Colorado Medical Society

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MINUTES

April 29, 2005

 

MEMBERS PRESENT

President                                            Alethia Morgan, MD

President-elect                                  Rick May, MD

Treasurer/Northeast Rural                 Joseph Bonelli, MD, PhD

Immediate Past President                Christopher Unrein, DO

ADEMS                                             M. Herzl Melmed, MD, W. Ben Vernon, MD,

Clara Winter, MD

Boulder                                              John Cletcher, MD, Melvin Stjernholm, MD

Clear Creek Valley                           Richard Brundige, MD, Lynn Parry, MD

Denver                                               Bonnie McCafferty, MD, Robert McCartney, MD    

El Paso                                               Larry Moore, MD     

Larimer                                               Tom Allen, MD, Cory Carroll, MD

Medical Student Component          Tamaan Osbourne-Roberts

Mesa                                                  Bronwen Magraw, MD

Northwest Rural                                 Ira Jaffrey, MD

Southeast Rural                                 Curtis Harlow, MD

Weld                                                  Joseph Tyburczy, MD

Speaker of the House                      Sherri Laubach, MD

Vice Speaker of the House             Jan Kief, MD

Young Physician Section                 Brigitta Robinson, MD

Executive Director                             Alfred Gilchrist

MEMBERS ABSENT

Aurora-Adams                                   M. Eugene Sherman, MD

ADEMS                                             Herzl Melmed, MD

Boulder                                              Jack Cletcher, MD

Denver                                               James Regan, MD

El Paso                                               William Mandell, DO

Medical Student Component          Kenneth Reed

Pueblo                                               Muryl Laman, MD

Southwest Rural                                Karen Libsch, MD

GUESTS PRESENT

CMS Members                                Jon Feeney, MD, Larry Kipe, MD

COPIC                                              Ted Clarke, MD

AMA Delegation                               Jack Berry, MD, Jeremy Lazarus, MD

Ray Painter, MD

Medical Executives                          Jackie Foose, Donna Foss, Judy Ladd

                                                            Rene Hawthorne-Shriver, Dolores Bennett

                                                            Kathy Lindquist-Kleissler, Carol Walker, Pam Young

                                                            Judie Watson, Tina Fulton, Becky Pearson

CMS Alliance                                    Patti Brown, Linda Culberson

Other                                                  Elizabeth Hurrie

CMS Staff                                         Dean Holzkamp, Suzanne Hamilton

Tim Roberts, Chet Seward, Sandy Finney

CALL TO ORDER

 

Dr. Alethia Morgan, President, called the meeting to order promptly at 2:00 PM. On behalf of Intermountain Medical Society, Dr. Jon Feeney, President, welcomed everyone to Vail.

 

    I.  SPECIAL REPORTS

 

       A.    CMS Alliance Ð Ms. Patti Brown referred attendees to the written "State of the Alliance in 2004-2005" that was handed out. She said the Alliance had had a good year and thanked the Board for CMS' continued support.  Dr. Morgan thanked Ms. Brown for her year of service as Co-President and noted that this was her last meeting.

        B.   COPIC Ð Dr. Ted Clarke stressed the need for physicians to support gubernatorial and Supreme Court Justice candidates who will support tort reform.

        C.   Medical Executives Ð Ms. Rene Hawthorne-Shriver reported that the Medical Executives had enjoyed their two-day retreat sponsored by COPIC. She mentioned that Rebecca Hepworth, Morgan County, Andrea Chase, ADEMS, and Jane Gibbs, Colorado GYN/OB Society also participated in the retreat.  She noted that Mr. Gilchrist, Ms. Hamilton and Mr. Greg Maloney would be invited to the July meeting to discuss improving the legislative alert process.  She extended best wishes to Ms. Judie Watson, ADEMS, as she moves to Utah.  Dr. Morgan extended similar wishes to Ms. Watson and presented her with a gift from CMS.

         D.  AMA Delegation Ð Dr. Ray Painter noted it was good to have AMA Vice Speaker Jeremy Lazarus in attendance today.  He reported that Dr. Brian Johnson, AMA Delegate, moved to Idaho and will be missed.  He reported that AMA has made some strides with marketing, surveys, etc, and that the CMS Delegation will be submit a resolution to assist AMA to help physicians prioritize issues facing the AMA.

        

   II.  Board Reports

    

Written reports included in the Board packet:

 

Arapahoe-Douglas-Elbert Medical Society report:

1) A Medical Smorgasbord for All Physicians Who Have Overweight Patients will be held Wednesday, April 27 (rescheduled from March) at the Cherry Hills Country Club.  Featured speakers are: Ethan A. Lazarus, M.D., Bariatric Medicine--medically supervised weight control; Frank H. Chae, M.D., Bariatric Surgeon--latest news on Bariatric surgery; Marcelo Kugelmas, M.D., Gastroenterology--fatty liver: diagnosis and consequence; Richard E. Collins, II M.D., Cardiology--Fats, Fads and Flabbies: heart healthy food preparation.  2) Our Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, May 7th, at the Cherry Hills Country Club, at which time Ellen M. Burkett, M.D., will become President of our Society.  Dr. Burkett practices Internal Medicine in Highlands Ranch.

3) Wednesday, May 11, at Swedish Medical Center, will be a panel discussion on the topics of Leapfrog, Quality, and Bridges to Excellence.  4) The Arapahoe-Douglas-Elbert Medical Managers Association (ADEMMA) will hold an orientation for new managers at the ADEMS office on Tuesday, May 24th at Noon.  A variety of experts will offer tips on topics such as: hiring, firing and employee discipline; employee incentives and rewards; coding; billing, provider relations, the Hassle Factor project, etc.  ADEMMA and ADEMS are working on their co-sponsored Technology Fair, to be held Friday and Saturday, October 14-15. 5) As reported in February, our Executive Director, Judie Watson, has resigned as of May 31st.  Her successor is Andrea Chase, who will join the staff on May 4th and assume full responsibility on or before June 1st.  Ms. Chase has worked for the MedSouth IPA for the past eight years, first as Director of Provider Relations and, since 2001, as Executive Director.  Previous to MedSouth she held positions with Centura Health and Anthem.  She has a degree in Exercise Physiology from California State University, Chico.  Welcome, Andrea!!

 

Aurora-Adams County Medical Society report:

1) Dr. Judith K. Bodnar, President-Elect of Aurora-Adams Medical Society, was selected as the 2005 winner of The Medical Center of Aurora's Thomas Watts Clinical Colleague Award.  This award is selected by the nursing staff for the physician who represents the ideals of the late Dr. Thomas Watts in regard to working with nurses as collaborators of care.  2) Dr. Barry Sundland, a past President of our component society, will assume the position of President of the Medical Staff at the Medical Center of Aurora in May for a two-year term. 

 

Boulder County Medical Society report:

1) We were delighted to welcome CMS President Dr. Lee Morgan and Executive Director Mr. Alfred Gilchrist to Boulder for our BCMS Executive Committee dinner meeting on Wednesday March 30.  Our Board members very much appreciated the timely updates on CMS activities and are eager to identify issues to work on across the state. 2) BCMS membership continues to grow rapidly in part to the efforts of BCMS President and CMS BOD Mel Stjernholm, Immediate Past President Dr. Laitos and the encouragement of the BCMS Executive Committee.  Dr. Cletcher works very hard as COMPAC President and CMS Board of Director.  We are now up to 520 members.

3) On April 12, BCMS was asked to recognize the work of CU and the City of Boulder to reduce hazardous drinking especially by minors.  The AMA and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation had a plaque inscribed to acknowledge the work to change the environments that promote heavy alcohol consumption.  Dr. Jack Cletcher gave a stirring speech and presented the plaque at the City Council Meeting to Boulder Mayor Mark Ruzzin.  Mr. Alfred Gilchrist and Dean Holzkamp from CMS were on hand as well as BCMS staff.  4) The spring BCMS General Membership Meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 19 at the Spice of Life Conference Center in Boulder.  Mr. Alfred Gilchrist will be our keynote speaker that evening to present ÒSend Lawyers, Guns and MoneyÉHealth Care in the 109th CongressÓ.   Physician panelists (Drs. Paula Crenshaw, Charlie Jones, Mark Laitos, and Mel Stjernholm) will respond to AlfredÕs illuminating comments.  It promises to be an exciting evening.  5) The BCMS Office Managers group continues to meet monthly for breakfast meetings.  This month on April 21 will be CMSÕ own Marilyn Rissmiller and Sandy Page to provide a shortened version of the popular ÒDenial Management: What To Do When The Health Plan Says NoÓ and highlights of the Hassle Factor revamp.  The May 19 meeting will feature Pam Knight with MEDirect Staffing and Consulting.  6) BCMS looks forward to attending the CMS Spring Conference at the Sonnenalp Resort in Vail. To date five physicians and their guests have RSVPÕd and we are recruiting more. 7) The wonderful Wizard comes to the Boulder Dinner Theatre and June 1st will be the summer BCMS General Membership dinner and live performance of ÒThe Wizard of OzÓ.  The dinner servers are the actual cast members and this will be a relaxing and enjoyable evening for our physicians and guests.  All CMS BOD members and staff are welcome to attend, dinner and play fee is $37.  8) Five BCMS physicians attended ÒMedicineÕs Day at the CapitolÓ on March 30 (DoctorÕs Day), along with their Executive Director.  This was by far the most fruitful Day at the Capitol event with excellent presentations by legislators of key bills coming up.

9)   Arapahoe-Douglas-Elbert Medical SocietyÕs Executive Director Judie Watson is resigning to  move to Utah to care for her mother.  BCMS wishes to acknowledge the excellent work performed by Ms. Watson during the past ten years serving ADEMS.

 

Clear Creek Valley Medical Society report:

1) The CCVMS Board is considering proposals on an office security system.  2) Both Michael Volz, M.D. and Sherri Laubach, M.D. of CCVMS have announced candidacy for AMA Alternate Delegate seat vacated by Jack Berry, M.D.  3) We are working with PharmaFutures on the print campaign promoting the Physician Drug Discount Program

4) Our next membership meeting is on May 12, 2005 with Lee Morgan M.D. and Alfred Gilchrist as invited guests.  Also scholarship award winners will be recognized that evening.

 

El Paso County Medical Society report:

1) We hand delivered our 2005 EPCMS Pictorial Directories with a special thank you to the practice managers for DoctorsÕ Day.  2) On April 12, we held our successful program to honor volunteer physicians and their service to the community.  We honored Drs. Lynn Beaulieu, Patrick Faricy, James Gaba, Christopher Ruskey, Kari Schultz, Jonathan Velez and John Wright at a community celebration called The Event!.  These physicians were highlighted in newspaper articles in the Gazette. Over 200 people from the community turned out to honor these volunteers.  3) The EPCMS Alliance is having a social gathering at The Fine Arts Center on April 27 to see the most comprehensive Dale Chihuly Exhibition ever in the Rocky Mountain Region.    4) We are sending two representatives to the MRC National Leadership Conference in San Francisco.

 

Mesa County Medical Society report: 

1) Tuesday, April 5, 2005 -   the members of the Mesa County Medical Society were very pleased to have Dr. Bruce Paton as a keynote speaker at the monthly dinner meeting.  Dr. Paton discussed the ÒmedicalÓ aspects of the Lewis & Clark Expedition.  It was a very informative presentation that was delivered with a great deal of humor.  Copies of Dr. PatonÕs book ÒLewis and Clark: Doctors in the WildernessÓ were made available for purchase and a  Òbook signingÓ took place after the meeting.  2) Dr. Robert Linnemeyer reported on his trip to Denver for MedicineÕs Day at the Capitol.  He reported it to be an overwhelming success and encouraged more practicing physicians to plan to attend next year and to make it one of their priorities.  3) Dr. Enno Heuscher gave a very comprehensive report on his trip to Washington, D.C. to attend the PresidentsÕ Council and National Advocacy Conference.  He reported these meetings to be very useful and informative and especially mentioned the very successful visits to Capitol Hill.  4) Saturday, April 9, 2005 -  the Mesa County Medical Society had two teams compete in the Community Knowledge Bowl event which Grand Junction High School hosts each year to raise money for the high school knowledge bowl team.  The proceeds help offset the travel expenses of this nationally award winning team as they compete around the country.  Over the years since our Society has been participating in this event we have gone from the bottom of the pack up to 7th place (often defeating the lawyers),  so we feel we are making progress.  5) Monday, April 25, 2005 Ð Medicare Update Meeting.  Marilyn Rissmiller of CMS and her staff will be conducting these seminars on the Western Slope.  We are very happy to have them visit Grand Junction.  It is too far a distance for medical billing staffs from the Western Slope to travel to Denver for the Quarterly meetings held at the CMS offices and, therefore, we are all very appreciative of this opportunity.  6) Tuesday, May 3, 2005 Ð Mesa County Medical Society and Mesa County Bar Association Annual Dinner Meeting.  This yearÕs keynote speaker will be Mr. Jonathan Waterman and the presentation is entitled ÒSolo Journey Through the Northwest PassageÓ.  ÒJonÓ lives in Carbondale, Colorado and is the author of eight books.  This presentation will follow his 2,200-mile journey across the roof of North America from Inuit communities in Alaska to Nunavut, CanadaÕs new 770,000-square-mile self-governed territory. 

 

Pueblo County Medical Society report:

1) Hello again from the Pueblo County Medical Society.  Since our last report for the March meeting, Pueblo has added 5 new members and we look forward to increases as the year continues.  2) Pueblo had 6 representatives attend the Medicine Day at the Capitol and everyone said they enjoyed the day. 3) PuebloÕs April membership meeting was held on the 6th of April and included 2 presentations.  One was on Palliative Care, which will be presented in whole at our February 2006 meeting and the second main presentation was on ÒTreatment of Small Airways in patients with AsthmaÓ.  Our next meeting will be on May 4 with a presentation on ÒMigrainesÓ.  4) We welcomed Mr. Gilchrist again to our meeting and look forward to him attending as many as he can throughout the year.  He adds so much to our meetings and keeps us up-to-date on CMS events and issues. 5) Pueblo had 6 representatives attend the Medicine Day at the Capitol and everyone said they enjoyed the day.   Mr. Gilchrist was given some suggestions for next yearÕs event and was asked to thank everyone at CMS for their time in putting together such an event.  6) One of our Board Members, Dr. Jarvis Ryals, is working closely with our City/County Health Department in their endeavors to find and secure a new home for their organization due to the deterioration of their present location.  7) Our President, Dr. Robert Manguso, has met and will continue to meet with the local school districts regarding truancy.  The Pueblo DA has asked that the medical community work with them in finding a solution to the problem in Pueblo.  It has already made an impact.  8) We will be holding our regular quarterly Media Lunch in May.  This gives our Board members and the local newspaper a chance to sit down and look at what is happening in the medical arena.   The newspaper and the Pueblo Society try to work closely together when any questions arise from legislative issues to local care issues.  9) Pueblo will be celebrating their 125th Anniversary in 2006 and we have already started looking at events and materials to help celebrate.  We will be asking the local newspaper for interest in doing an article to help us celebrate.

III.            PRIORITY/ACTION ITEMS

         A.   Road Map:  Hot Spots

                  Dr. Morgan reported that the state legislature is fighting over who does interim studies and this presents an opportunity for CMS that we haven't had in a long time.  It also helps that we currently have a great relationship with both the Governor and the Speaker of the House.  Ms. Suzanne Hamilton and Mr. Alfred Gilchrist discussed the TABOR and Hanna bills that are currently in play and how they can allow physicians to move forward in both policy and funding issues.   Mr. Gilchrist reported that a bill is ready to be filed in Congress today to stop the Medicare cut and enact a 2.7% and 2.65 increase for 2006 and 2007 respectively.  The Par/Non-par bill has been stripped to bare bones and there is a need to educate the legislature on this issue.  Ms. Hamilton noted that the Assignment of Benefits bill is currently on the Governor's desk awaiting signature.

         B.   Spring-Loaded Summit

Dr. Rick May previewed the weekend's conference that will focus on two major fronts:  TABOR and healthcare reform in Colorado.  He noted that consideration of establishing the special committee discussed at the March board meeting will be delayed until after the Spring Conference.

         C.  Finance/Audit Committee

            Dr. Joe Bonelli presented the Finance/Audit Committee report.  CMS remains in solid financial shape.  Two non-budgeted items were mentioned, neither of which should become budget negative.  Funding for the Tech Fair is at the breakeven point and may show a small profit.  Medicine's Day at the Capitol should break even.  The successful funding raising for the Tech Fair can be largely attributed to a new employee, Mike Campo, whose primary responsibilities are fund raising for projects such as the Tech Fair and the Annual Meeting exhibits/sponsors and developing new  non-dues revenue member benefits. The Financial statements for February and March 2005 were reviewed and approved. Classification changes were approved as follows:

 

ARAPAHOE-DOUGLAS-ELBERT MEDICAL  SOCIETY

Garrett, Raymond E, MD   Part-Time   

BOULDER COUNTY MEDICAL  SOCIETY

Kaufman, Karen, MD         Part-Time     

DENVER MEDICAL  SOCIETY

Heller, Judy M, MD             Emeritus     

EL PASO COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY

Ahnfeldt, Arnold L, MD       Dues Exempt                                                 

Catron, Andrew C, MD      Emeritus     

Schober, Vicki M, MD         Part-Time   

Reimers, Bruce L, MD        Part-Time   

Rubinow, Sidney D, DO    Emeritus     

PUEBLO COUNTY MEDICAL  SOCIETY

Law, Jay D, MD                  Emeritus     

 

Moved, seconded, carried (MSC) approval of the Finance/Audit Committee Report. (MOB-14-A)

                    

      D.  Medical Student Elective Course

 

            Medical students Dawn Fevurly, Kathie Leuthold and Matt Rustici asked the Board to support a proposed elective course in the Medical School curriculum that would expose medical students to the issues of medicine in public policy through an internship program at CMS and provide them with the opportunity to do in-depth research on those issues that would benefit both the students and the medical society.  The program would be open to 3-4 students each semester.  MSC approval of the concept with unanimous support and high enthusiasm for the proposed elective course/internship in public policy. (MOB-15-A)

 

      E.  Unexpired AMA Delegate Term

 

            As a result of Brian Johnson's move to Idaho, his unexpired term as CMS delegate to the AMA House of Delegates needed to be filled.  MSC ratification of the CMS AMA Delegation's proposal to appoint Jack Berry, MD, to fill that unexpired term ending December 31, 2005. (MOB-16-A)

 

IV. CONSENT CALENDAR

 

      MSC approval of the Consent Calendar.  (MOB-17-A)

  

IV. EXECUTIVE OFFICE REPORTS

 

      A.  PresidentÕs Report

              Dr. Morgan had no additional report.

 

        B.  President-elect's Report

              Dr. Rick May reported that the Health Leadership Committee is working on an Advance Directive project.  In addition, he asked for support of the Anti-Smoking bill currently before the state legislature. 

       

        C.  Executive Office Report

              Mr. Alfred Gilchrist had no additional report. 

 

        D.  Banner Goals:  a review of program activities

            Goal 1.  Health Care Environment and Access

                           Access to care: Ms. Suzanne Hamilton reported that the outcome of the TABOR bill will have a huge impact on access to care.                                  

            Goal 2.  Patient Safety and Quality

                           Colorado Health Information Exchange Community Advisory Council:  Mr. Chet Seward reported many component societies are active in sharing that information.

                           Scope of Practice:  Ms. Hamilton reported that she is continuing to work with the pharmacy society as well as looking into any concerns that may arise from  Chiropratic Board Rule 26.

            Goal 5.  A Stronger, More Unified CMS

                           Membership development: Mr. Tim Roberts reported that his Division has identified 1500 non members and will be marketing CMS to them following this meeting.  

 

                  Dr. Bob McCartney reported that he has been appointed to the DUR Board of Directors.  He continues to work to change the onerous prior authorization process.  

                                

        E.  Disposition of Resolutions

              Dr. Sherri Laubach reported that, as a result of Res-33-A, AM-04, Jospeh A. Jabaily, MD, was honored by the Colorado Senate on March 30 during Medicine's Day at the Capitol. 

 

              Dr. Laubach thanked all those who participated in the recent Channel 9Health Fair.  Mr. Holzkamp noted that Channel 9 will host additional Doctor Line9 opportunities in May to follow up on questions from attendees regarding the  results of their tests, etc.  Mr. Holzkamp thanked the component societies for their support and their efforts to find doctors to staff Doctor Line9.  Dr. Laubach and Mr. Holzkamp will talk with Channel 9 regarding the possibility of participating in Doctor Line9 from a location other than the Channel 9 studios so that physicians outside the metro area would have a better opportunity to be involved.

 

Dr. Bronwen Magraw announced that David West, MD, of Mesa County Medical Society will submit his name as a candidate for the office of President-elect for 2006-2007.

 

The next meeting will be held on Friday, July 15, at the CMS offices and will begin promptly at 2:00 PM.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned and an Executive Session convened.  A number of issues were discussed, no formal actions were taken and the Executive Session was adjourned.