Interim Session 2011 Minutes in Brief

The TAFP Board of Directors met on Saturday, March 12, 2011, 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 the 82nd Texas Legislature. 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 that fundraising for the Roland A. Goertz, M.D. Scholarship will begin in summer 2011.

BYLAWS COMMITTEE

The committee recommended that “family medicine” replace “family practice” throughout the bylaws.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

AAFP President Roland Goertz, M.D., M.B.A., updated the committee on various national issues. Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas also addressed the committee. He spoke about a pediatric obesity toolkit that the TAFP Foundation will distribute with the help of a grant from Blue Cross.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

The committee recommended that TAFP adopt a new investment policy statement. The policy clarifies and defines duties and responsibilities of the Finance Committee, the Executive Committee, and the investment manager.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The committee proposed the following slate of officers for 2011-2012: President-elect Troy Fiesinger, M.D.; Vice President Dale Ragle, M.D.; Treasurer Clare Hawkins, M.D.; and Parliamentarian Ajay Gupta, M.D.

The committee also nominated Justin Bartos, M.D., for the position of AAFP delegate, and Douglas Curran, M.D., for the position of alternate delegate. Both terms will expire after the AAFP Congress of Delegates in 2013.

COMMISSION ON ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

The commission discussed the Texas Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Students, and the Clerkship and Residency Coordinators Conference. The commission received their first nomination for the TAFP FMIG Program of Excellence.

COMMISSION ON ANNUAL SESSION AND CME

The commission recommended that TAFP amend the name of the commission from the Commission on Annual Session and CME to the Commission on Continuing Professional Development. The commission also approved program chairs Clare Hawkins, M.D., to assist Rebecca Gladu, M.D., with the 2011 Primary Care Summit Dallas/Fort Worth; Oscar Garza, M.D., for the 2012 C. Frank Webber Lectureship; and Sharon Hausman-Cohen, M.D., and Ami Foster, M.D., for the 2012 Annual Session and Scientific Assembly.

COMMISSION ON CORE DELEGATION

The commission discussed the work of the various AAFP commissions. Goertz provided an update on AAFP. Michael Speer, M.D., and Lyle Thorstenson, M.D., candidates for TMA president-elect, also addressed the commission.

COMMISSION ON HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND MANAGED CARE

The commission recommended that TAFP submit Resolution A: Maintenance of Certification Program Expansion and Resolution B: Pay for Performance Programs to the AAFP Congress of Delegates.

COMMISSION ON LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

The commission heard a presentation from Tom Banning on the events so far in the 82nd Texas Legislature. Goertz discussed the national political environment regarding health care reform, accountable care organizations, and AAFP’s priorities.

COMMISSION ON MEMBERSHIP AND MEMBER SERVICES

The commission recommended that TAFP staff not produce a printed membership directory in 2012. An online directory is available on the AAFP website.

SECTION ON MATERNITY CARE

The section requested that an e-mail questionnaire be sent to members to update TAFP’s list of members who include maternity care in their scope of practice. The section also recommended that TAFP staff work on video profiles of maternity care providers with an emphasis on rural family medicine. This information could be available to students and residents to learn about the day-to-day routine of family medicine doctors who practice maternity care.

SECTION ON SPECIAL CONSTITUENCIES

The section organized a service project in conjunction with the TAFP Foundation. During the 2011 Annual Session and Scientific Assembly, TAFP will collect donations for North Dallas Shared Ministries. 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 Kaparaboyna Ashok Kumar, M.D., as the recipient of the Special Constituency Leadership Award.

SECTION ON THE MEDICAL HOME

The section recommended that TAFP offer training on how to become an NCQA-certified patient-centered medical home at the next available CME event. They also recommended that TAFP create a task force on future health care delivery models.

SECTION ON MEDICAL STUDENTS

The section held elections for student officer positions. The new officers are Chair Brook Huffsmith, Chair-elect Rebecca Divers, Secretary Veronica Vittone, Delegate to the TAFP Board of Directors Stephanie Eyestone, Alternate Delegate to the TAFP Board of Directors Rachel Finn, National Conference Delegate Dana Brown, and National Conference Alternate Delegate Karl Greer.

SECTION ON RESIDENT PHYSICIANS

The section held elections for resident officer positions. The new officers are: Chair Enjoli Benitez, M.D.; Vice Chair Justin Squyres, M.D.; Secretary Diana Mercado, M.D.; National Conference Delegate Justin Bogwu, M.D.; National Conference Alternate Delegate David Mullican, M.D.; Delegates to the TAFP Board of Directors Jamal Mohammed, M.D., and Matthew Brimberry, M.D.; and Alternate Delegates to the TAFP Board of Directors Irvin Sulapas, M.D., and Ike Okwuwa, M.D.