Call to Order  - The meeting was called to order at 12:40 pm by Dr. John H. Armstrong, chair.  He extended a warm welcome to all surgeons and new members in attendance, and reminded the Caucus that the session would be adjourning by 2:15 p.m. at the request of the Speakers so that delegates could be in their seats for DHHS Secretary Michael Levitts’ address to the HOD.

Emergency Surgical Workforce – Crisis in the Emergency Department – Dr. Armstrong opened the session and introduced the guest speakers.  John Fildes, MD, FACS, Chair of the ACS Committee on Trauma, and Brian Keaton, MD, FACEP, President of the American College of Emergency Physicians, discussed their respective organization’s perspective on the problems associated with on-call coverage, need for additional specialists to meet future workforce demands, and recommendations of the Institute of Medicine reports on the future of emergency care.  Dr. Fildes shared his experience in the temporary closing of Nevada’s level I trauma center during the malpractice practice crisis a couple of years ago.  Dr. Keaton reminded the Caucus that appropriate solutions will be developed and implemented if the focus is on the patient, and if the stakeholders continue to work together on these solutions.

Minutes – Minutes of the June 10, 2006 meeting in Chicago were approved.

Treasurer’s Report – Dr. Charles Drueck treasurer, reported a balance on hand of $4,304.15 as of November 6, 2006.

Nominating Committee Report– Dr. Armstrong reported that the Nominating Committee had met earlier in the day.  It was recommended that all current SCAMA Executive Committee positions up for election should be re-elected for an additional term, and this recommendation was adopted by acclamation of the Surgical Caucus.

Chair:  John Armstrong, MD, FACS
Chair-elect:  William Huffaker, MD, FACS
Secretary:  Thomas Whalen, MD, FACS
Treasurer:  Charles Drueck, MD, FACS
Member At large:  Willard Stawski, MD, FACS (3-year term)

Reports and Resolutions were reviewed earlier in the day by the SCAMA Executive Committee and delegates from the ACS and ASGS. A chart with recommended actions was distributed at the meeting, with spirited and focused discussion by Caucus members.

Specialty Society Updates – In the interest of time, Dr. Armstrong suggested that specialty society updates be forwarded to Mr. Jon Sutton, Caucus Administrator, for posting on the SCAMA website.

Adjournment – There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:10 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Thomas Whalen, MD, FACS, Secretary

Online July 25, 2007

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