Board Meeting Minutes

American Academy of Emergency Medicine
Minutes of Board of Directors Meeting
San Diego, California
February 16, 2005

In Attendance: A. Antoine Kazzi, MD; Joseph Wood, MD, JD; Tom Scaletta, MD; William Durkin, Jr., MD; Robert McNamara, MD; Howard Blumstein, MD; Tracy Boykin, MD; Anthony DeMond, MD; Kevin Rodgers, MD; Ghazala Sharieff, MD; Richard Shih, MD; Larry Weiss, MD; Joel Schofer, MD. Absent: James Li, MD; Raymond Roberge, MD. Guests Addressing the Board: Raymond Johnson, MD; Tobey Williams, MD; Joe Lex, MD; Kathleen Ream. Staff: Kay Whalen, Janet Wilson.

Since this meeting was held at the Scientific Assembly, a number of AAEM members were present throughout the board meeting. Dr. Kazzi welcomed to the meeting those AAEM members who had chosen to attend the board meeting. He also thanked the board members for their attendance and for their efforts throughout the year.

Approval of December 13, 2004 Minutes

Dr. Kazzi asked if there were any changes to the draft minutes that had been included in the agenda materials. There being none, Dr. Wood moved and Dr. Rodgers seconded that the December 13, 2004 board meeting minutes be approved as drafted. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

President's Report

Dr. Kazzi thanked the board members who had volunteered to present to residency programs. These visits have always reflected positively on the Academy.

At Dr. Kazzi's request, Dr. McNamara then provided a brief update on the recent victory in Minnesota. As many were aware, EmCare was given the contract at Methodist Hospital/Park Nicollet Health Services. The democratic group that held this contract asked AAEM to help them in this matter. Dr. McNamara traveled to Minnesota and spoke with the physicians involved. AAEM wrote a letter to the Minnesota attorney general as well as to all of the hospital administrators in the state of Minnesota alerting them to the fact that hiring such a group could be in violation of the state corporate practice of medicine statute. In addition, AAEM jointly filed a lawsuit with the physicians involved. Shortly after this lawsuit was filed, the hospital broke their contract with EmCare and the democratic group was put back into place.

Next, Dr. Kazzi asked Drs. Blumstein and Rodgers to update the group on AAEM's efforts on behalf of those member and non-member physicians who had learned that PhyAmerica's malpractice policy did not have sufficient funds to cover malpractice claims against them. AAEM has agreed to serve as the vehicle to these physicians so that they can determine their options. AAEM has retained an attorney to work on the physicians' behalf. This group just met both in-person and via conference call. Sterling 's chief counsel had addressed the group during this meting. Dr. Rodgers is working with AAEM's attorney on this issue. The board has also volunteered to act as uncompensated expert witnesses for these physicians.

AAEM had also spoken with a physician in Washington state who had a significant case in which this physician had been terminated without due process. However, this case has been settled.

In addition, AAEM has been contacted by a number of other individuals who have cases regarding the corporate practice of medicine that AAEM could become involved with.

Dr. Kazzi then reported that AAEM continues to monitor the BCEM issue in Florida. We have also discovered that other states have also passed similar rulings that equate BCEM to ABEM/AOBEM. A lobbyist has been engaged in Florida to monitor this situation. Next month, a hearing regarding this issue has been scheduled in Kentucky. AAEM will have representation at this meeting. Dr. Kazzi noted that AAEM must grow in membership size in order to have representation at the individual state level. Unless there are a certain number of AAEM members in a given state, we are not allowed to give testimony to state medical boards. Since hospital administrators in the state of California have recently received letters from AEP stating that BCEM does equate to "board certified," Dr. Durkin will write to the appropriate body in California informing them that this representation violates state statutes.

Dr. Kazzi reported that planning for the 3rd Mediterranean Congress is well underway. Sponsoring societies are now on board. ACEP has agreed that this meeting will be an official ACEP meeting, but will not advertise the meeting. As they did in 2003, CORD and SAEM will both program within the meeting.

The AAEM-sponsored International Summit met earlier in the day and the 15-20 participants agreed on an agenda which includes a Latin American and Asian meeting.

Dr. Kazzi then noted that AAEM has always had an exceptional education committee. (Those in the room gave Joe Lex, chair of the AAEM education committee, a round of applause.) As AAEM has grown, other committees and taskforces, such as the PhyAmerica taskforce, the reimbursement committee and the government affairs committee have also had great success. He encouraged more members to become involved with these committees.

Due to the increase in AAEM's activities, the AAEM board will meet every other month via conference call. The executive committee will meet during those months that the board does not meet. As requested by some board members, the spring in-person board meeting will be held during the week rather than on a weekend. The exact date will be determined soon. The fall in-person board meeting will be held in Nice, France in conjunction with the 3 rd Mediterranean Congress. Board members will only be reimbursed for the amount of travel expenses that would have been incurred had this meeting occurred in the U.S.

Dr. Kazzi may be taking a sabbatical from June through August. During that time, he will be able to focus on AAEM activities for three days per week.

AAEM has had several requests for liaison relationships. Dr. Joel Schofer has been appointed the Liaison to CORD. Dr. Barry Brenner has been appointed as liaison to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).

The AAEM resident section will be discussing the possibility of breaking away from AAEM to create an independent organization. Their intention is to discuss this issue and vote on a course of action during their Friday board meeting.

Dr. Kazzi them reflected on AAEM's success to date and asked those in the room to consider ways in which the organization can continue to grow.

At this point, Dr. Kazzi called for a moment of silence to honor the memory of Dr. John Wiegenstein, one of the great names in emergency medicine.

Resolution

Dr. Ray Johnson then presented a resolution to the board entitled, "AAEM Policy Regarding Other Organizations." After a lengthy discussion and modifications to the original proposal, Dr. Scaletta moved and Dr. McNamara seconded that AAEM adopt the following resolution:

  AAEM Policy Regarding Other Organizations

MOTION PASSED 10-0-1.

Dr. Wood moved and Dr. Scaletta seconded that AAEM invite ACEP to establish a joint taskforce of respective board members to develop guidelines for collaboration . MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Treasurer's Report

Dr. Durkin reported that AAEM may end the 2004 financial year with a small profit. This would be the second consecutive year with a profit.

The 2005 budget had been approved during the November board meeting. Dr. Kazzi moved and Dr. Shih seconded that the miscellaneous travel budget be increased by $5,000 to $20,000. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Membership Report

Ms. Whalen reported that our membership numbers are currently behind the 2004 pace due to the fact that both the dues invoicing and membership recruitment mailings had been mailed two months later than the previous year. Despite the fact that the membership recruitment mailing had just been sent, we have 160 new full voting and associate members.

Dr. Kazzi asked the membership committee to explore the possibility of offering AAEM credit cards as a member benefit.

The board considered two nominations for honorary international members. Dr. Kazzi moved and Dr. Wood seconded that Dr. Antoine Zoghbi and Dr. Prasad Rajhans be granted honorary international membership. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The board then discussed the possibility of an honorary fellowship status, but decided not to pursue this at this time.

Education Committee Report

Dr. Lex reported that the 2005 Scientific Assembly already has 635 registrants and has earned the reputation of the place to be if you are interested in targeted emergency medicine education. When the dues allocation is included as income, this meeting shows a net profit for AAEM.

The Oral Board Review Course, under the direction of Dr. Mitchell Goldman, is offered to 200 physicians per year.

The Written Board Review Course has been revived by Dr. Sam Kini.

This year, JAM sessions held in the same venues as the ABEM exam, have also been successful.

An AAEM speakers bureau has been established with over 40 excellent speakers.

AAEM has also been endorsing conferences based on recently approved guidelines.

Finally, Dr. Lex has informed the board that he will continue to serve as the education committee chair only through the 2006 Scientific Assembly.

Legislative Report

Ms. Kathleen Ream, AAEM's director of government affairs, then reported on some highlights of the past year in addition to her written report which had been included in the agenda materials.

AAEM had submitted a candidate for consideration for appointment to the EMTALA advisory committee. The individual chosen for this position was a political appointee rather than a candidate proposed by any professional organization.

The Washington Sentinel is an electronic newsletter for anyone interested in Washington activities.

Dr. Kazzi thanked Ms. Ream and Dr. McNamara for their efforts in this area.

Executive Director Report

Ms. Whalen reported that the 2007 Scientific Assembly could be held in Las Vegas if the meeting pattern would change to holding the preconference courses on Saturday and Sunday and the Scientific Assembly itself beginning on Monday. Dr. Wood moved and Dr. Durkin seconded that AAEM modify the meeting pattern of the 2007 Scientific Assembly. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Ms. Whalen outlined a proposal by Executive Director, Inc. to increase the staffing level for AAEM. After discussion, Dr. Sharieff moved and Dr. Rodgers seconded that an additional person be added to the AAEM staff at an annual cost of $49,500 per year. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

EMPAC

Dr. Tobey Williams reported that EMPAC currently has six malpractice policies in place. They have rejected a number of applicants when they did not meet the criteria of the product. The AAEM board was pleased to hear that this option is available for independent democratic groups.

EMTALA Task Force

The board then reviewed the resources and references compiled by AAEM's EMTALA taskforce that had been included in the agenda materials. Dr. Kazzi moved and Dr. Scaletta seconded that the EMTALA Resources and References be approved and placed on the website. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Anthem of Virginia

The AAEM reimbursement committee will address issues raised by an AAEM member in Virginia.

Harborview Medical Center

The board then discussed the fact that the ACGME had recently cited Harborview Medical Center in Washington state for not having board certified emergency medicine physicians on faculty. AAEM's academic affairs committee has drafted a press release that states that AAEM believes that board certified physicians should train EM residents. Dr. Blumstein moved and Dr. Rodgers seconded that AAEM issue a press release stating that AAEM believes that board certified emergency physicians should train EM residents. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Dr. Kazzi asked that the minutes reflect that Dr. Li had expressed prior to this meeting that such a press release not be issued.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Kay Whalen
Executive Director