• AMCNO is partnering with MedWish to collect medical supplies for Ukraine war relief efforts. This flyer explains the types of supplies needed. Supplies may be dropped off any Wednesday at the AMCNO offices, from 9 am - 5 pm, or pick-up can be arranged by emailing Val Yanoska at [email protected]. If you wish to donate money to help purchase items, please donate at www.amcno.org/amef and select a donation to help purchase supplies. 100% of your donation will go to MedWish.

From Washington:

• Last week, President Biden invoked the Defense Production Act to speed production of infant formula and authorized flights to import supply from overseas, as he faces mounting political pressure over a domestic shortage caused by the safety-related closure of the country’s largest formula manufacturing plant.
• In his first briefing since taking on the role of White House COVID-19 response coordinator, Ashish Jha, MD, said the nation has a high degree of immunity but is experiencing brisk COVID-19 activity driven by "incredibly contagious" subvariants.
• The federal government also announced the availability of additional free, at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits available at www.COVIDtests.gov. People who have difficulty accessing the internet or need additional support placing an order can call 1.800.232.0233 (TTY 1.888.720.7489) to get help in English, Spanish, and more than 150 other languages.

From Columbus:

• Ohio's Proposed "Trigger Law" on Abortion had a hearing last week in the Ohio House. House Bill 598 would create a new crime in Ohio: criminal abortion, punishable as a fourth-degree felony, for inducing an abortion through drugs or instruments.

• The Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA) announced that the Well-Being CARE service is available to all licensed health care workers in Ohio, including those in training. CARE is a free, anonymous service that is being made available to help health care workers throughout Ohio screen for mental and emotional health issues and, if needed, connect with licensed mental health professionals and resources. The Well-Being CARE service is available at www.wellbeingcare.org and is powered by the Ohio State Medical Association Foundation.

• You can visit the OSMA’s well-being website at www.osmawellbeing.org/care for more information and for tools to help you spread the word.  

Not there yet: Although Dr. Anthony Fauci declared recently that we are “past the pandemic phase,” 36 states saw an increase during the previous week in COVID-19 cases, according to CDC data.

• June 23: Doctors & Dogs Night at Taps & Tails. Learn more and register now!
• August 7: AMCNO Family Fun Day at the Zoo. Learn more and register now!
• August 29: AMEF Swing for Students Gold Outing. Learn more and register now!