Governor's Newsletter, Fall 2001
Fall 2001 Report About Pennsylvania Coalition for Internal Medicine Meeting (PCIM)
A brief update about PCIM activities and future events.
Administration. John Derrickson, our PCIM Executive Director, has been at work for the past three months and very effectively is setting up a good administrative operation and addressing issues related to: communicating more regularly with members, working through transition of responsibilities with John Nikoloff of Capital Associates, planning meetings of the Council (next is December 2, 2001), finalizing details for the Annual Meeting (November 2-4, 2001), becoming acquainted with constituents and tackling finances - a busy time. He would be pleased to converse with you, however: office telephone 610-543-6880 or e-mail pcim.hq@verizon.net. We are fortunate to have his energy, organizational skills, and professional attitude as PCIM builds its infrastructure.
College Issues. Because of the tragic events on September 11, 2001 in New York, Washington and Somerset, PA, the fall meeting of the ACP-ASIM Board of Governors, planned for Tucson, Arizona, September 13-15, 2001, was canceled. Therefore, work that was expected on many resolutions and topics for review, including ABIM recertification, have been delayed, and some may not be addressed until the next BOG's meeting in Philadelphia (April 9-14, 2002) held in conjunction with the National meeting. We will keep you apprised of progress on major issues.
PCIM. For all of us physicians, the large increases in malpractice premiums are impacting adversely on our practices. Reforms of medical liability, limits on the CAT Fund contributions and changes in legal practices are all needed; increasingly, a political approach is unavoidable and necessary. PCIM is working with other medical groups, especially the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and local groups in our individual areas such as the Dauphin County Medical Society to fight for these reforms. Please be supportive as you think best. As a suggestion, for more details about the PMS's legislative and judicial reform proposals and ways one can impact on the Pennsylvania legislature go to www.pamedsoc.org and click on the Liability Reform Action Center or call 1-800-566-8678.
Pennsylvania Eastern Region. On Saturday, September 29th, the resident's medical jeopardy team competition was held at Lehigh Valley Medical Center in Allentown. We appreciate the organization of Dr. Martin Evers to make this event successful and the local arrangements at Lehigh Valley Hospital by Dr. William Iobst, Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Training Program and Dr. John Fitzgibbons, Chair of the Department of Medicine. Four teams competed, representing Lehigh Valley Hospital, Guthrie-Robert Packer Hospital, Scranton-Temple, and The Pennsylvania State University; the winning team was from Guthrie-Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre.
Congratulations to these residents who will compete in the State competition at the Annual Session on Saturday, November 3, 2001.
Please send your registration form in for the PCIM Annual Meeting; the scientific program seems excellent. For the Associates presentation, approximately 50 clinical vignettes and 30 research abstracts have been accepted for presentation. This should be informative and exciting to hear our junior colleagues discuss clinical topics or their research.
For me, your Governor, I am excited to be planning visits to several medical centers - to bring the College and its issues to local areas in our region of Central Pennsylvania and , importantly, to visit with medical residents and specialty fellows. The purpose of the ACP-ASIM is to continue as a vital medical society that represents internists well in the larger context of American "medicine" and fights through advocacy where appropriate for medical political issues that affect internists. The College also brings value to our members through continuing education and building clinical skills.
Visits planned in 2001-2002 (so far!)
Geisinger Medical Center, Danville - October 26,2001, St. Luke's Hospital, Bethlehem - March 26, 2002, Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland - April 19, 2002, Guthrie Clinic, Sayre - May 10, 2002, Scranton-Temple, Scranton - May 31, 2002.
Please join us at any of the above locations for some clinical discussion (I will be presenting pulmonary topics) and round table talk about the College. Always encourage residents and other colleagues to participate.
Finally, PCIM committees are being reconstituted (Health & Public Policy, Medical Services, Annual Meeting, Program Committee, Finance, Informatics, Awards, Women in Medicine and International Medical Graduates). We need new members and more participation. If you are interested in joining one, please contact me.
With kindest regards,
Sincerely,
Herbert Y. Reynolds, M.D., F.A.C.P.
J. Lloyd Huck Professor of Medicine
Chair, Department of Medicine
What's New
Contact Information
Eastern Region
Richard J. Simons, MD, FACP, Governor
Southeastern Region
Charles Cutler, MD, FACP, Governor
Western Region
Alejandro R. Gonzalez, MD, FACP
John Derrickson
Executive Director
Phone: 610-543-6880 or Toll-free: 800-846-7746
Fax: 610-543-6806
E-mail: pcim.hq@verizon.net