Page 23 - CNF April 2021

Cover Story: Skidmore Brings Healthcare,
The Continuing Trajectory
Legislative Experience to Palm Beach
of COVID-19 Era Telemedicine
County Medical Society CEO Role
As I pulled out my gardening tools yesterday, I
Continued from page 1 reflected on the changes we have experienced since I
care and educates the public on health- our message to the broader community.” bought them a year ago. I realized that through the fog
care issues. With the pandemic showing no signs of uncertainty we faced, we have emerged, one year
Skidmore is excited about the many of slowing, Skidmore has also been later, with some significant certainties: science and
programs she will oversee, including working with PBCMS staff to research medicine have once again proven to persevere; Dr.
Project Access, which pairs uninsured or current COVID vaccination regulations Fauci is even more of a hero today than he was 39
underinsured patients with volunteer to determine when its member physi- years ago while researching HIV/AIDS (and probably
physicians and facilities, and the cians and their staffs will be able to get inspiring Princess Diana); and that the telemedicine
Physician Leadership Academy, which vaccinated, and to try to get the vaccine industry will continue to grow during this COVID-19
provides physicians with advocacy, leg- available in physicians’ offices. era and its related regulatory waivers and notices will
islative and media training to help them “This is where people tend to feel the continue to expand.
become leaders in local, regional and most comfortable getting a vaccine,” As Dr. Fauci’s neighbor, I am happy to share news BY KOMAL S. MIRZA,
national organizations. PBMCS also said Skidmore, adding that they are cur- that the Biden Administration’s January 22nd message ESQ.
includes a Medical Reserve Corps com- rently battling an inventory shortage. to Governors that “the [Public Health Emergency] will
ponent, in which physicians volunteer “We’re talking with different govern- likely remain in place for the entirety of 2021” means the current notices and
to help in emergencies such as recent ment entities to let them know that we waivers issued by U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and Centers for
COVID-19 vaccine distribution events. are an available resource to help offset Medicare & Medicaid Services will also likely remain in place and be built upon –
“This job is really unique; not only am some of the strain facing local depart- until further notice, that is. When a decision to lift the Public Health Emergency
I working with two different boards of ments of health. Our physicians are is made, the Administration will issue a 60 day notice to terminate. At that time,
directors and a MEDPAC board as well, ready, willing and able to help.” we will probably also see significant and long-lasting changes in the continuing
but there is always something going on As a state representative, Skidmore is regulation of telemedicine as a result of these PHE waivers.
to engage our physicians and the com- naturally drawn to the PBCMS’s advoca- In the meantime, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and its affil-
munity,” said Skidmore. cy role. “One of my strengths is that I am iated agencies have issued and continue to issue new notices and waivers pertain-
One of PBCMS’ latest initiatives is the able to share insight into the legislative ing to telemedicine, including those announced in February. For a detailed under-
establishment of a new Council on process and healthcare bills coming for- standing of the current waivers, notices, and policies issued by U.S. Department of
Physician Inclusiveness, created by new ward,” she said. “I will be getting more Health and Human Services, CMS, and other agencies, join me for South Florida
president Dr. Roger Duncan. “Through proactive in that regard, bringing real- Hospital News’ Education Series Seminar on April 20, 2021 at noon.
this council, we will be engaging with time information to physicians who are Register for the seminar “Legal Update: Telehealth and COVID-19” at
sister societies such as the T. Leroy asking questions about what bills we https://healthcareattorney.net/events/.
Jefferson Medical Society, and Indian want to engage with and how to best
and Haitian physicians, among others,” advocate for our interests.” Komal S. Mirza, Esq. is an attorney with Healthcare Law Partners, L.L.C. For more
said Skidmore. “We’re working to find In addition to her role at UnitedHealth information visit www.HealthcareAttorney.net. This article is intended for informational
synergies and establish relationships Group and at The Arthritis Foundation, purposes and is not legal advice. If you have a specific legal question, ask Komal at
that will allow us to provide the best Skidmore’s health care background also Komal@HealthcareAttorney.Net.
services to these physicians so that they includes her own experiences as a
can provide the best care to patients.” patient, having dealt with juvenile
Believing that the PBCMS is one of the rheumatoid arthritis since she was four Cover Story: Every Concussion Is Unique:
best-kept secrets in the area, Skidmore is years old.
also creating a social media campaign to “I am very defensive of physicians and Doctors will tell you, “If you’ve seen one
provide physicians and the community their role in healthcare because it’s been
at large with information about all of the a big part of my life,” she said. “I think
benefits the organization provides. that all of my diverse experiences give concussion, you’ve seen one concussion.”
“Every month, we will feature one to me a well-rounded perspective that will
four health-related focuses,” said be a benefit to PBCMS members, our Continued from page 1 The good news is that children have an
Skidmore, giving the example of provid- staff and community.” Headaches are the most common excellent chance of recovery. Catching it
ing heart-healthy tips during American symptoms. Your headache can be consis- quickly and treating it appropriately
Heart Month in February. “Our goal is to To learn more about Palm Beach County tent, going from some pain to a lot. leads to a full recovery as if nothing ever
build a following so that we can expand Medical Society, visit www.pbcms.org. Imbalance is when you have trouble happened.
walking. It occurs the first day or two of Worries about concussions are justi-
the concussion. fied when they happen repeatedly.
Sleep disturbance works a few differ-
ent ways: you get too little or too much Preventing a Concussion
E-mail Your Editorial Submissions to sleep or you have difficulty falling While football has the highest inci-
asleep. dence of concussions, it’s not uncommon
editorial@southfloridahospitalnews.com Cognitive deficits can cause trouble for students taking mixed martial arts,
remembering or concentrating. soccer and other sports to get injured.
While all of these symptoms are com- Here are ways to lessen the chance of
mon, it’s possible that you won’t know if getting a concussion:
your child had a concussion. Babies and 1. Wear protective headgear.
young children won’t be able to express 2. Talk to your child about safety rules.
their feelings. Look for signs of irritabil- 3. Wear seatbelts.
ity. If they persist, talk to your doctor. 4. After a head injury, follow your doc-
t
x
e
W ha s ’ t N t ? concussion won’t cause brain damage. tor’s treatment plan.
N
It’s important to understand, a single
5. If you or your child has a head
injury, seek immediate medical attention
Treating a Concussion and rest after your diagnosis.
w w b . w d o c . o m l a e h / t l hca e r Get rest and sleep for the first 24 to 48 Participating in sports is a personal
hours after being diagnosed with a con- decision that you, your child and family
cussion. have to make. We know that athletes
o Curtail sports right after a concussion. should not participate in sports while
After a period of rest, you can resume they are symptomatic. We also know
slowly. after a single injury is healed, it’s okay to
o
We customize treatments. When we return to a game you love.
see a patient, we ask a series of ques-
o c un t n i o tions, get the patient’s history and have Dr. Manny Gonzalez-Brito is Pediatric
that patient complete a physical exam. Intensivist of the KIDZ Medical Concussion
Activities are restricted to allow the brain Program and Medical Director of the
to recover. Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
. ed.
If the symptoms persist, medication Program at Palm Beach Children’s Hospital
can be prescribed. at St. Mary’s Medical Center.

10 April 2021 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News