Welcome to the WOEMA WINDOW.  This e-newsletter is sent to members by email on a monthly basis. The e-newsletter provides links to this page. Below are the items that appeared in the February 2019 issue.

 

 

Free Online Access to MTUS Guidelines

 

 

The Division of Worker’ Compensation (DWC) announces that medical providers who treat injured California workers can now have free online access to the State’s Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS) guidelines.

The MTUS, a set of regulations based on the principles of evidence-based medicine, has adopted treatment guidelines developed by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM). In most cases, the medical treatment that is reasonable and necessary to cure or relieve an injured worker from the effects of injury means treatment that is based upon the ACOEM treatment guidelines.

Licensed healthcare providers who treat California injured workers can use MDGuidelines: CA MTUS-ACOEM Edition to quickly search the latest evidence-based recommendations incorporated into the State’s MTUS. Providers who perform qualified medical evaluations, utilization review or independent medical review can also register to use the online tool free of charge.

Providers must register in order to gain access to the site administered by Reed Group. The site includes online training webinars and instructions. Users can email [email protected] for more information.

[MD GUIDELINES: CA MTUS – ACOEM EDITION]

 

FREE CME Webinar
Wednesday, February 27, 2019 • 12:00 PM PST

 

Topic: Health Effects of the 9/11 Terror Attacks

**This webinar will not be recorded, nor will slides be shared after the webinar has aired.** 

Speaker: Marc Wilkenfeld, MD

The 9/11 terror attacks and collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC) was the largest manmade environmental disaster in history. Toxins released in the collapse of the WTC caused unhealthy air quality levels for months, and the traumatic events resulted in increased rates of depression and PTSD. Patient and physician advocacy resulted in the creation of a federal program to monitor and treat those made ill by the attack. Research continues to link additional medical conditions such as cancer and neurologic disease to the toxins released. Understanding the health effects of the WTC Collapse can help physicians prepare for future disasters.

Learning Objectives – after this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the health impact of 9/11 on responders and survivors
  • Describe Medical and Psychiatric Conditions that have been linked to the collapse of the WTC
  • Review the legislative process which resulted in passage of the Zadroga Act, which provides care for those ill due to 9/11 exposures
  • Explain the lessons learned from 9/11 that can help prepare for future disasters

Dr. Marc Wilkenfeld is Board Certified Occupational Environmental Physician. Dr. Wilkenfeld is Chief of Occupational Environmental Medicine at Winthrop University Medical Hospital in Mineola, NY and Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine and Environmental Sciences at Columbia University Medical Center. Dr. Wilkenfeld has practiced Occupational Environmental Medicine for over twenty years, evaluating, and treating workers and other individuals with concerns over exposure to potentially toxic substances. He has published two book chapters in the foremost Textbook of Occupational Medicine, and serves as a reviewer for the Journal of Occupational Environmental Medicine. Dr. Wilkenfeld is Past President of The New York Occupational Medicine Association where he continues to serve on the Executive Board. He is currently Co-Chairman of the Environmental Health Section of The American College of Occupational Environmental Medicine.

Dr. Wilkenfeld was a resident of Lower Manhattan when the September 11th attacks occurred. Following the attacks Dr. Wilkenfeld acted as a consultant to a number of government agencies, corporations and community groups on the environmental health impact of the disaster. In this role he reviewed pre- and post-cleaning data and answered questions regarding potential health effects of contamination with WTC dust. Dr. Wilkenfeld has also examined and treated hundreds of cases of WTC related illness in his work as a physician specialist for the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation WTC Environmental Health Center. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Willkenfeld has been involved in outreach and educational programs at the Center. Dr. Wilkenfeld has received a Proclamation from the New York City Council honoring him for his post 9/11 work on behalf of the residents and workers of New York City.

[REGISTER NOW]

 

Be a Renaissance Doctor

an editorial by Troy Ross, MD, MPH, WOEMA Newsletter Editor

 

In the effort to stay current on all things medical, it is easy to find yourself “stove piped” or living in an echo chamber of your practice. Even the emphasis on Evidence Based Medicine can narrow one’s focus to the point of missing important things that are happening in the world of health.

That is especially important to keep in mind in the fields of Preventive, Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Our practice is defined and managed by multiple policies, regulations, and laws. It’s hard enough to keep up with all of that that. One can lose touch with the fact that the world we live in and the patients we care for exist beyond the limits of what is defined in black and white.

Keep an eye out for the more subtle signs. Keep your finger on the pulse of what is happening in your community, and always look beyond established “fact”. One valuable tool that I have found is to follow the website Medium. It has a section on health that ranges far and wide on various topics. The writers are mostly regular folks but also include medical professionals. Click here to find out more –  but look for other good sources of information as well. In the end I challenge you to stay curious, and don’t allow yourself to end up in a rut. The practice of medicine is exciting! Stay curious.

 

Save the Date! WOEMA Members’ Reception at AOHC

 

 

Attention WOEMA Members attending AOHC! Save the date for a WOEMA Members’ Reception on Monday, April 29, 2019 at 6:30 PM, located in the Sleeping Beauty Pavilion in the Disneyland® Hotel.

[CLICK HERE TO ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR]

 

Connect with WOEMA on LinkedIn

 

 

Connect with WOEMA and your fellow WOEMA members on LinkedIn! Get updates on educational offerings, network with other members, and stay updated on all things WOEMA

[CONNECT WITH WOEMA]

 

Meet WOEMA’s Newest Board Members and Committee Chairs

 

 

On January 1, 2019 WOEMA welcomed two new directors to its Board of Directors and Officers, and new Chairs for the Education, Legislative Affairs, Resident Scholarship, Economics, Awards, Nominating, and WOHC Planning:

Board of Directors & Officers:

  • Aman Dhillon, MD, MS, FACOEM
  • Matthew Hughes, MD, MPH

Committee Chairs:

  • Sheri Belafsky, MD, MS, FAOCEM – Resident Scholarship Committee Chair
  • Robert Blink, MD, MPH, FACOEM – Nominating Committee Chair
  • David Caretto, MD, MPH – Education Committee Co-Chair
  • Scott Levy, MD, MPH, FACOEM – Awards Committee Chair
  • David McKinney, MD, MPH, AME/QME – Legislative Affairs Committee Co-Chair
  • Sonya Meyers, MD, MPH – Economic Affairs Committee Chair
  • Chang Na, MD, FACOEM – WOHC Planning Committee Vice Chair
  • Jill Rosenthal, MD, MPH, MA, FACOEM – Legislative Affairs Committee Co-Chair
  • Akbar Sharip, MD, MPH, FACOEM – WOHC Planning Committee Chair

[MEET THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS]  [MEET THE COMMITTEE CHAIRS]