News from the MOA

Members-- you can login and view the full archive of MOA E-newsletters here.

MOA statement in response to Roe v. Wade overturn

Statement from MOA President Brian Kaufman, DO, and Board of Directors (June 28th, 2022):

The recent decision from the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling, has caused us to reflect on the values that are central to our patients, health care, individual rights and our roles as osteopathic physicians.

As osteopathic physicians we are trained to look at the whole person, which includes their body, mind, spiritual beliefs, family dynamics and values and to support and honor our patients' views, justice and autonomy.

The recent decision by SCOTUS has the potential for profound impacts across the nation, in our state and into our exam rooms and will disproportionately affect minority and lower socioeconomic populations.

In this spirit, the Maine Osteopathic Association (MOA) remains dedicated:

1. to support of the rights of all our patients, as they navigate the complicated personal circumstances around pregnancy, childbirth, parenting and safety;

2. maintaining the integrity and privacy of the patient-physician relationship and resisting governmental intrusion into that space;

3. opposition to any state action that attempts to criminalize or impose civil penalties on physicians for the performance of their roles;

4. maintaining, or improving the rights of our patients, free from bias and with equity and dignity.

Maine law protects the right of women to avoid being forced to maintain pregnancy and to give birth. Any future actions to restrict those rights will be opposed. We will stand in opposition to other actions proposed to restrict other individual rights, that may affect other marginalized populations.

Maine osteopathic physicians work diligently throughout the state to provide the best care for their patients and the MOA remains committed to working to maintain the ability to continue delivering excellent care.

Contact Info:
207-623-1101
[email protected]
www.mainedo.org

29 Association Drive
PO Box 315
Manchester, ME 04351

New Website Launched to Promote Physician-Led Care in Maine: Visit PartnershipforExpertCare.org!

October 27th, 2021

Earlier this year, MOA partnered with the Maine Medical Association, and several other medical societies and healthcare organizations to address the growing trend of scope of practice expansion. We collectively formed the Partnership for Expert Care and are jointly leading a communication campaign to help educate Maine people about this important topic.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the launch of the Partnership for Expert Care website at PartnershipforExpertCare.org!

The goal of this website is to raise awareness about the benefits of physician-led healthcare. The website will help visitors:

1.  Understand the roles of different medical providers
2.  Learn how providers collaborate to deliver the best care
3.  Inform patients why the unique qualifications that physicians have make them the most qualified to lead the healthcare team.

Together, let us spread the word about this important topic. Visit PartnershipforExpertCare.org to learn more, share your thoughts, and take action.

As part of the campaign, we will be developing a communication “toolkit” that will include social media posts, white papers, videos, e-mails, newsletter articles and other materials that can be disseminated through a variety of channels.

What Can You DO to Help?

We would like to ask for your help in spreading the word about this important topic by sharing these messages through your organization’s communication outlets and/or personal networks. If you are interested in providing your own person statement, serving as a spokesperson or writing an Op Ed, please contact MOA Executive Director Amanda Richards or visit the “Take Action” section of our website for more information.

 Read More.

A Message from Your MOA President Brian Kaufman, DO

Adapted from Dr. Kaufman's remarks at UNE COM White Coat Ceremony October 10, 2021)

Recently, we celebrated Maine's Indigenous People’s Day. There is also a National handbag day, National angel food cake day, National cake decorating day, and most importantly International World Mental Health Day. But for the MOA, every day is an opportunity to share and support the great work of Maine's Osteopathic Physicians.

As the President of the Maine Osteopathic Association, which is an advocacy organization, I want us to take a moment to reflect upon the following questions: What is advocacy? Why is it important? Here are my answers: Advocacy is a voice at the table that demands to be heard. Advocacy is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Advocacy is having someone take care of you.  

Read the full message on the Blog.

MOA Supports Gov Mills COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Most Healthcare Workers

August 12th, 2021  via E-Newsletter

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), utilizing their authority under existing law to require certain vaccinations of people who work in health care settings, issued an emergency rule yesterday 8/12 that will require health care workers to be fully vaccinated by October 1, 2021. This timeframe provides health care workers the next five weeks to receive their needed shots.

Says MOA President Brian Kaufman, DO "Our patients deserve whatever protection we can offer and for this reason the Maine osteopathic association is in favor of mandatory vaccination of workers in healthcare to ensure patient safety and hasten the decline of the pandemic."

Read more on the Blog!

MOA Inaugurates New President, Honors 2020 & 2021 Awardees at 110th Annual Convention

The MOA Convened at The Samoset Resort June 12, 2021 to host the Annual Convention live and live-streamed. More then 150 attendees joined us either in person or virtually. We inaugurated a new President Brian Kaufman, DO and honored awardees. Read more on the Blog!

Have you noticed our new look?

The MOA website at www.mainedo.org has been completely re-designed to better serve the needs of our members and the public. In addition to a fresh look, our new site offers many new features! We will be sharing more about these features in future communications.

Here's what members need to do NOW:

1. Log in to your account by resetting your password.
2. Take a look around! Our new Member Landing Page is where you can update your profile, find latest news, member resources and more!