Making A Difference

News

Have a proposal for FOGS or looking for a service?
Use this link to contact our office.
More...

Thank You!
FOGS and the Florida Section ACOG recognize their corporate supporters
More...

Liability Issues Report
Please use this form liberally to report the related practice problems you are facing
The Form

On Call Medical Coats
FOGS has teamed up with On Call Medical Coats to offer our members quality embroidered labcoats
Shop for Coats

FOGS Endorsed Malpractice Carrier offering a 5% discount to FOGS members
More Info

Lubell & Rosen
FOGS Endorsed
Pre-Paid Legal Defense
More Info

Your practice could receive a dividend of up to 24.8% of your workers compensation premium.
More Info

The President's Report

Read Other President's Reports
Summer 2008 Summer 2008 Summer 2007 Spring 2007 Winter 2006/2007 Autumn 2006 Summer 2006 Spring 2006 Winter 2005 Fall 2005 Summer 2005 Spring 2005 Winter 2005 Fall 2004 Summer 2004 Spring 2004 Fall 2003 Summer 2003 Spring 2003 Winter 2002 Summer 2002 Spring 2002 Winter 2001 Fall 2001

Making A Difference => Summer 2007

James W. Orr, MD, FACOG, FACS

Each of us is exceedingly familiar with the discussions of disenchantment filling the physician's lounge, the operating room, hospital hallways, and medical meetings. Dissatisfactions voiced on "events" associated with liability issues, reimbursement problems, rising costs of practice, and government intervention are but a few of the topics dominating the conversation. In today's changing medical environment, we are all looking for a way to make a "difference," sometimes frustrated, occasionally feeling helpless.

John Canfield (2004) addressed this issue in his book The Success Principles—How to get from where you are to where you want to be. Each of us might gain from understanding his perspective of dealing with change with this equation:

Event + Response = Outcome

He notes that life's Events are random, continuous and essentially uncontrollable. Most of us can visualize a desired outcome. Therefore, the only variable directly under our control is Response. This equation makes it evident that if we intend to reach the desired outcome, we must strive to constantly modify our response, whether in the office, the operating room, or on the surgical floor, when dealing with patient's families, hospitals, administrators, department chairmen, insurance companies, or even when driving to and from work. I would propose that a good "response" to effect potential outcome involves joining other medical colleagues in an organization with similar interest and problems. Obstetrician Gynecologists have this opportunity by joining and becoming active in FOGS. Our organization can only get stronger when it grows. Now more than ever, it is important for each of us to reach out to our non member Ob/Gyn colleagues and encourage them to join us. Obviously potential members are likely to ask you why they should join FOGS, and want to know what they would get for their dues. Both are fair questions. In response, FOGS advocates for its membership and we have a highly effective lobbying team based in Tallahassee who regularly meet with key lawmakers to stay abreast of pending legislation, actively and effectively voicing our concerns, advocating our position and educating lawmakers as to how potential legislation will effect women's health care and their primary caregivers. One only has to read Amy Young's column in this newsletter to get an idea of our enormous effort and interests in the legislative arena. FOGS ongoing efforts to expand and improve the NICA system also attest to how we work on behalf of Florida's Ob/Gyns. Our immediate past president, John Burigo, MD, has been recently named to the NICA board and he, in consultation with the FOGS board, will continue to review and revise this important and perhaps misunderstood program that is a major asset to our specialty.

FOGS also adds value to its membership with our high quality annual scientific congresses that feature cutting edge clinical science and medical breakthroughs, presented by the national thought leaders in our field. We also offer ongoing member benefits that can strengthen their practices, such as insurance through FPIC, workman's compensation through Comp Options and Danna Gracey, and pre-paid legal defense with Lubell and Rosen—all of which are discounted for FOGS members. This year we've established a new rewards program that allows members numerous ways to earn points with an opportunity to redeem them for premiums, including reduced or complimentary registration to the annual meeting.

FOGS makes a concerted effort to advocate for the constituency we represent: our patients—Florida's women and families. Our advocacy for HPV vaccination and our work on the NICA program are directed toward improving women's health and bettering our communities. As FOGS grows and strengthens, so does the future of those we serve as medical professionals. So, to answer the question of "what do I get from FOGS membership," the answer is a better practice and a better Florida.

It is appropriate that every member or prospective member understand how their dues are spent. Approximately 35 percent of our membership dues support advocacy programs in Tallahassee, the majority supports our annual clinical meeting, and the remainder is used to improve the outcomes from our committees and task force efforts. By the way, if you're reading as a FOGS member, ask yourself if you are taking full advantage of your society benefits. Attend this years annual meeting in Naples, volunteer to serve on a FOGS board or committee, and you'll find that the return on your expended effort will be great. Information regarding the annual meeting and opportunities for service are listed at our website (www.flobgyn.org).

Change in medicine is inevitable! During such changes we should identify but not focus on the problems that initiate or accompany them, and strive to discover and incorporate successful solutions. As a member of FOGS you can enjoy the camaraderie of fellow physicians and be present at the table to effect positive change. If we fail to participate, we are doing injustice to our patients and our specialty.

Finally, let me express my sincere appreciation to all of you who are actively involved with FOGS and please know that I have been extremely honored to have served as your president.