Board Meeting Minutes

American Academy of Emergency Medicine
Minutes of Board of Directors Conference Call
July 19, 2004

In Attendance: A. Antoine Kazzi, MD; Tom Scaletta, MD; William Durkin, Jr.; Howard Blumstein, MD; Tracy Boykin, MD; Anthony DeMond, MD; James Li, MD; Raymond Roberge, MD; Ghazala Sharieff, MD; Richard Shih, MD; Larry Weiss, MD, JD; Joel Schofer, MD. Absent: Joseph Wood, MD, JD; Robert McNamara, MD; Kevin Rodgers, MD. Staff: Kay Whalen and Beth Wilson.

Dr. Kazzi thanked everyone for joining the call and turned the board's attention to the first agenda item.

Approval of May 15-16, 2004 Meeting Minutes

The Board discussed the draft minutes included in the agenda materials. Included in the minutes was the recently approved "Certificate of Compliance with the AAEM Policy Statements on Fairness in the Workplace." Those on the call agreed that this revised statement had been approved in May. Dr. Kazzi also asked that this position statement be revisited at the fall Board meeting.

At this time, Dr. Durkin moved and Dr. Shih seconded that the May 15-16, 2004 minutes be approved as drafted. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

President's Report

Dr. Kazzi reported that he had recently represented AAEM at a meeting in Costa Rica. He will also be representing AAEM at the upcoming National Medical Association meeting.

Next, the Board discussed the recent meeting of the Florida Medical Association. Dr. Kazzi and several AAEM members in Florida represented AAEM's view that BCEM should not be granted equal status with ABEM or AOBEM in the state of Florida. Last year, a bill had been drafted regarding this issue, although it was not enacted. It is possible that this bill may come before the Florida legislature in the next year. The AAEM Board was extremely concerned about this issue. Dr. Roberge moved and Dr. Boykin seconded that AAEM explore hiring a lobbyist in Florida. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. After additional discussion, Dr. Li moved and Dr. DeMond seconded that the Executive Committee be empowered to spend up to $50,000 to retain a Florida lobbyist without full Board approval. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Dr. Kazzi then highlighted some of the work of AAEM's new committees and asked for recommendations for committee members and chairs.

The planning for the 2005 Congress in Nice, France is moving forward. The dates will be September 1-5, 2005. The Planning Committee has met via several conference calls and a conference call with EuSEM representatives was scheduled for the following day. AAEM is also responsible for the English track of the June 2005 conference in Quebec.

Treasurer's Report

Dr. Durkin reported that AAEM remains financially solvent. The net worth at the end of 2004 was $185,699, which was largely due to the financial success of the 2003 Mediterranean Congress.

The Board then discussed the possibility of posting The Rape of Emergency Medicine on the website since the supply of paper copies has been depleted. The cost was estimated at $2,500. Dr. Shih moved and Dr. Schofer seconded that The Rape of Emergency Medicine be posted on the website. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Drs. Li and Schofer will work with staff on this project.

Membership Report

Ms. Whalen reported that paid full voting membership totals were 4.7% ahead of the 2003 pace. She also noted that AAEM's paid resident numbers are behind the previous year's pace. This is part due to the fact that dues notices were sent one week later this year. In addition, resident members are moving into the associate category.

The Board then discussed the request of a member for emeritus status. Since this member did not meet the age requirements for this status, the Board denied the request. However, the Membership Committee was asked to examine the age requirement for emeritus status and report back to the Board with recommendations.

Dr. Kazzi then asked the Board to consider a reduction in dues for international members. After discussion, Dr. Roberge moved and Dr. Durkin seconded that, pending discussion with Elsevier, the Board approve in concept that international members be charged $125 in annual dues. This reduced fee would not include registration for the Scientific Assembly and an on-line only subscription to JEM. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Dr. DeMond will work with staff to propose a bylaws change to accommodate the reduced membership dues fee for international members.

CMS Meeting

Dr. Kazzi reported that Dr, McNamara and Ms. Ream had met with the CMS Administrator, Mark McClellan, MD, and William Rogers, MD, Director of the CMS Physicians Regulatory Teams and Staff. One of the physicians will address AAEM's membership at the 2005 Scientific Assembly.

AAEM/ACEP Ad

The Board then discussed a draft ad prepared by Drs. Li and Durkin. After much discussion, Dr. Li agreed to incorporate changes to the ad that had been suggested by e-mail as well as changes due to the discussion and prepare another draft of the ad. The Board approved the ad pending these changes.

AMA Membership

Ms. Whalen noted that AAEM is due to submit its activity application to the AMA this fall. At the current time, the percentage of AAEM members who also belong to the AMA is below the percentage necessary for a seat in the House of Delegates.

Armed Services and Massachusetts Chapter Bylaws Approval

Dr. Durkin reported that the Armed Services Chapter was organized and anxious to begin activities. Therefore, after reviewing the proposed bylaws for this section, Dr. Durkin moved and Dr. Scaletta seconded that the bylaws for the AAEM Armed Services Chapter be approved. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Next, the Board reviewed the request from a physician in Massachusetts to form a state chapter there. Since there was not yet a group of AAEM members interested in forming such a chapter, the Board asked that this work be done prior to starting a state chapter there.

In-Person Board Meeting

Ms. Whalen reported that the results of the Board availability polls for the date of the fall in-person Board meeting indicated that most Board members could attend on Saturday, November 13th. After a lengthy discussion regarding the scheduling of a Board meeting on a weekday versus on a weekend, the Board decided to hold the fall meeting on November 13th. During that meeting, the 2005 meetings will be scheduled. The option of holding the 2005 Board meetings on a weekday will be discussed during that meeting.

Malpractice Liability Insurance Update

Ms. Whalen reported that the malpractice insurance program that was discussed at the May Board meeting has begun writing policies.

New Business

Dr. Kazzi noted that included with the agenda materials for this call had been suggested bylaws changes proposed by Dr. Li. This will be discussed during the November in-person Board meeting. Dr. Kazzi asked the Board to review these changes before that time.

There being no further business, the conference call meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Kay Whalen
Executive Director