Notice: the VPA Listserv is now in operation. If you haven=t already done so, sign up by e-mailing Jessa Block at: jblock@vtmd.org. Please tell other Vermont psychiatrists about the Listserv. The Listserv can be accessed at:  vpa@vtmd.org

 

 

  VERMONT PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION

 

     Minutes of the Annual Meeting

  April 4, 2003

 

Members Present:  Drs. Atkins, Coghlan, Danielson, Graves, Jimmerson, McMains, Novas-Schmidt, Payson, Rawat, Siegel, Silverman, and Weker; and Ms. Block.

 

Guest Present:  Deborah Black, M.D.

 

 

Announcements: 

 

1.         Membership Dinner Meetings:  The VPA has scheduled a series of dinner meetings over the course of the year. One remaining meeting is scheduled for:

 

1.    The Alden Country Inn in Lyme, New Hampshire on Thursday, April 24.

 

The dinner meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Members and non-member psychiatrists interested in attending either of these meetings are asked to RSVP to Jessa Block by e-mail at: jblock@vtmd.org or by phone at the VMS.

 

2.         Participation in VPA activities: it was noted that non-member psychiatrists are invited to attend VPA meetings and take part in VPA activities;

 

 

Election of Officers:  On behalf of the nominating committee, Dr. Danielson presented the following slate of candidates:

 

For President-Elect:  Frank Kalibat, M.D.

For Secretary:  Jonathan Weker, M.D.

 

No other nominations were brought forth. The nominating committee=s slate of candidates was elected unanimously.

 

 

Presidential Address:  Dr. McMains thanked Jessa Block, VPA=s administrative executive, for her exemplary service. He gave an update of current executive committee members and thanked them for their service. They are:

 

Gail Barton, M.D.:  immediate past president, Disaster Preparedness

Ursel Danielson, M.D.: Nominating Committee, By-laws Committee chair

Susan Deppe, M.D.:  Newspaper Editor

David Fassler, M.D.:  Treasurer, Legislative and Public Affairs Representative

Stuart Graves, M.D. and Michael Upton, M.D.: Ethics Committee co-chairs

Frank Kalibat, M.D.: Hospital and Community Psychiatry representative

Joseph Lasek, M.D.:  Resident representative

David McKay, M.D.:  Membership chair

Maria Novas-Schmidt, MD.:  Early Career Psychiatry representative

Robert Pierrattini, M.D.:  Insurance Committee chair

Andrew Siegel, M.D.:  Assembly Deputy  Representative

Jonathan Weker, M.D.:  Secretary, Assembly Representative

 

Dr. McMains reviewed areas of VPA activity and accomplishment during the past year. These included:

 

3.         Enhanced communication among Vermont psychiatrists through the VPA listserv and regional dinner meetings;

4.         Fletcher-Allen Health Care Psychiatry:  arresting the separation of inpatient psychiatry services from the remainder of the medical center;

5.         Disproportionate Allegations of Ethical Violations by Psychiatrists:  responding constructively to these allegations in the press;

6.         Medicaid Formulary:  the VPA helped clarify the parameters of who would be eligible for the mental health exemption from pre-authorization requirements;

7.         HIPAA Training:  along with the VMS, the VPA has promulgated training and information concerning HIPAA implementation for psychiatrists;

8.         Participation in Council of Professional Mental Health and Substance Abuse Organizations: this group comprises representatives of the six licensed mental health professions in the state; it regularly meets with government and insurance officials and has been instrumental in promulgating mental health legislation;

9.         Independent Panel: Dr. Weker has chaired this state-sponsored panel for adjudicating appeals of managed care denials, and two additional psychiatrists are soon to come on board;

10.     Disaster Preparedness: Dr. Barton has chaired this new committee; and

11.     UVM Department of Psychiatry Chair search committee: Drs. Fassler and McMains have participated.

 

 

Business items:

 

12.     Legislative Agenda:  Dr. McMains reviewed legislative issues the VPA is presently monitoring, including:

 

1.    Certificate of Need process revisions:  Dr. McMains updated that the Vermont House had passed a bill to this effect;

2.    Establishment of a Separate Department of Substance Abuse Services;