The Louisiana State Medical Society was formed in 1878 with the sole purpose of advancing "healthcare in the state of Louisiana. Today our mission is to be the trusted advocate for patients and physicians in the State of Louisiana. Learn more about the history of LSMS here: https://lsms.org/page/History.
DELEGATE HANDBOOK
DELEGATE HANDBOOK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Annual Meeting Schedule
Pgs. 3 – 4
House of Delegates Order of Business
Pg. 5
2024 Resolution Index
Pg. 6
100’s Index: General Business
Pg. 7
Resolutions: 100 ’ s
Pgs. 8 - 30
200’s Index: Legislative
Pg. 31
Resolutions: 200 ’ s
Pgs. 32 - 41
400’s Index: Socioeconomics
Pg. 42
Resolutions: 400 ’ s
Pgs. 43 - 50
2024 Annual Meeting of the LSMS T ENTATIVE S CHEDULE * Thursday, August 1, 2024
Time
Event
Room
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Board of Governors
Jasmine
Past Presidents Advisory Council
Cypress Boardroom
3:00 PM
Exhibitor Set-Up
Azalea Foyer Azalea Foyer
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Welcome Reception with Exhibitors Sponsored by Blue Chip Wealth Advisors
Friday, August 2, 2024
Time
Event
Speaker(s)
Room Foyer
7:00 AM – 3:30 PM 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM CME Session
Registration
Breakfast with Exhibitors Sponsored by Eagle Capital
Foyer/Azalea I
General Session
TBD
Azalea I
Select 1: (A.) Cyber Security & Your Medical Practice (B.) Hormone Replacement Therapy: Marketing vs. Science Select 1: (A.) Negligent Credentialing
Kenneth Rhea, MD
Camellia I
Katherine Williams, MD
Camellia II
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CME Session
Conrad Meyer, JD
Camellia I
Patricia Williams, PhD, DABT
Camellia II
(B.) Forensic Toxicology in Clinical Practice
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM CME Session
Break with Exhibitors
Foyer
Select 1: (A.) 2024 Hot Topics in Healthcare Enforcement
“Beau” Haynes, JD, Matthew Harrell, JD, Courtney Hurtig, JD
Camellia I
Drs. J. Saux & Katherine Williams, Eric Williams, JD
Camellia II
(B.) Environmental Cancers & Birth Defects in LA
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM 1:45 PM – 2:15 PM 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM CME Session 3:15 PM – 3:30 PM 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Inauguration Lunch Dessert with Exhibitors
Azalea I
Azalea Foyer
General Session - Grassroots Advocacy: How to talk to your local legislators
Azalea I
Senator Thomas Pressly
Break
Foyer
Opening Session: House of Delegates
Azalea II and III
Inauguration Party
Grand Lawn
Saturday, August 3, 2024
Time
Event
Room
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM CME Session
Breakfast with Exhibitors Select 1: (A.) A.I. in Medicine: Assistant or Adversary (B.) How to Build and Grow a Successful Private Practice Select 1: (A.) Physician Employment Contracts & Payment Models
Foyer/Azalea I
Kenneth Rhea, MD
Camellia I
Stephen Jones, MD
Camellia II
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM CME Session
Matthew Giglia, MD & Conrad Meyer, JD
Camellia I
Laura McCrary, Ed.D
Camellia II
(B.) The Future of Data- Driven Healthcare
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Break
Foyer
House of Delegates Smores on the Beach
Azalea II and III Baytowne Marina Beach
8 PM
*may be subject to change
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of LAMMICO/Medical Interactive and LSMS. LAMMICO/Medical Interactive is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. LAMMICO/Medical Interactive designates this live activity for a maximum of 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ . Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity based on time in the webinar.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES • FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2024 Order of Business
OPENING SESSION
3:30 PM
1. Call to Order 2. Invocation 3. Pledge of Allegiance 4. Moment of Silence for Deceased LSMS Members 5. Acknowledgement of 50 year physicians 6. Remarks of the Speaker – T. Steen Trawick, MD 7. Report of Credentials Committee 8. Report of the Committee on Rules and Order of Business 9. Remarks of the President – Richard Paddock, MD 10. Approval of the Proceedings of the August 2023 House of Delegates 11. Approval of the Minutes of the Board of Governors
12. Resolutions –
Section 100 – General Business Section 200 – Legislation
13. Resolutions –
Section 400 – SocioEconomics
14. Charter Change Vote
4:30 PM
15. Adoption of the LSMS 2024 Budget
16. Recess
5:30 PM
HOUSE OF DELEGATES • SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2024 Order of Business
1. Call to Order
11:00 AM
2. Continuation of Business
3. Adjournment
1:00 PM
The following items have been approved as official business of the 2024 House of Delegates
100s – General Business
Resolution #
Title
Author
101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109
Directives to be Sunset Policies to Sunset Policies to Reaffirm
Board of Governors Speakers of the House Speakers of the House Board of Governors Board of Governors F. Jeff White, MD Council on Legislation Debbie Fletcher, MD Board of Governors
Interim Policies to Reaffirm Standardization of Sections Code Sets Mandated by CMS
Continued Membership on the LSMS COL
Establishment of a Rural Section
Addition of Vice Speaker to Executive Committee
200s – Legislative
Resolution #
Title
Author
201 202 203 204
GLP Mandate
Medical Student Section Medical Student Section Medical Student Section Medical Student Section
Expansion of Emergency Medicaid
Pediatric RSV Mandate Supervision of NPs and Pas
400s – Socioeconomic
Resolution #
Title
Author
401 402 403
Inclusion of LGBTQIA+ in Medical Schools Underrepresented Students in Medical School Cultural Competence in Medical Education
Medical Student Section Medical Student Section Medical Student Section
100s – General Business
Resolution #
Title
Author
101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109
Directives to be Sunset Policies to Sunset Policies to Reaffirm
Board of Governors Speakers of the House Speakers of the House Board of Governors Board of Governors F. Jeff White, MD Council on Legislation Debbie Fletcher, MD Board of Governors
Interim Policies to Reaffirm Standardization of Sections Code Sets Mandated by CMS
Continued Membership on the LSMS COL
Establishment of a Rural Section
Addition of Vice Speaker to Executive Committee
LOUISIANA STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY
AM 2024 DESTIN
HOUSE OF DELEGATES
RESOLUTION 101
SUBJECT:
Sunset Directives
INTRODUCED BY:
Board of Governors
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the LSMS to sunset directives after two years, or upon completion, therefore be it RESOLVED, that R102-22 (uniformity of medication on Medicaid formulary tiers) be sunset per LSMS policy.
R102-22: Uniformity of medication placement on Medicaid formulary tiers Directs the LSMS to urge the Louisiana Department of Health to require that all companies administering Louisiana Medicaid plans be required to uniformly place drugs in the Medicaid formulary on a specific Tier when requiring a prior authorization. For example, drug XYZ would be on Tier 1 for all companies’ Prior Authorizations, while drug ABC might be on Tier 2 for all companies. This issue was first approved by the House in 2020 and was reaffirmed in 2022 as little to no action was taken between that time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since reaffirmation in 2022, the LSMS has met with LDH and shared the problems related to this issue. However, LDH squarely places the blame with the managed care organizations (MCOs) who administer the state’s Medicaid program, while the MCO’s state that they are following their contracted commitment to the state. At this time, no further action will be taken on this issue.
LOUISIANA STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY
AM 2024 DESTIN
HOUSE OF DELEGATES
RESOLUTION 102
SUBJECT:
LSMS Policies to Sunset
INTRODUCED BY:
Steen Trawick, MD, Speaker Reece Newsome, MD, Vice Speaker
WHEREAS, the LSMS schedules its policies to sunset every five years, and WHEREAS , the following policies are no longer relevant, therefore be it RESOLVED, that the following LSMS policies be sunset
110.01
Health Information - ICD-10 Transparency and Conversion The policy of the LSMS is to oppose the required replacement of the ICD-9CM code set with the ICD- 10CM code set for identifying and reporting diagnosis and procedures and to advocate for the halt of implementation of ICD-10CM due to the gross impediment to patient care ICD-10CM will impose. Authority Note: Added R406-14; reaffirmed R101-19 Eligibility, Benefits & Coverage - Physician Notification of Patients in Health Insurance Exchange Grace Period It shall be the policy of the LSMS that physicians should have meaningful notice from the health insurance issuer when an insured with a qualified health plan purchased with and advance premium tax credit begins the 90-day grace period for failure to pay premiums. Such notice should be provided by a health insurance issuer at any point in which the physician requests information from the health insurance issuer regarding an insured’s eligibility, an insured’s coverage or health plan benefits, or the status of a claim or claims for services provided to an insured. The health insurance issuer should provide such notice in the same manner through which the physician sought the information from the health insurance issuer or through the manner that the physician normally receives claim remittance advice information. Further, the information provided by the health insurance issuer to the physician should be binding on the health insurance issuer and in the event the health insurance issuer provides information which indicates the insured is eligible for services and does not inform the physician that the insured is in the 90 day grace period the health insurance
121.04
issuer should be precluded from recouping payments. Authority Note: Added R401-14; reaffirmed R101-19
LOUISIANA STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY
AM 2024 DESTIN
HOUSE OF DELEGATES
RESOLUTION 103
SUBJECT:
LSMS Policies to Reaffirm
INTRODUCED BY:
Steen Trawick, MD, Speaker Reece Newsome, MD, Vice Speaker
WHEREAS, the LSMS automatically schedules its policies to sunset every five years, and WHEREAS , to keep policies active, the House of Delegates must reaffirm them, therefore be it RESOLVED, that the following LSMS policies be reaffirmed. Health Care Delivery Models - Direct Primary Care The LSMS supports alternative practice models such as Direct Primary Care, which allow physicians to practice medicine in a manner which reduces burdens and administrative overhead created by third party payors. Authority Note: Added R305-14; reaffirmed R101-19 93.01 Retail Health Clinics - Retail Health Clinics 80.01 The LSMS supports the eight guidelines established by the AMA on June 13, 2006 for the operation of in-store Retail Health Clinics. For retail health clinics operating in Louisiana the medical providers of such health clinics, should adhere to the same standard of medical care as other licensed health care providers in the state and be subject to the licensure and oversight authority of the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. The LSMS supports policies which require retail health clinics to disclose in a conspicuous manner the name of the collaborating physician associated with the retail clinic and whether the physician is licensed and domiciled in Louisiana. Any individual, company, or other entity that establishes and/or operates retail clinics should adhere to the following principles: 1) Retail clinics should have a well-defined and limited scope of clinical services, consistent with state scope of practice laws, and 2) Retail clinics should utilize a standard of care derived from evidence-based practice guidelines to insure patient safety and quality of care. Authority Note: R127-06; reaffirmed R101-11; amended R303-14; reaffirmed R101-19 100.10 Health Care Reform - Price Controls The LSMS is opposed to the imposition of price controls in our health care delivery system whether through fee controls, global budgets, expenditure targets, premium caps, percentage of payroll caps or any other method of price controls and supports the establishment of a more effective medical market to achieve cost effectiveness in our health care delivery system.
1
Authority Note: R303-93; reaffirmed R101-03; reaffirmed sub R101-08; reaffirmed R103-13; reaffirmed R101-18; reaffirmed R101-19 121.07 Eligibility, Benefits & Coverage - Reference Pricing The LSMS policy is to advocate for the inclusion of the concept of a schedule of benefits/provider fee schedule system with balance billing as one option in a pluralistic array of choices regardless of whether it is called Benefit Payment Schedule, Reference Pricing, Fixed Indemnity or some other than current name so long as the plan is free to establish its payments, physicians are free to establish their fees and patients and physicians are free to determine how to resolve any difference between payments and fees. Authority Note: Added R408-14; reaffirmed R101-19 124.01 Prescriptions - Regulate and License Pharmacy Benefit Managers in Louisiana The LSMS supports the Louisiana Department of Insurance having oversight regarding the actions of PBMs providing services to Louisianans so that PBMs are held accountable for their actions in the pricing, management and dispensing of medications to Louisianans. Authority Note: R204-19 150.02 Medicaid - Physician Freedom to Accept Medicaid The LSMS opposes any effort to impose a penalty on a physician for declining to accept Medicaid patients. Authority Note: Added R404-14 ; reaffirmed R101-19 170.01 Medical Marijuana - General Policy The policy of the LSMS relative to medical marijuana calls for further adequate and well-controlled studies of marijuana and related cannabinoids in patients who have serious conditions for which preclinical, anecdotal, or controlled evidence suggests possible efficacy and the application of such results to the understanding and treatment of disease. LSMS urges that marijuana’s status as a federal schedule I controlled substance be reviewed with the goal of facilitating the conduct of clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines, and alternate delivery methods. LSMS supports federally developed legislation requiring warning labels on all cannabis products not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for preventing or treating any disease process. Authority Note: Added R205-14; amended R101-19 242.01 Environmental Health - UV Tanning The LSMS supports the FDA warning that UVA tanning booths and sunbeds pose potential significant health risks and should be discouraged. The LSMS endorses an educational campaign regarding the skin health and aging hazards of UVA overexposure, in particular from tanning parlor facilities. The LSMS opposes the use of indoor tanning devices by minors as devices emit UVA and UVB radiation and because overexposure to UV radiation can lead to the development of skin cancer. Authority Note: R36-89; reaffirmed 1999; reaffirmed R101-06; reaffirmed R101-11; amended R301- 14; reaffirmed R101-19
244.01 Obesity - Contending with Obesity The LSMS supports school-based and community programs targeting control of obesity, such as the use of Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements or the use of other generally medically accepted parameters at appropriate ages, with results of the BMI and/or other generally medically accepted parameter be made known to patients and/or the parents or guardians of children with recommendations for referral to medical specialists when and if appropriate. Authority Note: R210-10, 1 st resolve; reaffirmed R103-15, amended and reaffirmed R302-18 245.04 Public Health Education – Suicide Assessment, Intervention and Management The LSMS advocate for the advancement of statewide programs targeted at providing resources that improve public literacy on suicide and prevention. To include: 1. Training in mental health literacy, including (1) recognition of suicide warning signs in patients, (2) preventative steps that can be taken, and (3) proper intervention during an active suicide attempt. 2. A comprehensive suicide prevention program. 3. Peer support programs for youth and the creation of school programs which mitigate suicide risk in adolescents. 4. Support for effective clinical, professional, and community practices which will reduce mental health stigma and aid in identifying individuals at risk for suicide. Authority Note: R303-19 280.11 Tobacco - Increased Tax on Cigarettes The LSMS supports an increase in the state excise tax on tobacco products. Editorial Note: See also Taxes (270) Authority Note: R23-90; amended R101-2000; reaffirmed R101-06; reaffirmed R101-11; amended by R407-14; reaffirmed R101-19
LOUISIANA STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY
AM 2024 DESTIN
HOUSE OF DELEGATES
RESOLUTION 104
SUBJECT:
LSMS Interim Policies to Affirm
INTRODUCED BY:
Steen Trawick, MD, Speaker Reece Newsome, MD, Vice Speaker
WHEREAS, the LSMS House of Delegates is the policy-making body of the society, and WHEREAS , the Board of Governors has the authority to adopt interim policies between meetings of the House, and WHEREAS , any interim policy of the board must be approved by the House, therefore be it RESOLVED, that the following LSMS interim policies be affirmed. Health Care Delivery Models - Direct Primary Care The LSMS supports alternative practice models such as Direct Primary Care, which allow physicians to practice medicine in a manner which reduces burdens and administrative overhead created by third party payors. 1.0 Code of Conduct at LSMS Meetings and Events 80.01 It is the policy of the Louisiana State Medical Society (LSMS) that all attendees of LSMS hosted meetings, events and other activities are expected to exhibit respectful, professional, and collegial behavior during such meetings, events, and activities. Attendees should exercise consideration and respect in their speech and actions, including while making formal presentations to other attendees, and should be mindful of their surroundings and fellow participants. Reporting Violations of the Policy Any persons who believe they have experienced or witnessed conduct in violation of Policy 01, “Code of Conduct at LSMS Meetings and Events” should promptly notify the LSMS President and/or Executive Vice President who will forward the reported, and alleged, violation to the LSMS ad hoc Committee on Conduct. All reported violations of Policy 01, “Code of Conduct at LSMS Meetings and Events” will be investigated by the ad hoc Committee on Conduct. Each reported violation will be promptly and thoroughly investigated. Whenever possible, the ad hoc Committee on Conduct should conduct incident investigations on-site during the event. This allows for immediate action at the event to protect the safety of event participants. If this is not possible, the ad hoc Committee on Conduct may continue to investigate incidents following the event to provide recommendations for action to the Board of Governors. Investigations should consist of structured interviews with the person reporting the incident (the reporter), the person targeted (if they are not the reporter), any witnesses that the reporter or target identifies, and the alleged violator. Based on this investigation, the ad hoc Committee on Conduct will determine whether a violation of the “Code of Conduct at LSMS Meetings and Events” has occurred. Committee on Conduct The LSMS President shall annually appoint 3-5 members of the Board of Governors to serve as the ad hoc Committee on Code of Conduct. The committee shall only meet if a potential issue related to a breach
1
of the conduct policy has been alleged and will take all findings and recommendations to the Board of Governors for disciplinary action unless immediate action is required. Disciplinary Action If the ad hoc Committee on Conduct determines that a violation of the Code of Conduct at LSMS Meetings and Events has occurred, the committee may take immediate action to protect the safety of event participants, which may include having the violator removed from the LSMS meeting, event, or activity without warning or refund. Additionally, if the committee determines that a violation of the “Code of Conduct at LSMS Meetings and Events” has occurred, the committee shall report any such violation to the Board of Governors, together with recommendations as to whether additional commensurate disciplinary and/or corrective actions (beyond those taken on-site at the meeting, event, or activity, if any) are appropriate. The Board of Governors will review all incident reports, perform further investigation (if needed) and recommend any additional commensurate disciplinary and/or corrective action, which may include but is not limited to the following: Prohibiting the violator from attending future LSMS events or activities; Removing the violator from leadership or other roles within LSMS activities; Prohibiting the violator from assuming a leadership or other role in future LSMS activities; Notifying the violator’s sponsoring organization of the actions taken by LSMS; Removal from the membership rolls; Referral to law enforcement. All proceedings of the ad hoc Committee on Code of Conduct should be kept as confidential as practicable. Reports, investigations, and disciplinary actions under Policy 01 Code of Conduct at LSMS Meetings and Events will be kept confidential to the fullest extent possible, consistent with usual business practices. Pursuant to Article XI of the LSMS Bylaws, any member may request an evidentiary hearing
and, if necessary, an appellate review before any final action is taken. Authority Note: Approved as Action of the BOG September 12, 2023.
LSMS Statement on the Term “Provider” The Louisiana State Medical Society (LSMS) opposes the use of the term provider as a substitute for the term physician or to imply non-physician clinicians are the equivalent of physicians. The generic terms health care providers or providers is inadequate to describe the extensive education and qualifications of physicians licensed to practice medicine in Louisiana. Additionally, the LSMS in its official publications, discussions, announcements, communications, and documents, etc., will work to eliminate the use of the word provider when referring to nonphysicians, instead referring to them more accurately by the educational degree(s) and titles that they obtained. The LSMS acknowledges that the use of the term provider is acceptable when broadly used to mean a professional who directly provides health care
2.0
services or to mean facilities or institutions which provide health care. Authority Note: Approved as Action of the BOG September 12, 2023.
LOUISIANA STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY
AM 2024
HOUSE OF DELEGATES
DESTIN
RESOLUTION 105
Standardization of LSMS Sections for Efficiency and Effectiveness
SUBJECT:
Board of Governors
INTRODUCED BY:
WHEREAS , the LSMS seeks to enhance its efforts to recruit and retain members, while simultaneously becoming more effective and efficient as an organization when servicing its members, and
WHEREAS , enhanced communication, and consistent messaging, across all membership categories and sections is essential to positive experiences and future growth, and
WHEREAS , the LSMS has historically treated some membership categories and special interest sections as one entity, which is fragmented and confusing, and
WHEREAS , in 2023 the LSMS House consolidated the LSMS Bylaws language regarding its sections so that there was consistency between all of them, and
WHEREAS , since 2023 additional changes have been identified that would greatly enhance the organization’s ability to better recruit and retain certain members, while also increasing the effectiveness and efficiently of the society’s special interest sections, therefore be it RESOLVED , that the LSMS should better define its resident, fellow and medical student membership categories so that they are not the equivalent to the Resident and Fellow Section and the Medical Student Section, and be it further
RESOLVED , that all sections follow the operating procedures outlined by the Board of Governors as documented in the LSMS Council, Committee, and Section Handbook, and be it further
RESOLVED , that section members may voluntarily pay special assessments as established within the LSMS Bylaws to be applied directly to the activities of the section, and be it further
RESOLVED , that to increase communication and enhance the visibility of LSMS sections, the chair of each section will serve on the LSMS Board of Governors, and the vice chair of each section will serve on the LSMS Council on Legislation, and be it further RESOLVED , that Article IV (Membership Categories), Article XII (House of Delegates), and Article XV (Sections) of the LSMS Bylaws be amended, as follows, by addition and deletion to accommodate these proposed changes.
Article IV – Member Category
Section 5 - Resident Members
A.
Qualifications - a resident member 1. Must fulfill the general qualifications of membership as specified in Article III Subsection A of these bylaws, except that the resident need not be fully licensed to practice medicine by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners; and 2. Must be serving an internship or residency program in a Louisiana hospital approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education; and 3. Must be a member of the Resident Section.
B.
Rights - a resident member is entitled to full parliamentary and societal rights.
C.
Obligations - a resident member 1. Must fulfill the general obligations of membership as specified in Article III Subsection E of these bylaws; and 2. Shall pay full dues in an amount determined from time to time by the House of Delegates, but shall pay no special assessments. and may pay special assessments.
Section 7 - Medical Student Members
A.
Qualifications - a medical student member 1. Must be a medical student, in good standing, in a medical school in Louisiana, which has been approved by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation; or a medical student, in good standing, at the University of Queensland
in Australia and training at Ochsner Health System; 2. Must be a member of the Medical Student Section; 2. 3. Must be of good ethical and moral character; 3. 4.
Need not hold a degree of Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy; and Need not be licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.
4. 5.
B. Rights - a medical student member 1. Is entitled to full parliamentary and societal rights except for the right to hold office and the right to vote at general membership meetings; 2. May vote at meetings of those Louisiana State Medical Society committees or House of Delegates committees of which the medical student he is member; and 3. Shall have the right to vote in the House of Delegates of the Louisiana State Medical Society if he or she is a delegate to the House of Delegates. Must comply with the bylaws and other rules of the Louisiana State Medical Society; 2. 3. Must comply with the principles of medical ethics adopted by the House of Delegates of the Louisiana State Medical Society; and 3. 4. Shall pay full dues in an amount determined from time to time by the House of Delegates, but shall pay no special assessments. and may pay special assessments. Article XII – House of Delegates (A)(11) Five delegates from the Medical Student Section, with one delegate representing each of the approved medical schools as delineated in Article IX (Membership Sections), Section 7 and one additional delegate for each 100 members of the medical student section members of the LSMS, or fraction thereof. C. Obligations - a medical student member 1. Must maintain membership in the Medical Student Section; 1 . 2.
Article XV – Sections A Section is a formal group of physicians or medical students identified and authorized in these bylaws for the purpose of directly providing representation to a group who have common interests and/or needs related to professional lifecycle, practice setting, or demographics. Sections are defined in the Glossary and shall be established by the House of Delegates. A. Listing 1. Young Physician Section 2. Resident and Fellow Section 3. Medical Student Section 4. Employed Physician Section 5. Private Practice Section B. Members A member of a section must meet the eligibility requirements for the Section as defined in the Glossary and be a member of the Louisiana State Medical Society as outlined in Article III of these bylaws. Potential members will be notified regarding eligibility criteria as defined in the Glossary and will have the ability to opt into the appropriate Section and may incur special assessments as delineated in Article IV of these Bylaws. Any special assessment collected by a section will be utilized solely for the benefit of the section. C. Duties Sections provide a direct means for membership segments to: 1. Participate in the policymaking efforts of the Society, 2. Enhance LSMS outreach and communication, 3. Promote membership in the LSMS 4. Facilitate the development of information and educational activities on topics of interest, which must be approved by the Board of Governors. D. Delegates to the House of Delegates of the LSMS Each section shall receive delegate representation in the LSMS House of Delegates as delineated in Article XII of these bylaws. Each delegate shall have the right to vote and shall be elected to a term of one (1) year. E. Organization Sections shall be organized in accordance with the se bylaws and must follow the operating procedures outlined by the Board of Governors as documented in the LSMS Council, Committee, and Section Handbook. bylaws and will follow the adopted by each Section. These bylaws Any changes to the Handbook and /or other rules must be approved by the Board of Governors of the Louisiana State Medical Society and must not conflict with the rules, policies, or procedures of the LSMS. F. Officers The individual elected as the section representative to the Board of Governors as outlined in Article VIII, Section A of these bylaws will serve as the chair of the section. The individual elected as the section representative to the Council on Legislation as outlined in Article IX, Section A of these bylaws will serve as the vice chair of the section. Each Section shall elect a Governing Council to direct any programs and/or activities of the section, which shall require approval of the Board of Governors. The Governing Council shall consist of a chair, vice-chair, chair-elect, secretary and other appropriate officers deemed necessary by the section.
G. Meetings
Sections shall meet as defined in the LSMS Council, Committee and Section Handbook. at least once a year to conduct the business of the Section. The purposes of the business meeting shall be:
1. to hear such reports as may be appropriate. 2. to consider other business and vote upon such matters as may come before the section. 3. to discuss resolutions. 4. to hold elections for officers and discuss nominations for LSMS Board of Governors and Council on Legislation. H. Reports Each Section may submit a quarterly at the Annual Meeting an informational report detailing the activities and programs of the Section during the previous quarter for review by the board of governors year.
***************************************************************************
Glossary
Young Physician Section. Members must be under 40 years of age or within the first five (5) years of professional practice after completion of residency and fellowship training programs.
Resident and Fellow Section. Members must be a resident member as defined in Article IV, Subsection 5 of these bylaws.
Medical Student Section. Members must be a medical student member as defined in Article IV, Subsection 7 of these bylaws.
Private Practice Physician Section. Members practice medicine in a setting in which the practice and the physician are independent of external control other than medical ethics and the state licensing board.
Employed Physician Section. Members practice medicine in a setting in which the practice and the physician are controlled externally versus by the practice or the physician other than medical ethics and the state licensing board.
***************************************************************************
LSMS Councils, Committees, and Sections Handbook
Introduction Welcome to one of the most important opportunities available to you as a member of the Louisiana State Medical Society. Councils, Committees, and Sections are the work groups of the Society that address the obstacles that organized medicine faces. For this reason, they are extremely important to the profession and to public health as the direction, activities, and programs of the LSMS are developed through these work groups. It is a privilege to serve your profession and community through appointment or election to one of your State Medical Society’s councils, committees, or sections.
The purpose of this handbook is to provide guidelines and information that may help make your role as the Chair or member easier and more productive. It is designed to assist you in better understanding the work group process of the LSMS and enhance your contributions to the profession through council, committee, or section service. The information contained herein applies to councils and committees described in Article IX and X of the LSMS Bylaws; sections described in Article XV of the LSMS Bylaws, and ad hoc committees appointed by the President. Appointments and Elections The Bylaws of the Society provide for how members participate in a LSMS council, committee, or section. Members may either be elected or appointed following the appropriate procedures outlined within the LSMS Bylaws. Both elected and appointed members are expected to perform the functions necessary for the operation of the Society.
Councils - all members of a LSMS council are elected as delineated in the LSMS Bylaws. Standing councils include:
▪
Council on Legislation
Committees - all members of a LSMS standing committee are appointed as delineated in the LSMS Bylaws. Standing committees include:
▪ Medical/Legal Interprofessional Committee ▪ Budget and Finance ▪ Charter and Bylaws ▪ Nominating and Leadership Development
Ad Hoc Committees - all members of LSMS Ad Hoc Committees are appointed by the president of the society.
Sections - all members of a LSMS Section proactively chose to participate in the section and may have been assessed special fees. LSMS sections include: ▪ Medical Student Section ▪ Resident and Fellow Section ▪ Young Physician Section ▪ Private Practice Physician Section ▪ Employed Physician Section Meetings – staffing and services Meetings are usually held at the Society’s Headquarters. Meetings may be scheduled at other locations or held via Zoom. The LSMS Executive Vice President or Vice President of Administration and Finance must approve meeting locations other than at LSMS Headquarters or via Zoom. Whenever possible, meetings are scheduled to avoid conflicts with other meetings and Society activities. The Executive Vice President assigns executive and administrative staff to each council, committee, or section for assistance in carrying out its duties. To the extent possible, the staff liaison will meet with the council, committee, or section and it is to the Chair’s advantage to know and work closely with the assigned staff liaison. The staff of the Society is available as a resource. Such support includes scheduling of meetings, preparation of correspondence, duplication of materials for the meeting, duplication of the minutes, and whatever other assistance is determined necessary within the LSMS Budget and capabilities of the staff. Chairs, however, are expected to dictate meeting agendas and correspondence generated by the committee. All communications of a council, committee, or section should be channeled through the Society’s office.
Copies of all official correspondence and records of the meetings shall be maintained at Society Headquarters.
Meetings – scheduling and frequency Meetings of all councils, committees, or sections are at the call of the Chair and must be scheduled through the LSMS Headquarters. Arrangements for the meeting should be made through the staff liaison assigned to the council, committee, or section. The staff liaison will be responsible for ensuring the proper notification and materials are forwarded to the council, committee, or section members. According to LSMS Bylaws, all councils, committees, and sections are to meet annually or, as required. The number of members, frequency, and length of each meeting will vary widely between each council, committee, or section depending upon the nature and extent of the meeting. One-third of the members shall constitute a quorum, and no official business may be conducted in the absence of a quorum. Minutes The LSMS Bylaws require that all duly constituted bodies of the Society which hold meetings record accurate minutes of all the proceedings. Accurate, concise, and complete minutes are of vital importance to any organization. They are the official history and permanent record of the decisions of the members and are a valuable research reference. Minutes shall not be made public except as authorized at the discretion of the Board of Governors or House of Delegates. To assist in the preparation of minutes, the staff liaison will record the proceedings of the meeting and draft minutes for review by the Chair. After a review by the Chair, the minutes are approved by the council, committee, or section and a copy furnished to the Secretary/Treasurer of the Board of Governors. In general, minutes are a record of all actions taken during a duly constituted meeting but not a record of discussion. The minutes record all motions or resolutions and the disposition of each motion. The exact wording of all motions should be recorded. No member can have his/her views or protests on a motion recorded in the minutes unless a motion permitting such action is passed by majority vote. Reporting Channels In general, the Society’s policies and programs are established by the House of Delegates through resolutions submitted by the Board of Governors, councils or committees, affiliated societies, or other delegates. Conversely, requests for action, investigation, or reports may be referred by the President, Board of Governors, or House of Delegates to the appropriate LSMS council, committee, or section for deliberation and recommendation. Councils, committees, or sections are the primary focus of deliberation in their areas of expertise and recommend actions, when necessary, to the Board of Governors and House of Delegates. Work Product Councils, committees, or sections MAY NOT TAKE INDEPENDENT ACTION that commits the LSMS or creates policy of the Society. Their recommendations are routed through the Board of Governors for review and appropriate action; however, they may submit resolutions directly to the House of Delegates, which must be submitted in accordance with the LSMS Bylaws. Any council, committee, or section activity requiring Society funding or underwriting must first be reviewed by the Budget and Finance Committee before submission to the Board of Governors or House of Delegates.
The House of Delegates is ultimately responsible to the membership. Thus each member of a council, committee, or section has the opportunity to help shape policy and develop programs, which are considered and perhaps refined at several organizational levels, for the benefit of the Society as a whole.
Conflict of Interest or Bias Because of the wide variety of matters considered by councils, committees, or sections it is possible that an item of business assigned to them could involve a conflict of interest with one or more members. In such circumstances, the member(s) involved in a potential conflict of interest should bring this fact to the attention of the Chair so that a proper decision can be made as to best handle the situation. No officer of the Society or member of a council, committee, or section acting as an officer or a member of a council, committee, or section may undertake an obligation, which favors his private interest above his duty as an officer or member of a council, committee, or section. This definition in no way restricts the right of members to earn a livelihood within the scope of the principles of medical ethics, provided that their personal interests do not conflict with their duties as a council, committee, or section member. Confidentiality of Information Some of the Society’s councils, committees, or sections may, on occasion, deal with matters of doctor - patient relationships and other items of a sensitive nature. During these discussions the council, committee, or section may receive information not ordinarily available or considered privileged under the basic principle of the doctor-patient relationship. Confidentially deliberations and findings are important parts of claiming protection from liability under appropriate Louisiana statutes. It should be noted that discussion of this information outside of the meeting could possibly compromise the confidentiality and/or discoverability of the information. Generally, any sensitive material should never be discussed or reproduced outside of the council, committee, or section meeting. Per Article XXXIV of the LSMS Bylaws, the members of the Board of Governors and the members of all LSMS Councils and Committees shall be required to sign a confidentiality agreement with the Louisiana State Medical Society. Section members are not required to sign and file the agreement. The confidentiality agreement is as follows: “I, ________________the unde rsigned member of the (insert applicable Board, Council, or Committee) of the Louisiana State Medical Society (the “Society”), hereby acknowledge and affirm that I have read, understand and will observe and abide by the policies of the Society regarding confidential and privileged information as adopted by the Board of Governors and as set forth in the manual on Procedures of the Board of Governors.” LSMS Council or Committee members who are removed by the President for violations of the confidentiality agreement shall have the right of appeal to the LSMS Board of Councilors. The decision of the Board of Councilors shall be final and not subject to further appeal. If the council or committee member who has been removed is also a member of the Board of Councilors, he or she shall recuse themselves from voting on their appeal. Use of Medical Society Letterhead Stationery having the name and address of the Louisiana State Medical Society shall be used only for official business of the Society.
In order to preserve the integrity and professional image of the Society, the following guidelines are established for the use of the Society’s official stationery:
Who May Use the LSMS Letterhead :
▪ Elected officers of the Society in discharging their official duties. ▪ Council, Committee, or Section Chairs and members of the councils, committees, or sections. ▪ The staff of the Society in carrying out the official business and policies of the Society.
Guidelines :
▪ All correspondence should reflect the professional image of the Society. ▪ No policy statement shall be made that is not in accordance with the official policies established by the House of Delegates or the Board of Governors. ▪ No general or mass mailings shall be made by councils, committees, or sections without the approval of the Board of Governors. ▪ All correspondence shall be routed through the executive offices of the Society. ▪ Questions on the advisability, content or tenor of any correspondence shall be referred by the Executive Staff to the President of the Society. Travel and Expenses For in person meetings, the LSMS will reimburse travel expenses at the equivalent of round-trip auto mileage if the distance to the meeting is greater than twenty-five miles from your home city. Mileage is computed according to the official mileage table of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development from the member’s home city to the location of the meeting and is reimbursed at the current mileage rate approved by the Internal Revenue Service. Coach airfare may be substituted if auto travel is not feasible due to the distance involved. Also, in cases where the distance to the meeting requires overnight arrangements, the LSMS will reimburse for one night hotel accommodations and meals up to the current per diem established by the Board of Governors. Members are responsible for making their own travel and lodging arrangements. Guidelines for Council, Committee, or Section Chairs Your success as a council, committee, or section Chair will be greatly enhanced by close coordination with the LSMS staff. By keeping the Society staff informed and familiar with your planned activities and agenda items, your staff liaison will be able to advise you more effectively and prepare more efficiently for meetings.
All communications concerning council, committee, or section activity should be channeled through the staff liaison.
Your success as Chair will greatly depend upon your ability to preside over and guide the meetings to appropriate action. The following general rules should provide some helpful guidelines:
▪ Know and practice parliamentary procedure. The LSMS uses “Sturgis Stand Code of Parliamentary Procedure.”
▪ Always start the meeting on time and with a definite agenda. The whole purpose of an agenda is to save time and keep the meeting on course; do not waste time by digressing from it without good and sufficient reason.
▪ Keep the meeting moving; interest lags when action lags. Get as much participation as you can but encourage responses to be short and to the point.
▪ Speak clearly. If you cannot be heard, you cannot exercise control. If you have a low speaking voice, ask for silence before you speak.
▪ Insist on order. When general, simultaneous discussions ensue, no one can be heard, and nothing can be accomplished.
▪ Ensure that members respect the person who has the privilege of the floor. Side conversations are rude, disrupt the meeting, and accomplish nothing.
▪ Make sure each individual who takes the floor talks clearly and audibly; interrupt if you must and have him or her repeat what was said if you suspect that someone may not have heard it.
▪ When guests are invited to meet with or provide presentations ensure that they know the purpose for their attendance and that members treat those guests with utmost respect. Rude behavior to others is a poor reflection on you, the council/committee, and the LSMS.
▪ Stop aimless discussion by interrupting and bring focus back to the subject.
▪ Encourage full discussion of all sides of an issue but ensure that the discussion does not become uncontrolled and unproductive. Clarify issues, obtain a consensus when possible and then move on.
▪ Do not argue with the individual who has the floor. Ask questions if you disagree but remember as the presiding officer you are to be fair and impartial.
▪ There may dissenters on some subjects. Ask them to summarize their convictions in a direct statement. This permits a more thorough examination of an idea that could be constructive when completely understood. ▪ Aimless discussions may arise on subjects that require study or research. Stop them with the suggestion that a group be appointed to review the subject. This is one of the best ways of keeping a meeting on target.
▪ Hurriedly passed motions do not usually receive the consideration they deserve. Better to table them to the next meeting than to pass a motion you will regret later.
▪ Check at the end of the meeting to see if members feel that particular subjects have been properly covered.
▪ Make sure that members understand any assignments for action or responsibility for future meetings.
Guidelines for Council, Committee, or Section Members Your Chair is faced with a demanding job and has the responsibility of presiding at your meetings and guiding them in such a way that decisions are reached and positive action taken.
As a member of a council, committee, or section your job is important and you can assist in making the meetings as successful as possible by observing the following suggestions:
▪ When an agenda and meeting materials are issued prior to the meeting, review them carefully. If there is any item on it you do not completely understand, then contact the Chair or staff liaison and ask them to brief you.
▪ During the meeting, stick to the agenda. Offering subjects for discussion not appearing on the agenda impedes the meeting. Wait until the Chair asks for discussion of business not appearing on the agenda.
▪ Understand the purpose of the meeting and determine in advance how you are going to contribute.
▪ Keep your responses short and to the point. Provide concise and complete summations. You are not there to deliver an oration.
▪ When you speak, do it clearly in a voice everyone can hear. Make certain everyone is listening.
▪ Be respectful of the speaker who has the floor. Offer disagreements or comments only at the appropriate time. If you have a comment, ask for the floor rather than interrupting the speaker or holding a disruptive side conversation.
▪ If you have a specific assignment or responsibility be sure you understand it and any deadlines which may be involved.
▪ Be respectful of guests participating in your meeting.
In summary, it’s the hope of the LSMS that the foregoing inform ation will be of help to you as a council, committee, or section chair or member in carrying out the important functions of your council, committee, or section. As you become familiar with the Society’s structure – the duties, goals and procedures of your council, committee, or section the reporting channels and the support available from the Society office and staff – your responsibility and job will be much easier and rewarding. The opportunity for you to participate in council, committee, or section work will enhance your feelings of contributing to the profession and cultivate pride in your Society. Council or committee work serves as an excellent “training ground” for the Society’s future leaders.
HAVE A SUCCESSFUL AND PRODUCTIVE MEETING!
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software