Board Briefs

The Board:
Approved the 2002 Year-End (un-audited) Financial Statements and Salomon Smith Barney Investment Reports.

Requested the Executive Committee to establish a Blue Ribbon Committee to review Sierra Sacramento Valley Medicine and discuss options such as publishing the magazine electronically and report its findings to the Board.

Approved a recommendation to change the employee health and dental benefits, reducing the SSVMS share of coverage.

Serving as the BloodSource Administrative Board, ratified the election of David D. Johnson, MD, for a first three-year term on the BloodSource Board of Trustees.

In accordance with Board action taken at its February meeting to establish a mentor program with UC Davis medical students, a list of students requesting mentors was reviewed. Society President Dr. Paul Phinney requested the Board members' assistance in identifying potential mentors for the students. The mentor program was established to offer medical students an opportunity to meet, befriend, and perhaps work alongside Sacramento-area physicians outside the academic setting. It is hoped the program will introduce the students to the opportunities and power found in organized medicine.

Ratified purchase of a Canon Image Runner 6000 digital copier from IKON Office Solutions.

Ratified a $500 contribution to the UC Davis-American Medical Student Association's Heartbeat Run. Ratified a $1,250 contribution to the CMA Foundation and Alliance's Annual Leadership Recognition Dinner to purchase one table at the March 22, 2003 fundraising event.

Approved the Membership Report:
For Active Membership — Terri E. Bigler, MD; Robert S. Burgerman, MD; Rashid S. Elahi, MD; Sarah S. Fergerson, MD; Joan Z. Kutschbach, MD; Vikas Mahavni, MD; Khoa D. Nguyen, MD; Phillip J. Raimondi, MD; Dana H. Rygg, MD; Jane A. Stoinoff, MD; Sabina Tahera, MD.

The Board:
Reviewed the list of dues delinquent members, noting the deadline for receipt of 2003 dues was March 1, 2003. Deferred action until the Executive Committee could review the list at its April 28 meeting and determine the date for final termination from membership.

Reviewed a report on SSVMS leading the effort to achieve universal health coverage for children from birth through age 5 in the greater Sacramento region with funds from tobacco settlement accounts. It was noted that this goal has been achieved by "First Five Commissions" in Alameda, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties.

Approved the request of the Public and Environmental Health Committee that Society President Dr. Paul Phinney send a letter to appropriate authorities supporting establishment of a Level IV Biological Laboratory in our region.

Reviewed a request from the Public and Environmental Health Committee to approve a proposed pilot program permitting pharmacists to give flu and pneumococcal vaccinations. Pharmacists already are permitted such authority under physician supervision. In regards to administering the pneumococcal vaccinations, encouraged the California Pharmacists Association to submit its proposal and protocols to California Medical Association's Council on Scientific Affairs for review and recommendation based on the concern that repeated doses of the pneumococcal vaccine might pose unanticipated consequences to the patient. Recommended approval of the pilot program because it would contribute to greater access by patients for these important public health measures.

Approved the Membership Report:
For Active Membership — David L. Browne, MD; Tonya L. Fancher, MD; Lucio M. Nobile, MD; Carlos G. Solis, MD.
For Affiliate Membership — John D. Smiley, MD
For Retired Membership — Marshall G. Barnes, MD; Robert P. Wisner, MD
For Resignation — Kim A. Deckard-Janatpour, MD; Howard W. Klein, MD (moved to New Zealand); Winifred M. Loesch, MD (transferred to Placer-Nevada); Harry Zibners, MD (moved to Ohio).