1. ASA Legislative Conference. Drs. Brian Grose, Robert Johnstone, Christina Julian, Michael Panger and Eric Persily represented West Virginia anesthesiologists at the recent ASA Legislative Conference in Washington DC. Dr. Panger, WVSSA President-elect, also attended pre-conference leadership spokesperson training. After reviewing current legislative and regulatory issues and priorities, the group visited WV congressional offices. Key issues for anesthesiologists this year included ensuring fair payments for anesthesia care (no Sustainable Growth Rate cuts, repeal Independent Payment Advisory board), expanding patient access to physician anesthesiology services in rural areas, improving drug shortages, and empowering patients with accurate information.

West Virginia anesthesiologists meeting with Yasmin Wazir, legislative aide to Senator Rockefeller. (L-R) Drs Julian, Grose, Panger, (Wazir), Persily and Johnstone.
Drs. Julian, Johnstone and Grose conferring at a conference	Dr. Johnstone addressing comments to conferring at a conference Rep. Andy Harris, an anesthesiologist reception congressman from Maryland

2. The processing of WVSSA dues by the ASA, new this year, is working well. WVSSA currently has 181 members in good standing. WVSSA has assets of $105,071 (CDs and checking account), and no debts. The WVSSA tax return was filed last month with no taxes due.
3. The WVSSA will hold its Annual Education and Business meeting in conjunction with the WVSMA again this year, at The Greenbrier on August 25 and 26. The educational meeting is free for all members.

WVSSA Educational Meeting

The Greenbrier – Chesapeake Bay

August 25, 2012

    7:45am Registration

    8-8:30 Transfusion Practices 2012

Tony Passannante, MD

8:30-9 Anesthesia Practice Trends: What is changing? What does it mean?

Robert Johnstone, MD

9-9:45 American Society of Anesthesiologists – Update

Arthur Boudreaux, MD

9:45-10 Break

10-10:30 Crystalloid versus Colloid versus Too Much Fluid

Tony Passannante, MD

10:30-11 Organizing an anesthesia practice for quality and efficiency

Arthur Boudreaux, MD

11-11:45 Panel discussion with speakers

 

 

Arthur Boudreaux, MD

Clinical Professor and Vice Chair for Quality and Patient Safety,

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Secretary,

American Society of Anesthesiologists

Tony Passannante, MD

Professor of Anesthesiology

Vice Chair, Clinical Operations

University of North Carolina

Robert E. Johnstone, MD

Professor of Anesthesiology

West Virginia University

4. ASAPAC. Thanks to everyone who has already contributed to the PAC this year, approximately a third of the WVSSA membership. We have numerous political and regulatory challenges, and want to ensure that the voices of anesthesiologists are heard. Members can make their PAC contributions online at, http://www.asahq.org/ASAPAC. Or send a check made out to the ASAPAC to any WVSSA officer, who will forward the check and required information to ASA and have a PAC pin returned to the member.

WVSSA members who have already contributed to the 2012 PAC: Drs. B. Apple, M. Ata, S. Bader, M. Bennett, M. Bowling, K. Boyce, R. Bush, K. Costello, A. Criser, S. Crislip, S. Dickerson, T. Douglass, M. Ellison, J. Gao, D. Golna, D. Graf, A. Green, A. Hackett, J. Hensley, S. Howell, J. Jeffers, R. Johnstone, J. Christina, S. Kadhim, J. Kelly, A. Kohli, P. Legg, C. Lo, A. Marshall, M. Mascia, E. Massey, K. McNeil, A. Moriarty, J. Onglatco, E. Persily, J. Phillips, D. Rodgers, D. Sizemore, A. Skaff, R. Stewart, V. Stonebraker, J. Walker, C. Wilson.

Thanks also to numerous members who are participating in local receptions and fund-raisers for our legislators and delegates.

5. The American Society of Anesthesiologists will hold its Annual Meeting in Washington DC on October 13-17. The WVSSA will again have a reception for all WV anesthesiologists on Saturday evening at the meeting. Look for details in an upcoming newsletter.
6. Newsletters. Find past issues of our Newsletter on the WVSSA website at,  www.wvssahq.org.

2012 WVSSA officers and their e-address:

President/Delegate             Brian Grose, MD – groseb@wvuhealthcare.com

President-Elect              Michael Panger, MD – panger.michael@gmail.com

Secretary-Treasurer         Robert Johnstone, MD – johnstoner@wvuhealthcare.com

Director                           Alex Skaff, MD – ASkaff1Ace@aol.com

Alt Dir/Delegate          David Graf, MD – grafd@wvuhealthcare.com

Alt Delegate                       Russell Stewart, MD – stewartr@wvuhealthcare.com

WVSSA officers are glad to hear from members and help with any issues.

 

Robert Johnstone, MD

WVSSA Secretary