Governor's Newsletter, Winter 2001
David C. Dale, MD, FACP
Governor, Washington Chapter
Governor's Column
Autumn greetings! This has been the most beautiful fall that I recall in Washington. We have enjoyed the warm, clear days, and the leaves here at the University have been unusually colorful. I hope you have found a few moments to enjoy the fall too.
The very successful annual meeting of the Washington chapter for ACP-ASIM was a highlight of this autumn season for me. It takes several ingredients for a really successful meeting: a good meeting place, a good topic for discussion, and enjoyment in the people you see at the meeting. This year we met in the fine convention facilities of the Seattle Sheraton. Our meeting focused on evidence-based medicine. We had a wonderful time making new friends and seeing old one's. Being at this meeting helps us feel good about being physicians. This year's Program Committee - Linda Pinsky (Chair), Jan Bridge, Rebecca Ruud, Richard Simmons, and Paul Sutton - did a spectacular job of organizing the sessions. Keynote talks were given by Rick Deyo, Al Berg, and Sam Cullison. Excellent analytical presentations by our speakers made this a very informative meeting. The program evaluations contained several suggestions for things we could do a little better, but overall the ratings were outstanding. If you were not there this year, I do hope you will attend our next meeting, scheduled for the Fall of 2001.
At this year's meeting, Dr. John R. Hogness, former Dean of the School of Medicine and President of the University of Washington, received our chapter's Laureate Award. He joined Drs. Jim Haviland, Robert Petersdorf, Alvin Thompson, Marvin Turck, and Neil Elgee, as recipients of this award. Dr. Hogness has made many contributions in medicine. Two of his most significant accomplishments were leading the major curriculum review that occurred in the University of Washington School of Medicine in 1968 and laying of the foundations for the beginning of the School's internationally recognized WWAMI program, which links together five northwest states in a cooperative program in medical education. Dr. Hogness now spends most of his time in Mazama, Washington, where he is active in civic affairs and in the theater.
The ACP-ASIM is very involved in many programs and projects at the national level. In my last newsletter, I called your attention to the interest of the College in the re-certification program for internists conducted under the auspices of the American Board of Internal Medicine. The College supports a re-certification; at the Fall 2000 meeting of the Board of Governors and Board of Regents, the College reaffirmed the need for a process that is relevant and not overly time-consuming. The College and the ABIM have appointed a joint committee to work on harmonizing the interest of the ABIM and the ACP-ASIM. Drs. Bernard Rosof, Barbara Schuster, and Barbara McGuire, together with Dr. Herbert Waxman, Senior Vice President for ACP-ASIM, will represent the College. You can keep up with this topic and the other activities of the College through our website www.acponline.org.
It has also been a remarkable Autumn 2000 also, politically speaking. As I prepare this column, we are just a few weeks after the Presidential election, still without a president-elect. I wonder if we will have one by the time you read my column. Whoever it is, I am sure that we will see a resurgence of interest in access to healthcare and debate about who pays for it during the coming Federal and State Legislative sessions. During the campaign, there was lots of rhetoric about paying for drugs for the elderly. In my practice at the University, I find that the price of drugs and their availability are major issues for almost everyone. I often wonder if the convenience of a once a day medicine justifies the difference in costs compared to something a patient can take two or three times a day. I am impressed by the escalation in prices for old drugs as well as new drugs. I am also impressed by the difference in the price from pharmacy to pharmacy. It seems to me before we can have a better drug benefit program for the elderly or anybody, we need a way to be much more precise with our prescriptions, and overall, how we spend our healthcare dollars for many services and materials.
We will soon have a Governor-elect for our Chapter; the election will be soon. I have enjoyed very much my role as ACP-ASIM Governor for Washington. If there is something special you would like for me to do for you during the remaining year of my term, I will be pleased to hear from you.
Sincerely,
David C. Dale, MD
Governor, Washington Chapter ACP - ASIM
Fellowship Advancement
Made Easy (FAME)
This year we want to put a special emphasis on advancement to Fellowship for Members of our Chapter. This outline nicely summarizes the pathways to Fellowship. More information and forms are readily available at our web site: www.acponline.org. The following summary was written by Marc Shabot, MD, FACP, Governor, Texas Southern Chapter.
Prerequisites
- ABIM, RCPSC, or AOBIM certified Ý
- Licensed practitioner
- Formal training completed, Member at least 2 years, in practice or teaching for at least 2 years
- Proposed/seconded by 2 Masters/Fellows
- Commitment to lifelong learning and professional development
*May be waived in extraordinary circumstances
Then, Qualify by 1 of the 4 Pathways*
Pathway 1 - Academician
- Holds academic appointment as teacher, researcher, administrator, writes scientific papers, scholarly reviews, book chapters, etc.
Pathway 2 - The Scholar/Teacher/
Multiple Certification - Active in community as teacher in Continuing Education and Professional Development activities
- Re-certified or dual boarded, or MKSAP for score
Pathway 3 - The Active ACP-ASIM Member
- 10 years membership in the ACP-ASIM
- Active in ACP-ASIM meetings and Committees at local and national level
Pathway 4 - The Senior Physician
- May have been a longstanding Member or have joined ACP-ASIM later in life
- Has demonstrated longstanding professional activity in the community, in teaching, in patient care or in service; acts as a role model for other physicians and
health professionals
Note: Community service, especially the voluntary
provision of medical care, and ACP-ASIM activities significantly enhance the likelihood of advancement, under all four pathways.
*Pathways are not mutually exclusive; "combinations" are permissible.
The Osler Club at the University of Washington School of Medicine
We have an exciting year of activities and panels planned. Student interest is very high in internal medicine, with 68 active members currently in the 1st and 2nd year classes. Our first organizational meeting generated a lot of enthusiasm and ideas for this year.
This October, we had a good turnout of students at the ACP-ASIM "Evidence-based Medicine" meeting in Seattle. Some were matched with physician mentors at the conference, and they were enthusiastic to learn more about the practice of internal medicine. Bob Lawrence, a second year medical student, expressed their shared sentiment: "I greatly appreciate the ACP-ASIM including medical students in this year's conference. The lectures provided a valuable look at the clinical application of what we are currently studying in our curriculum."
This year's activities also include the opportunity for medical students to attend rounds with internal medicine residents, Osler Club Bingo (questions provided by our faculty advisor, Dr. Doug Paauw), and a panel on handheld computer devices. In the winter and spring quarter, we are also planning panels on (1) subspecialties in internal medicine; (2) academic vs. community practice; and (3) options for universal health coverage. Please let me know if you have any ideas for us, or are interested in speaking on one of the panels meganbr@u.washington.edu.
Members in the News
Douglas S. Paauw, MD - In September Doug was appointed to the Rathmann Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Patient-Centered Clinical Education at the University of Washington School of Medicine. The chair is meant to recognize the important role of outstanding clinician/teachers who promote innovation in training the next generation of physicians. Dr. Paauw is the first to hold it.
Richard W. (Dick) Whitten, MD - A Bellevue internist has announced he will be leaving his position as Medical Director of the Washington State Health Care Authority by year's end. He will transition to the role of Carrier Medical Director for Noridian Medicare Part B, replacing Dr. John Lindberg (Internist) who is retiring.
J. Findlay Wallace, MD - At the 2001 ACP-ASIM Annual Meeting in Atlanta, James F. Wallace, MD, will be recognized as a Master of ACP-ASIM. Dr. Wallace is the Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Training Program at the University of Washington, a position he has held for more than 25 years.
State Sponsors Toll-Free Tobacco Quit Line
As a result of statewide advertising efforts, Washington's new Tobacco Quit Line has responded to nearly 1,800 calls over the past several weeks. The Quit Line extends a "helping hand" to quit tobacco use, providing callers with unrestricted access to high-quality cessation programs. Modeled after successful programs in Oregon and California, the Washington Quit Line offers:
- individual, in-depth counseling that includes motiva- tion and problem-solving advice; up-to-date information about pharmacological support;
- information and referral to other cessation benefits offered by health plans;
- information and referral to other cessation services, including local resources;
- a "Tobacco Quit Kit" containing custom-selected material for each patient;
- follow-up calls to some uninsured and Medicaid callers who use Quit Line services; and
- information for health care provider about cessation techniques and resources.
Anyone can call the Quit Line. The main number is 1-877-270-STOP and includes translation service for languages other than Spanish. A dedicated Spanish language line is available at 1-877-2 NO FUME and a TTY line also is available for the hearing impaired at 1-877-777-6534.
Special materials are available for teens, pregnant women, Spanish-speaking patients, and friends and relatives who want to offer support. Professional tobacco cessation specialists are well-trained in evidence-based methods. Health care providers are invited to check out the Quit Line by calling the toll-free number. Providers are encouraged to refer patients and follow up to assess the service they receive. If only 500 of 10,000 callers (5%) successfully end their tobacco addiction, the life spans of these callers can increase by a combined total of 2,500 years.
The Washington Quit Line is a key component of the new Tobacco Prevention and Control Program sponsored by the Department of Health (DOH) and funded through the state's share of the tobacco industry settlement signed in 1998. Other program components include television, radio and print ads; transit and outdoor billboards; movie theater and mall kiosk signage. In addition, the DOH is funding community and school-based programs aimed at helping both adults and youth understand the consequences of smoking and chewing tobacco.
Calendar of Events
January 23, 2001
WSMA 2001 Legislative Summit in Olympia
March 9-10, 2001
Spokane Society of Internal Medicine -
51st Annual Scientific Meeting
Spokane, WA
March 29-April 1, 2001
ACP-ASIM Annual Session
Atlanta, GA
March 30, 2001
Washington Chapter
ACP-ASIM Reception
Atlanta, GA
September 20-22, 2001
WSMA Annual Meeting
Jantzen Beach, OR
April 11-14, 2002
ACP-ASIM Annual Session
Philadelphia, PA
Medical Student Award
Winner- Emily Darby
Emily attended high school in Helena, Montana and was a geology major at Carleton College. Between college and medical school, she finished prerequisites, was a substitute teacher and later worked as a secretary for a physician in Chicago. As part of the WWAMI program, she spent her first year of medical school in Montana. She enjoyed each of her major clerkships during medical school, but is pleased to have settled on internal medicine for a career. She is attracted to its intellectual challenge and emphasis on patient care. Interests within internal medicine include endocrinology and nephrology.
Emily's performance in medical school has been outstanding. She was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society in the spring of her 3rd year. She also enjoys poetry, cross country skiing, yoga and dancing.
Doug Paauw, MD
University of Washington, Associate Professor of Medicine/Coordinator for Student Teaching
COLA - News Releases
- COLA, a national healthcare accreditation organization located in Columbia, MD, announces the retirement of its Chief Executive Officer, J. Stephen Kroger, MD, FACP, effective June 30, 2001. Dr. Kroger is one of the original founders of COLA. Douglas A. Beigel has been appointed as Dr. Kroger's successor, effective July 1, 2001.
- COLA announces the revision of The OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Self-Assessment: The COLA Guide to Complying with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Regulations. To order a copy of this booklet, please call 800-981-9883, or visit COLA's website at www.cola.org.
- COLA, announced that they will be organizing next year's 16th Annual Physician Office Laboratory (POL) Symposium which will be held at the Baltimore Washington International (BWI) Airport Marriott from November 1-4, 2001 offering up to 20 hours of Category I CME credits. CEU credits may also be offered.
Sign Up to Volunteer in the Wsma Health Clinic at the State Capitol
The WSMA Legislative Health Clinic located at the Capital provides a unique way for physicians to communicate directly with legislators and promote a positive public image for medicine. It's also a lot of fun! We need physicians to cover the clinic in the morning, Monday through Friday, during the legislative session.
For more information, contact Susan Peterson at the WSMA Olympia office at (360) 352-4848, or (800) 562-4546, or e-mail skp@wsma.org.
WSMA Legislative Summit Set for January 23
Plan now to attend the WSMA Legislative Summit in Olympia on Tuesday, January 23. A full day of activity is planned in our state's capital, including discussions with invited guests: Governor - Gary Locke, DSHS; Secretary - Dennis Braddock; Insurance Commissioner - Mike Kreidler and Labor & Industries Director - Gary Moore.
Also planned is a guided tour of the state Capital, a briefing session for those new to the process and regularly scheduled House and Senate health care committee hearings.
Registration forms have been faxed to all members. The summit is free for members and $160 for non-members. For more information about the summit or to register, contact Susan Peterson at the WSMA Olympia office at
(360) 352-4848, or (800) 562-4546, or e-mail skp@wsma.org.
CME Course
Update in Internal Medicine
Spokane Society of Internal Medicine
51st Annual Scientific Meeting
March 9-10, 2001
- National faculty
- 10 hours of CME applied for at the Spokane Agricultural Trade Center.
Cost:
Physicians/Non-member - $150,
Physician/Member $125,
Associated Professionals & Nurses - $125,
Residents - $40
Contact
Linda Browne,
Spokane Society of Internal Medicine,
PO Box 8443,
Spokane, WA 99203-0443,
(509) 448-2513
Brochures will be mailed January 6, 2001
Washington Chapter Reception
The Washington Chapter ACP-ASIM will host a Reception for the Northwest States at the ACP-ASIM Annual Meeting on Friday, March 30, 2001, in Atlanta, GA, at 6 p.m. We invite all of you to attend!
How to Reach Us
Governor
David C. Dale, MD, FACP
U/W, Dept. of Medicine
Box 356422
Seattle, WA 98105-6422
Phone: (206) 543-7215
Fax: (206) 685-4458
E-mail: dcdale@u.washington.edu
Executive Administrator
Kory Diemert
Washington Chapter ACP-ASIM
2033 Sixth Avenue, Suite 1100
Seattle, WA 98121
Phone: (206) 956-3646
Fax: (206) 441-5863
E-mail: kad@wsma.org
What's New
Contact Information
Carrie Horwitch, MD, FACP
Governor, Washington Chapter
Amanda Miller,
Washington Chapter Staffperson
Phone: 206-956-3650
Fax: 206-441-5863
