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Trust Issues
President's Message
By Andrew J. Richards, MD, FACS
Even though it’s been in existence for nearly 85 years, many of you likely have no knowledge or understanding of the William H. Seibert Award. That’s not surprising, considering the archaic nature and stipulations of the trust.
By all accounts, Dr. Seibert – born in 1850 in West Hanover Township – was a fine and dedicated physician. He took few vacations and remained well-read in the field of medicine. He was as notorious for his indifference to fashion as he was for his affinity to his Model T Ford.
After his death in 1919, Dr. Seibert’s estate was valued at nearly $600,000. Because he left no will, the estate was settled in Orphans Court and divided equally between his sister and two brothers. From this inheritance, his sister, Anna Mary Seibert, took $10,000 to create the trust. The terms were simple: every other year, $500 was to be awarded to a member of the Harrisburg Academy of Medicine who was under the age of 45, independent of gender, race or religion. The five oldest ex-Presidents of the Academy were to select the candidate by secret ballot. Before the winner could receive the money, however, he or she had to agree in writing that the $500 would be spent on European travel and study, and that a paper describing these travels would be read before the Academy upon return to the States.
While the sincere intent of this trust is unquestioned, much has changed in the last eight decades. It is the position of the Dauphin County Medical Society’s Executive Committee that the Seibert Award must be modernized to benefit not established physicians, but rather the next generation of doctors. To that end, we are seeking to re-structure the trust so that these funds (currently about $30,000) can be distributed as scholarships to worthy medical students.
DCMS is currently preparing an application for pro bono legal assistance from the Dauphin County Bar Association’s Non-Profit Initiative. I will keep members updated as we work to transition the William H. Seibert Award from irrelevance and obscurity into a coveted, well-recognized Dauphin County medical scholarship.
Our Most Powerful Political Tool? You!
David Thompson, Pennsylvania Medical Society Lobbyist
Concerned about where medicine is heading? If you’re like most physicians in Pennsylvania, you may have a number of concerns about the future of your profession. Like any special interest group, it’s easy for us to discuss what’s wrong with the world and how grand it would be to return to the “good old days.” But, as the saying goes, “Talk is cheap!”
Physicians, unlike any other profession, devote their entire careers to effecting change. This “change” has brought the world medical advances that are far too numerous to count – changes in disease therapy, new advances in surgical techniques, and diagnostic medical equipment that no one could have dreamed of several years ago. Let’s face it, how many of you laughed 43 years ago when Star Trek’s Dr. McCoy waived his “medical tricorder” over his patients? Today’s technological advances in medicine are fast approaching those of Dr. McCoy’s. You have to wonder, will physicians 100 years from now laugh at today’s treatments?
My point is this. Physicians can effect change. But such change ought not be limited to the “science” of medicine. Rather, it should be broadened to include the “politics” of medicine. You are all familiar with the tools of your trade – the physical exam, MRIs, gamma knife, PET scans, CAT scans and the list goes on and on. But are you familiar with your political tools?
You should be.
In fact, every physician possesses the necessary tools to positively shape public policy. Like riding a bike or putting in a central line, all it takes is a few basic skills and a tool or two.
Becoming an effective grassroots advocate involves three simple steps.
• First, do you know who represents your interests in Harrisburg? Every physician, and for that matter, every citizen, should know who their state senator and representative are, along with their Congressman and U.S. Senators. Furthermore, are you registered to vote, and do you vote regularly? If not, you should!
• Second, take time to get to know your state legislators. Call and make an appointment to discuss a legislative issue about which you feel passionate . . .but remember, your role should be one of an educator, not an adversary. And, the issue discussed does not necessarily have to be about medicine. Treat your legislators as you would treat a patient. Help them understand your position – don’t force it down their throat! Invite your legislators to visit your office as an observer. Take them with you on rounds at the hospital, or offer them the opportunity to observe a surgical procedure. Just be sure to inform your staff and/or hospital administrator that a legislator will be spending some time with you.
You’d be surprised how many legislators would love to experience what you do. Conversely, show an interest in your legislator’s daily activities. Ask if you could spend a day with them in Harrisburg and experience the political process firsthand. After all, everyone loves to think what they do for a living is interesting to the casual observer.
• You need to become involved in the political process. Get involved in a political campaign. Offer to host a political fundraising reception for your legislator or attend one. Check your legislator’s campaign website and register to be a volunteer or be placed on their list of campaign contributors. They’ll instantly fall in love with you! This last step clearly demonstrates to lawmakers your level of commitment.
• Lastly, generously support the Medical Society’s political action committee, PAMPAC. As a non-partisan organization, PAMPAC judiciously uses its member contributions to support the election of pro-physician candidates. Conversely, PAMPAC aggressively pursues opportunities to campaign against vulnerable incumbent legislators who consistently vote against the interests of physicians.
This fall, physicians have an opportunity to directly affect public policy in fall elections. On November 3, Pennsylvanian’s will be going to the polls to elect statewide appellate court judges, county common pleas judges and row officers.
This year PAMPAC’s priority is to focus on the race to fill one seat on the state Supreme Court and as many as four open seats on the state Superior Court. In the past, physicians from across the state have led the charge to elect fair-minded judges to our statewide courts. PAMPAC needs to be vigilant and involved in these key judicial races. Accomplishing this requires your support of PAMPAC.
Several years ago, significant changes were made to the tort system that have improved the medical liability climate in Pennsylvania. Among them was a change made by the Supreme Court to eliminate “venue shopping” by personal injury lawyers. This change alone has reduced the number of medical liability cases being filed in the “jackpot jury” city of Philadelphia. Not surprisingly, the personal injury lawyers are trying to reverse this and other positive court changes.
For a number of years now, the PA Supreme Court has ruled in medicine’s favor on several important cases by a 5 to 4 margin. If a candidate supported by the trial bar is elected to the Supreme Court in November, we may return to the “wild west days” we thought we had left behind, and Philadelphia may once again become the personal injury lawyers’ “cash cow.”
The secrets to success in the political arena are simple – communication and participation – something you do every day with every patient. You have both the skills and the financial resources; why not use them?
Tip O’Neil, the late former Speaker to the U.S. House of Representatives, was once quoted as saying “All politics is local.” He could not have been more right. Yes, powerful lobbying groups do have an effect on policymaking. However, never underestimate the power of a politician’s constituency.
For lawmakers, interacting with professional lobbyists is an integral part of the legislative process, but it’s the “votes back home” that really count. And one thing that all legislators do exceptionally well is “count.”
The stakes are high. Physicians must not allow themselves to be left out of the political equation any longer.
Student Chapter Update
Swayta Reddy, Penn State Student AMA Chapter Secretary
Currently, the Penn State chapter of the American Medical Association (AMA) is busy recruiting the incoming class so that they may also have the chance to take part in the many opportunities that AMA provides its members. We would like to thank DCMS for its past donations which helped to fund our trip to the national convention. We have had an opportunity not only to meet fellow students from chapters around the country, but also to have a more profound appreciation for the breadth of the AMA. We were able to listen to lectures pertaining to health care and take part in debates regarding AMA legislation. We also had the opportunity to explore the different paths that are available for us after the completion of our medical degree. We hope to bring our new ideas into the 2009-2010 school year.
DCMS Presents "Excellence in Clinical Nursing Award"
DCMS continues its practice of supporting the nursing profession through our annual "Excellence in Clinical Nursing Award." The award is presented to a HACC nursing graduate who, in the opinion of the faculty, demonstrates excellence in interpersonal communication, assessment, documentation, and technical skills. DCMS President Dr. Andrew Richards presented the award to Jonathan A. Yawger at a ceremony held Friday, May 15, 2009. Congratulations Jonathan!
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Please mark your calendar for Saturday, November 14, from 10 am - 2 pm, and participate in this popular health education event held at the Harrisburg Mall. Take advantage of this opportunity to share your knowledge and expertise with members of the public who might not have ready access to medical care. You can reserve your space now by calling the DCMS office at (717) 558-7849, email dauphincms@pamedsoc.org or download the registration form.
The Penn State student chapter of the AMA is excited to organize a Specialty Speed Dating Event on October 26, 2009, at 7 pm. This event would afford medical students the opportunity to talk to physicians from various backgrounds. We hope to help students explore different fields and better understand the demands and rewards of each specialty. We need physicians who are willing to discuss their specialty with our students. If you are interested in participating, please email Jaimon Stucki at jstucki.psu@gmail.com. The event would last an hour and a half and we would greatly appreciate your participation. The chapter would also like to express its gratitude for all the financial and moral support that DCMS has provided us. Your generosity gives us the ability to reach our fellow students so that they too can experience the benefits of AMA.
DCMS has entered into an endorsement deal with PMSLIC. PMSLIC will provide an annual endorsement fee of $7,500 for the three-year period beginning July 2009 and ending July 2012.
These funds are non-restricted, meaning that DCMS has complete discretion in determining their use.
As the exclusively endorsed carrier, PMSLIC is invited to contact DCMS members via postal mail three times per year. PMSLIC will also avail itself – free of charge – to provide risk management seminars to DCMS members and malpractice industry updates to the Board of Governors.
PMSLIC offers additional financial support to DCMS in the forms of newsletter advertising and possible event funding.
To learn about PMSLIC’s medical liability insurance products, click on their ad to be taken to their web site, or call (717) 796-5551.
DCMS website, www.dauphincms.org, features a directory available to members after logging on. Your log-on is your last name, (first letter capitalized) and your password is your birthdate (in the following format: mm/dd/yy). Take a minute to check out this new feature today!
Autumn has quickly arrived, and your dues statements will be mailed out soon. Please note, individual physicians whose dues are not paid on a group practice basis can conveniently renew their membership online. Members may also take advantage of quarterly dues payments via automatic credit card deductions. Help keep dues costs from rising by encouraging your colleages to join the Pennsylvania Medical Society and DCMS. For more information, contact the member services department at (800) 228-7823.
Summer is over, and the Alliance is getting ready for a productive year of activities that will get our members excited about what we can accomplish in the future, as well as what we can learn from our many accomplishments in the past. At our first meeting, we learned about Pennsylvania Medical Society Alliance (PMSA) projects from our current PMSA President, Maya Patel, and President-elect, Emily Daloni. In October, we will be focusing on DCMSA “Past and Future.” Our annual silent auction will be held in December at the home of Andy and Karen Bloschichak. This is always fun for everyone, and all proceeds go towards funding our many programs and grants. Save the date now for the DCMSA Fashion Show on April 13, 2010, at the West Shore Country Club.
We are always looking for new members. If your spouse would like more information about becoming active in the Alliance, please contact me at tjmosher@hotmail.com. We will be hosting a new member coffee in October and look forward to letting them know what we are all about.
Active Members
James T. Barber, DO, Maternal & Fetal Medicine
Maternal Fetal Medicine of Central PA
Hayden M.K. Boyce, MD, Neurological Surgery
PA Neurosurgery & Neuroscience Institute
Eileen F. Hennrikus, MD, Internal Medicine
Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Charles D. Gerlach, IV, MD, Internal Medicine
Stanley R Goldman MD & Assoc
Glenn C. Keyser, MD, Anesthesiology
Riverside Anesthesia Assoc. Ltd.
Jack H. Moody, MD, Internal Medicine
Stanley R. Goldman MD & Assoc.
Albert R. Porter, MD, Diagnostic Radiology
Tristan Associates
Diane E. Schuller, MD, Pediatric Allergy
Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Claudia Daniele Taboada, DO
Maternal Fetal Medicine of Central PA
Administrative Members
Jennifer Brutko, Carlisle HMA Physicians Management
Martha Herold, West Shore Family Practice PC
Virginia Hoffman, Brownstone Dermatology Associates
Jennifer Lynn Kessler, Medical and Cosmetic Dermatology LLC
Diane Vickery, Vickery Neurodiagnostics Group
Resident Members
Kamal Kant Singh Abbi, MD
John Alexander, DO
Bassem Onsy Asaad, MD
Raman Baweja, MD
Rodney E. Brenneman, MD
Brandon J. Bryce, MD
Jihua Cheng, MD
Mary M. Chu, MD
Jincy Clement, MD
Munib Shabbir Daudjee, MD
Johnny Do, MD
Candice D. Fortunato, MD
Michael A. Fortunato, MD
Dmitri Fuzaylov, MD
Kavita Gadhok, MD
Frank Gerard Garritano, MD
Robert Grunfeld, MD
Holly J.W. Gunn, MD
James Hausen, DO
Heather Jane Kaneda, DO
Julianne Rae Lauring, MD
Adetoun Oluyemisi Olaoye, MD
Jessica Lixia Pu, MD
Samer R. Rajjoub, MD
Channing Scott Slate, MD
Deneen Spatz, MD
Joseph Spinell, DO
Jennifer Strow, DO
Matthew C. Uhlenkott, MD
Monali K. Vasekar, MD
Janak Vidyarthi, MD
Yue Wang, MD
Sara Jane Heilig-Wasong, MD
Student Member
Laura J. Spece
2009 Calendar of Events
Board of Governors Meetings
December 2
6:15 PM at Society headquarters
Executive Committee (Officers)
October 7 and November 4
6:30 PM at Society headquarters
PA Medical Society Annual Business Meeting - House of Delegates
October 24-25, 2009
at the Hershey Lodge
DCMS Doc Talk VII
November 14, 2009
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the Harrisburg Mall
To opt out of future electronic (email and fax) communications, please write to dauphincms@pamedsoc.org with the word UNSUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER in the subject or call (717) 558-7849.
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