Board Meeting Minutes

American Academy of Emergency Medicine
Minutes of Board of Directors Conference Call Meeting
December 20, 2000

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

Dr. McNamara welcomed everyone to the call and began the conference call meeting.

I. Approval of October 21, 2000 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

The Board turned its attention to the October 21, 2000 draft minutes. Dr. Durkin moved and Dr. Fenton seconded that the minutes of the October 21, 2000 conference call be approved. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

II. President's Report

Dr. McNamara reported that it had been brought to his attention that a physician, certified by BCEM and practicing in New Jersey, was advertising that he was board certified in EM. California recently upheld a state law that allows physicians to advertise as "board certified" only if they are certified by a Board approved by ABMS. Dr. McNamara will draft a letter to the New Jersey state medical board informing them of this situation.

Next, Dr. McNamara reported that he had visited the residency programs at USC, UC-Irvine and UCLA.

On January 9, 2001, Dr. McNamara will meet with representatives from the Office of the Inspector General. He will report to the Board on this meeting at a later time.

Dr. McNamara also reported that AAEM will offer discounted registration fees to CAL/ACEP members who attend AAEM's Scientific Assembly or the joint meeting with EuSEM.

III. Resignation of George Schwartz, MD

Dr. McNamara stated that he had spoken with Dr. Schwartz regarding Dr. Schwartz's resignation from the AAEM Board. AAEM will honor Dr. Schwartz's service on AAEM's Board at the upcoming meeting in Orlando.

Since new Board members will be elected in February, the candidate with the fourth highest vote total will be appointed to complete Dr. Schwartz's term.

IV. Audit and Finance Committee Report

Dr. O'Leary reported that the Audit and Finance Committee had reviewed proposals to provide audit and tax preparation services to AAEM. After telephone and e-mail discussions, it was decided that Dr. O'Leary would interview the final three firms in the Milwaukee office on January 3, 2001.

Dr. O'Leary also reported that AAEM has invested $100,000 in a 6-month CD and will invest another $100,000 in a short term CD in the immediate future. This will increase AAEM's interest income in 2001.

V. Membership Report

Ms. Whalen then reported that AAEM's total membership in 2000 was 2,656 members. This figure was 5.6% above the 1999 total of 2,514 members.

Due to the fact that this year's dues were mailed later than last year, pace comparisons to last year's totals are not yet valid. The dues mailing went out later this year due to the fact that we included a number of promotional materials in this mailing, including the first announcement for the joint meeting with EuSEM, thus saving a good deal of expense in postage costs.

VI. Scientific Assembly Update

As of December 14th, AAEM had 124 registrants for the 2001 Scientific Assembly. Based on the number of sleeping rooms reserved at the headquarters hotel, AAEM is on pace once again to have record attendance at this meeting.

VII. JEM Associate Editor

Dr. McNamara then asked the Ad Hoc Committee that had been appointed to give their recommendations of the best candidate for the JEM associate editor position. The Committee members recommended three candidates that they felt were best qualified for this position. After a lengthy discussion, Dr. McNamara moved and Dr. O'Leary seconded that the Board wait until the March Board of Directors conference call to appoint the JEM associate editor. MOTION PASSED 8-1.

VIII. Florida State Chapter Request

Dr. Scaletta moved and Dr. Fenton seconded that the request from the Florida State Chapter to become as official AAEM chapter be approved.

Dr. O'Leary questioned the need for AAEM state chapters. Dr. Kazzi pointed out the impact that has already been made by state chapters. Dr. McNamara stated that the Board should discuss this issue at the next strategic planning session.

The original MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

IX. State Chapter Dues Listed on AAEM Dues Form

Dr. McNamara turned the Board's attention to the request to list the AAEM state chapter dues amount as an option on the AAEM dues form when applicable. Dr. Kazzi moved and Dr. Durkin seconded that AAEM list optional state chapter dues on the AAEM dues form. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Dr. McNamara asked if it was possible to list this option on any second notices that will be sent early in 2001. Ms. Whalen replied that this could be done.

X. AAEM International Section

Dr. Kazzi then presented his proposal to establish an International Section.

Dr. Zun stated that although this may be a good initiative, AAEM should focus on its strategic plan rather than beginning a number of additional new initiatives.

After much discussion, Dr. McNamara established an International Committee to explore the issue further and to gauge member interest in this area. He will ask Jeffrey Arnold, MD, to chair this Committee.

XI. Letter to Hospital Administrators

Dr. McNamara then turned the Board's attention to the draft letter to hospital administrators included in the agenda packet. Dr. McNamara will incorporate the suggested changes of the Board to this letter.

Dr. McNamara moved and Dr. Fenton seconded that the modified letter be sent to all hospital administrators. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

XII. Letter to ACGME

Next, Dr. McNamara turned the Board's attention to a draft letter to the ACGME that was included in the agenda packet. This letter will be sent to the RRC expressing concern regarding inappropriate resident moonlighting in an EM residency program. AAEM's legal counsel has reviewed the letter and found it to be appropriate.

XIII. Non-Discrimination Policy Additional Clause

Next, Dr. McNamara drew the Board's attention to a proposal made by David Huang, MD, an AAEM Resident Board member, to modify AAEM's Non-Discrimination Position Statement on Practice Track vs. Residency Trained EM Physicians.

In the interest of time, this issue will be revisited at the next meeting.

XIV. Adoption of an AAEM Union Position Statement

Once again, this issue will be discussed at the next meeting. Dr. McNamara also asked Ms. Whalen to include a draft statement in the next agenda book.

XV. Common Sense to AAEM Award Recipients

Dr. Williams asked the Board to approve the expense of sending a year's subscription of Common Sense to the SAEM Medical Student Award Recipients. The Board approved this expense pending SAEM's approval.

XVI. .911emergency Requirements

Dr. McNamara turned the Board's attention to an e-mail from a member requesting that the requirements to be listed on AAEM's .911emergency website be modified to allow non-board certified physicians to provide single coverage in some instances. The Board decided to maintain the current requirements.

XVII. New Business

Dr. McNamara reminded the Board to reply to staff's request for reservations for the Scientific Assembly.

Dr. Williams reported that the Resident Section had begun work on a Rules of the Road for medical students.

There being no further business, Dr. Durkin moved and Dr. Fenton seconded that the conference call meeting be adjourned. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Respectfully submitted,

Kay Whalen
Organizational Director