News in brief - Jan. 13, 2003

AAMC launches medical education institute - Joint Commission names chair - AMA to develop model office-based surgery regulation - AMA to increase physician role and awareness of organ donation - Medical college group names chair-elect

AAMC launches medical education institute

The Assn. of American Medical Colleges has formed the Institute for Improvement in Medical Education. The institute, to be managed by the AAMC's Division of Medical Education, has three objectives: focus public attention on medical education reform; provide an organizational framework to coordinate medical education activities across AAMC divisions; and create a mechanism for more actively engaging medical school deans in the education process.

Joint Commission names chair

Bernard L. Hengesbaugh, chair of CAN Financial Corp. in Chicago, is the first nonphysician to be named chair of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations board of directors.

Hengesbaugh has been the Joint Commission's vice chair and chair of its principal subsidiary.

AMA to develop model office-based surgery regulation

The American Medical Association, along with the American College of Surgeons, will convene a workgroup of specialty and state medical societies to write guidelines and model legislation for surgical procedures performed in the office, according to a resolution passed at the AMA's Interim Meeting last month in New Orleans. The guidelines would cover in-office procedures where the patient is given moderate or deep sedation.

Several states already have legislation in place, and physicians said it would be helpful when the matter is being considered by state governments to be able to present suggested wording for laws.

"We need something when we go to the state medical boards and the state legislators to say that this is what the AMA, the College of Surgeons and other associated organizations are concerned about office-based surgery," said Richard Reiling, MD, a delegate from the American College of Surgeons, the organization that introduced the original resolution.

Those opposed to the resolution said they did not want additional legislation and that the resolution seemed like it was promoting such laws.

AMA to increase physician role and awareness of organ donation

The American Medical Association will be taking several steps in an attempt to narrow the gap between the need for donated organs and the supply, according to a report from the Association's Council on Scientific Affairs approved at the Interim Meeting in December 2002.

The AMA will be re-issuing donor cards to its members and will post downloadable versions on its Web site. The Association will also continue to promote organ donation awareness.

"It would be very useful when people ask, 'Where can I get a donor card' to be able to direct them to the AMA site," said Phil Berry, MD, a liver recipient and a Texas delegate.

Also, outside funding will be sought to update "Live and Then Give," an educational program for physicians about the importance of donation, and to create a Web-based version. Money also will be solicited to convene a workshop with AMA members, the transplant community, and the Health Resources and Services Administration to develop best practices for physician participation in the organ donation process.

The organization also recognized organ donation as a specialized form of end-of-life care.

Medical college group names chair-elect

Donald Wilson, MD, dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, is the new chair-elect of the Assn. of American Medical Colleges.

Dr. Wilson, immediate past chair of the AAMC Council of Deans, is the first African-American dean of a predominantly non-minority medical school and the first African-American dean of UMD School of Medicine, the association said.

He is a founding member of the Assn. of Academic Minority Physicians, a professional organization for minority physicians and scientists. Two years ago, he became the first recipient of the AAMC's Herbert W. Nickens, MD, Award for Diversity, which honored Dr. Wilson for his dedication to the principles of diversity and equity in health care.

He earned his medical degree at Tufts University School of Medicine. He has been dean of the UMD medical school since 1991.

Dr. Wilson was named chair-elect at the AAMC's annual meeting in November 2002. He will serve in the position until November or December, when he will succeed current chair, Theresa Bischoff, president of New York University Hospitals Center.