The Council
7:00 PM 16. OCTOBER, 2002
The Italian Epicure Restaurant
Novi, Michigan

Agenda:

1. The meeting was called to order by Verne L. Hoshal, Jr. MD, FACS, President, at 7:03PM.

2. Secretary's Report:

Doctor Obeid called for review of the minutes of The Council for 8. May, 2002. It was moved and seconded that the minutes be approved. This motion received unanimous approval. The 2002-2003 Council Meeting Schedule was reviewed and approved. There was discussion as to the possible need for a December meeting.

3. Treasurer's Report:

Doctor Reddy reported regarding the MCACS Financial Statement for the third quarter ending 30. September, 2002. Regarding the Balance Sheet, Total Assets were $149,583 with an accounts receivable from members who have not paid for attending the 2002 Annual Meeting of $10,485 Total Liabilities were $2,825, with Total Membership Equity being $146,758.

Regarding the Statement of Operations, Total Revenue was $77.558 which is less than the budgeted amount, primarily because of lower dues payment than anticipated and a reduction in Exhibitor participation since the Sept. 11 2001 catastrophe. The Total General Expense was $41,534, which was $9,880 lower than anticipated. The Total Annual Meeting expenses were $28,798, which was $3,302.25 lower than was budgeted. Net Revenue over Expense was $7,226.

The Trauma Committee of the American College of Surgeons Financial Statement for the third quarter ending 30. September, 2002 was reviewed. Regarding the Balance Sheet, Total Assets were $66,817, with no liabilities. The Total Membership Equity was $66,817.

Regarding the Statement of Operations, Total Revenue was $8,671 with Total Expense being $2,973. The Net Revenue over Expense was $5,698.

It was moved and seconded to accept these financial reports. This motion received unanimous approval.

4. Committee Reports:

Young Surgeons Issues Committee: Doctor Reif reported that Doctor Holden could not attend the meeting however submitted a written report. His report included information and suggestions from Colin Ford, Manager, State Government Affairs, MSMS. Four cities and candidates were suggested as Day In Surgery Invitees. It was noted that these four were not an exclusive list, only intended to serve as a catalyst for further suggested sites and candidates. There was also an initial listing of young surgeons proposed to be Day in Surgery Participant-Host Surgeons.

Two issues to be the focus of the Day in Surgery Program were discusses: first, the creation of and Legislative approval for a Michigan Trauma Plan and System, and, second, the expansion of peer review immunity beyond the hospital.

The timing for implementing this program was reviewed. In consideration of the current circumstances pertaining to the November election, 15 days away, it was determined that the organization of the Program would be better served if conducted following the election, when the candidates, completed with campaigning, then office holders, would have time available to participate.

The Committee requested Doctor Holden to complete a Program Action and implementation schedule, making the necessary surgeon and thereby hospital contacts to schedule the Day in Surgery Program at several hospitals in Michigan.

It was determined that the Day in Surgery Theme Focus would be making known to Legislators the importance of a Trauma Plan and System in Michigan and securing their support to achieve same.

The Committee was requested to make known to Doctor Holden their suggestions for hospital locations & Candidates to be involved in the Day in Surgery Program.

The Council agreed that the creation of a Trauma System was of paramount importance and that this should be the focus of the Day in surgery Program. The Council also agreed that the Program should be implemented following the November 2002 elections, however prior to the 92 Legislature convening in January 2003, a period of time when the elected candidates will have completed campaigning.

The Council concurred with the action of the YSIC and requested Council members to advise Doctor Holden of their suggestions for hospital locations, candidates and MCACS Council member host volunteers.

Doctor Reif also reported that the YSIC will conduct a 2003 young surgeon survey to confirm the subject and activity interests. The Forum is to be scheduled during the 2003 Annual Meeting, however at a time when it is not in conflict with family activities.

There was discussion regarding the development of the ACS Professional Association and the change in interests made known during the 6-11, October, 2002 ACS Congress, these interests focusing on the professional political interests and the socioeconomic interests of surgeons. It was recommended that subjects of this nature be considered by the Program Committee and the Young Surgeons Issues Forum committee.

The Cancer Committee: Doctor Obeyed reported for Doctor Mikhail, stating that there have been changes in the standards wherein the 153 non-mandatory standards will not be emphasized, whereas the 47 mandatory standards will be of primary importance. This is being implemented to avoid duplication.

50th Anniversary Committee: Doctor Obeid reported he had spoken with Doctor Rutkowski during the ACS Congress and their recommendations to the Committee are to persue the creation of a Chapter Foundation, seeking donations from the membership. The Foundation would identify several functions for which donations could be designated, for example traveling fellowships for residents, special program visitations in other countries, etc. They also recommended developing a trip for the membership to France in conjunction with the French equivalent of the ACS for approximately 20 people. This would occur in the Fall 2003. The thinking is to invite French Surgeons who cooperated with this event in France to visit the Chapter in Michigan at a later annual meeting date. Discussion ensued. It was determined to call these recommendations to the attention of Doctor Hoshal, 50th Anniversary Program Chair.

Trauma Committee: Doctor Diebel reported the Michigan Committee on Trauma 2003 meeting would be in sequence with the MCACS Annual Meeting and Resident Surgeons Competition, thereby eliminating duplication of Trauma Paper presentations. The MCOT meeting will convene on Wednesday, 14. May, 2003, at the Grand Traverse Resort. The MCACS Resident Surgeons Competition will begin on Thursday, 15. May, 2003 at the Grand Traverse Resort.

Doctor Diebel reported that Doctor David Hoyt had been invited to attend and participate in the MCOT meeting as the selected speaker for the Mohaning Lecture. Doctor Diebel then stated there would be two monetary awards for Basic Science Paper and a Clinical Science paper.

Trauma Care Commission Report: Doctor Obeid, a member of the State Trauma Care Commission, as is Donald J. Scholten, MD, FACS, reported that the final draft report of the Commission is with the Governor’s Office for his review. The Health Care Licensing Division, Bureau of Health Services, Department of Consumer & Industry Services, has been asked for clarification on a few points, however there has been no sustentative response pertaining to Report approval. Doctor Obeid pointed out that until the report is released by the Governor’s Office copies of the draft report can not be released by the Department.

There was discussion pertaining to the Michigan Trauma Coalition and that grant monies to every State had been reduced. It was recommended that the Michigan Trauma Care Commission invite the American College of Surgeons to conduct a Trauma Systems Consultation visit to Michigan to emphasize what must be accomplished and identify the areas requiring the greatest amount of organizational and program implementation. This matter will be discussed during the 5. March, 2003 Council Meeting.

There was discussion pertaining to the grave importance of this issue to the people of Michigan and that the Chapter should undertake the necessary efforts to bring a State Trauma Plan and System into being.

MCACS Web Site: Doctor Eggenberger reported that minutes and committee listings are posted as soon as they are available. Doctor Lloyd was concerned at the length of time following the 2002 Annual Meeting where no minutes were posted. Mr. Plasman stated he had not forwarded the completed minutes to Doctor Eggenberger. Doctor Eggenberger presented the ACS-Telusys Inc. “Smart Site” program being offered for $850 plus a $225 conversion fee. It was determined that the current MCACS web site configurations was acceptable.

Doctor Eggenberger stated that the MSMS Web site will include the Resident Surgeons’ Competition Abstract Form, which can be completed on computer, printed and mailed to MCACS office. It was determined to include the Abstract Form also on the MCACS Web Site.

Database Report: Doctor Puls reported regarding a myriad of data reports pertaining to the Membership. Doctor Puls initiated discussion with a series of questions involving the collection, processing and use of the data. These reports included MCACS Members by zip code; MCACS Members - 25-35 years old; MCACS Members by Specialty; MCACS Members 45 years old and younger by Zip Code, these reports all being as of 10/15/02. There was discussion as to what was included in the database at this time and what could be retrieved. There was also discussion if the ACS membership for surgeons from Michigan could be compared with MCACS membership. It was determined to have Doctor Puls review and “clean-up” the MCACS membership list to reflect deaths, moves from Michigan, etc and to obtain the ACS listing to create a membership exception listing. Doctor Puls was thanked for his significant efforts and requested to report prior to the next scheduled meeting on 5. March, 2003.

5. Governors’ Reports:

The Reports of Doctors Chang, Ledgerwood and Lloyd were distributed and discussed.

Doctor Lloyd called attention to the restructuring of the ACS to form a 501c6 Corporation The ACS 501c3 organization will be a part of this c6 corporation as will be the ACS Pack Group.

Doctor Lloyd went on to report that there were multiple issues presented to the Governors. The following issues are listed by frequency and ratings: a) Physician Reimpursement; b) Professional Liability Malpractice; c) Changes in Medicare and Medicaid; d) Tort Refore; e) Relationship with Managed Care Organization; f) Graduate Medical Education; g) work Force Issues and h) Health Care Reform. Discussion ensued regarding these issues being top ranked by the survey of the Governors.

6. New Business:


It was determined to seek recommendations for the addition of one or more young surgeons to The Council from the Young Surgeons Issues Committee as well as from Council Members.

7. Old Business:

Doctor Obeid stated he had been contacted by a pharmaceutical company interested in sponsoring an unrestricted educational grant. The Company had also recommended the scheduling of a presentation pertaining to Sentential Node cancer. It was determined that in consideration of the results of the Young Surgeons Issues Committee Survey and the results of the ACS Governors Survey, that the Sentential Node presentation would not rank high for possible Annual Meeting presentations. Mr. Plasman was asked to communicate this to the Company, however to invite them to exhibit their Sentential Node information during the Annual Meeting.

8. Adjournment:

There being no further business to bring before The Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:33PM

Attest:

Farouck N. Obeid, MD, FACS,
President