0901newsletter
Transcription
0901newsletter
Georgia Orthopaedic Society The Georgia Orthopaedic News THE NEWS Volume 14 | Number 1 Georgia Orthopaedic Society, Inc. 2008-09 Board of Directors President Daniel K. Guy, M.D President Elect Charles E. Hancock, M.D.. Past President Waldo E. Floyd, III, M.D. Secretary - Treasurer Todd Schmidt, M.D. Secretary -Treasurer/Elect D. Hal Silcox III, M.D. AAOS Board of Councilors Charles N. Hubbard, M.D. Stephen M. McCollam, M.D. MAG Legislative Representative Guy Foulkes, M.D. Legislative Chairman Douglas W. Lundy, M.D. Membership Chairman Robert Thornsberry, M.D. Public Relations Chair Jim Barber, M.D. Resident Program Representative Shervin Oskouei, M.D. Member At Large John Heller, M.D. Newsletter Editor Charles Hubbard, M.D. Executive Director Liz Neary JANUARY 2009 It’s Up To Us … By Charles Hubbard, M.D. The January wind seems to blow particularly cold this year with deficits, unemployment and bankruptcy dominating the news. Since our last installment we have elected our 44th President and he is hard at work choosing his cabinet and trying to figure a way out of the fiscal mess we find ourselves in. What the future holds for our profession no one at this point can say. But with the appointment of former Senator Daschle there is reason to believe that at least some of the aforementioned chilly wind may blow our way. I choose, however, to be optimistic holding fast to remarks historian David McCullough made several years ago in an address before the AAOS. Having just written 1776, he decried the poor knowledge of history amongst today’s youth. “Since 9/11,” he began, “I hear people say ‘this is the worst time in American history.’ As a historian, I assure you it is not! For those of us old enough to remember WWII,” he continued, “we can recall how poorly prepared this country was to fight. We entered the war against Germany and Japan with no assurances of winning … it was nearly a year before we scored a single victory. The true value of knowing our history … perhaps its greatest value … is the reassurance it provides us during tough times that we’ve been through this before.” With a new Chief Executive who still remains something of an unknown quantity, I find comfort in those words. And with that I will abandon my stab at punditry and return to things closer to home. October saw another successful meeting of our society at our “ancestral home” on the Georgia coast. President Waldo Floyd, III and Secretary Todd Schmidt put together a super program and if the rumors of financial strain in that zip code are true, you could not tell it. As in years past, everything was first class. That said, for 2009 we will return to Lake Oconee and beyond that we are looking at additional options. I have been an enthusiastic cheerleader for PAGE 1 our annual meeting. I firmly believe it is the one thing that has kept us together for over a half-century and made the Georgia Orthopaedic Society one of the best-organized and most active state societies in the country. I don’t find it at all unreasonable therefore to attribute at least some credit for our legislative successes in recent years to our annual gathering. To continue the high quality and to build upon our victories it is crucial we have the support of all orthopaedists in our state. In coming years our society membership will age with more qualifying for Emeritus status. Employment of orthopaedists may also continue to rise and as suggested in a recent survey [see BOC Report], priorities tend to change with society membership often being a casualty. Yet the threats to our vitality and independence will persist. Around the country … state-by-state … radiologists, podiatrists and physical therapists are committed to expanding their scope of practice at the expense of ours. Trial lawyers remain committed to overturning or weakening tort reform wherever it exists. Such bombshells have landed all around us in neighboring states with poor outcomes where the state society has not been prepared. But where orthopaedists have been well organized such efforts have been turned back. It’s a never-ending struggle but one we can ill-afford to lose. According to a recent survey by the AAOS’ State Society Committee, there are approximately 100 Academy members in Georgia who are not members of our society. Certainly you know some of them. If so, urge them to join and impress on them how much we need their support so that we might be equal to the challenges that are before us. Remind them that the AAOS will likely be unable to fight these battles and the state medical society may or may not choose to. At the end of the day, it really is our fight and the outcome is up to us. The Georgia Orthopaedic News A Note from the President... Dear Colleagues and Friends, The Georgia Orthopedic Society has enjoyed another good year under the capable leadership of Waldo Floyd. Our Annual meeting at Sea Island in 2008 was a great success and we look forward to this year’s event at Reynolds Plantation. Mark your calendars for the weekend of October 8th through the 11th and plan to attend as an excellent meeting is planned. I am pleased to announce that the Presidential Guest Speaker will be Charles A. Rockwood, Jr. M.D. A past President of both the Academy and the Shoulder and Elbow Society, Dr. Rockwood was our guest speaker in 1983 and will be able to offer a unique 25 year perspective on the changes that have occurred in Orthopedics since his last visit with the Society. The Georgia Orthopedic Society lost one of its great members in late 2008 with the passing of Jim Funk. He will be remembered as a friend and colleague and we will continue to honor his legacy each year with the James Funk, MD Humanitarian Award. We welcome new members to the Board , Chip Hancock, Hal Silcox, Doug Lundy and Robbie Thornsberry and look forward to adding their expertise to the continued strong leadership of the GOS. Steve McCollam and Charlie Hubbard, both past presidents of the GOS, represent us well at the Academy through the Board of Councilors. Our society continues to benefit from the excellent work of our executive director Liz Neary. Liz also assists in the operation of our companion organization for Orthopedic office managers, GAOE. The GAOE provides a vehicle that will enhance the productivity of your administrative staff and I would highly recommend that your staff attend their annual meeting. The Georgia Ortho PAC has proven to be a most effective tool in advancing our interests at the State level and I encourage each of you to continue your generous support. Following significant successes in tort and CON reform for Georgia over the last few years we now face the challenge of helping to implement a Statewide Trauma Care Network. Hard work by our fine lobbyists from DLA Piper, Don Bolia and Joe Young, and from many of you speaking with your local legislators and spending time at the Capitol have helped us achieve most of our goals in the past. Jim Roberson and I attended the Trauma Care Symposium held in Atlanta this year. The theme of the meeting was “the right patient, at the right place, at the right time”. I took this message to mean that our current method of triage of injured patients needs careful reform. The legislature seems to be committed to putting a system in place but has the usual politician’s concern of raising taxes or surcharges to fund the enterprise. The GOS can play an important role in this process. We should be actively involved as Orthopedic Surgeons will be directly affected by the outcome of any Trauma legislation. It is with great honor that I serve as your President this year and I look forward to our continued success in 2009. Please join us at the Annual Meeting in October. With best regards, Daniel K. Guy, M.D. RESIDENTS COMPETITION OF PAPERS The Georgia Orthopaedic Society is pleased to announce that it is hosting a Residents’ competition of papers at the annual meeting, which will be held October 8-11, 2009, at The Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, Greensboro, Georgia. The Resident with the best paper will present his/her work at the annual meeting and will be awarded a $1,500.00 first place prize and will qualify for entry in the Academy’s Resident Competition for 2009. The Society will only accept papers from Residents through the Residents’ competition. In addition, the Society will only accept papers from Residents who are Members of the Society. PAGE 2 (A resident membership application can be download on the GOS website: www.georgiaorthosociety.com ). If your paper is not selected as the winner of the Thomas E Whiteside’s, MD, Residents Award, then the Program Committee of the Society will review it for presentation during the general session or for poster presentation much like that of the AAOS. Please submit your paper in word document by email only to: Liz Neary, Executive Director – [email protected]. The deadline for submission of papers is April 15th, 2009, and a decision should be made regarding the winner of the competition by mid-July. If you have any questions, please contact Liz Neary at (478) 474-2754. The Georgia Orthopaedic News 2008 annual meeting highlights GOS WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS DON G. AARON, MD Statesboro THOMAS LANE BRADBURY, MD Atlanta ANUJ GUPTA, MD Atlanta BRADLEY A. HEIGES, MD Savannah SPERO G. KARAS, MD Atlanta Dr. Robert Cofield, GA Shoulder & Elbow Society Guest Speaker Richard A. Berger, MD, Ph.D, GA Hand Society guest speaker James Barber, MD presented George Wright, MD the Jim Funk, MD Humanitarian award. RANDALL M. MEREDITH, MD Augusta RAPHAEL R. ROYBAL, MD Savannah KENNETH SANDS, MD Rome WILLIAM C. TALLY, MD Savannah CHRISTOPHER WALSH, MD Fayetteville NEW MEMBER & RESIDENT MEMBER APPLICATIONS 2007-08 GOS president, Waldo Floyd III, MD receives plaque and presidents pin from President - Elect ( and current 2008-09 president) Danny Guy, MD. Jim Kercher, MD, recipient of the 2008 Thomas E. Whitesides, M.D. Resident’s Award, stands along side with Waldo Floyd III, MD, Thomas E.Whitesides, MD and Todd Schmidt, MD. GOS Presidential guest speaker Henry Mankin, MD New Member Applications for 2009 are due by August 15th. Resident Member Applications are accepted throughout the year. Please visit the GOS website: www.georgiaorthosociety.com to download an application GAOE 3rd Annual Meeting Office Managers - Mark your calendars NOW! Everyone enjoyed dancing to the great sounds of the Grapevine Band. PAGE 3 Georgia Association of Orthopaedic Executives (GAOE), formally BONES Society of Georgia, 3rd Annual Meeting will take place February 5-7th, 2009 at the Savannah Marriott Riverfront. The 2009 event will kick off with a welcome reception for attendees and exhibitors on Thursday evening, Feb. 5th at 7pm. It will be a meeting you will not want to miss! For more information, please contact the GAOE office at: 478-474-2754 or email: lnearygos@ gmail.com Registration forms available at the GAOE website: www.bones-ga.com. The Georgia Orthopaedic News REPORT FROM THE AAOS BOARD OF COUNCILORS Charles N. Hubbard, MD Stephen McCollam, MD Board of Councilors American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons The AAOS Board of Councilors’ Fall Meeting was held October 2-5, 2008 in Dallas, TX. As in years past the meeting was held in conjunction with that of the Board of Specialties. The three-day meeting featured numerous general presentations and sessions as the BOC went about the business of representing your ideas and concerns to the AAOS leadership. You’ll be pleased to know that on-call ER coverage, physician reimbursement and liability reform continue to be top-tier issues for the Academy’s Unified Advocacy Agenda. Unfortunately, you’ll be less pleased with the progress being made. Held as this was prior to the presidential election, the prospect of healthcare reform featured prominently. An interesting overview of the upcoming election and its possible impact on our profession was given by Rep Pete Sessions (R-TX) and Rep Bernice Johnson (D-TX) who presented the policies their party’s candidate might pursue as president. Not surprisingly Congressman Sessions emphasized a free-market approach while Rep Johnson spoke of expanding current federal programs. They were followed by Mr John Goodman from the National Center for Policy Analysis who compared the two approaches and deemed Sen McCain’s proposal of using tax credits to purchase basic coverage the bolder and more promising plan. Though opinions vary on the priority the incoming administration will grant healthcare reform given the current economic conditions, Dr David Halsey (VT), Chair of the Council on Advocacy, reaffirmed the AAOS’ commitment to be engaged in the coming dialogue. Dr Pete Mandell, Chair of the Professionalism Committee, presented an overview of the actions taken on alleged violations of the AAOS’ Standards of Professionalism (SOPs). Though it is too early to gauge the effect the program is having in curtailing unprofessional behavior, the committee continues to hear a surprising number of complaints, some of which eventuate in sanctions great and small. A newly proposed standard regarding the use of new technologies and techniques was presented and provoked some controversy. Lastly, there was a presentation on employment of orthopaedic surgeons by hospitals. Via conference call, Dr John Graham of Charleston, SC described the reasons his group recently decided to be employed by their hospital and the benefits they have realized thus far. BOC Chair-Elect Dr Tom Barber (CA) and Past-Chair Dr Matt Shapiro (OR) followed presenting the results of a survey they made of orthopaedic surgeons in their respective states. Their data indicates that for employed orthopaedists Academy membership and participation is a high priority but the same is not true for membership in their state societies. It was suggested that should this trend continue the implications are ominous for the Academy’s efforts to strengthen state societies and to aid effective advocacy at the state level. Being that that is where most of our success has been, there will be increasing need for sharpening the message that state society membership is crucial to the vitality of our profession. Dr. Jim Barber Selected to AAOS Leadership Fellows Program Our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Jim Barber, GOS member from Douglas, for his recent selection to the 2009 class of the very distinguished AAOS “Leadership Fellows Program” (LFP). Jim will join Dr. Doug Lundy, a 2006 LFP graduate, as the only GOS members who have been selected for participation in this program, which was initiated by the AAOS in 2002. The goal of this one year program is to facilitate the development of future Academy leaders, preparing them to assume roles of responsibility within the AAOS and other medical organizations. The LFP combines didactic leadership training with an ongoing mentoring program that matches participants with established leaders within the AAOS Fellowship. Only ten AAOS Fellows were selected for next year’s class; Jim’s being one of these ten is a testimony to his outstanding leadership skills and to the enthusiasm he has shown for the activities of the GOS and our Academy. Jim, who is in private practice, serves the GOS as the Chair of the Public Relations Committee and as a member of the Board of Directors. He is currently serving his local community as Vice President of the South Georgia Physicians Association and as President of his County Medical Society. He will be an outstanding member of the next LFP class and we are very proud of his selection. The LFP is open to AAOS members less than 45 years of age who desire to develop their volunteer and leadership skills and to become more active in the Academy. Applications are available online at www.aaos.org/lfp beginning in May of each year. PAGE 41 The Georgia Orthopaedic News GOS Bicycle Fund Raiser Thanks to your generous donations, we were able to distribute new bicycles and helmets to needy children in the Brunswick area. As part of the program, GOS member Dr. Peter Symbas (left) taught a class in bicycle safety to the happy recipients. This was a great opportunity to demonstrate our philanthropic mission. Thanks to everyone who participated and donated. For these children, it felt like Christmas in October. 2009 GOS CALENDAR January 12 GA Legislative Session Begins, Atlanta, GA February 25-28 AAOS Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV March 21 GOS Board Meeting Conference Call April 29 - May 2 NOLC, Washington DC TBD GOS Summer Board Meeting October 15 – 18 AAOS Fall BOC Meeting Colorado Springs, Co GEORGIA ORTHOPAEDIC SOCIETY’S F. JAMES FUNK, JR., M.D., DISTINGUISHED SERVICE OF THE YEAR AWARD The F. James Funk, Jr., M.D., Distinguished Service Award recognizes that person or persons who have distinguished themselves by providing outstanding humanitarian service and thereby promoting and ensuring quality orthopaedic care to the citizens of Georgia and beyond. The 2009 F. James Funk, Jr., M.D., Distinguished Service Award will be presented at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Orthopaedic Society. The completed Sponsor Form and any supporting print information must be returned to the Georgia Orthopaedic Society no later than March 15, 2009. For a sponsor form or more information, visit the GOS website at: www.georgiaorthosociety.com or contact Jim Barber, MD, GOS Public Relations Chairman at: [email protected] October 8-11 GOS Annual Meeting, The Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation PAGE 5 The Georgia Orthopaedic News The GOS Lobbyist Report By Don Bolia, Director Government Relations, DLA Piper US LLP Believe it or not, the 2009 Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly is well under way. The session opened on Monday, January 12, 2009. While the November elections brought a number of changes in D.C., the Georgia legislative leadership stayed relatively the same. In the elections Republican lost two seats in the House to retain a 105-75 seat majority. The elections for leadership posts held on the first day of the session was a formality and the House Leadership stayed the same with the exception of State Representative Jan Jones (R) District 46, from Milton who replaced Representative Barry Fleming (R) District 117, from Harlem as Majority Whip. Fleming did not seek re-election to in order to run for Congress against incumbent Congressman Paul Broun.Glenn Richardson (R) District 19, from Hiram was re-elected Speaker of the House and Mark Burkhalter (R) District 50, from Johns Creek was reelected Speaker Pro Tempore. House Majority Leader Jerry Keen (R) District 179, from St. Simons Island was also re-elected and he recently announced his intention to remain in that post and not seek election to Governor in 2010. In the Senate the balance of power has remained the same with Republicans holding 34 of 56 seats. The former President Pro Tempore, Eric Johnson (R) District 1, from Savannah has stepped down from his leadership post in order to run for Lt. Governor in 2010. That has allowed several players to move up including Majority Leader Tommie Williams (R) District 19, from Lyons who was elected President Pro Tempore from his current post of Majority Leader and allowed the former Chairman of the Finance Committee Chip Rogers to be elected the Majority Leader. For those of you that attended the annual meeting at the Cloister in October you had the opportunity to hear both the current Lt. Governor Casey Cagle Senator Tommie Williams Lt. Governor and Senator Tommie Williams speak. They addressed some of the key issues that occurred during the 2008 session and what they expected to see occur during the 2009 session.Senator Tommie Williams was the key sponsor of the CON reform legislation that passed during the 2008 session and he expressed appreciation to the membership of GOS for their support. The Lt. Governor addressed the key issue of creating a true trauma network, and he committed to working with physicians to ensure that GOS has a seat at the table when discussions begin on that important issue. The state budget has been the dominant issue for the 2009 session as the estimated budget shortfall could climb above the current estimate of $2.2 billion out of a budget of approximately $20 billion. Governor Sonny Perdue has called for a 10% across the board cut, and that will affect every department in state government. The following is a link to view the new budget from the Department of Human Resources as approved at their August Board meeting: http://dhr.georgia.gov/DHR/DHR_ CommonFiles/PDF/DHR_Board-Presentation_08-20-2008. pdf Also attached is a link to the Department of Community Health. Please note potential budget cuts that are on the table. http:// dch.georgia.gov/ While we will be vigilant during the 2009 session, we will be keeping an eye out for the 2010 elections. While the primaries for those elections are 18 months away, two candidates, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine have already filed paperwork and are raising money for the Governors race. Secretary of State Karen Handel announced she will also be running for Governor as well. State Senator David Shafer (R) District 48, from Duluth has filed his paperwork to run for Lt. Governor. We are certain there will be more to follow. On January 14, 2009, Governor Sonny Perdue delivered his State of the State address to the House and Senate. In his address Governor Perdue discussed a plan to propose a bill mandating a 1.6% fee on hospitals and health insurance plans to fill the hole in Medicaid and sustain and expand the state’s trauma network. Both Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and Senator Tommie Williams spoke at the Annual Meeting. The Health Care Committees of both Houses have been formed. The committee members are listed below. Committees may also be found on the Georgia General Assembly website, www.legis.ga.gov. PAGE 6 Thank you. The Georgia Orthopaedic News House of Representatives Health and Human Services Committees Members: Sharon Cooper, Chairman Marietta Ed Rynders, Vice Chairman Albany Buddy Carter, Secretary Pooler Mark Butler, Carrollton Charlice Byrd, Woodstock Mike Cheokas, Americus Doug Collins, Gainesville Katie Dempsey, Rome Elly Dobbs, Atlanta Karla Drenner, Avondale Estates J. Craig Gordon, Savannah Tom Graves, Ranger Bill Hembree, Winston Michele Henson, Stone Mountain Wayne Howard, Augusta Sistie Hudson, Sparta Sean Jerguson Cherokee County Sheila Jones Cobb/ Fulton County Margaret Kaiser Fulton County Mike Keown, Coolidge Barry Loudermilk, Cassville John Lunsford, McDonough Gene Maddox, Cairo Fran Millar, Dunwoody Billy Mitchell, Stone Mountain Howard Mosby, Atlanta Don Parsons, Marietta Allen Peake, Macon Nikki Randall, Macon Carl Rogers, Gainesville Tony Sellier, Fort Valley Robbin Shipp, Atlanta Barbara Sims, Augusta Mickey Stephens, Savannah Pam Stephenson, Decatur Joe Wilkinson, Sandy Springs Senate Health and Human Services Committee Members: Don Thomas, Chairman Renee Unterman Vice-Chairman, Buford Greg Goggans, Douglas David Adelman, Decatur Don Balfour, Snellville Gloria Butler Stone Mountain Johnny Grant, Milledgeville Lee Hawkins, Gainesville THE GEORGIA ORTHOPAEDIC SOCIETY WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE 2008 ANNUAL MEETING PLATINUM EXHIBITOR MAG MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY GOLD EXHIBITORS BIOMET GEORGIA CROSSLINK ORTHOPAEDICS/ STRYKER ORTHOPAEDICS DEPUY, INC. GENZYME BIOSURGERY GEORGIA CPM MEDTRONIC SMITH & NEPHEW ORTHOPAEDICS SYNTHES SPINE & SYNTHES TRAUMA WRIGHT MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY ZIMMER – SOUTHEAST THE GEORGIA ORTHOPAEDIC SOCIETY THANKS THE 2008 BREAKOUT SESSION EXHIBITORS GENERAL ACO Med Supply Georgia Association of Physician Assistants Sanofi-Aventis ARTHROPLASTY Exactech, Inc. Steve Henson, Tucker Judson Hill, Marietta Lester G. Jackson, Savannah Nan Orrock, Atlanta David Shafer, Duluth Preston Smith, Rome Horacena Tate, Atlanta John Wiles, Marietta HAND Acumed/Southern Orthopaedics, LLC Touch Bionics/LIVINGSKIN Prosthetics FOOT AND ANKLE Acumed/Southern Orthopaedics, LLC Arthrex Biomet Medtech Integra Wright Medical Technology SHOULDER AND ELBOW ArthroCare Sports Medicine DePuy Mitek PAGE 7 The Georgia Orthopaedic News 2008-2009 GEORGIA ORTHOPAEDIC SOCIETY BOARD OF DIRECTORS Thank you for your dedication to the Society! President: Daniel K. Guy, M.D. LaGrange 706-884-2691 [email protected] Past President: Waldo E. Floyd, III, M.D. Macon 478-745-4206 [email protected] President-Elect: Charles E. Hancock, M.D. Thomasville 229-226-2971 [email protected] Secretary - Treasurer Todd Schmidt, M.D. Stockbridge 770-506-4350 [email protected] Secretary – Treasurer/Elect D. Hal Silcox III, M.D. Atlanta 404-355-0743 [email protected] Legislative Chairman: Douglas W. Lundy, M.D. Marietta 770-422-3290 [email protected] MAG Representative: Guy Foulkes, M.D. Macon 478-745-4206 [email protected] AAOS Board of Councilor: Charles N. Hubbard, M.D. Carrollton 770-834-0873 [email protected] AAOS Board of Councilor: Stephen M. McCollam, M.D. Atlanta 404-350-4712 [email protected] Membership Chairman: Robert Thornsberry, M.D. Macon 478-745-4206 [email protected] Resident Program Representative: Shervin Oskouei, M.D. Atlanta 404-778-7230 shervin.oskouei@ emoryhealthcare.org Member At Large: John Heller, M.D. Atlanta 404-778-7112 [email protected] Public Relations Chairman: Jim Barber, M.D. Douglas 912-383-9789 [email protected] Published 2009 by the Georgia Orthopaedic Society, Peachtree City, Georgia, USA, Earth, Milky Way, Universe The Georgia Orthopaedic Society News 131 Holly Springs Drive Peachtree City, GA 30269