News You Can Use

January 24, 2025

This is a publication to keep you informed of issues and events pertaining to the osteopathic profession in Washington State. We invite you to submit topics or articles of interest to your colleagues for consideration. Submissions may be emailed to executivedirector@woma.org

From the President's Desk

Happy New Year WOMA Members and Welcome to 2025!

I’d like to thank all those who participated in Giving Day 2024. You still have an opportunity to donate. WOMA needs the funds to provide spectacular CME in 2025. Your tax-free donation to the Washington Osteopathic Foundation should be earmarked for WOMA. This is also a reminder for those who may have forgotten to pay your WOMA 2025 dues, which were due January 1, 2025. A big thank you to all who have paid their dues on time. I’d also like to thank those Life Members Who continue to pay dues. Of course, waiver of dues is a perk of being a life member, and there are some who are still working full-time, not paying dues, but I ask them to consider paying dues or donating. WOMA needs these funds not only to provide CME, but to provide for special events, engage the students, participate in legislative activities, pay the staff, and run the WOMA business.

I am asking those who are new to the state of Washington, and those who have just entered practice fresh out of residency, please contact me through the WOMA office with questions, issues, or to just say hi, because want to get to know each one of you!

Don’t forget to sign up for DO Day in Olympia on February 27, 2025! This is a great opportunity to meet your legislative representatives and really let them know what Osteopathy is all about!

I am looking forward to a great year!

Your president, 
Monica Haines, D.O.

Credentialing Freeze in February, Apply and Renew in January!

The Washington State Department of Health is excited to announce the upcoming launch of a new licensing system for all health professionals and facilities in Washington during the third week of February 2025! The Health Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS) will help create efficiencies, improve user experience, streamline processing, strengthen data access, and reduce paper-based activities. 

February Credentialing Freeze

Ahead of the HELMS launch, all licensing and credentialing systems will be unavailable in order to make system upgrades. This freeze will be during President's Day weekend from Friday, February 14th at 5pm until the morning of Wednesday, February 19th, to allow our team to transition data and launch the new system.

Although the freeze will only impact one business day, we understand it could impact health professionals and facilities and strongly recommend that everyone consider applying or renewing early. You are able to renew your license or credential up to 90 days before your expiration date. 

What you need to know:

• Do not wait to renew your license or credential. Renew in January to avoid delays.
• Finish applications ahead of the freeze and do not expect updates between February 14-19, 2025.
• No updates or changes will be made to licenses for health professionals and facilities during the freeze. Search tools like Provider Credential Search and Facility Search will still be available but will not be updated during the freeze.
• For more information on the licensing freeze and the new licensing system, please visit DOH.wa.gov. You can find information about your specific profession or facility type within the Licenses, Permits & Certificates tab.

Thank you for your consideration and support during this transition. The Department of Health looks forward to sharing HELMS with you!

If you have questions or concerns regarding the licensing freeze, please reach out to the HELMS team at HELMS@doh.wa.gov. 

Information to Share with Patients-Dispose of Unused, Unwanted Medications Year-Round

As a part of the Every Day is Take Back Day campaign, the community can dispose of old pharmaceutical drugs at locations nationwide. 

Nearly 17,000 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses collect unneeded medications throughout the year. Those locations can be found here. In addition, many police departments provide year-round drop boxes.

Learn more what you can do to make Every Day Take Back Day.

Contact Info:

Washington Osteopathic Medical Association

PO Box 1187, Gig Harbor, WA 98335

425-677-3930

executivedirector@woma.org