AAPM&R Connection E-Newsletter

Your Academy is pleased to announce that Kathleen R. Bell, MD, FAAPMR, is the 2017 Frank H. Krusen, MD, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Dr. Bell is receiving the Academy's highest honor, which is given to a member who has provided outstanding and unique contributions to the specialty of PM&R in the areas of patient care, research, education, literary contributions, community service, and involvement in Academy activities. 

Dr. Bell served as AAPM&R President in 2015. Her generous commitment, extensive service, and continued leadership have been invaluable to the Academy and to the specialty. Please join your Academy and the Awards Committee in congratulating Dr. Bell, who along with the other 2017 AAPM&R award recipients, will be recognized at the 2017 Annual Assembly. Thank you to the many Academy members who submitted award nominations. A full slate of winners will be announced this summer.

PhyzForum is your destination to share your thoughts and receive insights from your fellow physiatrists. Log in to participate in recent discussions including:

• Humana Denying Rehab Admit Bill if Consult Done Anytime Before
• Direct Injection Referrals
• Inpatient Billing Levels
• Cooled vs. Conventional Radio Frequency
• Resource for Chemodenervation Techniques
• And more!
  

PhyzForum has 8,000+ physiatrist members, 400+ discussion posts, and a blog for you to explore health policy updates. Every week, we post a new blog featuring topics such as, the House of Representatives Passes Obamacare Repeal and Replacement; Federal Hiring Freeze to be Lifted; AHCA Negotiations Continue. Log in to read the latest blogs, which are available to Academy members only.

We’re excited to announce that registration for the 2017 Annual Assembly, held in Denver, CO, October 12-15, is now open! Attendees will Thrive Through Transformation during our 4-day information-packed event and will walk away with enhanced skills, new contacts, and a fresh perspective of your primary specialty. Check out our lineup of great education and networking activities, and register now for member discounts!

The Annual Assembly’s President's Reception will be held at Wynkoop Brewing Company, where attendees can enjoy a glass of craft beer, custom brewed for AAPM&R. We're turning to you—our members—to help give this brew a fun, creative name. Submit your ideas here!

Did you know that AAPM&R diligently advocates for physiatrists who practice stroke rehabilitation? We’ve introduced new stroke patient care resources to help educate physicians and administrators in your system, and patients about the different levels of care and the role of a physiatrist at each level, based on current guidelines. This includes a patient-friendly brochure and a PowerPoint presentation detailing the appropriate pathways of care and the role of a physiatrist.

House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chairman Pat Tiberi (R-OH) announced that the Subcommittee will hold a hearing titled, “The Current Status of the Medicare Program, Payment Systems, and Extenders” on Thursday, May 18, at 2 pm. At the hearing, members will examine opportunities to create more efficiency in Medicare and better serve the more than 50 million seniors who receive care through its many programs. Specifically, members will review various Medicare payment policies—including post-acute care (PAC)—as well as several Medicare programs that are set to expire before the end of the year. AAPM&R Director of Advocacy and Government Affairs, Paul Smedberg, will be in attendance as this discussion could set the stage for Medicare Payment Reform, including PAC.

• Katherine Dec, MD, FAAPMR, professor in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, was installed as the new president of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) on Thursday, May 11. Dr. Dec is also the first PM&R president of AMSSM. 
  
  
• Michael Yochelson, MD, MBA, FAAPMR, vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at MedStar National Rehabilitation Network, has been named the chief medical officer at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, starting September 2017. Read more.

Do you have a newsworthy story to share with your peers? Send us an email at: pressinquiries@aapmr.org. Please note: AAPM&R reserves the right to deny requests where the purpose or content may not be considered in the best interests of AAPM&R or its members.