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News -> November, 1999 News
This past year the Board of Directors and the Secretary's Office have had
the unusual happy experience of approving 171 new members into the
American Rhinologic Society. The organization has grown from 240 members
to our present membership total of 1050 since I assumed the position of
Secretary. The American Rhinologic Society experienced explosive growth
in 1997 and 1998. Another exciting statistic is the number of members who
elect to receive the American Journal of Rhinology. This is our
official journal and is subscribed for by 472 of our members. We should
all be grateful to Guy Settipane, the owner of the American Journal
of Rhinology, and David Kennedy, whose efforts resulted in our journal
becoming indexed. The Board of Directors in April approved a very modest
increase in the annual subscription rate to $69.50, paid through the annual
dues. The American Journal of Rhinology and the American Rhinologic
Society have experienced a symbiotic relationship manifested by the marked
growth in both. We now share a common booth for exhibiting at meetings of
mutual interest.
The Board has been active in its support both philosophically and financial
in backing the efforts of the Sinus & Allergy Health Partnership. At the
outset, the Board of Directors voted to support this effort with an initial
amount of $10,000 in 1998. This indicated the resolve of our organization
in critical issues such as this and was likely an indication to our sister
societies our concern in these types of economic issues. Remember our preemptive
involvement with the FESS issue with the first financial commitment of any
otolaryngology group.
Your Board of Directors have supported efforts to seek and gain membership
in the AMA and American College of Surgeons with delegates and governor
status respectively. Although these pursuits may take some time, we will
pursue these efforts and be successful in attaining national recognition.
The Board has endorsed and strongly supports the combined meeting "The Nose
2000... and Beyond" with the International Rhinologic Society. Dr.Kern is
the general Chairman for this momentous meeting in Washington, D.C.,
September 20-23, 2000, and we encourage all of you to support this
international gathering.
At the December Board of Directors meeting the Board approved new
deadline dates for abstracts received for our two scientific meetings.
The abstract deadline for the Spring Meeting was set for December 1st
and a June 1st deadline for the Fall Meeting. Another motion was made
and passed that no presentations would be allowed without a manuscript
being turned in prior to assuming the podium.
The Board of Directors, this past year, also approved the following
individuals to represent the American Rhinologic Society to the AAO-HNS
Board of Governors.These included David Kennedy as Governor, Jack Anon
as Public Relations Representative and Joseph Jacobs as Legislative
Representative.
In another initiative the Board unanimously voted to allocate $10,000
as a retainer fee to Hogan and Harson of Washington, D.C. The purpose
of this action is to retain the services of Laura Loeb (who previously
represented our society) to investigate the legal implications involved
in insurance claims that reject postoperative clean out procedures, etc.,
as part of a global fee. There is, as you know, no Medicare global
period for FESS.
The CME inspection of our society took place in January 1999 in Chicago.
All the records in the Secretary's office concerning CME activities were
brought to Chicago and carefully reviewed and scrutinized by two field
representatives. They also reviewed the CME forms, which were thoughtfully
and completely prepared by Dr. Stankiewicz. The inspection resulted in a
four-year (maximum) approval. Of the 17 areas examined only three were
cited for suggested improvements. Dr. James Stankiewicz is to be congratulated
on his efforts andsuccess in our four-year renewal approval.
The COSM secretaries, after much deliberation over the past two years,
approved a five-day format for the Spring Meetings. This will require
some major changes, such as concurrent meetings, conjoint meetings and
meetings outside of COSM every 4 or 5 years. We currently have conjoint
meetings scheduled with the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, The
Triologic Society and the American Academy of Facial Plastics and
Reconstructive Surgery. Discussions are taking place to schedule combined
meetings with Pediatric Otolaryngology and the American Bronchoesophagology
Association.
The Board approved and the membership concurred in a minor revision of our
Mission Statement to fulfill an ACGME requirement:
The American Rhinologic Society (ARS) maintains its tradition by promoting
excellence in clinical care, investigation and education in the field of
rhinology and sinusology. The ARS is dedicated to providing communication
and fellowship to members of the rhinologic community through ongoing
continuing medical education, economic and educational programs. The ARS
is the only professional organization that deals specifically with issues
of sinus surgery, both conventional and endoscopic.
The most recent Board Meeting (September 99) approved a proposal by the
AAO/HNS to act as a central office for evaluating and scoring grant applications.
This initiative was presented by Dr. Pillsbury, President, AAO/HNS. There would
be no charge or strings attached to this service.
The annual business meeting elected the following individuals:
- Fred A. Kuhn, MD, President-Elect
- Paul Toffel, MD, First Vice President
- Don Lanza, MD, Second Vice President
- Michael Sillers, MD, Board Member.
In addition, Brent Senior, MD, was selected to be the At Large Member to
the Nominating Committee. The Board of Directors approved the distribution
of the next two newsletters to the 9500 Otolaryngologists on the AAO/HNS
mailing list. If corporate support is not obtained for the complete mailing
the ARS will underwrite the additional expense.
The Board discussed the successor to the Secretary. The society has grown
rapidly and the need for a dedicated secretary with good staff and office
support is essential. Anyone interested in this position is urged to contact
the Secretary's office. The Board also voted to create a position of Historian
to represent the Society. Dr. Eugene Kern was nominated for this position.
The ARS Board of Directors also approved a ARS/ERS jointly sponsored
session on Secondary Rhinoplasty at the European Society Meeting in
Barcelona,June 25-29, 2000. Members are urged to attend the meeting
and are also encouraged to submit a free paper.
Fred A. Stucker, MD
Louisiana State University Medical Center
Shreveport, Louisiana
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