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FMA
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FMA Alliance January 28, 2008 "For too long, the Medicare system has balanced the books on the backs "The system is broken." Good Morning,
On Tuesday, I traveled to Ft. Lauderdale. FMA Secretary, Dr. Vincent DeGennaro, arranged for me to meet with the Holy Cross Hospital Medical Group, a large hospital employed multispecialty group. Many of their physicians are Broward County Medical Association (BCMA) and FMA members. We discussed the continuing crisis in health care in South Florida and throughout our state. I emphasized the importance of maintaining unity among our colleagues and reviewed the FMA's efforts to support, at all levels, doctor's efforts to care for their patients. If we were in a boat in the ocean and a storm approached, wouldn't we all wish for a bigger boat? Our professional organizations are our boats and we must make them bigger to survive. Thank you for joining. Later that evening we attended a dinner meeting with the area hospital Chiefs of Staff. This was organized by BCMA Executive Director, Mrs. Cynthia Peterson and Dr. DeGennaro. Dr. Bob Cline, Chair of the Board of Medicine and Dr. Nigel Spier, BCMA President, also participated. For three hours we listened to the challenges facing their various groups and a number of constructive suggestions were offered. It was a most productive meeting and I hope that we can replicate this throughout our state, especially in the major metropolitan areas. Enhancing communication with hospital staffs is a priority of your Florida Medical Association.
I then visited a new medical office delivering primary care services to the community. Dr. Greg Leach built an "eco-friendly" building and it is both beautiful and functional. It is the first time I've been to a physician's office and noted a reserved parking space for "Hybrids." The world is changing!!! The next day, I visited the students at the University of South Florida College of Medicine and we discussed the many obstacles physicians must hurdle to deliver care to those in need. They are paying attention to the world around them while wondering who is going to protect and promote the independent role of physicians in the care of our patients. They asked many pointed questions and they are willing to stand with us as we defend our profession. If you ever wonder who you are defending, in addition to our patients, it is these dedicated men and women, our future colleagues. On Friday, I drove to Orlando. That evening, your FMA leadership and key staff met to discuss our plans for the near future. On Saturday, 25 members of the FMA Board of Governors met at a special meeting of the Board with 11 members of the FMA staff to review the Marketing For Change research results. After this presentation and with the facilitation of Drs. Michael Gallery and Colin Rorrie from OPIS Consultants (www.opisconsultants.com), the Board drafted a new Mission Statement for the FMA and discussed objectives in the area of Membership, Finance and Organizational Structure, which will direct the strategic plan for the next two to three years. After a most productive day, I met with FMA Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Tim Stapleton, to review the approaching legislative session. At next month's regularly scheduled meeting of the Board in Orlando, February 15-17, we will establish a governance structure for future Board deliberations. The Mission Statement and the components of the strategic plan will be thoroughly studied by a number of our Committees and Councils before being finalized at the May 16-18, 2008 meeting of the FMA BOG in Coral Gables. Dr. Nancy Nielsen, the AMA's President-Elect, spoke recently in Tallahassee. FMA staff were in attendance. Click here to read a news account of her speech. Until next week... |
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