Allegheny County Medical Society

12/30/2025

It's time for the December Bulletin!🥼

This month’s issue features Curtain by Deval (Reshma) Paranjpe, MD, MBA, FACS, and Gene Therapy for Huntington’s Disease by Anthony Kovatch, MD. You’ll also find Reflections from ACMS President Keith T. Kanel, MD, MHCM, FACP, and a Q&A with Deval (Reshma) Paranjpe, MD, MBA, FACS.

Inside, we’re sharing ACMS Member Acknowledgements; highlights from ACMS in Action at the Women in Healthcare event; and Specialty Group Updates from ACMS staff. This issue also includes articles on adolescent health decisions, HIV data from Allegheny County Health Department, the Charlie Gard case, and a brief overview of physician unionization trends.

Flip through the full issue now on Issuu or click the link below!

https://issuu.com/alleghenycountyms/docs/acms_december_2025_bulletin

12/29/2025

We’re proud to recognize Dr. Deval (Reshma) Paranjpe as our Member of the Month.

Dr. Paranjpe is a cornea specialist and Chair of Ophthalmology at Allegheny Health Network , as well as a long-standing leader in organized medicine. For more than a decade, she has shaped the voice and vision of the ACMS Bulletin as its Medical Editor, elevating physician storytelling and strengthening connection across the medical community. In recognition of her extraordinary service, she will transition to Editor Emeritus in 2026.

A native Pittsburgher who returned home to serve her community, Dr. Paranjpe has also served as an ACMS Board Member, Pennsylvania Medical Society Delegate, and advocate for physician well-being, mentorship, and meaningful connection. Beyond medicine, she contributes her leadership to the boards of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

Thank you, Dr. Paranjpe, for your dedication to leadership, advocacy, and the physicians of Allegheny County.

12/26/2025

Reminiscing back to our 2025 Distinguished Awards! ✨

It was an evening filled with recognition, community, and celebration.

Access the full photo gallery by clicking link below.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17ZheaUjAo/

12/23/2025

The ACMS team is sharing their favorite holiday traditions and they’re as festive as ever! 🎄

From decorating gingerbread houses with family to relaxing at home in PJs on Christmas Eve, everyone has their own way of celebrating the season.

What is your favorite holiday tradition? Share with us below!

12/22/2025

Wishing you a joyful and relaxing holiday season! ✨

The ACMS team will be operating on an adjusted schedule during the week of 12/22 – 12/26. We will be closed starting at Noon on 12/24 and closed on 12/25. Someone will be monitoring calls and emails each day, but response times may be delayed. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to reconnecting soon.

12/18/2025

Our members voted on their favorite holiday songs, and we compiled them into one festive Spotify playlist. 🎄

Click the link below to listen now!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7954Bb6PvtvEN5lgUr6bXp?si=fQSfwpN4SyaA9td94Y_qAQ

12/17/2025

The holiday season can amplify the digital demands physicians already carry—clinical messages, administrative tasks, and constant connectivity that leave little room to recharge.

In this month’s edition of The Social Scrub-In, we’re focusing on digital wellness for physicians. From auditing notifications to setting compassionate boundaries and using technology more intentionally, this guide offers practical strategies to help protect your time, attention, and well-being during a busy season.

Learn how small digital shifts can reduce cognitive overload, support physician wellness, and create space for what matters most—both in and out of the clinic.

Read the full blog by clicking the link below.

https://www.acms.org/digitalwellness/

12/15/2025

ACMS member, Dr. William Coppula, was featured in PublicSource for his perspective on vaccine misinformation, federal policy shifts, and the importance of protecting herd immunity in Allegheny County.

Dr. Coppula shared insights from his decades-long career in pediatrics and his continued advocacy for science-based medicine and community health through his work with the Allegheny County Immunization Coalition.

We’re proud to see him recognized for his leadership, integrity, and dedication to protecting the most vulnerable in our community.

Click the link below to read the full feature!

https://www.publicsource.org/allegheny-county-health-officials-vaccinations-herd-immunity/

12/12/2025

The Allegheny County Medical Society was recently featured in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette addressing federal changes to newborn Hepatitis B vaccine recommendations.

We joined the Allegheny County Health Department, UPMC, and Allegheny Health Network in expressing concern that the decision could worsen vaccine misunderstanding and erode public trust — while reaffirming support for long-standing, evidence-based guidance that protects newborns.

We’re proud to stand with our members and local health leaders in advocating for science-based public health policy and the highest standard of care for families in Allegheny County.

Click the link below to read the full article.

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2025/12/11/hepatitis-b-vaccine-newborns-new-federal-guidelines-upmc-ahn/stories/202512110045?fbclid=IwdGRjcAOoXCpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEer2-0H7oWnI3_CwmMyyf1IFvmM_FVqpXS2gCuFEAXaHDshlu8wqXlVUBLtz0_aem_zkClKEsED8ANpsNwbuCHNw

Providers are reeling from a change last week by a federal agency responsible for setting and updating vaccination guidelines for American children and...

12/12/2025

Take a look at our final Board of Directors meeting of the year! 💙

We brought together past and future leadership for connection, conversation, and collaboration.

To spread a bit of holiday kindness, we also shared our kindness cards throughout our community!