LOCAL MEDICAL SOCIETIES


Orange County Medical Society

By MELANIE BOSCAN

FMA ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

The Orange County Medical Society was well represented at the FMA Annual meeting held July 24-26 in Boca Raton. Special thanks to our delegates who volunteered their time to serve and represent the society.
 
Sandeep Bajaj, MD; John McCutchen, MD; James Crum, MD; Connie Micklavzina, MD; Arnold Einhorn, MD; Steven Rosenberg, MD; Harold Greenberg, MD; Siva Sivanesan, MD; Lawrence Halperin, MD; Sarah Willard, MD; Joshua Helman, MD; Edward Zissman, MD.
 
The main topic of discussion and debate at the FMA Annual Meeting was the AMA's endorsement of HR 3200, the Health Care Reform Legislation. Newly installed FMA President, James B. Dolan, MD, has clarified the FMA's position on this legislation:
  • The FMA and the AMA are separate organizations.
    The FMA sends a delegation to the AMA meetings and brings resolutions before the AMA House of Delegates. The FMA, however, is not bound by any decision the AMA makes, nor can it dictate AMA policy except through the AMA House of Delegates. This is very much analogous to the relationship of the county medical societies to the FMA.
  • The FMA does NOT support HR 3200.
    The FMA chose not to participate in a letter to Congress co-signed by many smaller states repudiating the endorsement of the AMA. We felt it more prudent to not undercut the AMA, which for better or worse is seen by Congress as speaking for the physicians of America. Instead, like other large states, we sent a letter delineating the ideal "do's and don'ts" of health care reform as determined by the FMA Board of Governors.
  • The FMA will continue to monitor the progress of HR 3200 and other bills and advocate in the manner we believe to be the most effective for the physicians and patients of Florida.
The OCMS Board of Directors will formulate a position on HR 3200 – The Health Care Reform Legislation.  The OCMS supports meaningful health system reform and feels it is important to develop a position on this issue. Details on this position will be communicated to the OCMS membership via email, fax, and on the Web site.  Please email your comments for or against the endorsement of H.R. 3200 to mboscan@ocms.org.  Your opinions will be taken into consideration. 
 

LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA

During the recently completed FMA Annual meeting, a motion was made and passed for the FMA to write a letter to President Obama expressing the FMA's dissatisfaction with the comment he made during his July 22, 2009 press conference in which he alleged that physicians make medical decisions based on financial gain. An amendment to this motion, which also was adopted, called for the FMA to ask other medical societies in Florida to sign on to the letter. The Orange County Medical Society signed on to this letter along with 56 other county and specialty medical societies in Florida. Visit the OCMS website at www.ocms.org to view the letter under the medical society news tab. 
 

OCMS FALL QUARTERLY MEETING

The Fall quarterly membership meeting will be held Wednesday, September 9 from 6:00 – 9:00 PM at the University Club located at 150 E. Central Blvd in Downtown Orlando. Join us as we welcome the 3rd year medical students at the FSU College of Medicine Orlando Campus. Our special guest speaker will be OCMS & FMA past president and AMA President Elect, Cecil B. Wilson, MD. This dinner event is free for OCMS members. Please make a reservation by calling the OCMS office at 407-622-8188 or email frontdesk@ocms.org
 

Leadership Exchange Completed at June Membership Meeting

By CAROL MILLWATER
 
At the June Membership Meeting, FMA President, Dr. Steven West officiated the induction of Ernesto Zavaleta, MD, FHM, as the newly appointed president of the Lake-Sumter Medical Society. Past President, Shelley Glover, MD, was recognized for her achievements during her tenure. Jason Boardman, MD, has accepted the position of vice-president.
 

Lake-Sumter Medical Society Delegates Attend FMA Annual Meeting

Local delegates representing LSMS at the annual meeting held in Boca Raton were Ernesto Zavaleta, MD, FHM, Shelly Coleman Glover, MD, Mary Beth Lewis Boardman, MD, and Jason Boardman, MD. Executive Director, Carol Millwater, was also in attendance.
Our local delegation stood in solidarity to support the FMA motion which called for a letter to President Obama expressing the FMA's dissatisfaction with comments made in a press conference in which he alleged that physicians make medical decisions based on financial gain. Medical Societies throughout Florida (including LSMS) signed on the letter. 
 

3-Part Practice Management Series began August 11

In cooperation with the Lake Sumter Community College, LSMS is pleased to produce a 3-part series on Practice Management.
 
August 11 - Electronic Health Records & Practice Management Systems Overview
"Exploring, evaluating, selecting & implementing the best product for your office size, culture & medical specialization"

September 15 - Managing a Progressive Medical Practice
"Creating a more efficient practice using modern business strategies & best practices specific to medical office management"

October 13 - Management Documentation Requirements & Coding
"Appropriate coding to minimize your risk of being audited and optimize reimbursement to which the practice is legally and ethically entitled."
 
All classes are held at the Leesburg Campus located on Hwy 441. Cost is $50 per class for members and $100 per class for non-members. Please call the LSMS office at 352-483-4748 or go online to www.lakesumter.org to register attendance. 
 
REMINDER: EXPO 2009, November 4th