Interim Session 2010 Minutes in Brief

The TAFP Board of Directors met on Saturday, March 6, 2010, to hear reports and recommendations from TAFP’s committees, commissions, and sections. Below are the highlights of the meeting, which included a robust discussion of health care reform. For a complete copy of the minutes, contact Kathy McCarthy at (512) 329-8666, ext. 14, or at kmccarthy@tafp.org.

The board was honored to have AAFP Speaker Leah Raye Mabry, M.D., in attendance. She brought greetings from the American Academy of Family Physicians. The board elected Jake Margo, M.D., to fill an unexpired term on the Executive Committee.

TAFP FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Foundation announced the creation of the Roland A. Goertz, M.D. Scholarship. The fund honors AAFP President-elect Roland Goertz, M.D., and when funded it will be used for student travel. The Foundation also announced that the James C. Martin, M.D. Scholarship will be awarded for the first time this year. The recipient will participate in an exciting opportunity to help shape health care policy in Austin. Details can be found online.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee proposed a slight change in the policy regarding officer travel funding. It now allows reimbursement for travel to AAFP’s Congress of Delegates, subject to the approval of the TAFP president. The Executive Committee also recommended the adoption of a record retention policy.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The Nominating Committee proposed the following slate of officers for 2010-2011:

• President-elect: I. L. Balkcom IV, M.D.;
• Vice president: Clare Hawkins, M.D.;
• Treasurer: Troy Fiesinger, M.D.; and
• Parliamentarian: Dale Ragle, M.D.

The Nominating Committee also nominated Linda Siy, M.D., for the position of AAFP alternate delegate and Erica Swegler, M.D., for the position of AAFP delegate, both for terms to expire at the end of the 2012 AAFP Congress of Delegates. They also nominated Douglas Curran, M.D., to fill Dr. Swegler’s unexpired term of Alternate Delegate with a term to expire after the AAFP Congress of Delegates in 2011.

COMMISSION ON ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

The commission discussed the Texas Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Students and the Clerkship and Residency Coordinators conference. They also discussed the Texas PCMH Learning Collaborative.

COMMISSION ON ANNUAL SESSION AND CME

The commission recommended that TAFP hold a second Primary Care Summit in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in the fall beginning in 2010. The conference will be modeled on the popular and successful Primary Care Summit held in Houston each year. The commission reviewed and approved various policies and procedures to keep TAFP in compliance with ACCME regulations. They recommended approval of a new disclosure policy, policy for management of conflict of interest, and an honoraria and reimbursement policy.

COMMISSION ON CORE DELEGATION

The commission discussed the work of the various AAFP commissions. TAFP has seven members serving on AAFP commissions. Doug Curran, M.D., discussed his run for the TMA Board of Trustees and asked for everyone’s help and support.

COMMISSION ON HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND MANAGED CARE

The commission heard a presentation from NowClinic and OptumHealth. A subcommittee is examining this product and similar telemedicine services to provide online access to care.

COMMISSION ON LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

The commission heard a presentation from Anne Dunkelberg, associate director of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, on Texas’ budget and revenues, Medicaid, and national health care reform. TAFP’s lobby team discussed issues including the current budget shortfall, Medicaid/CHIP enrollment and payment, primary care workforce efforts, scope of practice expansion, and managed care reforms.

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC HEALTH, CLINICAL AFFAIRS, AND RESEARCH

The commission selected James Mobley, M.D., as the 2010 Public Health Award recipient. They also discussed H1N1 in Texas, Texas school lunch nutrition, cystic fibrosis screening for newborns, and the Hard Hats for Little Heads project.

SECTION ON SPECIAL CONSTITUENCIES

The section organized a service project in conjunction with the TAFP Foundation. During the 61st Annual Session and Scientific Assembly in San Antonio, TAFP will collect donations for the Faith Family Clinic of San Antonio. Donations can be made directly to the TAFP Foundation, on the Annual Session registration form, or at the Annual Session registration desk. The section selected Amer Shakil, M.D., as the first recipient of the TAFP Special Constituency Leadership Award.

SECTION ON MEDICAL STUDENTS

The section held their elections for the student officer positions. The new officers are:

• Chair: John Peffer
• Chair-elect: Brook Hoffsmith
• Secretary: Chelsea Hook
• Representative to the TAFP Board of Directors: Crystal Hliang
• Alternate Representative to the TAFP Board of Directors: Marlow Griggs
• National Conference Delegate: Julia Donelson
• Alternate Delegate: Laura Hwang

SECTION ON RESIDENT PHYSICIANS

The section discussed the new James C. Martin, M.D. Leadership Scholarship. The section held their elections for the resident officer positions. The new officers are:

• Chair: Deborah Aguilar, M.D.
• Vice Chair: Jocelyn Zee, D.O.
• Secretary: Fozia Ali, M.D.
• National Conference Delegate: Rochelle Tinitigan, M.D. Alternate Delegate: Arie Marancenbaum, M.D. Representatives to the TAFP Board of Directors: Lindsay Botsford, M.D., and Nicholas Hanson, M.D. Alternate Representatives to the TAFP Board of Directors: Latisha Rowe, M.D., and Andrea McKnight, M.D.