Page 9 - Delaware Medical Journal - May/June 2020
P. 9
PRESIDENT’S PAGE
JOSEPH J. STRAIGHT, MD
MSD President Joseph J. Straight, MD
is a Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician with First State Orthopaedics.
Together,
We Are Stronger
This message was written several weeks prior to the time of publication.
As I pen this page, we are one-and- a-half months into one of the most unprecedented times in medicine. The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)
is a global pandemic. In my Inaugural speech, I said that “the time is now,” and asked for all physicians to step up and support the Delaware community. Wow, how you have responded! Our physicians and health care workforce have done an excellent job battling this crisis. I want
dedicated actions. I am proud to serve as your President.
MSD continues its exceptional service to the physicians in the First State during COVID-19 case in Delaware, our
staff was already preparing. They are connected and working remotely to ensure full functionality to carry on our daily activities; all so they can assist with answers and resources needed during this time. The various committee meetings continue to take place through conference calls and web-based meeting platforms.
On a local level, MSD has been working
the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), the Division of
Public Health (DPH), the Insurance Hospital Association, and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce to provide you with the most up-to-date information surrounding COVID-19. In addition,
MSD remains in close contact with our federal legislators and other state medical societies, bringing your concerns to the
Our communications have included information about COVID-19,
personal protective equipment (PPE) status and use, testing supplies and protocols, the use of telemedicine and referral to telehealth vendors, along with billing and reimbursement, and information on federal loans and grants. We have packaged the information
you need to know in one concise
daily communication, providing
the convenience of the most current information available in one place. We decided early on that it was crucial for all health care professionals in our state to have consistent information and follow the same protocols. With that goal in mind, MSD has also shared our communications with non-member physicians. Our “COVID-19 Update” has been provided daily since March 10. Our analysis shows more than 1,400 recipients opening
these communications daily, and we continue to receive requests to add to the distribution list. MSD’s website
is updated daily to provide enhanced guidance, address your questions, and offer you the resources you need.
MSD partnered early on with DPH to provide accurate and timely information on this public health crisis. Knowing there would be many questions, MSD arranged
Del Med J | May/June 2020 | Vol. 92 | No. 3
105
