News You Can Use

May 10, 2024

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

110th Annual NW Osteopathic Convention Only ONE MONTH AWAY! Register before May 25th to Save!

WOMA's annual convention is quickly approaching and as valued members of WOMA, we hope you consider joining us at Semiahmoo Resort June 6-9th! Our members are the reason why we do these events and your support is essential to our success and existence! You will have the opportunity to engage with fellow members and physicians and earn valuable continuing medical education credits. Additionally, your presence contributes to the vibrant community that makes WOMA such a key force in promoting osteopathic medicine in Washington State. 

Click the buttons below to register. Regular registration ends May 24th and late registration starts May 25th. 

Visit the convention page on our website for more information.

Still Need a Room?

WOMA's room block deadline at Semiahmoo has ended, but we have a hold on a few rooms that are available at WOMA's discounted price. If you would like to reserve one of them, please contact Roseanne at executivedirector@woma.org or call 425-677-3930. Also, if you booked your room and it was not through WOMA's room block, please let us know so we can get you added to our group. Resorts like Semiahmoo require a minimum amount of rooms be sold per our contract and we want to make sure you get the best room price!

Speaker Spotlights

Thomas L. Kincheloe, IV, DO, NMM, FDM-IC

Dr. Thomas Kincheloe served in the US Army as a combat medic from 2004 to 2011. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from Arizona State University and a Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences from Midwestern University. He finished his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in 2018. Dr. Kincheloe completed his internship at Stony Brook at Southampton Hospital and subsequently his residency in Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine at Michigan State University. He earned his board certification in Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine by the American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine in 2022. He has completed additional training in Fascial Distortion Model and has been Internationally Certified in FDM since 2020. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor of OPP at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences. Additionally, he practices OMT in Tri-Cities and Spokane at Restore Health and Pain Treatment Group. He is currently active in as a Board member of the Northwest Osteopathic Foundation, a Publication Committee Member of the American Academy of Osteopathy, and a Research Committee Member of the American Fascial Distortion Model Association.

Mary Schaefer Badger DO, FACOI, FAWM

Dr. Badger is a Board-Certified Internal Medicine Specialist. She is a Fellow of both the American College of Osteopathic Internists and the Academy of Wilderness Medicine. After medical school at Heritage-OUCOM, she did a general rotating internship and Internal Medicine Residency (Chief Resident) at Doctors Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. She received the US Public Health Service Distinguished Service Award for her work with the Navajo, before practicing in Spokane for 31 years. (Spokane’s Best Doctors 2018, 2019, 2020). She received the Albertus Magnus College Alumni of the year award in 2023. Since retiring from Kaiser Permanente, she has been volunteering with the Medical Reserve Corps including the COVID response team and lecturing on climate change and health. She is the chair of the ACOI Climate and Health Committee.

WOF Auction Fundraiser Needs Your Help!

The WOF Auction will take place on Saturday, June 8th during the annual convention at Semiahmoo Resort. This will be the first auction WOMA has had since 2019. Due to the pandemic, we were unable to hold the annual event, which has resulted in severely reduced contributions. The Washington Osteopathic Foundation (WOF) has assisted over 100 students with scholarships and low interest loans as well as provide grants for continuing osteopathic medical education. This was possible only through the generosity of our members and supporters.

WOF is asking for your help with this fundraiser by donating an auction item or experience. 

Some ideas for auction items include:

Themed Gift Baskets (ex: Movie Night, Spa, Wine & Cheese)

Art

Gift Certificates

Collectibles

Event Tickets

Golf Packages

Vacation Home Stay

Boating/Helicopter/Seaplane Adventure

The possibilities are endless!

If you would prefer to donate the funds to build a basket, our WOF volunteers and staff would be happy to assist! You can contact Roseanne at 425-677-3930 or email executivedirector@woma.org with any questions.

The Auction Donation Form is available below. Please fill it out and return to us at your earliest convenience. 

WOMA Annual Meeting Nominations

WOMA's Annual Meeting will be held Friday June 7, 2024 at 12:00 noon at Semiahmoo Resort. Elections will be held for the 2025 Board of Governors. If you have anyone you would like to nominate for the board, please email executivedirector@woma.org. 

Notice of New Law Requiring Healthcare Providers to Respond to Patient Requests for Certification of Paid Family Medical Leave within 7 Days

Beginning June 6, 2024, healthcare providers must provide certification of a serious health condition, including any required documentation of a serious health condition, to any patient who requests such certification within seven (7) calendar days of receiving said request. Such certification is required to qualify a patient for Paid Family Medical Leave benefits under Chapter 50A.15 RCW.

In the 2024 session, the Washington Legislature passed Substitute House Bill 2102, which adds a new section to Chapter 70.02 RCW outlining this requirement. The bill further provides that if a health care facility requires administrative review of information or documentation required by Chapter 50A.15 RCW prior to allowing a provider to certify a serious health condition, the facility must implement and maintain policies and practices to ensure compliance with the seven-day requirement.

Providers licensed by the department of health must comply with the new law. Failure to provide certification and any related documentation within seven (7) calendar days as required may result in enforcement action under Chapter 18.130 RCW, the Uniform Disciplinary Act (UDA). Under the UDA, violating any state or federal statute or administrative rule, including any statute or rule defining or establishing standards of patient care or professional conduct or practice, constitutes unprofessional conduct. See RCW 18.130.180(7).

If you have any questions about this change, please contact osteopathic@doh.wa.gov.

Contact Info:

Washington Osteopathic Medical Association

PO Box 1187, Gig Harbor, WA 98335

425-677-3930

executivedirector@woma.org