Christopher Palmer, DO

Alisa Merolli, MD

Charles Cronin, DO,Assistant DME

Erika Line-Nitu, DO,Internal Medicine Program Director

Megan Johnson, DO

Elizabeth Jasolosky, DO

Jessica Manyan, DO, Family Medicine Program Director

Christopher Zabbo, DO, Emergency Medicine Program Director

Nicole Coleman, DO

McKaila Allcorn, DO

Nichole Supple, DO

Jessica Pelkey-Blum, DO

Katie Chapman, DO

Rebecca Ondrus, DO

Christopher Peters, DO

Autumn Hines, DO

Joseph Spinale, DO, Director of Medical Education

Julia Alpin, DO, FACEP Associate Program Director of Emergency Medicine

(see Kent, p.9)

Kent Hospital is pleased to announce the graduation of its fourth class of resi-dents who have completed the Emer-gency Medicine, Family Medicine and Internal Medicine Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs. A new fellowship program in Gastroenterolo-gy was also announced, with two fellows enrolled. The graduation ceremony took place Thursday, June 19, 2014 and also recognized Kent Hospital’s honorary award recipients. Fifty percent of this year’s graduating class will stay at Kent and Care New England, helping to ease Rhode Island’s physician shortage. This is a distinct accomplishment for physician retention here in Rhode Island.

“I am extremely proud of the success of this year’s graduates and with the growth of Kent’s GME programs to date,” said Sandra Coletta, COO Care New England, president and CEO of Kent Hospital. “These new doctors will go on to help shape the face of health care locally and beyond, with roots here at Care New England. Congratulations on your accomplishments.”

“Graduate Medical Education at Kent continues to grow and gain national recognition,” said Joseph Spinale, DO, FACC, senior vice president, chief medical officer and director of medical education at Kent. “As we say goodbye to one class and welcome another, we do

so with pride and confidence knowing that we are helping prepare these physi-cians for a long career in caring for their patients and the community. As they grow, so does our program, better for each person who has been a part of it.” Gastroenterology FellowshipKent Hospital is welcoming two fellows into its new Gastroenterology Fellow-ship Program: Autumn Paige Hines, DO, originally from Jonesville, VA, class of 2014 graduate from Kent Hospital’s internal medicine residency program and Zachary Garner, DO, originally from Medina, OH, graduate from the internal medicine residency program at Largo Medical Center in Largo, FL.

Kent Hospital Honors Fourth Class of Graduating ResidentsWelcomes Incoming Interns and Announces New Fellowship Programby Colleen Kilmartin

February 2013Official Publication of the Rhode Island Society of Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons

July 2014

CORRECTION

In the lead article of the February 2014 issue of RIVISIONS - Kent Hospital Residency Update - the third section header, appearing on page 3, should have read "Emergency Medicine", not "Internal Medicine". The section recognized the accomplishments of the Emergency Medicine Program residents.

RISOPS apologizes for the error.

After a harsh and seemingly never ending winter, the summer season is suddenly upon us and in full swing. Plans for

the ROME New England conference are finalized and excitement is growing. The AOA Council on Continuing Medical Education has approved this program for 27 credits of Category 1-A CME. This live activity, ROME New England 2014, with a beginning date of 8/7/2014, has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 27.00 Prescribed credit(s) by the American Academy of Family Physicians. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Current topics in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Emergency Medicine tracks will be accompanied by panels on Pain Management, Addiction, and Medical Marijuana in New England, a Practice Management

track covering coding, audits, and documentation, and presentations on Risk Management (“How to Meet With Plaintiff Attorneys”), and Osteopathic Continuing Certification. Our keynote luncheon speaker will provide an update on “The Single Accreditation System for Continuing Medical Education". This meeting also presents an ideal opportunity for you to recertify in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and to participate in hands-on OMM/OMT workshops designed to reinvigorate osteopathic knowledge and skills in your practice. Links to view the conference program, registration and reservations can be found under “meeting and events” on www.osteopathic.org.

This impressive program is matched with an equally impressive venue: the Fox Tower Hotel (formerly the MGM Grand Hotel) at Foxwoods Resort Casino. This stunning luxury hotel is offering deeply discounted room rates for ROME attendees and everything you need for

a perfect summer getaway. Work out in the extensive fitness center, swim and lounge in the 5,500 square foot outdoor Fox Tower Pool, and indulge yourself in the lavish indoor pool, whirlpool, steam rooms and saunas. The G Spa & Salon offers an extensive array of massage, body treatment and cosmetic services and was voted best in CT in 2011 and 2012 by Connecticut Magazine.

Adjacent to the resort is the Lake of Isles golf course, a championship course surrounded by a 90-acre lake with gorgeous views of the Connecticut countryside on every hole. Take your game to a new level with personalized instruction at the state-of-the-art Troon Golf Academy. From just outside your hotel door you can hike the Pequot Trails to the 491 feet high Lantern Hill, which offers spectacular views of the Block Island Sound. Explore the nearby award winning Mashantucket Pequot Museum, the world’s largest museum of Native American history. Stroll among the art

(concludes on back page)

2

PRESIDENTMESSAGE from the

Physicians Work with RISOPS and AOA to Defend Coding Practices for OMTby George Pasquarello, DO, FAAO

On November 19, 2013 several Osteopathic physicians in Rhode Island received letters from the Special Investigations Unit of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Rhode Island. The letter described that they had conducted an audit of Evaluation and Management services billed, using a modifier -25, on the same day as Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment being performed. They went on to note that their findings suggested that the physicians that were identified had not been adhering to CPT coding guidelines and noted potential overpayments in the $30,000-60,000 range depending on the provider. Meetings were to be scheduled with the Medical Director of BCBSRI to discuss their findings, resolution and repayment as applicable.

This was a very anxiety provoking experience for all involved. Not only was there a potential payback being demanded, but there appeared to be a payment change being planned going forward. This would potentially decrease payments for patient visits that included OMT being reduced by about 50%. For practices that had a high volume of OMT services, this presented a potentially catastrophic change.

The 2014 CPT manual states that codes for Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (98925-98929) and Evaluation and Management (both inpatient and outpatient)...

"may be reported separately using modifier -25 if the patient’s condition requires a significant, separately identifiable E/M service above and beyond the usual preservice and postservice work associated with the procedure. The E/M service may be prompted by the same symptoms or condition for which the OMT service was provided. As such, different diagnoses are not required for the reporting of the OMT and E/M service on the same date."

The incident was brought to the attention of the RISOPS Board of Directors and George Pasquarello, DO was assigned to be the liaison between the physicians involved, the AOA and BCBSRI. The AOA had faced similar issues as this in the past and Yolanda Doss, AOA Director of the Division of Compliance and Payment Advocacy, was intimately involved in working with the Rhode Island physicians to plan for their meetings with BCBSRI. She was able to be involved in some of the meetings via conference call and was helpful in describing the nature of the OMT codes and their relationship and appropriate use with E/M and -25 modifier. She also outlined the history of the development of the RVUs for the OMT codes and some of the confusion that had recently arisen in other New England states around this issue. Boyd Buser, DO also intervened as a representative of the AOA Board of Trustees and was instrumental in clarifying this issue and bringing it to an ultimate resolution.

On March 25, 2014 letters went out to the physicians involved that noted BCBSRI would not seek recovery of claim payments.

This was a real victory for Osteopathic Physicians in Rhode Island. Many have described a reluctance to use OMT because they feel that they cannot get appropriately paid for their services. This challenge to the use of OMT with E/M and the -25 modifier will probably not be the last, but when Osteopathic Physicians work together with their state and national organizations, we all stand a better chance of protecting our practice rights and bringing our patients the best care available.

RISOPS would like to thank Novartis Pharmaceuticals and Iroko Pharmaceuticals for supporting the Dinner Speaker Series Programs held this year. The first program took place March 5 at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Providence. RISOPS marketing intern Molly Jaffe (standing), helped coordinate this very successful event which was attended by over 30 Rhode Island DOs. RISOPS member Edward Reardon, DO, addressed the topic of treating acute pain in adults at the May 21 program at the Siena Restaurant in Providence.

C. Tyler Vogt, DO (sitting), smiles as he learns he was the lucky winner of the evening’s raffle prize – a gift card to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.

Dinner Speaker Series (left)

3

Culture, Community: Quality Patient Careby Elizabeth Harano

The ROME® New England Education Planning Committee, with chairperson and fellow New England DO, Dean Boyd Buser, has put together another excellent program this year. This year’s theme is Culture, Community: Quality Patient Care. Your RISOPS representatives on the planning committee are: James Griffin, DO; Karl Felber, DO; and George Pasquarello, DO, FAAO.

This year’s meeting is being held at Foxwoods Tower (previously the MGM Grand at Foxwoods) in Connecticut. Although the location is the same as when ROME New England was at Foxwoods in 2011, the meeting will be held in a different hotel. The Foxwoods Tower keeps the casino well away from the meeting rooms. The conference will be family friendly and offer high quality, relevant CME.

Several of this year’s program speakers are from Rhode Island, including past president George Pasquarello, DO, FAAO, who kicks off the Friday Addiction and Pain Management Track with Neurophysiology of Pain. Karl Felber, DO, is participating on the Medical Marijuana in New England panel with DO’s from Connecticut and Massachusetts to ensure Rhode Island-specific information will be addressed. Another presentation including New England updates is the session on OMT Coding & Documentation by Dr. Boyd Buser. Coverys is sending AnneMarie Provencher, Senior Risk Management Consultant, to talk about the Top Ten Ways to Meet a Plaintiff Attorney… Dr. Buser will also present the keynote address at Friday’s luncheon: The Single Accreditation System for Graduate Medical Education.

An optional PALS Recertification course is offered on Thursday afternoon ($75 for conference registrants and $150 if only signing up for PALS), and will be followed by an evening of Pediatrics topics. The later start on Thursday allows for travel to minimize your time away from practice. Friday will feature a Changes in Medicine track, followed with a welcoming reception sponsored by UNECOM. Saturday includes three hours of Emergency Medicine, Guidelines Updates and Internal Medicine, and ends with (tips on) Practice Management. Sunday will be OMM/OMT, ending at 12:15pm to allow an afternoon with your family and friends.

An exceptionally helpful concierge staff is there to help make this an enjoyable trip for those traveling with you. The spa and pool are well-equipped, wine tours and excellent restaurants can be booked, and the historic Mystic, CT is a short drive away. Details are available at www.osteopathic.org/ROME, including registration and hotel reservations. The program agenda is also listed in the newsletter.

4

ROMENEW ENGLAND

2014

PRELIMINARY PROGRAMROME New England Aug. 7-10, 2014

Thursday, Aug. 7 PRESENTATIONS/EVENTS SPEAKER SPECIALTY

1–8 p.m. Registration

1:30–4:30 p.m. Track: Pediatrics Optional PALS recertification workshop Al Peterson, American Safety Programs & Training 4:30–6 p.m. Dinner break (on your own)

6–7 p.m. Sports-Related Concussion: Return to Play Warren Bodine, DO FP/OMT, SM 7–8 p.m. Bullying Among Today’s Youth: Jennifer Caudle, DO FP/OMT The Important Role of the Primary Care Physician

8–9 p.m. Pediatric Vaccine Update Michael G. Hunt, DO PD Friday, Aug. 8

6:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Registration

6:45–7:45 a.m. Continental Breakfast - Exhibit Floor

7:15–7:30 a.m. Welcome & Introduction to the Conference

7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Track: Pain Management, Addiction & Medical Marijuana Neurophysiology of Pain George Pasquarello, DO, FAAO NMM/OMM

8:30–9:30 a.m. Addiction and Pain: Pathways to Management Thor Agustsson, DO

9:30–10:15 a.m. Exhibitor Break & CONCURRENT: MOS Annual Membership Meeting 10:15–11:45 a.m. Panel Discussion: Medical Marijuana in New England Joey Rottman, DO - Moderator OB/GYN Thor Agustsson, DO (MA) Karl Felber, DO (RI) FM Dean Mariano, DO (CT) AN, PM

11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m. Keynote Luncheon The Single Accreditation System for Boyd Buser, DO, FACOFP OMM, FOM Graduate Medical Education

1:15–2:15 p.m. Track: Changes in Medicine Transitioning ACS Patients from Hospital to Home: Joshua Lenchus, DO, RPh, FACP, SFHM IM The Key Role of Primary Care

2:15–3 p.m. Exhibitor Break & CONCURRENT: COMS Annual Membership Meeting

3–4 p.m. Osteopathic Continuous Certification (OCC) - Stephen Scheinthal, DO P, PYG What it Means for You 4–5 p.m. Risk Management: Top Ten Ways to AnneMarie Provencher, RN HNC, CPHRM Meet a Plaintiff Attorney Sr. Risk Management Consultant

5 p.m. Reception in Exhibit Hall Saturday, Aug. 9 PRESENTATIONS/EVENTS SPEAKER SPECIALTY

6:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Registration

6:30–7:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast - Exhibit Floor

5

7–8 a.m. Track: Emergency Medicine Global Health: How Far We Have Come Benjamin Terry, MD, MPH EM and What Lies Ahead

8–9 a.m. Care and Treatment of the Sexual Assault Survivor Taryn Kennedy, MD, FRSCI, FRCSEd (A&E)

9–10 a.m. A Primer in Medical Toxicology Richard Church, MD, FACEP EM, MTX

10–10:45 a.m. Exhibitor Break & CONCURRENT: RISOPS Annual Membership Meeting

10:45–11:45 a.m. Track: Guidelines, Updates, and Internal Medicine Current Recommendations in HIV Testing and Krystn Wagner, MD IM Management of the Newly Diagnosed Patient

11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. New Guidelines for Men’s Health - Vincent J. Zizza, DO URS PSA and Prostate Screening Guidelines 12:15–12:45 p.m. Breast Cancer Screening: When and What Should I Order? Naveh Levy, MD DR 12:45–2 p.m. Product Theater Luncheon Presentation–Premier A A Case of Unexpected Recurrent Abdominal Pain Huamin Henry Li, MD, PhD Sponsored by Shire Pharmaceuticals Director of Immunology, Institute for Asthma & Allergy

2–3 p.m. Track: Practice Management Transitional Care Management (TCM) and Boyd Buser, DO, FACOFP OMM, FOM Complex Chronic Care Coordination (CCCC) Codes

3–4 p.m. Preventing Bad Outcomes in Payment Audits Yolanda Doss, MJ, FHIA, CHPS

4–5 p.m. OMT Coding & Documentation with Boyd Buser, DO, FACOFP OMM, FOM Region-Specific Information Yolanda Doss, MJ, RHIA, CHPS Sunday, Aug. 10

6:30–7:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast

7–8 a.m. The Road to 10: ICD-10 Training

8–9 a.m. Track: OMM/OMT Osteopathic Approach to Non-Cardiac Chest Pain Lilia Gorodinsky, DO FOM, NMO

9–10 a.m. OMM/OMT and Pediatrics Jane Carreiro, DO OMM, FOM 10–10:15 a.m. Break

10:15–11:15 a.m. Common Applications of OMM in Primary Care Darrin D’Agostino, DO, MPH, MBA IM

11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. OMT in the Cardiac Patient Darrin D’Agostino, DO, MPH, MBA IM

12:15 p.m. Conference Concludes

Program is subject to change.Last revised: 7/09/14

SPECIALTIES:AN AnesthesiologyDR Diagnostic RadiologyEM Emergency MedicineFM Family MedicineFOM Family Practice/OMTFP/OMT Family Practice/OMTIM Internal MedicineMTX Medical Toxicology

NMM/OMM Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine/OMMNMO Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine/OMMOB/GYN Obstetrics & GynecologyP PsychiatryPM Pain MedicinePD PediatricsPYG Geriatric PsychiatrySM Sports MedicineURS Urological Surgery

Program is subject to change.Last revised: 7/09/14

6

11 December 1974

A plaque is presented to RISOPS President, Stuart Brodsky, DO, commemorating the 100th anniversary of A. T. Still's introduction of osteopathic medicine.

Left to right:William H. Lum, DO, Mayor James L. Taft, Stuart A. Brodsky, DO, President of RISOPS and Joseph H. O'Neill, Jr., Executive Director.

An Introduction to Point-of-Care Ultrasound CME Course was offered on Saturday, May 3. Physicians interested in learning how to operate a portable bedside ultrasound machine were able to earn up to 5 CME credits. Because this program was co-sponsored by Kent Hospital, both Osteopathic and AMAPRA CME credits were available. Faculty demonstrated various applications, answered questions, and assisted attendees with hand-on practice. Presenters included: Julia Alpin, DO, FACEP; George Pasquarello, DO, FAAO; C. Tyler Vogt, DO; Heather

Hurlburt, MD; and Kent Department of Diagnostic Ultrasound Staff Amanda Marshall, RDMS, and Nicole Marsocci, RDMS.

RISOPS would like to thank Sarah Nottage and Kent Hospital for hosting the program and working closely with RISOPS staff. RISOPS also thanks the vendors who generously donated equipment for this program: Fujifilm-Sonosite, Mindray DA, and Zonare Medical Systems.

Ultrasound CME Course

HISTORYA LOOK BACK INphotograph courtesy of the NEOHC

Bits&Pieces

• Amity Rubeor ,DO, will be leaving her team leader position at the Family Care Center and becoming our first ever sports medicine fellow at Brown for the 2014-2015 academic year. She has been an excellent role model and teacher in osteopathic medicine for our DOs and we are excited to have her lead us in sports medicine!

• This past year we were happy to welcome David Bica, DO, to our sports medicine faculty. He will be taking over leadership of the OMM clinic in Amity's absence.

• Daria Szkwarko, DO, will be one of our new administrative chiefs for the 2014-2015 academic year. She went to medical school at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, NJ. Daria's interests include global health.

• Melissa Mackel, DO, will be one of our new scheduling chiefs for the 2014-2015 academic year. She went to medical school at Lake Erie School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lake Erie, PA. Melissa's interests include sports medicine.

• Jenn Lu from Touro rounds out our new third year class and plans to return to California at the end of the year.

• Our newly minted second year residents, Laurie Garabedian, DO, and David Dick, DO, will be taking on the role of osteopathic manipulation champions for the residency.

• We are excited to introduce four new DOs in our Brown family medicine class of 2017: Shokoufeh Dianat, DO, and Joseph Fields-Johnson, DO, a husband and wife team from Virginia’s Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Jason Kahn, DO, and Malasa Kahn, DO, also a husband and wife team, from Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine.

• We say goodbye to another couple, both from UNECOM. One of our outgoing chiefs, Lauren Hedde, DO, will be starting her own Family Practice in Wickford, RI in August (www.directdoctors.org), and Jim Hedde, DO, will be joining a practice in Mansfield, MA.

Brown Residency Updateby Lauren Hedde, DO

Research Forumby Sarah Nottage

The 3rd Annual Kent Graduate Medical Education Research Forum was held on June 4th at Kent Hospital. Residents from the Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine and Internal Medicine programs displayed posters from either their original research or case presentations. Five residents and one medical student were chosen to present their projects to the audience during the event. Members of the medical staff were in attendance for the program.

Additionally, the residents presented their posters at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine 13th Annual Research and Scholarship Forum on May 15, 2014. Katie Chapman, DO, a 4th year Emergency Medicine resident won second place for original research for her

project, "Bilateral Lower Extremity Erythema and Edema (BLEE) in the Emergency Department (ED)". Stacy Page, DO, a second year resident won second place for non research with her case entitled ""Found Down: An EKG Finding Not to be Missed"

8

The Kent Hospital Gastroenterology Fellowship is a three year program affiliated with University Gastroenterology in East Greenwich, RI, under the medical direction of Drs. Angela Fishman, DO, program director, and Eric Berthiaume, MD, associate program director. Fellows complete the majority of rotations at Kent Hospital, which include a minimum of 18 months clinical activity. Additionally, fellows undergo traditional inpatient and outpatient consultation experience, supplemented by conferences and lecture sessions, as well as intensive endo-scopic training The 2014 Graduates Include:

McKaila Allcorn, DO, Emergency Medicine. Originally from Tahlequah, OK, graduating from Kent Hospital’s emergen-cy medicine program, will be moving to Lincoln City, Oregon to join Samaritan North Hospital as an attending emergency medicine physician.

Katie Chapman, DO, Emergency Medicine. Originally from Harrisville, OH graduating from Kent Hospital’s emergency medicine residency program, will be staying in the Care New England Family, to work at Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket, RI, as an attending emergency medicine physician.

Nicole Coleman, DO, Emergency Medicine. Originally from Fort Lauderdale, FL, graduating from Kent Hospital’s emergen-cy medicine residency program, will be staying in the Care New England Family, to work at Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket, RI, as an attending emergency medicine physician.

Rebecca Ondrus, DO, Emergency Medicine. Chief emergency medicine resident, originally from central Florida, graduating from Kent Hospital’s emergency medicine residency program, will be staying in the Care New England family, to work at Kent Hospital as an attending emergency medicine physician.

Jessica Pelkey-Blum, DO, Emergency Medicine. Originally from Dalton, MA; graduating from Kent Hospital’s emergency medicine residency program; will be moving to western Massa-chusetts to join Berkshire Medical Center as an attending emer-gency medicine physician.

Nichole Supple, DO, MS, Emergency Medicine. Chief emergen-cy medicine resident, originally from Rochester, NY, graduating from Kent Hospital’s emergency medicine residency program, will be moving to Rochester, NY to join Rochester General Hospital as an attending emergency medicine physician.

Elizabeth Jasolowsky, DO, Family Medicine. Academic chief of family medicine residency, originally from Bayonne, NJ, plans to work locally and enter into other academic pursuits.

Megan Johnson, DO, Family Medicine. Administrative chief of family medicine residency, originally from Mountain Lakes, NJ, will be relocating to South Portland, ME, to pursue a fellowship in Neuromuscular Medicine.

Erika Line-Nitu, DO, Family Medicine. Originally from Tran-sylvania, Romania, graduating from Kent Hospital’s family medicine residency program, will be practicing outpatient medicine with St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, MA.

Autumn Paige Hines, DO, Internal Medicine. Originally from Jonesville, VA, graduating from Kent Hospital’s internal medicine residency program, will be staying in the Care New England family, as one of two fellows in Kent’s new Gastroen-terology Fellowship Program.

Christopher Palmer, DO, Internal Medicine. Chief internal medicine resident, originally from Rumford, ME, will be staying in the Care New England Family, working as a Hospitalist at Kent Hospital.

Christopher Peters, DO, Internal Medicine. Originally from New Port Richey, FL, graduating from Kent Hospital’s internal medicine residency program, will be staying in the Care New England family, joining the internal medicine practice of Drs. Charles Cronin and Herbert Brennan, in East Greenwich, RI.

Kent (cont’d from front page)

(concludes on following page )

9

Kent Hospital is a major teaching affiliate of the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. Graduate Medical Education at Kent started in 2008 and currently has 44 residents and two fellows enrolled. Kent Hospital is proud to provide physician residents from across the country with the clinical expertise they will need to carry on their careers in medicine.

Kent Hospital is also welcoming 14 incoming interns:

Emergency Medicine

Andrew Bergeson, DO, Bountiful, UTATSU-SOMA School of Medicine

T. Shaine Forsythe, DO, Smithfield, VAThe Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Christopher Peters, DO, Willmar, MNDes Moines University School of Medicine

Gianna Petrone, DO, Cranston, RIUniversity of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

Garrett Pluym, DO, Kieler, WIDes Moines University College of Osteo-pathic Medicine;

Pamela Schwendy, DO, Towson, MDTOURO University College of Osteo-pathic Medicine, CA

Kaitlyn Smith, DO, Pittsburgh, PAThe Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Family Medicine

John Chece, DO, Lincoln, RITOURO University College of Osteo-pathic Medicine, NV

Sarah Johnstone, DO, Haslett, MIThe Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Binu Oien, DO, North Reading, MAUniversity of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

Jamie Weissberger, DO, West Palm Beach, FLLake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton

Internal Medicine

Rachel Biancuzzo, DO, Barrington, RIUniversity of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

Regina Sutskever, DO, Brooklyn, NYTOURO University College of Osteo-pathic Medicine, NY

John Sullivan, DO, Waterford, CTLake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

10

Extend Your Reach. Advertise Here. RISOPS does not officially endorse any organization, individual, business, or service whose advertisement appears in this newsletter.

Advertising in RIVISIONS helps you connect with every DO in Rhode Island. Our newsletter is published twice a year in full color. Ads must be submitted in PDF format. For additional information, contact RISOPS at (800) 454-9663.

RATES: ¼ page ad . . . . . . . . .$100.00 ½ page ad . . . . . . . . .$200.00 Full Page ad . . . . . . . .$400.00

photo © Sainanirit

Rhode Island was in legislative session in 2014 from January 7 through June 20. The legislature considered 4914 bills during the session, with carryover from 2013. The AOA tracked 42 of these bills, with 5 earning Governor approval.

The AOA and the Rhode Island Society of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons worked together on one issue in 2014. This effort was in opposition to Senate Bill 2804, which would create an exemption to the current statutory prohibition preventing optometrists from prescribing Schedule I or II controlled substances, by allowing optometrists to prescribe hydrocodone-containing medications that are classified as Schedule I or II. The AOA and RISOPS believe that expanding the scope of practice of optometrists with this exemption could pose a risk to patient safety, as optometrists do not have the education, training or experience to safely prescribe drugs contained in Schedule I or II controlled substances list. The bill passed both the House and Senate on the last day of session, and is awaiting Governor approval.

The AOA also requested amendments from the Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure & Discipline on the proposed Rules and Regulations for Pain Management, Controlled Substance Prescribing and the Registration of Distributors of Controlled Substances in Rhode Island. The proposed rules provide further regulation for the prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances, however, they do not adequately include all appropriate AOA certifications. Additionally, the proposal would inappropriately expand the definition of pain management specialist to include non-physician clinicians.

The AOA requested recognition for equivalent AOA certification and training be amended into the proposal, and that this expansion for non-physician clinicians be amended out of the proposal. An amendment to the proposal has yet to be posted, however, the AOA is continuing to work with RISOPS to get the requested changes adopted.

R.I. Legislative Updateby Jordon Endicott

11

Rhode Island Society of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons142 E. Ontario St., 4th floorChicago, IL 60611(800) 454-9663(312) 202-8224 (fax)risops@osteopathic.org

Stay Connected. Network with RI DOs and get all the latest news and updates. Like us on Facebook, connect with us on LinkedIn, or visit the RISOPS homepage at www.risops.org.

OFFICERS

James Griffin, DOPresident

Gregory Allen, DOVice President/Treasurer

Karl Felber, DOSecretary

George Pasquarello, DO, FAAOImmediate Past President

Julia Alpin, DO, FACEPSue Ferranti, DORobert Leonard, DOJessica Manyan, DO Nicholas Nikolopoulos, DORobert Salk, DOJoseph Spinale, DOC. Tyler Vogt, DO

galleries, antique stores and historic homes of Stonington Borough, called “the most beautiful seaside village in New England.” Tour and sample the wines of the numerous local vineyards on the Connecticut Wine Trail, and follow up visits to Mystic Village, Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium with a 3 hour sunset lobster dinner cruise of Fisher’s Island Sound on the 110' Mystic Whaler Schooner.

Back at the hotel, there is an endless variety of casual and gourmet restaurants to match every taste. You can shop till you drop at the many top name designer outlets and boutiques, and catch a comedy club, concert or a Las Vegas style show, all within easy walking distance from your guest room! Of course, with six casinos and an extensive variety of

nightclubs ranging from quiet elegance to high energy and casual, the Foxwoods nightlife caters to every taste and is always second to none.

Take a moment now and log onto Foxwoods.com to peruse photos and highlights of this outstanding hotel and resort. There is truly something for everyone, so if you haven’t already done so make plans to attend ROME New England now. Take advantage of this opportunity to reconnect with family, friends and colleagues while obtaining first rate CME and a well needed respite in the beautiful Connecticut Woods. Don’t be left out in the cold - we look forward to seeing you there!

James Griffin, DO

President (cont’d from p.2)