Creative Voices in Medicine – Dr. Najya A. Williams
Creation Story By Najya A. Williams, MD – Family Medicine PGY-1 Our annual photo contest has long been a popular tradition and a great way for physicians to share their creative side. With that spirit in mind, the ACMS Bulletin is introducing a new section dedicated to highlighting the artistic talents of our members. As […]
Protecting Safe Access to Medical Care in Allegheny County
Update (March 2026): On March 10, 2026, Allegheny County Council passed an ordinance limiting cooperation between county employees and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The measure restricts the use of county resources for federal immigration enforcement activities, except where required by law or court order, reinforcing that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. While […]
ACMS Legislative Town Hall Highlights Key Healthcare Policy Issues
ACMS Legislative Town Hall Highlights Key Healthcare Policy Issues By: Sara Hussey, MBA, CAE – ACMS Executive Director On March 3, ACMS members gathered virtually for a Legislative Town Hall to discuss several policy issues shaping healthcare in Pennsylvania. Maintaining safe and reliable access to medical care remains the top advocacy priority for many physicians. […]
Ensuring Physicians Have a Voice: Dr. Richard Hoffmaster Leads ACMS Advocacy Efforts
Richard Hoffmaster, MD, serves on the Board of Directors of the Allegheny County Medical Society (ACMS) as the 2026 President-Elect and Chair of the ACMS Advocacy Task Force. His leadership efforts help ensure that physicians have a meaningful seat at the policymaking table. “As chair of the ACMS Advocacy Task Force, which we created just […]
Celebrating National Women Physicians Day: Honoring Leadership, Resilience, and Community
By: Sara Hussey, MBA, CAE – ACMS Executive Director On National Women Physicians Day (February 3), we’re taking a moment to recognize and celebrate the women who show up for patients, colleagues, families, and communities every single day. At ACMS, we are fortunate to work alongside an incredible group of women physicians who lead with […]
The Risks of Rolling Back Vaccine Recommendations
Why the CDC’s Recent Changes Endanger Public Health By: Raymond Pontzer, MD Protecting Our Communities: Vaccines Save Lives Vaccines represent one of the most effective tools humanity has ever deployed in the fight against infectious diseases. Over decades, robust immunization programs have all but eradicated illnesses that once crippled entire populations. As such, any step […]
What a Year! Reflections on an Astonishing 2025 by ACMS President Keith Kanel, MD
By: Keith T. Kanel, MD, MHCM, FACP – 2025 ACMS President On a summer’s day earlier this year, I spent an afternoon with the history of the Allegheny County Medical Society. I wanted to learn about why we do what we do. Settling into the expansive reading room of the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh’s […]
Scholarships That Quietly Strengthen Patient Care in Allegheny County
Scholarships That Quietly Strengthen Patient Care In Allegheny County By: Melanie Mayer You support patient care every day. You also support the systems that keep patient care moving. One part of that work starts long before a patient enters an exam room. It starts with the people training to deliver care here. The ACMS Foundation […]
Digital Wellness for Physicians: How to Protect Your Time, Attention, and Well-Being During the Holiday Season
About The Social Scrub-In: Where Doctors Get Socially Savvy Brought to you by The Corcoran Collective, a marketing firm specializing in strategic storytelling for mission-driven organizations, The Social Scrub-In is a practical blog series created for physicians who want to navigate the digital world with purpose. Each post offers tailored insights to help medical professionals […]
CMS Clarifies Claims Processing During Federal Government Shutdown
As the federal government shutdown continues, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued updated guidance to Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) regarding payment processing and telehealth coverage. Editor’s Note (October 22, 2025) Since this post was originally published during the federal government shutdown, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released […]