VMS Releases Fall Schedule for Calls with the Commissioner of Health
The VMS has released its new Fall 2021 schedule for calls with Department of Health Commissioner Mark Levine, M.D. Dr. Levine will provide the latest updates on the COVID-19 virus and answer your clinical questions on Thursdays Sept. 2, Oct. 21, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2 from 12:30 – 1:00pm. Click here for the schedule.
On Thursdays Sept. 16, Oct. 7, Nov. 18 and Dec. 16, from 12:30 – 1:00pm VMS will host it’s COVID-19 call with local experts on relevant clinical issues facing Vermont health care clinicians. These conversations will be designed to cover the most pressing COVID-related issues atthe time of the call, such as school mitigation measures or vaccine boosters. Please join us and reach out to Stephanie Winters at swinters@vtmd.org to share topics of interest.
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86726253105?pwd=VkVuNTJ1ZFQ2R3diSVdqdlJ2ZG4yQT09
Meeting ID: 867 2625 3105 / Password: 540684
Dial In: 1 646 876 9923 / Meeting ID: 867 2625 3105 / Password: 540684
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Vermont Medical Organizations Urge Continued Masking in Schools
On Tuesday, the American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter, Vermont Medical Society, Vermont Academy of Family Physicians, and the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital published a press release urging continued universal masking in schools to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The medical organizations specifically recommended continued universal masking regardless of vaccination status or school vaccination rate for students and staff until those under 12 years of age have had the opportunity to be vaccinated and when epidemiologic data tells us it is safe to remove masks.The Vermont Child Health Improvement Program in collaboration with the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital and the American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter released updated guidance for triage, evaluation, testing and return to school to assist clinicians in decision-making.
Resources:
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Coming Soon – Funding for Practices Caring for Immigrants In October of 2021, the State will release an opportunity for practices to receive funding for furnishing health care services to pregnant persons and children who would be eligible for Vermont Medicaid EXCEPT for their immigration status. Health care services furnished for dates of service on/after July 1, 2021 will be eligible for funding through this opportunity. This funding will provide a bridge to the state-funded program that will begin summer of 2022 if the Vermont Legislature provides funding for the program during the next legislative session. Practices can learn more at the following link and more details will be coming this fall: https://dvha.vermont.gov/information-for-non-citizens/act-48-funding-providers and https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2022/H.430
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FDA/CDC Warn Against Use of Ivermectin to Prevent and Treat COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health alert warning physicians and the public about the rise in prescriptions for the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin for use in the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. The CDC also cautioned about the risk of severe illness caused by ivermectin, which was seen in increased calls to poison centers. Current NIH Treatment Guidelines state that there is insufficient evidence to recommend either for or against the use of ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19 outside of clinical trials. This recommendation is consistent with the Infectious Disease Society of America’s Guidelines on the Treatment and Management of Patients with COVID-19, which suggests against the use of ivermectin in hospitalized patients and ambulatory persons with COVID-19, outside of the context of a clinical trial. Additionally, there is no evidence to suggest that ivermectin can prevent you from becoming infected with COVID-19. For additional information see the FDA Information Page and the FDA Ivermectin FAQ.
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Vermont Vaccine Update Includes 2021/2022 Flu Season Information
The Vermont Health Department Immunization Program published their "Vermont Vaccine Program Update" for August, 2021. This Update includes important information for health care clinicians on the COVID-19 vaccine, ordering flu vaccine for the 2021/2022 season and setting up flu clinics as well. Click here to read the full Vaccine Update.
VMS Governor’s Press Conference Notes from Tuesday, August 31, 2021
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Action Required: Feedback on Vermont's Proposed DNR/COLST Order
A subgroup of the Palliative Care Task Force has been working on revisions to Vermont’s DNR/COLST order over the spring and summer of 2021. The Task Force is seeking final stakeholder input for consideration before the Department of Health moves forward and adopts a new Vermont DNR/COLST form which will be effective January 1, 2022. Please review the current draft Vermont DNR/COLST order form and contact Cindy Bruzzese at cbruzzese@vtethicsnetwork.org with any additional comments or suggestions by NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 30, 2021. All comments will be compiled and shared directly with the Department of Health for review and consideration.
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Relocation Funds Available for Newly Hired Health Care Workers The Vermont legislature has funded a New Relocating Worker Grant, with a maximum award of $7,500, to encourage workers to move to Vermont to work for Vermont employers. Eligible applicants include someone who, on or after July 1, 2021:
- Relocated to Vermont, became a full-time resident; and
- Became a full-time employee of a Vermont employer; and
- Is employed in an occupation identified by the Vermont Department of Labor in its Short Term Occupational Projections with the Most Openings (including many health care positions).
For more information, visit: https://thinkvermont.com/relocation-incentives/
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COMIRNATY Update Calls Through 2021
Pfizer Vaccines US Medical Affairs team will be hosting “Medical Updates: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, also known as COMIRNATY® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA),” on Tuesdays, at 5pm ET and Thursday’s at 12pm ET for the remainder of 2021.
The topics for the current sessions, subject to change, include:
- FDA approval in individuals 16 years of age and older
- Third dose authorization for immunocompromised persons
- Packaging update
- Shelf-life extension and temperature range
- Storage, handling & administration.
Please click on the links below to join the sessions at the designated times over the next several weeks:
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Register Today for the 2021 Annual & Collaborative Meeting! Have you registered yet for the 208th Annual and Collaborative Meeting yet? We are going to provide virtual participation options or you can join us at Topnotch Resort in Stowe. We are still polishing our agenda, but we have confirmed some meaningful sessions for the afternoons of Friday, November 5th and Saturday, November 6th. Register now and engage in a "Primary Care Investment" Panel discussion, listen to Greta Spottswood, M.D. present on the "Child Psychiatry Access Program," and learn more about Long COVID-19.
Also, this is the last week for you to provide feedback on the four proposed 2021 Policy Resolutions that will be voted on at the 208th Annual and Collaborative Meeting, on November 6th, 2021. Each VMS member was sent a survey with a unique link to submit your feedback and non-binding comments on the resolutions between August 10th and September 7th, 2021. If you did not receive a link, comments can also be emailed to jsudhoffguerin@vtmd.org. Voting on the policy resolutions will take place during the live, in-person and virtual VMS Member Business Meeting, Saturday, November 6th from 9am – 12pm. Click for more information and to register for the virtual 2021 VMS Annual Meeting. |
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University of Vermont Project ECHO Enhanced Diagnosis and Management of Dementia by the Primary Care Team This program will discuss evidence-based care, diagnosis, and management of individuals with dementia. The primary target audiences are teams of primary care providers, nurses, and social workers/case managers who work in primary care practices throughout Vermont. The program is inclusive of caregiver roles and aims for person and family-centered dementia care. Participants can receive 1.5 Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits for each learning session attended, up to 13.5 CMEs for the series. This educational series runs from September 16th to May 19th. This program is free to participants and has limited enrollment. Register here by September 2nd, 2021. |
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NEW Webinar: What Health Care Providers Need to Know About Information Sharing and The Info-blocking Regulations The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) is hosting a series of webinars to discuss the information blocking requirements of the 21st Century Cures Act. This initial webinar is a physician-focused presentation covering key aspects of their regulations focused on information blocking and provides an opportunity to ask questions and get answers from ONC’s experts. This webinar will be held on September 14, 2021 from 1-2pm EST. |
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Primary Care Sports Medicine Conference - Virtual
Thursday, September 16, 2021 Dr. Kimberly Sikule invites you to attend this virtual conference, designed to update knowledge and skills in the diagnosis and management of common sports medicine problems. Held in conjunction with the Wilderness Medicine Conference, with discounted registration fees for attending both. Registration here, with complete program and accreditation information.
The 3rd Annual Wilderness Medicine Conference
Friday, September 17, 2021
Sugarbush Resort in Warren, VT
Please join Dr. Kimberly Sikule and other faculty and local experts at the Sugarbush Resort in Warren, VT for in-person, hands-on learning! Registration here with complete program and accreditation information.
See all the Primary Care conferences offered through UVM CMIE this Fall: https://conta.cc/3za4c5H Questions: Contact Michele Morin at Michele.morin@med.uvm.edu or 802-656-2292. |
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Webinar: Technology Creates Calming Environment for Pediatric
Mental Health Emergencies
Thursday, September 23rd, 2021, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST Pediatric emergency department visits for mental health
conditions increased significantly during the pandemic — further exacerbating
the urgent need for creative solutions for struggling youth. Join Children’s
Health in Dallas and Philips and Recornect to learn how environment changes can
help de-escalate stressful medical emergencies and how to co-create an
innovative solution with technology companies. Register here. |
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24th Women’s
Health and Cancer Conference: Friday, October 1, 2021 – Save the date: the UVM Cancer Center will once
again bring together health care professionals, patients, survivors, caregivers
and the general public for this event which is aimed at empowering and
supporting individuals and communities with knowledge about cancer prevention,
detection, treatment and survivorship. Registration will be available in June.
For more information click here. |
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Sponsored jointly bythe Mayo Clinic,
Stanford University and the American Medical Association
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American Conference
on Physician Health
October 7- 9, 2021 “Achieving the quadruple aim: Resilient systems in times of crisis.” Joint scientific conference that promotes scientific research and discourse on health system infrastructure, and the actionable steps organizations like yours can take to improve physician well-being.
- Registration rates: Available through Thursday, Sept. 23.
- To register for conference and view agenda, visit the ACPH 2021 homepage.
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Vermont Medical Society 134 Main Street Montpelier, VT 05602 -- Unsubscribe -- |
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