Keeping the Faithe => Summer 2002

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Keeping the Faith: Summer 2002

Spurgeon W. McWilliams, M.D.

As your new President, I would first like to congratulate our Immediate Past President, Dr. Gary DeVane, on the magnificent job he has done over the past year. I look forward to the challenges that the presidency of FOGS will present in the coming year. Admittedly, I am a bit awed by the prowess of my academic predecessors, Drs. Gary DeVane, and J.K. Williams, as regards meeting preparation. But I also admire the political savvy of my predecessors, Drs. Karen Harris and Jay Trabin, both “bread and butter” Ob-Gyns dealing with our twin issues—managed care and liability insurance, like myself and most of you. I have learned from all of them during my Board tenure.

Fortunately, Drs. DeVane and Williams have graciously agreed to assist me in preparing for next year’s meeting at Sawgrass. We expect a great meeting and are looking forward to your attendance. Meanwhile, my focus as President will be almost exclusively on the liability issue. Having served on Governor Bob Graham’s Malpractice Task Force in the mid 1980’s, I bring a lot of experience to that issue. It is my expectation that incoming senate president Jim King will form a liability task force. I have already begun discussions with the insurance commissioner, the governor’s office, Senator Al Lawson, and Senator King’s staff regarding this matter. FOGS must assume a leadership role in seeking resolution, as our specialty is the most acutely affected.

Because of reapportionment, all legislators must run this Fall for election or re-election. Please meet with the candidates in your district and secure written statements from them regarding their position on Tort reform. This will help us greatly in planning our political strategy. The availability of women’s health services and the practice of Obstetrics and Gynecology in this state are both seriously jeopardized by the current liability climate. We need legislators who have a strong commitment to sensible resolution. To paraphrase President Bush on this issue, "There is no middle ground - they're either with us or they're with the other guys."