The Art and Science of Medicine is our North Star
Friday, May 2, 2025
The Art and Science of Medicine is our North Star
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Colleagues:
This week a framework agreement was reached on the NYS Budget, but many policy and spending details are still being negotiated. Next week’s President’s Corner message will be devoted to highlighting how it will affect your practices and your patients.
Your MSSNY leadership participated this week in candidate interviews for physicians vying for positions in AMA Leadership. Each candidate questioned why our AMA has not been more visible given the current changes in public health, education, and looming cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. As background, many of our members went to the AMA National Advocacy Conference in February and were told by AMA lobbyists it was best to work behind the scenes to secure restoration of last year’s Medicare cut. We did as they said, only straying to focus our legislature on the importance of Medicaid and maintaining adequate funding for both vital lifelines for our practices and our patients.
It is now May, the cuts have not been restored, and Medicare and Medicaid still are under threat. We have seen three measles deaths and an outbreak affecting nearly 1,000 reported cases, of which 97% are unvaccinated, and still cannot get HHS leadership to unequivocally recommend measles vaccination as the best means of prevention. The cost of a complicated admission can easily exceed $100,000, and for that money we can vaccinate 2,000 individuals. This should not be controversial, and we as physician scientists must speak up in support consistently with MSSNY Policy 312.971. The AMA put out a statement on March 5 but did not ask that all leading voices, including HHS, need to speak strongly in advocacy for the MMR vaccine.
The bedrock of MSSNY—your medical society—are the policies passed through resolutions in your House of Delegates. The art and science of medicine is our North Star, and our AMA delegates will remind the AMA that unless we are at the table, both behind the scenes and in the media, we will be on the menu.
Organized medicine must be more vocal, must be more visible, must be surgical in their approach, and must unite the house of medicine behind a sustainable system that is physician led and patient centric. Our legislators must support this by tying our payments automatically to the medical economic index and not tying our hands through needless prior authorization and administrative hassles. The system that only rewards the administrators like Medicare disadvantage plans must end.
We have so much work to do. Please support our MSSNYPAC. And if you are not already a member, please join MSSNY.
All the best,
David Jakubowicz, MD, FACS
MSSNY President
From Residency to Real Life: A Practical Guide to Your First Job in Medicine
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Navigating the job market after residency can be challenging, but it also presents an opportunity to shape the career you want. In an insightful article from Medscape Medical News, experienced physicians share valuable advice for residents preparing to take this important step. Dr Elisa Zenni emphasizes the importance of planning, intentionality, and networking, recommending that residents begin their job search 12 to 24 months before graduation and send strategic outreach emails.
Experts suggest clarifying your personal and professional goals, deciding whether you prefer academic or private practice, and whether you want to work in an urban or rural setting. This clarity will guide your decisions throughout the process. Understanding factors such as compensation, credentialing timelines, practice culture, and work-life balance is crucial. Additionally, residents should have their employment contracts reviewed by a qualified attorney. Above all, residents are encouraged to be proactive, rely on mentors, and trust their vision. MSSNY members gain exclusive legal expertise and representation from David N. Vozza of Norris McLaughlin, P.A.
To support residents and early-career physicians, MSSNY offers networking opportunities and access to the MSSNY Career Center, which is a physician-specific job board designed to help you find your ideal position in New York. Joining MSSNY allows you to connect with peers, grow professionally, and benefit from strong advocacy for physicians in New York.
Navigating the Job Market: A Resident’s Guide to Finding Your First Position (Broder, Medcape, 4/29).
Dr. Subhash Chandra: Forging His Path to Excellence
Dr. Subhash Chandra, a Medical Director and valued MSSNY member, exemplifies the power of self-belief. Overlooked by his organization for a prestigious fellowship, he boldly nominated himself and secured the honor, proving his leadership and expertise. In MSSNY’s Resilience in Practice series, Dr. Chandra shares his inspiring journey of advocating for his potential. His story is a beacon for MSSNY members striving for greatness. We proudly feature Dr. Chandra and invite all physicians to join our Minority Affairs Section to uplift colleagues like him. Share your journey to inspire our community.
Oh Baby!
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Congratulations to MSSNY Speaker Dr. L. Carlos Zapata on the birth of baby Elias Max Zapata-Sabbah. For the next two weeks please direct any questions/comments for your MSSNY Speakers to Dr. Jane Simpson as Elias, mom, dad and big brother Aaron adjust to life as a family of four.
Join NCMS for the 2025 Summer Social at Gatsby on the Ocean
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Mark your calendar for an evening of connection, relaxation, and celebration at the Nassau County Medical Society’s 2025 Summer Social on Tuesday, June 24, from 6–10 PM at Gatsby on the Ocean. This annual gathering offers New York physicians an opportunity to unwind with colleagues, build relationships across specialties, and engage with the broader medical community in a beautiful beachfront setting.
Whether you’re new to practice or a seasoned professional, events like these strengthen professional ties and support the spirit of physician-led collaboration.
Space is limited, and the RSVP deadline is June 19.
Reserve your spot now: RSVP Here
Physicians Urged to Take Action to Help Preserve Affordable Student Loan Repayment Options and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
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On April 3, the U.S Department of Education announced it was initiating the federal rulemaking process to propose major changes to regulations governing various federal student loan programs. The focus of the rulemaking is the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, Pay As You Earn (PAYE), and Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR). This announcement comes on the heels of recent Executive actions to limit the PSLF program. This program offers tax free student loan forgiveness to borrowers who make payments on their loans for at least 10 years while maintaining employment at qualifying nonprofit or government organizations.
Medical education remains the most expensive post-secondary education in the US, with over 71% of medical student graduates carrying an average debt of over $200,000, which is exacerbated by the fact that for three to five years after graduation, during residency and fellowships, their income is capped.
Please send a letter TODAY and urge the U.S. Department of Education eCFR :: 34 CFR 685.219 — Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). to preserve a pathway for public service loan forgiveness and affordable loan repayment options for physicians and other healthcare professionals by saving PSLF and other federal student loan programs.
Template Language
I am writing to urge you to ensure that any changes that are made to the student loan and forgiveness program are beneficial to all students, and in particular medical students. Medical education remains the most expensive post-secondary education in the US. Over 71% of medical student graduates carry an average debt of over $200,000 and this is exacerbated by the fact that for three to five years after graduation, during residency and fellowships, our income is capped.
Without the ability to have access to affordable student loan repayment options, and loan forgiveness programs in exchange for public service, medical school would be unachievable for me. These programs not only benefit me, but they also help support the communities we serve by ensuring access to care.
On April 3, the U.S Department of Education announced it was initiating the federal rulemaking process to propose major changes to regulations governing various federal student loan programs. The focus of the rulemaking is the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, Pay As You Earn (PAYE), and Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR). This announcement comes on the heels of recent Executive actions to limit the PSLF program. This program offers tax free student loan forgiveness to borrowers who make payments on their loans for at least 10 years while maintaining employment at qualifying nonprofit or government organizations.
Also- please consider customizing the template letter by including comments regarding:
- How student loans have impacted you personally — do you have (or did you have) loans, and would your education have been possible without them?
- How ending or severely restricting income-based repayment and/or PSLF would impact you or someone you know.
- Examples of financial challenges you or your peers faced during residency/fellowship – did income-based repayment plans impact your ability to manage your budget during residency/early career?
Please preserve a pathway for public service loan forgiveness and affordable loan repayment options for physicians and other healthcare professionals. Thank you.
Please Help us Advocate for Prior Authorization Reforms by Completing our Survey.
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MSSNY is advocating for multiple pieces of legislation (such as A.2352, McDonald/S.7470, Hoylman and A.3789, Weprin/S.7297, Hoylman) to reduce excessive prior authorization hassles imposed by health insurers on physicians seeking to provide needed care for their patients, and we need your input.
Pervasive and overwhelming prior authorization demands can cause unnecessary delays in needed care for patients. Delay in authorization of prescriptions, tests or procedures can cause needless anxiety for patients already stressed by uncertainty regarding their condition, particularly those with chronic conditions who have complex medical needs, and their health depends on following strict treatment plans.
Physicians, please help us in these advocacy efforts by taking a moment to complete a survey to help us further define the impact that excessive prior authorizations are having on your patients’ ability to access to needed care, and please send a letter to your legislators Prior Authorization Reform urging that they enact these prior authorization reform bills this year!
PreAct 2025: A New Model for Mental Health Response to Mass Trauma
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On June 5–6, the PreAct conference will convene international experts at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai to explore new strategies for addressing the mental health impact of mass trauma. A joint initiative between Mount Sinai and Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, the event draws on decades of experience responding to large-scale crises, from 9/11 to the October 7 attacks in Israel.
Among the featured speakers is Dr. Craig Katz, a key coordinator of the conference and Chair of MSSNY’s Emergency Preparedness and Disaster/Terrorism Response Committee. Dr. Katz brings invaluable perspective on building resilience and early psychiatric intervention following disasters.
Physicians interested in disaster psychiatry, trauma-informed care, and global health systems are encouraged to attend. Learn more and register.
N.Y. Assembly Committees Advance Medical Aid in Dying Act
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The New York Assembly’s health and codes committees have advanced the Medical Aid in Dying Act, which would allow physicians to provide medication to terminally ill patients to end their lives if they have fewer than six months to live. This marks the first time the bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, has moved beyond committee in its decade long history. Last year, the measure saw support from the Medical Society of the State of New York after lawmakers adjusted the bill to allow physicians to opt out.
Full Story: Crain’s New York Business (tiered subscription model) (4/28)
Veterans Matters: Expert-Led CME on Traumatic Brain Injury
Join MSSNY on May 7 at 7:30 AM for the seventh installment of the Veterans Matters webinar series: Traumatic Brain Injury, presented by David Podwall, MD. This accredited session is part of MSSNY’s continuing commitment to equipping New York physicians with the tools to support the unique health challenges faced by veterans.
This 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ webinar will explore the full spectrum of TBI, from mild concussion to severe injury. Dr. Podwall will review clinical indicators, red flags for severe or alternative pathology, evidence-based treatment options, and when to refer to a specialist. The session will also cover how to implement effective return-to-life protocols, providing a practical roadmap for physicians treating this complex condition.
Registration Now Open Medical Matters CME Webinar
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Measles, Community Immunity & How to Get Back There
Wednesday May 21 st @ 7:30am
Owing to the highly contagious nature of measles, community (formerly known as herd) immunity requires an approximate 95% rate of vaccination. So far this year, there have been more than 900 confirmed cases of measles in the United States and three deaths. This is the second highest number of measles cases since 2000 when measles was declared eradicated in the United States. Learn more about effective communications about vaccines and endeavoring to regain community by registering for Measles, Community Immunity & How to Get it Back on May 21st at 7:30am. William Valenti, MD chair of MSSNY Infectious Diseases Committee will serve as faculty for this webinar. Register now
Educational Objectives are:
- Recognize identifying features of measles as a reemerging infection
- Illustrate community (formerly herd) immunity and the role it plays in recent measles and other outbreaks
- Identify strategies to improve vaccination rates
Additional information or assistance with registration may be obtained by contacting Melissa Hoffman.
The Medical Society of the State of New York is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Medical Society of the State of New York designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
New Webinar Added: Long-Term Care Planning for Physicians
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Explore MSSNY’s Business Solutions Webinar Page, your destination for expert-led sessions on financial strategies tailored for New York physicians. The latest addition features a timely webinar from Sellers Insurance on Long-Term Care (LTC) Planning, offering key insights on protecting your future, preserving your assets, and easing the burden on your family.
Visit the Business Solutions Webinar Page to access this and other valuable resources available through your MSSNY membership.
