Last month, physician leaders, practice managers and other healthcare professionals from across the state gathered in Nashville for MedTenn15, the annual convention of the Tennessee Medical Association.
During the weekend event, a number of pressing issues impacting health in Tennessee were discussed and the TMA House of Delegates (HOD) passed several resolutions updating TMA policy. The annual meeting also celebrates outstanding members and signifies the transition of the volunteer leadership team with John W. Hale, Jr., MD, a family physician in Union City, being installed as 2015-2016 president.
Tennessee Department of Health John Dreyzehner, MD, MPD, FACOEM, delivered an address on the state’s biggest public health challenges. Roland Gray, MD, of the Tennessee Medical Foundation, went into depth on one of the major challenges with a two-hour session on the state’s growing prescription drug epidemic. A physician panel also discussed end-of-life care, including the provider’s role in helping to facilitate difficult conversations with patients and families. TMA in-house experts also presented information on the Tennessee Healthcare Innovation Initiative, which is the state’s effort to move to a value-based payment model.
Notable resolutions passed by the HOD included:
Build a statewide and national consensus regarding the future physician shortage crisis and ensure that an adequate supply of physicians will be available for the next generation.
Improve the state’s Controlled Substance Monitoring Database report so that each prescription reported includes the name of the midlevel prescriber, as well as the midlevel prescriber’s supervising physician.
Develop a state-specific database for drug shortages, and develop strategies to mitigate drug shortages, working with collaboratively with other stakeholder organizations.
Pursue legislation to oversee the implementation of the Tennessee Health Care Innovation Initiative and allow physicians and other pertinent stakeholders the opportunity to address relevant issues to the General Assembly.
Use results from a membership survey on Maintenance of Certification (MOC) to improve the process for Tennessee physicians.
Several outstanding physicians and community organizations were recognized during an awards ceremony. The Outstanding Physician Award was presented to James Eason, MD, of Memphis; J. Mack Worthington, MD, of Chattanooga; and posthumously to Eric Raefsky, MD, of Nashville. The beloved Tennessee Oncology physician was killed in a car wreck in Mt. Juliet last summer. Daughter Stacy Macuik accepted the award on his behalf.
Kingsport gastroenterologist Douglas J. Springer, MD, FACP FACG, became immediate past president as he passed the gavel to Hale, who became the organization’s 161st president. A graduate of the Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University, he has practiced family medicine at the Doctor’s Clinic in Union City for 24 years. Hale is board certified in family medicine and has been an active TMA member, serving on the TMA House of Delegates for 23 consecutive years and holding a number of key positions within the organization.
Other 2015-16 leadership positions include:
Chair of the TMA Board of Trustees: Michel McDonald, MD, a Nashville dermatologist/Mohs surgeon. She is the first female physician ever elected to serve in this capacity;
Vice-Chair of the TMA Board of Trustees: James Batson, MD, a Cookeville pediatrician;
Secretary/Treasurer: Ted Taylor, MD, a Johnson City pediatrician; and
President-Elect: Keith Anderson, MD, a Memphis cardiologist who also will serve as a member of the TMA Board of Trustees.
