Your Help is Needed to Continue Moving This Bill Forward

The Medical Society of Delaware has jointly drafted SB 10 on Prior Authorization with the Delaware Healthcare Association. We are excited to announce that SB 10 will be heard in the Senate Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology Committee on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. This committee generally meets at 11:00 am. 

MSD is seeking physician and patient testimony on the impacts that prior authorization has on health outcomes. Testimony may be done in person or virtually on May 15.  If you are interested in sharing your story as part of this critical legislation or have any questions about SB 10, please contact: Lisa Gruss, External Affairs and Development Officer at lisa.gruss@medsocdel.org or 610-306-6951.

Surge in Suspected Drug Overdoses, Particularly in Sussex County

The Delaware State Police (DSP) and the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) are urging heightened awareness following a surge in suspected drug overdoses, particularly in Sussex County. Between April 26 and 30, 2024, troopers recorded a significant increase in overdoses, tragically resulting in at least one fatality and severe medical emergencies. Many affected individuals exhibited symptoms resistant to Naloxone, with some requiring intubation, and experiencing uncontrollable convulsions despite administering anti-seizure medication. Repeat doses of Naloxone may be necessary in these incidents to restore normal breathing. When caring for someone who may have overdosed, be extra cautious with powdered substances as they may increase the risk of substance ingestion or transmission. Preliminary investigations reveal that the substances involved were packaged in small, white wax paper bags typically associated with heroin. Testing is still ongoing to determine the composition of the substance. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available. The Emergency Department at Beebe Healthcare saw over 30 overdoses in six days, six times the usual number of overdoses.

Beebe Healthcare held a press conference on Wednesday this week about the recent surge in overdoses in their surrounding community and how it is taking steps to treat these extremely ill patients and outreach efforts in the community to provide resources such as Narcan Points of Distribution (PODS) throughout Sussex County. Beebe has shared a YouTube link to watch the press conference if you missed it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwfOUrmYf8I.

DHSS participated in Beebe Healthcare's press conference and is in coordination with the hospitals, DSP, and Department of Justice on the situation.

From Schedule I to Schedule III

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will move to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday this week. The DEA’s proposal, which still must be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), would recognize the medical uses of cannabis and acknowledge it has less potential for abuse than some of the nation’s most dangerous drugs. However, it would not legalize marijuana outright for recreational use. Once OMB signs off, the DEA will take public comment on the plan to move marijuana from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD, to Schedule III, alongside ketamine, testosterone, Tylenol with codeine, and some anabolic steroids that have moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence, following a recommendation from the federal Health and Human Services Department. After the public comment period and a review by an administrative judge, the agency would eventually publish the final rule. Rescheduling marijuana doesn’t make it legal to use recreationally, and it doesn’t change much about current state cannabis programs. Schedule III drugs are still controlled substances and subject to rules and regulations, and people who traffic in them without permission could still face federal criminal prosecution. Schedule III drugs can be legally prescribed by licensed health care professionals and dispensed by licensed pharmacies. Rescheduling could also help resolve a massive federal tax burden that has been placed on cannabis companies – which were effectively seen as drug traffickers for tax purposes. It could also make it easier to research marijuana, since it’s very difficult to conduct authorized clinical studies on Schedule I substances.

MSD April Legislative e-Update

On the last Tuesday of every month during the legislative session, MSD produces and shares with its members an update on new and previously introduced bills, critical conversations, and the status of MSD's priority legislative topics related to health care. If you didn't see the April Legislative e-Update, please click here.

Physician Practice Input Needed by June 30th

A national survey of physician practices led by the American Medical Association (AMA) is underway and we urge your cooperation with this effort. The objective of The Physician Practice Information (PPI) Survey is to gather accurate data on practice costs and the hours of patient care that physicians provide to support fair and accurate physician payment. The PPI Survey will be fielded through June 2024 by Mathematica. MSD has joined more than 170 national state and specialty medical associations and other health care organizations in endorsing the PPI Survey. Participation in the survey is voluntary but important. The information you share will be kept private, reported in aggregate, and used only for the purpose of informing the national estimates of practice expense per patient care hour.

A financial expert in each sampled physician practice or health system was contacted via email and mail and will receive weekly reminders from PPISurvey@mathematica-mpr.com with the email subject line of “Reminder: The AMA needs your input to support fair and accurate physician payment.” 

Additionally, Mathematica, Medscape and the AMA are reaching out to physicians in each sampled practice to alert them to their practice’s involvement and to solicit information on direct patient care hours.

If you have any questions or if you would like to speak to someone about this survey, please contact Mathematica at PPISURVEY@MATHEMATICA-MPR.COM, or via phone at 1-833-770-1032. 

USPSTF Final Recommendation Released

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released on Tuesday this week a final recommendation statement on screening for breast cancer. The Task Force now recommends that all women start regular, every-other-year mammography screening at age 40 and continuing to age 74, reversing longstanding guidance that most women wait until 50. The recommendation includes women at average risk of breast cancer, as well as those with a family history of breast cancer and those with dense breasts. The recommendation does not apply to people who have a personal history of breast cancer, who are at very high risk of breast cancer due to certain genetic markers or a history of high-dose radiation therapy to their chest at a young age, or who have had a lesion on previous biopsies. The USPSTF is also urgently calling for more research on whether and how additional screening might help women with dense breasts, and on the benefits and harms of screening in women 75 or older. To view the recommendation, the evidence and modeling on which it is based, and a summary for clinicians, please go here. The final recommendation statement can be found in the April 30, 2024 online issue of JAMA. A video, FAQs, an infographic, and discussion guide about the final recommendation are also available. The recommendations were also published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

FDA Approves Nasal Spray for Opioid Overdose

Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the availability of Over the Counter (OTC) Naloxone Hydrochloride (Naloxone HCI) Nasal Spray, USP, 4mg, following approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Amneal’s Naloxone HCI Nasal Spray, manufactured in the U.S., is a generic equivalent to OTC NARCAN® HCI Nasal Spray, a medication that is widely used to help treat drug overdose from opioids, including heroin, fentanyl and prescription opioid medications. More than two-thirds of all drug overdose fatalities in 2022 involved illicit, synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which is the culprit in more deaths under age 50 than any other cause. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in about 46% of overdose deaths, another person is present and has the potential to intervene. Amneal Naloxone HCI Nasal Spray is now available. Naloxone Hydrochloride (Naloxone HCI) Nasal Spray is designed to rapidly reverse the effects of a life-threatening opioid emergency by binding to opioid receptors and reversing or blocking the effects of opioids. It can restore normal breathing within two to three minutes in a person whose breath has slowed, or even stopped, as a result of an overdose from opioids — including heroin, fentanyl and prescription opioid medications. Naloxone HCI Nasal Spray contains the same active ingredient and dose as NARCAN® Naloxone HCI Nasal Spray, 4 mg. It is easy to carry and can be safely used even if opioids are not present. Narcan was approved in March 2023 for nonprescription, over-the-counter use.

Final Rule Issued Under Section 1557 of ACA Advancing Protections in Health Care

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) advancing protections against discrimination in health care. By taking bold action to strengthen protections against discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability, this rule reduces language access barriers, expands physical and digital accessibility, tackles bias in health technology, and much more. The rule will restore protections removed by the prior administration and help increase meaningful access to health care for communities across the country. Given the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in health programs and activities, the rule clarifies that nondiscrimination in health programs and activities continues to apply to the use of AI, clinical algorithms, predictive analytics, and other tools. The press release provides a summary, not any independent interpretation of Section 1557. The Final Rule may be viewed or downloaded at: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2024-08711/nondiscrimination-in-health-programs-and-activities.

Ensuring New Tests are Safe, Accurate and Reliable

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is revising long-standing rules to place laboratory developed tests (LDTs) under the same jurisdiction as other testing, which the agency says will help ensure better safety and efficacy. LDTs, used in a growing number of health care decisions, are in vitro diagnostic products (IVDs) that the FDA has described as intended for clinical use and designed, manufactured and used within a single clinical laboratory that meets certain regulatory requirements. In the past, such tests were typically manufactured in small volumes to diagnose rare diseases, however, these tests have grown in use as have concerns over their lack of regulatory oversight. The aim is to ensure that new tests for cancer, heart disease, COVID-19, genetic conditions and many other illnesses are safe, accurate and reliable. The FDA's final rule amends the FDA’s regulations to make explicit that IVDs are devices under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) including when the manufacturer of the IVD is a laboratory. Along with this amendment, the FDA issued a policy to phase out, over the course of four years, its general enforcement discretion approach for LDTs. The agency also issued targeted enforcement discretion policies for certain categories of IVDs manufactured by laboratories.

CDC Announces Results of New Large Study

A new study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology reviewed the health records of more than 55,000 pregnant people who received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy. The study found no increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-term birth, small for gestational age, gestational diabetes, or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. This large-scale study analyzed electronic health records data from CDC’s Vaccine Safety Datalink and compared pregnant people who received at least one mRNA COVID-19 vaccination in the first, second, or third trimesters to those who did not get an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy. 

Reimbursement Grant offered Through the Department of Homeland Security

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including faith-based organizations, can now apply for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) opportunity. NSGP is a competitive grant program that provides funding for projects that enhance physical security and cybersecurity to nonprofit facilities at high risk of a terrorist attack or other extremist attack. NSGP is funded through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and administered in partnership with FEMA and Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA). The deadline to apply is May 22, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. DEMA will host the following webinars for interested NSGP applicants: April 30 at 7:00 p.m. and May 2 at 12:00 p.m. NSGP is a reimbursement grant. Awarded nonprofits should anticipate paying for approved project costs initially. Reimbursement is then requested for incurred costs and provided through DEMA. 

Feedback Helps AMA Content Development Process

The American Medical Association's STEPS Forward® strives to provide physicians and their care teams with relevant, high-quality resources to best support you and your practice. User feedback is an essential part of our content development process, and we would like to hear from you. Please take 10 minutes to complete the following brief survey. Don’t delay—the first 1,500 respondents will receive a $15 Amazon gift card for participating.* All responses are anonymous, confidential, and for the AMA’s internal use only.  Click here to begin the survey. If you encounter problems in completing the survey, please contact STEPSforward@ama-assn.org. Thank you for your participation.

* After 1,500 survey participants have claimed a reward, the $15 Amazon gift cards will not be available. If you complete the survey after the rewards have been exhausted, your responses will be recorded but you will not be able to claim a gift card. 

Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support

Searching for a healthy lifestyle program to support patients with diabetes? The Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) is a clinically based series of services that provides self-management education and support.  

• It is often offered in a clinical setting such as a hospital practice or a pharmacy. It could be delivered at an employer health site as well.
• It covers monitoring of blood sugar levels, including newer forms of technology support, and medication therapy management, as well as nutrition education and clinical support.
• Programs include clinical experts, including Diabetes Care and Education Specialists, Pharmacists, RN’s, Registered Dietitians, and other Allied Health Professionals.
• Eligibility for DSMES requires a diagnosis of diabetes and a referral from a medical professional.
• DSMES is a covered by insurance as a health benefit. It is also covered by the Delaware Emergency Medical Diabetes Funding for those with diabetes who are under- or uninsured.

The 2020 Consensus Report showed those who participated on a regular basis were found to have significant reductions in mortality and A1C reduction of 0.57%. HEDIS and other quality measures look at the percentage of adult members whose most recent HbA1c is <8.0%. For more information, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a DSMES Toolkit and extensive background on the DSMES. There are several DSMES programs in Delaware, including Bayhealth, ChristianaCare, and I&O Diabetes Consultants in Millsboro.

Oral Health Issues Can Signal Risks for Diabetes, Stroke, and Other Ailments

The American Heart Association has launched a partnership with Delta Dental to support early detection of heart disease. Healthy Hearts, Healthy Smiles leverages the ability of dentists’ offices to notice signs of heart disease; for instance, chronic gum inflammation can be associated with coronary artery disease, stroke, and diabetes. That knowledge, combined with the fact that fewer Americans have paid regular visits to primary-care doctors since the pandemic, encouraged the association to pursue the program. According to a release regarding the program, approximately 27 million patients visit a dentist annually but not another physician. Under the partnership agreement, AHA is using its research around oral health and heart disease to develop straightforward protocols that dental professionals can use in their offices. Delta Dental will use those protocols in five test communities. Read more.

State Expands Electric Vehicle Rebates to Include Used Models as of May 1st

Starting May 1, Delaware will expand its Clean Transportation Incentive Program to include rebates for used plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) announced. The Clean Vehicle Rebate Program provides incentives for Delawareans and Delaware businesses to buy or lease new battery electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles, and for residents to purchase used battery electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles. The Delaware Clean Vehicle Rebate is not a tax credit. It is a cash rebate for the purchase or lease of a new or used plug-in hybrid or battery electric vehicle. The rebate must be applied for within 90 days of the purchase date. This program is part of Delaware’s broader Climate Action Plan aimed at reducing transportation emissions and improving air quality. Delawareans considering buying a used battery electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle should check the DNREC website, de.gov/cleancars, for eligibility requirements and a list of eligible vehicles.

2,000 Complaints Received in Three States About Fraudulent Texts

According to WDEL, E-ZPass users are warned to avoid a text messaging scam sending recipients to fake websites. The electronic tolling group sent an alert saying users have received a text from "E-ZPass Toll Services" sending users to a link to pay a toll balance to avoid a late fee. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has received over 2,000 complaints in at least three states about the fraudulent texts, in a type of scam known as "smishing." Anyone who may have received the text and filled out the false form is urged to contact their bank, E-ZPass, and the IC3. You can access your account through the E-ZPass program for the state you purchased your transponder (Delaware's link is here).

Joseph F. Kestner, MD Receives Academy of Medicine Flinn President's Award

The Delaware Academy of Medicine/Delaware Public Health Association presented their 2024 Lewis B. Flinn President’s Award to MSD member Joseph F. Kestner, Jr., MD, at their 94th Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony held on Wednesday, May 1st. Dr. Kestner specialized in pulmonary critical care medicine and pulmonary medicine and was affiliated with ChristianaCare. Dr. Kestner served as the President of the Delaware Academy of Medicine from 2006-2008. Congratulations, Dr. Kestner! An honor well deserved! Pictured is Dr. Kestner making his acceptance speech.

Christine Donohue-Henry, MD - Chief Population Health Officer, ChristianaCare

Gloria C. Okpah, MD - Resident, Family Medicine, Bayhealth

Please join MSD in welcoming the newest member(s) of the Medical Society of Delaware. As the third oldest medical society in the country, MSD has an amazing history. Thank you for taking part in our continued success!

Samar Mehdi, MD - Internal Medicine Resident, Bayhealth

Christopher D. Pritting, MD - General Surgery Resident, Bayhealth

MSD members are afforded a seven-day review period from the date of this publication to comment regarding applicants for membership. Please contact Michelle Seymour at (302) 224-4905 or Michelle.Seymour@medsocdel.org with any comments on the current pending member(s) listed above or if you know of someone interested in joining MSD. You could be eligible for a membership referral discount on your dues!

Physicians Converge on 1776 Steakhouse in Rehoboth

The Physician Emeritus section of the MSD gathered at the 1776 Steakhouse in Rehoboth Beach last week for an education luncheon. Brian J. Galinat, MD, MBA , is an orthopedic surgery specialist in Newark, with extensive experience in Shoulder & Upper Arm Surgery. He is the current MSD Vice President, Secretary of the MSD Holding Company Board of Directors, and Chair of the DELPAC board. Dr. Galinat shared an entertaining and informative presentation, “Choose Your Own Adventure: Our Journey Visiting All the U.S. National Parks.” Having visited all 63 National Parks in the US, Dr. Galinat shared some of the most memorable moments during his trips while also providing educational information about our country’s historic landmarks. Did you know Delaware had a National Park? You may have visited and not even realized! The next Physician Emeritus Luncheon will be on Tuesday June 11th at the University Whist Club in Wilmington. Dr. Brian Little will present, “James Parkinson re publishing in the 1870s”. Pictured is Dr. Galinat presenting his program on the US National Parks.

Blood Mobile Comes to MSD Office in Middletown

MSD hosted a blood drive on Tuesday, April 30th at the MSD office – the Blood Bank of Delmarva Blood mobile was in our parking lot from 1-6 p.m. and collected 22 units of whole blood and 2 units of double red blood. Why Blood Matters -- Every two seconds, someone needs blood. And every patient is different.

MSD is Now on Instagram

You now have more social media choices… Check out MSD on Instagram @medsocdel as well as Facebook so you never miss important updates! And, don't forget to subscribe to MSD's YouTube Channel. We're everywhere! To access our social media accounts, please click on the icons at the top of this newsletter.

You May Win a Cash Prize!

The Medical Society of Delaware has launched the 2024 MSD Green Office Challenge to encourage members to try the My Green Doctor environmental sustainability practice management program. MSD will give a $200 cash prize to each of the first 5 member practices that qualify for the Green Office Recognition Certificate in 2024. All practices that earn the Certificate will receive a special plaque and recognition by MSD for participating. My Green Doctor is a free money-saving membership benefit from the Medical Society of Delaware. Members use My Green Doctor’s “Meeting-by-Meeting Guide” in their office practices to learn how to adopt environmental sustainability, save resources, mitigate climate change, and help create healthier communities. The program adds just five minutes to each regular office staff meeting or weekly office “huddle,” making small changes at each meeting that really add up. Everyone in your practice can register as Partner Society members at www.MyGreenDoctor.org. Use the discount code MGDMSD to get full free access to My Green Doctor, save $60 instantly, and save $1,000s in the first year. Register today and watch the “Three Minute Video” that explains how easy it is to add My Green Doctor to your next agenda, to qualify for the Green Office Recognition Certificate, and to win $200. You can do this! Questions? Contact Michelle Seymour and she will direct you to Dr. Todd Sack, Executive Director, My Green Doctor Foundation. Thank you to the Delaware Medical Education Foundation (DMEF) for awarding a grant for this program!

Kind to Kids Charity Foundation: A Future for Every Child, All Year Round

As a year-round charity fundraising effort, MSD continues to support the Kind to Kids Foundation to make an impact in the lives of children and teens in foster care. You can donate items throughout the year from the "My Blue Duffel" Amazon Wish List. Your donation will provide direct support for a child in foster care. "My Blue Duffels" are emergency care kits given to children entering the foster care system. From the wish list, donors purchase items that are then sent to Kind to Kids to distribute. The children are victims of child abuse and neglect and are coping with trauma. Your gift will bring hope, love, and kindness to a vulnerable child. Kind to Kids Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit charity and your donations are tax deductible. Thank you for your support.

Sunday Breakfast Mission Clinic in Need of Physician Volunteers

The Sunday Breakfast Mission is a Christian rescue mission that provides overnight shelter, meals, and showers to men, women, and children every night of the year. It also provides a longer term residential program for a smaller number of people to support them out of homelessness. The medical team triages medical issues, treats minor acute illnesses, dispenses non-prescription medications, provides wound care, and attempts to connect people with appropriate community resources. There is a need for a few licensed physicians to help with a nurse-led medical clinic. The Sunday Breakfast Mission clinic is located at 110 Poplar Street in Wilmington. Physician volunteers are needed on Tuesday nights from 5-7 p.m. with a one to two times a month commitment. Parking is available on site or nearby. Please contact Dr. Cynthia Heldt for further information or Kelly Rivera, nurse coordinator.

MSDIS Corner

MSDIS has identified an affordable option for retired physicians looking to volunteer their services and in need of coverage for their volunteer exposure. To be eligible, applicants may not perform invasive procedures or do pre-natal work and cannot receive compensation or expense reimbursement for their volunteerism. It is affordable and as simple as completing a one page application. For more information, contact Sharon Ruth at MSDIS/USI at Sharon.Ruth@usi.com or (302) 397-0173.

Effective Team Meetings

Consider using an agenda template to make your team meetings more consistent and organized. Meetings should cover the essential business of the team, and other common agenda items might include a check-in (team members sharing about their personal lives), a shout-out (celebrating something going well), or a debrief (assessing the effectiveness of the meeting itself). Also include a bit of fun to promote team cohesion.

LEARN MORE:

Toolkits:

• Team Meetings
• Daily Team Huddles

Video:

How Daily Huddles Can Save Your Practice Time With Marie T. Brown, MD

AMA STEPS Forward^® offers a collection of engaging and interactive educational content designed to help put the joy back into medicine.

Information on Recent Product Recalls and Safety Announcements

Disposable Biopsy Needle Kit for Leksell Stereotactic System

Elekta Instrument AB is recalling Disposable Biopsy Needles (911933) from one batch (837838839), which can contain some microscopic stainless-steel debris on the inside of the biopsy needle. The presence of debris in biopsy samples can hinder examination and delay the process. Moreover, there's a risk of debris being deposited in the brain, which could affect future MRI scans, potentially rendering them useless or unobtainable. The FDA has identified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. Use of these devices may cause serious injuries or death.

SonarMed Airway Monitors

SonarMed Inc. is recalling the SonarMed Airway monitoring system because of a software issue resulting in failure to detect a partial obstruction within 2.5 mm sensors and extending up to 3mm distal to the sensor tip. The FDA has identified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. Use of these devices may cause serious injuries or death.

VITEK 2 AST Kit

BioMérieux is recalling their VITEK 2 AST cards, an Antimicrobial Sensitivity Testing kit, due to a higher concentration of Ceftriaxone antibiotic in 2 wells. This kit is used for testing how sensitive bacteria are to antibiotics. The FDA has identified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. Use of these devices may cause serious injuries or death. Please be aware, this recall is a correction, not a product removal.

Bayhealth

Bayhealth is committed to helping community members take control of their health by providing convenient ways to keep up with regular screenings. Throughout Skin Cancer Awareness Month in May Bayhealth is offering free skin screenings in Dover and Milford for community members aged 18 or older. Registration is open for each of the dates and locations below. Visit Bayhealth.org/Skin-Screenings to choose a date and register.

• Saturday, May 11, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., 1074 S. State St., Dover, DE 19901
• Monday, May 13, 3-5 p.m., 100 Wellness Way, Milford, DE 19963
• Monday, May 20, 9 a.m. to noon, 737 S. Queen St., Suite 1, Dover, DE 19904

Bayhealth announced the success of its 39th Annual Bayhealth Foundation Dover Motor Speedway Golf Tournament, held to raise funds for the Bayhealth Cancer Institute. The event, which took place at Wild Quail Golf & Country Club in Camden Wyoming, Delaware, saw an enthusiastic turnout of participants and supporters, all dedicated to the fight against cancer. The tournament showcased Bayhealth’s commitment to supporting vital cancer treatment programs at the Bayhealth Cancer Institute. Through sponsorships, donations, and participation fees, the event exceeded expectations, raising $80,000 to advance cancer care in the region.

Beebe Healthcare

Beebe Healthcare’s R. Randall Rollins Center for Medical Education is proud to announce that its Family Medicine Residency program is one of just 25 across the country that has been selected to participate in a special pilot project facilitated by the Society for Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM). The project is designed to elevate the importance of competency-based medical education while integrating a more individualized and personalized approach to learning for medical residents. In addition to implementing new hands-on approaches in the clinical training environment, the STFM program will put new technologies in the hands of residency program leaders, who will be spending more time on direct observation as they are working with clinical residents. The goal is to allow for real-time assessments in medical training environments. Additionally, the program promotes the importance of communication, teamwork, and leadership from a professional development standpoint, and work/life balance and wellness on a personal level.

May 7 - 61st Annual William J. Holloway Infectious Disease Symposium, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., virtual and in person at the John H. Ammon Education Center, ChristianaCare Newark Campus. This activity has been approved for a maximum of 5 AMA PRA Category 1 credit.

May 15 - Quality Insights and AmeriHealth Caritas present Evidence-Based Opportunities to Improve Diabetes and Prediabetes Control and Prevention, 12:00-1:00 p.m., virtual. This activity has been approved for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 credit.

October 29 - SAVE THE DATE! 28th Annual Delaware Healthcare Forum, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Bally's Dover Casino Resort, Rollins Center, Dover.

September 19 - SAVE THE DATE! DAFP Geriatric Medicine Symposium, ChristianaCare, Newark.

October 19 - DAFP Research & Education Foundation Healthcare Heroes 5k, Cape Henlopen State Park.

November 23 - SAVE THE DATE! MSD Annual Meeting and Presidential Reception, Bally's Dover Casino Resort

February 28-March 4, 2025 - SAVE THE DATE! Medical Society Consortium on Climate & Health 2025 Annual Meeting, Arlington, VA (In-person congressional visits will held in Washington, DC).

• Information for Delaware Medical Professionals - https://publichealthalerts.delaware.gov/mpox/

The CDC website now features a new page dedicated to the current situation on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus (“H5N1 bird flu”) in mammals. The page includes information on the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in dairy cows in the U.S., the risk to people, a timeline of documented mammalian infections in the U.S. and globally, and a list of related links. Learn more.

The Latin phrase Rerum Cognoscere translates to learn, examine, or become aware of facts or things. In this section, we highlight measurable items of interest in health care from MSD, Delaware, the US, and the world.