Board Meeting Minutes

American Academy of Emergency Medicine
Minutes of Board of Directors Meeting
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
October 21, 2000

IN ATTENDANCE: Robert McNamara, MD; Joseph Wood, MD; Drew Fenton, MD; Howard Blumstein, MD; William Durkin, Jr., MD; A. Antoine Kazzi, MD; Christopher Minas, MD; Margaret O'Leary, MD; Tom Scaletta, MD; Leslie Zun, MD. Resident Representative: Tobey Williams, MD. Staff: Eric Lanke and Kay Whalen.

Dr. McNamara began by welcoming the Board to Philadelphia. He then turned the Board's attention to the first agenda item.

I. Approval of August 16, 2000 and September 20, 2000 Conference Call Minutes

Ms. Whalen noted that there was a correction to the August 16, 2000 minutes. Under item XV, New Business, the first sentence should read, "Dr. Kazzi then informed the Board that he was continuing discussion with the European Society of Emergency Medicine (EuSEM)." With this correction, Dr. Wood moved and Dr. Zun seconded that the minutes of the August 16, 2000 Board of Directors conference call meeting be approved. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Next, Dr. Durkin moved and Dr. Zun seconded that the minutes of the September 20, 2000 Board of Directors conference call meeting be approved. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Both sets of minutes will be posted on the AAEM website.

II. President's Report

Dr. McNamara turned the Board's attention to the negative response from ACEP regarding AAEM's request that ACEP endorse AAEM's Vision Statement. AAEM had sent a similar request to all ACEP state chapters. To date, the Louisiana ACEP state chapter has also sent a negative response.

Dr. McNamara then turned the Board's attention to the AAEM resolution that offered to participate in a joint task force with ACEP on the state of Emergency Medicine. Included in the agenda packet was the letter that had been sent to Robert Schafermeyer, MD, regarding this. As a result of this letter, the ACEP leadership will meet with the AAEM Executive Committee during the ACEP Scientific Assembly to discuss this issue.

Dr. McNamara reported that he continues to speak at residency programs. He will soon be making a trip to the west coast to speak at programs at USC, UC-I and UCLA.

III. Membership Report

Ms. Whalen reported that overall 2000 AAEM membership totals were 8.4% above 1999 totals. This included a 6.8% increase in full-voting membership and a 27% increase in resident membership. Although all new full-voting and associate memberships will now be credited to 2001, AAEM's 2000 resident membership numbers will continue to increase due to the fact that they are on an academic rather than a calendar year cycle. The recent recruitment mailing to all residents in the country has shown good results.

Dr. McNamara then turned the Board's attention to James Bouzoukis' request for emeritus status. Dr. Bouzoukis meets the criteria established by the Board - maintenance of membership in good standing for more than three years and reaching the age of 65. Dr. Minas moved and Dr. Fenton seconded that Dr. Bouzoukis' request for emeritus status be approved. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

IV. Treasurer's Report

Dr. Fenton then presented the Treasurer's Report. He noted that after taking the membership dues increase into account, the offer of free registration to the Scientific Assembly for AAEM members had been a financial success. Ms. Whalen noted that there was a correction regarding the projected 2000 end-of-year dues amount. This should read a projection of $490,000.

Next, Dr. O'Leary reported that she and Ms. Whalen had begun work on the charges of the newly established Finance and Audit Committee. The Committee will solicit bids from three independent auditing firms, has begun to examine AAEM's investment options and has reviewed the proposed 2001 budget.

Dr. O'Leary then outlined the proposed 2001 budget. She noted that the budgeted dues amount reflected a 15% increase in membership. She also noted that AAEM's three largest expenses include the Scientific Assembly, the Journal of Emergency Medicine and management fees. She also noted that AAEM's expenses are increasing at a faster rate than our income. AAEM must be cautious in this area.

Dr. McNamara stated that the proposed 2000 budget was conservative since AAEM had not budgeted for income from the joint meeting with EuSEM or for income from template sales.

After much discussion, Dr. Blumstein moved and Dr. Fenton seconded that the 2001 proposed budget be approved. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Next, Dr. Blumstein moved and Dr. Wood seconded that the Treasurer's Report be approved. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

After discussion regarding AAEM's need to be fiscally responsible, Dr. Wood moved and Dr. Zun seconded that the Finance and Audit Committee make recommendations to the Executive Committee as to the process that should be followed for approving non-budgeted expenditures. MOTION PASSED 8-3.

Then Dr. Zun moved and Dr. Durkin seconded that the Board mandate a balanced budget. Before a vote was taken on this motion, Dr. Wood moved and Dr. Fenton seconded that this motion be tabled and this issue be sent to the Finance and Audit Committee for their consideration. MOTION PASSED 9-2.

Dr. O'Leary asked for clarification on the members of the Finance and Audit Committee which she chairs. In addition to Dr. O'Leary, Dr. McNamara appointed Drs. Fenton and Zun to the Committee.

Dr. O'Leary moved and Dr. Zun seconded that the Finance and Audit Committee recommend to the Executive Committee a CD and/or treasury combination for the investment of $200,000 of AAEM funds. These recommendations will propose the highest rate possible. The Board will empower the Executive Committee to make the final decision on AAEM's investments. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

V. AAEM Services

Dr. McNamara then turned the Board's attention to the template brochure in front of them. AAEM Services has developed 68 templates which are now ready for distribution. These brochures will be available at both the AAEM and FreeChart exhibit booths during the ACEP Scientific Assembly.

David Moss, MD, had suggested that a possible marketing avenue for the templates would be to establish a link to billing companies for marketing purposes. Dr. McNamara asked Ms. Whalen to distribute Dr. Moss' e-mail regarding this to the Board and asked the Board to provide input on this strategy to him.

VI. Firearms Position Statement

Dr. McNamara then turned the Board's attention to the AAEM Firearms Task Force. Since the Common Sense article written by William Durston, MD, had been published, 24 AAEM members had volunteered to serve on the task force and 3 AAEM members sent negative responses to this initiative. The next issue of Common Sense will have two responses to Dr. Durston's article printed.

Dr. McNamara asked staff to have Dr. Durston hold a meeting of the Ad Hoc Task Force at the Scientific Assembly in Orlando. Once the Task Force has drafted a position statement on this issue, it will be sent to the AAEM membership via e-mail for their comment.

VII. AAEM/ENA Joint Position Statement

Dr. Scaletta first asked the Board to review the handout on quality benchmarks and get back to him with comments.

Dr. Scaletta then turned the Board's attention to the draft AAEM/ENA joint position statement included in the agenda packet and explained the logic behind the proposed 1:3 nurse to patient staffing ratio. He had not yet received a response from the ENA regarding the position statement. Dr. Blumstein moved and Dr. Minas seconded that Dr. Scaletta discuss this proposed position statement with the ENA leadership and move forward with a position statement on this issue with or without ENA endorsement. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

VIII. Legislative Task Force

Dr. Kazzi asked the Board to consider whether or not AAEM should begin initiatives in the CPT coding and regulatory arena since we have been successful in the legislative arena. This issue will be discussed at a later date.

IX. Scientific Assembly Update

Dr. Blumstein reported that the year's Scientific Assembly program was nearly finalized. David Nash, MD, would be the keynote speaker. All scientific and medical sessions have topics identified and most have speakers as well. He asked for the Board's suggestions for business session speakers after the Board meeting. In light of the budget discussions, staff will work with the Program Committee to examine meeting expenses, particularly in the area of food service.

X. EuSEM Update

Dr. Kazzi reported that planning continued for the September 2001 meeting with EuSEM. Dr. McNamara remarked that an impressive list of speakers had already been confirmed.

Dr. McNamara then reminded the Board that AAEM has traditionally held an in-person Board meeting in the fall. We have approved a budget for three in-person Board meetings in 2001. He recommended that the Board should meet in Stresa, Italy to show support of this new relationship with EuSEM. Dr. McNamara also recommended, since the AAEM Board owes a duty to its members to be prudent regarding Board expenses, that the maximum reimbursement for a Board meeting in Stresa should approximate the average expense for AAEM Board meetings held in he United States. Board members would then cover any additional expense out- of-pocket. Staff provided the average cost per Board member for the last three in-person Board meetings. Dr. Minas moved and Dr. Fenton seconded that each Board member be reimbursed a maximum of $700 for attending the Stresa Board meeting. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

XI. Creation of American Board of Ambulatory Care

Dr. McNamara asked Dr. Kazzi to research the creation of the American Board of Ambulatory Care and to report at the next Board meeting.

XII. Creation of an AAEM Research Fund for Practice Issues

Dr. Kazzi suggested that AAEM establish a research fund for practice issues. Those on the Board did not want to compete with the SAEM research fund. Dr. Kazzi will provide a more formal proposal to the AAEM Board on this issue at a later date.

XIII. JEM Associate Editor Review Committee

Dr. McNamara reminded the Board that AAEM needed to appoint an associate JEM editor to replace Jonathan Adler, MD. He asked for three volunteers to review the CVs submitted by the 9 AAEM members interested in serving in this capacity. Drs. Blumstein, Scaletta and Kazzi agreed to review the applicants credentials. Dr. McNamara asked that they provide a brief synopsis with their recommendations during the December Board conference call.

XIV. Approval of CME Mission Statement

Dr. McNamara drew the Board's attention to the proposed new CME Mission Statement included in the agenda materials. Mr. Lanke reminded the Board that this CME Mission Statement was the guiding document for all AAEM CME activities. The updated and proposed Mission Statement incorporates the elements required by ACCME.

Dr. O'Leary asked how outcomes are currently measured. Dr. Wood responded that this varies depending on the educational activity.

Dr. Scaletta moved and Dr. Minas seconded that the proposed CME Mission Statement which reads as follows be approved:

Proposed CME Mission Statement

1. The purpose of AAEM's CME program is to provide physicians with excellent educational activities that will enhance the quality of their medical practice.

2. The content areas addressed by AAEM's CME program will be such as to appeal to the professional interests of a specialist in Emergency Medicine, and may include any topic that will enable physicians to better carry out their professional responsibilities. Activities that support the personal and professional welfare of the individual specialist are of primary concern to the AAEM.

3. The target audience of AAEM's CME program will include, but not be limited to, physicians who are engaged in the practice of Emergency Medicine.

4. The types of activities provided as part of AAEM's CME program include an annual conference, board review courses, additional lectures and workshops, and any other activities that support and enhance the professional practice of physicians engaged in the practice of Emergency Medicine. AAEM supports the concept of jointly sponsoring activities with organizations whose goals are compatible with those listed in this mission statement.

5. The expected results of AAEM's CME program are to improve the everyday EM practice and increase the understanding of the EM workplace of physician participants.

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

XV. New Business

Dr. McNamara then turned the Board's attention to the new AAEM Awards approved by the Awards Committee. Dr. Kazzi explained the purpose and parameters of each proposed award.

After much discussion, Dr. McNamara moved and Dr. Fenton seconded that the following awards be approved and presented at the 2001 Scientific Assembly:

• AAEM Young Educator Award
• AAEM Resident of the Year Award
• James Keaney Award
• Peter Rosen Academic Leadership Award
• Emergency Medicine Program Director of the Year Award

MOTION PASSED 10-0-1 with Dr. Minas abstaining.

Dr. McNamara asked that the additional five awards that had been proposed be put on the agenda for the December Board of Directors conference call.

Dr. McNamara also asked that the AAEM draft position statement on unionization that had appeared in an earlier agenda be placed on the December Board of Directors conference call.

There being no further business, Dr. Zun moved and Dr. Blumstein seconded that the Board meeting be adjourned. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Respectfully submitted,

Kay Whalen
Organizational Directo