The Nominating Committee met on July 1, 2010 and, per the Bylaws, consisted of the following members: President, Maureen Whelihan and past presidents: Tamberly McCarus, MD, Chair and Arthur Clements, MD, Guy Benrubi, MD and Jay Trabin, MD

The nominating committee and the FOGS Board recommend the adoption of the following slate. In accordance with the bylaws, the President-Elect automatically becomes President and the President assumes the Immediate Past-President position.

Much has been published of late, in medical journals as well as in the general media, concerning the national rise in both the Cesarean section and premature birth rates. While not directly connected, the two medical concerns have many interrelated variables. Nationally, the Cesarean section rate has risen to 32 percent of all births, while the rate of premature birth has climbed to just over 12 percent.

Once again, the emails from the American Medical Association (AMA) and Florida Medical Association (FMA) circulate urging each of us to notify our senators and representatives of the need to repeal the SGR and stop the 21percent Medicare cut. Usually without a second thought, I click the link and respond. With the most recent request I decided to write my own letter to Senator Nelson and take a different position. Not because I was giving up or unwilling to fight, but more to express what will likely happen if the cuts go through.

On behalf of the Florida Section Advisory Council, I send summer greetings to all of our ACOG Fellows, Junior Fellows, and FOGS members. Hopefully your summer is unfolding nicely and your practices are enduring the continuing economic pressures of these times. Many of you have asked me about the ongoing effort to convert Florida Section to a District. So, in this issue I would like to bring you up to speed about the current "Districtization" process. But first, I want to talk to you a little about lunches.