Annual Session 2009 Minutes in Brief

The Texas Academy of Family Physicians’ Board of Directors met on Saturday, July 18, 2009, to hear reports and recommendations from TAFP’s committees, commissions and sections. Below are highlights of the meeting. For a complete copy of the minutes, contact Kathy McCarthy at (512) 329-8666 ext. 14 or kmccarthy@tafp.org.

TAFP FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The TAFP Foundation Board recommended that the Research Committee prioritize the items in their strategic plan and bring them back to the Board next year to begin funding. The Board also viewed the new virtual Wall of Honor that showcases scholarship namesakes and awardees over the program’s 15-year history.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

There were no action items from the Executive Committee, but the committee members received updates on the patient-centered medical home initiatives, AAFP operations and national health care reform efforts in Washington, D.C., the National Procedures Institute, and the Texas Medical Home Initiative.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Board approved the proposed Fiscal Year 2010 operating budget and the fiscal year 2010 Capital Budget.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The Board approved the slate of directors and alternate directors to be elected to three-year terms, and the appointment of Loren Lasater, M.D., to a two-year term as alternate director of the Three Rivers Chapter. The Board confirmed the appointment of Erica Swegler, M.D., as TAFP representative to the TMA Interspecialty Society, and confirmed Troy Fiesinger, M.D., as TAFP alternate representative to this group. The Committee recommended that Dale Moquist, M.D., be nominated for another term on the AAFP AMA Delegation. The Board approved the nominations of four TAFP members for AAFP chair positions and six TAFP members for AAFP Commissions.

COMMISSION ON ANNUAL SESSION AND CME

There were no action items from the Commission on Annual Session and CME. TAFP Director of Education Anna Jenkins reported that TAFP is currently undergoing the ACCME reaccreditation process and can expect a decision from ACCME in July 2010.

COMMISSION ON CORE DELEGATION

The Board approved a recommendation that TAFP submit a resolution to AAFP supporting ACGME’s oversight of resident duty hours. The Board also approved the Commission’s proposal that TAFP share hospitality suites with other candidates during the AAFP Congress of Delegates in Boston. The Commission presented a resolution of condolence for the late Jose E. Antoni, M.D., longtime teacher of family medicine and mentor to young family physicians.

COMMISSION ON HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND MANAGED CARE

The Board approved a recommendation that TAFP establish a pilot project to examine the benefits of using data analysis by RemitDATA to assist individual practices and TAFP as a whole, and to determine a feasible price structure for such a service.

COMMISSION ON LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

There were no action items from the Commission on Legislative and Public Affairs, but the chair noted in his report that three notable Texas legislators addressed the commission: Sen. Wendy Davis, Rep. Mark Shelton and Rep. Chris Turner. TAFP’s lobbyists reported on the outcomes of the 81st Legislature and discussed projections for the next legislature. The commission also heard a brief update on national health system reform.

COMMISSION ON MEMBERSHIP AND MEMBER SERVICES

The Board approved a recommendation that TAFP invest $2,000 to create an incentive program for Family Medicine Interest Groups at Texas medical schools to increase student membership enrollment in the Academy.

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND CLINICAL AFFAIRS

The Board approved a recommendation that TAFP urge local, state and federal government leaders and legislators to act to reduce the health burden of pollution from nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, ozone, particulate matter and other National Ambient Air Quality Standards criteria pollutants.

SECTION ON RURAL PHYSICIANS

The Board approved a recommendation that TAFP promote the new physician loan repayment program passed by the 81st Texas Legislature. The Committee would like TAFP to inform all medical students of this opportunity, which provides debt relief for medical students who practice primary care in underserved areas for four years, through an e-mail blast or mailer.

CALL FOR PROPOSED BYLAWS AMENDMENTS

Any TAFP member wishing to submit a proposed amendment to the TAFP bylaws must submit it to Kathy McCarthy at TAFP by Dec. 15, 2009. The TAFP bylaws can be viewed by going to www.tafp.org/membership/get-involved/resources.

Amendments can be e-mailed to kmccarthy@tafp.org or faxed to (512) 329-8237. Members submitting a proposed amendment must include a statement giving the rationale for the amendment.

The TAFP Bylaws Committee will review the amendments at the 2010 Interim Session meeting on March 6, 2010. The Chair of the Bylaws Committee will present the proposed amendments with the recommendations of the Bylaws Committee to the Board of Directors at the Interim Session. If the Board of Directors approves the amendment, it will go before the TAFP members in attendance at the TAFP Annual Business Meeting in July 2010.