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President's Message
As 2012 begins, I want to offer all our members and staff wishes for a healthy, safe and productive year. In this election year, there will certainly be upcoming challenges and opportunities as we promote our specialty in Ohio and nationally.
Ohio ACEP’s Leadership Development Academy is one opportunity for which we’re particularly excited. The Academy is designed help young practicing EM physicians develop the skills needed to assume leadership roles in their practices as well as in local, state and national emergency medicine organizations. Under the capable direction of Gary Katz, MD, FACEP and Sara Laskey, MD, FACEP, the participants will interact with leaders of Ohio and National ACEP, partake in legislative visits, and network with their fellow physicians. Building management competencies and personal growth in our specialty are expected outcomes from the year of training.
Ohio ACEP is looking forward to recruiting the fourth class of the Leadership Development Academy. We encourage any interested members to submit an application or nominate a colleague for the 2012 class. Nominations are due by February 8, 2012.
Best wishes,
Tom
Thomas W. Lukens, MD, FACEP
Financial Focus - Report from the Chapter Treasurer
 By Robert I. Broida, MD, FACEP
In December of 2009, the Ohio ACEP Board of Directors approved a new strategic plan to align mission, finance and organizational sustainability. The board approved the purchase of a new business line to be offered by the Chapter, the Carol Rivers publications (Preparing for the Written and Oral Board Exams in Emergency Medicine). This product dovetailed well with our organizational mission and nationally-recognized strength in EM board review and offered significant new opportunities for financial growth. With this acquisition, Ohio ACEP reaffirmed its commitment to maximize non-dues revenue in order to drive our advocacy mission and chapter operations. As Chapter Treasurer, I worked to assure greater transparency, revenue growth and more realistic budgeting, which are all consistent with the priorities the board has set for the Chapter. As we start the New Year, I would like to share the following highlights.
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For the 11th year in a row, Ohio ACEP has not increased member dues.
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For the first time in seven years, Ohio ACEP showed a net profit, increasing member equity and allowing us to add to our investment portfolio. For the fiscal year that ended April 30, 2011, the Chapter was able to implement a long-overdue capital improvement plan for the Chapter offices (a building wholly owned by Ohio ACEP) and return funds to the Chapter’s long-term investment accounts. After paying for the nearly $45,000 in capital improvements to the building, we still cleared over $60,000 on non-dues revenue of $1.5 million, which was a 4% return. Note that this was the first full year of operations including the Rivers books, and new editions are being produced, which should increase sales. Ohio ACEP's Board Review courses also set attendance records, contributing to the Chapter's profitability.
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Recognizing market volatility and recent changes in the economy, our Chapter’s investment strategy was adjusted to better assure security in the markets and continued growth. As of May 1, 2011, Ohio ACEP's long-term assets had increased in value by 20% over May, 2009 and were only 10% lower than the all-time year-end high in May 2008. This year, our investments produced almost $13,000 in interest, dividends and unrealized gains, which was a 6.5% return. This was accomplished with significantly less portfolio volatility and greater safety for the Chapter's funds.
Through its focus on mission, return on investment, priority resourcing, and a solid and responsive investment plan, Ohio ACEP is successfully sustaining your voice in emergency medicine.
Upcoming Events
Join us as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary at the All Ohio Emergency Medicine Assembly!
June 5, 2012
Embassy Suites in Dublin/Columbus
Mark your calendar! In 2012, Ohio ACEP will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary. In honor of this milestone, Ohio ACEP has transformed the event formerly known as the  Residents’ Assembly and All Member Annual Meeting into the All Ohio Emergency Medicine Assembly!
This dynamic event will have something for everyone! Medical students, residents, attendings, academics, administrators and clinicians alike will benefit from this exciting program, which will include both career and clinical topics.
Program Highlights:
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Back by popular demand! The Life After Residency Practice Options Panel
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EM Hot Topic Workshops, including: Bouncebacks! Medical and Legal
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Meet with over 25 industry exhibitors offering career opportunities
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Midwest Winter Symposium
February 2-5, 2012
Mountain Grand Lodge, Boyne Falls, Michigan
The Midwest Winter Symposium is held each year at one of Michigan’s Northern Ski Resorts and has become one of Michigan’s premier meetings.
Winter Symposium courses are designed to provide up-to-date information on issues, topics and new techniques that will help emergency physicians improve their practice. The courses are presented by experts selected for their outstanding teaching ability and experience in their particular field of expertise.
The program also allows time for many family activities and interaction with colleagues. This meeting is co-sponsored by the Michigan College of Emergency Physicians and Ohio ACEP. For additional information or to register, contact the MCEP office at (517) 327-2700 or click here!
Download the 2012 Midwest Winter Symposium brochure.
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Advocacy Updates
Plaintiff, attorneys part ways in Ohio Supreme Court malpractice case
In our December eNewsletter, we updated our readers on a medical liability court case with potentially far-reaching implications for medical providers. In Ruther v. Kaiser, Ohio’s Twelfth District Court of Appeals challenged a law which prevents medical liability suits from being filed more than four years after an alleged malpractice incident. The Ohio Alliance for Civil Justice (of which Ohio ACEP is a member) filed a friend of the court brief, urging the Ohio Supreme Court to protect physicians from unreasonable lawsuits by overturning the appellate court’s decision.
In an unusual development, the plaintiff’s attorney filed a motion to withdraw as counsel due to “irreconcilable differences” between the attorneys and their clients. In that motion, the plaintiff’s attorneys also requested permission to participate in oral arguments on behalf of the plaintiff. The Ohio Supreme Court denied that motion. We will keep you updated on this court case and its potential impact on emergency medicine.
Opiate Action Cabinet Team meets to develop prescribing guidelines
On January 17, Governor Kasich’s Opiate Cabinet Action Team met to discuss the development of guidelines for prescription of opioids. Ohio ACEP is a member of this Action Team and was present at the meeting. As these guidelines continue to take shape, Ohio ACEP will be at the table representing emergency physicians and their patients. Stay tuned for further details.
Quarterly Sexual Assault Advisory Board of Ohio meeting
On January 18, the Sexual Assault Advisory Board of Ohio (SAABO) had its winter quarterly meeting. As part of SAABO, Ohio ACEP was present to discuss training for health workers to effectively treat victims of sexual assault and collect evidence. SAABO’s mission is to ensure that all victims of sexual assault or sexual abuse have consistent access to quality medical care and that collection of evidence in these cases meets the standards of the Ohio Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical and Forensic Examination.
Recent News
Ohio Hospital Association, Ohio Children’s Hospital Association to use $7.6 million in federal grants to improve hospital safety
On December 21, The Columbus Dispatch reported that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services had awarded grants to 26 groups around the nation to help hospitals reduce preventable infections and decrease readmissions. In all, the grants totaled $218 million over two years.
Among the organizations that were awarded funds were two in Ohio; the Ohio Hospital Association received $3.3 million, and the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association will receive $4.3 million.
The goals laid out by Health and Human Services are to reduce conditions acquired in-hospital by 40 percent and decrease patient readmissions by 20 percent. If successful, a third year of grant money is possible.
Increase in psychiatric emergencies follow cuts to state mental health services
On December 24, the Reuters newswire service reported on a trend our members have been seeing firsthand. In an effort to cut costs and avoid catastrophic budget deficits, many states have slashed funding to mental health services. As a result, emergency departments are seeing spikes in cases of psychiatric emergencies. Often, patients are left with few treatment choices, and emergency departments are picking up the slack.
Emergency department at MetroHealth Medical Center logs record 100,000+ patient visits in 2011
On December 22, The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that Cleveland MetroHealth’s emergency department would easily clear 100,000 patient visits for 2011, a record high for the facility. 2010 was also a record-breaking year, in which 99,671 patients visits were logged. Though much of the patient volume is due to Cleveland MetroHealth ED’s speed of treatment, national ACEP president Dr. David Seaberg sees this as part of a larger, national trend.
 
Now Accepting EMS Star of Life Nominations!
Ohio ACEP and the Ohio Division of EMS will celebrate EMS week with the 14th Annual EMS Star of Life Awards ceremony. The EMS Star of Life Awards are designed to recognize outstanding EMS personnel from all over Ohio whose accomplishments rise above the day-to-day excellence of that system. Nominate your EMS Star today! Click here to download a nomination packet. Deadline for nomination is March 6, 2012.
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EM Residency Program Update
Emergency Medicine Physicians is holding a video contest for EM residents to show the world why their program is the best. Several Ohio residency programs have entered! Take a look and vote for the ones you like best! And keep in mind, you can vote once daily until January 31.
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Get Involved!
International Trauma Life Support Ohio (ITLS Ohio) seeking emergency physician for ITLS Ohio Chapter Medical Director
The state chapter of International Trauma Life Support— ITLS Ohio—is accepting applications for Ohio Chapter Medical Director. The selected candidate will oversee all medical aspects of ITLS Ohio’s pre-hospital trauma education program. This is a volunteer position with limited overall time commitment. If you are an emergency physician with a background in pre-hospital care, we would love to hear from you! To be considered for the position, please email Laura Tiberi with your CV and letter of interest by January 24, 2012.
For more information and the full position description, click here.
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Leadership Development Academy: Now accepting applications!
 This unique program provides an orientation and training for emergency medicine future leaders, a solid background in organized medicine and a pathway for physician leadership within the state chapter, national College or local arena of emergency medicine.
Participants will:
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Learn about the demands of physician leadership
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Connect with peers and mentors
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Enhance interpersonal communication
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Build management competencies
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Develop a personal advocacy message
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Grow strategic decision-making skills
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Explore medical society governance
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Develop an effective leadership strategy
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Advance the profession of Emergency Medicine
For more information, check out the brochure. Or, for application and submission instructions, download the nomination form.
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Member Kudos
Robert Broida, MD, FACEP, for being appointed by ACEP as an Alternate Representative to the Joint Commission Hospital Professional Technical Advisory Committee
Jon W. Schrock, MD, FACEP, and Rita K. Cyculka, MD, FACEP, for being published in the January 2012 edition of the Annals of Emergency Medicine
If you know of a member that deserves to be congratulated, let us know!
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