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Attention Members!
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If you sent your 2009 NCOMA membership dues to the
previous mailing address, we may not have received your dues.
Please contact NCOMA at info@ncoma.org
to determine if we received your membership application and dues
payment.
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Our
Mission:
The purpose of NCOMA is to promote, advocate, maintain,
and support the philosophy of Osteopathic Medicine for the benefit of
the profession and the people of North Carolina.
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We hope you enjoy NCOMA's Summer Newsletter 2009.
Following is the most prominent news regarding NC DO's so far this
year. We encourage members to notify us of any news, announcements,
accomplishments, or concerns affecting you in your communities.
Though this newsletter is published periodically throughout the year,
you can stay up to the minute by visiting the NCOMA webpage at www.ncoma.org, or on NCOMA's Facebook page.
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Message from the President
Friends and colleagues, this is my last correspondence
as your President. In a few weeks the new NCOMA President, Dr.
Goode-Kanawati will assume my duties and continue the transformation
of NCOMA from a good to a great organization. I am sure you will notice
her enthusiasm and energy as she takes the reins.
We have had some notable accomplishments this year,
perhaps none more noticeable then the new NCOMA website and our new
management team, FirstPoint Management Resources. My presidency's
theme was "The NC DO," in that we are continuing to improve
this organization to serve you, the NC DO. We continue to be the
voice for all NC DO's in the state, and strive to support you in your
personal, professional, and academic endeavors.
NCOMA continues to advocate for recognition of osteopathic
credentials by every hospital system in the state. DO's are
represented on the NC Medical Board, and for the first time in its
150 year history, will have a DO as its president, Dr. Don Jablonski,
who will assume the role in November. NC DO's have no greater friend
than Dr. Jablonski, one of the profession's greatest advocates; and
David Henderson, JD, Executive Director of the Board, a long-time
friend of NCOMA. Dr. Jimenez, NCOMA Immediate Past President, serves
on the NCMB review panel, which is charged with making
recommendations to the governor for new medical board nominees.
NCOMA continues to represent your interests with the
AOA, as we are soon to depart to represent NC DO's at the AOA House
of Delegates. Dr. Barbara Walker of Wilmington currently serves as
the AOA's 1st Vice President, and will represent North Carolina,
along with myself and Dr. Slade Suchecki of Southport at this year's
House.
This year's CME conference, the "ROME"
Conference, a first-time collaboration between the AOA and a state
organization to sponsor CME was a great success and will be repeated
next year.
NCOMA continues to evolve, and as always, we need YOU!
Your participation in your state association is vital to making us
GREAT! New ideas and the expertise of our members are always needed.
Please contact us with any comments, accomplishments, and DO news.
Finally, please continue your membership in NCOMA, and encourage your
colleagues who are not yet members to join. Your membership dues allow
us to continue to work for you.
Thank you for a great year and the opportunity to
serve as your President.
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Meet the New Officers
During the ROME convention on May 8, NCOMA members
elected the 2009-10 Board. The new officers will officially assume
their positions on August 1, 2009. Congratulations to our new leaders
and welcome to a new Board member, Dr. Novembre.
 Beverly Goode-Kanawati, D.O., of Raleigh, will become
the next President of NCOMA. Dr. Goode-Kanawati has been active in
various NCOMA leadership roles for the past 4 years. She was
instrumental in the search and transition for NCOMA's new management
team. She is a family physician with a special emphasis on
endocrinology and thyroid disorders. Dr. Goode-Kanawati represented
North Carolina at the 2007 AOA House of Delegates.
 Slade A. Suchecki D.O., of Wilmington, was elected as
President-Elect of NCOMA and will become the 2010-2011 NCOMA
President. He is a family physician in solo private practice in
Southport, NC. Dr. Suchecki has been active with NCOMA since
medical school. He represented North Carolina at the AOA House
of Delegates in 2008 and 2009. He currently serves as a preceptor for
Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine (A-OPTIC) and
as a community preceptor for the Residency in Family Medicine at New
Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC.
 Donald C. Maharty D.O., of Fayetteville, was
elected to Secretary-Treasurer. Dr. Maharty is currently the Program Director
for the NSUCOM/DUKE-Southern Regional AHEC Family Medicine Residency.
Additionally, he is on clinical faculty at the Virginia College of
Osteopathic Medicine and the NOVA-Southeastern University College of
Osteopathic Medicine. He is a family physician practicing in
the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg Community for the last 12 years.
 Adrienne Fehr, D.O., of Wilmington, was elected to a
second term as Resident member of the NCOMA Board. Dr. Fehr will represent
the interests of interns, residents and students on the Board. She is
currently a 3rd year family medicine resident at New Hanover Regional
Medical Center and Coastal Family Medicine. She received her
undergraduate degree from Ohio University and her DO degree from Ohio
University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She was active in
medical school as an OMT teaching assistant and has advocated for the
profession at "DO Day on the Hill." Her interests in
family medicine include: obstetrics and gynecology, OMT, and rural
medicine.
 Emidio Novembre, DO, of Elkin, was elected as the
membership chair. He is an anesthesiologist with fellowship training
in pain management who has practiced interventional pain
management and addiction medicine in NC for the last 7 years. He
is the president and medical director of Revival Pain Management
and is on the clinical faculty of the Virginia College of Osteopathic
Medicine.
Congratulations again to the new officers. NCOMA will
continue to grow with the energy and ideas of the new leaders.
However, as in the past, the organization is only as strong as its
members. We continue to welcome involvement from all NC DO's in any
capacity in which they have interest and expertise. Each officer
welcomes input on how to improve NCOMA. Please contact them by e-mail
with any suggestions or to volunteer to serve.
Newly
elected NCOMA officers (L to R): NCOMA Executive Director, Beth Denny;
Outgoing President, Anthony Elkins, DO; President, Beverly
Goode-Kanawati, DO; President-Elect, Slade Suchecki, DO; Membership
Chair, Emidio Novembre, DO; Secretary-Treasurer, Don Maharty, DO.
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Highlights from the 'ROME' CME Conference in Myrtle
Beach, South Carolina
ROME was held at the Marriott Grande Dunes Resort
& Spa.
The first ever Regional Osteopathic Medical Education
conference, or "ROME," took place in Myrtle Beach from May
7-9. Co-sponsored by the NCOMA and the AOA, this first-ever regional
conference provided up to 27 1-A credits of high quality osteopathic
CME. The educational program was chaired by NCOMA's Dr. Elkins, Dr.
Jablonski, Dr. Walker, and Dr. Maharty. The program was designed to
combine notable national speakers with experts from the Carolinas.
The conference drew over 140 attendees: half from North Carolina, and
half from other states; and included 12 exhibitors, including the
NCOMA itself.
We were also proud to welcome some VIP's to the ROME
Conference. AOA-President-Elect, Dr. Larry Wickless, AOA Executive
Director, John Crosby, AOA Trustee (and ROME organizer), Dr. Suzanne Kelley,
NCMB Medical Board Executive Director, David Henderson, and VCOM
Dean, Dr. Tooke-Rawlins took part in the proceedings.
Some of the popular topics featured:
- Update on the
novel-H1N1 influenza, by Dr. Janelle Rhyne, MD, infectious
disease specialist from Wilmington. Up-to-the minute information
helped attendees distinguish important medical facts from media
hype.
- Easy Effective OMT
for the Office, by Dr. Peter Michaelson, DO, PhD, an NMM/OMM
certified physician who practices concurrently in North Carolina
and Germany, gave an excellent presentation and workshop. He
reviewed both common applications of OMT and some approaches
unusual to most American osteopaths, but common in Europe,
including indirect-HVLA techniques.
- Atrial fibrillation:
Medical Management and New Techniques, by Dr. Peter Wagner, DO,
FACC, from ECU, discussed modern medical therapies for a-fib,
and also showed some phenomenal videos of landmark procedures
involving DaVinci robot-assisted surgeries for radioablation
being done at ECU.
- Update on Healthcare
Reform, presented by Shawn Martin, director of the AOA's
Washington office, discussed the issues of interest to the Obama
administration compared to those of the medical community. He
assured us that, unlike Clinton-era reform measures, physicians
are "at the table," for these important discussions.
The annual NCOMA business meeting was also held at
this event. We welcomed all NCOMA members and prospective members.
Dr. Elkins discussed the state of NCOMA and its successful transition
to our new management team. The new NCOMA website, now up for 4
months, has been very well received. Dr. Goode-Kanawati, NCOMA
President-Elect, discussed her plans for improving communications and
networking among NCOMA members. Positive changes have occurred within
NCOMA to improve its usefulness, accessibility, and functionality to
members. Attendees also were treated to fabulous weather, beach and
sand, and a reception hosted by VCOM.
For those interested, the educational handouts for all
of the ROME lectures are available online at the ROME webpage.
ROME was such a success that the AOA and NCOMA intend
to repeat this CME event next year! Watch the NCOMA webpage for details.
Some photos from the ROME conference:
Mr. Crosby
addresses the attendees.
Dr. Jablonski, from the NCMB,
discusses important physician regulatory issues.
Shawn Martin discusses
healthcare reform.
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NCOMA celebrates the 150th Anniversary of the NC
Medical Board
NCOMA Board
members attended the NCMB 150th Anniversary (from left): Hal
Armistead, DO (NCOMA Past President), Shannon Jimenez, DO (NCOMA
Immediate Past President), Don Jablonski, DO (President-Elect of
NCMB), David Henderson, JD (NCMB Executive Director), Anthony Elkins,
DO (NCOMA President), and Beverly Goode-Kanawati, DO (NCOMA
President-Elect).
On March 19, the North Carolina Medical Board observed
its 150th anniversary. Our NCMB is the oldest continually operating
medical board in the country and is recognized as a model medical
board, as its policies, philosophies, and service to the public is
modeled by other medical board around the country.
Members of NCOMA's Board attended a celebration
honoring the anniversary at the North Carolina Museum of History in
Raleigh. Exhibits depicting early NC physicians, surgical devices,
medications, and documents from medical board and medical society
minutes were displayed.
The celebration themes made note of "Firsts"
in North Carolina's medical history, including:
- The first licensee,
Dr. Lucius Coke, 1859
- The first female
licensee, Dr. Annie Alexander, 1885
- The first
African-American licensee, Dr. Manassa T. Pope, 1886
NCOMA Board members were on hand to support our own
"first": Dr. Don Jablonski, DO, not only the first-ever DO to
serve on the Board, but in November will become the 150th President
of the Medical Board and the first-ever DO to hold this position.
Congratulations Don! NCOMA is so proud of you!
The night included speeches by Lt. Governor Walter Dalton,
himself a proponent of healthcare reform; Dr. James Thompson, former
president of the Federation of State Medical Boards, who recognized
North Carolina's Medical Board as an exemplary organization; and Dr.
George Saunders, the current NCMB President. David Henderson,
Executive director of the NCMB and a friend and supporter of NCOMA
and the osteopathic profession, was the master of ceremonies.
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Meet the new Executive Director, Beth Denny
I am excited to begin work as Executive Director of
the North Carolina Osteopathic Medical Association. The
transition of NCOMA to FirstPoint Management Resources was complete
in January and things took off quickly! I attended the AOA 15th
National CME Conference in January which was a wonderful introduction
and great opportunity to meet others in my same role. I was
glad to meet many of you at the ROME Conference held May 7-9 in
Myrtle Beach, SC.
I have been with FirstPoint Resources in Raleigh, NC
for four years serving as Executive Director for the American Society
for Cytotechnology, NC Chapter of the American College of Cardiology
and the Triangle Area Hotel-Motel Association. Prior to
this, I worked in the Wake County Economic Development Office of the
Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. I am a North Carolina native and
attended Meredith College in Raleigh.
Please continue to renew your memberships and recruit
new members so that the NCOMA can achieve its purpose to promote,
advocate, maintain, and support the philosophy of Osteopathic
Medicine. I look forward to working with you as we focus on the
needs of our membership. You may contact me at
info@ncoma.org.
I look forward to hearing from you!
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DO Advocacy Continues at Carolinas Healthcare System
As we have reported in the past, Carolinas Healthcare
System (CHS), the largest hospital system in North Carolina, still
does not recognize osteopathic post-graduate education. CHS, based in
Charlotte, has refused to amend its bylaws despite repeated advocacy
attempts on the part of NCOMA and the AOA. Unfortunately, the only
remaining avenues for change seemed to be legal proceedings.
Recently, however, CHS has called for meetings to
discuss the issue, the first of which occurred on June 12. The
committee heard testimony on the systems of osteopathic post-graduate
education and sought to compare this to ACGME training. The AOA was
represented by Michael Opipari, DO, chair of the AOA Council on
Postgraduate Training.
Dr. Opipari outlined how osteopathic training programs are evaluated
and approved by specialty organizations to ensure standards within
each program, a process analogous to that of the ACGME. He further
noted that osteopathic training was formally recognized by many state
and federal statutes, as well as by Medicare, the VA system, and the
military medical corps. It was also pointed out that some prominent
allopathic systems, such as Henry Ford in Detroit and the Cleveland
Clinic, had incorporated osteopathic training programs into their
systems when previously osteopathic hospitals were either merged or
acquired.
Dr. Opipari also noted that most allopathic specialty colleges
recognize AOA training and certification on an equal basis with the
ACGME/ABMS system for purposes of membership and fellowship
status.
The CHS committee requested additional information on
the osteopathic board certification process. A future conference call
is planned.
No decisions have yet been made on this important
issue. The NCOMA and the AOA continue to work hard on this matter,
which affects a DO's future opportunities to practice in the CHS
system. CHS operates 25 hospitals in North and South Carolina.
Affected DO's are urged to make themselves known to
the NCOMA so their voice can be heard in our advocacy efforts.
CHS believes that there are only a few DO's involved,
however, according to the NC Medical Board, there are 65
licensed DO's practicing in Charlotte alone, and 81 new licenses
were granted to DO's in North Carolina since the beginning of 2009.
How many more DO's would choose to come to North Carolina? E-mail
info@ncoma.org to tell us your
story.
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NCOMA Launches A New Online Career Center
In the next few weeks, the NCOMA will launch an
interactive job board, the NCOMA Career Center. With its
focus on the osteopathic industry companies and
professionals, the Career Center will offer its members-and the
industry at large-an easy-to-use and highly targeted resource for
online employment connections.
Both members and non-members can use the Career Center to reach
qualified candidates. Employers can post jobs online, search
for qualified candidates based on specific job criteria, and create
an online resume agent to email qualified candidates daily.
They also benefit from online reporting that provides job activity
statistics.
For job seekers, the Career Center is a free service that provides
access to employers and jobs in the osteopathic industry. In
addition to posting their resumes, job seekers can browse and view
available jobs based on their criteria and save those jobs for later
review if they choose. Job seekers can also create a search agent to
provide email notifications of jobs that match their criteria.
As a registered employer or job seeker you also have access to the
National Healthcare Career Network (NHCN), a network of over 60 top
healthcare associations and professional organizations. NCOMA's
alliance with NHCN increases your reach to over 7,000 resumes and
over 1,500 job postings - giving you more control over your career
advancement and a one-stop-shop to find targeted and quality
candidates.
Watch for the launch date email announcement!
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As of July, 2009, the NC Medical Board identified 1095
licensed DO's. In June, 17 new DO's were granted NC licenses.
Most populous DO counties:
65 in Mecklenburg County (Charlotte)
46 in Forsyth County (Winston-Salem)
45 in Wake County (Raleigh)
43 in Cumberland County (Fayetteville)
29 in Buncombe County (Asheville)
Enough for a
county medical society?
Most
represented specialties:
321 family physicians
135 emergency physicians
115 internists
66 anesthesiologists
61 radiologists
46 OB-Gyn's
46 pediatricians
35 psychiatrists
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Nominate Your Mentor for the
AOA Mentor Recognition Program
The AOA 2009 Mentor of the Year is someone who has
provided osteopathic medical students, interns, residents, and new
physicians in practice with invaluable advice throughout their
careers; teaching the lessons of the osteopathic medical profession,
and in some cases the lessons of life.
Through the Mentor Recognition Program, presented in association with
Pfizer, Inc., the AOA seeks to recognize these outstanding mentors.
While only one person will be named the 2009 Mentor of the Year,
every nominee is inducted into the AOA Mentor Hall of Fame. In
addition, each nominated mentor receives a certificate signifying
their induction and an invitation to the annual recognition reception
to be held at the AOA Convention & Scientific Seminar this fall
in New Orleans. The AOA Mentor Recognition Program honors DOs
who help shape the future of the osteopathic medical profession
through their involvement with students, postdoctoral trainees and
new physicians.
Mentors play an important role to the future of the
osteopathic profession and should be recognized as such. This
role cannot be recognized without the help of all members of the
osteopathic professional family. This is why we are requesting
your help.
Please visit www.DO-Online.org/iLearn to nominate and
recognize your mentors. Nomination submissions for the AOA 2009
Mentor of the Year award are being accepted through July 20, 2009. For
more information or questions contact Chaunessie Baggett at (800)
621-1773 ext 8141.
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North
Carolina Osteopathic Medical Association
1500
Sunday Drive, Suite 102
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