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FMA
Online | FLAMPAC |
EMR Florida |
FMA Alliance
August
27, 2007
"AS FOR THE FUTURE, YOUR TASK IS
NOT TO FORESEE IT, BUT TO ENABLE IT"
-Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Dear Colleagues,
Thank you for entrusting with me the responsibility of serving as
President of the Florida Medical Association for the next year. In
my Monday Morning Reports, I will review the activities of the
organization and discuss our efforts to address the pressing issues
affecting healthcare delivery in our state.
In my address to the House of Delegates yesterday morning, I noted
that challenges have always faced this organization. Our obligation
is to respond deliberately and prepare our organization--enable it,
if you will--for the future. To ensure that we continue to meet the
needs of our members, your Board of Governors appointed two senior
staff members to management positions.
Mrs. Kimberly Scott, who is the FMA Director of Finance and
Administration, has been appointed as the Interim Operations
Officer. In this capacity, Mrs. Scott will oversee the areas of
membership, communication and, of course, finance. In her 12 years
at the FMA, Mrs. Scott's knowledge and experience have been an
invaluable resource to the Board.
Mr. Tim Stapleton, who is the Executive Director of the Florida
Medical Association's political action committee, Flampac, has been
appointed as the Interim Public Affairs Officer. He will spearhead
the FMA's legislative and political advocacy efforts. Mr. Stapleton
has worked for the American Medical Association, as well as the
Medical Society of the State of New York. His 14-year experience in
medical association work, including 10 years at the FMA, his vast
experience in this arena, as well as his extensive contacts within
the Florida Legislature, will be put to good use.
The Board of Governors also elected former FMA EVP/CEO, Mr. Don Foy,
to fill a vacant position on the Board designated for a public
member. My Foy has over 30 years of experience serving as the EVP of
three state medical associations--Indiana, New York and Florida. He
has accepted our nomination and we are grateful for his willingness
to again serve the FMA.
Earlier, Dr. Steve R. West, a cardiologist from Ft. Myers, was
elected FMA President-Elect and Dr. Jim Dolan, FMA Treasurer for the
past 5 years, was elected as FMA Vice-President. Dr. Alan Harmon, a
gastroenterologist from Jacksonville, was elected by the House of
Delegates to succeed Dr. Dolan as FMA Treasurer. Alan has big shoes
to fill, however, all who know him can attest that he will continue
the competent management of the Association's finances. The Board
elected Dr. Miguel Machado to serve as Chair of the Council on
Legislation. Dr. Machado has served the FMA for a number of years
and our legislative agenda will be most steadily pursued. You will
be hearing more about this soon. Your Board of Governors are a
talented and diverse group of servant leaders. They are independent
thinkers who sacrifice much to protect our profession and our
patients. Please thank them from time to time when you see them.
Finally, I want to again thank you for the singular honor of serving
as the 131st President of the Florida Medical Association. I pledge
my faithful stewardship to you and this organization. With unity of
purpose, and our best effort, the FMA will continue to advance the
ideals of our profession and protect your independent role as our
patient's advocate.
Sincerely,
Karl M. Altenburger, M.D.
President, Florida Medical Association
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