Board Meeting Minutes

American Academy of Emergency Medicine
Minutes of Board of Directors Conference Call
September 20, 2004

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

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

Approval of July 19, 2004 Conference Call Minutes

Dr. McNamara noted that William Rogers' name had been misspelled. With the spelling correction noted, Dr. Scaletta moved and Dr. Durkin seconded that the July 19, 2004 conference call minutes be approved as drafted. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

President's Report

Dr. Kazzi reported that he had recently spoken to the residents at UCSD and would be speaking at 2 residency programs in the Chicago area. Dr. Scaletta will also be speaking at residency programs in the Chicago area. Dr. Kazzi also presented at the National Medical Association.

Next, Dr. Kazzi reported that that the AAEM representatives to the 2005 Mediterranean Congress had participated in a site visit to Nice. Following that site visit, these representatives traveled to Poland where they and Dr. Kazzi gave 15-20 presentations.

Finally, Dr. Kazzi reported that, due to the recent hurricane in Florida, we were having difficulty receiving answers from the Florida Board of Health as well as several lobbyists. The Board once again reiterated the importance of this issue.

Treasurer's Report

Dr. Durkin reported that AAEM continues to be in sound financial health. While expenses are higher than budgeted in some areas, income is higher as well.

Membership Report

Ms. Whalen noted that full-voting membership is 5.3% ahead of last year at this time. Associate membership is 8.8% ahead of the previous year.

Next, the Board considered the nomination of Dr. Al Ansari for AAEM honorary membership. Dr. Kazzi moved and Dr. Roberge seconded that Dr. Al Ansari be granted honorary membership status. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Since AAEM has now received a revised quote from JEM's publisher, the Board revisited the issue of international dues. Dr. DeMond moved and Dr. Sharieff seconded that international dues be set at $100. This reduced fee would include electronic only subscriptions to JEM and does not include registration for the Scientific Assembly. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Dr. DeMond suggested that during the bylaws revision discussion in November, the Board consider adding language that would state that dues for all categories would be set by the Board.

Government Affairs Report

Dr. McNamara reported that AAEM has sent an official letter to CMS regarding open access to billings. AAEM members and the emergency medicine community at large had also been asked to submit letters.

Dr. McNamara also reported that he had suggested an AAEM PAC donation be sent to the campaign of Dr. Melissa Brown, a physician from Pennsylvania running for Congress.

Finally, Dr. McNamara noted that he would be attending the Minnesota Emergency Physician Association's meeting the following night. The invitation was a result of AAEM's letter to the Minnesota state attorney general raising concerns about the corporate practice of medicine. One complaint is currently being addressed by the complaint investigation division.

Executive Director's Report

Ms. Whalen reported that Beth Wilson had tendered her resignation to AAEM and EDI. Her last day will be September 28th . The Board felt a gift for Beth would be appropriate. Dr. Sharieff moved and Dr. McNamara seconded that a gift be given to Ms. Wilson as a token of AAEM's appreciation. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

EMPAC Insurance Endorsement

Dr. Kazzi reminded the Board that AAEM member, Tobey Williams, had presented the idea of a physician-owned malpractice liability insurance company. More information on this insurance program has been requested. Dr. Li moved and Dr. McNamara seconded that the discussion on the endorsement of EMPAC be tabled until additional information is received. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

EMRA Sponsorship Policy

EMRA has requested a copy of AAEM's sponsorship policy since they are re-evaluating their own policies. Dr. Kazzi asked staff to forward AAEM's requirements for exhibitors and for job bank advertisers to EMRA.

Bylaws Changes

Dr. Rodgers then presented his proposal to add an associate member to the AAEM Board. This proposal had been defeated in the past. After a lengthy discussion, Dr. Rodgers moved and Dr. McNamara seconded that the following be adopted:

Addition of an Associate Member Position to the Board of Directors 

These sections will be altered by the addition of the statements in blue italics:

8.2 Composition

The voting members of the Board shall consist of the President, Immediate Past President, Vice- President, Secretary-Treasurer, the Past Presidents Council Representative, the Associate Member Director, the Resident Representative, and the Directors. There shall be no more than nine (9) Directors including the Associate Member Director. Additional Directors may be added by a two-thirds majority of the Board.

8.3 Election Procedure

Any member of AAEM can nominate a board certified, full voting member of AAEM for any position, but only board-certified, full voting Members of AAEM can vote. The exception to this rule pertains to the Associate Member Director. Any Associate Member can nominate another Associate Member for the Associate Member Director's position on the Board of Directors. The exact mechanics of the voting process will involve nominations during a period that will end at 90 days before the start of the next Scientific Assembly. A candidates' forum will be held at the Scientific Assembly. Voting will occur with a written ballot - one person, one vote, by proxy or in-person at the Scientific Assembly. Each Full Voting Member of the Academy shall have one vote for President, one vote for Vice-President, one vote for Secretary-Treasurer and one vote for each open Director position. Each Associate Member of the Academy shall have one vote for the Associate Member Director's position. Each Resident Member will have one vote for the Resident Representative to the Board of Directors.

This election will be completed during the Scientific Assembly. Officers and Directors will take their posts at the conclusion of the meeting.

8.4 Terms of Office

The term of the office of the President, Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer shall be two years. The term of the office of the Resident Representative and Associate Member Director shall be one year. Term limitations are established at two consecutive terms for each office. Each Director serves for three years and there is a two consecutive term limit.

In addition, Sections 4.3 and 4.8 of the bylaws would be amended to read:

4.3 Associate Membership

Associate Membership is limited to graduates from an ACGME or AOA approved emergency medicine training program. Associate Members shall have no right to vote.

4.8 Voting

Only Full Voting Members may vote in all elections of the Academy except the elections for the Associate Member Director and the Resident Representative to the Board of Directors. Each Full Voting Member shall have one (1) vote. Each Associate Member shall have one (1) vote for the election of the Associate Member Director to the Board of Directors. Each Resident Member shall have one (1) vote for the election of the Resident Representative to the Board of Directors.

This change would be in effect for the 2006 election. MOTION PASSED 11-3.

Common Sense on Website

Ms. Whalen reported that while the individual Common Sense articles appear on AAEM's website, the publication as a whole is not posted. The Board agreed that Common Sense should appear on the website in a pdf file.

Committee Updates

Dr. Kazzi reported that no chair has yet been identified for the Fairness Taskforce or Practice Guidelines Committee. An e-mail will be sent to the membership looking for qualified volunteers.

New Business

Dr. Kazzi noted that we have been asked for a letter of support for a National Cancer Institute grant by Dr. Tammi Quest. The Board agreed that such a letter should be sent.

Dr. Kazzi also requested that the Board approve a budget for a Latin American international summit at our Scientific Assembly. Dr. Kazzi moved and Dr. McNamara seconded that up to $10,000 be allocated from the 2005 budget for a Latin American summit at the 2005 Scientific Assembly. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Dr. Li asked the Board to send him any additional bylaws suggestions by October 15 th so that he can incorporate them into his proposed bylaws redraft. Dr. Kazzi and the Board thanked Dr. Li for his efforts in this area.

There being no further business, Dr. Kazzi moved and Dr. Roberge seconded that the conference call meeting be adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Kay Whalen
Executive Director