Progress Notes :: April 21, 2016

Progress Notes :: April 21, 2016 :: Issue 136


		April 21, 2016 \| Issue 136

		Government Affairs and Practice Advocacy Gov. Wolf signs medical marijuana bill into law
		On Sunday, Gov. Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 3 into law. Now, the Pa. Dept. of Health begins the long and complex implementation process. The department will have to promulgate regulations detailing the rules of the program, requiring an initial draft, acceptance of stakeholder comments and responses, approval by the House and Senate oversight committees, approval or rejection by the Independent Regulatory Review Committee, and an Attorney General review. Meanwhile, a safe harbor provision exists which will allow the patient to see providers in other states and bring medical cannabis into Pennsylvania lawfully. The PAFP will track the process closely.

		Education Mark your calendars: Kalahari CME Conference coming soon
		Mark your calendars now for the Kalahari CME Conference at the brand new Kalahari Convention Center in the Pocono Mountains November 18-20. This venue is unlike anything we’ve ever used before - there’s something here for everyone! Bring the family and let them explore while you take in great CME. Agenda and online registration coming soon!

		Public Health Life expectancy for white Americans drops; linked to ODs
		Life expectancy for white Americans has declined slightly, and The New York Times reports that the drop is linked to drug overdoses. According to new federal data, distress among younger and middle-aged whites who are increasingly dying from overdoses was enough to lower the average lifespan of the population. The PAFP eagerly awaits the implementation of Pennsylvania's prescription drug monitoring program - an important tool in the fight against opioid addiction and abuse.

		Quality Improvement RPC/CHCC learning session on May 6; register today
		The next live learning session for the Residency Program and Community Health Center Collaborative (RPC/CHCC) is fast approaching on May 6! The learning session is being held at the Best Western Eden Hotel in Lancaster from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration and sign-in will begin at 7:30 am with a breakfast spread available before the first session begins! As a reminder, if you have not already pre-registered your team and attendees, please do so here. We are looking forward to seeing all the teams together in the beginning of May!


		Residents & Students Congratulations to new leaders; get PAFP Connect-ed!

		Congratulations to your newly elected Resident and Student leaders and committee representatives! Please download the PAFP Connect mobile app to your smartphone or tablet - don’t let your email server interfere with your connection to your PAFP! Get important news alerts, business news, legislative advocacy alerts and calls to action, and the PAFP’s social network all in one app! Also join PAFP Connect groups and business that suit your interests. Be a part of these conversations – share your voice, your experiences, your opinions! Mark your calendars: AAFP National Conference, Kansas City, Mo., July 28-30, 2016 Scholarships available!

		'Evaluation and Treatment of Low Back Pain': free program
		The Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania is offering an evening panel discussion on "Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Treatment of Low Back Pain: Conservative, Interventional, and Surgical" on Wednesday, April 27 at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey. This program is complimentary and dinner is included. Click here for more information, and please RSVP online here. Download PAFP Connect, the mobile app for members The PAFP Connect app for iOS (Apple) and Android devices is the fastest, most convenient way to get PAFP news, publications, and updates on your phone. From social networking to daily news briefings, from alerts to customizable groups - plus publications like Keystone Physician - get PAFP Connect!