Interim Session Minutes in Brief

Highlights from the TAFP Board of Directors, March 3, 2012

The Texas Academy of Family Physicians Board of Directors met on Saturday, March 3, 2012, to consider reports and recommendations from TAFP’s committees, commissions, and sections. Below are the highlights of the meeting, which included a robust discussion of the goals for the next Texas legislative session and the launch of TAFP’s new website and rebranding.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee had two recommendations for the Board of Directors to review. The first recommendation was that TAFP’s Section on the Medical Home be absorbed into the Commission on Health Care Services and Managed Care. The work of the section—primarily guiding the organization to distribute information and resources to the membership about the patient-centered medical home—is work that could be done by the commission.

The second recommendation was that TAFP form a new section to address the needs of family physicians in large group practices. More family physicians are seeking employment or aligning with large, clinically integrated group practices. The Executive Committee believes it would be beneficial to the Academy to provide a forum for family physicians practicing in these settings. This would provide an opportunity to discuss issues and provide feedback on the value of their membership with TAFP. The section will report to the Commission on Membership and Member Services.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee recommended that TAFP adopt a policy to allow the CEO the authority to expend up to $10,000 on capital expenditures provided that he notify the TAFP Executive Committee within 10 days and report to the Finance Committee at the next meeting. TAFP owns its headquarters and leases office space to other companies. When maintenance issues arise, management needs the ability to take immediate action for certain capital expenditures.

The Finance Committee also recommended that the Board of Directors approve a revised budget for fiscal year 2012. Adjustments were made after the Academy’s management reviewed the income and expenses as of Jan. 31, 2012.

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee proposed the following slate of officers for 2012-2013:

• President-elect: Clare Hawkins, M.D.
• Vice President: Ajay Gupta, M.D.
• Treasurer: Dale Ragle, M.D.
• Parliamentarian: Tricia Elliott, M.D.

Commission on Academic Affairs

The Commission on Academic Affairs requested that TAFP automatically appoint family medicine department chairs at Texas medical schools, residency program directors, and clerkship directors to the Commission on Academic Affairs. The commission hopes to increase awareness, interest, attendance, and participation.

Commission on Continuing Professional Development

The commission approved program chairs. Rebecca Hart, M.D., (formerly Rebecca Gladu, M.D.) will serve as chair for 2012 Primary Care Summit - Houston; Clare Hawkins, M.D., for Primary Care Summit - Dallas; Sharon Hausman-Cohen, M.D., for 2013 C. Frank Webber Lectureship; and Jennifer Culver, M.D., for the 2013 Annual Session and Scientific Assembly.

Commission on Core Delegation

The commission discussed the work of the various AAFP commissions. The commission also discussed the details of the campaign for Lloyd Van Winkle, M.D., for the AAFP Board of Directors.

Commission on Health Care Services and Managed Care

The commission recommended that TAFP hold a town hall meeting on various clinically integrated practice models at the next Annual Session.

Commission on Legislative and Public Affairs

Tom Banning discussed the past Texas legislative session and actions the Academy is taking in the interim and election cycle to positively position the specialty. He introduced Charles Bell, M.D., former deputy commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, who updated the commission on his work to develop policy recommendations to be presented to elected officials and crafted into potential legislation in the upcoming 83rd Texas Legislature.

Commission on Membership and Member Services

The commission discussed membership statistics, the re-election report, and resident and student recruiting. The commission also discussed the new physician webinar and retention program the Academy has undertaken.

Section on Special Constituencies

The section organized a service project in conjunction with the TAFP Foundation. During the 63rd Annual Session and Scientific Assembly in Austin, TAFP will collect donations for the People’s Community Clinic. 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 Linda Siy, M.D., as the recipient of the TAFP Special Constituency Leadership Award.

Section on Medical Students

The section on medical students recommended that TAFP create a new student officer position: the TAFP FMIG Coordinator. This will give the students a better platform of making sure that AAFP’s FMIG information gets dispersed throughout the Texas medical schools.

The section held their elections for the 2012-2013 student officer positions. The new officers are:

• Chair: Rebecca Divers
• Chair-elect: Jerry Abraham
• Secretary: Jennifer Roncallo
• TAFP Board of Directors: Carlos Medina
• TAFP Board of Directors Alternate: Stella Benavides
• National Conference Delegate: Troy Russell
• National Conference Alternate Delegate: Shiv Agarwa
• FMIG Coordinator: A. Jade Booher

Section on Resident Physicians

The Section held their elections for the resident officer positions. The new officers are:

• Chair: Irvin Sulapas, M.D.
• Vice Chair: Diana Mercado, M.D.
• Secretary: Molly Hoss, M.D.
• National Conference Delegate: Linda May, M.D.
• National Conference Alternate Delegate: Abiodun Okin, M.D.
• Delegates to the TAFP Board of Directors: Alfonso Guzman, M.D., and Justin Squyres, M.D.
• Alternate Delegates to the TAFP Board of Directors: Laura Houston, M.D., and Richel Avery, M.D.

Proposed Amendment to TAFP Bylaws

The proposed amendment to the TAFP Bylaws is 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 VI, Section 1
SECTION 1

Active Members - Active Members. Election to active membership shall be for a maximum period of three (3) years, at the expiration of which term the member shall be eligible for re-election. No member shall be re-elected to membership who is not in good standing at the time of their re-election and has not fulfilled the continuing medical education requirements. Former active members who apply for membership less than two years after having ceased to be an active member must provide evidence they have earned the requisite 100 credits of continuing medical education acceptable to the Board; except that such an applicant who was a resident member in good standing and automatically upgraded to active status upon completion of residency training but never paid dues as an active member shall not be required to satisfy this continuing medical education requirement upon reapplication within two years of completion of residency training. Members of this Academy shall be in good standing in their component chapter and shall have paid all appropriate dues and fees. A member may join or transfer his/her membership to another component chapter that offers a closer community of interest. Initial application for membership may be made directly to the component chapter with which the member desires affiliation. Transfer of existing membership, however, must be approved first by the member’s current chapter before the application for transfer may be considered.

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 3, 2012, meeting.