal mortality rate.

Each year, approximately 70 women die during or within 365 days after pregnancy in Arizona, of which 15 to 20 deaths are pregnancy-related cases, meaning those women would not have died if they had not been pregnant, according to the helpline's website.

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are the leading cause of complication in pregnancy and childbirth and affect at least 15,000 women per year in Arizona.

In March 2022, the Arizona Department of Health Services released a report showing that 98% of pregnancy-related deaths involving mental health andsubstance use were preventable.

To learn more about the Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line, visitapal.arizona.edu

Starting June 1, providers can access the line at 1-888-290-1336 Mondays-Fridays from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To learn more about Banner-University Medical Center Tucson's Family Centered Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Program, visitpeds.arizona.edu/family-centered-nas-care-program

The program is always looking for volunteer "cuddlers" to hold babies. For more information, contact Lisa Grisham atLisa.Grisham@BannerHealth.com

"That's gut-wrenching. That's when we were like, 'Let's do this,'" Kalia said.

More babies born with drug exposure

Lisa Grisham has been a neonatal nurse practitioner for 23 years. She currently works in Banner-University Medical Center Tucson's Family Centered Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Programwith babies who have been exposed to drugs or medication before birth, a population Grisham has seen steadily increase over the years.

On Thursday, seven of the 35 babies in Banner's neonatal intensive care unit were being treated for neonatal abstinence syndrome, with symptoms that include trembling or extreme shakiness, too much or high-pitched crying, sleep problems, tight muscle tone, poor feeding and sucking, vomiting and diarrhea and fever or unstable temperature.

The program involves treating baby and mother and involving family members in the baby's care while they are in the hospital.

"We recognize that to get the baby better, you need to also get the mother better," Grisham said.

Grisham and her colleagues try to learn from and connect with specialists in the community, but when they need answers on clinical shifts, they need those answers fast. She called the creation of the Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line invaluable.

"They know I'm a provider, they know I have an educated background and want to help moms but don't have these tools," she said of Kalia and others. "I can call them and get the answers I need to connect moms to the resources she needs, whether that be treatment, counseling or something else."

Grisham said that while the hospital has social workers on staff, they aren't around 24/7 and aren't always available. The helpline will help supplement those services.

With a five- or six-fold increase of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome between 2009 and 2023, Grisham called the need for a service like this greater than ever.

She said a lot of moms want to participate in the program and help their babies. Families in the program stay with their babies, hold and feed them. A family's participation reduces their baby's length of stay, and mothers are able to start treatment of their own.

"Some of the moms are already in treatment (when they give birth,) which is fabulous, but many of the moms are not because either they're afraid or they don't know where to go," Grisham said. "I always say it's never too early (to seek treatment,) but it's also never too late."

Managing preventable conditions

In addition to offering telephonic support to providers, Kalia and others will also track information and data.

They'll collect information about reported signs and symptoms; socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity of patients; the county in which they reside; and whether they're on commercial insurance or Medicaid.

This will allow organizers to connect with insurance providers and educate them about ways to effectively manage these types of preventable conditions.

They'll also offer free in-person and online training based on various providers' needs, including assessments, medication management, diagnostic techniques and more.

"I can say, 'I'm guiding you through this, please do it,' but they might be like, 'I'm still not comfortable doing it'," Kalia said. "We can come. We'll educate, we'll do training, we'll do clinical consultation, whatever they need. And hopefully between all of those pieces, we'll take some of the pieces off."

Kalia and Emerick looked first to Massachusetts, the site of the first program of this type, the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program for Moms.

"But I realized, their state is so different. The state of Massachusetts you can't compare Arizona to in terms of how they practice medicine," Kalia said.

Washington state more resembles Arizona in terms of size, rural areas and birth count.

After reviewing programs in other states, Kalia and others researched local resources and needs. They tested the helpline with a soft release, leaning into relationships with local providers to help test out the service.

The June launch will be half-time, as they test bandwidth and see how large the education component needs to be.

They're also compiling a county-based map on their website of maternal health resources.

Direct patient care is next goal

The goal is to expand the helpline program to involve direct patient care, which is offered in several states.

Kalia hopes that in a year or so, they'll be able to offer to step in for providers who don't feel comfortable diagnosing or treating a patient. They could provide consultation and recommendations and the provider could continue care. She calls that phase two and is writing the pitch for funding it now.

"That would help so much in building the providers' trust in us, in that we've actually seen the patient and we're sending them back," Kalia said. "But that requires a significant bandwidth."

Kalia said it's crucial to support women's mental health during pregnancy and beyond and help reduce the stigma around these disorders and about seeking help and support.

"I can't say that we'll launch this line and if we're starting to see an improvement, it's directly connected, but we can track things like, do providers feel more comfortable and are we sort of building that capacity within our providers?" Kalia said. "As that improves, then we can see the results."

American moms have shared how much time they would like for maternity leave. Buzz60s Keri Lumm shares the results of a new study conducted by OnePoll on behalf of SurePayroll.

Contact Star reporter Caitlin Schmidt at 573-4191 or cschmidt@tucson.com.

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U of A helpline to support new and expectant moms' mental health - Arizona Daily Star