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Inaugural Address
I am Dr. Richard E. Smith, a native of Michigan
whose grandfather's grandfather was born in Detroit and who
in the 1840s, lived right next door to this very building on
Adams Street. He was a shopkeeper by day, a sometimes barber
(which in those days was like a first-year surgical
resident) and an Underground Railroad operative by night. My
family lived and prospered in this community, some members
died from water-borne diseases, strep infections, war
injuries and childbirth; the children died from influenza
and whooping cough. Over time in Detroit we received, at
different times, marginal health care to superb care. I was
born at Women's Hospital. Once, as a child, I was injured on
a city bus right down the street on Woodward Avenue and
cared for at Children's Hospital. I received my early
education in Detroit, learning algebra to the rhythms of
Motown, and biochemistry to the sound of the Victors. I did
my training at Hutzel, the General and Harper and I have
enjoyed a fantastic career as a member of the Henry Ford
Medical Group. It is there that I came to know Drs. Drukker,
Burkman and Sandler, who with Dr. Jonas have been wonderful
mentors on my journey through organized medicine. I am
honored to be your 121st President.
I would also like to introduce my wonderful wife Gail.
I first and foremost want to thank Dr. Edward Jankowski for
his sincere effort, time and commitment. It has been very
challenging and perhaps the most critical year for
physicians in our region. He remained committed. We, the
physicians of the Wayne County Medical Society, owe him a
lot. It is not easy to do all that he has done and still
maintain a solid practice and raise small children. Be sure
to thank him personally and thank him a lot. Ed, you have
done a fine service.
I have had such wonderful mentors in my medical training,
beginning with Dr. Zwiefler at Michigan and Dr. Lefall and
those great professors at Howard University, in particular,
who taught me the special, added responsibility beyond
medicine that physicians have. Later at Hutzel where I met
physicians such as Drs. Chavis, Evans, Wardell, and Marjorie
Meyers, Ethelene Crockett, and Tal Tanner who showed me how
to care for patients; and especially Dr. Combs who always
had special words of wisdom such as "don't mess
up!" I thank you all.
I really got to know Dr. Tanner on a trip to the Capitol in
Lansing back in the early 1980s. We traveled there to find a
way to fight the high infant mortality rate that our state
was experiencing. On the way back, we encountered one of
Michigan's infamous I- 96 snow storms and we crept along for
four hours back to Detroit. I watched the left side of the
road, Tal the right and, fortunately, at the wheel was Dr.
Charles Vincent. We all bonded that evening in the storm,
but we also developed a plan to address the infant mortality
crisis. In Lansing we found helpful legislators such as Rep.
Stallworth and Rep. Carolyn Cheeks- Kilpatrick and we were
able to put together a coalition that made prenatal care a
basic health service. Later the data we collected from our
Henry Ford Teen program along with help from the March of
Dimes, was taken to a US Senate committee in Washington, DC,
and a National Commission to Prevent Infant Mortality was
established (SB 1039).
I thank my colleagues in the Henry Ford Medical Group for
their constant support and especially my partners in the
department of OB/GYN who are all members of the Wayne County
Medical Society.
We, the physicians of Wayne County and of Southeast
Michigan, have a 160-year tradition of Service and
Excellence. We care for our patients - not only the medical
concerns but for their overall well being. The history of
Wayne County physicians is that of a commitment to caring,
healing, medical education, innovation and leadership.
Names like Drs. Herman Kiefer, Houghton, Dr. Joseph Ferguson
and Dr. Pitcher - these doctors created the foundation of
medical care in our pioneering community as they cared for
pioneers, Chippewa Indians, fugitive slaves, orphaned
children and the Civil War injured. Dr. Kiefer championed
the case for a public hospital to care for the poor. Dr.
Ferguson's other job was as a leader of the Underground
Railroad. Dr. Pitcher not only helped to establish the U of
M Medical School but served the WCMS as President and became
President of the AMA. He was elected for several years as
Mayor of Detroit. This tradition of leadership continues
today.
As the population expanded in our state, hospitals such as
Harper, Children’s, Women's, Henry Ford, Dunbar and
Providence were established for the care of patients
especially the large number of new immigrants. These
hospitals were founded with strong physician leadership and
had a significant impact on the well being and quality of
life in this region. These new immigrant-Americans enriched
our local culture and diversified our region. Today in the
WCMS we enjoy benefits of this diversity.
Medical education has always been a part of our heritage and
to this day forms the basis of advancement and continued
medical training for our great state of Michigan. There is a
triangle of advanced medical education, training and
research that exists in our state with MSU to the North and
the University of Michigan to the near west; but the
foundation, the very base of this triangle are the research
laboratories and classrooms at Henry Ford Hospital, Wayne
State University and the DMC hospitals. These jewels must be
maintained and supported for the future benefit of the
citizens of our state.
Furthermore, as a state we must remain committed to
innovation. It is the innovation in our region that led to
the development of the polio vaccine in a lab at Michigan.
It is what led to renal transplation in our state in the
labs and operating rooms at Henry Ford Hospital and what
brought in vitro fertilization and new reproductive
technologies into our world from the physician-scientists at
Wayne State University and Hutzel. It continues to bring us
wonderful cardiac care, exceptional trauma care and the
emerging world of surgical robotics.
It is the innovation, leadership and commitment of the
physicians in Wayne County that also introduced new
community care models through the work of Drs. Batchelor,
Wright and Swan as well as health systems at St. John and
Oakwood as we looked for better ways of creating access for
all in our community. School-based health care through the
work of Gail Warden and Drs. Caison-Sorey and Chuck Vincent
have help to make our children healthier.
This is physician leadership.
We in Michigan have had very effective physician leaders in
organized medicine, Drs. Charles Vincent, Susan Adelman, and
Dorothy Khakonen, just to name a few. The 5,000-members of
our County Society have been well represented and through
them so have our patients. We have had leadership that
understands that there is a partnership with legislators and
industry, with health insurers and community groups.
We advocate for our patients on a local, state and national
level. This was true in the 19th century but is even more so
in the 21st. There is a new paradigm of health care that we
must help to shape; and as new principles of medicine have
emerged, we should adapt them to the changing environment.
As we did with the concept of preventive care, we must look
to identifying emerging health issues and manage them as
well.
There must be teamwork and cooperation with government
officials and health systems.
There must be active and continuous improvement in the
quality of care.
And as we now do multidisciplinary problem solving in
patient care, we must likewise invoke the same principles
with payers, regulators, executives and managers. We must
constantly remind them that patients and their families are
not mere consumers, customers, clients, enrollees or
indirect cost. They are mothers, fathers and children; and
that there exists this special doctor-patient relationship.
However, we must continue to earn this unique status by our
persistent and honest advocacy; and as we practice our art
of medicine, it is an art that we perform every day.
When Dr. Kelley, in the intensive care unit, integrates
scientific knowledge of technology and physiology in his
treatment of a patient, it is this art of medicine that
returns a grandmother to her home. When Dr. Littleton is
able to take his bench research directly into the operating
room and with skill and precision return a father or a
husband home renewed, that is the art of medicine. When Dr.
Sylvia Simon moves swiftly with skill, finesse and authority
to deliver a troubled baby in less than 14 seconds and make
a young family whole, that too is the art of medicine. And
when Dr. Caison-Sorey armed with her intellect and
experience can listen to the whimpers and tears of a child,
make a diagnosis and cure a newborn … that is the art of
medicine!
It is an art that was described 3,000 years ago and that
remains true today in spite of diagnostics codes and revenue
codes. It is the ancient code of Hippocrates that says with
sincerity, we dedicate our art and knowledge for the benefit
of the sick.
I need your participation, your help, your knowledge and
expertise to continue the work of our WCMS. We will improve
health care and access. We will improve quality and we will
practice our art and use our knowledge for the benefit of
the sick and treat all people who need care and at all
times.
Exaugural Address
What a journey we have had! As usual, our Wayne
County Medical Society was on the forefront of many and
various issues of the day, week, month and year. Locally, we
have had strong input on the Detroit Medical Center crisis
and the Detroit Wayne County Health Authority. Multiple
contacts, both written and in person, were made with Gov.
Granholm, Michigan Department of Community Health Director
Janet Olszewski, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, City
Council President Marianne Mahaffey, Gail Warden, DMC CEO
Michael Duggan, and various representatives of city, county
and state governments. Your officers were and are actively
engaged behind the scenes in promoting the value of the
Detroit Medical Center and the potential formation of the
Detroit Wayne County Health Authority. Both, we feel, are
essential to the health of our community. Access to quality,
cost-effective health care that is fairly reimbursed is our
ultimate goal. Statewide, we have been involved with the
Michigan State Medical Society on protecting our hard-fought
liability reform, combating scope-of-practice issues, and as
always addressing insurance company policies and timely
reimbursement. Discussions and even seminars about various
HMOs and Blue Cross/Blue Shield were held. Our County
Society also had nine resolutions to the MSMS House of
Delegates passed. They might eventually be brought to the
AMA House of Delegates. Nationally, your officers engaged
with other state and county leaders in Washington, DC. We
were AMA lobbyists for national liability reform, Medicare
payment formula reformation, antitrust relief for
physicians, medical student loan debt relief, and expanding
health insurance coverage for all. What a ride!
I have learned, if not confirmed, a few things along the
way. First, it is difficult to be a physician. We have many
demands and standards to meet from government, insurance
companies, hospitals and the community at large. We are also
forced to be business-minded for our survival - for many of
us, quite distasteful. Meanwhile, we find our precious time
with family and friends being eroded. Second, I found
personal face-to-face contact quite enlightening. Meeting
with politicians, health care leaders, and colleague
physicians was gratifying in exchanging points of view and
even forming future contacts and friendships. So much for
e-mail. Third, being a physician is still the most
gratifying profession one could have. Who else has the
following relationships? Patient to doctor. Physician to
physician. Healer to God. Remember who you are.
We still have a lot of work to do as always in organized
medicine. Physician apathy is still very concerning.
Physicians need to be informed on various issues that affect
their careers and communities. Physicians need to be engaged
in the decision making. We are an essential link in society.
We physicians must be united through organized medicine or
our various foes will certainly take advantage of our
self-imposed divisions. Remember who you are.
On a personal note, many people need to be acknowledged.
First, as always, my wife, Pattie, who somehow puts up with
me. She is my life partner who helps run the business and,
more importantly, raises our children, Rachel, Lisa and
David. She definitely holds down the fort. I would also like
to thank all of my numerous fellow physicians in our proud
Society who have helped me during my tenure as President.
You know who you are, and I will thank you personally.
Special recognition, though, goes to Dr. Dan Michael who
nominated me for this position two years ago. Thank you,
Dan. I now have many more friends.
I also want to recognize and thank the people who actually
run our Wayne County Medical Society: Mr. Joel Hetzner
(student intern), Mr. Brian Budowick, Mr. Paul Natinsky,
Mrs. Alice Waite, Mrs. Peggy Mitchell, Mrs. Karen Carter and
Mrs. Linda Masters. Thank you all. Last of all, of course,
the person who controls the levers, our Executive Director
Mr. Adam Jablonowski. I thank you, sir, for being unwavering
in your drive to protect and uplift our physician
profession. I personally benefited from your wisdom and
guidance. My greatest treasure, however, is your friendship.
Thank you , Adam.
We have passed the torch to our new President, Dr. Richard
Smith. May God bless you with wisdom and courage in guiding
our society for the coming year, Richard. You can be sure we
are all behind you.
I once again am humbly grateful for the opportunity to serve
you. My journey continues. Thank you very much.
- Edward G. Jankowski, MD
Membership Report
Membership Totals 2004/2003
Active 1089/1146
HFHS 588 /0
Residents 1316/1429
Medical Students 546 629
Part-Time 25/19
Job Sharing 1/0
Spouse 1/0
Retired 594/599
Life 320/327
Inactive 43/46
Military 4/3
Past Officer 1/2
Lay Person 2/2
Honorary 1/1
Total: 4531/4203
Membership Activity June 2003 to May 2004
New Active Applications 79
New Residents 389
New Students 105
Transferred to WCMS 3
Reinstatements 24
Retired 10
Part-time 2
Life 10
50-Years in Medicine Honorees 48
Inactive 1
Deceased 24
Resigned or relocated- Active 26
Relocated - Residents/Students 46
Military 1
Associate 1
Transferred from WCMS 8
Dropped NPD 88
Editorial: Summertime, The Living Is Not Yet Easy
By JOSEPH WEISS, MD
Editor
Usually, the summer months - June, July and August -
are periods of ease. We alter busy schedules to take time
for vacation and leisure. Expect the Medical Society to ask
you to cut into those plans.
The reason for the request is politics. At present, a number
of bills pending in the State Legislature are of importance
to the physician community:
- House Bills 5338 and 5905. They would dilute the affidavit
of merit now required to initiate a malpractice case. The
bills would make the affidavit optional rather than required
and would end a plaintiff lawyer's liability in cases of
providing a faulty affidavit.
These bills are sponsored by Rep. Jim Howell. In the
upcoming fall elections, Rep. Howell will be opposed by Dr.
Roger Kahn, a Genesee cardiologist.
- House Bills 5382 and 5383. This legislation deals with
Blue Cross/Blue Shield reform in the area of timely payment,
and prompt notification to doctors of coding and payment
changes. The chief sponsor of these reform bills is Rep.
David Robertson from Grand Blanc.
- Other legislation of interest includes HB 5632 that ties
tobacco tax money to the Medicaid budget, HB 4987 and
5435-5438, the Mail Order Pharmacy Bill, which gives local
pharmacies an opportunity to compete with the national mail
order houses, HB 5006, which would allow health personnel or
facilities to waive responsibility from providing care by
invoking "conscientious objection," and Senate
Bill 1190 that would mandate nursing staff coverage ratios
for all Michigan hospitals and institutions.
We will need allies in both the State House and Senate to
fight the battles these bills will initiate. Over the
summer, you will receive calls from the Medical Society to
give support to legislators the Medical Society has worked
on these issues. These individuals include Rep. Robertson,
and State House members such as Edward Gaffney and Mark
Shulman. You may be asked to give to Gov. Granholm's
campaign, for as you know she has provided unwavering
support for preservation of the Medicaid budget. You will be
asked to help Dr. Kahn in his battle with the incumbent
Howell.
The dollar contributions you make of $100-$200 are vital.
Each candidate faces challengers who oppose Medical Society
positions. It takes money to run a campaign, and without a
campaign, those political leaders with whom we work cannot
win. Without their victories, we lose valuable advocates.
Finally, besides your money, the Medical Society requests
your presence. Talking to the candidates reinforces our
message and addresses their concerns.
Enjoy a leisurely summer, but at the same time, keep working
for the physician community.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
COMMUNICATIONS
COMMITTEE/
DETROIT MEDICAL NEWS
Joseph Weiss, MD, Chair and Editor
The Editorial Board of The
Detroit Medical News/Communications Committee published a
member survey seeking input on the use of the WCMS Web site.
The Committee has interviewed a Web page designer who is
preparing a proposal for changes to our current site. Over
the past year, the number of hits has increased from 12,496
in the first quarter to 21,164 in the last quarter.
The Editorial Board is
discussing changes to the DMN to enhance its appearance and
to promote greater readership. The Board is considering a
proposal to conduct a writing contest to promote more
participation in the DMN.
The Board and Committee are
looking for more member participation. Without the active
involvement of new, younger members, we face the prospect of
a publication that does not reflect the interests of all our
members. Please urge your young colleagues to consider
joining us.
LEGISLATIVE AND
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
Chris Bush, MD and George Shade, MD, Co-Chairs
The committee remained very
active this year supporting a host of activities including
meetings of the "Political Action Strike Force," a
coalition of enthusiastic Alliance members and their
physician spouses coming together to address issues facing
medicine; A Ford Field event sponsored by MSMS to give
doctors an opportunity to meet with Carolyn
Cheeks-Kilpatrick and local politicians; a fundraiser for
Sen. Debbie Stabenow at the home of Dr. and Mrs. William
Conway; a breakfast at the Ritz-Carlton for Congressman John
Dingell who briefed the group on current federal
legislation; and, the Annual MSMS/Wayne County Meet-n-Greet
at Fishbones in Greektown, where doctors met with state
legislators.
Committee members have met
with representatives of the MSMS Governmental Affairs
Department to be briefed on legislative issues and concerns
that were then published in the Detroit Medical News for the
benefit of the WCMS Membership.
MEDICAL EDUCATION
COMMITTEE
Steve Hinderer, MD, Chair
Barbara Lucas, MD, Vice Chair
This year, our Beaumont
Lecture featured James M. Wilson, MD, of the University of
Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Dr. Wilson presented
"Therapeutic Applications of Genetic Engineering."
The lecture was held in conjunction with the MSMS Annual
Scientific Meeting and was very well attended.
The Twelfth Annual Francis
P. Rhoades, MD, Memorial Lecture held at the Detroit Yacht
Club had an audience of well over 200 physicians and
spouses. Keynote speaker Janet Olszewski, Director of the
Michigan Department of Community Health provided with data,
the dire health care picture in Wayne County and the
Michigan Medicaid's troubles.
Detroit Medical Center CEO
Michael Duggan and Wayne State University Medical School
Dean John Crissman, MD, responded to Ms. Olszewski's remarks
and vividly detailed the human cost of the crisis to
patients and physicians.
The committee sponsored two
General Membership Meetings this year. The first was held in
October at the Hotel St. Regis. The Detroit Medical Society,
the Tri-county Osteopathic Association and Wayne Medical
Society joined to focus on the development of the Public
Health Authority for Detroit/Wayne County. Speakers included
Vernice Davis, CEO of the Greater Detroit Area Health
Coalition, Dorothy Gonzales, Director of the Wayne County
Department of Health and Human Services and Dan Michael,
Chair of the WCMS Committee on Medical and Public Health
Issues.
The second meeting was held
in the spring at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn and focused
on a lawsuit against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and
descriptions of legislation intended to improve the health
care corporation's payment policies.
MEDICAL LEGAL
COMMITTEE
John Boccaccio, MD, Co-chair, WCMS
Debra Spicer, JD, Co-chair, DMBA
The Medical Legal Committee
met several times and prepared a seminar for students,
residents and young physicians on the business side of
medical practice. The initial "Nuts and Bolts"
session was held at the WSU Medical School with more than 50
participants. Presentations by both attorneys and physicians
included business issues, privacy, liability concerns,
contracting, joining a practice and transitioning to a
private practice. Attorneys, Alan Gilchrist, Jared Buckley
and Gary Miller presented their views; while physician
representatives on the panel included John Boccaccio, Edward
Jankowski and Daniel Michael. The seminar was well received
and the committee has been asked to repeat it for the
medical students during the fall semester. The committee
will also attempt to make similar presentations at hospitals
for the benefit of residents and fellows prior to or during
their last year of training.
MEDICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH
COMMITTEE
Daniel Michael, MD, Chair
At the request of the WCMS
Executive Council, the committee began meeting in August to
review the Report of the Detroit Health Care Stabilization
Workgroup - "Strengthening the Safety Net in Detroit
and Wayne County". Members were provided the full text
of the report in advance of the meeting for their study and
preparation of recommendations. Following review of the
report, the committee noted that certain issues were not
addressed or were left open-ended. Recommendations presented
to the Executive Council were approved and forwarded to the
Governor of Michigan, the Detroit Mayor and the Wayne County
CEO. The recommendations and issues were:
- An immediate audit of the
monies spent on health care to include accounting for the
administrative funds and direct patient care funds expended
on public health, physical and mental, in Detroit and Wayne
County.
- Adequately address the role of private practice physicians
in our community and address their role in the future under
a public health authority.
- Little information offered as to the raising of additional
dollars locally to support a public health authority.
- Little recognition given to the problem of practicing
medicine in Detroit/Wayne County.
- No clear direction offered for a long-term fix of
Medicaid.
WCMS received a polite
"thank you" from the governor for the suggestions.
No response was ever received from the mayor or the county
CEO.
The committee met again in
October and was briefed on the progress of the actions of
the Detroit Health Care Stabilization Workgroup by WCMS
Executive Director Adam Jablonowski and Daniel Michael, MD.
WCMS held a General Membership Meeting that same month and
included the Detroit Medical Society and the Tri County
Osteopathic Association. All three organizations agreed on
support of a public health authority, but with certain
concerns that they felt needed to be addressed.
In December, the Mayor,
County CEO and the State Department of Community Health
signed the public health authority inter-local agreement.
The Detroit City Council approved the authority and the
Wayne County Commission has yet to act. The governor will
give her final approval when it does.
PEER REVIEW COMMITTEE
Edmund Barbour, MD, Chair
Anne Nachazel, MD, Vice Chair
The committee meets on a
"need-to" basis when complaints are received. The
committee is pleased to report that no major problems have
come forward this year.
This committee through the
hard work and dedication of its active members continues to
perform a very valuable service to our patients and our
physicians acting as a liaison to mediate disputes.
PLANNING COMMITTEE
Richard E. Smith, MD, Chair
The committee met in
January to finalize the 2004-2005 WCMS Strategic Plan which
included:
- Membership/Member Relevance
- Public Relations
- Legislation
- Reimbursement/Advocacy
- Organizational Issues
- Coalitions
- Communication
Each line item was assigned
to an appropriate WCMS committee for implementation. All
committees and boards have begun implementation of their new
charges.
The 2004-2005 Strategic
Plan was published in the Detroit Medical News.
PRIMARY CARE TASK FORCE
Robert Jackson, MD, Chair
Dr. Jankowski appointed
this task force to investigate what issues needed to be
addressed in order to get primary doctors to practice in
Detroit and Wayne County's medically underserved areas.
At its first meeting in
January, members began a round-table discussion of
suggestions and ideas to form a list of priorities for
consideration when addressing the issue of primary care
practices (in Wayne County and Detroit).
The second meeting was held
in February and the task force received information about
the newly proposed Wayne County Primary Care Capital
Corporation, a non-profit development corporation to provide
capital for the building, maintaining and renovation of the
physical structure and equipment needed by primary care
clinics. The concept is modeled after the New York City
Primary Care Development Committee.
Documentation was presented
to the Detroit Wayne County Health Authority Development
Committee on the need for primary care clinics and
physicians in Wayne County. Based on available data, it is
estimated that Wayne County and Detroit need between 10 and
20 new centers and 50 to 100 new providers (not including
dental providers).
Detroit has a high number
of unnecessary Emergency Department visits, which is the
most expensive form of care. A good system of primary care
would lessen this burden and save money.
Currently in Michigan, the
operation of community-based primary care clinics is funded
through Medicaid cost reimbursement and Federal Public
Health Service Section 330 grants. The programs partially
cover operating costs but do not cover capital costs for
facilities or large-scale equipment. There is no source of
capital to build clinics except philanthropy.
At its final meeting, the
task force met with Gary Benjamin, Michigan Legal Services,
who is a member of The Administrative Services Working Group
for the Detroit Wayne County Authority Development
Committee, the committee that is attempting to organize and
create the Wayne County Primary Care Capital Corporation.
The chair of the committee is James Chesney, PhD, of the
Henry Ford Health System. In concluding his presentation, he
asked Dr. Robert Jackson to join in serving on the
committee.
Following Mr. Benjamin's
report, the task force discussed the concept of the clinics
and concluded that it might be the better solution to
Detroit's lack of adequate primary care, rather than trying
to attract individual physicians to establish practices in
Detroit and Wayne County.
The Executive Council
agreed with the committee's recommendation and appointed Dr.
Robert Jackson to represent the Wayne County Medical Society
by serving on The Administrative Services Working Group.
VIOLENCE REDUCTION TASK
FORCE
Sophie Womack, MD, Chair
The task force has been in
existence for many years presenting a once-a-year
educational conference focusing on different aspects of
community violence.
This year, in conjunction
with a weeklong Community Outreach Program sponsored by the
Security Police Department and the Wayne County Medical
Society at Sinai-Grace Hospital, the task force presented a
Senior Abuse Workshop. Approximately 100 senior citizens
from the neighboring community attended. Presentations on
elderly abuse and safety included the Wayne County
Prosecutor's Office Elderly Abuse Unit, Drs. Arnold, Suneja,
McClorey and Graham.
YOUNG PHYSICIANS
COMMITTEE
Biren Shah, MD, Chair
President Edward Jankowski,
MD, created a new committee for young physicians (45 years
old or younger) with the purpose to provide guidance and
solutions to the issues and challenges relating to
physicians who have recently entered practice, mentor new
physicians in the medical community, and develop future
leaders for the Wayne County Medical Society.
At its organizational
meeting, the committee set its goals for the future.
- Target senior year residents and fellows to join the
committee and new physicians coming into the area and
through personal contact, encourage membership in organized
medicine.
- Offer educational or business-wise speakers to address the
business side of a medical practice including signing
contracts, partnerships, insurances and liability, etc.
- Offer social events to include family.
- Make the committee a tri-county endeavor.
- Develop survey for young physicians to discover what
important issues WCMS and MSMS should be addressing.
- Establish mentorship program by identifying young
physicians who are willing to mentor other young physicians
to focus on specific areas of practice difficulties. This
program could be launched on the Web to link a person with a
technical question to another who might know the answer.
Recently retired physicians could be a potential untapped
resource.
- Identify potential new leaders for WCMS with future focus
on MSMS.
Recruiting new members to
serve on the committee has been successful. Already, three
new physicians from Oakland County have joined the committee
and it is hoped that Macomb County will also join this
endeavor.
In April, the committee
sponsored a social event at the Detroit Opera House, the
North Carolina Dance Theatre presentation of "A
Streetcar Named Desire". The committee will continue to
sponsor other social events in the near future.
The WCMS Board of Trustees
has agreed to the committee's proposal to sponsor a young
physician to participate in the AMA's Annual Advocacy
Conference. The committee plans to establish an application
and review process to select the member that WCMS will
sponsor.
REPORT OF THE WCMS BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Last year Dr. Jim Gallagher reported on the prospective sale
of the Antietam building by the end of 2003. Unfortunately
due to the lengthy process required by Wayne State
University to release the land under our building and agree
to sell it, the actual sale is now expected to occur by the
end of June. The buyer is the Detroit Entrepreneurship
Institute. They intend to use the facility for training
individuals to enter the business world. Substantial
expenses related to the upkeep of the building over the past
year will significantly reduce the proceeds from the sale.
The approximately $500,000 anticipated from the sale will be
invested with Wachovia Securities to generate revenues for
the Society to meet our operating budget.
The Society is still
operating at a small deficit. That is down considerably from
the previous year when we still had the expense of the
Antietam building. In addition, the return of the Henry Ford
Health System's physicians aided in reducing our deficit.
The Board continues to believe that dues revenue combined
with income from investments should be sufficient for this
year's operation of the Society. The Board will consider the
necessity of a dues increase for 2005 when it prepares the
budget later this year. As you will recall, the Board
reduced membership dues by $90, to the current $310 in 1999,
at the time that MSMS raised its dues by same amount. It is
of interest that MSMS reduced its dues this year by $35
dollars to $495.
The WCMS Web site receives
more attention each year both from the members and the
public. In order to make the site more user friendly, the
Communications Committee has proposed a revamp that will
occur over the summer months. We anticipate a new fresh look
for the site as well as moving the most accessed information
to a more prominent position on the home page. Easier
contact to MSMS and other societies will be provided as well
as ease of access to our legislators, local, state and
federal. These changes were initiated last year but will be
finalized by September. The Detroit Medical News has seen a
few changes in format over the past year. In addition to
improving its paper stock, the picture quality has been
enhanced with the use of a new digital camera. A new logo
will be introduced later this year.
As you heard from the
Membership Committee, our membership is up over last year,
principally as a result of the Ford group. However, I must
remind you that our full dues paying category continues to
slip. While we do see new members joining at a reasonable
pace, we lose more members by transfer to another society,
to retirement or death. In order to maintain the
tradition of a vibrant medical society in Wayne County, we
must all approach the business of recruiting new members
more seriously. There are thousands of physicians in Wayne
County that are not members who we could approach. We need
those physicians as members now. Each of us here must
shoulder that responsibility if we expect the Society to
prosper for the next 150-plus years.
Deceased June 1, 2003 - May 26, 2004
Joaquin P. Bautista, MD
Alwin S. Barefield, MD
John M. Battle, MD
Ralph R. Cooper, MD
Robert Coye, MD
Eugene Crawley, MD
James M. Fisher, MD - date
unknown
Arch H. Hall, MD
Tina Kelley, MD - Resident
CHM
Karl Merkle, MD
Darwin M. Nelson, MD
William C. Noshay, MD
Edward L. Quinn, MD
David S. Randall, MD
James E. Remski, MD
Norman Rosenzweig, MD
Alfred J. Shreve, MD
Jose M. Siero, MD
Meyer Stamell, MD
Richard A. Taylor, MD
- date unknown
Everal Wakeman, MD
Milton R. Weed, MD
John H. Weidner, MD
Stanley Wicha, MD
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