COUNCIL MINUTES SUMMARY -- March 3, 1999
Issues Committee Meeting
MSMS Headquarters
October 18, 2000

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
James Reif, MD, FACS

ALSO PRESENT:
Roy Goodman, MD, FACS
Mark W. Puls, MD, FACS
Allen Silbergleit, MD, FACS
Raouf Mikhail, MD, FACS
F.B. "Tom" Plasman, Chapter Administrator

ABSENT:
Paul A. Taheri, MD, FACS
Seth Wolk, MD, FACS
Michael Khoury, MD, FACS

1. CALL TO ORDER. The meeting was called to order by Andrew W. Saxe, MD, FACS,President at 5:49 p.m.
   
   
2. APPROVAL. May 3, 2000 Committee Minutes were reviewed. It was moved, seconded and there was unanimous vote for their approval.
   
   
3. REVIEW OF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES. The Calendar of Activities for MC, ACS was next reviewed for the month of October. It was determined for the 2002 Annual Meeting that the President, Doctor Saxe, would invite the ACS President-Elect to present at this Annual Meeting. It was also determined that the Resident Paper Abstract Information be mailed to Programs and Facilities. Also, that a Membership solicitation letter from the President be mailed to all new Fellows, who reside in Michigan, appointed during the October 2000 ACS Clinical Congress.

   There was then discussion that a fall newsletter be published. Doctor Britton will be asked about this matter during the Council Meeting.

4. ISSUES TO BE DISCUSSED.
   1. Reconfiguration of Issues Committee into a Young Surgeons Committee. Discussion was initiated regarding identification of Young Surgeons and how to communicate their perspective to the Council. Various ways to persuade Young Surgeons to participate were discussed, such as Clinical Trials and Political Issues, plus the presentations of significant scientific advances in surgery and appropriate reimbursement. There was discussion that if Political Issues were to be discussed, what Issues would be appropriate for Chapter attention and involvement that would not be issues of a specific Surgical Society. There was then discussion regarding a Young Surgeons Open Forum to identify new activities, thoughts, and innovations. Also, discussion on how to solicit Young Surgeon's thoughts and opinions by questionnaire or letters. It was identified the "charge for the forum" must be developed and that a protocol for bringing Young Surgeons issues to the Council must be in place. It was determined to review the MC, ACS database for those Physicians under the age 45 and in addition to review the list of Surgeons from Michigan who will become Fellows during the October 2000 ACS Clinical Congress. Discussion ensued.

      It was agreed to propose to the Council that reorganization of the Issues Committee be considered by way of a "Young Physicians Forum" chaired by the Chapter Secretary. The purpose of this Forum would be to identify issues, concerns, and interests and to develop a protocol to bring these issues and interests and perspectives to the Council. It was determined to recommend that this be implemented prior to the March 7, 2001 Council Meeting. It was determined that a letter from the Chair be sent to all ACS Members 45 years and younger, plus the new ACS Initiates and that they be invited to attend this special meeting. Also, that the lists of Young Surgeons be distributed to the members of the Issues Committee and Council to undertake a telephone or personal letter contact urging their participation in the Forum. There was also discussion regarding the scheduling of this Forum for the most opportune time. It was determined that the end of January or the first of February 2001 may produce the best attendance. It was determined that letters would be distributed during November and December with follow-up personal calls or letters from members of the Issues Committee and Council. This matter will be recommended to the Council at its meeting at October 25, 2000.
      
      

   2. Data Base. There was general discussion regarding the updating of the Data Base. In particular, making certain that age breakdowns, to identify the 45-year-old and younger surgeon is possible.
      
      
   3. Web Site. The Web Site is containing current minutes. It was recommended that there be a connection of a hyper-link to John Eggenberger, MD, Webmaster. It was also suggested that the name of the Trauma Committee Chair and an opportunity for announcements and minutes of this Committee be made possible on the Web Site. Discussion ensued.
   4. Educational Fund Raising Campaign. There was brief discussion regarding the classification of donors. Each member was encouraged to seek donations for the MC, ACS Education Fund.
      
      
5. OLD BUSINESS. Mr. Plasman called the attention of the Committee that the Transplantation Society donations for the resident competition have not been received. The name of a contact person will be forwarded to Mr. Plasman with in the next few days.
   
   
6. NEW BUSINESS.
   
   
7. ADJOURNMENT. It was moved and seconded that the meeting be adjourned at 6:47 p.m. This motion received unanimous approval.