NCOMA News

To see the latest news and updates from NCOMA, please check out our Facebook page.

February 15, 2011

NCOMA Supports NC State Bill 33

Tort Reform in North Carolina. See the Bill.

NCOMA Letter of Support

January 6, 2011

New Osteopathic School in North Carolina

Buies Creek -- John M. Kauffman Jr. D.O. has been named the Founding Dean of Campbell University’s proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine. His selection follows a national search which attracted candidates from throughout the United States. Dr. Kauffman assumed his responsibilities on January 3, 2011. Kauffman was formally appointed Thursday, Jan. 6 at Campbell’s Butler Chapel.

NCOMA Letter of Support

December 14, 2010

Carolinas Healthcare System Recognizes Osteopathic Training and Credentials

Carolinas Healthcare System (CHS), the largest hospital system in the Carolinas, and one of the largest in the nation, has voted to overturn its long-held discriminatory policy barring osteopathically trained and/or boarded DO’s from receiving staff privileges. Thanks to efforts by the AOA, American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS), and NCOMA, CHS voted to change its staff bylaws to allow osteopathically trained and/or boarded DO’s to receive staff privileges beginning December 14. See Dr. Elkin's daily report on Facebook.

News from the 2010 AOA House of Delegates

For News from the 2010 AOA House of Delegates, see Dr. Elkin's daily report on Facebook.

April 15, 2010

NCOMA Annual Convention and Business Meeting Held in North Hills of Raleigh, North Carolina.

November, 2009

• Dr. Don Jablonski sworn in as first Osteopathic Physician to become president of the North Carolina Medical Board.
  

• On Wednesday, November 18th, 2009, a historic milestone for osteopathic physicians in North Carolina was reached. The event was the appointment of Don Jablonski, D.O. as President of the North Carolina Medical Board. The Board which is also celebrating its 150th anniversary, recognized him as the first osteopathic doctor to hold the office. Dr. Jablonski a tireless promoter of D.O.'s advantages and involvement within the State's medical fraternity was selected and proposed to the Board by the North Carolina Osteopathic Medical Association, leading to his acceptance and climb up through the ranks of the Board. As North Carolina steadily increases its focus on the advantages that D.O.s bring to health care, it is an important achievement from a medical career of a relentless pioneer and advocate for Osteopathic medicine. Later that night, guests from the Board, NCOMA and NCSAOFP (an organization founded by Dr. Jablonski) attended dinner in his honor at a Raleigh restaurant. Dr. Beverly Goode-Kanawati, President of NCOMA stated "It is a true privilege to honor a guiding force and mentor to many D.O.s in the State; we are proud to recognize his ground-breaking career-long achievements."

News from the 2009 AOA House of Delegates

By Anthony Elkins, DO, NCOMA President

The AOA House of Delegates met July 16-19 in Chicago. Drs. Elkins, Suchecki, and Walker represented NC at this meeting. The following summarizes the happenings at the annual business meeting.

Thursday, July 16
This evening consisted of committee meetings to discuss the forthcoming House resolutions. It was highlighted by a Town Hall meeting with the AOA's Washington department discussing the imminent health care reform proposals currently progressing through the House. This is the most significant health care reform bill in our country's history.

The important issues have been summarized in a document available at the DO-online website at this link: Talking points on the Proposed Healthcare Reform Issues.

Many important issues and presentations are planned at this year's House meeting, which I will post on the NCOMA Facebook blog.

Friday, July 17
Reports of various House committees began this morning, including the AOA Executive Director's report on the state of the AOA. Mr. Crosby reminded the delegates of the AOA's unending support of DO advocacy during several critical issues this year, 1) the near closure of Tulsa Regional Medical Center due to financial woes, host to several osteopathic residency programs, that threatened to put 150 residents out on the street; 2) in Florida where the initiative to add an MD degree program on the campus of Nova Southeastern University was put down; 3) the same initiative at the University of North Texas HSC to put an MD program at TCOM was opposed by AOA efforts, physicians, and students.

The AOA presented Distinguished Service Awards, its highest honor, to Drs. Alvin Dubin, John Feretta, and Joseph Stella.

During lunch today, leaders in osteopathic medical education were honored by President DiMarco, whose presidential theme of improving OGME saw the development of 63 new osteopathic residencies this year.

Friday afternoon I attended the hearings of the Committee on Educational Affairs. The Resolution causing the most discussion was one which explored the possibility of allowing MD's into DO residencies. This idea seemed preposterous to me, however the rationale for the resolution was prompted by the fact that many osteopathic residency slots go unfilled, and if unfilled for three years will lose their funding from CMS. A study was done to explore the possibility of allowing MD's to take these slots so that they could keep their funding.

I testified that an osteopathic residency is meant to further the training of the OSTEOPATHIC physician, including OPP/OMT. I felt that that including MD's in the OGME training programs will cloud the distinction of the OSTEOPATHIC training & identity.

It occurs to me that if there is difficulty filling the osteopathic residency slots, we need to make the slots more appealing to students. Better marketing, adapting training programs to the modern student, and the STALWART promotion of the osteopathic ideals by positive role models (that's us, the practicing DO) that makes the osteopathic pathway to licensure an obvious choice for our students. Allowing MD's into the training programs does the opposite. As Jeffrey LeBoeuf, former NCOMA Executive Director put it, "If the ship has a hole in it, you fix it by patching the hole, not blowing apart the entire boat.
Saturday, July 18
The deliberations on House resolutions began. Some of the most contentious debates were regarding the idea that the term "doctor" should be reserved to indicate a physician in health care settings. In recent years, many other non-physician clinicians, who may have earned the title "doctor" in an academic sense, such as a Doctor of Philosophy, or Doctor of Nursing, by referring to themselves as "Doctor" has caused confusion among patients. Chiropractors have long referred to themselves as "Doctor" and "Chiropractic PHYSICIAN" often with express intent of representing their training as equal to that of a fully licensed physician.

The House felt it was a patient's right to know the credentials of the healthcare provider which should be clearly identified on their ID badge. Further, they opposed any efforts by non-physician clinicians to refer to themselves as "Doctor" when it was implied that they were a physician.

In North Carolina, in the Medical Practice Act, it is a felony to represent oneself as a physician who does not hold the degree of DO or MD.

Also on Saturday morning, Eugene Olivieri, DO, presented the AT Still Memorial Lecture, entitled "An Unfinished Tapestry," wherein he discussed the long history of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners' efforts to certify a DO's training to provide the public with confidence in their physicians' training. The NBOME celebrated its 75th Anniversary this year.

Following Dr. Olivieri's lecture, Dr. Martin Crane, MD, Chairman of the Board of the Federation of State Medical Boards addressed the House discussing the Federation's duty of ensuring competency of physicians and ensured collaborative efforts between osteopathic and allopathic licensing and testing agencies.

Saturday culminated with the inaugural address of the 113th AOA President, Larry Wickless, DO, a gastroenterologist from Michigan. His presidential theme will focus on preparing the AOA and the osteopathic profession for the monumental change that is imminent for America's healthcare system.
Sunday, July 19
The AOA's budget was reviewed and approved, as well as changes to the Reserve Fund, which is in place to allow operations of the AOA should there be unexpected financial situations. This process unfortunately includes an additional 5% dues increase for 2010. When taken in the context of dramatic cuts in spending, reorganization, streamlining operations, and better utilization of technology, this dues increase was still necessary to maintain a balanced budget. I am proud to report that the AOA does in fact have a balanced budget, something our US government is incapable of doing.

Sunday morning also represented a historical occurrence for the AOA as Karen Nichols, DO, Dean of my alma mater, CCOM, became the first-ever woman elected to President-elect of the AOA. Ironically, there has never been a female AOA President, even though the osteopathic profession has historically welcomed women. In fact women were well represented in the first ever class at Kirksville College of Osteopathy in 1896, a time when it was unheard of for women to be in the medical profession.

Our own Barbara E. Walker, DO, was re-elected as First Vice President.

Other new officers elected were: Joseph M. Yasso, DO, Second Vice President; Joseph A. Giaimo, DO, Third Vice President; and to three-year terms on the AOA Board of Trustees: John W. Becher, DO, John E. Bodell, DO, Carol L. Monson, DO, Ray E. Stowers, DO, and Norman E. Vinn, DO. Michael K. Murphy, DO, was elected to fill the 3-year position on the Board vacated by President-elect Nichols. Nicole Ottens, DO, was chosen as the Intern/Resident representative and Cory Maughan, OMS IV, is the new student representative. In addition, Carl M. Pesta, DO, was re-elected as Speaker of the House, and Ray L. Morrison, DO, was elected Vice-Speaker to replace the retiring Robert Seiple, DO. Dr. Seiple was recognized for his 14 years of serving as the Vice Chair of the House.

The House adjourned Sunday morning.

Barbara Walker, DO, of Wilmington elected to second term as 1st Vice-President of the AOA

North Carolina's Barbara Walker, DO, and President Emeritus of the NCOMA, was elected to a second term as 1st Vice-President of the AOA during the House of Delegates meeting July 17-19 in Chicago. Her dedication to osteopathic medicine, teaching, and the American Osteopathic Association has earned her this great honor for the second year in a row. Her leadership in this role helps the AOA serve not only NC DO's, but all DO's, and helps guide policy for the profession. Congratulations Dr. Walker! NCOMA is very proud of you!

D.O. News