MCACS Council Meeting
The Ritz Carlton - Dearborn, MI
Plaza "A" Ballroom
May 10, 2001

1. Call to Order:

   The meeting was called to order by Andrew W. Saxe, MD, FACS, President, at 8:07 PM. Doctor Saxe introduced Barbara Lee Bass, MD, FACS, Chair, Board of Governors, ACS and Representatives from the Young Surgeons Issues Committee, Doctors Holden, Lindsey Piazza and Steffes.

   Those Present:

   Andrew W. Saxe, MD, FACS, President
   Verne L. Hoshal, Jr., MD, FACS
       President - Elect
   Farouck N. Obeid, MD, FACS, Secretary
   Cheryl A. Wesen, MD, FACS, Treasurer
   Lee R. Britton, MD, FACS
   Alfred E. Chang, MD, FACS
   Lawrence N. Diebel, MD, FACS
   John C. Eggenberger, MD, FACS
   Duane T. Freier, MD, FACS
   Roy S. Goodman, MD, FACS
   James Gruenberg, MD, FACS
   Anna M. Ledgerwood MD, FACS
   Larry R. Lloyd, MD, FACS
   Edwardo Phillips, MD, FACS
   Mark W. Puls, MD, FACS
   James E. Reif, MD, FACS
   Krishna K. Sawhney, MD, FACS
   Donald J. Scholten, MD, FACS
   Allen Slibergleit, MD, PhD, FACS
   Yvan J. Silva, MD, FACS
   W. M. Whitehouse, Jr. MD, FACS

   Also Present:

   Barbara Lee Bass, MD, FACS, Chair
        Board of Governors, ACS
   David Fromm, MD, FACS
   Anthony Holden, MD
   Hugh Lindsey, MD, FACS
   Charles E. Lucus, MD, FACS
   Raouf A. Mikhail, MD, FACS
   Brian L. Piazza, MD, FACS
   Christopher Steffes, MD, FACS
   F. B. "Tom" Plasman, Chapter Adm.

2. Secretary’s Report

   Minutes:
   Farouck N. Obeid, MD, FACS presented the Minutes of the March 7, 2001 meeting of the Council. It was moved and seconded that these minutes be approved. This motion received unanimous approval.

   Communications from ACS Chicago Office:
   Doctor Obeid reported many communications have been received and are in the MCACS Communications Book, which will be circulated. He went on to say that during the February Board of Regents meeting the Fellowship Listing for 2001 was released and the Fellowship interview process has been scheduled.

   Chapter Donation to the College Scholarship Endowment Fund
   Doctor Hoshal reported that the Chapter had donated $3,000, $1,500 for 2000 and $1,500, for 2001, these being annual donations by the Chapter.

   Future Council Meetings:
   Doctor Hoshal announced that the Council and Program meeting dates would approximate those in 2000 - 2001, these being three Council meetings, October, February and May. New meeting sites in Southeast Michigan are being reviewed, these being the Novi Hilton and the Baronette Hotel in Novi, Michigan. This schedule will be forwarded to all members in Mid-June.

   Delegation to May 17-18, 2001 ACS Chapter Leadership Conference
   Doctor Obeid stated that Doctors Saxe, Wesen and Eggenberger and Mr. Plasman will be attending this important conference.

3. Treasurers' Report

   Chery A. Wesen, MD, FACS reported regarding the Chapter Financial Statement as of March 31, 2001. Regarding the Balance Sheet, Total Assets were $125,141, with total Liabilities being $7,312. Total Membership Equity is $117,141. Regarding the Statement of Operations, Doctor Wesen reported that not all 2001 dues have been received; generating a Net Revenue Under Expenses of ($13,087) and this amount does not include the anticipated losses of the 2001 Annual Meeting. Doctor Wesen again requested members to submit their dues payment.

   Regarding the Financial Statement for the Trauma Committee of the American College of Surgeons, the Balance Sheet reports Total Assets of $51,111, with Total Liabilities of $2,156 and Total Membership Equity of $48,955. The Statement of Operations indicates a Total Revenue of $309., with Total Expense of $2,221 and Net Revenue under Expense of ($1,912.). It was moved and seconded to accept the Treasurer's Report. This motion received Unanimous approval.

4. Committee Reports:

   Program Committee:
   Doctor Hoshal reported that there were 47 abstracts submitted for evaluation and that 37 of these from across the State were selected to be presented. Doctor Hoshal thanked the Judging Committee, Barbara Lee Bass, MD, FACS, Daniel B. Michael, MD, PhD, FACS, Fay E. Seppala, MD, FACS, Charles J. Shanley, MD, FACS and Donald J. Scholten, MD, FACS for their interest and willingness to serve. He went on to say that Local Hosts Doctor David Fromm and Doctor James G. Tyburski have organized an excellent clinical program for the Saturday, May 12, 2001, four hour CME session. Doctor Saxe complemented Doctors Fromm and Tyburski for their arrangement of the Council Spouses Dinner and the Saturday special Comerica Park outing for Members in the Detroit Tigers corporate luxury box. Doctor Fromm initiated discussion concerning the high costs of the Annual meeting and possible affect this would have on attendance. Discussion ensued. Doctor Charles E. Lucus then complemented the Program Committee on the organization and presentation of the Annual Resident Surgeons Competition and Doctors Fromm and Tyburski on their efforts pertaining to the selection of The Ritz Carlton - Dearborn and thereby bringing the Chapter Membership to Detroit.

   Young Surgeons / Issues Committee
   Doctor Obeid reported that an inquiry of young surgeons age 40 and under, were surveyed as to their interests. Over 80 surgeons responded indicating their active interests and in participating in activities and programs for young surgeons. The first Young Surgeons Forum was conducted on March 1, 2001 at the Novi Hilton, where 27 surgeons attended receiving a review of College activities and participated in a discussion of a method of representing young surgeons at the Council. Also considered were mechanisms to continue communication and to bring "grass roots" young surgeons' interests to the Council. The Committee reviewed the myriad of interests and activities and five areas of interest / activity were identified. Young surgeons volunteered to chair or co-chair an activity, these being "A". Immunity from Liability for Uncompensated Care, "B". the CRNA Issue, "C". Timely Payment, "D", State Trauma System, and "E". The Annual Scientific Meeting Program. Each of the chairs will advise the Committee Chair from time to time regarding their work and will prepare a written report for the next committee Meeting.

   The Committee recommended to the Council the change of the Committee name to "Young Surgeons Issues Committee". This name change was determined to be appropriate and was approved.

   Doctor Saxe briefed the Council regarding the special May 3, 200l meeting that He, Doctors Obeid, Hoshal, Seffes, Borst, Walsh and Mr. Plasman convened with Mr. Kevin A. Kelly, Managing Director, and Colin J. Ford, Manager, State Government Affairs, MSMS. They discussed the politics of Medicine identifying the Michigan Legislative issues and venue whereby MCACS could take appropriate action on issues specific to surgeons and join with MSMS when their interests and efforts are in concert. Doctor Saxe went on to identify current legislative issues of interest to surgeons, such as the Emergency Trauma System. Discussion ensued.

   Committee on Cancer:
   The American College of Surgeons continues to be involved in the activities of the Michigan Cancer Consortium. Fellows of the American College of Surgeons have participated in the formulation of the consensus guidelines for breast and cervical carcinoma. The following Fellows have aided in the formulation of those guidelines:

   Raouf A. Mikhail, MD	Marion Lange, MD	Lisa Newman, MD
   Helen Pass, MD	James Graham, MD

   Doctor Mikhail attended the State Chairs meeting of the American College of Surgeons, Commission on Cancer just prior to the spring meeting of the college, in Toronto on April 23, 2001. At that meeting the following is to be noted to members of the council:

   The commission on cancer is undergoing a change in its organization. In the near future there will be only four standing committees to conduct the activities on the Commission on Cancer.

   There will be nine (9) disease sites with expertise in each disease site for the formulation of the Commission on Cancer policies regarding each of those disease sites.

   The National Cancer Data Bank will be going online later this year. Hospitals with approved cancer programs will be able to get online and compare their data with the national Cancer Data Bank data; however, hospitals will not be able to compare their data with other hospitals.

   Michigan Committee on Trauma:
   Doctor Diebel presented an overview of the Michigan Legislature’s consideration of various Trauma system legislation and the final passage of the law. He went on to say that the trauma committee selection to steer development of trauma system legislation would be accomplished during the 2001 summer. There was then discussion regarding the interaction of the COT and the Trauma Coalition.

   MSMS Delegate's Report:
   Walter M. Whitehouse, MD, FACS reported regarding Resolution 111-01A, Title: Require Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) to make Surgery Criteria Public. Doctor Whitehouse reported that he presented testimony to the Reference Committee and during the MSMS House of Delegated on May 4, 5, 2001 pertaining to this matter. He stated that this Resolution was Adopted as Amended with the Resolved portion to read: "That MSMS urge all insurance carriers to use criteria that are in the public domain for determining appropriateness of surgery and physician remuneration." Doctor Whitehouse encouraged the Chapter to submit their concerns and interests so that resolutions may be drafted and submitted to future House of Delegates Meetings.

   Chapter Website:
   John C. Eggenberger, MD, FACS reported the expansion of the Web site to include a Professional Positions Openings Listing which has received many "hits" since its inception. He stated that Chapter meeting minutes are included on the Web Site. Doctor Eggenberger requested members submit their recommendations and suggestions for the Web Site. Doctors Saxe, Lloyd and several others complemented Doctor Eggenberger on his efforts to develop and maintain the Chapter Web Site.

5. Governors' Reports:

   Anna M. Ledgerwood, MD, FACS stated that the Governors are seeking to learn the interests and concerns of surgeons. An example is the current nursing shortage crisis, which is being experienced in many parts of the State and Country. Doctor Ledgerwood is serving as Chair of the Physician Health Committee and requested Council members to submit information that will assist in the creation of programs for surgeons. Krishna K. Sawhney, MD, FACS, a member of the College Socioeconomic Committee reported that has only been in recent years that this Committee has realized that Politics and interest in government relations has become essential. He stated that there is a strong possibility that the Committee will recommend the formation of a Political Action Committee. There must be community attention to the amount of surgery that is performed at no charge to the patient and HIPPA regulations will have a marked effect on surgeons practice. Doctor Sawhney called for surgeons to pay attention to the "Leapfrog" groups formed by business and industry and the outcomes of their discussions. Larry R. Lloyd, MD, FACS, a member of the Finance Committee of the Board of Governors stated that there is no dues increase expected this year. He reported that the College is carefully screening its program offerings to eliminate those having poor attendance or operating at a financial loss status. Alfred E. Chang, MD, FACS stated he attended the spring meeting in Toronto, Ontario, was very impressed with the programs and presentations and encouraged Council members to attend and participate in future meetings.

6. Young Surgeons Report:

   The Chair determined that this report had been presented earlier in the meeting, however asked the surgeons to communicate the activities of the Young Surgeons Issues Committee to their colleagues and invite them to participate in the activities of this Chapter Committee.

7. New Business:

   Donn M. Schroder, MD, FACS stated that the interview process for College Fellowship was being organized and scheduled in the five Michigan Districts. He will report at a future Council Meeting. Duane T. Freier, MD, FACS, Past President called attention to the possibility of combining the interview process to occur at the time of the Chapter Annual Meeting, thereby increasing attendance and participation. Discussion ensued. It was determined to review the Interview Process and consider this possibility.

   Call for Examples of HCFA Hassels:
   Doctor Saxe requested the Council members to inquire of their associates to learn of these hassles and report them at the next Council meeting.

8. Adjournment:
   There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:37PM
   
   

   Respectfully submitted,

   Andrew W. Saxe, MD, FACS, President