As you may know, our organization is a member of the Parent Information Network (PIN). PIN is a coalition of groups advocating for vaccines and vaccine use in Michigan. And in the wake of the COVID-19, their work could not be more important.

Since the onset of the pandemic, immunization rates for vaccine-preventable diseases like the measles, mumps and rubella have fallen off dramatically here in Michigan. According to a study published by the CDC earlier this year, vaccination rates overall for children 18 and younger dropped by more than 20 percent, leaving far too many children and communities unprotected and vulnerable to outbreaks of potentially deadly, completely preventable conditions.

It’s a serious problem and one that PIN is working to address as the world begins to return to a more normal state with children returning to school in the fall.

As part of that back-to-school effort, PIN is asking parents around the state to pledge to have their child’s immunizations up to date before returning to the classroom.  

Taking the pledge to get caught up has never been more important.

With social distancing requirements easing and in-person learning returning this fall, the conditions will be just right for a serious outbreak of a highly contagious and potentially deadly communicable disease like the measles.

That’s something we can prevent, but only if we all do our part to see that our children are caught up on their routine immunizations. Please take the pledge today and ask others to do the same. Getting our children caught-up on routine, life-saving immunizations before the start of the coming school year could very well save lives—that alone should be reason enough to take the pledge.

MAOFP is now accepting advertisements for the 2021 Spring Issue of the MAOFP Connections Newsletter. This digital publication focuses on best practices, trends, and legislative news impacting the field of osteopathic family medicine. The current issue of the publication is available to the public until the next issue is released. The deadline to apply as an advertiser for the upcoming issue is Friday, April 16. Learn more here. 

Consider serving on the MAOFP Board of Directors and bring your experience to the table to influence and make a difference for family medicine in Michigan. Learn more and apply here. 

THANK YOU! The House has been hearing from MI patients living chronic conditions whose access to effective treatment is often made possible through copay assistance, and they just passed HB 4353! We ask the Senate to do the same! http://ow.ly/Djus50E7GVV

MAOFP is now accepting applicants for the 2021 Mentor Program. The program facilitates meaningful one-on-one mentorship opportunities where experienced physicians share expertise and guidance with students, residents, and new physicians. Interested mentors and mentees should apply by March 15. Learn more about the program here.

MAOFP is requesting nominations for our prestigious awards:

• Family Physician of the Year
• Lawrence Abramson Distinguished Service Award
• Osteopathic Family Medicine Resident of the Year
• MSUCOM Student Physician of the Year

These awards seek to recognize individual(s) exemplifying outstanding dedication to the profession by contribution to the advancement of osteopathic family practice in the state of Michigan.

Nominations for MSUCOM Student of the Year are due by February 26. All others are due March 26.

Nominate someone today!

MAOFP is pleased to offer a Buyers Guide that will feature companies that provide products and services that benefit our members and their practices. This publication will be promoted for the upcoming year and will be a valued resource for physicians and their staff members. Click here for details and to submit a listing. 

The induction of the upcoming MAOFP president happens during the Summer Family Medicine Update each year. Unfortunately, our members couldn't be together this year, but we still wanted to provide you with an update from ACOFP and watch the induction of our new President, Tina Metropoulous, DO. We want to thank Kristen Sumners, DO for her time as President (2019-2020) and look forward to her leadership as she transitions into her role as Immediate Past President.

New rules will require health care professionals to undergo training to help reduce racial and other disparities in delivery of medical services 

 

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Whitmer today signed Executive Directive 2020-7 which directs the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to begin developing rules that will require implicit bias training as part of the knowledge and skills necessary for licensure, registration and renewal of licenses and registrations of health professionals in Michigan. Implicit bias training was one of the recommendations made by the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities, which Governor Whitmer created in response to the devastating and disproportionate impact the pandemic has had on communities of color. 

 

"There's no doubt that our front line health care workers like doctors and nurses have been the real heroes of this crisis, putting their lives on the line for us every day," said Governor Whitmer. "COVID-19 has had a disparate impact on people of color due to a variety of factors, and we must do everything we can to address this disparity. The evidence shows that training in implicit bias can make a positive difference, so today we are taking action to help improve racial equity across Michigan's health care system. That’s why my staff has begun this kind of training and every member of my team, including me, will complete this type of training on an annual basis.” 

 

Since day one, both Governor Whitmer and Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II have been committed to making Michigan a more equitable state. During her State of the State Address this year, Governor Whitmer called for implicit bias training for all healthcare and medical professionals to combat racism felt across the healthcare industry. 

 

“The existing health disparities highlighted during the coronavirus pandemic have made it clear that there is more work to do to ensure people of color have the same access to the same quality of health care as everyone else,” said Lt. Governor Gilchrist II, chair of the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities. “By providing awareness to health care workers on how to recognize and mitigate implicit bias, we can help them carry out their mission of providing the best health care to every patient they serve.” 

 

As of July 5, Black Michiganders represented 14% of the state population, but 40% of confirmed COVID-19 deaths in which the race of the patient was known. COVID-19 is over four times more prevalent among Black Michiganders than among white Michiganders. 

 

The National Healthcare Disparities Report concluded that white patients received care of a higher quality than Black, Hispanic, Indigenous and Asian Americans. People of color face more barriers to accessing health care than white people and are generally less satisfied with their interactions with health care providers. 

 

“There is no question that our healthcare workers have risked their own lives and saved countless others during the COVID pandemic,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services chief medical executive and chief deputy director for health. “But the fact is that implicit bias exists, and studies show that it can have an impact on health outcomes.  Every healthcare professional should be trained in implicit bias so that we can make sure everyone, regardless of their race or ethnicity, has access to the highest quality care.” 

 

“This is an excellent step in the right direction, I applaud our Governor for addressing this issue and as Chair of the Board of Medicine, I stand ready to work with our board members and the Administration to establish implicit biased training for physicians,” said Micheal Chafty, MD, Chair of the Michigan Board of Medicine. 

 

Under Executive Directive 2020-7, LARA is required to consult with relevant stakeholders in the medical profession, in state government and elsewhere in the community by November 1, 2020 to help determine relevant goals and concerns under the new rules. LARA will work in collaboration with the relevant professional boards and task forces to promulgate the rules.       

 

To view Executive Directive 2020-7, click the link below:   

 

• ED 2020-07.pdf

On July 1, MAOFP joined other Michigan medical professional organizations and sent a letter to the Governor supporting the I Vaccinate Campaign funding.

Download the letter here