The Council
7:00 PM   17. October, 2001
The Country Epicure Restaurant
Novi, Michigan.

  1. Call to Order:

    Verne L. Hoshal, Jr, MD, FACS, President called the meeting to order at 7:14 PM.

    Present:

    Verne L. Hoshal, Jr, MD, FACS, President
    Alfred E. Chang, MD, FACS
    Lawrence N. Diebel, MD, FACS
    John C. Eggenberger, MD, FACS
    Hugh J. Lindsey, MD, FACS
    Larry R. Lloyd, MD, FACS
    Raouf A. Mikhail, MD, FACS Farouck N. Obeid, MD, FACS, President Elect Mark W. Puls, MD, FACS Andrew W. Saxe, MD, FACS, Past President Donald J. Scholten, MD, FACS Christopher P. Steffes, MD, FACS Allen Silbergleit, MD, PhD, FACS Christopher P. Steffes, MD, FACS Michael H. VanderKolk, MD, FACS Jon C. Walsh, MD, FACS Walter M. Whitehouse, Jr. MD, FACS Seth W. Wolk, MD, FACS

    Also present:

    F. B. "Tom" Plasman, Chapter Administrator

    Absent:

    Lee R. Britton, MD, FACS Roy Goodman, MD, FACS Anthony A. Holden, MD, FACS Anna M. Ledgerwood, MD, FACS Brian L. Piazza, MD, FACS Michael K. McLeod, MD, FACS James E. Reif, MD, FACS Krishna K. Sawhney, MD, FACS Yvan J. Silva, MD, FACS Cheryl A. Wesen, MD, FACS
  2. Report of the Young Surgeons Issues Committee

    Doctor Scholten reported that Doctor Donn M. Schroder, MD, FACS had requested a legal opinion from the St. John Hospital , which was verbally not positive regarding a potential positive outcome for limited liability legislation . Doctor Steffes reported regarding the issue of Immunity from Liability for Uncompensated Care including a College report which included the unsuccessful activities in several states. Doctor Steffes presented a Draft Statement pertaining the issue which will be attached to the YSIC minutes. The Committee has requested its members and organized a program for other young surgeons to present the Draft Statement during the Public Hearings which will be conducted by the Michigan Trauma Care Commission. Regarding the CRNA issue, Doctor Scholten stated there is renewed interest in reversing current Michigan Law to enable CRNAs to become independent practitioners.

    The Council then requested the YSIC to recommend three young surgeons to attend the ACS Young Surgeons Conference in Spring, 2002, Doctors Lindsey and Steffes were selected. A third selection will be made by the President at a future date.

  3. Guest Speaker:

    Doctor Hoshal introduced Representative Paul DeWeese, MD, (R-Williamston) . Representative DeWeese stated that surgeons have more influence than they realize if they would mobilize their efforts to personally contact members of the legislature regarding health issues . He went on to state that the current budget cutting efforts may affect Medicaid and this matter is certainly of interest to surgeons because of the access to quality care issue. Rep. DeWeese spoke briefly regarding the tobacco settlement, the 10% cut in the states budget health programs , for example MI Care for children and a current bill being prepared to provide freedom from liability to doctors providing free care in specific circumstances. Rep. DeWeese and Lindsey also discussed the CRNA issue and a possible bill being drafted by Rep. Tom George, MD to address this matter. The potential for biological and chemical warfare provides surgeons an excellent opportunity to gain recognition and bring impact upon the public health system, hospitals and be a resource to patients...especially to build a relationship with members of the Legislature. A question and Answer session followed. Doctor Hoshal thanked Representative DeWeese for presenting to The Council.

  4. Secretary' Report:

    Doctor Scholten initiated an review of the Minutes of the 10. May, 2001 meeting of The Council. There was a motion and second to accept the minutes. This motion received unanimous approval.

    Doctor Scholten reported that a Chapter Notebook is being maintained by the Secretary which contains copies of all correspondence from the American College of Surgeons. He encouraged Council members to review the Notebook.

    There was a review of the Council meeting schedule. The next meeting will be Wednesday, 7:00PM 6. March, 2002, unless matters are such that a special meeting is called by the President.

    Doctor Scholten than presented a report pertaining to the number of Fellows in the Chapter indicating an October 30, 2001 ACS communication, the Comprehensive Membership Roster indicated 1891 Fellows, which includes 66 doctors becoming Fellows during the October, 2001 College meeting, 80 Associate Active, and 203 Candidate Active potential Chapter members.

  5. Treasurer's Report:

    Doctor Hoshal, in the absence of Cheryl A. Wessen, MD, FACS, Treasurer, presented the Chapter Financial Statement for the 9 months ending September 30, 2001. Regarding the Balance Sheet, Total Assets equal $162,292, with Total Liabilities being 13,650. And Total Membership Equity being $148,642. Regarding the Statement of Operations, Total Revenue, actual to date was $95,368, a favorable balance of $3,987. Total General Expense is $33,570 with Total Annual Meeting Expense being $36,025, an amount over budget of $3,925.44. this produces a Total Expense actual to date of $69,595 with Net Revenue over Expense of $25,773.

    Regarding the Trauma Committee Financial Statement for the first quarter ending September 30, 2001, the Balance Sheet indicate Total Assets of $63,880 with Total Liabilities of $500 with Total Membership Equity of $63,380. Regarding the Statement of Operations, Total Revenue was $15,234 with Total Expense being $2,721 and Net Revenue over expense of $12,513.

    Following review of these statements, it was determined to accept these Financial Statements.

  6. Calendar of MCACS Events / Activities.

    Doctor Hoshal distributed the MCACS Calendar of Activities for MCACS. He pointed out that in October the President Elect is to invite the ACS President Elect for 2003, C. James Carrico, MD, FACS to speak during the MCACS 2003 Annual Meeting and that Resident Abstract information is to be mailed to Programs and Facilities. Because of the absence of Doctor Lee R. Britton, Mr. Plasman was requested to forward a copy of the Calendar of Activities to Doctor Britton.

    Doctor Hoshal requested The Council members to review the Calendar and make suggestions for its improvement. This matter will be on the 6. March, 2002 Council meeting agenda.

  7. Committee Reports:

    Program Committee:

    Doctor Obeid reported that planning for the 2002 Annual Meeting was progressing very well. R. Scott Jones, MD, FACS, President, ACS will present during the Friday, 10. May luncheon for Fellows and Residents.

    Cynthia A. Brown, Director, Health policy and Advocacy, ACS will present Thursday, 9. May, 2002 during the Fellows, Residents and Exhibitors Luncheon.

    Doctor Silbergleit will present "Moments in Surgical History" during the Thursday. 9. May, 2001, program.

    Doctor Lazer J. Greenfield has been invited to present a 20 minute "Surgical R.R.C. Report and Update" during the Friday, 10, May morning program.

    The Program Committee will next meet on Wednesday, 7. November, 2001.

    Cancer Committee:

    Doctor Mikhail reported that he had participated on the College Task Force to identify "Criteria for Screening for High risk Breast Cancer" for Primary Care Physicians. Doctor Mikhail outlined the screens that have been recommended. Discussion followed.

    Doctor Mikhail reported that Cancer Programs in Michigan have been surveyed and of those approved, only 3 received contingencies which can be easily corrected.

    Trauma Committee:

    Doctor Diebel stated that the Committed on Trauma met this summer in Gaylord and during the meeting many activities and basic Science and Clinical papers were presented that had been presented during the MCACS Annual Meeting. This and other observations caused the C.O.T. to inquire of the MCACS regarding the possibility of combining the meetings. Doctor Hoshal stated that the Program had considered the situation and at first consideration, could not determine an efficacious means to do so. Doctors Lloyd and Diebel lead a discussion considering the possibility of combining the meetings in 2003. It was determined to place this matter before the Program Committee for further consideration.

    MSMS:

    Doctor Whitehouse reported that many activities are underway which affect the specialty societies. He and Doctor Hoshal would be attending the MSMS council of specialty Societies on 1. November, 2001, during the Annual Scientific Meeting. One of the primary subjects to be considered will be a presentation by Thomas Simmer, MD, Vice President and Corporate Medical Director, BCBSM of Michigan Quality Improvement Consortium Practice Guidelines. Another important subject will be MSMS Strategic Directions in Health Care Delivery Issues

    Web Site:

    Doctor Eggenberger reported that the Calendar of MCACS activities is now posted as is the Officer and Committee Chair listing. He went on to state that the number of web site hits is being analyzed and will be reported during the next Council meeting.

    Data Base:

    Doctor Puls referred to an informational report obtained from the ACS Michigan Chapter Data Base. This report indicated that the Age Range of Chapter members, the highest percent of membership, were between 40 and 60 years old. The % of female members were between 30 and 50, whereas, the % of age range that paid dues was noticeably low in the 40 to 60 age range. Discussion ensued regarding this information. Doctor Puls stated he is preparing other reports for the Data Base and will report at the 6. March, 2002, Meeting of The Council.

  8. Governors' Report:

    Doctor Chang referred to the Memorandum pertaining to the Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors'', October 7, 2001, New Orleans Hilton Riverside Hotel. Doctor stated that the Board of Regents approved the initiative of the American College of surgeons to apply for 501 (c) (6) corporation status. This will not negate the 501 (c) (3) status. The new status will allow the ACS to develop a PAC for more active lobbying efforts. Doctor went on to report of the new reorganization of the college which includes four area of primary focus, these being Education, Research and Optimal Patient Care, Advocacy and Health Policy and Member Services. There will also be an office of Evidence-Based Surgery. Doctor Chang stated that Doctor Barbara Lee Bass acknowledged the Chapters contribution of $1,500 to the ACS endowment fund.

    Doctor Lloyd reported that ACS dues of $375 have not been increased for nearly a decade. A dues increase to $440 is to be recommended to the Board of Regents. There has been a review of current programs being offered to members, and those which are not making a profit or of questionable value will be discontinued. There was also Regent consideration of programs for credentialing of surgeons working in outpatient services with the recommendation that surgeons only provide services in accredited ambulatory facilities.

    The Recertification Process will soon include an Introspective Analysis section to be completed by the applying surgeon. Discussion of these issues continued. Doctor Hoshal thanked Doctor Chang and Doctor Lloyd for their reports.

  9. Other Business:

    Doctor Saxe reported that he is a member of a newly created task force of the Michigan State Medical Society charged with assessing the needs of and assisting graduate medical education programs in Michigan. The task force will direct its efforts toward educating state legislators about the importance of Michigan's teaching hospitals and graduate medical education programs and asking the legislature to address specific problems that these institutions face. Toward that end, Doctor Saxe asked the Council members to advise him of suggestions for ways in which the State Legislature could assist teaching hospitals and graduate medical education programs.

    It was determined by the President that the essence of the remaining agenda items had been considered during pervious discussions.

    There being no further business to come before The Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:19 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Donald J. Scholten, MD, FACS, Secretary