Keeping the Faith => Winter 2001

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Keeping the Faith: Winter 2001

Gary W. Devane, M.D.

Reflecting on the events of the past year filled with random acts of terrorism and biologic murder and intimidation, I look forward to a more peaceful and safer year for our country and the world. The business of our Society has been a pleasant diversion from dwelling in these horrible events. I'm pleased to report that FOGS has continued to be a quiet but effective voice in support of women's health and welfare in our state.

Through efforts of our Legislative Committee chaired by Dr. Lou Stalnaker and the tireless work of Past President Dr.Karen Harris, the FMA has wisely decided not to disenfranchise NICA but rather will attempt to emulate our prior legislative reform success by endorsing major tort reform as a primary goal for next year's legislative session.This current session is totally bogged down with reapportionment issues which led to our cancellation of the annual Legislative Day in Tallahassee this year. We were advised that this just would not be productive and we listened. Still, as reviewed by our lobbyist Amy Young inhere legislative report, we are monitoring about 65 proposed bills which might affect the practice of OB-GYN. Please advise Amy if there are issues important to you or if you may have a personal acquaintance with any of our legislators. Sometimes these types of relationships can be important to influence our position.

We now have a Society web site: www.flobgyn.org where our legislative agenda can be presented in a timely manner. This should allow all of us who are interested in legislative matters to be updated "online." This will also provide membership lists, information and hyperlinks to various sites on the Internet. This project was funded in part by an ACOG Section grant obtained through the hard work of Section chairman Al Moffett. I hope you will use this new asset.

Other projects involve providing management support for state OB-GYN or subspecialty societies. The Florida Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility has accepted our offer and we will assist in management of their annual meeting on a trial basis this year. If successful,continued management support may allow for further interaction with these societies to strengthen our membership. FOGS would serve as an umbrella organization which would provide economy of scale and promote collegial relationships. Please contact me if your local society would be interested in management assistance or support service.

The importance of our state OB-GYN residency and fellowship programs was underscored by the formal appointment of Dr. J.K. Williams as the first Chairman of our Post Graduate Committee. Dr. Williams will serve as an ex officio member of the Executive Board. He will recruit all residents to become members of FOGS during their training and encourage attendance at our annual meeting. He will also coordinate the resident research seminar at the annual meeting.

I want to express my hope that our members, as well as resident physicians, will attend our annual meeting this year July 26-28, 2002 in Orlando at the Portofino Bay Resort next to Universal Studios. Attendance will underscore support for our Society and our state economy. Portofino Bay is a five-star resort which is both adult and child friendly. We have arranged for a very popular swing band, Swingerhead,featuring Michael Andrew who puts on a great show, for our Saturday night banquet. It will be a memorable event and I guarantee a superb faculty with "cutting edge" lectures with a GYN emphasis this year.

Our management transition has been highly successful and the new staff is most responsive to our Society goals.We also have changed PAC management firms which will allow for more efficient administration of our political influence. Please support our PAC as we truly have gotten a lot of "bang for the buck." Unfortunately, our PAC is usually underfunded but our directors are frugal and focused. Thank you for your continued support.

Finally, I wish to thank FOGS for the opportunity to serves your President and encourage everyone to increase their involvement in our Society.