Signed, Sealed and Delivered!

Tennessee
Gov Signs TMA MLR Bill
JUNE 2008 The Road to Reform
VOL. 101, NO.6 - Page 35

Medicine
JOURNAL OF THE T E N N E S S E E M E D I C A L A S S O C I AT I O N

Member News RENEW,

Pages: 53-60
RESTORE,
HOD Actions &
Resolutions REBUILD
-page 21

Annual Awards
-page 29

TMA Leadership
-page 41

2007-2008
TMA ANNUAL REPORT
& RESOURCE GUIDE
Tennessee Contents
Medicine
JOURNAL OF THE T E N N E S S E E M E D I C A L A S S O C I AT I O N
Vo l u m e 1 0 1 , N u m b e r 6 ~ J u n e 2 0 0 8

PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS
5 President’s Introduction: Dr. J. Mack Worthington
Office of Publication 7 President’s Introduction: Dr. Robert D. Kirkpatrick
2301 21st Avenue South 8 TMA Mission Statement
PO Box 120909
Nashville, TN 37212-0909 9 TMA Annual Report
Phone: (615) 385-2100; Fax (615) 312-1908
e-mail: brendaw@tma.medwire.org ABSTRACT OF TMA’S 173RD ANNUAL MEETING
Editor 21 House of Delegates Final Actions List
David G. Gerkin, MD
22 House of Delegates Proceedings
Editor Emeritus
John B. Thomison, MD
ANNUAL AWARD PRESENTATIONS
President
Robert D. Kirkpatrick, MD 29 2008 Outstanding Physician Awards
31 2008 Distinguished Service Award
Chief Executive Officer
Donald H. Alexander 32 2008 Community Service Awards
Sr. Vice President
Russ Miller SPECIAL FEATURE
Managing Editor 35 The Road to Reform
Brenda Williams
Editorial Board TMA RESOURCE GUIDE
Loren Crown, MD 41 TMA Leadership
Greg Phelps, MD 45 TMA Committees
Deborah German, MD
Ronald Johnson, MD 49 Component Society Presidents
Karl Misulis, MD 51 TMA Membership Application
Bradley Smith, MD
Jonathan Sowell, MD
Jim Talmage, MD TMA MEMBER NEWS
Robert D. Kirkpatrick, MD 53 Save Medicare Access: Urge Congress to Pass S. 2785; 53 TMA Acts on
Advertising Representative Quality Ratings, Doctor Shortage, the Uninsured at 173rd Annual
Beth McDaniels – (615) 385-2100 or Meeting; 54 TN Doctors Urged to Take Part in National Primary Care
e-mail: bethm@tma.medwire.org Survey; 54 Health Insurer Transparency an Ongoing Issue; 54 Payout to
Graphic Design Doctors Pending in BCBS Settlement; 56 TMA Photo Gallery;
Aaron Grayum / Tinymusicbox Design
57 MedTenn Photo Gallery; 58 FDA Alert: Heparin Recall for All
Tennessee Medicine Provider Types; 58 Sports Physical Rules Change for 2008-2009;
Journal of the Tennessee Medical Association 58 “Big Insurance” Lawsuit Compliance Dispute Leads to CIGNA
(ISSN 1088-6222)
Published monthly under the direction of the Board of Payment Policy Change; 59 IMPACT Capitol Hill Club; 60 Member Notes
Trustees for and by members of the Tennessee Medical
Association, a nonprofit organization with a definite membership
for scientific and educational purposes.
FOR THE RECORD
Devoted to the interests of the medical profession of 61 New Members
Tennessee. This Association is not responsible for the authenticity 61 In Memoriam
of opinion or statements made by authors or in communications 61 Correction
submitted to Tennessee Medicine for publication. The author or
communicant shall be held entirely responsible. Advertisers must 46 Advertisers in this Issue; Instructions for Authors
conform to the policies and regulations established by the Board
of Trustees of the Tennessee Medical Association.
Subscriptions (nonmembers) $30 per year for US, $36 for
Canada and foreign. Single copy $2.50. Payment of Tennessee
Medical Association membership dues includes the subscription
price of Tennessee Medicine.
Copyright 2008, Tennessee Medical Association. All material
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 Renew, Restore, Rebuild
2007-2008 TMA Annual Report

T
his past year has been a year of growth for me and for the TMA. It has been a unique
opportunity to serve and represent physicians from all over Tennessee. I have met some
wonderful people during this time who have dedicated their lives to serving their patients
and the profession of medicine. … I have done my best but there is still a lot to be done.

… One of the highlights this past year was the passage of laws to restrict smoking. Tennessee
became the first tobacco state to ban smoking in public places. TMA should now strongly
support prevention aimed at young people to keep them from smoking.
… It is intuitively obvious that we need people in the Tennessee Legislature who are knowledge-
able about our issues and represent the best interests of our patients. I am encouraged that
more of our members are interested in running for office. We all should take every opportuni-
ty to educate our representatives and support efforts to improve health care for our citizens.
… It is imperative that the TMA show value to its members. I believe the value is already there
and we must demonstrate that to physicians who are not TMA members. The TMA must con-
tinue to have the satisfaction of our members as a top priority, as well as the development
of new programs aimed at our membership.
… We have accomplished a great deal this year and we should learn from any missteps to build
on the future of medicine for a stronger profession dedicated to the care of our patients.
… Thanks for your kindness and support this year. I am grateful for our members, the TMA staff,
the staff and faculty at UT Family Practice, and my family. Congratulations to Dr. Robert
Kirkpatrick, our new president. I look forward to working with him this next year.

2007-2008 TMA President Dr. J. Mack Worthington,

from his report to the TMA House of Delegates, April 2008.

5
 Renew, Restore, Rebuild
2007-2008 TMA Annual Report

A
s TMA’s new president, there are a few priority “bills” we should tend to. My first “bill”
deals with immigration reform, undocumented workers and the need for border security.
“Immigration reform for undocumented workers” for me means get your papers in order –
if you want to be a doctor, go to medical school. The border security issue is up to us. If the MDs
don’t plan, the MBAs will. That’s the border security issue. We have to control the borders, we have
to get involved. My second “bill” is a right to choice. My “right to choice” says that you and I and
every one of our patients have the right to choose their health plan, their hospital, their physician.
That’s the choice that matters in this country. That’s the choice that we need to be about.

… We need to hold the leaders of this organization responsible. When you’re walking around
and look at our leaders; look for an IMPACT button, or look for a Capitol Hill button. That
means they’ve not only been leaders but they’ve been willing to put their money where their
mouth is.
… Finally, to our seasoned doctors in the organization, I call on you to renew, restore and
rebuild TMA. To our young folks, I want you to imagine a future for TMA that we can’t. I
want you to bring us innovation. I want you to redesign and reform your TMA. It won’t always
be our TMA; it will be your TMA.

2008-2009 TMA President Dr. Robert Kirkpatrick,

from his inaugural speech, April 19, 2008.

7
 TENNESSEE
MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION

Mission Statement
The mission of the Tennessee Medical Association is to protect the health interests
of patients and enhance the effectiveness of physicians throughout the state by
defining and promoting:

• Quality, safe and effective medical care;

• Public policy to protect the sanctity of the physician-patient relationship,
improve access to and the affordability of quality medical services;
• Ethics and competence in medical education and practice;
• Open communications between the medical profession and the public, fostering
a better understanding of the capacities of medical practice.

8
 2007-2008 TMA ANNUAL REPORT

RENEW,
RESTORE,
REBUILD
Poised on the edge of a new era, the Tennessee Medical Association
is moving in a new direction to celebrate and accommodate the
changes in medicine, patient care and physician practice.

In 2007-2008, the TMA saw some of its biggest successes and chal-
lenges. After seven years of effort, it finally won a partial but clear
victory on the medical liability front with the passage of a compro-
mise MLR bill. The measure was seen as a “step in the right direc-
tion,” with firm resolve to stay the course and continue the fight to
improve the liability climate for doctors and patients.

The TMA tackled issues such as the role of physician supervision in

retail health clinics, pay for performance, physician quality rating
and network tiering, and changes in TennCare. The TMA collaborat-
ed nationally on issues such as the Medicare/SGR dilemma and “big
insurance” settlements. It achieved current goals and addressed new
ones for its Tennessee Prescription Safety Program, and continued
sewing seeds for the future with its Physician Leadership College
program. In a crucial election year, it also launched efforts to beef
up its political presence and to help members ramp up their politi-
cal knowledge and involvement.

Finally, the TMA revived and began to build on efforts to reengi-

neer the Association to serve as a stronger voice for physicians
in Tennessee and better serve its members. The work has just
begun to ensure a healthy, vital organization in the future.

9
These are just a few highlights from the TMA’s accomplishments, actions and activities over the past year.

The Future of TMA ed to revise the locality rule.

Persistence paid off and the TMA
At a July 2007 meeting, TMA Trustees began a “process of finally celebrated victory in April
introspection” aimed at addressing the continued decline in 2008 with the passage of the compro-
organized medicine membership and the TMA’s need to adapt mise bill, thanks to efforts of bill spon-
to the changing med- sors, physicians and their spouses who
ical environment to actively worked for passage, and a newly-coop-
“We’re trying to look at what we erative House Judiciary Committee. The new law
better serve its mem-
do and make sure it’s as efficient bers. The BOT revived creates a notification and certification process aimed
and effective as it can be to meet the work of the 2000 at eliminating meritless
lawsuits before they “This is a crucial step on the con-
the needs of the next generation Futures Task Force;
the new Futures II make it to court. tinuing road to comprehensive
of physicians.”
Workgroup began its Acknowledging that reform. We understand that to
– Dr. Michael Minch political success often
mission to analyze achieve significant changes to
2007-2008 BOT Chair comes in increments,
the Association’s
TMA leaders see it as a
law, you sometimes have to
challenges and recommend new structure, new focus and new
step in the right direc- accept incremental steps leading
services. With the help of a consultant from LBMC Planning
Services, the Workgroup began a search for a new “value propo- tion” and pledge to stay in the right direction.”
sition” for the TMA, and based on a survey of member priori- on the path to win – Dr. Robert Kirkpatrick
ties, identified five areas to focus on: 1) cost savings; 2) prac- sweeping changes in 2008-2009 President
tice management; 3) personal and professional development; Tennessee’s medical lia-
4) representation and advocacy; and 5) connectivity and bility climate. (See “The Road to Reform” p. 35)
communications.

The Workgroup gave a pre- Medicare/SGR

liminary report to the TMA
House of Delegates in April Armed with the
2008, with its first full results of an AMA
report containing a three-to- survey of Medicare
five year strategic plan due providers, the fight
in July, but members advise began anew in 2007
that the work to revamp the to avert a more than
state’s largest physician 10-percent cut in
organization to keep in step physician payments
with the future is just beginning. for the program. The
TMA joined with the

Medical Liability Reform

AMA and other state
medical associations
nationwide and suc-
A year ago, passage of any MLR legislation seemed remote in ceeded in winning a
Tennessee after a compromise measure passed in the Senate but six-month delay. TMA TMA leaders joined their colleagues from across
the nation in March to lobby for a bill to save
was stopped cold by TMA in the House because trial lawyers want- leaders went to bat Medicare access.

10
“By far the biggest issue facing
Tennessee Prescription
Safety Program
again at the AMA
medicine at the national level is National Advocacy
the continued struggle for Conference in March
Medicare reimbursement to 2008 to urge Congress With a pledge to curb Tennessee’s prescription drug habit, the
to not only vote
physicians. This struggle will con- TMA created the Tennessee Foundation for Quality Patient
against the cuts sched- Healthcare in 2005 and was
tinue as long as Congress refuses
uled for July 1, but to awarded nearly a half-million
to act responsibly, allowing fix the flawed sustain- dollars in funding from the
physicians’ overhead expense able growth rate (SGR) Physicians Foundation for
increases several times the rate formula the payments Health Systems Excellence
of reimbursement each year.” are calculated on. The (PFHSE) the following year to
TMA issued a Call to launch the Tennessee
– Dr. Chris Fleming, AMA Delegation Chair
Action for its members Prescription Safety Program
and Dr. David Gerkin, Vice-Chair
to contact their repre- (PSP). Two years later, the
sentatives in Washington, DC, to urge support of the Save TMA and TBI officials met with
PSP is the only accredited
Monroe County prescribers in December
Medicare Act of 2008 (S. 2785). The measure would retain cur- source for proper prescribing to explain a pilot program to track
rent payment levels for the remainder of this year and enact a Schedule II prescriptions.
CME in the state, offering
1.8 percent both live and online seminars to help doctors statewide satisfy a
increase for 2009, licensing requirement with the Board of Medical Examiners. Since
helping physicians inception, more than 3,000 Tennessee prescribers have taken the
and their patients course. A quarterly newsletter and PSP Resource Center are in
while giving development to continually promote the educational offerings to
Congress enough prescribers statewide.
time to address the
flawed formula. The PSP also moved forward on
More recently, the a technology phase, launching a
TMA has worked pilot project in Monroe County,
with Legislative where the medical community is dealing with one of the state’s
Committee Chair Dr. highest levels of prescription drug abuse. The card-swipe pro-
Newton Allen, Jr., gram – the first of its kind in the nation – offers a promising
to develop flyers way to help physicians and pharmacists keep better track of
The TMA prepared flyers to help
for doctors and physicians explain the Medicare payment Schedule II prescriptions and reduce “doctor shopping” by drug
patients on the crisis to their patients. seekers. The project is on target to begin in early summer.
Medicare cuts/SGR
issue. As its final element, the PSP will
“The Monroe County medical spend the next year building part-
community is excited about the nerships between doctors and other
launch of the program and having prescribers and law enforcement;
PSP officials are firming up plans for
a solution to the prescription drug
a statewide summit between the
abuse problem in their county.”
two groups later in 2008 with an
– Dr. Robert Kirkpatrick emphasis on a coordinated effort to
TFQPH Chair tackle the Rx drug abuse problem.

11
 P4P, Quality Ratings
The quest for measuring and improving healthcare quality
picked up steam in 2007-2008, with the TMA spending much of
its time and resources to keeping track of multiple efforts, chal-
lenges and developments both public and private. With the
belief that doctors can and should continually improve their
quality of care, the TMA devoted itself to making sure that any
pay for performance, trans-
“P4P / Insurance rating and tier- parency or
ing programs have been the pri- rating/tiering programs
affecting Tennessee doc-
mary focus of the committee’s
tors and patients were well
work this year.” thought-out and
– Dr. Jerome Thompson accurate measures and pro-
Insurance Issues Committee Chair tocols to assess and por-
tray quality.
Foremost, the TMA Insurance Issues Committee played a big
role in winning a delay in BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee’s
(BCBST) Consumer Transparency Initiative, until problems in
the plan discovered by physicians were resolved. Likewise, the
committee kept tabs on similar efforts by Cigna and United
Healthcare of Tennessee (UCT). Committee members also under-
went training on P4P initiatives, presenting their findings at
TMA Town Hall meetings in October 2007 and February 2008;
inspired a TMA request asking state officials for an investiga-
tion of insurers similar to that launched by the New York State
Attorney General; and won passage of a House of Delegates res-
olution to launch a statewide public education and relations
marketing campaign in the coming year to educate patients
about P4P concerns and let it be known the TMA supports equi-
table, workable ratings solutions.
Town Hall Meetings
The TMA Board of Trustees maintained its commitment to
bring the Association closer to its members across the state.
Regional Town Hall meetings, begun in 2006, continued over
the past year in tandem with quarterly BOT sessions. Town Hall
topics included “A Disaster in the Making: Medical Workforce
Shortages,” held in Memphis on July 20; “P4P and Quality
Ratings” in Knoxville on October 19; and “Pay for Performance:
How Your ‘Report Card’ Will Affect Your Practice” at the February
21 meeting in Cookeville. Town Hall participation continues to
rise and the BOT pledges to continue this regional outreach as
a way to keep in touch with the concerns and issues of mem-
bers across the state.
quality
used
TMA Town Hall meetings over the past year covered critical topics of interest,
including this February session on Pay for Performance in Cookeville.
Insurance Issues
As always, one of its vital advocacy activities over the past
year was to keep tabs on insurance company developments; the
TMA accomplished this through its Legal and Government Affairs
divisions, as well as the Insurance Issues Committee. In addi-
tion to P4P and quality rating and tiering initiatives, the
Association stayed on top of details of the “big insurance” set-
tlements, advising members of new and expiring set-
tlements and
their impact on
patient care and
billing. To date,
monetary pay-
ments to
Tennessee physi-
cians from the Aetna, CIGNA, Humana, HealthNet and Wellpoint
settlements have totaled more than $825,000. Most important-
ly, the settlements have helped change some of the health plans’
business practices and even the playing field for physicians.
12
 Physician Leadership
College
The TMA also proposed
and tracked a number
of insurance-related
bills in the General The future of organized medicine depends on the critical
Assembly. The TMA development of new leadership, and the TMA has continued its
won passage of its investment in grooming
legislation to extend new physician leaders
“This may well be one of the best
the medical mal- through the Physician
practice reporting programs the TMA has done to
Leadership College.
law to help illus- Nominated by component ensure the future success of this
trate the prolifera- and specialty societies, organization.”
tion of malpractice medical professional and – Dr. J. Mack Worthington
lawsuits, and sup- other health organiza- 2007-2008 President
ported ambulato- tions, the inaugural class
ry surgical center of 15 doctors was
efforts to require insurers to announced in April 2007. Candidates underwent a year’s worth
use a standard contract with standard provisions and defini- of training in the core aptitudes – collaboration and influence
tions; that measure won important converts this year but in the medical environment; decision making and conflict res-
lacked votes in key committees. The TMA also won passage of olution; lead-
bills to end undue delays in insurance credentialing and to ership and
ensure physicians’ rights to review and comment on insur- c o m mu n ic a -
ance plan ratings and performance reviews before they are pub- tion; and leg-
licized to enrollees. islative advo-
cacy – culmi-
In a major effort to convince State Labor and Workforce nating in their graduation ceremony at the 2008 House of
Development officials that physician reimbursement was not Delegates session in April. During the same meeting, the TMA
preventing workers’ compensation premiums from dropping unveiled 12 new candidates for the PLC Class of 2009.
(despite new laws aimed at lowering the cost), the TMA joined
with the Tennessee Orthopaedic Society (TOS) to conduct a sur-
vey of orthopedic and neurosurgery practices across Tennessee.
Findings showed that ortho and neurosurgery payments in
workers’ comp cases had indeed lowered significantly, forcing
state officials to look elsewhere to figure out why the new laws
were not having an impact.

An early warning sign of problems with Medicare on-site con-

tract reviewers sparked a series of articles in Tennessee
Medicine, leading to a special issue on healthcare fraud in
December 2007. A series of articles and TMA Member Alerts
helped the Association present a fair picture of onsite reviews Members of the inaugural Physician Leadership College class (above)
graduated from the year-long program and a new class of 12 was
and advise members of their legal rights during the process. presented during the TMA annual meeting in April.

13
 Retail Clinics/ IMPACT
Physician Oversight
Declining contributions and participation in the political
In December 2007, TMA arm of the TMA spurred a decision by the Board of Independent
“We recognize that current Trustees began to take a Medicine’s Political Action Committee – Tennessee (IMPACT) to
Tennessee law was developed look at the burgeoning inject new life
prior to retail clinics and we seek retail health clinic industry into the organ-
to propose regulations and/or and its presence in ization. At a
Tennessee; of concern was time when
laws that make these clinics safe
the impact on supervisory other PACs are
and effective.”
physicians and patient care. experiencing
– Dr. Michael Minch The BOT resolved to notify increases in
2007-2008 BOT Chair members of current require- contributions,
ments for physician over- IMPACT has
sight, keep track of physician complaints or concerns about the seen signifi-
care received in retail clinics, and continue discussions with cant decreases.
salient groups Over the past IMPACT Capitol Hill Club member Dr. Newton Allen of
involved in year, IMPACT Nashville peruses the list of new CHC members recruited
during the TMA annual meeting.
developing and collected just
regulating these $201,855, compared with more than $281,000 in the previous
types of health- year; membership dropped from 969 in 2006 to 719 in 2007.
care outlets. Currently, IMPACT ranks well behind its biggest opponents.
The TMA devel-
oped an online The IMPACT Board hired a fundraising consultant recommended by
“Supervising Physician Kit” as a resource, offering current reg- the AMA. The consultant analyzed the PAC and presented a com-
ulations and responsibilities for overseeing physician assistants prehensive strategic plan for becoming the dominant PAC in
and nurse practitioners; office compliance checklists; links to Tennessee by the year 2010. The new plan calls for raising
TMA Law Guide topics and resources, and an Oversight $500,000 a year by 2012,
Infraction Reporting Form to help TMA Legal staffers keep track with a membership goal of “IMPACT Board members are
of arising problems. over 1,500. The Board also enthusiastic about the possibili-
approved three new fund-
ties of growing organized medi-
The TMA has ing levels, including a
cine’s PAC so that we are an even
received and $100 contribution level for
reviewed proto- physicians who have not stronger force in future races and
cols from two participated in the PAC in in legislative issues.”
retail clinic com- the past. Another step in – Dr. Ken Moore
panies serving revitalizing its efforts is IMPACT Chair
Tennessee and the creation of a new elec-
continues to tronic newsletter to deliver insider information on the political
communicate process and IMPACT happenings.
with those companies as well as the Tennessee Nurses
Association and the Tennessee Academy of Physician Assistants.

14
IMPACT board members have committed to new personal efforts
and involvement, including peer-to-peer fundraising, but
Chairman Dr. Ken Moore emphasized that TMA members must
respond positively to the initiative in order to achieve the
goals. Decision time has come, according to IMPACT leaders,
and change is mandatory if organized medicine is to be a major
player in state political races.
TennCare
As the recognized collective voice of Tennessee physicians,
the TMA continued its diligence in monitoring new develop-
ments in TennCare and advocating on behalf of its members
who care for these patients.

Electronic Medicine
One of the ways medicine is changing is electronic connec-
tivity, and over the past year the TMA bolstered efforts to keep
members informed about the fast-paced changeover in technol-
ogy. Regular member alerts and e-mails, as well as articles
online and in Tennessee Medicine, kept physicians apace with
deadlines, resources and bulletins on the transition to electron-
ic filing of Medicare and TennCare claims and the required use
of the new National Provider Identifier (NPI).

In March 2008, the TMA worked with the state’s eHealth Results of the TMA TennCare Survey were presented to the
Joint TennCare Oversight Committee in January.
Advisory Council to announce some $10 million in Tennessee
Physician Connectivity Grants to facilitate the adoption of
The TMA kept participating members abreast of the continued
Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) and ePrescribing in eligible
transition to two new TennCare managed care organizations in
physician practices, as well as the availability of special pur-
Middle Tennessee, advising them of reimbursement, communi-
chasing opportunities for broadband access, even for practices
cation and patient care issues. Members were also advised of a
that do not quality for the grants. The Association is currently
new law in 2007 addressing TennCare “doctor shoppers” –
developing an online eHealth Resource page for members, with
patients going from doctor to doctor seeking prescription drugs
a goal to provide the latest updates in eHealth information,
for abuse or resale – making it a felony for patients not to tell
certified EMR vendors, and links to helpful organizations and
their prescribers about similar controlled substances prescribed
other resources. or filled in the previous 30 days.

The TMA also served as a portal for news about the Health Care
Notification Network (HCNN), an electronic network delivering
drug safety alerts directly to U.S. physicians via e-mail and the
Internet. A collaborative effort by the iHealth Alliance and
other healthcare agencies, professional and industry organiza-
tions, the HCNN was launched in late March; the TMA notified
members via e-mail, on its Web site and in Tennessee Medicine.
The Association’s biggest impact on TennCare came in January
2008, when it presented results of a TMA member survey show-
ing physicians’ perceptions of and experiences with the program
and its MCOs had not changed and in many cases, had wors-
ened, despite efforts to improve TennCare. The results were pre-
sented by TMA Director of Governmental Affairs Gary Zelizer to
the legislature’s TennCare Oversight Committee. Zelizer advised
the panel that it and Governor Bredesen would do well to heed
the survey results, particularly those related to the MCO transi-
tion in Middle Tennessee, and use them to their advantage
when initiating similar changes for West and East Tennessee.

15
 Leadership
The TMA sailed through 2007-2008 under the able leadership
of Dr. J. Mack Worthington of Chattanooga, whose priorities
included public health benefits of Tennessee’s new SmokeFree
Workplace laws and efforts to prevent and stop smoking among
children and teenagers; the passage of medical liability reform;
Outgoing TMA President Dr. J. Mack Worthington bestows the Presidential
Medal upon incoming President Dr. Robert Kirkpatrick.
and a permanent solution to the recurring Medicare payment
cuts. The mantle of leadership was passed from Dr. Worthington
to Dr. Robert Kirkpatrick of Memphis during the TMA 173rd
Annual Meeting in Nashville on April 19. Also installed were Dr.
Richard DePersio of Knoxville as president-elect; Dr. Don
Ellenburg as BOT chairman; and six new board members.
MedTenn 2008 saw a big change in House of Delegates proce-
dures; the policy-making body of the Tennessee Medical
Association met in a historic one-day session, illustrating the
continuing challenges and changes the Association is making
to adapt to a new practice environment for its members.
MedTenn also featured The Medicine Ball, a new semi-formal
event celebrating the dignitaries of healthcare. This year’s
theme was “The Best of Broadway,” featuring tunes from some
of Broadway’s most beloved theatrical productions.
16
Membership
Total TMA membership was up slightly in 2007-2008, but
declines in dues revenue led to some Association “soul search-
ing” over the past year.
Membership totals at the end of the 2007 dues billing year
stood at 7,505, with 4,330 in the dues-paying category, a loss
of 97 paying members. Concerns about membership retention
led to a Membership Summit in November. TMA Trustees select-
ed a group of physicians, including those on the TMA
Membership Committee, to review current data, identify barri-
ers and problem areas at the state level and within local med-
ical societies, and make recommendations for a more effective
membership plan. Results were shared with the Futures II
Workgroup, currently charged with a “ground up” reevaluation of
the TMA. The TMA also tightened up its communications and
meetings with component medical societies, and addressed mem-
bership issues in areas of the state with inactive societies, lead-
ing to HOD action to allow direct membership for those doctors.
In an effort to better understand why physicians leave the TMA,
the Association also conducted a survey of over 400 previous
members. Results led to the development of a five-pronged plan:
1) Outreach to members to better promote the accomplishments
and services of TMA; 2) Outreach to potential members, includ-
ing more visibility in doctors’ lounges, specialty and local med-
ical societies and hospital staffs; 3) Promote the TMA heritage,
including its 130-year history, value
to Tennessee medicine
and health care; 4) Public
promotion urging patients
to make sure their doctor
is a member of the TMA;
and 5) Developing alterna-
tive memberships with
varying dues and services.
Stemming from that plan
was the development of a
marketing campaign centered
around the phrase, “Join us
today … Make a difference tomorrow.” The campaign was con-
ducted from November thru March, utilizing electronic and print
mail marketing pieces targeting non-member physicians. Print ads
appeared in Medical News publications in Memphis, Nashville and
East Tennessee, as well as online; and in other regional publica-
tions and in Tennessee Medicine. A Membership Outreach team
was developed to focus on personal interaction with and recruit-
ment of new members, as well as personal contact with current
members. In March and April, radio ads with the slogan “The
Tennessee Medical Association: Is Your Doctor a Member?” ran in
Memphis as a pilot project for future recruitment campaigns.
West TN PITCH attendees gathered in the hallways of Legislative
Plaza during one of three regional dates to press medicine’s
agenda on Capitol Hill.
Notables
Other TMA efforts of note in 2007-2008:
• PITCH 2008 – More than 100 physicians, spouses and prac-
tice managers came from the state’s three Grand Divisions
to lobby their legislators and represent the face of “good
medicine” on Capitol Hill. Rather than converging at the
State Capitol every Tuesday, this year’s PITCH effort was
concentrated into three regional dates: February 26 -
Middle TN; March 18 - West TN; and April 8 - East TN.
• Non-Compete Law – Beginning in November 2007, the TMA
launched a wholehearted effort to educate members on
Tennessee’s new physician non-compete law, which over-
turned the Udom decision. A series of articles ran in
17
Tennessee Medicine; the TMA also hosted one of its new
Learn@Lunch audio seminars on the topic in late December.
• TMGMA/TMA Salary Survey – A statewide medical office
staff salary survey hosted by both groups was promoted to
members and their practices; information will be used to
help managers prepare budgets and manage staff.
• New Benefits & Services – Several new member benefits were
introduced in the past year; the most notable was member dis-
counts for tamper-resistant prescription pads, required for all
TennCare prescriptions effective April l, 2008. Other services
included reduced-cost medical equipment maintenance and
service, deep practice discounts with the TMA Power Buying
Program, and unveiling a revamped Medwire.org Web site with
a better look and ease of functionality.
• Seminars –The TMA’s 27th annual Insurance Workshops were
held statewide from August through October 2007. Other
seminars included 2008 Coding Seminars, held statewide
throughout February 2008, and a new series of Learn@Lunch
audio seminars, to be held quarterly on various topics.
• TMA Alcohol Ad campaign – In August 2007, the TMA
joined an AMA campaign urging NCAA schools to ban alco-
hol advertising from their sports programs. A letter cam-
paign by the TMA AMA delegation targeted 21 colleges in
Tennessee and so far has garnered commitments from 11
colleges and the South Atlantic Conference. The campaign
continues, targeting some of the state’s largest universities.
Finances
A balanced budget had been projected for 2007 with rev-
enues and expenditures projected at $3,134,037.84. The actu-
al revenue was $3,439,965.00 and actual expenses were
$3,224,191.00, resulting in $215,774 excess revenues over
budgeted expenses. This excess amount was budgeted to be
added to the TMA’s reserves.
The TMA experienced revenues in excess of expenses for 2007, and
this was in excess of the projected budget by $266,270. Several
different factors contributed to this, one of which was the fact
that TMA exceeded budget investment revenue for the year.
2007 Estimated Expenses
$3,134,037.84
18
The TMA is using the consulting and managing services of Mr.
Don Raber, president, Alderbaran Financial Inc., for both the
reserve and the general operation funds. Through the efforts of
our Investment Committee chaired by Subhi D. Ali, MD, we
experienced an 11.41 percent increase in the value of our
Reserve Investments in 2007. The Reserve Investments balance
as of December 31, 2007, was $2,459,597.47. All investments
were made within the parameters of the TMA’s Investment
Policy (Revised July 22, 2007). Of note is the fact that TMA has
contributed in excess of $1,000,000 over the past seven-year
period for revenues exceeding expenses.
2007 Estimated Income
$3,134,037.84
19
 T E N N E S S E E M E D I C A L A S S O C I AT I O N

2008 House of Delegates Resolution Actions

Number Title Action

BLA 01-08 Representation of Direct Members at TMA House of Delegates Adopted

BLA 02-08 Membership by Physicians from Medical Societies Considered to be Dormant Adopted
BLA 03-08 Deletion of Lie Over Requirement in Order to Amend the TMA Bylaws Lying Over for Action at the 2009 Session
of the House of Delegates
Res. No. 01-08 Reaffirmation of Resolution No. 9-01 -Reaffirmation of Resolution No. 27-94
Emergency Care of Managed Care Organization Patients Adopted by Unanimous Consent
Res. No. 03-08 Publicity Campaign Regarding Insurance Company Ratings of Physicians Adopted as Amended
Res. No. 05-08 The Approaching Physician Shortage Crisis Adopted as Amended
Res. No. 06-08 Extending Dependent Health Benefits for Young Adults Adopted
Res. No. 07-08 Member Education on Medicare Recovery Audit Contractors Adopted as Amended
Res. No. 08-08 Immunization of Tennessee Children Adopted as Amended
Res. No. 09-08 Repeal of Provisions of the Tennessee Uniform Accident and Sickness Policy Provision Law (UPPL) Adopted as Amended
Res. No. 11-08 Tennessee Medical Association (TMA) Committee Members Serving as Ex-Officio Delegates Referred to the Board of Trustees
to the TMA House of Delegates for Consideration and Recommendation
Res. No. 13-08 The Tennessee Medical Association House of Delegates Annual Meeting Referred to the Board of Trustees
Emergency Res. No. 14-08 WIC Formula Substitution Adopted

SUNSET RESOLUTIONS
R 3-01 Reaffirmation and Modification of Res. No. 7-94 – Mandatory AM Admissions
Sub R 6-01 Reaffirmation of Res. No. 14-94 - Extension of Countersignature Requirement for Verbal Orders in Long-Term Care Facilities
R 7-01 Reaffirmation of Res. NO. 22-94 – Medical Malpractice Defendants Before State Board of Medical Examiners
R 8-01 Reaffirmation of Res. No. 24-94 – Medical Practice Mini-Internships for TMA Staff
R 10-01 TMA Future Governance
Sub R 11-01 TMA Nominating Committee Structure
R 13-01 Expansion of TMA Board of Trustees
R 16-01 Annual Medical Symposium
R 24-01 IPA Resource Program
R 25-01 Legislation Limiting Damages Awarded Pursuant to Birth-Related Injuries

SUNSET/PERMANENT POLICY RESOLUTIONS

R 1-01 Reaffirmation of Res. No. 2-94 - Mandatory Auto Safety Belt Usage
R 2-01 Reaffirmation of Res. No. 5-94 - Potentially Unethical Contracts
R 4-01 Reaffirmation of Res. No. 8-94 – Reentry Assistance Needed by Physicians Health Program
R 21-01 Conflict of Interest Statement
R 22-01 Member Access to TMA Board of Trustees
HOUSE OF DELEGATES PROCEEDINGS
Final Actions of the Tennessee Medical
Association House of Delegates
The 173rd annual meeting of the Tennessee Medical Association (MedTenn 2008) was conducted in Nashville, Tennessee, April 18-20, at the Nashville Airport
Marriott Hotel. The House of Delegates held a one-day session on Saturday, April 19. Stuart M. Polly, MD, Memphis, presided as speaker of the House, with Richard
J. DePersio, MD, Knoxville, again serving as vice-speaker. Douglas J. Springer, MD, chairman of the Credentials Committee, announced there were 129 delegates in
attendance for the opening session of the House, which officially represented a quorum. The abstracted minutes of the last regular session of the House of Delegates,
published in the June 2007 issue of Tennessee Medicine, were accepted by unanimous vote of the House.
BYLAW AMENDMENTS
The following bylaw amendments were
adopted by the 2008 House of Delegates.
BYLAW AMENDMENT NO. 1-08
REPRESENTATION OF DIRECT MEMBERS AT
TMA HOUSE OF DELEGATES
David G. Gerkin, MD, Chairman
Committee on the Constitution and Bylaws
RESOLVED, That Bylaw Chapter III, Section 3, be
amended by deletion as follows:
Sec. 3. Each component society shall be entitled to
send to the House of Delegates each year one del-
egate for every fifty active, veteran, and intern and
resident members, and one for every fraction
thereof, based upon the number of such members
in the component society in good standing as of
December 1 of the year preceding the meeting of
the House. Each component society shall also be
entitled to send one student delegate from its
membership to the House for each medical school
in its territorial jurisdiction. Each component soci-
ety holding a charter from the Association, which
has made its annual report and paid its assessment
as provided in the Constitution and Bylaws, shall
be entitled to at least one delegate. No delegate
from any chartered component society shall be
entitled to be seated in the House of Delegates
unless the component society which he or she rep-
resents has complied with the requirements of the
Association by submitting the report to the coun-
cilor of the district in which the component socie-
ty is located. Each delegate of a component socie-
ty shall be a proxy representing all of the compo-
nent society’s members, except as to matters upon
22 TENNESSEE MEDICINE / JUNE 2008
April 19, 2008
which a referendum is held as provided in Article
IV of the Constitution, and the meeting of the
House of Delegates shall constitute the annual
meeting of the members of the Association in
accordance with the requirements of the law of the
state of Tennessee relating to general welfare cor-
porations.
RESOLVED, That Bylaw Chapter III, Section 4, be
amended by deletion and insertion as follows:
Sec. 4. The members of the association who have
joined directly pursuant to TMA Bylaw Chapter I,
section B.2, shall be entitled to send to the House
of Delegates each year one delegate for every fifty
active, veteran, and intern and resident members
who have joined TMA by direct membership and
are otherwise in good standing as of December 1
of the year preceding the meeting of the House.
Such delegate(s) shall be nominated by the
Statewide Nominating Committee and elected on
an at-large basis by the direct members of TMA
during the annual TMA physician leadership elec-
tions; and be it further
ADOPTED
_______________________________
BYLAW AMENDMENT NO. 2-08
MEMBERSHIP BY PHYSICIANS FROM MEDICAL
SOCIETIES CONSIDERED TO BE DORMANT
David G. Gerkin, MD, Chairman
Committee on the Constitution and Bylaws
RESOLVED, That a new Bylaw Chapter I, B. Sec. 3,
be inserted as follows:
Sec. 3. Chartered medical societies which, upon
recommendation of the Judicial Council, are con-
sidered by the House of Delegates to have chroni-
cally been out of compliance with the terms of
their charter or with the terms of these Bylaws may
be revoked or designated as “dormant” upon vote
of the House of Delegates. Dormant status means
that the component society’s charter remains on
file with TMA, but for all representative purposes,
the component society is non-functioning and
therefore cannot exercise the rights and privileges
conveyed to active component societies, including
the right to collect dues, elect officers, or elect rep-
resentatives to the TMA House of Delegates.
Members from component societies deemed by
the House of Delegates to be “dormant” may
remain active TMA members by joining the associ-
ation directly. Component societies designated as
dormant will be reviewed annually by the House of
Delegates and such society may petition the House
of Delegates at any time to have its “dormant” sta-
tus lifted. No component society shall be designat-
ed as dormant for more than five (5) consecutive
years. If the House of Delegates deems a compo-
nent society “dormant” for four consecutive years,
such charter shall be automatically revoked by the
House of Delegates at the end of the fifth year in the
absence of a compelling petition to have the “dor-
mant” status lifted. This provision does not pre-
clude the House of Delegates from revoking the
dormant society’s charter at any time during its
five-year dormant period; and be it further
RESOLVED, That Bylaw Chapter I, B. Sec. 9, be
amended by insertion as follows:
Sec. 10. A physician may hold membership in that
component society most convenient for him or her
to attend, on permission of the society in whose
jurisdiction the physician principally practices and
that of the society he or she seeks to join, and with
consent of the councilor of that district. If a physi-
cian lives and practices in a county that does not
have a chartered component society, or is not a
 HOUSE OF DELEGATES PROCEEDINGS
Board of Trustees (BOT) Chair Dr. Mike Minch leads the House of Delegates through a
presentation on the work of the Futures II Workgroup.
part of one, or if a physician lives and practices in
a county containing a component society designat-
ed as dormant, then he or she may join the
Association directly. When more than ten physi-
cians from a county belong to the Association
directly, then that group of physicians, may apply
for a charter with the Association to form a com-
ponent society pursuant to the procedures out-
lined in this Constitution and Bylaws.
RESOLVED, That Bylaw Chapter VI, A. Sec. 2, be
amended by insertion as follows:
Sec. 2. The Judicial Council shall have the power to
censure, suspend, expel, or to take such other dis-
ciplinary action with respect to members, mem-
bers serving as officers of this Association, or com-
ponent societies as in the exercise of its discretion
it may deem proper under the circumstances. The
Judicial Council may recommend that the House of
Delegates place a component society on dormant
status pursuant to Bylaw Chapter I, Section B.3.
ADOPTED
BYLAW AMENDMENT NO. 3-08
DELETION OF LIE-OVER REQUIREMENT IN
ORDER TO AMEND THE TENNESSEE MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION BYLAWS
David G. Gerkin, MD, Chairman
Committee on the Constitution and Bylaws
RESOLVED, That Bylaw Chapter XI be amended by
deletion as follows:
In order to amend the Bylaws of this Association, a
two-thirds majority of the members of the House of
Delegates present and voting shall be necessary.
Any bylaw may be suspended during the pending
meeting by unanimous consent.
WILL LIE OVER AND BE CONSIDERED
AT THE 2009 HOUSE OF DELEGATES
TENNESSEE MEDICINE / JUNE 2008
RESOLUTIONS
The following resolutions were adopted by
the 2008 House of Delegates.
RESOLUTION NO. 1-08
EMERGENCY CARE OF MANAGED CARE
ORGANIZATION PATIENTS
REAFFIRMATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 9-01
REAFFIRMATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 27-94
F. Michael Minch, MD, Chairman
TMA Board of Trustees
RESOLVED, That the Tennessee Medical
Association confer with the Tennessee Hospital
Association in an effort to jointly resolve the diffi-
culties encountered when patients need emergency
care but the hospitals and physicians who provide
that treatment are not under contract with the
patient's insurer; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Tennessee Medical
Association urge the Tennessee Department of
Commerce and Insurance to issue appropriate
regulations, or, if unsuccessful, pursue passage of
legislation, to establish a uniform definition of
“emergency care” that would include those health-
care services provided to evaluate and treat med-
ical conditions of recent onset and severity that
would lead a prudent lay person possessing an
average knowledge of medicine and health to
believe that urgent and/or unscheduled medical
care is required and to compensate any non-con-
tract physician or hospital that provides needed
emergency care at a level commensurate with
community standards.
ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT
_______________________________
RESOLUTION NO. 3-08
INSURANCE COMPANY RATINGS OF
PHYSICIANS
Jerome W. Thompson, MD, Chairman
Insurance Issues Committee
23
HOUSE OF DELEGATES PROCEEDINGS
Members of the BOT Executive Committee listen to debate during the House of Delegates session.
RESOLVED, That TMA’s official position regarding
health plan physician rating and tiering initiatives
is that such initiatives based or weighted primarily
on claims data is a flawed methodology and is mis-
leading to the public; and be it further
RESOLVED, The Tennessee Medical Association
shall encourage the Tennessee Commissioner of
Commerce and Insurance and the Tennessee
Attorney General to investigate the accuracy and
validity of administrative claims-based physician rat-
ing and tiering systems utilized by health insurers
licensed in the State of Tennessee; and be it further.
RESOLVED, The Tennessee Medical Association
shall pursue an amendment to T.C.A. §56-32-
230(e) requiring that,
1. Tennessee health insurers shall certify and
report the accuracy and validity of any physi-
cian rating and tiering data before it is pub-
lished.
2. Any cost and administrative burden associat-
ed with an insurer’s physician rating system
and the certification of its accuracy shall be
the sole responsibility of the insurer.
3. Any contract provision request a physician to
submit clinical and quality data to a health
plan shall be adequately reimbursed.; and
be it further
RESOLVED, Tennessee Medical Association imme-
diately convene an ad hoc task force to report to
the Board of Trustees Executive Committee in June
a plan to:
• develop an advertising campaign to educate
employers and the public that TMA does not
oppose fair and accurate physician
rating/tiering initiatives, and present bal-
anced information regarding the limited
information available to employers and
24 TENNESSEE MEDICINE / JUNE 2008
patients through ratings/tiering based on
flawed data,
• stress that use by employers or patients of a
single health plan's physician rating/tiering
report may not provide adequate quality
information about a particular physician
because it may leave out quality information
that could be obtained from government pay-
ers, other commercial health plans, other
physicians, or other reliable sources.
• encourage employers and patients to
demand fair and accurate ratings (by inde-
pendent organizations) that consider a wider
sample of patients
• alert employers and patients of the need to
be aware that some purported quality meas-
ures may be affected by factors outside the
control of physicians such as patient compli-
ance with their doctor's recommendations,
contraindications for performing a particular
quality measure, and services performed on
a patient by another physician.
• Inform patients that when choosing a physi-
cian, they should not use health plan physi-
cian ratings/tiering alone but also consider
other factors such as their trust in their
physician
RESOLVED, The Tennessee Medical Association
shall encourage its members to participate in the
clinically based quality and cost reporting initia-
tives being undertaken by their respective profes-
sional societies.
ADOPTED AS AMENDED
RESOLUTION NO. 5-08
THE APPROACHING PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE CRISIS
Mark A. Brzezienski, MD, Delegate
Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society
RESOLVED, The Tennessee Medical Association
and organized medicine must sound a clarion call
and enlighten policy makers as to the looming
doctor shortage; and be it further
RESOLVED, The Tennessee Medical Association will
work toward expanding residency positions and
medical schools; and be it further
RESOLVED, The Tennessee Medical Association will
seek to invigorate our young people’s interest in
medicine as a career with effective mentoring pro-
grams; and be it further
RESOLVED, The Tennessee Medical Association will
partner with public and private concerns regard-
ing a solution to the enormous individual financial
burden of medical education; and be it further
RESOLVED, The Tennessee Medical Association will
adopt a posture that graduate medical education
(GME) must be expanded and Medicare caps on
GME must be lifted; and be it further
RESOLVED, The Tennessee Medical Association will
seek to build a statewide and national consensus
regarding the future physician shortage crisis and
exercise its responsibility to our state and country
to ensure that an adequate supply of physicians
will be available for our next generation
ADOPTED AS AMENDED
 HOUSE OF DELEGATES PROCEEDINGS
AMA Board Chair Dr. Edward Langston updates the HOD on national advocacy issues,
including the continuing battle over Medicare physician payment cuts.
RESOLUTION NO. 6-08
EXTENDING DEPENDENT HEALTH BENEFITS
FOR YOUNG ADULTS
Peter C. Rawlings, MD, Delegate
Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society
RESOLVED, That the Tennessee Medical
Association supports the extension of existing
dependent health insurance benefits to individuals
up to age 25, regardless of student status; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Tennessee Medical
Association encourages Tennessee to amend TCA
56-7-2302 to provide the extension of existing
dependent health insurance benefits to individuals
up to age 25, regardless of student status; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution shall be
sent to state legislative leaders across the country
and in the Congress.
ADOPTED
RESOLUTION NO. 7-08
MEMBER EDUCATION ON MEDICARE RECOVERY
AUDIT CONTRACTORS
Robert Kerlan, MD, Delegate
The Memphis Medical Society
RESOLVED, That Tennessee
Medical Association continue
to educate its members regard-
ing their rights during Program
Safeguard Contractor surveys
and Recovery Audit Contractor
audits; and be it further
RESOLVED, That Tennessee
Medical Association legal staff
compile a reference list of
lawyers with experience in
prosecuting appeals of
Program Safeguard Contractor
and Recovery Audit Contractor
audits to be made available to
TMA members; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Tennessee Medical Association
encourage and support legislative initiatives to sim-
plify the tedious appeals process available to physi-
cians and that physicians be able to recover a por-
tion of their legal expenses proportional to the
amount of the alleged improper payments that are
overturned on appeal; and be it further
RESOLVED That the Tennessee Medical
Association encourage and support legislative ini-
tiatives to prevent contingencies fees paid to recov-
ery audit contractors from being based on a per-
centage of alleged “improve” Medicare payments
to providers; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be sent to
the American Medical Association (AMA) through
our Tennessee Medical Association delegation to
the AMA.
ADOPTED AS AMENDED
_______________________________
RESOLUTION NO. 8-08
IMMUNIZATION OF TENNESSEE CHILDREN
Charles White, Jr., Chairman
Public Health Committee
RESOLVED, That the Tennessee Medical
Association (1) support the Tennessee Department
of Health (TDOH) goal of immunizing 90% of
Tennessee’s children; (2) work closely with the
Tennessee Chapter, American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP) and the Tennessee Academy of
Family Physicians (TAFP) on efforts to reach this
goal; and be it further
Dr. Christopher Young of Signal Mountain takes the
microphone during HOD discussion.
TENNESSEE MEDICINE / JUNE 2008 25
HOUSE OF DELEGATES PROCEEDINGS
RESOLVED, That the Tennessee Medical
Association (1) encourage and support legislative
initiatives to assure funding of vaccines by all pri-
vate insurance companies or by the Vaccine for
Children program for those who meet their guide-
lines. This funding should cover all vaccines rec-
ommended by the Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices (ACIP) for all children in
Tennessee 19 years of age or younger; (2) encour-
age physicians to improve the level of immuniza-
tions in their practice area.
ADOPTED AS AMENDED
_______________________________
RESOLUTION NO. 9-08
REPEAL OF PROVISIONS OF THE TENNESSEE
UNIFORM ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS POLICY
PROVISION LAW (UPPL)
Colleen M. Schmitt, MD, Delegate
Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society
President-elect Dr. Richard DePersio (L) presents a plaque to outgoing HOD Speaker Dr. Stuart Polly.
26 TENNESSEE MEDICINE / JUNE 2008
RESOLVED, That the Tennessee Medical
Association seek the repeal of relevant provisions
of the Uniform Accident and Sickness Policy
Provision Law (UPPL) which prevent reimburse-
ment for medical services for alcohol and narcot-
ic-related injuries if such repeal is recommended
in the Comptroller’s 2008 report.
ADOPTED AS AMENDED
_______________________________
RESOLUTION NO. 11-08
TMA COMMITTEE MEMBERS SERVING AS EX-
OFFICIO DELEGATES TO THE TMA HOUSE OF
DELEGATES
Edward W. Capparelli, MD, Delegate
Knoxville Academy of Medicine
RESOLVED, That members of the Tennessee
Medical Association (TMA) who serve on TMA
Board of Trustees appointed committees be
allowed to serve as ex-officio delegates to the
House of Delegates if they so choose.
REFERRED TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
FOR CONSIDERATION AND RECOMMEN-
DATION
_______________________________
RESOLUTION NO. 13-08
THE TENNESSEE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL MEETING
Mark A. Brzezienski, MD, Delegate
Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society
RESOLVED, That the Tennessee Medical Association
Board of Trustees schedule the Annual meeting and
House of Delegates to be held in the summer or
early fall in future years (as soon as permitted by
existing hotel contracts) so policy developed by the
House of Delegates can respond to issues that
emerged during the General Assembly and can be
 HOUSE OF DELEGATES PROCEEDINGS

TMA delegates considered a roster of 15 resolutions dealing with topics such as quality ratings, a physician shortage, emergency care,
insurance coverage and child immunization.

based on a full understanding of the actual work

completed in that year’s General Assembly.

REFERRED TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

RESOLUTION NO. 14-08

WIC FORMULA SUBSTITUTION

O. Ward Swarner, MD, Delegate

Greene County Medical Society

RESOLVED,That your Tennessee Medical

Association strongly advocate for easier criteria
and an easier process to obtain alternative formu-
las for Women, Infants and Children program
infants who exhibit complications warranting a Former TMA presidents were reunited during their traditional annual meeting breakfast.
formula substitution (L-R): Drs. Subi Ali, Fred Ralston, Howard Salyer, Charles White, Sr., Clarence Sanders,
John Ingram, III, Phyllis Miller, James “Ted” Galyon, John Dorian; (seated) Drs. J. Kelley
ADOPTED Avery and Nat Hyder, Jr.

TENNESSEE MEDICINE / JUNE 2008 27

 ANNUAL AWARD PRESENTATIONS
2008 TMA Annual Awards
Outstanding Physician Award:
Drs. Mutter, Reed, Willoughby
The Outstanding Physician Award is presented annually by the TMA House of Delegates to member physicians who have made their personal
mark on the profession of medicine in Tennessee and on those they have worked with and known during their illustrious medical careers.
DR. MUTTER RECOGNIZED FOR LEADERSHIP AND HUMANITARIAN AID
Dr. Mitch Mutter gives his acceptance comments during the
Awards ceremony held during TMA’s 173rd Annual Meeting in
Nashville.
Nominated by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society
(CHCMS), Mitchell Mutter, MD, is receiving the award for his longtime lead-
ership in organized medicine and his humanitarian aid work in Haiti.
“Dr. Mutter is indeed a true paragon of the medical profession who
embodies all the very best in principles and practice for which physicians
strive and, in this instance, achieve,” said former CHCMS President Peter
Rawlings, MD.
Dr. Mutter has served numerous leadership roles in medicine and organ-
ized medicine. He is a former president of the CHCMS and served on its board
of directors, and has been a longtime delegate to the TMA House of Delegates
as well as chairman of an HOD Reference Committee. He is the current presi-
dent of the Medical Foundation of Chattanooga, was the inaugural chairman
and board member of the Tennessee Physicians Quality Verification
Organization, LLC, and is a current member of the Tennessee Board of Medical
Examiners, serving as vice president in 2006 and president in 2007. He recent-
ly completed a three-year term as chief of staff at Erlanger Medical Center, and
is a previous chair of the Department of Medicine at St. Mary’s Medical Center.
In 2001, Dr. Mutter’s longtime commitment to medical missions in Haiti
led him to create and incorporate the Children’s Nutrition Program of Haiti, a
faith-based non-profit organization committed to improving the health and
development of Haitian children. CNP provides health and nutrition education
for mothers; offers health care, including mobile medical clinics, vaccination
and critical care programs, and rehabilitation for severely malnourished chil-
dren; and works with other organizations on safe well water programs.
His work led to being named the 2001 recipient of the American Medical
Association’s prestigious Nathan Davis International Award in medicine and
public health. In 2007, he received the Tennessee Hospital Association’s
Medical Staff Meritorious Service Award.
In Chattanooga, Dr. Mutter also gives selflessly to Project Access as a vol-
unteer physician and recruiter, and chairs the foundation that oversees the
program; he also volunteers for other mission projects for needy patients.
A former University of Tennessee Volunteers football team offensive lineman,
Dr. Mutter still serves as an associate clinical professor in the UT College of
Medicine’s Department of Medicine in Knoxville and Chattanooga.
DR. REED HONORED AS GREAT HUMANITARIAN
Edward W. Reed, MD, was nominated by The Memphis Medical Society
(MMS) as a “great humanitarian ... who has had a tremendous impact on
medicine in Memphis/Shelby County,” according to MMS Past–President
Valerie K. Arnold, MD.
After completing college and medical school in Nashville, Dr. Reed moved
to Memphis in 1964 and became the first African-American board-certified
TENNESSEE MEDICINE / JUNE 2008 29
ANNUAL AWARD PRESENTATIONS
Dr. Edward Reed of Memphis addresses the crowd after receiving
his Outstanding Physician Award.
general surgeon to practice in the city; he was also the first African-American
physician to serve on the faculty of UT College of Medicine and have staff privi-
DR. WILLOUGHBY CHOSEN FOR PATIENT AND PHYSICIAN ADVOCACY
Dr. Willoughby (L) is presented his award by TMA Speaker of the
House of Delegates Dr. Stuart Polly.
A lifetime of advocacy on behalf of patients and his fellow physicians led
the Williamson County Medical Society (WCMS) to nominate Joseph L.
Willoughby, MD, for the TMA Outstanding Physician of 2008 award.
“Anyone who knows Dr. Willoughby is certain of the fact that he was born
30 TENNESSEE MEDICINE / JUNE 2008
leges at Baptist Memorial Hospital – Memphis.
In 1981, Dr. Reed was a founding member of the Shelby County Health Care
Corporation, a private board overseeing operations of the Regional Medical
Center (The MED); he served several years as chairman of the board for The
MED. He has also served on boards and committees for several organizations
including the University of Tennessee; his alma mater, Meharry Medical College;
St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and St. Joseph Hospital, prior to its acqui-
sition by Saint Francis Hospital; the Tennessee Division of the American Cancer
Society; and the National Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society.
Dr. Reed has been honored numerous times for his medical and humani-
tarian achievements, including the National Conference of Christians and Jews
(NCCJ, now National Conference of Community and Justice) Humanitarian
Award (1995) and the NCCJ Community Service Award in Medicine (1990);
Bluff City Medical Society’s Physician of the Year Award (1980, 1987); the Alpha
Phi Alpha Fraternity First Humanitarian Award (1990); the Kiwanis Club of
Memphis Outstanding Senior Citizen (1994); and the Leadership Memphis
Citizen-at-Large (1995), among others.
Currently retired, Dr. Reed recently served as senior vice president and
medical director for Omni Care Health Plan of Tennessee until 2007.
to be a physician and should be held up as a role model to us all,” said WCMS
President Sam Bastian, MD.
Actively involved in the TMA and his local society, Dr. Willoughby has
served on numerous levels including president of the WCMS, and has been a
delegate to the TMA House of Delegates since 1962 and a member of the TMA
Rural Health and Long Term Care committees. In the early 1970s, Dr.
Willoughby was instrumental in the founding of the State Volunteer Mutual
Insurance Company, Inc. (SVMIC), to help solve a statewide medical liability
insurance crisis affecting Tennessee physicians. He served on the SVMIC board
for 25 years and chaired several committees.
A family practitioner dedicated to the most vulnerable populations, Dr.
Willoughby has worked tirelessly to care for and protect elderly patients as chair-
man of the Health Facilities Life Safety Task Force, a member of the Health Facilities
Board and the Tennessee Nursing Home Administrators Board, and president of
the Harpeth Terrace Convalescent Center and the Claiborne and Hughes
Convalescent Center. He is a past chief of staff at Williamson County Hospital and
currently on staff at Williamson Medical Center, Harpeth Terrace Convalescent
Center, Claiborne and Hughes Convalescent Center, and NHC, Franklin.
In his community, Dr. Willoughby has served as a member of the
Williamson County Health Board, a co-founder of Harpeth Academy, founding
president of the Carnton Club and the Carnton Association (Carnton
Plantation), member of the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and past-president
and member of the Franklin Noon Rotary Club, and on the local board of direc-
tors for Williamson County Bank, Sovran Bank, NationsBank and Bank of
America. In 1978, he was named the Review Appeal Man of the Year. I
 ANNUAL AWARD PRESENTATIONS

Distinguished Service Award:

Drs. Grobmyer, Puckett
The Distinguished Service Award has been presented annually since 1963 by the TMA Board of Trustees to exemplary members of the Association
for their notable achievements during the last calendar year. Recipients are physician members who deserve recognition of outstanding service
or contribution to the advancement of medical science, or to this Association, or to the public welfare, whether of a civic or scientific nature.

DR. GROBMYER CHOSEN FOR IMPACT ON

HEALTHCARE QUALITY
Albert J. Grobmyer, III, MD, was nominated by The Memphis Medical
Society (MMS) for his “tremendous impact” on healthcare quality, according
to former MMS President Valerie Arnold, MD. “Throughout his distinguished
career, Dr. Grobmyer has developed numerous quality initiatives and has been
affiliated with a host of quality-focused organizations,” she said.
From 2001-2007, Dr. Grobmyer served as chief executive officer of the
QSource Center for Healthcare Quality. Qsource, a non-profit healthcare con-
sulting firm, serves as the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO)
for Tennessee, providing a wide range of quality improvement services to
healthcare organizations and providers across the state. Currently, he serves as
medical director of TennCare External Quality Review for QSource.
His commitment to healthcare quality also includes service with the
American College of Medical Quality, American Society for Quality, Tennessee
Improving Patient Safety Committee, the TennCare Bureau Medical Necessity
Committee, and the Mid-South Healthcare Alliance.
A past-president of The Memphis Medical Society, Dr. Grobmyer served
over 12 years on the TMA House of Delegates. He has been a clinical assistant
professor in the UT Family Medicine residency program for over 25 years and
continues to serve the College of Medicine as a member of the Undergraduate
Medical Education Committee. He is a former president of Saint Francis
Hospital – Memphis, the Memphis Surgical Society, and the UT College of
Medicine Alumni Council.
Dr. Grobmyer (L) receives his Distinguished Service Award from
TMA Board Chair Dr. Mike Minch.

PROJECT ACCESS INVOLVEMENT LEADS

TO AWARD FOR DR. PUCKETT
Walter Puckett, MD, was nominated for the Distinguished Service Award
by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society (CHCMS) for his leader-
ship and involvement with Project Access, a program to provide healthcare
services to low-income uninsured residents of Hamilton County.
He has served as the volunteer medical director of the Hamilton County
Project Access Community Health Initiative since its inception in April 2003.
Nearly five years later, the program has coordinated nearly $25 million in free
healthcare to needy patients in the county. He has served on the Project Access
Operations Council, which develops program policy and operational proce-
dures for the initiative, and recently worked with staff to create a new
Orthopedic Clinic for Project Access and Volunteers in Medicine patients.
Outside of Project Access, Dr. Puckett volunteers regularly for community
health fairs, conducts health screenings in various settings, and makes himself
available to help those in need.
Currently the director of Cardiac Education and chief of Cardiology at
(Continued on page 33)

TENNESSEE MEDICINE / JUNE 2008 31

 ANNUAL AWARD PRESENTATIONS

Community Service Award:

Bredesen, Ramsey, Capshaw
Elementary
The TMA Community Service Award annually recognizes persons or organizations outside the medical profession who contribute significantly
to the advancement of public health in their respective communities.

SMOKEFREE TENNESSEE GARNERS AWARD

FOR GOV. BREDESEN
Nominated by The Memphis Medical Society (MMS), the Honorable Phil
Bredesen was chosen for his diligent efforts to pass the “Non-Smokers
Protection Act,” which outlawed smoking in most workplaces across
Tennessee. “This landmark legislation promises to positively impact the health
of Tennesseans for generations to come,” said former MMS President Valerie
Arnold, MD.
The measure, signed by the governor on June 11, 2007, became effective
October 1, 2007, and promises to positively impact the health of Tennesseans
for generations to come by protecting them from secondhand smoke. The new
law is parallel with the mission of the TMA and its component medical soci-
eties to promote the health and healthcare of citizens throughout Tennessee.
“Governor Bredesen worked tirelessly with the State House and Senate to
reach a compromise,” said Dr. Arnold. “Governor Bredesen, along with our state
legislators, realized and understood how the long-term ramifications of smoking
adversely impact not only smokers, but non-smokers forced to inhale their sec-
ondhand smoke,” she added, praising Gov. Bredesen for shepherding Tennessee
Tennessee’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Veronica Gunn accepts the
to become one of the first tobacco states to sign on to the nationwide trend.
TMA Community Service Award from Dr. Minch on behalf of Gov.
Bredesen.

RAMSEY HONORED FOR STEP ONE PROGRAM

Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey was nominated for this
award by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society (CHCMS) for
spearheading the Step ONE Initiative in Hamilton County.
Step ONE (Optimize with Nutrition and Exercise) is a county-wide effort to
address obesity among adults and children by promoting physical fitness, good
eating practices and healthy lifestyles. The program is a partnership between
the Mayor, the Hamilton County Regional Health Council and the Chattanooga-
Hamilton County Health Department. Some of the Step ONE strategies include
educational programs for children in public schools, including “Fruit Fridays,”
Mayor Ramsey thanks the crowd after receiving his Community the development of “walkable routes” to schools, and the appointment of a
Service Award.

32 TENNESSEE MEDICINE / JUNE 2008

 ANNUAL AWARD PRESENTATIONS
school health programs coordinator. Other initiatives include making neigh-
borhoods more exercise friendly, the development of an EatSmart Restaurant
program and efforts to implement Step ONE recommendations among families
in their homes – the last two initiatives are being funded by a three-year
“Healthy Starts” grant from the Junior League of Chattanooga.
“Since its earliest days, County Mayor Ramsey has taken a deep and per-
sonal interest in the initiative,” said former CHCMS President Peter Rawlings,
MD, adding Mayor Ramsey personally became a role model for the program by
dieting and increasing his physical activity. “Mayor Ramsey has remained
actively involved, serving as a public spokesperson, mobilizing county govern-
ment to address the Step ONE goals and Objectives,” he said.
Mayor Ramsey’s leadership and commitment has been a key component of
the Step ONE Initiative’s success, according to the CHCMS. “With very little
funding but a lot of willpower and community mobilization effort, County
Mayor Ramsey, the Hamilton County Health Department, and the Regional
Health Council are creating a profound shift in the actions and attitudes of
Hamilton County residents,” said Dr. Rawlings.
The school sponsors a host of student and family physical activities, including
the Walking Works for School program, Walk Across Tennessee, an annual Festival
of Movement, the American Heart Association’s “Jump Rope for Heart” fundraiser,
and the Cougar Run. Capshaw’s outstanding efforts recently earned the gold award
in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Healthier U.S. School Challenge – one of just
22 schools in the country and the only one in Tennessee to win the award.
“Recognizing that healthy children are better learners and good eating
habits start early, the school involves administrators, teachers, nutritionists,
cafeteria staff, parents, a physical education specialist, nurse and guidance
counselor to teach healthy food choices an the importance of exercise,” stated
PCMS President-elect James Batson, MD. I

CAPSHAW RECOGNIZED FOR STUDENT

HEALTH INITIATIVES
Capshaw Elementary School in Cookeville was chosen as the third
recipient for the TMA Community Service Award for its significant contribution
to improving the health of its young students.
Nominated by the Putnam County Medical Society (PCMS), Capshaw
Elementary has placed an emphasis on healthy food choices and the impor-
tance of exercise through educational initiatives in both the classroom and the Capshaw Principal Kim Wright (center) and Physical
cafeteria, including units on the Food Pyramid, Healthy Habits, and the STARS Education Instructor Nancy Lewis accept the Community
Selection Program, to teach students to make healthy food choices. Service Award from Dr. Minch.

PROJECT ACCESS INVOLVEMENT LEADS TO AWARD FOR

DR. PUCKETT
(Continued from page 31)
Erlanger Health System, Dr. Puckett has been recognized several times for his
outstanding teaching ability; he was named Erlanger Health System’s Outstanding
Teacher in 1981, 2001, and 2006; he also received the Augustus McCravey
Award for Lifetime of Excellence in Medical Education in 2001.
“At a time when many people might be thinking about retirement, Walter
Puckett has continued to care for those most in need, to educate and motivate a
new generation of physicians, and to ensure that hundreds of those who have
health issues but lack insurance receive quality care,” said former CHCMS
President Peter Rawlings, MD. I

Dr. Minch presents Dr. Puckett with his award at

the Annual Awards Luncheon.
33
TENNESSEE MEDICINE / JUNE 2008
The Road to Reform
he Tennessee Medical Association’s long history with medical liability issues dates back to 1975, when the TMA helped avert a malpractice
T insurance crisis with the formation of a doctor-owned mutual insurance company.

More than three decades later, doctors were once again fighting steep premiums caused partly by escalating malpractice awards and considered
themselves lucky if they had never been sued. By 2002, the TMA was calling for tort reform and for the next six years, returned to the General
Assembly again and again to try to accomplish its mission. This year, the TMA finally won passage of a compromise measure establishing a notifi-
cation and certification process that would help eliminate meritless cases before they go to court.

While celebrating its first major, hard-fought victory, TMA leaders also realize this is just the first step toward meaningful reform that will help both
physicians and their patients by preserving access to care for the future. The following is a brief look back at the long road to our first MLR victo-
ry in Tennessee in over 30 years.

January 2001 – Gov. Phil Bredesen and Tennessee Congressman
Van Hilleary debate medical liability reform at TMA Leadership
Summit.
March 2002 – Tennessee Medicine Editor Dr. David Gerkin pens a
heartfelt call for medical liability reform in an editorial called “The
Continuing Crisis.”
June 2002 – AMA releases a 50-state analysis and declares medical
liability issue has reached a crisis point in 12 states
with more than 30 others showing problem signs,
including Tennessee.
February 2003 – The TMA proposes its first
Malpractice Liability Reform bill (SB605/HB1441)
establishing a $250,000 cap on non-economic dam-
ages, periodic payments for high awards, sliding contin-
gency fees for attorneys, and a collateral source rule The TMA’s first medical
allowing awards to be decreased if money comes from liability reform
other sources, such as Social Security or insurance, in campaign logo.
the same case.
April 2003 – Tennessee Medicine declares Tennessee is not yet a
“crisis state” but is headed for a crisis if legislation is not passed.
August/September 2003 – TMA and State Volunteer Mutual
Insurance Company (SVMIC) leaders testify before the General
Assembly’s Joint Subcommittee on Tort Reform about the need for
medical liability reform.
October 15, 2003 – TMA Legislative Committee sets a priority to
continue the push for MICRA-style tort reform legislation in 2004.
December 2003 – The TMA develops a Campaign Action Kit to help
Tennessee doctors explain the MLR crisis to patients and the public.
January 2004 – The TMA launches a grassroots campaign; physi-
cian leaders begin meeting with newspaper editorial boards around
the state to make their case for reform.
March 2004 – A preliminary report by the Legislature’s Tort Reform
Study Committee acknowledges an increase in malpractice insurance
premiums, recommends a formal study group be created to gather
more data.
April 2004 – Tort Reform Study Committee issues final
report recommends gathering more data on claims and
settlements, and proposes legislation to address vicari-
ous liability and restrictions on ex parte physician con-
tact.
July 2004 – TMA-commissioned Prince Market
Research survey shows 72% of Tennesseans believe
doctor services are impacted by the cost of medical lia-
bility insurance; 94% say the blame lies to “some or a
great” extent on threats of a lawsuit; 57% say medical liability reform
is a bigger issue than it was two years ago.
August 2004 – TMA leaders begin the “Reform Road Show,” visiting
allied medical organizations to gather support for a comprehensive
push for liability reform. Plans underway for the TMA Town Hall
Meeting on Medical Liability Reform in January 2005. A Legislative
Committee survey of 5,000 TMA members shows tort reform remains
their top priority.
October 2004 – TMA President John Ingram uses bylaws privilege
to call for a special meeting of the House of Delegates to follow the
TMA Town Hall Meeting on MLR.

TENNESSEE MEDICINE / JUNE 2008 35

THE ROAD TO REFORM
July 2005 – BOT appoints MLR Steering Committee to oversee all
MLR activities; sets fundraising goals for TMA Component Medical
Societies to help reach $1 million MLR Campaign goal. TMA begins
work to assemble MLR Coalition, a cohesive group of specialty, allied
healthcare professional, industry and patient groups committed to
achieving medical liability reform.

November 2005 – Web survey finds 78% of TMA members practic-

ing “defensive” medicine because of liability concerns; 72% reporting
shortages of high-risk specialties and difficulty recruiting doctors;
47% halting some risky procedures, with another 50% likely to do so
and 41% considering early retirement.

November 7, 2005 – At the urging of The Memphis Medical Society

and the TMA, the Shelby County Commission passes a resolution call-
A statewide Town Hall meeting in January 2005 birthed the ing for lawmakers to support “common sense” liability reform in the
TMA medical liability reform campaign. upcoming session.

January 2005 – Special issue of Tennessee Medicine promotes
upcoming TMA Town Hall Meeting on medical liability reform.
January 21, 2005 – Some
600 physicians from across
Tennessee gather in
Nashville for the seminal
TMA Town Hall Meeting:
“Making Reform a Reality.”
Special HOD session results
in resolution establishing
MLR as a TMA priority, urg-
ing physician support and
$1,000 contribution from
The TMA held focus groups in late 2005 to hone its MLR message to the public.
every Tennessee doctor.
February 22, 2005 – TMA and specialty
society leaders meet with U.S. Senate Majority
Leader Dr. Bill Frist on the chances of passing
national medical liability reform.
March 10, 2005 – MLR Debate Televised in
Nashville; Dr. Newton Allen, Jr., debates med-
ical liability environment with Randy Kinnard
of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association.
April 27, 2005 – TMA MLR bill rolled to
2006 due to a rules technicality; TMA officials
celebrate success with the sign-up of more
than 30 co-sponsors.
January 10, 2006 – Tennessee ranks in the bottom 25 percent of
National Report Card on the State of Emergency Medicine, due to a
failing grade in its medical liability climate.
February 2006 – TMA
unveils new MLR Campaign
Web site, www.mlrnow.org.
February 14, 2006 –
AMA/TMA joint news con-
ference held in Nashville
announces Tennessee has
been declared an AMA
MLR “Crisis State.”
March 2006 – TMA MLR
Campaign unveils a new look, new urgency
with “Medical Liability: REFORM Now or Pay
Later!” theme. In conjunction with the
National Federation of Independent
Business (NFIB), an MLR radio ad cam-
paign is launched in Nashville and in target-
ed east Tennessee communities represented
by key legislators.
May 17, 2006 – House version of MLR fails
by one vote in subcommittee. After defeat in
The MLR campaign was bolstered by the pas- Senate subcommittee, TMA is surprised
sage of a favorable resolution by the Shelby when Senate version is revived briefly as an
County Commission in November 2005. amendment to Gov. Bredesen’s Cover
Tennessee proposal; amendment fails.

36 TENNESSEE MEDICINE / JUNE 2008

 THE ROAD TO REFORM

June 2006 – TMA MLR cam- November 16, 2007 –

paign is featured in Spring issue of TN Commerce &
Tennessee’s Business magazine. Insurance report to the
General Assembly con-
June 2006 – MLR Coalition firms rising malpractice
begins identifying MLR-friendly jury awards and number
legislators and initiating plans to of meritless lawsuits in
support those campaigns in TN in 2004 and 2005;
fall elections. used as supporting data
A new look and message for the by the TMA.
MLR campaign was unveiled in June 15, 2006 – TMA sends
February 2006. health-related issues survey out January 2007 – AMA
to 268 State House and Senate awards $100,000
candidates; as a follow-up, TMA grant to TMA MLR
sends an “MLR Primer” to explain the medical liability reform issue efforts. MLR Campaign
to would-be lawmakers. initates new strate-
gies, including a patient petition drive, physician-to-
June 2006 – New MLR print, radio and television ads run during pri- patient direct mail campaign, enhanced media relations and patient-
mary elections in Cookeville/Putnam County, Lebanon, Murfreesboro to-legislator hotlines in physician offices.
and other key legislative districts.
January 9, 2007 – New Lt. Governor, Sen. Ron Ramsey
October 2006 – MLR media campaign with “Your Life May Depend (R-Blountville), is elected; vows to push tort reform as part of his
on It” theme rolls out with television, radio and print ads in commu- legislative agenda.
nities with key election contests.
April 2007 – TN Senate unanimously approves compromise version
of MLR bill but behind-the-
scenes politics yields an
unacceptable version on the
House side. TMA and MLR
Coalition launch grassroots
effort leading to rejection of
the House amendment,
sending the bill back to
Judiciary Committee until
next session.

August 22, 2007 – TMA

Legislative Committee
discusses tactical changes
needed to achieve compre-
hensive medical liability
reform.

Flanked by TMA leaders, AMA President Dr. J. Edward Hill, Jr. (center) declared Tennessee an MLR
“Crisis State” at a February 2006 news conference.

TENNESSEE MEDICINE / JUNE 2008 37

THE ROAD TO REFORM

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Tennessee Medicine.

The TMA celebrated victory in April 2008 after the House

passed its MLR bill and the Senate concurred.

October 2007 – BOT votes to seek House vote on compromise MLR

bill that won Senate approval the previous session, with plans to seek
additional changes in later sessions.

January 2008 – The TMA continues its course to seek approval of

compromise MLR bill, along with renewal of malpractice reporting
law that could supply more important data to support comprehensive
reform in the future.

April 29, 2008 – Victory at last! TN House overwhelmingly approves

compromise MLR bill; Senate concurs. Bill signed by Gov. Bredesen
on May 15, to take effect October 1, 2008. I

38 TENNESSEE MEDICINE / JUNE 2008

TMA RESOURCE GUIDE

TMA Leadership
BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Executive Committee Nancy Barbarito, MD, Secretary-Treasurer

Robert Kirkpatrick, MD, President 1 Professional Park Dr, Ste 21,
1301 Primacy Pkwy, Memphis 38119-0213 Johnson City 37604-6589
(901) 448-0230 (423) 928-5111

Donald Ellenburg, MD, Chairman Richard DePersio, MD, President-elect

2121 Highland Ave, Knoxville 37916-1111 1515 Saint Mary St, Ste 200, Knoxville 37917-4514
(865) 525-2640 (865) 521-8050

Robert Kerlan, MD, Vice-Chairman J. Mack Worthington, MD, Immediate Past-President

6005 Park Ave, Ste 200, Memphis 38119-5212 1100 E 3rd St, Chattanooga 37403-2201
(901) 761-2100 (423) 778-2957 Outgoing BOT Chair Dr. Michael Minch welcomes his
successor, incoming Chair Dr. Don Ellenburg.

Board Members Charles Eckstein, MD Bennett Pafford, Medical Student Section

Newton Allen, Jr., MD 2801 Charlotte Ave, Nashville 37209-4035 410 Lamont St, Johnson City 37604-6116
4230 Harding Pike, Ste 400, Nashville 37205-4900 (615) 250-9200 (404) 202-8435
(615) 297-2700
Charles Goodman, Jr., MD Wiley Robinson, MD, HOD Speaker
Valerie Arnold, MD 320 E Main St, Murfreesboro 37130-3827 6263 Poplar Ave Ste 1052, Memphis 38119-4736
711 Jefferson Ave, Rm 178, Memphis 38105-5003 (615) 896-5772 (901) 761-6157
(901) 448-5944
John Hale, MD, HOD Vice-Speaker Scott Sadler, MD, Young Physician Section
Samuel Bastian, MD 1020 E Reelfoot Ave, Union City 38261-6051 250 Boswell St, Lexington 38351-1566
2339 Hillsboro Rd, Franklin 37069-6225 (731) 885-5131 (731) 968-2006
(615) 791-9300
Gary Kimzey, MD Richard Sharpe, MD
James Batson, MD 1755 Kirby Pkwy Ste 330, Memphis 38120-4398 PO Box 70, Athens, TN 37371-0070
345 W Broad St, Cookeville 38501-2331 (901) 725-5846 (423) 745-6575
(931) 528-1485
Keith Lovelady, MD Bob Vegors, MD
Britton Bishop, MD 180 N Washington St Ste 300, Tullahoma 37388 616 W Forest Ave, Jackson 38301-3966
230 Associates Blvd, Alcoa 37701-1943 (931) 455-1511 (731) 422-0344
(865) 273-1555
Fredric Mishkin, MD Charles White, Jr., MD
Richard Briggs, MD 135 W Ravine Rd, Ste 3-A, Kingsport 37660-3847 250 Boswell St, Lexington 38351-1566
101 E Blount Ave Ste 800, Knoxville 37920-1669 (423) 246-6777 (731) 968-2006
(865) 632-5900
Omar Mohamed, MD, Resident & Fellow Section Christopher Young, MD
Steven Dickerson, MD 135 N Pauline St Fl 6, Memphis 38105-4619 975 E 3rd St, Chattanooga 37403-2103
PO Box 159087, Nashville 37215-9087 (901) 448-2400 (423) 778-7608
(615) 824-2014

Special Advisers Randy Wilmore, CMPE Victor Braren, MD, Chairman

Darlene Vickers, President TN Medical Group Management Association TN Council on Medical Specialty Societies
TMA Alliance 1050 N James Campbell Blvd, Ste 200, 329 21st Ave N, Ste 2, Nashville 37203-1855
2227 Breakwater Dr, Knoxville 37922-5678 Columbia 38401-2690 (615) 321-0481
(865) 675-2890 (931) 388-4276

41
TMA RESOURCE GUIDE
AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION DELEGATION

Delegates
Chris Fleming. MD, Germantown,
Chairman
David Gerkin, MD, Knoxville, Vice-
Chairman
Donald Franklin, MD, Chattanooga
Lee Morisy, MD, Memphis
Barrett Rosen, MD, Nashville
Charles White, Sr., MD, Lexington

Alternates
Subhi Ali, MD, Waverly
Landon Combs, MD, Blountville
Richard DePersio, MD, Knoxville
John Ingram, III, MD, Alcoa
Robert Kirkpatrick, MD, Germantown
B. W. Ruffner, MD, Signal Mountain

Members of the AMA Delegation meet during MedTenn 2008 in April.

TMA SECTIONS

TMA YOUNG PHYSICIAN SECTION
Governing Council
Scott Sadler, MD, Lexington, Chairman
Landon Combs, MD, Blountville, Vice-Chairman
James Batson, MD, Cookeville, Secretary-Treasurer
TMA HOD Delegates
Staci Van Winkle, MD, Memphis (1)
Scott M. Sadler, MD, Lexington (2)
Jeffrey Suppinger, MD, Franklin (3)
Michel McDonald, MD, Nashville (4)
James Batson, MD, Cookeville (5)
Elizabeth Culler, MD, Chattanooga (6)
Greg Mancini, MD, Knoxville (7)
Landon Combs, MD, Blountville (8)
TMA RESIDENT & FELLOW SECTION
Governing Council
Omar Mohamed, MD, Memphis (UTHSC), Chair
Regan Williams, MD, Memphis (UTHSC), Chair-elect
Nari Heshmati, MD, Nashville (VUSM),
Secretary/Treasurer
TMA HOD Delegate
Omar Mohamed, MD, Memphis (UTHSC)
AMA Delegates
Nari Heshmati, MD, Nashville (VUSM)
Omar Mohamed, MD, Memphis (UTHSC)
TMA MEDICAL STUDENT SECTION
Governing Council
Ariel Alexandroni, Mountain Home (QCOM), Chairman
Cassandra Bradby, Nashville (Meharry), Vice-Chair
Nadia Sabri, Johnson City (QCOM)
Rachel Wolfe, Johnson City (QCOM)
Cassandra Bradby, Nashville (Meharry)
Takita Brown, Nashville (Meharry)
T. Amerson Pegram, Memphis (UTHSC)
Kaartiga Sivanesan, Nashville (VUSM)
AMA Delegates
T. Amerson Pegram, Memphis (UTHSC)
Adam Wright, Memphis (UTHSC)
Takita Brown, Nashville (Meharry)

AMA Delegates
George “Trey” Lee, III, MD, Nashville
James Batson, MD, Cookeville

42
TMA RESOURCE GUIDE
TMA JUDICIAL COUNCIL
Eric Fox, MD, Cookeville, Chairman (5)
Samuel Bastian, MD, Franklin, Secretary-Treasurer (3)
Lee Berkenstock, MD, Memphis (1)
Walter Fletcher, MD, Lexington (2)
Allen Lloyd, MD, Tullahoma (3)
Russell Leftwich, MD, Nashville (4)
Melvin Twiest, MD, Signal Mountain (6)
George Smith, MD, Oak Ridge (7)
David Freemon, MD, Johnson City (8)
Yarnell Beatty, TMA Staff Liaison
TN FOUNDATION FOR QUALITY PATIENT
HEALTHCARE (TFQPH) BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Subhi Ali, MD, Waverly
Newton Allen, Jr., MD, Nashville
John Ingram, III, MD, Alcoa
Robert Kirkpatrick, MD, Memphis
Michael McAdoo, MD, Milan
Bronn Rayne, MD, Cookeville
Barrett Rosen, MD, Nashville
Don Alexander, TMA CEO
INDEPENDENT MEDICINE'S POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE - TENNESSEE (IMPACT)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kenneth Moore, MD, Franklin, Chairman (Dist. 4)
Bart Bradley, MD, Bristol (Dist. 1)
John Ingram, III, MD, Alcoa (Dist. 2)
Mark Brzezienski, MD, Chattanooga (Dist. 3)
Michael Minch, MD, Nashville (Dist. 5)
Kenneth Holbert, MD, FACEP, Smyrna (Dist. 6)
Robert Kirkpatrick, MD, Germantown (Dist. 7)
Kirk Stone, MD, Union City (Dist. 8)
Jeffery Warren, MD, Memphis (Dist. 9)
James Batson, MD, Cookeville, Young Physician Section
Chad Conatser, MD, Smyrna, Resident & Fellow Section
Georganna Rosel, Johnson City, Medical Student Section
Barbara Trautman, Germantown, TMA Alliance
Gary Zelizer, Executive Director, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
SPECIAL BOARDS & COMMITTEES
MEDICAL LIABILITY REFORM (MLR) TENNESSEE MEDICINE EDITORIAL BOARD
STEERING COMMITTEE David Gerkin, MD, Knoxville, Editor
Michael Minch, MD, Nashville, Chairman John Thomison, MD, Nashville, Editor Emeritus
Newton Allen, Jr., MD, Nashville Loren Crown, MD, Covington
Leonard Brabson, Sr., MD, Knoxville Deborah German, MD, Nashville
Charles Handorf, MD, Memphis Ronald Johnson, MD, Memphis
Gary Kimzey, MD, Germantown Robert Kirkpatrick, MD, Germantown
Michael McAdoo, MD, Milan Karl Misulis, MD, Jackson
Warren McPherson, MD, Murfreesboro Gregory Phelps, MD, Knoxville
Fredric Mishkin, MD, Kingsport Bradley Smith, MD, Nashville
John Proctor, MD, MBA, FACEP, Brentwood Jonathan Sowell, MD, Knoxville
Mark Thomas, MD, Maryville Jim Talmage, MD, Cookeville
Randy Wilmore, CMPE, Columbia
J. Mack Worthington, MD, Chattanooga
Gary Zelizer, TMA Staff Liaison
TN MEDICAL EDUCATION FUND (TMEF)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robert Bowers, MD, Chattanooga, Chairman
Robert Kerlan, MD, FACP, Memphis, Vice-Chairman
Bob Vegors, MD, Jackson, Secretary-Treasurer
Maysoon Ali, MD, Waverly
Subhi Ali, MD, Waverly, Special Advisor
John Ingram, III, MD, Alcoa, Special Advisor
George R. Lee, III, MD, Nashville
Sam Williams, III, MD, Winter Harbor, ME, Special Advisor
Marcia Young, Murfreesboro, TMA Alliance
Brent Atkinson, TMA Staff Liaison
IMPACT Chair Dr. Ken Moore outlines a new strategic plan to strengthen the PAC’s
political muscle.
43
TMA RESOURCE GUIDE
TMA Committees
THESE ARE MEMBERS OF TMA’S STANDING COMMITTEES FOR 2008-2009
COMMUNITY & PROFESSIONAL RELATIONS
Russell Leftwich, MD, Nashville, Chairman
Lee Carter, MD, Huntingdon
Deborah Christiansen, MD, Knoxville
James Ensor, Jr., MD, Memphis
Barbara Kimbrough, MD, Johnson City
Richard Lane, MD, Franklin
Philip Pollock, MD, Chattanooga
Russ Miller, CAE, TMA Staff Liaison
CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS
David Gerkin, MD, Knoxville, Chairman
John Bond, MD, Nashville
David Garriott, MD, Kingsport
Ted Gaylon, MD, Memphis
Albert Grobmyer, III, MD, Memphis
Vincent Viscomi, MD, Chattanooga
Charles White, Sr., MD, Lexington
Yarnell Beatty, JD, TMA Staff Liaison
INSURANCE ISSUES
Jerome Thompson, MD, Memphis, Chairman
James Bailey, Jr., MD, Memphis
Britton Bishop, MD, Alcoa
Edward Capparelli, MD, Oak Ridge
Linda Clendening, Nashville
Richard Duszak, Jr., MD, Memphis
Eric Fox, MD, Cookeville
William Harb, MD, Nashville
William Legier, Dickson
Charles Leonard, MD, Talbott
Phyllis Miller, MD, Hixson
Lee Morisy, MD, Memphis
B. W. Ruffner, Jr., MD, Signal Mountain
Ward Swarner, MD, Chuckey
Julie Griffin, TMA Staff Liaison
COMMUNITY & PROFESSIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES
OVER THE PAST YEAR INCLUDED:
• Conducting an outside audit of TMA communications; results will be utilized
in the Futures II Workgroup to form recommendations to improve the
overall effectiveness of Association communications efforts.
• Overseeing the modification and reorganization of the TMA Web site, in an
effort to help reduce clutter, help members find information faster and see
the most important items, and to drive membership.
• Directing a host of media relations activities, including news releases and
letters to the editor on topics such as medical liability reform, Medicare
physician payment cuts, insurance rating and tiering, physician supervision of
extenders and retail clinic safety concerns, and a campaign to get Tennessee
universities to ban alcohol advertising from their sports programs.
• Investigating the feasibility of video and audio conferencing; the panel found
video conferencing was cost-prohibitive but initiated a number of audio
conferences and seminars for member education.
Interested in joining this committee? E-mail Russ Miller at russm@tma.medwire.org.
CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS COMMITTEE ACTIVITY FOR 2007-2008:
• Recommended a bylaw amendment to allow representation and avoid
disenfranchisement of direct members in the House of Delegates.
• Recommended a bylaw amendment creating a “dormant” classification for
non-functioning component medical societies.
• Proposed a change in bylaw language deleting the required one-day “lie-
over” for proposed bylaw amendments, since the HOD now conducts
business in a single-day session.
• Reviewed a bylaw amendment request to make TMA committee members
ex-officio members of the HOD, and referred it to the Futures II Workgroup
for consideration.
Interested in joining this committee? E-mail Yarnell Beatty at yarnellb@tma.medwire.org
2007-2008 INSURANCE ISSUES COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES:
• Developed a P4P/Insurance Rating and Tiering presentation and trained its
members to bring the presentation to local medical society and hospital
staff meetings; worked with the AMA on a P4P educational campaign, and
developed and co-branded flyers for distribution to TMA members.
• Regular contact with United HealthCare, Cigna and BlueCross BlueShield of
Tennessee regarding insurance hassles, P4P and physician rating programs;
helped secure a delay in launch of BCBST’s Consumer Transparency
Program in Tennessee.
• Sent a letter to Cigna asking the insurer to abide by the New York settlement in
Tennessee, and to the State Attorney General and Commerce & Insurance
Commissioner asking for a similar investigation of health insurer practices; Cigna
responded with a commitment to follow the precepts of the New York settlement.
• Passed an HOD resolution to fund a TMA media campaign on P4P.
Interested in joining this committee? E-mail Julie Griffin at julieg@tma.medwire.org.
45
 TMA RESOURCE GUIDE
LEGISLATION
Newton Allen, Jr., MD, Nashville, Chairman
Gail Brabson, Knoxville, TMA Alliance
Bart Bradley, MD, Bristol
John Hale, MD, Union City
Gary Kimzey, MD, Germantown
Kenneth Moore, MD, Franklin
Bronn Rayne, MD, Cookeville
William Rowe, Sr., MD, Chattanooga
Iris Snider, MD, Athens
Charles White, Jr., MD, Lexington
David Gerkin, MD, Knoxville, Ex-Officio
Gary Zelizer, TMA Staff Liaison
MEMBERSHIP
Douglas Springer, MD, Kingsport, Chairman
Newton Allen, Jr., MD, Nashville
John “Denny” Crabtree, Jr., MD, Tullahoma
Donald Ellenburg, MD, Knoxville
Charles Fitch, MD, Clarksville
Mack Land, MD, Memphis
Robert Miller, III, MD, Germantown
Phyllis Franklin, TMA Staff Liaison
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT & QUALITY
Joseph “Pete” Kelley, Jr., MD,
Chattanooga, Chairman
Leonard Brabson, Sr., MD, Knoxville
George Flinn, Jr., MD, Memphis
Benjamin Johnson, Jr., MD, Nashville
James Powell, MD, Franklin
Wiley Robinson, MD, Memphis
Colleen Schmitt, MD, Chattanooga
George Woodbury, Jr., MD, Cordova
Yarnell Beatty, JD, TMA Staff Liaison
TMA’S LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE KEPT TABS ON MEDICINE’S AGENDA OVER THE PAST
YEAR, INCLUDING:
• Passage of a medical liability reform bill to require certification of medical malpractice lawsuits, to
help weed out meritless cases before they go to court.
• Filing and lobbying for extending the medical malpractice reporting law, which is aimed at gathering
data to support further MLR efforts.
• Winning liability protection for volunteer providers and a 90-day window for insurance plans to
complete physician credentialing and halt further delays.
• Strong and visible support for the Smokefree Workplace law, tobacco tax increase and funding of
smoking prevention, education and cessation programs.
• Passage of a measure that gives physicians access to an insurer’s rating methodology and data, and a
30-day period to contest or correct inaccurate data before it is published on a Web site.
• Successful opposition to bills that would expand the scope of practice of a number of allied health
care providers.
Interested in joining this committee? E-mail Gary Zelizer at garyz@tma.medwire.org.
OVER THE PAST YEAR, MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES INCLUDED:
• A survey of cancelled TMA members to gather helpful feedback; survey results were shared with
the Futures II Workgroup and incorporated into new marketing efforts.
• New marketing strategies to get the TMA in front of its members and in touch with nonmembers
through contact with local medical societies, new services and educational offerings, and
advertising through direct mail, publications and radio.
• Participation in a Membership Summit in November 2007 to analyze current membership data,
identify barriers and issues at state and local levels, and strategize change and identify steps
to improve membership. Findings and recommendations were shared with the Futures II
Workgroup.
Interested in joining this committee? E-mail Phyllis Franklin at phyllisf@tma.medwire.org.
ACTIVITIES FOR THE PRACTICE MANAGEMENT & QUALITY COMMITTEE OVER THE
PAST YEAR:
• Facilitated a delay of tamper-resistent prescription pad requirements by CMS to give members time
to prepare; recommended a full-blown campaign to notify members, leading to a vendor agree-
ment offering member discounts on compliant RX pads.
• Reviewed and recommended against a TMA partnership with DocSite, a new e-health product
chosen by the Physicians Foundation for Health Systems Innovations for solo and small physician
practices, until a full EHR product is available.
• Represented on the Governor’s ePrescribing subcommittee; committee facilitated the dissemination
of information about ePrescribing grants to the TMA membership.
• Recommended that the TMA observe and comment on new protocols, standing orders and call
centers on the rehospitalization of home health patients by QSource and the Tennessee Hospital
Association’s Home Health Quality Initiative.
Interested in joining this committee? E-mail Yarnell Beatty at yarnellb@tma.medwire.org.
46
TMA RESOURCE GUIDE
PUBLIC HEALTH
Charles White, Jr., MD, Lexington, Chairman
Patrick Andre, MD, Milan
Edward Capparelli, MD, Oak Ridge
Bennett Pafford, MPH, Johnson City
Stuart Polly, MD, Memphis
Kirk Stone, MD, Union City
Tara Sturdivant, MD, Knoxville
Julie Griffin, TMA Staff Liaison
The Tennessee Medical Association
w i s h e s t o t h a n k i t s C o r p o r a t e Pa r t n e r s :
THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE ADDRESSED A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT
ISSUES IN 2007-2008:
• Supported TMA legislative efforts to pass the statewide SmokeFree Workplace law, a 42-
cent-per-pack cigarette tax and a $10 million appropriation for tobacco cessation, pre-
vention and education programs.
• Reviewed and recommended significant changes to past TMA policy on infectious disease
and immunization, leading to HOD Resolution 8-08 to urge insurance and federal fund-
ing for child immunization in Tennessee.
• Reviewed proposed legislation to curb increased drug use by prenatal mothers; the com-
mittee supported the effort but found appropriate data to support the effort is currently
lacking and suggested the primary effort should be to collect valid data on the preva-
lence of the problem.
Interested in joining this committee? E-mail Julie Griffin at julieg@tma.medwire.org.
47
 TMA RESOURCE GUIDE

Component Medical Society Presidents

Bedford County Medical Society Giles County Medical Society Nashville Academy of Medicine Warren County Medical Society
William L. Russell, MD None reported Michael Zanolli, MD Suneetha Nuthalapaty, MD
841 Union St, Ste 103, Shelbyville 37160-2611 4230 Harding Pike, Ste 609E, Nashville 1589 Sparta St, Ste 104, McMinnville
(931) 685-0987 Greene County Medical Society 37205-2013 37110-1392
John Boys, MD (615) 222-3442 (931) 815-1616
Benton-Humphreys County 1420 Tusculum Blvd, Greeneville
Medical Society 37745-4279 Northwest Tennessee Academy Washington-Unicoi-Johnson County
George Mathai, MD (423) 787-5040 of Medicine Medical Association
224 Long St, New Johnsonville 37185-0368 James Shore, MD Paul Benson, MD
(931) 535-3734 Hawkins County Medical Society 117 Kennedy Dr, Martin 38237-3309 1009 N State of Franklin Rd, Johnson City
None reported (731) 587-9511 37604-3693
Blount County Medical Society (423) 929-7546
Britton Bishop, MD Henry County Medical Society Overton County Medical Society
230 Associates Blvd, Alcoa 37701-1943 None reported None reported White County Medical Society
(865) 273-1555 None reported
Knoxville Academy of Medicine Putnam County Medical Society
Bradley County Medical Society Deborah Christiansen, MD James Batson, MD Williamson County Medical Society
Dennis Thompson, DO 2201 W Clinch Ave, Knoxville 37916-2203 345 W Broad St, Cookeville 38501-2331 Samuel Bastian, MD
2850 Westside Dr NW, Ste D, Cleveland (865) 525-0228 (931) 528-1485 2339 Hillsboro Rd, Franklin 37069-6225
37312-3505 (615) 791-9300
(423) 472-1511 Lakeway Medical Society Roane-Anderson County
Ernesto Mejia, MD Medical Society Wilson County Medical Society
Campbell County Medical Society 500 McFarland St, Ste B, Morristown George Smith, MD No current president
None reported 37814-3992 800 Oak Ridge Tpke, Ste A200, Oak Ridge
(423) 587-3630 37830-6927
Carter County Medical Society (865) 483-2299
Robert Walter, MD Lawrence County Medical Society
1505 W Elk Ave, Ste 2, Elizabethton Micky Busby, MD Robertson County Medical Society
37643-2848 317 W Gaines St, Lawrenceburg Jonathan Kroser, MD
(423) 543-1261 38464-3604 320 Northcrest Dr, Springfield
(931) 762-9665 37172-3963
Chattanooga-Hamilton County (615) 384-8211
Medical Society Lincoln County Medical Society
Vincent Viscomi, MD Larry Barnes, MD Scott County Medical Society
2525 Desales Ave, Ste W-461, Chattanooga PO Box 1039, Fayetteville 37334-1039 Trent Cross, MD
37404-1161 (931) 433-9900 460 Industrial Ln, Oneida 37841-6294
(423) 495-7378 (423) 569-8064
Loudon County Medical Society
Cocke County Medical Society Calvin Robert Schaerer, MD Sevier County Medical Society
None reported 616 Ward Ave, Loudon 37774-1323 No current president
(865) 458-5666
Coffee County Medical Society Smith County Medical Society
Ben Cottrell, MD Maury County Medical Society Richard West, MD
711 NW Atlantic St, Tullahoma Jeffrey Adams, MD 133 Hospital Dr, Ste 600, Carthage
37388-3562 1050 N James Campbell Blvd, Ste 200, 37030-4006
(931) 455-3445 Columbia 38401-2690 (615) 735-2200
(931) 388-4276
Consolidated Medical Assembly of Stones River Academy of Medicine
West Tennessee McMinn County Medical Society David Beaird, MD
Edmund Palmer, Jr., MD Richard Sharpe, MD 1004 N Highland Ave, Murfreesboro
294 Summar Dr, Jackson 38301-3915 PO Box 70, Athens 37371-0070 37130-2454
(731) 423-1932 (423) 745-6575 (615) 867-8040
Cumberland County Medical Society The Memphis Medical Society Sullivan County Medical Society
None reported Keith Anderson, MD Edwin McElroy, Jr., MD
7460 Wolf River Blvd, Germantown 111 W Stone Dr Ste 300, Kingsport
DeKalb County Medical Society 38138-1760 37660-6029
Melvin Blevins, MD (901) 763-0200 (423) 224-3150
PO Box 667, Smithville 37166-0667
(615) 597-4049 Monroe County Medical Society Sumner County Medical Society
None reported None reported
Dickson County Medical Society
None reported Montgomery County Medical Society Tipton County Medical Society
Charles Fitch, MD Samuel Johnson, MD
Franklin County Medical Society 1731 Memorial Dr, Ste 100, Clarksville PO Box 507, Covington 38019-0507
Mark Wert, MD 37043-4543 (901) 475-4752
185 Hospital Rd, Winchester 37398-2404 (931) 552-6830
(931) 967-8152

49
Member News
Visit www.medwire.org for the latest TMA news, information and opportunities!
SAVE MEDICARE
ACCESS: URGE
CONGRESS TO
PASS S. 2785
On July 1, Medicare will slash physician pay-
ments 10.6 percent. Time is running out.
Physicians and patients alike are urged to call
their members of Congress and let them know
how important the Save Medicare Act of 2008
(S. 2785) is for seniors and their doctors.
This legislation would prevent the 10.6 per-
cent cut in Medicare physician payments
planned for July 1, retain current payment levels
for the remainder of this year and enact a 1.8
percent increase for 2009. Physicians and
patients can call the AMA Grassroots Hotline at
(800) 833-6354 to be connected to their mem-
bers of Congress and urge them to co-sponsor
and pass S. 2785.
Visit www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/catego-
ry/14332.html to download the AMA’s Medicare
Physician Payment Action Kit.
Urge patients to visit www.patientsactionnet-
work.org to learn more about the Medicare pay-
ment cuts and how they may affect their health-
care. For more information, log on to www.med-
wire.org. I
TMA Acts on
Quality Ratings,
Doctor Shortage,
the Uninsured
at 173rd Chattanooga-Hamilton County
Medical Society Delegate Dr. Colleen
Schmitt introduces a resolution at the
Annual Meeting 2008 House of Delegates session.
The Tennessee Medical Association House of Delegates (HOD) took action
on a number of healthcare quality, public health, and insurance-related issues
during TMA’s 173rd Annual Meeting in Nashville on April 19.
Top actions by the TMA’s policy-making body included a vote to promote
clinically-based and outcomes-derived quality reporting initiatives while opposing
physician rating and tiering systems based mainly on administrative claims. The
HOD also approved resolutions aimed at helping Tennessee avert a looming doc-
tor shortage, reducing the uninsured population by extending parents’ health
benefits for their young adult children, and addressing vaccines, WIC formula sub-
stitutions, and insurance coverage for emergency care of intoxicated patients.
Resolutions of Interest
Physician representatives from across Tennessee met in Nashville April 19
to create and debate policy on a variety of healthcare issues facing Tennessee
doctors and their patients. From the slate of 15 resolutions, delegates dis-
cussed a variety of concerns; final actions taken by the HOD included:
Quality Rating Programs
Denouncing administrative claims-based physician rating and tiering pro-
grams as inaccurate and misleading, TMA members voted to support clinically-
based initiatives undertaken by specialty societies, while seeking to educate
continued on page 55
Member News 53
Member News
TN Doctors Urged to
Take Part in National
Primary Care Survey
What is the state of primary care practice in America
today? Can primary care physicians continue to provide
patient care in the face of rising costs, reimbursement cuts
and pervasive government regulations? What do primary
care doctors themselves have to say about the direction of
medical practice in America?
The Physicians’ Foundation for Health Systems
Excellence (PFHSE), a not-for-profit group composed of
medical societies and physician leaders created with funds
from the “big insurance” lawsuit settlements, is seeking
answers to these questions in one of most ambitious physi-
cian surveys ever attempted. Beginning in May 2008, PFHSE
sent out over 300,000 surveys to primary care physicians
and selected medical specialists throughout the country.
“We have heard from the pundits about the state of
medical care in the United States,” notes Louis Goodman,
PhD, president of PFHSE and executive vice president of
the Texas Medical Association. “It’s time we heard what
physicians have to say.”
The survey asks primary care physicians about the state
of their practices and whether or not they can maintain
patient care services in light of regulatory and financial bur-
dens. The key question posed by the survey is can doctors
can meet the needs of patients under current practice con-
ditions? If the survey indicates that medical practice itself is
in jeopardy, that urgent message needs to be heard by pol-
icy makers and the public, according to PFHSE officials.
Physicians in Tennessee and around the country are
being urged to participate when the survey arrives in their
mailbox. “This is a critical chance for doctors to have their
voices heard,” said Tim Norbeck, executive director of
PFHSE and longtime former executive director of the
Connecticut State Medical Society. “The more physicians
who participate, the more persuasive their voices will be.”
For additional information, access www.physiciansfoun-
dation.org or contact Phillip Miller at 469-524-1420, or
pmiller@mhagroup.com. I
54 Member News
Health Insurer Transparency
an Ongoing Issue
The TMA is working to get Tennessee to join the movement
toward health insurer transparency. With initiatives beginning on
the national level and new state laws in Colorado, Indiana and
Ohio, efforts are underway to require more disclosure by health
insurance companies about their contracts with physicians.
On a state level, the TMA expressed strong support for and was
integral in helping draft amendatory language to the Health
Insurance Contracting Reform bill, (SB 3429/HB 3214), sponsored
by State Senator Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville) and Rep. Curt Cobb (D-
Shelbyville). As amended, the bill would:
• Require a summary disclosure for each healthcare contract;
• Require each insurance company to maintain a Web site
which will allow providers to make a pre-determination of
payment;
• Set up a fair process where providers may appeal claims
denials or inappropriate discounts to the Commissioner of the
Department of Commerce and Insurance; and
• Address one aspect of the “Silent PPO” issue – the repricers or
aggregators.
The bill was heavily opposed by the insurance industry and more
recently and surprisingly by the Bredesen administration, so spon-
sors have decided to regroup and will be working with stakeholders
over the summer on provisions that can be passed next year. I
Payout to Doctors Pending
in BCBS Settlement
Several provisions in the national Blue Cross and Blue Shield
(BCBS) Association settlement took effect April 21, after a final
order was filed by the federal court in Miami.
The development brings eligible physicians one step closer
to the $128 million payout and allows the AMA to commence
enforcement of the national BCBS settlement as an additional
signatory medical society. The AMA joins 27 other participating
medical societies that are able to provide direct assistance to
physicians when a BCBS plan or subsidiary has failed to honor
its commitments under the settlement.
The final order comes almost a year after 23 BCBS plans
settled a class action lawsuit brought by 90,000 physicians
continued on page 59

TMA Acts on Quality Ratings, Doctor Shortage, the Uninsured at 173rd Annual Meeting
continued from page 53
employers and Tennessee patients about the
pitfalls of current claims-based rating systems
by health insurance companies in the state.
TMA will also call for investigations by the
Tennessee Commissioner of Commerce &
Insurance and the State Attorney General
into the accuracy and validity of health insur-
ers’ claims-based rating and tiering systems;
and seek legislation to require insurers to cer-
tify the accuracy of their rating/tiering data
before it is published, and to carry the full
cost and administrative burdens of their rat-
ing/tiering initiatives.
“We’re concerned about the quality of
care patients receive and welcome new
methods to provide patients with more
information from the people who provide
care. Doctors aren’t afraid to be rated on
their quality of care; however, we feel it’s
imperative we are evaluated fairly using clin-
ical and patient interaction data, not just
payment information derived from insur-
ance companies,” stated newly-installed
TMA President Robert D. Kirkpatrick, MD.
Physician Shortage
A looming shortage of physicians pre-
dicted for as early as 2010, particularly in
primary care and rural areas of Tennessee,
prompted a vote to alert and enlighten state
policy makers about the coming crisis, work
to expand residency positions and medical
schools, and support several initiatives to
ensure an adequate supply of physicians is
available for the next generation of patients.
The TMA officially adopted a posture to
expand graduate medical education (GME)
programs and lift Medicare caps on GME.
“Our country faces a tremendous num-
ber of challenges in dealing with the Baby
Boom population in general. We are critically
concerned that we are not prepared to han-
dle the demands of this generation in our
current healthcare system,” said Dr.
Kirkpatrick. “Even if we dedicated all our cur-
rent resources to just that group of patients,
it would leave grossly undermanned to care
for everyone else. It’s not too late to address
the issue but we have to get more qualified
caregivers interested in a career in medicine.”
Insurance Coverage
Several resolutions were adopted address-
ing various issues about insurance coverage.
The HOD voted to urge Tennessee to join 19
other states in reducing the ranks of uninsured
young adults by extending their parents’
health benefits to cover them past the tradi-
tional cutoff of age 19 through the age of 25.
Another resolution directed TMA, if recom-
mended by a State Comptroller’s report in
December 2008, to seek the repeal of provi-
sions of Tennessee’s Uniform Accident and
Sickness Policy Prevention Law (UPPL) that
prevent insurers from reimbursing for medical
services for alcohol- and narcotics-related
injuries. Those provisions indirectly discourage
drug and alcohol testing of emergency
patients. HOD members also reaffirmed a pre-
vious resolution to seek state action that would
help resolve coverage disputes arising from
emergency care of patients treated by a hospi-
tal or doctor not in their approved network.
Child Health
TMA members considered two resolutions
dealing with child health. They adopted one to
support legislation to require funding for child
immunizations in Tennessee, either through
private insurance companies or the Vaccines
For Children (VFC) program. They also voted
to strongly advocate for an easier way to
obtain alternative formulas through the
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program
for infants unable to use the current formula.
Other Actions
The TMA House of Delegates acted on
a number of other resolutions:
• Defeated a proposal to require a ban
on alcohol and tobacco sales in retail
establishments that also have health
care clinics (Res. No. 2-08);
• Rejected a proposal to eliminate the
peer review process at the local or
county medical society level and
send physician complaints directly to
the Tennessee Board of Medical
Examiners (Res. No. 12-08);
• Permanently adopted as policy previ-
ous resolutions to:
Member News
° Admonish members not to sign
potentially unethical contracts or fail
to disclose financial interests that
conflict with the best interests of their
patients;
° Encourage physicians not to seek
exemption of mandatory seatbelts
except when safety is outweighed by
appropriateness of the restraint for
physically handicapped patients; and
° Continue supporting the work of the
Physicians Health Program and aid in
the reentry of physicians who have
been through PHP programs.
For complete text of final resolutions, visit
www.medwire.org/medtenn. I
HOD Installs TMA Leadership at
Annual Meeting:
• Dr. Robert Kirkpatrick, a family
medicine/occupational medicine
specialist from Memphis, will serve
as the Association’s 153rd president.
• Dr. Richard DePersio, a Knoxville
otolaryngologist, will serve as
president-elect for 2008-09.
• Dr. Donald Ellenberg, an allergist
from Knoxville, will serve as chair-
man of the TMA Board of Trustees.
• Dr. Robert Kerlan, a Memphis
gastroenterologist, will serve as
BOT vice-chairman.
New members selected to serve
three-year terms on the TMA Board
of Trustees are:
• Dr. Valerie Arnold, Memphis;
psychiatrist
• Dr. Richard Briggs, Knoxville;
cardiovascular/thoracic surgeon
• Dr. Steven Dickerson,
Hendersonville; anesthesiologist
• Dr. Charles Eckstein, Nashville;
urologist
• Dr. Gary Kimzey, Memphis;
anesthesiologist
• Dr. Keith Lovelady, Tullahoma;
pulmonary/critical care specialist
Member News 55
Member News
TMA PHOTO GALLERY
Dr. Scott Morris (2nd from L), founder of the
Church Health Center in Memphis, received
the prestigious AMA Pride in the Profession
Award, bestowed by the AMA Foundation dur-
ing the National Advocacy Conference in
Washington, DC, on March 31. Dr. Morris and
wife Mary pose with (L-R) Memphis Medical
Society (MMS) President Dr. Keith Anderson,
TMA President Dr. Robert Kirkpatrick, MMS
Executive Director Michael Cates, CAE, and
AMA Delegation Chair Dr. Chris Fleming.

Dr. John Freeman, of Memphis, examines a

patient’s vision in Ometepec, Mexico, on a
medical mission trip in March, sponsored by
the World Cataract Foundation. Founded by
his father, Dr. Jerre Freeman, the WCF has
been fighting blindness in underserved coun-
tries around the world since 1978. The Drs.
Freeman and fellow Memphis ophthalmologist
Dr. Chris Fleming were among six physicians
who participated; the team, aided by Mexican
colleagues, screened 500 patients and per-
formed 186 surgical procedures.

Dr. George Woodbury, Jr., (L) is pictured

with Trey Pegram, M1 and local AMA
Student President at the University of
Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis
following a “Pizza & Politics” lunch meeting
in April. Dr. Woodbury hosted the event on
behalf of The Memphis Medical Society, urg-
ing student involvement on a variety of
topics, including medical liability reform,
the Medicare/SGR crisis and scope of
practice issues.

56 Member News
 Member News
MEDTENN PHOTO GALLERY

PLC candidate Dr. Jeffrey Fenyves (L) poses with Dr. George State Representatives Beth Harwell (center) and Gary Odom
Testerman at the MedTenn 2008 Welcome Reception. (2nd from R) were featured guests at the IMPACT Capitol
Hill Club Reception.

MedTenn 2008 culminated in

an inaugural evening event,
The Medicine Ball: The Best of
Broadway. Attendees were treated
to a dinner show featuring songs
from some of Broadway’s most
popular hit musicals.

TMA President Dr. J. Mack Worthington enjoys a moment in the spotlight TMA President-elect Dr. Richard
during The Medicine Ball. DePersio and wife Missy.

Member News 57
Member News
FDA Alert: Heparin Recall Sports Physical Rules
for All Provider Types Change for 2008-2009
Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, rising sev-
enth and ninth grade student athletes will be required to
Please help FDA spread the word about recalls of injectable
have a complete health maintenance exam (also known as
heparin products and heparin flush solutions that may be contami-
a well-child check or EPSDT screen) prior to sports partici-
nated with oversulfated chondroitin sulfate (OSCS). Affected
pation. For these two grades, the required clearance form
heparin products have been found in medical care facilities in one
must show the student athlete has had the required health
state since the recall announcement. Although product recall
maintenance exam/EPSDT screen, in addition to stating
instructions were widely distributed, they may not have been fully
the student is cleared for participation in sports.
acted upon at all sites where heparin is used. There have been many
Traditional sports physicals, appropriate for clearing
reports of deaths associated with allergic or hypotensive symptoms
athletes for sports participation, typically do not address
after heparin administration (see FDA link at
the behavioral, emotional, and psychosocial topics covered
www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/heparin/adverse_events.htm).
during a comprehensive health maintenance exam. Given
The FDA asks health professionals and facilities to please review
the number of chronic health problems rooted in child-
and examine all drug/device storage areas, including emergency
hood, it is important to tackle these problems early and a
kits, dialysis units and automated drug storage cabinets to ensure
yearly exam provides a venue to address these areas.
that all recalled heparin products have been removed and are no
The required clearance form may be downloaded
longer available for patient use. In addition, FDA would like to
from the Tennessee Medical Association
inform health professionals about other types of medical devices
(www.medwire.org/Legal, click on “Sports Physical
that contain, or are coated with, heparin. To read this update, and
Information” under “Forms” – member login required),
to learn how to report these problems to FDA, please go to:
from the Tennessee Department of Health
www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/heparin-healthcare-update.html.
(http://health.state.tn.us/sportsphysical/index.htm), or from
Please report to FDA adverse reactions associated with these
the Web sites of the TN Chapter of the American Academy
devices, as well as any reactions associated with heparin or heparin
of Pediatrics (www.tnaap.org), the TN Academy of Family
flush solutions. If you have questions or would like more informa-
Physicians (www.tnafp.org), or the TN Primary Care
tion about this request, please contact the Division of Drug
Information at 301-796-3400. I
Association (www.tnpca.org).
For a list of provider FAQs, log on to
www.medwire.org/pdf/legal/Sports_Px_FAQs.pdf. I

“Big Insurance” Lawsuit Compliance Dispute Leads

to CIGNA Payment Policy Change
Effective May 1, 2008, CIGNA began
paying physicians who bill CPT® 96110
(developmental screening) with an
Evaluation and Management Code
appended with a modifier 25. This wel-
come payment change came as a result
of compliance disputes filed by several
pediatricians under the Settlement
Agreement reached between several
state and county medical associations,
including the TMA, and CIGNA in the
RICO/managed care litigation. The
physicians and medical societies argued
that the Settlement Agreement required
CIGNA to pay this code combination.
Although the settlement has ended,
CIGNA has agreed to make this payment
change for the future.
Settlement agreements with Aetna,
HealthNet, Humana, WellPoint, and the
Blue Cross/Blue Shield Association
remain in effect. For more information
about physicians’ rights under the settle-
ment agreements and/or if you believe
any of these companies is violating the
settlement terms, contact the TMA Legal
Department at yarnellb@tma.medwire.org
or go to www.hmosettlements.com. I

58 Member News
 Member News
Payout to Doctors Pending in BCBS
Settlement
Capitol Hill Club continued from page 54

The IMPACT Board of Trustees recognizes the following against the BCBS Association and more than 30
IMPACT donors who have become Capitol Hill Club mem- affiliated plans and subsidiaries. The settlements
bers in the past month. We greatly appreciate all IMPACT are designed to curb contentious business prac-
contributors for their help in assuring that candidates sup- tices that have long frustrated physicians and
portive of organized medicine receive generous financial jeopardized the delivery of quality patient care. If
support from IMPACT. To join IMPACT or the Capitol Hill a BCBS plan chooses not to uphold its end of the
Club, please contact Marcia Sorrell at 800-659-1862 or bargain, physicians have a free, simple enforce-
send e-mail to marcias@tma.medwire.org. ment process that can resolve the matter.
There are special provisions in the settlements
Newton Allen, Jr., MD, Nashville that are specific to particular states. Visit
Valarie Arnold, MD, Memphis www.ama-assn.org/go/settlements to access the
Lee Berkenstock, MD, Memphis AMA’s online interactive map, which lists the
John Binhlam, MD, Nashville BCBS plans and subsidiaries that have settled, the
Britton Bishop, MD, Alcoa state-specific provisions of the agreement and
Richard Briggs, MD, Knoxville the dates the various provisions take effect. For
Stuart Caplan, MD, Nashville more information, log on to www.hmosettle-
John Culclasure, MD, Nashville ments.com/pages/bluecross.html. I
Walter Fletcher, MD, Lexington
Eric Fox, MD, Cookeville
Donald Franklin, Jr., MD, Chattanooga
Joey Hensley, MD, Hohenwald
Robert Herring, Jr., MD, Brentwood
Thomas Higgins, MD, Knoxville
John Ingram, III, MD, Alcoa
Benjamin Johnson, Jr., MD, Nashville
Gary Kimzey, MD, Germantown
Robert Kirkpatrick, MD, Germantown
Gary Lovelady, MD, Manchester
Susan Lowry, MD, Martin
Robert McClure, MD, Columbia
William McKissick, MD, Knoxville
James Powell, MD, Franklin
Avinash Reddy, MD, Jackson
Scott Sadler, MD, Lexington
Richard Sharpe, MD, Athens
David Steed, JD, Nashville
Raymond Walker, MD, Memphis
Jeffrey Warren, MD, Memphis
Charles White, Jr., MD, Lexington
Charles White, Sr., MD, Lexington
Charles Womack, MD, Cookeville
George Woodbury, Jr., MD, Memphis
I

Member News 59
Member News
MEMBER NOTES
Howard A. Burris, III, MD, of
Nashville, was in Washington, DC, in
May to testify in a Congressional brief-
ing on quality care for cancer patients.
A medical oncologist with the Sarah
Cannon Research Institute, Dr. Burris
was among expert witnesses speaking
at the hearing sponsored by the
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS). The briefing
was held in support of the Comprehensive Cancer Care
Improvement Act, which includes proposals to advance a sys-
tem of integrated cancer care and improved communication
between patients and their health care teams regarding treat-
ment options and follow-up care.
Julie Dunn, MD, of Johnson City, has
been selected by the American College
of Surgeons (ACS) and the American
Association for the Surgery of Trauma
(AAST) to receive the Health Policy
Scholarship. Dr. Dunn will participate
in a health policy leadership and man-
agement program at Brandeis
University and become a health policy adviser for ACS and
AAST. An associate professor of surgery at East Tennessee State
University’s James H. Quillen College of Medicine, Dr. Dunn has
been an active leader in strengthening trauma care services in
Tennessee. She is currently the director of trauma at Mountain
States Health Alliance, is a member of the ACS’ Tennessee
Committee on Trauma, and chairs the Trauma Care Advisory
Council for Tennessee.
Are you a member of TMA who has been recognized for an honor, award, election, appointment, or other noteworthy achievement? Send items for
consideration to Member Notes, Tennessee Medicine, 2301 21st Ave. South, PO Box 120909, Nashville, TN, 37212; fax 615-312-1908; e-mail
brendaw@tma.medwire.org. High resolution (300 dpi) digital (.tif or .eps) or hard copy photos welcome.
60 Member News
Wahid T. Hanna, MD, of Knoxville,
recently received a Recognition of
Contribution Award for his outstand-
ing, worldwide contributions to the
field of hemophilia in Cairo, Egypt. He
was presented the award by the World
Federation of Hemophilia, Egyptian
Society of Hemophilia and the
Egyptian Ministry of Health. Dr. Hanna is currently serving as
professor of medicine and chief of hematology/oncology at the
University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, and is
director of UT Medical Center’s East Tennessee Comprehensive
Hemophilia Center. He has been involved in hematology/oncol-
ogy research and the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases
for 37 years.
Paul E. Stanton, Jr., MD, has
announced his intention to retire as
president of East Tennessee State
University by March 1, 2009. Citing
health concerns, Dr. Stanton said his
retirement would allow “renewal and
new blood, new vision, new enthusi-
asm.” A former dean of ETSU’s Quillen
College of Medicine and vice president for health affairs, Dr.
Stanton is a vascular surgeon and previously served as director
of the Division of Peripheral Vascular Surgery for the Veterans
Administration Medical Center at Mountain Home and ETSU’s
College of Medicine. I
NEW MEMBERS
Tennessee Medicine takes this opportunity to welcome these new members to the Tennessee Medical Association

BLOUNT COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY MONROE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY

Troy Allen Trondson, MD, Shreveport Christopher Scott Bowman, MD, Sweetwater

KNOXVILLE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE OVERTON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY

Randall Curnow, Jr., MD, Knoxville Barton Matthew Clements, MD, Livingston

THE MEMPHIS MEDICAL SOCIETY PUTNAM COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY

Shelly Laine Bryant Thannum, MD, Collierville Stephen G. Gelfand, MD, Cookeville
Rushelle Jones Cyrus, MD, Memphis
Philip G. Mintz, MD, Memphis SULLIVAN COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY
Keith Bennett Owen, MD, Bartlett William Henry Bestermann, Jr., MD, Kingsport
Robert Louis Yates, MD, Memphis

IN MEMORIUM
Paul D. Richards, MD, age 94. Died April 3, 2008. Graduate Philip J. Hinton, MD, age 63. Died May 4, 2008. Graduate
of Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University. of Medical College of Wisconsin. Member of Washington-
Member of Knoxville Academy of Medicine. Unicoi-Johnson County Medical Society.

Lamb Bolton Myhr, Sr., MD, age 91. Died April 19, 2008. Noel C. Hunt, MD, age 70. Died May 14, 2008. Graduate of
Graduate of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Member Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Member of
of Consolidated Medical Assembly of West Tennessee. Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society.

James Peyton Lester, MD, age 83. Died April 24, 2008.
Graduate of University of Tennessee Center for Health Science.
Member of Nashville Academy of Medicine.

Thomas V. Stanley, MD, age 78. Died April 28, 2008.

Graduate of University of Tennessee Center for Health Science.
Member of The Memphis Medical Society.

CORRECTION
One of the MRI images in the article “Rhabdomyolysis in
a Patient with West Nile Encephalitis and Flaccid Paralysis,”
published in the April issue of Tennesee Medicine (Vol. 101,
No. 4, p. 46), was a duplicate. The image for Figure 3 should
have been the one shown to the right. Tennessee Medicine
regrets the error.

Figure 3. T2 weighted MRI after three weeks showing

resolution of bilateral edema of the basal ganglia and
thalamus.

TENNESSEE MEDICINE / JUNE 2008 61

 CAREER OPPORTUNITY ADVERTISING
Listings for Career Opportunities are sold as follows: $35 for the first 50 words
($25 for TMA members), 25 cents for each additional word. Count as one word all
single words, two initials of a name, single numbers, groups of numbers, hyphen-
ated words, and abbreviations. Advertisers may utilize a box number for confiden-
tiality, if desired, in care of Tennessee Medicine, PO Box 120909, Nashville, TN
37212-0909. Use of this box in an ad will add eight words to the total count.

All orders must be submitted in writing by the 25th of the 2nd month preceding the
desired month of publication, and will be subject to approval. No phone orders will
be accepted. Payment must accompany order. Each listing will be removed after its
first publication unless otherwise instructed.

Mail your ad with payment to Beth McDaniels at Tennessee Medicine, PO Box

120909, Nashville, TN 37212-0909 exactly as it should appear or e-mail your ad to
bethm@tma.medwire.org and send your check with a hard copy to her attention.

PHYSICIANS WANTED
Full-time and part-time opportunities available for family prac-
tice, internist, and geriatricians. We are focused on caring for
patients in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Nursing
home medical directorships are also available. The openings
include flexible hours with excellent pay and benefits. All patient
care with no paperwork or administrative duties. To learn more,
please call Jeanne Thomas at 866-662-4560, ext. 311 or e-mail
JThomas@MatrixHealth.net.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTHORS

Manuscript Preparation – Manuscripts should be submitted to the Editor, David G. Gerkin,
MD, 2301 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212. A cover letter should identify one author as
correspondent and should include his complete address, phone, and e-mail. Manuscripts, as
well as legends, tables, and references, must be typewritten, double-spaced on 8-1/2 x 11 in. LIST OF ADVERTISERS
white paper. Pages should be numbered. Along with the typed manuscripts, submit an IBM-
compatible 3-1/2" high-density diskette containing the manuscript. The transmittal letter
should identify the format used. Another option is you may send the manuscript via e-mail to
brendaw@tma.medwire.org. If there are photos, e-mail them in TIF or PDF format along with
the article.
Responsibility – The author is responsible for all statements made in his work. Accepted Career Opportunity Advertising ..........................................62
manuscripts become the permanent property of Tennessee Medicine.
Copyright – Authors submitting manuscripts or other material for publication, as a condition DoctorsManagement, LLC ..................................................40
of acceptance, shall execute a conveyance transferring copyright ownership of such material
to Tennessee Medicine. No contribution will be published unless such a conveyance is made. LBMC ..................................................................................20
References – References should be limited to 10 for all papers. All references must be cited
in the text in numerically consecutive order, not alphabetically. Personal communications and
unpublished data should be included only within the text. The following data should be typed Shared Health ......................................................................4
on a separate sheet at the end of the paper: names of first three authors followed by et al, com-
plete title of article cited, name of journal abbreviated according to Index Medicus, volume Shell Capital Management......................................................6
number, first and last pages, and year of publication. Example: Olsen JH, Boice JE, Seersholm
N, et al: Cancer in parents of children with cancer. N Engl J Med 333:1594-1599, 1995.
Illustrated Material – Illustrations should accompany the e-mailed article in a TIF or PDF State Volunteer Mutual Insurance Company ........................64
format. If you are mailing the article and diskette, the illustrations should be 5 x 7 in. glossy
photos, identified on the back with the author's name, the figure number, and the word "top," Tennessee Medical Foundation ..........................................50
and must be accompanied by descriptive legends typed at the end of the paper. Tables should
be typed on separate sheets, be numbered, and have adequately descriptive titles. Each illus-
tration and table must be cited in numerically consecutive order in the text. Materials taken The TMA Association Insurance Agency, Inc. ..............28, 63
from other sources must be accompanied by a written statement from both the author and
publisher giving Tennessee Medicine permission to reproduce them. Photos of identifiable TMA Physician Services, Inc. ................................................2
patients should be accompanied by a signed release.
Reprints – Order forms with a table covering costs will be sent to the correspondent author
before publication.

62 TENNESSEE MEDICINE / JUNE 2008