J. Mack Worthington, MD in Chattanooga and Blood Assurance, Inc. of Chattanooga were among the award recipients at the MedTenn15 convention, held last weekend in Nashville.
Approximately 300 of the state’s leading physicians, medical practice managers and other healthcare professionals met for MedTenn15, a medical convention sponsored by the Tennessee Medical Association. The event was held at the Opryland Resort & Convention Center and featured exclusive medical education, professional networking and social events.
“The big industry trends affect us all in one way or another, as physicians and patients, and it’s important to hit them head on.
I like to think of our challenges in Tennessee’s healthcare landscape as opportunities. We can resist change or we can embrace it. We can balk at the challenges, or we can push ourselves to be better doctors. We come together to collaborate at MedTenn because we take pride in the having the distinct privilege of helping our patients live healthier, happier lives,” said TMA’s Immediate Past President Douglas J. Springer, MD, FACP FACG, a gastroenterologist in Kingsport.
Event Highlights:
· Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, FACOEM delivered an address on Tennessee’s biggest public health challenges.
· A panel of physician experts discussed end of life care during a luncheon on Saturday, including how healthcare providers can help patients and families engage in difficult conversations and make important choices about advance care directives.
· TMA’s in-house experts delivered two separate presentations about the Tennessee Healthcare Innovation Initiative, the state’s effort to move from a fee-for-service to a value-based payment model, and the current state and federal healthcare reform landscape.
· Dr. Roland Gray of the Tennessee Medical Foundation delivered a two-hour session focusing on the state’s growing prescription drug abuse epidemic.
TMA Policy Updates:
Medical education sessions at MedTenn15 complemented the TMA House of Delegates, the governing body and deliberative forum for the Association. Physicians serving on the House discussed a number of policies affecting the practice of medicine in Tennessee, and patient health. Among the notable resolutions:
· Build a statewide and national consensus regarding the future physician shortage crisis and ensure that an adequate supply of physicians will be available for the next generation.
· Improve the state’s Controlled Substance Monitoring Database report so that each prescription reported includes the name of the midlevel prescriber as well as the midlevel prescriber’s supervising physician.
· Develop a state-specific database for drug shortages, and develop strategies to mitigate drug shortages, working with the Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee Pharmacy Association, Tennessee Hospital Association and other pertinent stakeholders.
· Pursue legislation to oversee the implementation of the Tennessee Health Care Innovation Initiative and allow physicians and other pertinent stakeholders the opportunity to address relevant issues to the General Assembly.
· Use results from a membership survey on Maintenance of Certification to improve the process for Tennessee physicians.
New TMA Officers:
Dr. Springer’s one-year term as TMA’s top elected physician officially ended during the event, as the Association ushered in John W. Hale, Jr., MD, a Union City family physician, as its 2015-2016 president.
Several other TMA member physicians officially began their terms for 2015-2016 leadership positions.
· Dr. Michel McDonald, a Nashville dermatologist/Mohs surgeon, will serve as chair of the TMA Board of Trustees. She is the first ever female physician elected to serve in this capacity.
· Dr. James Batson, a Cookeville pediatrician, will serve as vice-chairman of the TMA Board of Trustees.
· Dr. Ted Taylor, a pediatrician in Johnson City, was appointed as secretary/treasurer for the TMA.
Dr. Keith Anderson, a Memphis cardiologist, will serve as president-elect and a member of the TMA Board of Trustees.
Awards:
TMA recognizes during its annual meeting individual physician members and other organizations for exceptional leadership, contributions to medicine, and community service. The 2015 honorees are:
· Outstanding Physician: James Eason, MD in Memphis, Eric Raefsky, MD in Nashville (given posthumously and accepted by daughter Stacy Macuik) and J. Mack Worthington, MD in Chattanooga
· Distinguished Service: Michael D. Brunson, MD from Knoxville and William Mariencheck, MD in Memphis
· Community Service: Blood Assurance, Inc. in Chattanooga, Our Kids in Nashville, Representative Bill Dun in Knoxville and the Shelby County Health Department in Memphis
For more information, visit tnmed.org.