2022 PMDPA Convention Summary
The PMDPA 125th Annual Meeting was held virtually April 22—24, 2022.
The meeting started on Friday, April 22cd with opening remarks by President Patricia Chapman, RPh, Executive Board Chairman Gerald Wilson, MD and General Program Chairman Lindsey Crumlin, Jr., MD.
The Educational Program featured Dr. Raymond Lala, DHEC Dentist who presented on Medical/Dental Integration in recognizing, referring and treating chronic diseases with oral presentations as well as Data on Disparities in Oral Health.
Next, a Covid-19 update was presented by Drs. Marvella Ford and Jimmy Pruitt of MUSC and Dr. Divya Ahuja, infectious diseases specialist from PRISMA Health, Columbia.
A panel discussing underrepresented minorities in health professional school admissions utilized the expertise of Dr. Willette S. Burnham-Williams of MUSC and Dr. Robert Rhinehart from PRISMA Health. Also included was a presentation by C.O.D.E. Med—first year medical students who are offering advice to pre-health students on how to traverse the application process with tips on test-taking, interviews, etc.
The L.W. Long Lecture and Awards Ceremony was held Friday evening. The keynote speaker was Dr. Ada Stewart, immediate past-president of the American Academy of Family Practice with her topic “Being Mindful as a Physician, Dentist, or Pharmacist of HIV in the COVID Pandemic.” Dr. Rodney Reid presented several awards capped off with the Practitioner of the Year Award which was presented to Dr. Gwen Brown, a practicing dentist in Charleston, S.C.
Saturday morning sessions included a Dental Program with Dr. Lala discussing the effects of Covid-19 on dental practices and Dr. Donald Marler, the SC Board of Dentistry President, bringing an update from the Board for practicing dentists.
The Medical/Pharmaceutical program included Dr. Marvella Ford explaining the SC AMEN Project which is aimed at increasing screening for prostate cancer in African-American men because of the continuing disparity in morbidity and mortality in SC. Dr. Lindsey Crumlin, Jr. discussed the USPSTF recommendations for cancer screenings and some variance compared to the American Cancer Society recommendations. Then, continuing the PMDPA commitment to climate changes affecting health, Dr. Linda Walden presented “Health Equity and Eliminating Health Disparities; Cleaner Air and Clean Energy.”
Following completion of these seminars, the joint group was given a sterling and thought-provoking presentation from Dr. Burnett Gallman on the topic “Is Mistrust of Physicians, Dentists & Pharmacists by Afrikan-Americans Warranted?”
The Saturday afternoon session was a spotlight on young investigators with presentation of research being done by students from MUSC, USC, Benedict and South University.
The James F. Brown, DDS Annual Symposium was held on Sunday morning, April 24th. Dr. Michael McKenzie, a family physician from Florida gave an in depth presentation on a comprehensive use of medical marijuana with the gathering amount of research being done to validate its use. The Honorable Judge Michelle Childs followed with a presentation on expert testimony by physicians, dentists and pharmacists.
Also, during the course of the Annual Meeting, two business meetings were held resulting in revisions of the Constitution, addressing relevant issues to the professions and election of new officers. Felicia Goins, DMD was installed as the President for the next two years.
