1. Meeting Sponsor  - Sponsor for the meeting is WL Gore, representatives of the company were recognized for their support
2. Recognition of Guests – Several guests were recognized from participating institutions.  Vascular surgeons present who had not yet submitted their applications for membership were encouraged to do so
3. Future Meeting Date

1. October 24-26, 2007 MSMS Annual Scientific Meeting – members encouraged to attend and informed about other speakers from cardiology who will also be speaking about vascular concerns.  Registration forms and copies of programs provided.  Representing our society will be the following physicians:  Tamer Boules – Complex Aneurysms, William Oppat – Thoracic Outlet, Robert Brooks - Lipid Management, and Russell Becker - Carotid Stenting. 
   MVS will pay for members to attend.  Just register and tell that that you are a member of the MVS and that the society is covering the registration fee.
2. November 9, 2007 Comerica Park, Tiger Club – Ernie Harwell
   General discussion about the meeting.  Decision made at the executive council meeting to limit attendance to spouses, significant others and residents and fellows.  Ernie Harwell will have autographed items for purchase with a portion of the proceeds going to our society.  Included in the meeting registration notice will be in addition to menu item choice also an acknowledgement of interest in purchasing items from Mr. Harwell so as to limit the amount of inventory on site.
3. January 24, 2008 - Case Presentations Hotel Baronette, Novi
   Members encouraged to identify potential cases for discussion.
4. May 22, 2008 - MVS Speaker Hotel Baronette, Novi
   Members are encouraged to forward suggestions for speakers or topics.
5. September 25, 2008 - National Speaker Hotel Baronette, Novi
   Members are encouraged to forward suggestions for speakers or topics.
6. November 7, 2008 - Social Meeting, Szylagi Award – TBD
   Members are encouraged to forward suggestions for speakers or topics

 

4. AppoRao Mukkamala, president of MSMS, address to the MVS
   The executive council will invite him to speak at the January 2008 meeting.
5. Approval of Szilagyi Award for Next Year ($1,000)
   Acknowledgement given for this past years award and approved by the executive council for next years award.
   
   This year’s Szilagyi MC-ACS winner:       Robert Crawford, MD WSU
   Sponsoring Physician:                    James Tyburski, MD
   
   Treatment Strategy for Successful Post Hoc Protection for Hind Limb Ischemia Reperfusion Injury Through Polyadenosine-ribose-polymer Inhibition.
6. Clarification of Speaker Honoraria National ($1,000) Local ($500)
   Membership informed of executive council decision to continue honoraria as listed above.
7. Travel Expense of National Speaker
   Membership informed of council decision confirming that travel will be covered for national speaker meetings.
8. American Board of Vascular Surgery vs. SVS Discussion
   General discussion of ongoing issues between the SVS and the ABVS.  Clarification of both sides given by several members.  A general discussion was made also about the issue of independence as a specialty.  The general consensus was that independence was desired by most of the membership.  A single dissenting opinion had concerns about the impact on general surgery training programs.
9. Discussion of Other Disciplines (Cardiology, Interventional Radiology, Phlebology)
   General discussion held.  Position statement proposed by Dr. Brown regarding issues of importance to vascular surgery for example credentialing of physicians for aortic stent graft procedures and vascular lab accreditation.  After the discussion, Dr. Alex Shephard motioned to create a consensus document regarding best practices and credentialing for the performance of aortic stent graft procedures.  This was seconded by Dr. Francis Rodriguez and approved unanimously that such a document should be created and that Dr. OW Brown should lead the creation of it
10. “Branding of Vascular Surgery”
    General discussion regarding the potential need for vascular surgery to be more prominent in the eyes of the public with respect to its role in treating vascular disease.  No consensus or resolutions recommended.

1. Update on MSMS Committees – Members informed about the following agenda item discussions.

• Liaison Committee with 3rd party Payers
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Trust Contract - MSMS
• BCBS Benefits Swipe Card
• BCBS Electronic Funds Transfer for payments.
• Register of NPI number with BCBS to all physicians recommended.
• ER Physicians vs. Radiologist – ability for emergency physicians to bill for simple radiographic procedures.
• Tamper Resistant Prescription Pads - Medicaid

• Health Care Quality Efficiency and Economics
• BCBS Trust Contract
• State Budget Issues
• Licensing may stop
• Medicaid payments may stop as of Oct 31.
• Long Discussion regarding role of 3rd party payors and their impact on health care rising cost. Don Condit, MD Orthopedic Hand surgeon from Grand Rapids
• Doctor of the Day Program – Physicians are invited to the state capitol for the day with a lobbyist to see the inner workings of the state legislature.
• Trial Lawyers association = Michigan Association for Justice
• Supreme court justice Taylor may be at risk and is generally thought to be of benefit to physician interests.

2. Membership – No applications for membership have been received to date.  Members are encouraged to promote the society and encourage participation.  All new applications will be assembled and voted upon for the September 2008 meeting.  Applications present at the meeting and can be obtained through the secretary’s office.  Members are also encouraged to consider joining the MSMS.  Applications present for this society at the meeting.

1. $32,474.54 current holdings.
2. Question raised as to if we should we invest current account differently?  All generally felt that we should re-evaluate our position following the social meeting before considering different investments.

1. Dr. Kinning informed the committee of Dr. Dall’Olmo’s efforts regarding reimbursement efforts for the Pivotal small aneurysm patients, lobbying efforts for reversal of fee cuts to vascular laboratories, Medicare, and “branding or marketing of vascular surgery” and stated that Dr. Dall’Olmo would be happy to present to the society in detail his findings in the upcoming year.

1. Dr. Brown continues his work on expert witness testimony integrity.

1. No old business to report.

1. No new business to report.

Respectfully submitted,

Paul G. Bove, MD
Secretary, MVS

Dr. Nypaver mentioned that there were two Szilagy Award winners.  Dr. Stavros Kakkos from Henry Ford Hospital and Dr. Yevgeniy Rits from Beaumont Hospital were the co-winners at the Michigan Chapter of the American College of Surgeons meeting.  The sponsor for Dr. Kakkos was Dr. Daniel Reddy and for Dr. Rits was Dr. Charles Shanley.  Dr. Nypaver then mentioned that the upcoming dates for the Michigan Vascular included September 28 (speaker is to be determined), November 10 (Social Meeting), and he reminded the membership about the Michigan Vascular Society’s presentation at MSMS, October 27, 2006 in Troy. 

Dr. Charles Shanley reported that the Michigan Vascular Society had $38,940.45 in its treasury at the present time.

Dr. Nolan mentioned that a link will be posted to the Michigan Vascular Society website regarding CMS issues.  He then mentioned that Abbott Vascular has made an offer to the Michigan Vascular Society to set-up carotid artery stenting training sessions.  This can either be arranged at the physician’s home institution or could be arranged at a central site.  A discussion ensued in which Dr. Carlo Dall’Olmo from Flint also mentioned that he has a training program in carotid artery stenting and he would be very happy to partner with the Michigan Vascular Society and/or Abbott in training Michigan vascular surgeons in carotid stenting.  The discussion ended with a general agreement that this type of initiative should be endorsed wholeheartedly.

Dr. Nypaver began the meeting thanking and recognizing the sponsors of the meeting, Bard Peripheral and W. L. Gore.  Dr. Nypaver then mentioned the results/evaluations of the Michigan Vascular Society sponsored presentation at the Annual Scientific Session of the MSMS meeting in October, 2005.  The feedback from the evaluations was excellent and it was felt that the course was a success.  Dr. Nypaver emphasized the importance of our continued presence at this meeting.  Dr. Nypaver mentioned that the MSMS is now requesting nominations for various appointments to various Committees or Task Forces within the Michigan State Medical Society.  Those who were interested were instructed to contact Dr. Nypaver after the meeting.  Lastly, Dr Nypaver mentioned there was an MSMS-endorsed professional liability insurer (American Physician Assurance Corporation).  Those interested should also contact Dr. Nypaver.  Lastly, Dr. Nypaver encouraged all to make use of our website www.michiganvascularsociety.org.

Dr. Shanley reported that the Michigan Vascular Society is healthy financially with a balance as of  12/31/05 of $23,944.25.  Dr Shanley then requested assistance from the membership with the location and whereabouts of several of the Michigan Vascular Society members.

There was no Issues Committee Report.  It was noted by Dr. Nypaver that, with regards to the recent MSMS/MOA motion with sue the BCBSM regarding the interpretation of the BCBSM Trust Network Agreement that the Judge involved in the case, on January 24, 2006 had denied the MSMS/MOA Motion for Summary Disposition and ruled in favor of BCBSM.  The MSMS was preparing an appeal.

A total of seven clinical cases were presented and discussed.  The presenters         each did an excellent job with a wide variety of pathology presented.    

Dr. Nypaver’s report began with a thank you to our sponsor for the meeting W. L. Gore.  Dr. Nypaver then spoke about the results of the Michigan Vascular Survey concerning sponsorship.  Dr. Nypaver invited Dr. Wakefield to present the results from the survey.  The Gore representative was excused from this discussion.  The survey results essentially demonstrated that the majority of the Michigan Vascular Society members felt strongly that other companies should be allowed to help sponsor Michigan Vascular Society activities (survey results attached).  The general feeling however was that activities other than the general meetings should be sponsored.  Dr. Nypaver was given the go-ahead by the Society to pursue other activities for sponsorship with additional companies. 

Dr. Wakefield mentioned that the next Michigan Vascular Society meeting will be the Annual Social Meeting, Friday, November 11, 2005.  The meeting will be held at the Eagle Tavern at the Greenfield Village at the Henry Ford Museum.  The invited guest will be former Detroit native Mr. Kevin Boyle author “Ark of Justice: a Saga of Race, Civil Rights, and Murder in the Jazz Age”.  Mr. Boyle’s work won the Prestigious National Book Award for non-fiction in 2004.  Additionally, the Michigan Vascular Society will sponsor a Postgraduate course at the MSMS 140th Annual Scientific Meeting on Friday, October 28, 2005.  This course is at the Somerset Inn in Troy, Michigan and is entitled “New Challenges in Vascular Surgery”.  Speakers at that course include Timothy J. Nypaver, MD, Alexander D. Shepard, MD, Sunita Srivastava, MD and Thomas W. Wakefield, MD.  The dates for the meetings in 2006 were then announced as Thursday, January 26, 2006; Thursday, May 25, 2006; and Thursday, September 28, 2006.  The date of the 2006 Social Meeting is yet to be determined.  Dr. Wakefield also discussed the new member applications.  We have four new member applications in various forms.  However, only one is complete and can be voted on tonight.  Dr. Ashish Gupta who has been sponsored by Charles J. Shanley, MD and O. W. Brown, MD was presented to the Society.  He was elected unanimously as a new member of the Michigan Vascular Society.   It is not clear from the application that Dr. Thomas Shuster is eligible for certification by the American Board of Surgery.  Since this is one of the requirements for membership in the Michigan Vascular Society it was decided to see if there is someone from the Flint group at the meeting from whom we could obtain this information.

Dr. Shanley reported that the Michigan Vascular Society is healthy financially.  The balance as of August 31, 2005 is $21,757.12.  Dr. Shanley also mentioned that he will be getting in touch with individuals who still need to pay their dues. 

Dr. O. W. Brown reported that two physicians Richard Spence, MD and Wayne Gradman, MD will find it more difficult to testify against Michigan Vascular Surgeons.  Another physician Dr. Brown is currently tracking is Preston Flannigan, MD.  Dr. Brown once again mentioned that if individuals had depositions involving expert witnesses in the state of Michigan, please send copies of those depositions to him.  They are public information and they can be shared.

Dr. Nypaver reported that the Michigan Vascular Society website is up and running.  He invited all Michigan Vascular Society members to visit the website.

Dr. Roy Greenberg from the Cleveland Clinic then gave an excellent talk regarding endovascular graft placement and other techniques for abdominal aortic aneurysms.  The address was titled “Use of Fenestrated and Branched Endograft Repair in Complex Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms”.  This was a well received talk with very good discussion.

Respectfully submitted,
Thomas W. Wakefield, M.D.
Secretary, Michigan Vascular Society
TWW/ssg

Respectfully submitted,
Thomas W. Wakefield, M.D.
Secretary, Michigan Vascular Society
TWW/ssg