Virginia Medical News OCT. 2016: W OMEN’S HEALTH MONTH
IN THIS ISSUE: Women’s Health Month . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Advocacy Award Winners . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2017 White Coats on Call Schedule. . . . 4 Republican Control of Senate . . . . . . . . 10 New Officers and Directors . . . . . . . . . . 5
MSV Leadership
Board of Directors Medical Society of Virginia
2924 Emerywood Parkway, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23294 800 | 746-6768 • www.msv.org
President
Bhushan H. Pandya, M.D.
President-Elect Kurtis S. Elward, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP
Directors Michael S. Amster, M.D. Joel T. Bundy, M.D., FACP, FASN John F. Butterworth IV, M.D. Sandy L. Chung, M.D., FAAP, FACHE Clifford L. Deal III, M.D., FACS James R. Dudley, M.D., M.B.A. Jacqueline M. Fogarty, M.D. Joshua D. Lesko, M.D.
Immediate Former President
Edward G. Koch, M.D., FACOG
Secretary-Treasurer Alan L. Wagner, M.D., FACS
Ibe O. Mbanu, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H. Monica N. Melmer Larry G. Mitchell, M.D. Mohit Nanda, M.D. Edilberto O. Pelausa, M.D., FACS, FRCSC Patricia A. Pletke, M.D. William S. Prominski, M.D. John D. Ward, M.D., M.S.H.A. Chi Young, M.D.
Speaker of the House
Arthur J. Vayer Jr., M.D.
Vice Speaker
Alan H. Wynn, M.D., FACS
Associate Directors Teresa W. Babineau, M.D., FAAFP S. Kathleen Carlson Samuel D. Caughron, M.D. Trevar O. Chapmon, M.D. Andrea R. Giacometti, M.D. FACR J. Mark Hylton, M.D. Lisa S. Kennedy, M.D. AAFP William D. Kiser, M.D.
Adlai L. Pappy, M.D. Pradeep K. Pradhan, M.D., FACP Timothy L. Raines, M.D. Richard A. Szucs, M.D. Executive Committee Advisors Barbara A. Allison-Bryan, M.D. Sterling N. Ransone Jr., M.D., FAAFP
AMA Delegation Chair Randolph J. Gould, M.D., FACS Vice Chair Claudette E. Dalton, M.D.
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Delegates David A. Ellington, M.D. Edward G. Koch, M.D., FACOG Hazle S. Konerding, M.D. Mitchell B. Miller, M.D. FAAFP Lawrence K. Monahan, M.D. FACP
Alternate Delegates Clifford L. Deal III, M.D., FACS Thomas W. Eppes Jr., M.D., M.B.A. Russell C. Libby, M.D., FAAP Bhushan H. Pandya, M.D. Sterling N. Ransone Jr., M.D., FAAFP William C. Reha, M.D., M.B.A. Cynthia C. Romero, M.D., FAAFP
MSV News Advocacy Spotlight: Mid-Atlantic Women’s Care By Sara Rose Wells In honor of Women’s Health Month, MSVPAC would like to recognize Mid-Atlantic Women’s Care, PLC as October’s advocacy champions. Based in Hampton Roads, Mid-Atlantic is made up of over 70 physicians and also has locations in the Outer Banks and Franklin, VA. Since 2014, the practice has been a major supporter of MSVPAC, providing a significant yearly contribution towards supporting friends of medicine in the General Assembly. Additionally, Peter Kemp, MD, FACOG, serves as MSVPAC’s Vice Chair, representing MSVPAC at fundraisers for legislators, as well as attending White Coats on Call lobby days. When asked why they put such a high value on legislative advocacy, Executive Director Robert Sterling, CPA, CMPE stated “one should not just hope that change will occur for the better. There must be a willingness to accept the responsibility to become actively involved in the process to facilitate positive changes.” MSVPAC and the government affairs team would like to thank the Physician Managers of Mid-Atlantic Women’s Care, PLC for their continuing support of the MSVPAC. If you haven’t yet made your 2016 MSVPAC contribution, there’s still time! Contribute online at http://mx.msv.org/MSVPACContributionsForm.aspx or mail a check made out to MSVPAC to 2924 Emerywood Pkwy, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23294. Also, plan to attend the 2017 White Coats on Call lobby days in Richmond. Visit http://www.msv.org/white-coats-call for more information.
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Join your colleagues for a day at the Capitol. Professionals from all specialties and regions will come together for an eventful day of unified advocacy during the General Assembly session. Tuesday, January 24 - All Call Day* (VCACR, VSA, VACEP) Monday, January 30 - All Call Day* (VSEPS, VA-AAP, VSO, ACS, PSV, VOS) Monday, February 6 - Physician Assistant Day *All Call days are open to all members, though there will be some highlighted specialties on each day. What's new for 2017? • The days have been condensed to encourage increased participation and crossspecialty collaboration. • We will have two “All Call” days for physicians, with some specialties highlighted on each day. There will also be a dedicated physician assistant day for PA’s and students. • MSV will provide a robust program with guided bill updates, guest speakers, updates on MSV opportunities, and more. • MSV, specialty society lobbyists, and staff will be on hand as resources throughout the day. • And as always, a filling breakfast and lunch will be provided. Legislative Agenda The 2017 Session begins on January 11 and ends February 23. The following topics are expected to be key issues during the upcoming session. More information will be posted as it becomes available: • Associate Physician legislation • Prescription Misuse • Certificate of Public Need (COPN) • Scope of Practice issues • Lyme Disease Questions? More details including registration information will be available soon. For questions, please email GovtAffairs@msv.org or call Sara Rose Wells at (804) 377-1036.
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MSV News MSV, MSV Foundation, and MSVPAC elect new officers and directors By Hedi Cho The Medical Society of Virginia (MSV) and MSV Foundation (MSVF) elected new presidents, officers and directors during its annual meeting from Oct. 13 to 16 at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center in Roanoke, VA. The MSV Political Action Committee (MSVPAC) elected new directors. In a history-making moment for a state medical association, Bhushan H. Pandya, M.D., a gastroenterologist from Danville, was installed as MSV’s first ever physician of Indian origin as President. During his presidency, Dr. Pandya intends to focus on increasing physician engagement and enhancing physician satisfaction. “My being inaugurated as MSV President is historic,” said Dr. Pandya. “I am overwhelmed with gratitude to many. I have been a part of organized medicine ever since I started practice in 1985. As President, I hope to see physicians get more engaged, find ways of decreasing the stress of practice for our physicians and bring the community of physicians closer. I know our society can make the difference to ensure that Virginia is indeed the best place to practice medicine and for our patients to receive health care.” Dr. Pandya is the Founder and President of the Danville Gastroenterology Center. He has served on the board of directors of MSV as the director and associate director for more than 10 years, representing the 5th district. Dr. Pandya also serves as an alternate delegate on the Virginia delegation to the American Medical Association (AMA). He is the Chair for the AMA-IMG Governing council. He has been the Chair of board of directors at Gateway Health Alliance for several years. He has served the Commonwealth of Virginia as a member of State Board of Health for two terms and finished his term as the ViceChair, having been appointed by Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. He has served as the President of Danville Pittsylvania Academy of Medicine, President of Medical Staff t Danville Regional Medical Center, President of Maulana Azad Medical College Alumni Association and the Regional Director for American Association of Physicians of Indian origin. Dr. Pandya received his medical degree from Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi, India and his post graduate training at the Jersey City Medical Center. He is a 2008 fellow of the MSV Foundation’s Claude Moore Physician Leadership Institute. MSV officers who were elected include: • Kurtis S. Elward, M.D., M.P.H., FAAFP of Charlottesville; President-elect • Alan L. Wagner, M.D., FACS of Virginia Beach; Secretary-Treasurer • Arthur J. Vayer Jr., M.D. of Stafford; Speaker • Alan H. Wynn, M.D. of Woodbridge; Vice Speaker
Newly elected and re-elected Directors are: • District 2 – Joel T. Bundy, M.D., FACP, FASN of Hampton • District 2 – Edilberto O. Pelausa, M.D. of Suffolk • District 6 – Patricia A. Pletke, M.D. of Lynchburg • District 8 – Chi Young, M.D. of Gainesville • District 9 – Larry Mitchell, M.D. of Richlands • District 10 – Sandy L. Chung, M.D. of Fairfax • District 10 – William E. Prominski, M.D. of Arlington • Academic – John D. Ward, M.D. of Richmond • Resident – Josh Lesko, M.D. of Portsmouth • Medical Student – Monica Melmer of Charlottesville
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MSV News Newly elected and re-elected associate directors include: • • • • • • •
District 2 – Lisa S. Kennedy, M.D. of Chesapeake District 6 – Trevar O. Chapmon, M.D. of Roanoke District 9 – William D. Kiser, M.D. of Marion District 10 – Andrea R. Giacometti, M.D. of Kensington Academic – Teresa W. Babineau, M.D. of Norfolk Resident – Mark Hylton, M.D. of Chesterfield Medical Student – Kathleen Carlson of Charlottesville
Newly elected and re-elected members of Virginia’s delegation to the AMA include: AMA DELEGATES • Edward G. Koch, M.D., FACOG of Mclean • Mitchell B. Miller, M.D. of Virginia Beach • Lawrence K. Monahan, M.D. of Roanoke AMA ALTERNATE DELEGATES • • • •
Thomas W. Eppes Jr., M.D. of Forest Sterling N. Ransone Jr., M.D. of Deltaville William C. Reha, M.D., M.B.A. of Woodbridge Cynthia C. Romero, M.D. of Virginia Beach
Cynthia C. Romero, M.D., FAAFP, a Virginia Beach family practice physician and Global Health Center Director for Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS), was reelected as the MSVF president. During her career, Dr. Romero has served as the State Health Commissioner for the Virginia Department of Health. She has also served as Chief Medical Officer and Vice President for quality and medical affairs at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. She has also served as President of MSV, President of the Virginia Academy of Family Physicians (VAFP) and President of the Norfolk Academy of Medicine. She was founding President of the Organization of Young Filipino-Americans at the University of Virginia where she received her undergraduate degree, President of her medical school class at EVMS and Chief Resident at the Riverside Family Practice Program.
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The following directors were elected to serve on the MSVPAC board: • Sarah Weaver, M.D. of Falls Church • Christopher Bednarz of Richmond The Medical Society of Virginia (MSV) is the professional association for physicians in the commonwealth. Dedicated to supporting physicians in the practice of medicine, MSV advocates on their behalf to ensure physician influence on health care legislation and policy improvements and provides a variety of educational and support activities that assist physicians in the practice of medicine. The MSV Foundation (MSVF) is the philanthropic, 501 c3 organization affiliated with the Medical Society of Virginia. MSVF develops sustainable programs and initiatives that equip the physician community to improve the health of Virginians. Building upon physicians’ deep, personal commitment to patient care, MSVF initiatives offer them the opportunity to lead & participate in programs that have direct impact on health care quality and access in Virginia. The MSV Political Action Committee (MSVPAC) is the political arm of the Medical Society of Virginia. It is a bipartisan, voluntary, non-profit organization which represents more than 18,000 Virginia physicians and approximately 1,000 Alliance members.
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MSV News MSV Recognizes Local Physicians With Advocacy Awards By Lindsay Larkin Roanoke, VA – During the October Annual Meeting in Roanoke, VA, the Medical Society of Virginia (MSV) recognized S. Hughes Melton, M.D., M.B.A., FAAFP with the Clarence A. Holland Award. This award is presented annually to a Virginia physician for outstanding contributions promoting the art and science of medicine and the advancement of public health through political service. Dr. Melton, a family physician specializing in addiction medicine, has been a leader in medicine and in his community. Based in Southwest Virginia, an area known for having high populations in poverty and with substance use disorders, Dr. Melton’s experience and expertise in addiction medicine has made him a leader in combatting the opioid and heroin epidemic. In 2016, he attended two White Coats on Call days to lobby for the expansion of the Medicaid substance use disorder benefit, now known as ARTS (Addiction Recovery and Treatment Services). Dr. Melton spent time explaining to legislators why this benefit is crucial, especially because of the General Assembly’s focus on cracking down on opioid abuse. He crafted his message specifically to legislators, especially those who were on the fence or opposed. His lobbying efforts were critical in swaying relevant legislators to support including this expanded benefit in the 2016 budget. Dr. Melton is highly regarded among his peers, being described as a work horse – not content with just discussing solutions, he steps up and does the hard work of advocating for positive, constructive public policy. According to Claudette Dalton, M.D., “Hughes Melton represents the individual who sees a problem and then leverages multiple groups and opportunities to bring about significant change. He is a model for each of us for how to move the ponderous machinery of local, state and national government and medical administrations together toward a noble goal that serves patients in the ways they most need help.”
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Thomas W. Eppes, M.D., M.B.A. was presented with the 2016 Advocacy in Action Award for his superior advocacy work throughout the year. A family physician from Lynchburg, Dr. Eppes has been a longtime attendee of MSV White Coats on Call Days and a generous supporter of the MSV Political Action Committee. In 2016 alone, Dr. Eppes attended multiple White Coats on Call days and an MSVPAC fundraising event in Lynchburg in addition to responding to several VoterVoice email alerts, both at the state and federal level. He also made himself available more than once to testify in front of the House and Senate COPN subcommittees. Dr. Eppes serves as a mentor to medical students on the importance of advocacy, routinely bringing students along to the General Assembly and other advocacy events. The MSVPAC District Achievement Award, presented annually to the district with the highest contribution total to MSVPAC, went to the District 3, with contributions totaling $64,400. Sunil Sinha, M.D., M.B.A., FACHE of the MSVPAC Board, presented the District Achievement Award to Mark Monahan, M.D. representing the Richmond Academy of Medicine (RAM).
Thank you to all who attended 2016 Annual Meeting!
Stay tuned for a full recap in November’s newsletter!
MSV News Republicans maintain control of the Senate– Siobhan Dunnavant, M.D. joins their ranks By Sara Rose Wells After several months and millions of dollars of T.V. commercials, mailers and campaign ads, Election Day has come and gone in the Commonwealth. Many of the races were neck-and-neck in the last few weeks, but the dust has settled and probably the biggest news is actually the lack of change – Republicans held on to their 21-19 majority in the Senate, handing Gov. Terry McAuliffe a disappointing defeat in his bid to win control. MSV is proud to welcome one of the newest members of the Senate, Siobhan Dunnavant, M.D. Dr. Dunnavant prevailed in the open seat race in the 12th district, previously occupied by Sen. Walter Stosch, by a tremendous margin of 19 points! MSVPAC stepped up early on, providing Dr. Dunnavant with support during the four-way primary race in the spring and continued throughout the campaign. Dr. Dunnavant will have the distinction of serving as the only physician-legislator in the Senate, and we look forward to working with her in the upcoming General Assembly session. Two other physician candidates challenged incumbent members of the Senate this year, but were unsuccessful – B. Jill McCabe, M.D. in District 13 against Sen. Dick Black (R) and Nancy Dye, M.D. in District 21 against Sen. John Edwards (D). In the House of Delegates, Mark Dudenhefer was the only Republican to flip a seat, District 2, which includes parts of Stafford and Prince William counties. On the other side of the aisle, Democrats flipped two Republican seats, giving them a net gain in the House of one seat. Jennifer Boysko (D) won District 86, previously occupied by Del. Tom Rust (R) before his retirement, which includes parts of Fairfax and Loudon counties. District 87, held by Del. David Ramadan (R) who decided against seeking re-election, now will be represented by John Bell (D). This puts the split in the House at 66 Republicans and 34 Democrats. Additionally, MSV is happy to report that the three incumbent physician-legislators, Del. T. Scott Garrett, M.D. of the 23rd District, Del. John O’Bannon III, M.D. (R) of the 73rd District and Del. Chris Stolle, M.D., M.B.A. of the 83rd District, were all re-elected to the House of Delegates with comfortable margins. MSV and MSVPAC commends all of the candidates for stepping up and putting themselves forward to the electorate and looks forward to working with the General Assembly in 2016 on ways to make Virginia the best place to practice medicine and receive care.
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