2007 Interim Meeting Speakers' Letter

The Speakers' Letter
2007 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates
November 10-13
Honolulu

From:
Jeremy A. Lazarus, MD, Speaker
Andrew W. Gurman, MD, Vice Speaker

To: Delegates, Alternate Delegates
Presidents, State Medical Societies and National Medical Specialty Societies
Executive Directors, State Medical Societies, National Medical Specialty Societies,
AMWA, AOA, NMA, Professional Interest Medical Associations
and Sections and Special Groups

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Your Speakers want to inform you of plans for the upcoming Interim Meeting in Honolulu. Please call (312) 464-4463, send an e-mail to hod@ama-assn.org or visit  the Web site if you have questions regarding any of the following items or questions on American Medical Association (AMA) policy.

House of Delegates schedule
The 2007 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates (HOD) will meet November 10-13 in Honolulu. The AMA-HOD will convene at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10, in the Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu. Your Speakers ask that delegates arrive and be seated by 2:45 p.m., as we intend to convene promptly at 3 p.m. The Opening Session is scheduled to conclude by 5:30 p.m. On Sunday Nov. 11, the AMA-HOD will be in session 8:30-9 a.m. to receive items of business, consider acceptance of late resolutions, and extract informational reports and items from the reaffirmation consent calendar. The following Reference Committees will convene open hearings at 9 a.m. on Sunday, after the "Second Opening" session:

Reference Committee on Amendments to Constitution and Bylaws - Room 315
Reference Committee F (AMA Finance and Governance) Kalakaua - Ballroom
Reference Committee J (Advocacy in the Public Sector) - Room 312
Reference Committee K (Advocacy in the Private Sector) - Room 311
Reference Committee L (Legislative Advocacy) - Room 316B-C

The AMA-HOD will reconvene at 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 12, and 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13. The AMA HOD will adjourn by noon on Tuesday. Your Speakers strongly urge delegates to schedule departures in the afternoon of Tuesday, so that they can give full consideration to the important business debated on Tuesday.

Note: All events are at the Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu, unless otherwise indicated.

Please allow 15-30 minutes travel time (whether walking or using the shuttle bus)
between the Hilton Hawaiian Village and the convention center.

Meeting details and reminders

Registration
Registration facilities will be maintained in the lobby of the Hawaii Convention Center for delegates, alternate delegates, officers, executives of state and county medical associations and national medical specialty societies, section members, other meeting attendees and invited guests. Registration will open at noon on Thursday, Nov. 8, and daily at 7 a.m. from Friday, Nov. 9, through Tuesday, Nov. 13. In order to facilitate the registration process, emergency contact cards have been mailed to you in advance. To avoid delays in gaining entrance to the Opening Session, your Speakers suggest that you complete the cards when you arrive at your hotel and bring them with you to the convention center when you register. We also suggest that you plan to register earlier in the day.

The Hawaii Convention Center
Security: The Hawaii Convention Center will be open one hour prior to and one hour after scheduled meeting sessions. To gain access to the convention center before or after these hours, you will need to present your meeting badge and personal identification to the guard stationed at the lobby entrance. Entry will be granted to those displaying an appropriate AMA badge.

Shuttle buses: Shuttle buses to the convention center will depart from the Hilton Hawaiian Village Tapa Tower bus depot. Attendees will receive a walking map to the convention center and a list of shuttle bus times when they check-in at the Hilton. The preliminary shuttle bus hours of operation are:

11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8
5:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9
5 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10
5 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 11
6 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 12
5:30 a.m.-close of the AMA-HOD, Tuesday, Nov. 13

On Friday and Sunday evenings extended van service will be available for those involved with reference committee report preparation. This service will be available until 3 a.m. each night from both the convention center and the Hilton Hawaiian Village Tapa Tower.

Refreshments: A refreshment stand will be available on the third floor concourse 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday-Tuesday. Basic breakfast items and sandwich/salad lunch items will be available for individual purchase for those not involved in scheduled meal functions. Snack items will also be available.

Distribution of nonbusiness items
The "Not for Official Business" bag contains small gifts and other informational material approved by the Speakers. It is distributed to the delegates in the reserved section for the Opening Session. Material for distribution to the AMA-HOD in the not-for-official-business bag should be delivered to the AMA Headquarters Office in the Hawaii Convention Center by 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, and addressed to the attention of Neville Brown. We require 700 copies of each item.

Campaign rules, procedures, and announcements
Your Speakers wish to remind the AMA-HOD of the rules and procedures governing campaigns for AMA offices. No formal campaign activities are permitted during the Interim Meeting. However, an announcement of candidacy can be placed on the delegate tables the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 13, provided the candidate did not place an announcement out at the Annual Meeting or mail an announcement out prior to the Interim Meeting. Visit the Web site for complete campaign rules and election procedures online. Of course, we are happy to entertain individual questions at any time.

Business casual dress
Your Speakers have determined that the dress code for this meeting of the AMA-HOD will be business casual. That means long- or short-sleeved shirts with collars for men and dresses or blouses with skirts or slacks for women. Jackets and sweaters are optional and ties are not required. Those seated at the head tables during general sessions of the AMA-HOD, including Reference Committees, are requested to wear business attire when in front of the AMA-HOD.

Meeting focus on advocacy
Pursuant to Policy G-600.052 the Interim Meeting is focused on advocacy issues. A resolution committee made up of 27 delegates from the AMA councils, sections, and special groups considers each resolution and recommends that the item be considered or not considered at the Interim Meeting. Items that meet the following definition of advocacy, that are considered urgent or that concern ethical issues are recommended for acceptance.

Active use of communication and influence with public and private sector entities responsible for making decisions that directly affect physician practice, payment for physician services, funding and regulation of education and research, and access to and delivery of medical care.

Citations in resolutions
Your Speakers wish to remind you of Resolution 611, which was adopted at the 2007 Annual Meeting. The resolution encourages the inclusion of citations for facts and supporting statements found in resolutions whenever possible in order to facilitate review and discussion of resolutions by members of the AMA-HOD.

Conflict-of-interest policy
Sponsors of resolutions to the AMA-HOD are reminded that Policy G 600.060 calls on delegates introducing an item of business to declare any commercial or financial conflict of interest at the time the resolution is submitted and that any such conflict of interest be noted on the printed resolution.

The Speakers have determined that this policy also applies to resolutions introduced by delegations. The sponsoring delegation must disclose the identity of any delegate or alternate delegate who has a commercial or financial interest with respect to matters addressed in the resolution. If there is a disclosed conflict, the notation on the resolution will not contain an individual delegate's name, but will state in substance that, "In accordance with House policy regarding disclosure of conflicts of interest, the delegation has notified the Speaker that one or more delegates has a commercial or financial conflict of interest with respect to the matters addressed in this resolution." For resolutions already submitted, please notify the AMA Office of House of Delegates Affairs. A revised resolution containing the conflict of interest statement will be printed and distributed.

A-07 Proceedings
The Proceedings of the House of Delegates from the 2007 Annual Meeting have been posted in downloadable format on the AMA Web site and are available upon request on CD-ROM in Microsoft Word format. Please e-mail hod@ama-assn.org to obtain a CD-ROM version of the A-07 Proceedings. In addition, the A-07 edition of PolicyFinder is available on the AMA Web site. Approval of the minutes from the 2007 Annual Meeting is an action item at the Opening Session of the AMA-HOD.

Prioritization of the Council on Science and Public Health reports
The AMA Council on Science and Public Health has prioritized its assignments from the AMA-HOD for reports due at the 2008 Annual Meeting. Visit the Web site where the council's priority ranking is available.

Electronic copies of reports from the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs and the Council on Science and Public Health
By AMA-HOD action, some of the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs and the Council on Science and Public Health reports are not posted on the AMA Web site because reports cannot be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals if the reports are widely distributed prior to submission. The Council on Science and Public Health has prepared two reports for the Interim Meeting, and both are posted on the Web site. The Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs has determined that five of its reports should not be posted to the Web site. Therefore, Reports 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are not available on the Web. E-mail hod@ama-assn.org to request electronic copies of these reports. To protect possible future publication, reports transmitted to members of the AMA-HOD must not be redistributed.

Wireless capability in at the Interim Meeting
One of the benefits of the Hawaii Convention Center is the availability of wireless Internet access throughout the facility, including the reference committee rooms on Sunday morning. Access to the network, which has proved helpful to a number delegates, is intended to provide delegates who wish to "go paperless" with access to the AMA Web site to download materials, including reference committee reports. Only a limited number of concurrent users will be able to access the Internet at any given time, but based on previous usage patterns, we should be able to accommodate delegates' needs. Please use this capability only for reasons related to AMA HOD business—downloading materials from the AMA Web site, checking policy on AMA PolicyFinder, and the like. Details on accessing the network will be provided at the convention center.

Because the reference committee reports are not actions of the AMA-HOD, they will be on the members-only section of the AMA Web site. Accessing the members-only Web site requires a user name and password, which you should set up and test before arriving in Honolulu. If you encounter any difficulty in setting up or testing your members-only access, you may contact AMA Member Relations by e-mail at mosupport@ama-assn.org or by calling (800) 262-3211, 8:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. central time, Monday through Friday. Please contact AMA Member Relations before the Interim Meeting gets underway for better service. Support will not be available in the AMA staff area during the meeting.

Registry of retiring delegates and retiring medical executives
At the Interim Meeting, the Speaker will recognize delegates and alternate delegates who are retiring from the AMA-HOD, as well as medical society executives who are retiring. A registry will be published and distributed during the meeting. Please let the AMA Headquarters Office know who should be included in this listing before noon on Friday, Nov. 9. Names may be faxed to (312) 464-4505 or e-mailed to hod@ama-assn.org prior to Nov. 2.

Special recognition of delegations and individuals
Per action of the AMA-HOD at the 2002 Annual Meeting, your Speakers will be acknowledging those delegations and individual delegates and alternate delegates who have developed mechanisms for sharing information and soliciting input on important issues. If you or your delegation has developed a particularly effective way of communicating with your constituents regarding AMA policies and activities, please let us know by e-mailing the AMA Office of House of Delegates Affairs at hod@ama-assn.org with a description of your activities.

On-site medical emergencies
The AMA provides for stand-by paramedics and an ambulance during the hours that the AMA-HOD and the reference committees are in session. The paramedics are stationed in the AMA staff office area in Exhibit Hall II. They also can be contacted by a convention center extension that will be available at the meeting from the AMA Headquarters Office in Exhibit Hall II or at the AMA registration desk. After hours, call convention center security by dialing "0" or extension 3000.

Additionally, the convention center has a first aid station staffed by a registered nurse affiliated with Straub Clinic and Hospital. The first aid station, located on the fourth floor adjacent to the roof garden will be open during the following hours:

Noon-9 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8
7 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9
7 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10
8 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 11
7 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday, Nov. 12
8 a.m.-close of the AMA-HOD, Tuesday, Nov. 13

Guide to House of Delegates meetings
Delegates and alternate delegates are reminded that information on AMA-HOD meetings and procedures is available on the AMA Web site. Both the Procedures of the House of Delegates and the Guide to House of Delegates Meetings can be found at the Web site, under the heading "Information About the House of Delegates." This information may be particularly helpful to new members of the AMA-HOD.This information may be particularly helpful to new members of the AMA-HOD. In this vein, your Speakers would call your attention to Council on Constitution and Bylaws Report 3, which will afford members an opportunity to suggest changes in procedures or revisions for the guide.

Survey of the House of Delegates
Included with this Speakers' Letter is a brief summary of the results from the survey of the AMA-HOD that was conducted in September. Your Speakers wish to thank all those who responded to the survey and ask that everyone be alert for future surveys as we try to understand the wishes of members of the AMA-HOD and consider implementing changes favored by most. We would also note that many potential changes will require action by the AMA-HOD. As always, we are happy to entertain questions, suggestions or just conversation.

Meetings and caucuses

OSMAP
The Organization of State Medical Association Presidents (OSMAP) will hold its general session 2-5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9, in the Tapa I Ballroom (second floor, Tapa Tower) at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. No pre-registration is required. All presidents-elect are especially encouraged to attend.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS: Please note that invitations are not being mailed to individual physicians. Please pass this invitation on to those in current leadership as well as past presidents and AMA delegates who are eligible to be members of OSMAP and who are or may be planning to attend the AMA Interim Meeting.

For additional information and reference, visit the Web site where the OSMAP and the Forum for Medical Affairs now share a Web site. Updated information concerning both of these organizations will be placed on this site for future meetings. If you have questions, please contact Brian Foy, OSMAP executive director, by e-mail (bfoy11@cox.net).

Surgical Caucus of the AMA
The Surgical Caucus of the AMA (SCAMA) will meet 1-2:45 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10, in Room 320 at the Hawaii Convention Center. A short business session will focus on review of AMA resolutions and reports, SCAMA officer reports, and caucus elections. In addition, an education session is being sponsored that will focus on making sense of The Joint Commission. Speakers include William Jacott, MD, special advisor for professional relations, The Joint Commission; and J. James Rohack, MD, member of the AMA Board of Trustees and member of the Board of Commissioners, The Joint Commission. The speakers will describe the evolution of The Joint Commission from the past into the present and the envisioned future; explain The Joint Commission standard-setting process; and articulate ways that surgeons and other physicians can influence The Joint Commission standard-setting.

The American College of Surgeons is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American College of Surgeons designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Speaker to Speaker
The Speakers will sponsor a speaker-to-speaker session 3:30-5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 11, in Room 308B at the convention center. All federation speakers and others with responsibility for chairing large meetings are invited to participate in an informal discussion of parliamentary procedure and common problems encountered. The AMA Speaker and Vice Speaker will preside and provide opportunities for questions and answers.

Education Sessions

Several education sessions have been arranged for the Interim Meeting. In keeping with Policy H-300.959, which calls for the AMA to promote physician participation in the AMA Physician's Recognition Award (PRA) and for all physicians to participate in the PRA as a visible demonstration of their commitment to continuing medical education (CME), we encourage all members of the AMA-HOD to apply for the award and be recognized for participation in CME. Contact Jeanette Harmon at jeanette.harmon@ama-assn.org for more information.

The American Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. In this listing, sessions preceded by an asterisk (*) are designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

Educational implications of the medical home concept
From 1 to 3:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9, in the Tapa 3 Ballroom of the Hilton Hawaiian Village, the AMA Council on Medical Education will host a panel presentation and group discussion on opportunities and challenges for "Medical education in the medical home." Panelists include Richard Pan, MD, council chair and interim director of the pediatrics residency program at the University of California, Davis; Norman B. Kahn Jr., MD, vice president for science and education at the American Academy of Family Physicians; and Christine Kelso, MD, assistant professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego.

Litigation Center
The AMA Litigation Center will hold an open meeting from 8 to 9:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 12, in Room 315 at the Hawaii Convention Center. The meeting will discuss current developments in several significant lawsuits affecting physicians and patients.

Council on Legislation open forum
The AMA Council on Legislation will hold a one-hour forum on Monday, November 12, at 8:00 a.m. in Room 317B.   The objective of the forum is to afford members of the House of Delegates with the opportunity to become more familiar with the functions of the Council on Legislation, and to provide an overview of the major legislative issues and other activities the Council has worked on during the first session of the 110^th Congress.  The forum is also intended to elicit feedback, comments, and questions on federal legislation relating to the major components of the AMA’s advocacy agenda.

*Joint Commission Medical Staff Bylaws Standard MS.1.20
The AMA Organized Medical Staff Section (OMSS) has prepared an educational session, "Physician and patient advocacy: Keys to the successful implementation of the new Joint Commission Medical Staff Bylaws Standard MS.1.20." The session will be offered 8-9:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 12, in Room 314 at the convention center. Medical staff legal counsel, Elizabeth A. Snelson, Esq., and Stephen T. House, MD, AMA-OMSS Governing Council Chair, will inform participants of the content and significance of the revised standard. They will also help physicians recognize the potential consequences of various approaches to reviewing and updating their bylaws.

The American Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

*Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs Open Forum
In conformity with Resolution 14 (I-94), which requires the AMA Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs to "conduct an Open Forum at all future meetings for the purpose of discussing pending ethical opinion issues," the 2007 Interim Meeting Open Forum will be held 9:30-11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 12, in Room 310 at the convention center. The Open Forum is open to all attendees.

Open Forum attendees are invited to introduce issues that may warrant attention from the AMA Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs and inclusion in the AMA Code of Medical Ethics. The council also welcomes the opportunity to receive input regarding the following topics:

• Ethics of physicians as related to access to care
• Ethical issues surrounding physicians' relationships with sports teams

Visit the Web site where the full agenda for the Open Forum is available online. It provides additional information, as well as instructions on how to submit testimony electronically. Written testimony submitted to the council will be given the same consideration as oral testimony.

The American Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

*Center for Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response
The AMA Center for Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response (CPHPDR) invites all interested delegates to take the newly released Electronic Core Disaster Life Support™ (eCDLS™) course. The four-hour online course was developed with funding from the Department of Homeland Security and is offered at no charge.

The American Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 4 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

If you are interested in taking the eCDLS course, please contact Suraj Madoori at (312) 464-4074 or ecdlspilot@ama-assn.org for login instructions.

In addition to taking the eCDLS course, the CPHPDR invites delegates to participate in an educational session 9:30-11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 12, in Room 312 of the convention center. Using a pandemic influenza scenario, this session will allow participants to apply information learned from eCDLS to a real-life public health emergency. Information also will be provided on the status and future plans for the National Disaster Life Support program. While completion of eCLDS is recommended, it is not essential for participation.

The American Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Private Sector Advocacy
The AMA's Private Sector Advocacy team will offer the educational session, "Administrative simplification: The automation of the physician practice," 9:30-11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 12, in Room 313B at the convention center. The speakers will be Mark Rieger, chief executive officer, National Health Exchange Services; and Tammy Banks, manager, the AMA Practice Management Center. The session will outline the controversial cost-containment efforts that are currently under way by health plan insurers as well as the AMA's ideas for helping simplify and reduce the burden that manual processing places on the physician practice's claims management revenue cycle. This session will also give a clear outline of the benefits and pitfalls to look out for when real-time claims adjudication promises come to town.

*Forum for Medical Affairs
The Forum for Medical Affairs has scheduled its program for 1-3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 11, in Room 313A at the Hawaii Convention Center. The program, "Health reformation: States take the lead!," will feature four states that have taken the lead in health care reform and will focus on the challenges, accomplishments and lessons learned in striving to achieve desired objectives.

The program will feature representatives from California, Hawaii, Maine and Massachusetts. Panelists include:

• Kim Belshe, secretary, California Health and Human Services Agency
• Jon M. Kingsdale, executive director, The Commonwealth (Massachusetts) Health Insurance Connector Authority
• Robert E. McAfee, MD, chair, board of directors, Dirigo (Maine) Health Agency
• Linda J. Rasmussen, MD, immediate past president, Hawaii Medical Association

If you have any questions, contact Brian Foy at (405) 850-8367.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the Oklahoma State Medical Association (OSMA) and the Forum for Medical Affairs. OSMA is accredited by the ACCME to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians.

OSMA designates this educational activity for 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Sections and special groups

AMA sections and special groups welcome reception
A networking reception is scheduled for 9-11 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8, in Tapa Ballroom 1 and 2 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Meet new and old colleagues over light hors d'oeuvres and beverages. All are welcome to attend.

Medical Student Section
The AMA Medical Student Section (MSS) invites all medical student members to its 29th Interim Meeting, Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 8-10, at the Hawaii Convention Center. Come learn about the AMA-MSS and how you can get involved at 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8, in Room 309 of the convention center. Later in the evening, join fellow members at the AMA sections and special groups welcome reception 9-11 p.m., in the Tapa Ballroom 1 and 2 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Join the AMA-MSS at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 10, in Room 313ABC of the Hawaii Convention Center to hear keynote speaker Renée R. Jenkins, MD, president-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Jenkins will be speaking on the importance of serving as a patient advocate both within the clinical setting and the political arena. With her wealth of experience, this is sure to be an inspiring presentation!

The AMA-MSS Assembly will consider 30 items of business on Friday and Saturday mornings at the Hawaii Convention Center in Room 313. In addition, to offering two full days of educational programming on topics such as legislative issues, international opportunities, electronic Core Disaster Life Support™, residency, and more, the AMA-MSS will also host a panel discussion on "Women leaders in organized medicine" at 4:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9, in Room 316C of the convention center.

The AMA-MSS will hold its National Service Project, "Covering the uninsured and protecting access to care" on Friday, November 9. As part of the AMA's "Voice for the Uninsured" campaign, medical students will distribute AMA materials and talk to families attending a high school championship football game about the crisis of the uninsured and voting with this issue in mind in the upcoming election.

The AMA-MSS and the AMA Resident and Fellow Section, with an educational grant from Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative, will hold the annual Joint Research Poster Symposium 7-9 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9, in Exhibit Hall III of the Hawaii Convention Center. Over 60 abstracts from medical students were selected to be presented during the symposium. Judging will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by a panel on "Careers in Research" at 7 p.m. Browse the posters while enjoying light hors d'oeuvres and wine. Winners from each of the categories will be announced following the panel. The overall winner will be announced at the Assembly Meeting on Saturday morning and will receive a trip to the AMA-MSS Annual Meeting in Chicago on June 12-14, 2008.

For more information, please contact Katherine Torres at katherine.torres@ama-assn.org or visit the Web site for a complete agenda.

Resident and Fellow Section
The AMA Resident and Fellow Section (RFS) invites all resident and fellow physicians to attend its 31st Interim Assembly Meeting, Nov. 8-10 in the Hawaii Convention Center. All resident and fellow physicians are invited to an orientation to Assembly procedures 7-8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8, in the Rainbow Suite at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. New attendees as well as repeat attendees are encouraged to participate.

The AMA-RFS will also co-host a joint reception from 9 to 11 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8, in the Tapa Ballroom at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Network with members of all the sections and special groups over drinks and hors d'oeuvres.

In addition to its policymaking activities on Friday and Saturday mornings, several educational sessions will be offered. Catherine Hansen, JD, vice president of AMA Private Sector Advocacy, will be speaking on "Contract negotiation" at 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8, in the Rainbow Suite of the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

A panel will discuss "Practice setting options," 9:30-10:30 a.m., on Friday, Nov. 9, in Room 312 at the Hawaii Convention Center. The panel will include Joseph Heyman, MD, AMA Board of Trustees; Steven Stack, MD, AMA Board of Trustees; and Lynne Nowak, MD, Belleville Memorial Hospital.

There will be an educational session on "Complementary and alternative medicine and your practice," which will be offered at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 10, in Room 312 of the Hawaii Convention Center. The featured speaker is Inam ur Rahman, MD, past president of the Hawaii Medical Association.

On Friday, Nov. 9, the AMA-RFS will be presenting its annual Research Poster Symposium jointly with the AMA Medical Student Section and in association with Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative. At 7 p.m. a panel discussion on "Careers in research" will kick-off the poster symposium. At 7:30 p.m. a reception and poster viewing will take place in Exhibit Hall III of the convention center. All meeting attendees are invited to this event.

Visit the Web site for more information about the planned activities of the AMA-RFS.

Young Physicians Section
The AMA Young Physicians Section (YPS) invites all interested meeting attendees to participate in its Interim Assembly meeting, Nov. 8-10 at the Hawaii Convention Center. All young physician AMA members (under age 40 or within their first eight years of practice) are welcome. The AMA-YPS Assembly will take place 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday Nov. 9, in Room 314 at the Hawaii Convention Center. It will include educational programming, networking sessions, an AMA-HOD Handbook review and caucuses on items of interest to young physicians to be considered by the AMA-HOD.

The AMA-YPS holds a virtual reference committee prior to its Assembly meeting to solicit testimony and comments on pending business. AMA young physician members are encouraged to submit online testimony in advance of the AMA-YPS meeting. Visit the Web site to review the AMA-YPS agenda and upcoming items of business.

From 9 to 11 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8, the AMA-YPS is joining other AMA sections and special groups in hosting a reception in the Tapa Ballroom in the Tapa Tower of the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

The AMA-YPS will hold an educational session from noon to 1:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9, in Room 317A and B of the Hawaii Convention Center. The session, "Administrative simplification: The automation of the physician practice," is the luncheon program. (The program description can be found above, under Private Sector Advocacy.)

From 5:30 to 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9, the AMA Women Physicians Congress will host a welcome reception at the Lagoon Green (outside) at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Young physicians are also encouraged to join the AMA-OMSS for its session, "Washington update,"
8-8:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 10. Following that, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., stay for "Physician and patient advocacy: Keys to the successful implementation of the new Joint Commission Medical Staff Standard MS.1.20." Both events will be held in Room 311 of the Hawaii Convention Center.

If you have any questions, please contact the AMA-YPS at (312) 464-4751.

*Organized Medical Staff Section
The AMA Organized Medical Staff Section (OMSS) invites your medical staff to participate and be represented in its 2007 Interim Meeting, Nov. 8-11 at the Hawaii Convention Center. The AMA-OMSS is the only national forum for discussing medical staff issues. Voice your concerns, share ideas, build knowledge, develop leadership skills and take action to create positive change. To learn more about the AMA-OMSS and register for the assembly meeting, visit the Web site or call (800) 262-3211, ext 4761.

Descriptions of educational sessions offered at this meeting follow. There is no fee to register. All delegates, council, section and special group members and their colleagues are welcome to attend. All educational programs will be held in Room 311 at the Hawaii Convention Center.

• "Improving patient safety through medication reconciliation," 12:30-2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8
  Eric Alper, MD, of the University of Massachusetts Medical School will discuss the application concepts of medication reconciliation, reducing unreconciled medications at the admission process and the development of a plan for spread of reconciliation to other transition points, including transfer and discharge.
  The American Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

• "Investigating health information transformation: Strategies for successful EHR selection and implementation," 2:15-3:45 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8
  Stephen R. Levinson, MD, will help physicians identify their individual electronic record requirements, analyze the strengths and possible pitfalls of current electronic designs and functionality and offer potential remedies for identified problems.
  The American Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  
  
• "Economic credentialing: What medical staff leaders need to know," 4-5:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8
  Mark Rust, JD, managing partner of Barnes & Thornburg, and Leonard Nelson, director of the AMA Litigation Center, will examine regulatory issues involved in economic credentialing, including the Office of the Inspector General oversight under the anti-kickback statute, antitrust law considerations and The Joint Commissions' requirements.
  The American Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  
  
• "The role of the Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement®," 3-4:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9
  Carl A. Sirio, MD, a Consortium executive committee member will explain the uses of both evidence-based clinical performance measures and outcomes reporting tools for physicians.
  The American Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  
  
• "Washington update," 8-8:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 10
  Richard Deem, senior vice president, AMA Advocacy, will describe the political landscape and the AMA's legislative priorities and national efforts to improve the quality of health care.
  
  
• "Physician and patient advocacy: Keys to the successful implementation of the new Joint Commission Medical Staff Bylaws Standard MS.1.20," 8:30-9:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 10
  Medical staff legal counsel, Elizabeth A. Snelson, Esq., and AMA-OMSS Governing Council Chair Stephen T. House, MD, will inform participants of the content and significance of the revised standard. They will also help physicians to recognize the potential consequences of various approaches to reviewing and updating their bylaws. Note: This session will be repeated from 8 to 9:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 12, in Room 314 of the Hawaii Convention Center.
  The American Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The AMA-OMSS is joining the other sections and special groups for a joint reception to be held 9-11 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8, in the Tapa Ballroom 1 and 2 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

From noon to 1:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9, in Room 323 at the convention center, the AMA-OMSS will host the Gary F. Krieger, MD, Memorial Lecture luncheon program, "The future of health care: The quest for value for all Americans." Author, consultant and futurist Ian Morrison will describe changes and challenges in health care today. His presentation will focus on the political, economic and strategic context of change in health care and examine how the various actors are preparing for the future. In discussing the quest for value in health care, he will also identify leadership opportunities and provide strategic insights on how organizations and individuals can flourish in the new millennium in health care. Ian specializes in long-term forecasting and planning with particular emphasis on health care and the changing business environment. He combines research and consulting skills with an incisive Scottish wit to help public and private organizations plan their longer-term future.

The American Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

A box lunch can be purchased for $20. Advanced registration for lunch is required. Payment for lunch will be collected on site. Go to the Web site to register.

The AMA-OMSS Representative Assembly opening session will take place 8-9 a.m., Friday, Nov. 9, in Room 311 at the Hawaii Convention Center.

*Section on Medical Schools
The AMA Section on Medical Schools (SMS) invites all interested meeting attendees to participate in its 31st Interim Meeting, Saturday, Nov. 10, in Room 321A-B at the Hawaii Convention Center. Continuing its dialogue from the June AMA-SMS educational session, the section will focus on innovative approaches in medical education and showcase medical schools that have novel programs. The AMA-SMS will also hold a joint educational session on resident intimidation with the AMA-RFS.

• "Updates on AMA's Initiative to Transform Medical Education (ITME) and Innovative Strategies for Transforming the Education of Physicians (ISTEP)," 8:30-9:30 a.m.
  The American Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  
• "Innovative approaches in medical education," 9:30-10:15 a.m.
  The American Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  
• "Current issues impacting medical education, including a session on resident intimidation," 1-2:45 p.m.
  The American Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

To register for the meeting, please contact the AMA-SMS office at (800) 262-3211, ext 4655. Visit the Web site for detailed schedule information and meeting updates.

International Medical Graduates Section
The AMA International Medical Graduates (IMG) Section invites you to participate in the following events:

• The AMA-IMG Section Congress is scheduled 4:30-6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9, in the Honolulu 1 room of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The Congress agenda includes a review of AMA-IMG Section resolutions and a presentation by Stephen Seeling, JD, vice president, Operations, Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates.
  
• The AMA-IMG Section Caucus will run 5:30-7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10, in Room 317 B at the Hawaii Convention Center. The agenda includes a United States Medical Licensing Examination update from Gerry Dillon, PhD, National Board of Medical Examiners, review of resolutions of interest, organizational reports and other IMG-related announcements.
  
• The AMA-IMG delegates caucus is 8-9:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 12, in Boardroom B at the Hawaii Convention Center. Hugo Alvarez, MD, will lead the caucus discussions and provide an opportunity for section members to discuss reference committee reports.
  
• The AMA-IMG Section is hosting a leadership development session, "Communicating effectively" 9:30-11:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 12, in Boardroom A at the convention center. The session features Mike Lynch, vice president, AMA External Communications. Attendees will have the opportunity to both hear and participate in this interactive session aimed at enhancing communication skills.

Each of these events provides an opportunity to discuss priority issues, network with colleagues and actively participate in the business and activities of the AMA-IMG Section. For more information, visit the Web site to view the agendas for the AMA-IMG Section Congress and Caucus or call (312) 464-5397 or (312) 464-5678.

Minority Affairs Consortium
All physicians are invited to take part in the Minority Affairs Consortium (MAC) Doctors Back to School program visit scheduled for 8:30-11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 8, at Mililani Middle School in Mililani (just outside of Waikiki, Hawaii). Help inspire a child toward a career in medicine. Please contact wilda.knox@ama-assn.org or tgayles@uiuc.edu for more information.

Plan to attend the AMA-MAC caucus scheduled for 4-5:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9, in the Kahili 2 room at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. In addition to caucus business, the program will feature AMA President Ronald M. Davis, MD, and National Medical Association Past President Sandra Gadson, MD. As co-chairs of the Commission to End Health Care Disparities, Drs. Davis and Gadson will discuss important issues that affect the health of minority communities and current strategies for addressing them for the benefit of the entire population.

Advisory Committee on Group Practice Physicians
The AMA Advisory Committee on Group Practice Physicians will meet for two half-days—Friday, Nov. 9, and Saturday, Nov. 10—in the morning. The group has planned a working lunch to discuss trends regarding the physician work force issue with guest speakers Edward Salsberg, MPA, Association of American Medical Colleges, and Paul Rockey, MD, AMA. Mark A. Kelley, executive vice president of the Henry Ford Health System and chair of the committee will welcome three new committee members: Mary Anna Sullivan, MD, Lahey Clinic, Massachusetts; Ronald Kirkland, MD, the Jackson Clinic, Tennessee; and David Weber, MD, Wenatchee Valley Medical Center, Washington.

Senior Physicians Group
The AMA Senior Physicians Group (SPG) will sponsor its second AMA-SPG caucus, scheduled for 1-2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10, in the Rainbow 2 room at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The AMA-SPG Governing Council would like to invite members 55 and older, retired or nearing retirement to attend. The meeting will be led by AMA-SPG Chair William Jacott, MD. An interactive discussion will focus on the most pertinent issues and problems facing seniors as they move into retirement, as well as reviewing resolutions or reports dealing with senior physician issues. Please plan to attend and network with new colleagues. In addition, the AMA-SPG Governing Council will meet the same day in the morning and welcomes its two newest members, John Knote, MD, and Virginia Latham, MD.

Women Physicians Congress
What has a career failure taught you about success? What mentor qualities would you like to emulate in your own life? How are you "passing it on"? Join a panel of committed mentors, identified through the AMA Women Physicians Congress Physician Mentor Recognition Program, for a lively discussion of excellence in mentoring. A networking reception begins at 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10, in Honolulu 2 and 3 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. It will be followed by a caucus business program.

Exhibits

AMA exhibit area
The Interim Meeting will feature multiple exhibits. Learn what the AMA is doing related to our advocacy agenda, pick up some handy tools that will help you communicate about the AMA to your colleagues, and discover even more ways to get involved in the AMA and its efforts. Other exhibits will include AMA resources, such as books and products; a cyber cafe, where you can check your e-mail and download materials from the AMA Web site; and new logowear, such as ties, scarves and cuff links.

Be sure to stop by the AMA Business Products and Logowear booth to take a look at some of our newest publications and pick up your pre-ordered Hawaiian shirts. The booth will be open during the Interim Meeting:
10 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9
10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10
8 a.m.-2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 11
10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday, Nov. 12

AMPAC
If you have not done so already, please join AMPAC. You can join online at the Web site or by contacting your state medical association. You may also join by stopping by the AMPAC booth during the Interim Meeting.

AMA Foundation
Learn more about your AMA Foundation during the Interim Meeting by visiting the AMA Foundation booth. Staff will be happy to update you on current initiatives, including new health literacy products. Find out how to apply for Healthy Communities/Healthy America grants for free clinics and how to nominate physicians for the AMA Foundation Excellence in Medicine Awards. Additionally, you are welcome to make a pledge to the "Uniting for the Future of Medicine" campaign that will help support the AMA Foundation's physician-led community health care programs and medical student scholarships. If you are able to make a pledge prior to Monday, Nov. 12, you are welcome to attend a champagne reception honoring all "Uniting for the Future of Medicine" campaign donors. The reception will take place 6-7:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 12, at the Village Green (outside) at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Please contact Anne Smith at (312) 464-4701 or anne.smith@ama-assn.org for more information on how to make a pledge.

AMA Alliance
New at the 2007 Interim Meeting is an AMA Alliance welcome booth in the Hawaii Convention Center. Say hello to AMA Alliance leaders—volunteers who support the physicians and good health of America—and take away a gift certificate welcoming your spouse to the family of medicine and to the nationwide Alliance network. Each certificate comes with a discount ticket for any item in the AMA Alliance collection of merchandise available at the meeting.

The AMA Alliance is the largest volunteer arm of the AMA, a public health advocacy network dedicated to building healthy communities. Visit the Web site to learn more.

Current AMA Alliance projects include:

• Screen Out! Working to kick smoking and tobacco products out of movies intended for children
• Internet Safety: Helping to bring the "Faux Paw" educational program into your child's or grandchild's grade school
• "Voice for the Uninsured" campaign: Working alongside physicians to speak out on behalf of access to care in this country

Special events

AMA Welcome Aloha Reception
A welcome reception for all meeting attendees is scheduled for 5:30-7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9, at the Lagoon Green (outside) at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The event is hosted by the AMA Women Physicians Congress (WPC). Join the AMA-WPC, members of other AMA sections and special groups, and your colleagues in the AMA-HOD at this opening night welcome reception featuring tropical drinks, hors d'oeuvres and collegiality. All are welcome as we honor the physician role models highlighted through the AMA-WPC Physician Mentor Recognition Program.

Catholic Mass
Mass will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, in Tapa 3 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. This should allow participants time to return to the hotel when the AMA-HOD recesses after the Opening Session.

AMA membership outreach program
Mark your calendar for the AMA Physician Outreach Recruiting Reception, 5:30-7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 11, in the Coral 1 and 2 Ballroom at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Any physician interested in becoming involved in the Physician Outreach Recruiting program is encouraged to join us at this celebration reception.

View (PDF, 87KB) a listing of items included in the Speakers' Letter.