Physicians from across the state met on April 17th-18th in Fayetteville to discuss advocacy efforts, elect new physician leaders, participate in educational opportunities and plan for the future of healthcare in our state. At the forefront of each activity was the overarching concern for the patients of Arkansas, as highlighted in the inaugural address given by incoming president G. Edward Bryant, MD, an ophthalmologist from West Memphis.
“By helping direct the legislative process in the 2015 legislative session, we have protected the quality of care for patients in Arkansas,” said Dr. Bryant. “All we have accomplished was made possible by the time and effort given by the staff and physician members of the Arkansas Medical Society… Our members continually promote and provide the highest quality of care for the patients of the state of Arkansas.”
The inaugural gala, held Friday night, featured keynote speaker Marvin Caston, associate director of the Razorback Foundation. The former Arkansas fullback played for the 1998 Razorbacks team that shared the SEC Western Division title.
The group’s Saturday events kicked off with a meeting of the Board of Trustees, followed by two educational programs; “Emerging Diseases Update” by Dirk Haselow, MD, PhD, State Epidemiologist, Medical Director, Communicable Diseases, UAMS, and a comprehensive report of the Legislative session provided by H. Scott Smith, JD, the society’s director of governmental affairs.
Smith’s presentation pointed to the 25O bills that were tracked during the session and focused on the 11 that were actively supported by the society, eight of which were passed into law. Smith also noted the 14 bills actively opposed by the society, none of which were passed. Bills that were supported by the society and were passed included: Prior Authorization for Terminally Ill (SB 316/Act 992), Graduate Registered Physician Act (HB 1162/Act 929), APRN and PA Hydrocodone Combination Products (HB 1136/Act 529), Credentialing (SB 934/Act 1232), Combating Prescription Drug Abuse Act (SB 717/Act 1208), Limiting Physicians’ Financial Penalties (SB 701/Act 902), Prior Authorization (SB 318/Act 1106), Telemedicine Act (SB 133/Act 887).
Smith especially thanked Senator Cecile Bledsoe, Representative Deborah Ferguson, DDS, Representative Ken Henderson, Senator Missy Irvin and Representative Steve Magie, MD for their work towards improving healthcare throughout the session.
The annual awards luncheon followed and honored 31 physicians who have been practicing medicine for 50 years. Also honored was Dr. Kent C. Westbrook of UAMS who was presented the society’s Asklepion Award for his ongoing contributions to the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.
The weekend concluded with the annual meeting of the Arkansas Medical Society’s House of Delegates. The group is composed of physician leaders from every corner of the state and is AMS’ legislative and policy making body. During the meeting, new officers were elected including Dr. Scott Cooper of Rogers, who was announced as the society’s president-elect. Dr. Cooper will take office at the society’s 2016 annual meeting.
The Arkansas Medical Society is a voluntary professional association, established in 1875, comprised of over 4,300 Arkansas physicians, residents and medical students dedicated to protecting the interests of their patients and improving the health of all Arkansans. For over 140 years, the Society has served the physicians and patients of Arkansas; most recently, working together to support the extension of private health insurance coverage to working families earning below 138% of the federal poverty level, advocating for responsible and practical reforms such as patient-centered medical homes and establishing a prescription drug monitoring program to combat abuse and diversion of prescription drugs.