AAPM&R Connection E-Newsletter

The Physiatry is More Than campaign is all about you. It’s about celebrating the physiatry specialty and the range of care you provide on a daily basis.

Tell us, what is physiatry more than? It can be a word or a sentence. It’s up to you! Fill in that blank and let us know so we can connect with you.

Do you have leadership skills or experience, or know of a colleague who does? Submit a nomination ballot for our Member Councils! We’re seeking nominations for several leadership positions within all 5 of the Member Councils. All nomination ballots must be completed and submitted by May 7 and are only accepted electronically. Learn more.

This brand-new course features nearly 2 days of hands-on training in ultrasound-guided procedures in physiatry using cadaveric tissue in a state-of-the-art facility, the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Register soon because the course is limited to only 40 participants to maximize your value. Learn all the details and reserve your spot.

PhyzForum isn’t just your online member community, it’s also a great resource for learning more about health policy. Every week, we post a new blog featuring topics such as:

• Republicans Pull ACA Repeal and Replace Legislation
• House Vote on AHCA Scheduled for Thursday
• GOP Releases ACA Reconciliation Recommendations
  

Visit PhyzForum to read the latest blogs, which are available to Academy members only.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released information regarding their Web Interface and the Consumer Assessment of Health Providers and Systems (CAHPS) for MIPS survey. Take a look here for everything you need to know.

The Council for Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) is sponsoring a brief Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Alternative Payment Models (APMs) preparedness survey across member medical specialties to gather information from physicians on their plans to participate in these incentive programs. Findings from this survey will be shared in aggregate to participating specialty societies with sufficient responses. It will take less than 5 minutes—click here.

• Mehul Desai MD, MPH, FAAPMR, AAPM&R Leadership Program Fellow and president of the International Spine, Pain & Performance Center, contributed an article, "Combating opioid epidemic, repealing ObamaCare will hurt the cause," to The Hill. Read it here.

• Alberto Esquenazi, MD, FAAPMR, AAPM&R past president and chief medical officer at MossRehab, discusses the impact of eliminating essential health care benefits, particularly for people with disabilities or chronic conditions. Watch the video here.

• Steven Kirshblum, MD, FAAPMR, senior medical officer at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and chief medical officer at Kessler Foundation, has been named chair of the PM&R department at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Dr. Kirshblum, internationally recognized for his work in the field of medical rehabilitation, is also the chief of service at University Hospital in Newark, NJ. Read more.

• Ford Vox, MD, FAAPMR, physiatrist at Shepherd Center, contributed an article to the AMA Wire, “The moment I knew medicine was my calling.” Read the full post here. Dr. Vox was also recently appointed as the digital media editor for the Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and serves as a medical analyst for his local NPR station.

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.