News from ACOI

Too many Americans are making the decision to forgo the COVID-19 vaccine based on misinformation oftentimes spread on social media. MarkAlain Dery, DO, FACOI, discusses how some of those consequences have been fatal and how physicians can help stop the rumors.

This podcast explores the importance of physician health and wellness through the eyes of a physician who tragically experienced first-hand the importance of addressing the daily stresses and burdens of being a physician in today's healthcare system. Julie Sterbank, DO, FACOI, MPH provides advice on how to shed the belief that physicians must be superhuman and shares the importance of knowing how to disengage, find time away from work and rediscover what gives you joy while balancing the demands of the mounting pressures of being a physician.

As rates of suicide are increasing, we are seeing an “epidemic within a pandemic.” MarkAlain Dery, DO, FACOI explores the facts and what DOs can do to recognize at-risk patients and well as signs from colleagues who may have suicidal ideations. Physicians are at risk as one of the occupations with the highest suicide death rates. Let’s be there for each other.

Are you accepting your first position as an employed physician or maybe changing your current practice arrangement? In the ACOI’s new podcast series, Docs Off the Clock, Sheila Mints, Esq., healthcare transactional expert, explores the physician contract review process for physicians looking to enter into an employment agreement. Tune in and hear Sheila’s thoughts about the expectations that can affect both the physician and the practice, including restrictive covenants and workplace culture.

Insights From the Wellness Task Force - Dr. Julie Sterbank speaks on the loss of a colleague to suicide and the importance of finding ways to protect ourselves and each other.

On the morning after Hurricane Ida, MarkAlain Dery, DO, FACOI reports from City Hall in New Orleans on the impact of the storm in terms of the COVID-19 surge hitting the US and specifically the South where the vaccinated population is under 50%. He advises providers to remind patients in hurricane-prone areas to get vaccinated.

MarkAlain Dery, DO, FACOI discusses a study that reveals that intimate partner violence leads to worse HIV outcomes and an additional study revealing the urgent need for prioritizing transgender health policies in the US.

Kids are going back to school and school districts are pitted against some governors on mask mandates; we have a large population of unvaccinated pregnant women and the danger of the Delta variant; some hotspots that are putting hospitals over capacity creating a strain on all of us in healthcare.

Learn how climate change is fueling a growing public health threat and how western wildfires are suspected in increasing COVID risk.

Are you watching the Olympics? Dr. Dery discusses the public health risk of this global gathering. He also looks at the risks of vaccine hesitancy, a new study that examines testing for COVID-19 among different socio-demographic groups, and the AMA's new health equity efforts.

Its Minority (BIPOC) Mental Health Awareness Month and Dr. Dery reflects on what that means for healthcare providers. He also provides updates about a new vaccine about to enter the market!

The ACOI joined with other osteopathic organizations to call on congressional leaders to support approval of the “Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act.”