October 24, 2022
Columbia, MD – Last week, COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha and other federal public health officials met with a group of clinical leaders at the White House to discuss the ongoing COVID-19 Public Health Emergency—particularly how to protect people against the disease and treat them moving forward.
One of the participants was Suzanne Gillespie, MD, RD, CMD, the Society’s board president. Other groups represented included the American Medical Association, the American Geriatrics Society, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Academy of Physician Associates, and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, among others.
Administration officials asked Dr. Gillespie and the other attendees to ensure that their members are doing everything they can to ensure Americans get the updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccine and flu shots this fall, including through individual patient counseling, phone calls, emails, and text reminders. The discussion also looked at steps health care providers can take to further drive down COVID-19 deaths.
“It is so important that AMDA is at the table for these crucial meetings,” said Christopher E. Laxton, CAE, the Society’s executive director. “As evidenced by our numerous vaccine education and improvement programs, our organization is dedicated to protecting patients and residents through COVID-19, flu, and other routine adult immunizations.”
“It was an incredible honor to represent AMDA at this important discussion on how to make sure our residents are getting the necessary COVID protection, including the new bivalent booster, as well as a flu shot,” Dr. Gillespie noted. “We’re excited that the Biden/Harris Administration recognizes the critical and urgent roles that clinical leaders like PALTC medical directors and medical providers have to play in this process.”
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AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine is the only medical specialty society representing the community of over 50,000 medical directors, physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other practitioners working in the various post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) settings. Dedicated to defining and improving quality, we advance our mission through timely professional development, evidence-based clinical guidance, and tireless advocacy on behalf of members, patients, families, and staff. Visit www.paltc.org for more information.