Board Meeting Minutes

American Academy of Emergency Medicine
Minutes of Board of Directors Conference Call
December 13, 2004

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

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

Approval of November 13, 2004 Minutes

The Board reviewed the draft minutes that had been included in the agenda materials. There being no changes to these minutes, Dr. Durkin moved and Dr. Sharieff seconded that the November 13, 2004 minutes be approved. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

President's Report

Dr. Kazzi reported that he and other executive committee members continue to visit EM residency programs to speak to residents at these programs. He asked if board members would be willing to help in this area. Dr. Rodgers volunteered to help with visits in the Midwest and Dr. Shih volunteered to help with visits on the east coast.

Drs. Kazzi and Schofer had participated in a conference call with Dr. Wes Curry from CEP to discuss a possible collaboration on a Management Academy. After much discussion regarding the format of such a program and the possible topics that would be covered, Drs. Schofer, Rodgers and Shih volunteered to work on a proposal for this project and bring it back to the board.

Dr. Kazzi reported that he would be visiting with representatives from the French societies in the next week to see if they would officially support the upcoming Congress. He expressed concern regarding the pace of the planning logistics. The AAEM scientific program committee is ahead of schedule, but other aspects of planning lag behind. Dr. Kazzi will need to devote more time to this Congress which will mean that executive committee and board members will need to help with other issues.

The executive committee had reviewed a proposal from an antitrust attorney for an in-depth analysis of AAEM's position statements and determined that there is no need for a more formal opinion at this time.

The letter recently sent to hospital administrators by AEP was discussed. Drs. McNamara and Schofer will draft an article on this. Dr. Durkin will investigate whether this letter was sent to hospital administrators in California.

The executive committee had asked staff to investigate possible sites in Las Vegas, the Caribbean and Mexico for the 2007 Scientific Assembly. In addition, the board suggested that venues in Hawaii , Scottsdale and California be investigated.

The executive committee determined that AAEM CME application fees in 2005 will be $500.

AAEM has asked ACOEP to work with us regarding the board certification issue in Florida.

The board then discussed how AAEM will interact with EMRA. Dr. Schofer reported that the resident section board would be meeting via conference call in the near future. The board will discuss this issue again after it has been discussed by the resident section board.

There will be a fundraising event at the Scientific Assembly to raise funds for the AAEM Foundation.

Treasurer's Report

Dr. Durkin reported that AAEM continues to be in the black for 2004 and reminded the board that the 2005 budget had been approved during the November board meeting.

Membership Report

Ms. Whalen reported that the 2005 membership dues mailings had not yet been sent. Despite this, AAEM already has 92 new members for 2005.

AAEM Foundation

The AAEM attorneys have completed the necessary paperwork to apply for 501(c)(3) status for the AAEM Foundation.

At this point, Dr. Shih left the call.

Update on Major Cases and Membership Concerns

Dr. McNamara reported that he is in communication with the attorneys in Minnesota regarding the corporate practice of medicine statutes that are currently valid.

Dr. Rodgers has been investigating the bankruptcy of PhyAmerica and is waiting for responses.

Dr. Kazzi and Dr. McNamara have been in contact with a physician who they believe was wrongfully terminated by a contract management company.

AAEM Antitrust Plan

Dr. Weiss presented the final draft of the antitrust compliance plan that had been discussed during the November board meeting and had been modified after discussion at that meeting. Dr. McNamara moved and Dr. Scaletta seconded that AAEM adopt the antitrust compliance plan as it is currently drafted. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Dr. Kazzi thanked Dr. Weiss for his work on this plan.

AAEM Point/Counterpoint Article for Common Sense

Dr. Blumstein asked if any board members would like to write an article for Common Sense as a single payor system. The board suggested that an e-mail be sent to the membership asking for a volunteer to write such an article.

AAEM Board Activity Assignments

Dr. Kazzi thanked those on the board who give generously of their time for AAEM activities. He encouraged all board members to do so.

Committees and Task Forces

Another call will be sent to the AAEM membership in the near future asking for volunteers for AAEM's committees and taskforces.

New Business

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

Respectfully submitted,

Kay Whalen
Executive Director