The CMA Foundation would like to congratulate the graduating senior members of our Youth Advisory Council. Five members of the council, which teaches students about healthcare philanthropy with real opportunities to make a difference, are graduating from high school and are making plans for college. Several have shared their plans for the future and what the Council has meant to them.

Reeve R.

Where do you plan to go to college and what will you study?

I will be attending both the University of St. Andrews in Scotland as well as the College of William & Mary as part of the Joint Degree Program (2 years at each school). I will be majoring in International Relations with a minor in French. I don't know exactly what I want to do, but I would love to do some sort of humanitarian work or human rights law.

What has the Youth Advisory Council meant to you?

The YAC has helped me grow as a leader in more ways than I can express. It has given me insight into a world most kids aren't able to see, and allows me to stay connected to the broader central Ohio community, allowing me to step in and lead more effectively where a need presents itself. Having open and professional discussions with other youth allows everyone on the YAC to grow our leadership while working collaboratively, free of any hierarchy. Serving as the YAC liaison to the CMAF board has also allowed me to gain confidence as a public speaker and youth advocate.

I am eternally grateful for the opportunities afforded to me by the YAC and the CMAF overall. My membership in the YAC is one of my favorite things that I did during high school, and it has uniquely prepared me for my future.

Sreekari P

Where do you plan to go to college and what will you study?

I will be majoring in biology on a pre med track and will be attending Baylor University. My future aspirations are to follow the field of medicine and possibly go into family medicine.

What has the Youth Advisory Council meant to you?

YAC has offered me the amazing opportunity to dive deep into community issues and find solutions that enhance our community. I love seeing the growth we can bring and want to continue to grow along with the community.

Ria M

Where do you plan to go to college and what will you study?

I will be attending The Ohio State University and majoring in Public Policy and Leadership. I am looking into criminal defense law or constitutional law. Alternatively, I am possibly thinking of working for a non-profit.

What has the Youth Advisory Council meant to you?

Being a member of the Columbus Medical Association Foundation's Youth Advisory Council has given me a foothold in the world of philanthropy. Working alongside peers outside of my school district has opened me to different viewpoints, taught me how to work with new people, and made me aware of the varying struggles people face across central Ohio. I have made some great friends while being a part of YAC, and I am thankful for all that it has taught me.

We invite our physician members to share the opportunity to join the Youth Advisory Council with their own children and others in their network. Any greater Columbus area student in grades 8-12 can apply to become a member.

More information: https://www.cmafohio.org/yac

Application: https://www.cmafohio.org/joinyac

Questions: youthcouncil@cmafohio.org

Pictured above (from left to right): Pragalya A., Reeve R., Ria M., Julia W. Not pictured: Sreekari P and Selis T.

The CMA’s Physicians CareConnection (PCC) hopes to continue an exciting new pilot initiative that provides healthcare to pregnant women.

Dr. Catherine Romanos, a family doctor and past CMA Board President, started volunteering with Physicians CareConnection (PCC) over ten years ago to better connect with the community. She now serves as the Medical Director at JustChoice, a nonprofit that helps people explore all their options during pregnancy.

Seeing a need in the community, Dr. Romanos, JustChoice, and PCC, teamed up to host four pop-up clinics at the PCC Center for Optimal Health in May and June. These events offer free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and support from trained professionals. They also help people get connected to wrap-around resources, no matter their choice.

The first pop-up clinic was held on Thursday, May 8, 2025. Dr. Romanos said that, along with the ultrasounds, they were able to connect several patients with prenatal care and helped a pregnant mom sign up for WIC.

“The PCC staff has been incredible in helping this make this happen,” said Dr. Romanos. “It’s this wrap-around care that PCC does so well for our community that we wanted to work together to provide to pregnant women.”

The upcoming clinics are May 29, June 12, and June 26, from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm at the PCC Center for Optimal Health on Dublin Road. Find more information and download the flyer here.

PCC and Just Choice hope to schedule additional dates and are seeking physician volunteers, including primary care doctors and ultrasound providers. If you are interested, contact PCC at pcc@pcchealth.org.

Pictured above: The first clinic on May 8, 2025 with (left to right) Emma Zimmerman, Dr. Catherine Romanos, and Laura Sullivan

The story is from our 100% members at Ohio Gastroenterology.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in men and the second most common in women globally. It accounts for nearly 10% of annual global cancer incidence. CRC remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

Screening is crucial for early detection and especially for prevention. The purpose is to detect and remove precancerous lesions, thereby reducing both the incidence and mortality of CRC. Early detection significantly improves survival rates, with a 5-year survival rate of 91% for localized disease compared to 14% for metastatic disease.

Due to this the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommend that screening should begin at age 45 for individuals at average risk for colorectal cancer.

Increased-risk individuals, such as those with a family history of colorectal cancer or advanced adenomas, should begin screening earlier, typically at age 40 or 10 years before the earliest diagnosis in the family.

People should be aware of the symptoms of colon cancer as there has been an increase in colon cancer incidence in the younger population, even those below 45.

Recognizing these symptoms that may present in younger individuals is crucial for early detection and timely intervention. The most common symptoms in younger patients with early-onset CRC include rectal bleeding (hematochezia), abdominal or pelvic pain and bloating, and changes in bowel habits. Additional symptoms include iron deficiency anemia, diarrhea, unexplained weight loss.

The presence of these symptoms, especially when multiple symptoms are present, should prompt further diagnostic evaluation, including colonoscopy, to rule out CRC. Early recognition and intervention are essential as younger patients often present with more advanced stages of the disease.

Despite the availability of effective screening methods, participation rates remain suboptimal, often below 40% in many settings. Barriers to screening include lack of awareness, logistical challenges, and concerns about the screening process. Addressing these barriers through education can significantly improve adherence to screening recommendations.

Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for prevention of colon cancer as it can identify and remove polyps to prevent them from progressing towards cancer.

The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends that clinicians performing colonoscopies should have adequate training and experience to ensure the procedure's safety and effectiveness.

The U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, which includes the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Gastroenterological Association, and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, emphasizes that the quality of the colonoscopy is crucial. This includes the endoscopist's adenoma detection rate (ADR), which is a key quality indicator associated with reduced colorectal cancer incidence and mortality. Having a gastroenterologist that has been extensively trained to do colonoscopies increases the effectiveness of prevention of CRC.

Early detection through regular screening can save lives. The gold standard for prevention of colon cancer is a colonoscopy.