In this episode of POMA DOes…, James Zervios, Chief Operating Officer of the Obesity Action Coalition, joins Christopher Still, DO, Director of the Geisinger Obesity Institute, for a discussion on obesity and weight loss. They explore the wide range of treatment options, including lifestyle changes, behavioral strategies, medications, and bariatric surgery, while also addressing common challenges such as cost and insurance coverage. They also highlight the importance of long-term, individualized care, the role of mental health, and the need to recognize obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease.

Key Takeaways:

• Obesity is a chronic, relapsing disease that requires comprehensive, long-term care tailored to each patient. There is no one-size-fits-all solution.
  
  

• Treatment options are expanding, from diet, exercise, and behavioral modification to medications (like GLP-1s) and bariatric surgery. However, access can be limited by cost and insurance coverage.
  
  

• Mental health and expectations matter. Patients often hope medication will solve everything, but sustainable success usually requires a holistic, physician-guided approach.
  
  

• Stopping treatment too soon can lead to relapse. For example, up to 75% of patients regain weight within a year of discontinuing GLP-1 medications.
  
  

• The Obesity Action Coalition offers trusted information and resources for patients and providers at obesityaction.org.
  
  

CME Information:

This episode was developed entirely by POMA. Dr. Christopher Still, faculty for this educational event, is an independent contractor and consultant, serves on the speaker’s bureau for Novo Nordisk and Lilly, consults for Boehringer Ingelheim and Currax, and is a contractor for Ethicon Endosurgery. All relevant financial relationships listed have been mitigated.

James Zervios, along with the planners for this episode, has no relevant conflicts of interest to disclose.

The Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association (POMA) is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) to provide osteopathic continuing medical education for physicians. POMA designates this activity for a maximum of 0.5 Category 1-B AOA CME credits. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the AOA.

Attest online at www.poma.org/pomapodcast

Find Us:

• Online: https://www.poma.org/

• Email: poma@poma.org

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/POMADOs

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pomados/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pennsylvania-osteopathic-medical-association/

• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/POMA_DOs

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pomados

In this episode of POMA DOes…, Tyler Burke, POMA’s Senior Director of Government Affairs, sits down with Jake Brennan and Colin Whitney from the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) to unpack the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” They break down how this sweeping legislation will affect osteopathic medicine—from medical student loans and repayment options to changes in Medicaid coverage and the downstream impact on patients and physicians.

Key Takeaways:

• Major shifts to medical student loans begin in July 2026, including the end of Graduate PLUS loans, stricter limits on Parent PLUS loans, and new repayment options.
  
  

• Medicaid and ACA changes are projected to leave millions more Americans uninsured, hitting rural hospitals and vulnerable populations hardest.
  
  

• The bill’s provisions on physician payments and coverage access will directly affect how osteopathic physicians care for their patients.

Find Us:

• Online: https://www.poma.org/

• Email: poma@poma.org

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/POMADOs

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pomados/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pennsylvania-osteopathic-medical-association/

• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/POMA_DOs

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pomados

In this episode of POMA DOes…, POMA Foundation Chair John Kalata, DO, talks with Foundation Board Member Pamela Goldman, DO, about how the Foundation supports osteopathic students, residents, physicians, and communities across Pennsylvania. From scholarships and wellness grants to CME funding and community impact grant programs, they highlight the many ways the Foundation advances the osteopathic profession.

Key Takeaways:

• The Foundation supports physicians and residents through continuing medical education, Resident Wellness Grants, and OMT table donations.

• It invests in osteopathic students by providing white coats, stethoscopes, and Sketchy scholarships.

• Community-focused initiatives include Osteopathic Community Enhancing Grants and Bright Ideas Grants, funding projects that promote osteopathic philosophy and community impact.

• The Foundation’s work can be supported through tax-deductible contributions.

Find Us:

• Online: https://www.poma.org/

• Email: poma@poma.org

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/POMADOs

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pomados/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pennsylvania-osteopathic-medical-association/

• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/POMA_DOs

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pomados

In this episode of POMA DOes…, Sayed Arian, DO, a third-year Family Medicine resident at the Lehigh Valley Health Network, talks with his co-residents Haidar Alwaeli, MD, Joseph Oveh, MD, and Mahvesh Shabbir, MD, about the realities facing interns and residents. They share practical advice, lessons learned, and strategies for thriving during the transition from medical student to practicing physician. From navigating health systems and managing time to overcoming imposter syndrome and maintaining balance, this conversation offers practical insight and encouragement for residents at every stage of training.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace the Transition: Moving from student to physician brings new responsibilities—stay organized, ask questions, and lean on your seniors.

• Balance and Wellness: Protect your health and prevent burnout by making time for rest, relationships, and activities outside of medicine.

• Stay Humble and Curious: Confidence matters, but humility, teamwork, and a willingness to learn will help you grow and provide the best patient care.

Find Us:

• Online: https://www.poma.org/

• Email: poma@poma.org

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/POMADOs

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pomados/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pennsylvania-osteopathic-medical-association/

• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/POMA_DOs

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pomados

In today’s episode of POMA DOes… POMA President-Elect Angela Zawisza, DO, talks with emergency medicine physicians Robert Tomsho, DO, and Holly Stankewicz, DO, about essential summer safety tips. From water sports to biking and boating, they share prevention strategies, highlight common warm-weather injuries, and address the dangers of hot car deaths.

Key Takeaways:

• Protect Yourself: Helmets, pads, and safety gear prevent serious injuries and save lives—start the habit early.

• Stay Water Wise: Teach kids to swim, wear life jackets, and skip alcohol when boating or swimming.

• Beat the Heat: Hydrate, wear sunscreen, and never leave kids in hot cars.

CME Information:

This episode was developed entirely by POMA. None of the panelists or planners for this episode has any relevant financial relationships to disclose.

The Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association (POMA) is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) to provide osteopathic continuing medical education for physicians. POMA designates this activity for a maximum of 0.5 Category 1-B AOA CME credits. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the AOA.

Attest online at www.poma.org/pomapodcast

Find Us:

• Online: https://www.poma.org/

• Email: poma@poma.org

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/POMADOs

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pomados/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pennsylvania-osteopathic-medical-association/

• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/POMA_DOs

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pomados

In this episode of POMA DOes…, POMA President Dr. George Wolters, DO, talks with Tyler Burke, Senior Director of Government Affairs, about the rapid growth of Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNPs) in healthcare and recent efforts to expand the CRNP scope of practice. They discuss national trends and the policy debate in Pennsylvania, referencing the following Bloomberg investigations:

• Is the Nurse Practitioner Job Boom Putting U.S. Health Care at Risk?

• What Happens When U.S. Hospitals Binge on Nurse Practitioners?

• Nursing Students Find Own Clinical Training as Schools Leave Them Without Help

Key Takeaways:

• Gain insight into how the scope of practice for CRNPs has evolved over time.

• Explore the differences between previous and recent legislative proposals related to scope of practice.

• Understand where things stand, how we got here, and what osteopathic physicians need to know.

Find Us:

• Online: https://www.poma.org/

• Email: poma@poma.org

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/POMADOs

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pomados/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pennsylvania-osteopathic-medical-association/

• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/POMA_DOs

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pomados

• App Store: search Pa. Osteopathic Medical Assoc.

In this episode of POMA DOes…, Certified Financial Planners Nicholas Mengel and Kevin Grant of MSMF Wealth Management introduce medical students and physicians to the fundamentals of financial planning. They address key topics and common questions, from investment basics to managing competing priorities. POMA is proud to share this educational content to support personal and professional financial well-being.

Key Takeaways:
• Gain a clear understanding of core investment concepts, including account types, terminology, and strategies.
• Learn about market volatility and how to align your investment approach with both short-term and long-term goals.
• Discover practical tips for prioritizing financial goals, such as building an emergency fund, repaying student loans, and planning for insurance and retirement.

The Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association (POMA) does not directly or indirectly endorse any product or service mentioned in this episode. This content is provided for educational purposes only.

Find Us:

• Online: https://www.poma.org/

• Email: poma@poma.org

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/POMADOs

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pomados/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pennsylvania-osteopathic-medical-association/

• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/POMA_DOs

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pomados

• App Store: search Pa. Osteopathic Medical Assoc.

In today’s episode of POMA DOes…, join Angela Zawisza, DO—POMA President-Elect and POMA Foundation board member—as she celebrates the next generation of osteopathic physicians. On behalf of POMA and the POMA Foundation, Dr. Zawisza congratulates recent graduates from Pennsylvania’s colleges of osteopathic medicine, as well as those completing their residency training. You’ll also hear messages from osteopathic physicians across the state as they welcome and encourage the newest members of the profession.

Key Takeaways:

• POMA and POMA Foundation leadership congratulate recent medical school graduates, as well as residents who have completed their training.

• POMA and the POMA Foundation offer robust support to the osteopathic community through networking, education, grants, and scholarships.

• Osteopathic students, residents, and physicians can get involved with POMA by serving on committees, attending educational and networking events, and actively participating in advocacy and community outreach within the profession.
  
  

Find Us:

• Online: https://www.poma.org/

• Email: poma@poma.org

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/POMADOs

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pomados/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pennsylvania-osteopathic-medical-association/

• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/POMA_DOs

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pomados

• App Store: search Pa. Osteopathic Medical Assoc.