News in brief - March 21, 2005

Florida board honors physician - Medical, dental schools launch diversity program - AMA visits Oregon to push for reforms - N.J. puts anesthesia rules on ice - Correction

Florida board honors physician

The Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine recognized Anthony J. Silvagni, DO, PharmD, as this year's recipient of the Osteopathic Board Recognition Award. The board established the award in 2004 to recognize osteopathic physicians who exemplify the high standards of the profession and a dedication to public service.

Dr. Silvagni is dean of the Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauderdale and has an extensive background in osteopathic medicine, therapeutics, research, health education administration and program development. He has held appointments at six universities and served as a faculty member at universities including Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and the University of South Dakota.

Medical, dental schools launch diversity program

The Assn. of American Medical Colleges and the American Dental Education Assn. are collaborating in a $12 million effort to create a more diverse medical and dental work force and to help reduce disparities in access to health care.

The two groups will serve as national program offices for the "Summer Medical and Dental Education Program," funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Through this program, up to 10 medical and dental schools will be picked to develop and run six-week academic programs for undergraduate college students who are strong advocates for diversity or who come from groups that are underrepresented in medicine and dentistry.

Sites will receive $300,000 annually for four years. Participating schools need to match the grant by investing an equal amount of money or services. Each site will include 80 students per summer.

Initial proposals are due April 1, and full proposals are due June 17. Awards will be announced Sept. 22. All accredited allopathic and osteopathic medical schools and dental schools are eligible to apply.

AMA visits Oregon to push for reforms

Legislative reforms in Oregon can help ease problems of access to care and stabilize medical liability insurance premiums, AMA Immediate Past President Donald J. Palmisano, MD, recently told the Oregon State Senate Judiciary Committee.

Dr. Palmisano paid a visit to Oregon Feb. 28 for an AMA National House Call event. The event included testimony before legislators and participation in the Oregon Medical Assn.'s Day at the Capitol. Oregon is one of 20 states the AMA lists as being in the midst of a medical liability insurance crisis. In those states, physicians have been forced to retire early, relocate to another state or restrict services.

"In Oregon and other crisis states, physicians are forced to make these difficult decisions because of escalating jury awards and settlements, which cause physicians' insurance premiums to skyrocket," Dr. Palmisano told legislators. "The good news is that there are proven examples of long-term reforms that have kept physicians' liability premiums stable -- and more importantly, protected patients' access to care."

The Day at the Capitol event drew more than 50 physicians as well as members of the Oregon Medical Assn. Alliance and medical students from across the state.

N.J. puts anesthesia rules on ice

The New Jersey Supreme Court has temporarily put a stop on new rules restricting the office-based practice of nurse anesthetists. The rules, which were to go into effect on Feb. 1, will remain on hold until May or June when the court is expected to decide whether it will hear a case by the New Jersey Assn. of Nurse Anesthetists seeking to overturn the new rules. (See correction.)

The regulations, set by the State Board of Medical Examiners, require two physicians to be on hand during office-based surgery. One physician may perform surgery, while the other administers anesthesia or supervises the nurse anesthetist.

Correction

An item on this page contained incorrect information. The New Jersey Supreme Court on Feb. 14 said it would hear the New Jersey Assn. of Nurse Anesthetists appeal that asks the court to permanently stop rules restricting the office-based practice of nurse anesthetists from taking effect. The court expects to hear arguments in May or June. AMNews apologizes for the error.