MSSNY eNews: October 13, 2021 – New Reports of Scam Targeting Physicians

 

New Reports of Scam Targeting Physicians
Last February, MSSNY published an article about a scam that targets physicians with deceptive phone calls, falsely claiming that the physician is under investigation by the NYS Education Department or the Office of Professional Medical Conduct (OPMC).  At the time, the New York State Education Department issued a warning to licensed professionals in New York State about the scam.

MSSNY has new reports from physicians that the scam is ongoing, with callers sometimes also falsely claiming that the physician is under investigation by a federal agency like the Drug Enforcement Agency and includes attempts to coerce the physician to wire the caller a bond fee or other payment.

The New York State Education Department will never telephone or fax any individual to request a bond fee or payments related to an ongoing investigation of professional misconduct.  If you receive such a phone call, please hang up immediately and report it to the proper law enforcement authorities.


MSSNY Opposes U.S. Northern District Decision to Continue to Permit Religious Exemptions to State’s Healthcare Worker COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements
On Tuesday, 10/12 MSSNY issued the following statement to the press:

Statement Attributable to:
Joseph R. Sellers, MD, FAAP, FACP
President, Medical Society of the State of New York

“We are disappointed by today’s decision by the U.S. Northern District to continue to allow a religious exemption from the well thought-through healthcare worker COVID-19 vaccination requirement implemented by the Hochul Administration.

“These vaccination requirements are essential to protecting public health, particularly the immunocompromised, the elderly, and those too young to receive the vaccination.  No major religious denomination opposes vaccinations, and the Supreme Court has for over 100 years upheld vaccination requirements to protect the public health. Moreover, it has proven very effective at significantly raising the vaccination rate of healthcare workers.

“We continue to support this vaccination requirement for health care workers to protect the health and safety of all New Yorkers.”


MLMIC Ad


Press Coverage on MSSNY Statement Opposing U.S. Northern District Decision
The Albany (NY) Times Union (10/12, Lyons) reports Medical Society of the State of New York President Joseph R. Sellers “said the organization continues to support mandatory vaccinations for health care workers.” Sellers said, “These vaccination requirements are essential to protecting public health, particularly the immunocompromised, the elderly, and those too young to receive the vaccination.”

An editorial in The Gazette entitled “Public health should override religious views” notes “The Medical Society of the State of New York came out with a statement Tuesday strongly opposing the ruling, calling the vaccination requirements ‘essential to protecting public health, particularly the immunocompromised, the elderly, and those too young to receive the vaccination.’ The organization also noted the legal precedents and the lack of major opposition to vaccines by major religions.”


AMA Vaccination Campaign Features MSSNY Member Willie Underwood lll, MD, MSc

Photo of 2 AMA doctors

MSSNY Member and AMA Board Trustee Willie Underwood lll, MD, MSc is featured in the campaign.

The Ad Council, the American Medical Association (AMA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the CDC Foundation have joined together to encourage more people to get vaccinated against seasonal flu.

During a severe season, flu has resulted in as many as 41 million illnesses and 710,000 hospitalizations among Americans. The new effort extends the No Time for Flu campaign and introduces #FluFOMO to inspire more people to get a flu vaccine to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.

The campaign ads direct audiences to GetMyFluShot.org for more information, including where to get a flu vaccine in their area.


Membership Renewal Banner


Influenza: In the Time of Pandemic 2021-2022:
October 20, 2021 @ 7:30am Medical Matters CME Webinar
Vaccine components, recommendations for dealing with flu during a pandemic and contrasts with previous flu seasons are all new this season.  You can learn more by registering for Influenza: In the Time of Pandemic 2021-2022 on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at 7:30 a.m.

William Valenti, MD, chair of MSSNY Infectious Disease Committee and a member of the Emergency Preparedness and Disaster/Terrorism Response Committee will serve as faculty for this program. Registration is now open for this webinar here.

Click here to view the flyer for this program.

Educational objectives are:

  • Examine the dramatic decrease in influenza cases in 2020-2021
  • Identify strategies to effectively encourage patients to get vaccinated
  • Analyze measures to ensure continued abatement of influenza during and after the COVID pandemic
  • Discuss timing of influenza vaccines with COVID-19 vaccination

Additional information or assistance with registration may be obtained by contacting Melissa Hoffman at mhoffman@mssny.org.

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. 


CPH Banner


Classified Ads Available for:

Physicians’ search services • allied medical placements • locum tenens • practice valuation • practice brokerage • practice consulting • real estate

For help, information or to place your ad, call Roseann Raia at 516-488-6100 ext. 302 


For the MSSNY 2021 Ad Rate Sheet, please click here.


Looking to Fill a Pediatrician Position?
A Board Certified, NY licensed Pediatrician is immediately available
for a FT/PT or per-diem position.  CV and references are available. Please contact maiseymed@aim.com


Office Space for Lease – Great Neck, NY
Large, fully equipped space available for lease up to 7 days per week. Includes onsite parking and is close to mass transit. Call 516-972-2986 for info.


Rheumatology Practice Opportunity – Great Neck, NY
Opportunity available at an established rheumatology practice in Great Neck, NY. Looking for a dedicated physician to join, share or merge practices. Fully equipped office with onsite parking and proximity to mass transit. Contact 516-972-2986 for more info.

AIDS Institute’s Office of the Medical Director for a Public Health Physician II
Health Research, Inc. (HRI) has a job opening within the AIDS Institute’s Office of the Medical Director for a Public Health Physician II. Please distribute this announcement widely through your networks. Interested individuals can apply for this position through the HRI website.