Health Equity
News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues
25th Council session information coming soon.
MSDC's Physician Health Program is Here To Help During COVID-19
"Wanted to check in since it’s been a week. I feel GREAT!"
These are the words of a resident physician who MSDC intervened on last week. When no psychiatrist was available to help a resident who was struggling with anxiety and depression exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, MSDC stepped in. Our clinical case manager Steve Carerras triaged the resident and spent an hour on the phone providing supportive therapy. We were then able to get the resident in with me for formal psychiatric assessment and treatment plan.
Many who think of the MSDC Physician Health Program (PHP) equate it only to physicians who have addiction problems and/or severe pathology or impairment. That is if they are even aware of the program. However, the MSDC PHP offers so much more. Our aim is to help any physician who is in distress. This includes:
mental health problems (large or small)
- behavioral/communication problems
- substance use problems
- cognitive problems
- physical disability
We offer a range of services including on-site interventions and triage, brief counseling/support, referral for comprehensive assessment (when indicated), referral to treatment providers who work specifically with physicians, monitoring for physicians in recovery and advocacy to regulatory bodies and hospital staff. Our goal is to keep physicians who experience challenges in our workforce practicing the best and safest medicine possible.
In order to support our work, I ask that you consider joining the MSDC. You membership dues help us offer these services to physicians across the District. Under the leadership of our current president, Dr. Pineda, the MSDC is looking to expand our health and wellness services to provide brief counseling and coaching to physicians who may not need intensive services of the PHP but still need help.
Every time I help a physician return to practice, whether it be this resident in crisis or a mid-career physician who has had to leave medicine for detox and rehab, it gives me great joy. Please join me in supporting the MSDC and in doing so supporting physician health across the District of Columbia in these tough times.
Stay safe;.
Charles P. Samenow, MD, MPH
Chair, MSDC Physician Health Program
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Medical Faculty Associates
George Washington University School of Medicine
Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked
What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.
MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools
Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.
What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).
MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.
Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.
What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.
MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.
Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.
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