I am honored to become your 61st President, and I look forward to a busy agenda this year. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to work with a Board of enthusiastic and knowledgeable individuals who bring creative ideas and solutions to the table. They are constantly working for the advancement of Florida's Obstetricians and Gynecologists and our society. We have just returned from an informative scientific session at the Boca Resort and Club that was the work of our exiting President, Dr. Art Clements. Nice job, Art. You gave us a fantastic year.
Not only will we remain engaged with the proposed "Healthcare Reform" ideas and how they will affect the healthcare of women, but we will also remain alert to ideas that affect physicians in the practice of good medicine. Our legislative agenda continues under the guidance of Amy Young, our superb lobbyist. But it remains critically important that each member of FOGS makes and annual contribution to the PAC Fund. This fund is used to donate to candidates running for office or re-election. Dr. Clements made it clear in the past that to be "heard," we need money. This is a separate donation from your FOGS dues and includes the members of the Policital Leadership Club. For those of you who have committed to the Political Leadership Club, your $1,000 called on in increments of $250 or $500 from time to time. Thank you again for that commitment.
Our year ahead looks busy as usual, not only with healthcare reform, but also with our plans to expand NICA to include brachial plexus injuries. As you know, we have a commitment from the FMA to assist us with this project. We will need to begin writing a bill and garnering support from our legislators. Timing is everything in politics.
At our general business meeting, we voted and approved to begin re-districtization of Florida from District IV and separating Florida to become our own district, which would be the new District XII. This project will be completed within 2 years and is under the leadership of our ACOG Chairman of the Florida Section, Dr. Jay Trabin. I look forward to working on the committee with Jay and others during this change. I think you will see the wonderful benefits that this affords us.
Finally, I have begun working diligently on next year's scientific program, which will be held at the newly-renovated Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. More than one billion dollars were spent in the renovation, and I hear it is superb! The format of two of the presentations will change and be presented as a "pro vs. con" debate. The audience will vote on who gave the most compelling argument. One will be on "Bio-Identical Hormones versus Traditional Therapy," and the other will be on "Cosmetic Surgery in the Ob/Gyn practice." Dr. Nezhat will be one of the many fine speakers for this program, as well. We will continue to partner with FSREI for the meeting, as this has been a mutually beneficial relationship. So, feel free to contact me with any topic ideas that you would like to hear and, most importantly, save the date on your calendars. The meeting was moved forward to August 6–8 to accommodate those who had conflict with school starting dates.
I look forward to serving you in the year ahead.
Latest Activity