A Year of Accomplishments and Challenges

A Year of Accomplishments and Challenges

Colleagues:

I am so grateful to lead MSSNY, the most powerful force to advocate for our patients and fellow physicians for the best health care in New York. My priorities this year were Harmony, Wellness, and Empowerment of personal, professional, and practice environments. I am proud to say that with the help of our dedicated staff, we had the highest number of educational activities, the best advocacy, and the best networking events connecting people.

Here’s what I learned about MSSNY:

What is MSSNY: MSSNY is a professional organization that protects our profession and our patients. Our four pillars are Connect, Engage, Influence, and Learn.

MSSNY is where you will find wonder and awe. Wonder inspires the wish to understand. Wonder fuels our passion for exploration and learning, curiosity, and adventure. Awe inspires the wish to let shine, acknowledge, and unite. When feeling awe, we tend to simply stand back and observe “to provide a stage for the phenomenon to shine.” Awe “leads people to cooperate, share resources, and sacrifice for others” and causes them “to fully appreciate the value of others and see themselves more accurately, evoking humility.”

Moments to Cherish for MSSNY: Veto of the Grieving Families Act. We cherish some moments in our life and this year’s pinnacle moment was the miracle of a seemingly impossible task: the Governor’s veto of the Grieving Families Act. Bipartisan and near-unanimous support for the bill could have made an override of the veto very likely. Our opponents were strong, and the prospects were gloomy. With your help, our alliances, the creation of simple action items, use of media, and organized efforts, we achieved what we will cherish for years. In the process, we found new strength, confidence, and new leaders among us. This victory made me believe in courage and confidence: The courage to believe in your dream, to believe the impossible is possible, and to work towards its attainment. To get what we want, we need the confidence to overcome obstacles – exposing ourselves to potentially humiliating, dangerous, or painful consequences. While there are many accomplishments, there were times when I was disappointed. That is where I learned acceptance: Acceptance is coming to peace with things I can’t change, which takes tremendous courage. I can’t change other people. I can only change myself. -Irene Latham

I am thankful to the dedicated staff, all leaders, members, the federation of executive directors, and our alliances. This year, I experienced awe and wonder; I gained courage and confidence and learned acceptance and thoughtfulness, giving me hope and optimism for our future. I also learned to survive crises and tough times by building resilience and communicating effectively. When swimming with sharks, face your fear with courage and knowledge, pay full attention to the matter, anticipate, plan, and stay calm.

“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”  – Sir Edmund Hillary
This quote speaks to the personal growth and challenges that come with attempting to climb the world’s highest peak, and the triumph that comes not only from reaching the summit, but from overcoming one’s own limitations and fears in the process.

On May 29, 1953 Sherpa Tenzing, Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary accomplished what no other human being ever had: They stood on the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. That night Sherpa Tenzing wrote in his diary – “You do not climb a mountain like Everest by trying to race ahead on your own, or by competing with your comrades. You do it slowly and carefully, by unselfish teamwork”. That is how a mountain makes a man great. For where would Hillary and I be without the others? Without the climbers who had made the route and the Sherpas who had carried the loads? It was only because of the work and sacrifice of them that we were now to have our chance at the top.

I am humbled to serve MSSNY and my gratitude to all who supported me and challenged me to do more. All accomplishments are attributed to teamwork.

MSSNY’s Accomplishments

Under the leadership of MSSNY Executive Vice President Troy Oechsner, I thank the division leaders and the entire staff for their tireless work and dedication:

Division of Governmental Affairs
Morris Auster, Patricia Clancy, Zina Cary, Michael Bartlett, Jennifer Wilks

The grieving families act was vetoed; health insurance reforms enacted; expanded medical student loan repayment opportunities; Medicaid payment increases; continued excess liability coverage with no physician cost responsibility.

  Victories Include:

• Stopped the Wrongful Death Bill
• Passed Telehealth Payment Parity requiring insurers to pay telehealth on parity with in-office
• Increased Funding for Doctors Across NY’s student loan forgiveness for physicians in underserved
• Restored Funding for proposed cuts to Medicaid and Excess Medical Malpractice
• Restricted Insurers’ Mid-Year Drug Formulary Changes.
• Established Regulation of Pharmacy Benefit Managers.
• Stopped Pre-Judgment Interest in cases (including malpractice).
• Expanded Insurance Coverage in the Essential Plan and Child Health Insurance Program, as well as for Medicaid post-partum care up to one year.

2021-2022 Memos written in Support and Opposition:

SUPPORT

1. 75-A279 Support NYSIIS Requirement
2. 599-A.879 Support Peer Review
3. 227 (Cusick) Sudden Cardiac Arrest Support Memo
4. 8299-A9908-A Support PA Reform
5. A4177 – S.2528 Support Due Process
6. MSSNY Letter to Assm Gottfried on A.1538-A
7. Prior Authorization Group Memo
8. 5505-A.6256 Support Memo
9. S4111-A4668 Mid-Year Formulary Changes Support
10. S5299 A1741 CoPay Accumulator Sign On Letter
11. S5909-A3276 Support

OPPOSITION

1. 2019-A2274 Podiatry Oppose
2. 5435 CRNA Oppose
3. 336-A-S.2966-A Coprescribe Oppose
4. 1535-s.3056  NP Independence OPPOSE
5. 3298-A.67 Epilepsy SUDEP Oppose
6. 2529-A.3033 CLIA Waived Test Opposed
7. 4807 A.6476 Pharmacists Immunizations Expansion–Oppose
8. 74-A.6770 Wrongful Death Oppose
9. 5301-A.6008 MH Counselors Oppose
10. 3056A A.1535A Joint Letter
11. 1535-S.3056 NP Independence Oppose
12. 1615-S.213 School Forms
13. Discipline Sign-On Letter
14. Excess Group Letter
15. 3007-S.2507 Budget Pharmacists
16. CPH
17. Telehealth Joint Letter

Division of Communications

Julie Vecchione, Roseann Raia, Matt Brown

Significant accomplishments include the new MSSNY website, the new MSSNY Pulse Newsletter, and the new MSSNY Pulse App. MSSNY leaders were featured in print, TV, radio, and social media throughout the year on many subjects that impact the medical profession and New York healthcare. Over the course of the last year, MSSNY sent 49 press releases on a wide range of topics, including wrongful death, racism, vaccines, and physician burnout. Media Training for Physicians webinar provided training for members interested in speaking on behalf of the profession. With a grant from the AMA, MSSNY aired over 400 radio spots on stations throughout the state to educate the public on scope of practice.

Division of Public Health and Education
Patricia Clancy, Melissa Hoffmann, Miriam Hardin, Emily Rento, Nick Hospodar
Veterans Matters; Pain Management; Infectious Diseases and other coursework; P2P Training; Regular meetings with DOH.
Medical Matters

• What’s your Diagnosis? Infectious Diseases
• Nuclear Radiation + Chemical Agents
• Monkeypox
• Vaccines for Adults + Children
• When is the Flu Not the Flu?

Division of Physician Payment and Practice:
Heather Lopez
$7 million recovered on behalf of members; 700 consults conducted; regular meetings with CMS and physician practices.

Division of Membership and Marketing

Valerie Cammiso, Fran Nunez, Brenda Van Nest, Kathy Rohrer, Matt Brown, Lynette Green, Danielle Nunez, Ruzanna Arsenian, Mohini Harilall, Robyn Cangemi

Simplified old membership model; added benefits and webinars; launched new MSSNY Insider and MSSNY Buzz; continued membership recruitment & retention; created two new sections, International Medical Graduates (IMG) and Minority Affairs.

Member Benefit Webinars

• MSSNY Credentialing and Maintenance Options Webinar
• No Surprises Act Webinar
• Salary Data and Contract Review: What You Need to Know with Resolve CEO Kyle Claussen
• Cybersecurity – Locking the Backdoor Webinar
• Be Prepared: Changes in 2023 Medical Evaluation and Management Coding
• Revenue Cycle Management – It is Not Just Billing
• Revenue Cycle Management – Understanding Outsourcing

Protect Your Practice with Cyber Insurance

Strategic Planning
With a grant from MESF, MSSNY held an in-person retreat on strategic planning. Leaders and staff participated in this two day workshop with AMA past president Dr.James Rohack.

Women’s Leadership Academy
With a grant from the Physicians Foundation, planning is underway for educational programming in the coming year for women and other interested physicians to develop leadership skills.

David Mezza Wellness Series with a grant from Empire Foundation

• Lifelong Learning: A Look in the Rearview Mirror and a Peek Ahead
• Less Stress, More Success: Overcoming and Preventing Healthcare Burnout

Supporting Well-Being Beyond the Pandemic: Suggestions for Individuals and Systems

Medicine and Government during Public Health Emergency
MSSNY provided an educational webinar on Medicine and Government during public health emergencies.

Implicit Bias training:

1. We shared training videos with our staff and leadership.
2. Presentation on Implicit Bias by Dr. Penny Stern

International Medical Graduate and Ethnic Medical Association (IMG EMA) Section:

1. How to write best personal statement
2. How to ace an interview for residency
3. Celebration of Diversity: Honoring healthcare Heroes

YPS RFS section

1. Connect with Empathy but Lead with Compassion
2. Advocacy

Student Section
One-on-One Advocacy

OMSS Section
AMA and Advocacy

Several grants were obtained, including:

1. David Mezza Lecture series $10,000
2. Physician Foundation/ Women Leadership Grant $150,000
3. Scope of Practice/AMA: $50,000
4. Medical Matters $79,000
5. Empire to MESF $150,000

From Conflict to Harmony: Navigating Differences and Fostering Harmony

Dear Friends,

Our world may seem divided and chaotic in these times of polarization and division. It’s more important than ever to work towards coming together and fostering harmony. We all have different perspectives and experiences that shape our beliefs and values. By listening with empathy and understanding, we can bridge the gaps that separate us and work toward mutual understanding.

Let’s approach each other respectfully and kindly and recognize that our differences can be a source of strength rather than division. We can create a more harmonious world where everyone feels seen and heard. Conflict is a natural part of life, but how we handle it can make all the difference. Rather than letting our differences divide us, we can seek common ground and find ways to work together toward a common goal. With compassion, empathy, and a willingness to listen, we can overcome even the most difficult challenges and create a brighter future for MSSNY.

Sincerely,
Dr. Parag Mehta
MSSNY President