Winter 2008 Part II
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Winter Issue |
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You are invited to the Texas Chapter and Alumni Reception at ACP’s Internal Medicine 2008
In Washington, D.C. Friday, May 16 5:30–7 p.m.
Renaissance Washington, D.C., Hotel
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The Texas Internist is a publication of the Texas Academy of Internal Medicine, the Texas Chapter of the ACP-ASIM. Articles from the chapter membership are welcome. Send to: the Newsletter Editor, TAIM Business Office, 401 W. 15th St., Austin, TX 78701, or fax to (512) 370-1635.
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Mission Statement
The mission of the Texas Academy of Internal Medicine is to promote high-quality, cost-effective health care for all patients by preserving and strengthening the practice of internal medicine and all its subspecialties, by vigorously supporting high standards of professionalism, excellence in medical education and research, strong advocacy for all patients and Texas physicians practicing internal medicine and its subspecialties, and comprehensive service to our membership.
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New Award Honors Legislator
Michelle Romero, MPA, TAIMS Legislative Affairs Manager
TAIMS presented its first Legislative Champion award to Rep. Warren Chisum, R-Pampa, during the annual chapter business meeting and awards luncheon. The honor is given to a Texas House or Senate member who made the greatest contribution toward advancing TAIMS’ legislative agenda during the 80th Texas Legislature.
The award recognizes outstanding legislative leadership, demonstrated support for medical education funding and improved access to quality health care, and commendable voting records on issues of importance to medicine and patients. The goal of the award is to heighten awareness for internal medicine priorities in preparation for the next legislative session, and to encourage champions for the coming years.
The inaugural TAIMS Legislative Champion Award was presented to Rep. Chisum in recognition of his tireless work as chair of the House Committee on Appropriations. Most notably, TAIMS honored Rep. Chisum for his support of critical graduate medical education funding advocated by internal medicine that improves patient access to health care.
Rep. Chisum personally accepted the award and took time before and after the luncheon to visit with TAIMS leaders and medical students about the General Internal Medicine Preceptorship Program (GIMSPP). During his acceptance speech, Rep. Chisum mentioned the need for more funding of programs, such as GIMSPP, to train more Texas internists.
In addition to the new award, TAIMS awarded the Chumley/Snyder Advocate of the Year Award for an internist to Spencer R. Berthelsen, MD, FACP, Houston.
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Interim Studies Set Stage for Legislature
Michelle Romero, MPA, TAIMS Legislative Affairs Manager
While the 81st Texas Legislature may be a year away, House Speaker Tom Craddick has hit the ground running by releasing interim study topics for the House committees. Senate Interim Study Charges have yet to be assigned. The following are a sample of House interim topics relevant to internal medicine.
House Committees on Appropriations, Public Health
Study the state’s current and long-range need for physicians, dentists, nurses, allied health and long-term care professionals. Recommend strategies related to geographic distribution and barriers to recruitment of high-need professions, especially for primary care providers and long-term care professionals. (Joint Interim Charge of the House Committees on Border and International Affairs, Appropriations, and Public Health)
House Committee on Insurance
- Examine states that have transitioned from heavily regulated to less-regulated health insurance markets to assess the impact on market competitiveness, prices, consumer satisfaction, and regulatory costs. Specifically, identify barriers and possible enhancements to flexibility in purchasing health insurance, including plans offered in other states. Review and evaluate state law and agency rules related to use of health savings accounts and health reimbursement arrangements, particularly by small businesses. Review possible tax incentives for purchasing private insurance.
- Study and make recommendations about the feasibility of establishing a “health insurance exchange” in Texas.
House Committee on Public Health
Monitor and evaluate the array of wellness initiatives undertaken by the state, including the new state employee wellness and prevention legislation. Review initiatives to encourage healthy lifestyles, such as smoking cessation within the Medicaid program and for state employees. Develop strategies to maximize potential health benefits and optimize the return on Texas’ investment on wellness. Include a review of other state and private sector programs for employee wellness that result in prevention and cost savings. TAIMS will inform you once interim hearings are scheduled on key topics. Meanwhile, visit the “Advocacy” page (link) for the latest news on the Texas Legislature, or contact me at (512) 370-1367 or michelle-at-taim.org.
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Member Kudos
Ron J. Anderson, MD, MACP, Dallas, was ranked No. 27 in the Modern Healthcare annual list
of the 100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare for 2007.
Jimmie L. Bergeron, MD, Houston, was elected vice president of the Harris County Medical Society (HCMS) North Branch.
Heather M. Brandfellner, TCOM student, was elected alternate delegate to the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates from the AMA Medical Student Section.
Steven D. Brown, MD, FACP, Houston, was elected chair of the HCMS Council of Hospital Chiefs of Staff.
Liliana Diaz, MD, Houston, was elected president of the HCMS Southwest Branch.
Kim Elliott, MD, Kingwood, was elected secretary-treasurer of the HCMS North Branch.
Herbert L. Fred, MD, MACP, Houston, received the 2007 Award for Excellence in Editorial Writing from the Federation of State Medical Boards.
Martin G. Guerrero, MD, San Antonio, was appointed for a two-year term on the Texas Medical Association Foundation Advisory Council.
Carlos R. Hamilton Jr., MD, FACP, Houston, was elected president of the American College of Endocrinology.
Mohammad R. Khoshnevis-Asl, MD, Baytown, was elected president-elect of the HCMS East Branch.
Janet E. Macheledt, MD, Bellaire, was elected to the HCMS Board of Ethics.
Cynthia D. Mulrow, MD, MSc, MACP, San Antonio, has been elected to the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Mulrow is deputy editor of the ACP’s Annals of Internal Medicine.
Herminia Palacio, MD, MPH, Bellaire, received the 2007 Excellence in Health Administration Award given by the American Public Health Association.
Neha Patel, TCOM student, was elected recruitment chair of the AMA Medical Student Section.
Jacqueline A. Pugh, MD, FACP, San Antonio, has been named the first F. Carter Pannill Professor of Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Joseph Ravenell, MD, Dallas, received a Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Award from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which will help fund research of a phenomenon known as “physician inertia” related to treatment of hypertension in African-American men.
Gurunath T. Reddy, MD, FACP, Houston, was elected president of the Houston Academy of Medicine.
Judi A. Shaw-Rice, MD, FACP, Houston, was elected chair of the HCMS Board of Ethics.
Allan N. Shulkin, MD, FACP, Dallas, was appointed to the Texas Medical Board by Gov. Rick Perry.
Elizabeth Torres, MD, FACP, Sugar Land, was elected chair of the HCMS Board of Medical Legislation.
Send news of your accomplishments, or that of a colleague, to: Catherine Bailey, CAE, CMP, TAIM Executive Director, 401 W. 15th St., Austin, TX 78701; fax to (512) 370-1635; or e-mail to catherine-at-taim.org.
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Congratulations to our Newest Fellows
Fellowship recognizes personal integrity, superior competence in internal medicine, professional accomplishment, and demonstrated scholarship.
Jeffrey A. Astbury, MD, FACP, Midlothian
Vinod K. Bhuchar, MD, FACP, Houston
Cecil M. Bourne, MD, FACP, Corpus Christi
Pedro E. Checo, MD, FACP, Frisco
Marshall J. Dawer, MD, FACP, Dallas
Donna S. Dolle, MD, FACP, Houston
Hameed Adedeji Dosunmu, MD, FACP, San Antonio
Jean-Bernard Durand, MD, FACP, Houston
Luis E. Fayad, MD, FACP, Houston
Christopher J. Finnila, MD, FACP, Houston
Joslyn W. Fisher, MD, FACP, Houston
Autumn D. Galbreath, MD, FACP, Fair Oaks Ranch
Ronnie A. Gentry, MD, FACP, Houston
Lisa J. Go, MD, MPH, FACP, Temple
Thi D. Hoang, MD, FACP, Austin
Jacqueline C. Hubbard, MD, FACP, Dallas
Robert G. Kilbourn, MD, FACP, Austin
Stephanie Mundy, MD, FACP, Bellaire
Larry D. Oliver, MD, FACP, Midland
Senthilnathan Selvaraj, MD, FACP, San Angelo
Colette Simon, MD, FACP, Corpus Christi
Jason G. Taylor, MD, FACP, San Angelo
Elizabeth Torres, MD, FACP, Sugar Land
Kalpana Verma, MD, FACP, El Paso
Advancement to Fellowship applications are available at the ACP web site (link), from the ACP Customer Service Department at (800) 523-1546, ext. 2600; or by e-mail at custserve-at-mail.acponline.org.
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