Interim Session 2008 Minutes in Brief

The Texas Academy of Family Physicians’ Board of Directors met on Saturday, March 15, 2008, to hear reports and recommendations from TAFP’s committees, commissions and sections. Below are the highlights of the meeting. For a complete copy of the minutes, contact Kathy McCarthy at (512) 329-8666 ext. 14, or at kmccarthy@tafp.org.

TAFP Foundation Board of Trustees

The Foundation announced a campaign to celebrate TAFP’s 60th anniversary. In addition to a year-long campaign to encourage every member to give $60 for 60, the Foundation is planning a few special activities at the Annual Session in Houston. The Foundation Board members will help serve breakfast to attendees in the Exhibit Hall Friday morning. The Foundation will also offer VIP seating in the general session classroom in exchange for a special donation to the Foundation.

Bylaws Committee

The Bylaws Committee prepared three amendments for approval at Annual Session. See proposed Bylaws Amendments below.

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee re-nominated Lloyd Van Winkle, M.D., for the position of AAFP Delegate, and David Schneider, M.D., for the position of AAFP Alternate Delegate, both for terms to expire at the end of the 2010 AAFP Congress of Delegates.

The Nominating Committee also proposed the following slate of officers for 2008-09:

• President-elect: Kaparaboyna Ashok Kumar, M.D.
• Vice President: I.L. Balkcom, M.D.
• Treasurer: Melissa Gerdes, M.D.
• Parliamentarian: Troy Fiesinger, M.D.

Commission on Academic Affairs

The Commission requested that one representative from the Texas Residency Program Coordinators and one representative from the Texas Clerkship Coordinators be appointed to the Commission on Academic Affairs as non-voting members.

Commission on Annual Session and CME

The Commission reviewed and approved various policies and procedures to keep TAFP in compliance with ACCME regulations. The commission reviewed a cost analysis presented for accrediting CDs of Annual Session lectures and determined that it is not viable at this time. The Commission also decided to continue holding the Doctors in Motion conference and raise the registration fee to cover the costs of the program.

Commission on Health Care Services and Managed Care

The Commission recommended that TAFP staff approach HHSC and ask them to require health plans and disease-management companies to allow electronic reporting of quality and performance measures using existing electronic health record technology.

Commission on Membership and Member Services

The Commission recommended that TAFP begin a membership-recruitment campaign utilizing the Academy in Action advocacy video. They also recommended the removal of local chapter review from the membership application approval process to streamline and shorten the review period. The Commission also reviewed a proposed agenda for a Leadership and Legislative Conference to be held in August. They asked TAFP to supplement registration and grant income with up to $4,000. The Commission discussed Texas Medical Board complaints and recommended that TAFP provide general information to members on how to respond to complaints.

Commission on Public Health, Clinical Affairs and Research

The Commission recommended TAFP allow discussions to begin between the Section on Rural Health and the Texas A&M School of Rural Public Health to explore future partnerships. They also decided to draft a resolution to AAFP to approach NIH and AHRQ to develop K-awards specifically designed to encourage the growth of family medicine research in community-based residencies. The Commission asked TAFP to liaise with other professional associations such as the Texas Pediatric Society and the Texas Medical Association to address the issue of high cost and low reimbursement for childhood vaccinations. Finally, they asked that TAFP hold a maternity care workshop during Annual Session. A women’s health workshop is already planned for the meeting.

Task Force on Private Sector Advocacy

The Task Force, which sunsets this year, asked that a new Task Force be created to focus on issues of the medical home.

Section on Special Constituencies

The Section organized a service project in conjunction with the TAFP Annual Session called Physicians With Heart. With the TAFP Foundation, TAFP will collect donations for the San José Clinic in Houston. Donations can be made directly to the TAFP Foundation or on the Annual Session registration form.

Proposed Amendments to TAFP Bylaws

The proposed amendments to the TAFP Bylaws are in accordance with the TAFP Bylaws, Chapter XIV, Amendment of Bylaws. An affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members present and voting at the annual business meeting shall constitute adoption. If you would like to receive a complete copy of the TAFP Bylaws, contact Kathy McCarthy at the TAFP office at (512) 329-8666, ext 14.

Chapter XI, Sub-chapter IV, Section 3

Chief Executive Officer/Executive Vice President Executive Director - The Board of Directors shall appoint an Chief Executive Officer/Executive Vice President Executive Director for a term and stipend to be fixed by the Board. He/she shall under the direction of the Board of Directors perform such duties as the title of office ordinarily connotes, and such duties of the Treasurer may be assigned to him/her by the Board. He/she shall keep an accurate record of meetings and transactions of the annual business meetings and the meetings of the Board. He/she shall serve as secretary to these bodies. He/she may or may not be a member of the Academy and shall not be entitled to vote. Additionally, the Board may appoint an Assistant Executive Director to assist the Executive Director with his/her duties.

Recommendation of the Bylaws Committee: FOR
Action of the Board of Directors:
The Board of Directors recommended adoption of this proposed amendment at the March 15, 2008 meeting.

Chapter VI, Section 5, lines 35-43

With respect to those physicians who are eligible for Supporting Membership by virtue of being actively engaged in family medicine, the teaching of family medicine or medical administration for the previous six years, such physicians must have earned 100 credits of postgraduate study acceptable to the Board of Directors during the two years immediately preceding their application for supporting membership only if they previously held supporting membership and ceased to be a supporting member less than two years prior to reapplying for supporting membership. completed 150 hours of post graduate study acceptable to the Commission on Continuing Medical Education during the three years immediately preceding their application for Supporting Membership. This type of Supporting Member also must earn complete 150 credits hours of acceptable postgraduate study every three years in order to retain Supporting Membership.

Recommendation of the Bylaws Committee: FOR
Action of the Board of Directors:
The Board of Directors recommended adoption of this proposed amendment at the March 15, 2008 meeting.