Board Meeting Minutes

American Academy of Emergency Medicine
Minutes of Board of Directors Meeting
San Antonio, Texas
February 15, 2006

In Attendance: A. Antoine Kazzi, MD; Tom Scaletta, MD; William Durkin, Jr., MD; Joseph Wood, MD, JD; Robert McNamara, MD; Howard Blumstein, MD; Tracy Boykin, MD; Anthony DeMond, MD; Stephen Hayden, MD; James Li, MD; Kevin Rodgers, MD; Ghazala Sharieff, MD; Richard Shih, MD; Larry Weiss, MD, JD; Mark Reiter, MD. Staff: Kathleen Ream, Kay Whalen and Janet Wilson.

Dr. Kazzi began his last meeting as AAEM president by welcoming everyone to San Antonio. He especially welcomed the guests attending the board meeting. He then turned everyone's attention to the first agenda item.

Approval of December 12, 2005 Conference Call Minutes

Dr. Kazzi turned the board's attention to the draft minutes included in the agenda materials. Dr. Li noted that the board's discussion and initial motion regarding the placement of pharmaceutical sponsorship on the registration bag for the Scientific Assembly was not reflected in the minutes. Dr. Rodgers moved and Dr. Scaletta seconded that the draft December 12, 2005 minutes be approved with the inclusion of the expanded sponsorship discussion. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

President's Report

Dr. Kazzi thanked everyone for the kind messages that he had received from them since his recent return to Beirut to establish a residency training program.

He then reported that the 3rd Mediterranean Congress had been successful in a number of ways. This Congress had reached new highs in attendance and over 1,000 abstracts had been submitted. Fortunately, the financial loss from this Congress would be covered by the financial success of the 2nd Mediterranean Congress.

The board then discussed whether or not AAEM should continue its involvement in the Congress. After discussion, Dr. Wood moved and Dr. Sharieff seconded that the board approve in concept AAEM's participation in a 2007 Mediterranean Congress. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Treasurer's Report

Dr. Durkin reported that the 2005 audit was not yet complete, but preliminary financial reports show a net loss in 2005 due to the loss from the Congress.

Dr. Durkin also noted that since AAEM/RSA and the AAEM Foundation are now separate entities, they will not appear on the 2006 financial statements.

Dr. Rodgers moved and Dr. Shih seconded that the preliminary 2005 financial report be approved. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

At this time, Dr. Hayden arrived.

Executive Director's Report

Ms. Whalen reported that paid membership for 2006 is 18% ahead of the pace for 2004. Dr. DeMond thanked the board for calling non-renewing members in 2005 and reminded them that they would be asked to do so again in 2006.

The board then reviewed the request of two members for emeritus status. Dr. DeMond moved and Dr. Rodgers seconded that Dr. Raymond Roberge be granted emeritus status. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Next, Dr. Durkin moved and Dr. Scaletta seconded that Dr. John Bell III be allowed to retain his emeritus status. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Legislative Report

Ms. Ream reported on AAEM activities throughout the year and noted that little will happen on the Hill until after the elections. Discussion ensued regarding the feasibility of AAEM affecting legislation. Ms. Ream replied that, depending on the type and scope of the issue that AAEM would like to target, some type of legislation may be possible.

The board then discussed the request from ACEP that AAEM make a contribution to fund the dissemination of the expected IOM report. The board felt that if a contribution were made, it would be preferable to make a payment directly to the IOM. Dr. Sharieff moved and Dr. Reiter seconded that AAEM thank ACEP for their invitation to participate in the funding of the anticipated IOM report. However, since AAEM had no chance to review this report and provide input, we will not be able to make a contribution at this time. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The board then discussed the advantages of scheduling the board meeting in May so that AAEM can address anything that comes out of the IOM report.

Medscape Proposal

Dr. Joe Lex then reported that AAEM had been given the opportunity to partner with Medscape to provide emergency medicine education and information on line. The board agreed that this partnership would be advantageous in a number of ways, but they were concerned with some of the contract language. Dr. Wood moved and Dr. Sharieff seconded that AAEM redraft the contract with Medscape and send it back to Medscape for approval. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

CPOM Update

Dr. McNamara reported that the corporate practice of medicine case that had been brought to the attention of AAEM was now being discussed by the executive committee of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society.

Dr. McNamara also reported that AAEM is working with several physicians in Texas. The Texas Medical Association and the AMA are working with AAEM in this situation. He will be meeting with some of the physicians who are involved with this case during the Scientific Assembly.

BCEM Update

Dr. Kazzi reminded the board that letters have been sent to state medical boards expressing concern regarding the acceptance of BCEM as an equivalent to ABEM/AOBEM. The hope is that this will allow us to monitor any activities on a state by state level through the state medical boards.

Young Physician Task Force

Dr. David Vega presented a proposal to establish a group within AAEM for those less than five years out of residency. Dr. Wood moved and Dr. Sharieff seconded that a Young Physicians Committee be established. After discussion, it was felt that a task force was a better mechanism to propose such a bylaws change. MOTION WITHDRAWN.

Resuscitation Course

Dr. Migden presented a proposal for an advanced resuscitation course. He stated that he did not see this course as another merit badge. Dr. Rodgers stated that the education committee will be discussing this proposal during their meeting.

Board Reimbursement Task Force

Dr. Sharieff presented the results of the task force that had been convened to propose the amount of reimbursement that board members would receive during a Congress year for the fall board meeting. Dr. Sharieff moved and Dr. Wood seconded that the board be reimbursed up to $1,500 for all travel expenses to the fall board meeting during a Congress year. MOTION PASSED 8-5-2.

On a related note, the task force recommended reimbursement for internet connection for oral board examiners. Dr. Kazzi moved and Dr. Sharieff seconded that AAEM reimburse oral board review course examiners for hotel internet connections in individual sleeping rooms. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Membership Survey

Dr. Kazzi presented the results of a survey of AAEM members regarding the acceptance of pharmaceutical support for AAEM programs. Seventy-nine percent of the membership feels that AAEM should not prohibit support from pharmaceutical companies. However, sixty-two percent of the membership believes that AAEM should restrict support from pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Hayden moved and Dr. McNamara seconded that AAEM develop a set of guidelines for interaction with pharmaceutical and biomedical companies. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

BCEM Letter

Once again, Dr. Kazzi reported that letters had been sent to all state medical boards outlining AAEM's concerns about the BCEM credential. The board then discussed the costs of moving forward with a lawsuit in Florida. It was decided that AAEM's funds would be better spent on other issues at this time.

EDIS

The board briefly reviewed the request to join the EDIS task force. Dr. Kazzi moved and Dr. Hayden seconded that the executive committee be empowered to make decisions regarding this task force. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Kay Whalen
Executive Director