- Ten WV anesthesiologists participated in the recent ASA Legislative Conference. They reviewed state and national legislative and regulatory issues, studied solutions, and then called on all five WV congressional offices to educate them. Our anesthesiology delegation was well received. They spent a half-hour personally with Reps Alan Mollohan and Shelly Moore Capito. Rep Nick Rahal was not available (met with his health aide), but met later with Stu Cornett, MD, WVSSA President, in his Beckley office.
WV anesthesiologists in the office of Sen Rockefeller, meeting with his health aide Gregg S. Margolis, PhD. L-R, Drs Eric Persily, Alex Skaff, Seth Crislip, Ralph Harding, Amanda Deskins, David Graf, Bob Johnstone, Richard Driver, Brian Grose, Gregg Margolis, Stu Cornett.
The conference theme was “Engage 2010”. This translated into Ensure Fair Payment, Empower Patients, and Expand Access. Details included correcting the 33 percent Medicare payment rate for anesthesiology services, and getting part A Medicare pass-through payments for anesthesiologists in rural areas, similar to what nurse anesthetists now receive. Everyone seemed very receptive, promising to respond to the requests. All agreed to sign on to a letter to HHS Secretary Sebelius to correct misvalued codes, as permitted under the newly passed healthcare reform legislation.
WV anesthesiologists from the first congressional district meeting with Rep Alan Mollohan in his office
- Officers. WVSSA elections were held at this meeting, to comply with ASA requirements, and to confirm the elections held last August. Those elected plan to attend the ASA Board of Directors and House of Delegates meetings, as appropriate. Director, Alternate Director and Delegate terms are three years. WVSSA officers are elected annually, although the President is generally expected to serve for two years.Our officers and their e-address below:
- President/Alt Delegate Stuart Cornett, MD – Edgar.Cornett@shcr.com
President-Elect/Delegate Brian Grose, MD – groseb@rcbhsc.wvu.edu
Secretary-Treasurer Robert Johnstone, MD – johnstoner@rcbhsc.wvu.edu
Director Alex Skaff, MD – ASkaff1Ace@aol.com
Alt Dir/Delegate David Graf, MD – grafd@rcbhsc.wvu.edu
Alt Delegate Russell Stewart, MD – stewartr@rcbhsc.wvu.edu
- Attached is a list of all WV anesthesiologists who have paid their 2010 dues. Anyone whose name is not on the list should send their dues at this time. WVSSA members are also encouraged to contribute to the ASA PAC and join the Lifeline Campaign.
- Annual WVSSA Educational and Business meeting will occur in conjunction with thestate medical association meeting at the Greenbrier on August 28 and 29. anyone wanting to present a lecture or with suggestions for our educational meeting should contact the WVSSA secretary.
- Dues payments for 2010 have been received from the following:
K. Scott Allen Mark Bennett Jessica Benson
Joe Brula Ophelia Cansino Philip Casingal
Alvin Castillo John Casto Mary Ann Cater
Fritz-Jose Chandler Joe Conroy Raymond Coombe
Stuart Cornett Antonio Daia Alan Dean
Lemwel Delgra Cecilio Delgra Antonio Domaoal
Thomas Douglass Richard Driver John Dudich
Matthew Ellison Dante Geronilla David Graf
John Haid Rodney Hall William Hall
Ralph Harding Robert Johnstone Richard Knebel
Candace McCormick Ken McNeil Michael Mindoza
Satish Menon Ken Nanners Timothy Nelson
Ahmet Ozturk Michael Panger Kenneth Parker
Eric Persily Vincent Rago Palle Reddy
Nathan Remolona Francis Saldanha Jack Shambling
Lorne Sheren David Grant Shy Alan Jeffrey Snider
Michael Sivaprakasam Alex Skaff Donna Slayton
Vincent Stonebraker Daniel Thomas Richard Vaglienti
Robert Valenzuela Robert Westmoreland Arnold Yosuico
Robert Johnstone, MD
WVSSA Secretary
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