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A Perspective on the 2011 FMA Annual Meeting

By Alma Littles, M.D., Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, FSU COM

Capital Medical Society sent another full delegation to the FMA meeting this year. We were fortunate to have a number of new delegates join us this year and it is clear that their energy and enthusiasm is just what the profession needs. The practice of medicine is being attacked on many fronts today and it is good to know that we have a group of physicians representing us who are committed to ensuring that we can maintain a practice environment that keeps the interests of our patients at the forefront as we deliver the high quality care we were called to provide.

Our 6:30 a.m. caucus meetings served not only to help orient us to the activities of the upcoming day but also connected us with our colleagues from the other Panhandle counties who were part of the Northwest Florida Delegation. We also had CMS members who were representing their specialty societies join us for our caucus meetings. The new members of our delegation were ably mentored by those of us who have been involved in organized medicine for "a while". Our society did not send forward any resolutions this year, but members of our delegation provided relevant and necessary testimony at reference committee meetings and at the House of Delegates. We are also proud that in addition to having a number of FSU COM students present posters for the poster contest, the following FSU COM students were awarded scholarships:

Kristen Misiak
FMA Foundation Medical Student Scholarships - $5,000

Laura Davis
Manatee Memorial Hospital – Primary Care Medical Student Scholarship - $5,000

Monica Chatwal
Edward R. Annis, M.D. Medical Student Scholarship - $1,000

On a bittersweet note, our own Karen Wendland received an award of appreciation at the first meeting of House of Delegates for her service to the Capital Medical Society and to the Florida Medical Association, as this was Karen's last FMA meeting. We thank Karen sincerely for 10 years of wonderful service to the CMS.

The CMS delegation has a history of helping bring sound policy and decision-making to the FMA and we encourage others to speak with members of our delegation about the responsibility and joy of serving in this capacity. Perhaps you will become interested to serve as a delegate within your specialty society or add your name to be considered for openings in the CMS delegation in the future.

A First-time Experience at the FMA Annual Meeting

By Nicole N. Balmer, M.D., KWB Pathology Associates

I had the opportunity to attend my first Florida Medical Association meeting this year and it was an exciting, eye-opening experience. Although I attended as a delegate from my specialty society (Florida Society of Pathologists), I spent time with my colleagues from the Capital Medical Society at functions such as the Good Government Lunch.

For me, the most challenging aspect of my participation in an FMA meeting for the first time was attempting to learn the parliamentary procedure. There's a steep learning curve, but my hope is that this will be a non-issue within a few meetings. Otherwise, I felt the experience was nothing but a good thing for me as a young physician. I learned much about organized medicine and how we can attempt to come together over difficult issues to advocate for and advance the interests of Florida physicians, and physicians as a profession, in this challenging climate.

Personally, I was very encouraged to hear that the current FMA leadership seems to take physician advocacy in the face of the Affordable Health Care Act very seriously. I look forward to continuing to be involved in the FMA, both as a member of the Young Physicians Section and as an advocate for the CMS and/or my specialty society, in order to attempt to ensure that physicians continue to have the right to practice medicine with as much freedom as possible in this great nation of ours.

CMS Members at the FMA Annual Meeting

By Karen Wendland

The Capital Medical Society sent a full Delegation to the FMA Annual Meeting in Orlando, July 29-31, 2011. And, there were many more CMS Members at the meeting representing different organizations. This was great for Capital Medical Society – to have such broad-based representation. CMS is truly one of the most active and best represented medical societies in the state!

Delegation
Tom Hicks, M.D., Chair
John Bailey, D.O.
Andy Borom, M.D.
Lonnie Draper, M.D.
Tracey Hellgren, M.D.
Shakra Junejo, M.D.
Alma Littles, M.D.
John Mahoney, M.D.
Sandeep Rahangdale, M.D.
Christie Sain, M.D.
Gary Winchester, M.D.

FMA Board Members
Marc Inglese, M.D., FMA Board Member,
Represents the Young Physicians Section
John Katopodis, M.D., FMA Board Member, FMA-PAC President
Andy Borom, M.D., FMA Board Member, FMA-PAC Treasurer

Other CMS Members in Attendance
John Fogarty, M.D., Dean, FSU College of Medicine
Andrea Friall, M.D., Florida Society of OB/GYN
Scott Hanson, M.D., FL Chapter, American College of Physicians
Ron Saff, M.D., FMA Environmental & Health Section
Louis St. Petery, M.D. and Judy St. Petery, M.D., Florida Pediatric Society
Charles Wingo, M.D., Florida Orthopedic Society

24 Years and Counting

By Rosalie A. Carlin, CMS Administrative Assistant

Shannon Boyle asked that I write a short piece for this month's Cap Scan in the "Learn About Your CMS" section about my 24 years (September 24!) with the Capital Medical Society.

Can we all agree that I was 14 when I started and go on from there?

24 years. Wow. When I started at CMS, Mollie Hill was the Executive Director and Madeline Shephard was the bookkeeper. That was it. It was just the three of us. There was no We Care back then. We had 325 members (we now have 620). There was no medical school. Come to think of it, I believe Dr. Moore was actually performing plastic surgery in our Board Room.

Things were different.

I have to admit; when I started at CMS I was incredibly intimidated by the physicians – especially since Mollie basically told me "they say 'jump', you ask 'how high?'" That intimidation went away and has since been replaced with extreme respect for you all, and a definite warm feeling. I know I WORK for each and every one of you, but I also count many of you, as well as your spouses, as friends.

Another perk of this job is the folks out there I consider my "phone friends" and "email friends" – I'm speaking of the office staff. So many of you truly make this job a blast. Having a long history here, as do so many of you, has connected us in a wonderful way. No day passes here without at least one phone call or email from one of you that leaves me laughing. Thank you for that.

I've also been blessed to work under the direction of two women who are my dear friends.
I worked under Mollie for 13 years (who said she'd never leave me) and now under Karen Wendland for over 10 years (who also said she'd never leave me… is it me?). Their leadership has been wonderful. I've learned so much from these two strong, fun, amazing women. For this I will always be thankful.
And now we embark on a new Executive Director…I can only assume that by the time this issue of Cap Scan hits your mailbox, the new ED will be chosen and named. I have the utmost confidence in our Search Committee that they will select the very best candidate to take over the helm of CMS.

Last but not least – the CMS staff. Remember, there were three of us when I started here in 1987, we are now at nine. Jane Chapman, our accountant and pager queen; Shannon Boyle, our marketing genius – Shannon has, by the way, just taken over as Managing Editor of Cap Scan! The We Care Staff: Rosemary Evans, Victoria Rabin, Susan Swick, Roshanda Dorsey and Amy Piland are truly a dedicated group of women. They have the utmost compassion and dare I say ENDLESS PATIENCE?! A special thanks here and now to all our members who volunteer with the We Care Network. If you don't – what's up with that?!

So, here is to the past, present and future of the Capital Medical Society – and here is to you, our members, member's staff, co-workers and friends – thank you for making MY job one that I hope to stick around in for the next 24 years (at which point I'll be 62).

Historical Review of the Holiday Auction

By David Miles, M.D.

Foreword (Author's Note)

Since most of the books I read include this I felt it only fitting that I should also; coupled with the fact that it helps clear my conscience. This is so stated because of the number of talented writers this organization is fortunate to have and the selection of this author is based upon 2 factors: 1) AGE 2) Unavailability of the real writers due to this time of year (vacations and football). Therefore, it is requested that this author not be held responsible for veracity or accuracy of this historical review. Having said this AND feeling immensely relieved, will now proceed with this review.

It is said that we should never begin an article or a presentation with an apology so this is initiated with a regret and not an apology. The regret is that the person I believe who is most responsible for the continuation and success of our Holiday Auction is not here to provide us with the history of this event and that person is Bob Johnson. For those of us who were privileged to practice, work, and socialize with him, he will remain in our memory, whereas for those who weren't so privileged, I'm regretful. It's true; he was "larger than life" in more ways than one! More on him later.

My earliest memories of this undertaking date back to the time of my arrival to enter private practice (in those days that's what most of us did) and at that time the CMS office was located in a small space adjacent to the auditorium at TMH and the year was 1969 and Diane Pickett was our Executive Director. In "those days", the meetings were held at Joe's Spaghetti House (on Mahan Drive, a little East of Magnolia Drive). We were assigned to the basement with a private entrance off the parking lot, which proved to be of immeasurable benefit, particularly after an evening of socialization. Hence, this was the site of my first Holiday Auction (and believe me when I tell you, it was a "sight!!"). A lot of us took turns being the auctioneer and as the evening wore on the pace of the change of the one in possession of the microphone increased significantly! Before the night was over it proved to be a good idea to wear protective head cover as corks turned into missiles!!! There was a wide variance of gifts to be auctioned and each year there was a different "star" in terms of amount spent. This was because after the "star's" spouse learned of the amount of funds contributed and the quality of the merchandise received, the "star" was not permitted to return the next year, but someone always seemed to step up and take their place the following year! Horse feed (and yes, I said feed) was a regular item and we could always depend on the same individual to take that home. One "star's" demise was brought about when he took home a large roll of some type of material that defies description (much less use!!). That "star" didn't return the next year either!

I think you see where this is going and other more "responsible" individuals did also and consequently it became much "tamer"! This was particularly true when the wives became involved via the Alliance. It's a well-accepted fact that the addition of the "fairer sex" made this a much classier event (and safer!!). Because it moved from Joe's Spaghetti House to the Silver Slipper, which at that time was in the lower level of the Northwood Mall, probably also contributed to its "lessening of spirit" coupled with the loss of the "private entrance"!

Mollie Hill became our Executive Director in the early 80's and continued the strong support of this event. One of my fond memories is that of sitting down to a meal with Bob Johnson and Mollie after the last item had been auctioned off and everybody had gone home at which time, we critiqued that night's production in hopes that it would continue to be both successful and enjoyable. Bob Johnson was an entertainer's entertainer in every sense of the word. In addition to being "light on his feet" (size 15??), he coined the phrase "Asperdagrus" in regards to the Christmas plants that were put up for bid each year. I recall Bob's last appearance as an auctioneer when he continued in this role in spite of difficulty doing so because of health problems. He never "let down". An effort was always made at the end of the evening to present gifts to the staff in appreciation for all of their hard work. It was interesting that every year one item for auction stood out above all of the others and generated much interest (and money!). Never will forget the year this involved a refurbished pinball machine! Didn't think the bidding would ever stop!! You never knew what the "hot" item would be! One year it was a rabbit (maybe because we asked why a rabbit's nose is always shiny and the answer was because its powder puff is on the other end!).
The Auction site moved to Golden Eagle Country Club and from there to its present location at Capital City Country Club where we've enjoyed some "mystery guests" including Coach Bobby Bowden and a popular FSU quarterback, Chris Rix.

About 10 years ago, Karen Wendland came on board as our Executive Director (and immediately opened meetings with a shrill whistle) and has continued to add to this important program aided by her capable and talented staff we are fortunate to have. Rosalie and Jane have seen us through a number of these and we now have a permanent "Vanna White" in the person of Shannon Boyle. Our current auctioneers, Scott Sellinger and his sidekick, John Mahoney (who tends to feed us a lot of Baloney, especially at Auction time) have added their considerable talents to this most worthwhile endeavor, which has become bigger and better over the years. Consequently through the efforts of many people it has been possible to provide scholarships for first and second year FSU medical students. Scott risked his life to do this by donning a Santa Claus outfit one year only to almost experience a heat stroke (lesson: the role of Santa Claus in Florida is a hazardous occupation!). This project has come full circle in that our community and surrounding areas are now receiving medical care from previous recipients of this program who in turn are now supporters. The Holiday Auction is like a parade in that it requires much effort and long preparation, but whereas the actual event is short; its affects are long lasting. I personally think it is one of the most important and significant undertakings by our local medical society and one that pays big dividends. Also, it may be unique!

Since its inception, the Auction has received much support from both CMS members and non-members, including those gifts from original talents, consisting of photographs, paintings, jewelry, furniture, pecans (affectionately known as "Bud's Nuts"!) and others.

Remember the ad, "Try it; you'll like it"? This event qualifies for the description in every way (worthwhile, satisfying, and enjoyable!). It's a wonderful get together for a good and noble cause and I promise (remember the "Foreword"!) with the talent involved, you will be entertained to a degree of self-satisfaction hard to be equaled or surpassed. Just think of it this way, you make holidays come early for a lot of people, you go home with tax free gifts, and the results are far lasting beyond the holidays.
I can't think of a better "investment" and this day and time, that's saying a lot (which I acknowledge having done!). Hope to see you at the Holiday Auction and know the medical students (of which you were once one) do too!

CMS Alliance
2011-2012 Meeting Schedule

By Tami Frankland, CMS Alliance President

This year the Alliance has a variety of programs planned for the meetings. From Legislative Updates to honoring Past Presidents, there is a meeting for you. The Alliance will be sending out the first Capillary newsletter soon, so check your mail for more information on the times and meeting locations. We have also started sending information electronically through an Evite. If you have not received one in the past, please send me an email, so you can be included in our electronic mail outs as well. I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming meetings.

Meeting Dates and Program Ideas

September 28, 2011
Honoring Past Presidents

October 26, 2011
Legislative Update, Speaker - William Large, President of Florida Justice Reform Institute

November 16, 2011
Ghazvini Health Educ. Center Tour

December 1, 2011
CMS Auction

January 25, 2012
Speaker - Laura Bryant/Designer

February 22, 2012
Your Secret Pantry

April 25, 2012
Installation of Officers for 2012-13