Annual Session revisited

Despite a rainy start, more than 350 physicians joined TAFP staff and leaders in Corpus Christi for the 58th Annual Session and Scientific Assembly. While the sun reappeared later in the week, family physicians from around the state earned up to 24.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, shaped Academy policy at the TAFP Committee and Commission meetings, learned about all facets of the medical industry in the Exhibit Hall and explored the sunny city by the gulf.

John Richmond, M.D., right, receives the Physician of the Year Award from President Douglas Curran, M.D., at TAFP’s Annual Session and Scientific Assembly Awards Lunch.

At the Annual Awards Lunch and Officer Installation, the 2007 awardees for TAFP’s top honors were unveiled and the 2007-2008 officers assumed their new posts. Among the awardees are Dallas educator John Richmond, M.D., Texas Family Physician of the Year; longtime Austin physician Mathis Blackstock, M.D., Physician Emeritus; San Antonio health advocate Janet Realini, M.D., M.P.H., Public Health Award; Scott & White faculty member Gil Grimes, M.D., Exemplary Teaching Award; patient champion Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, Patient Advocacy Award; former Foundation president Stephen Benold, M.D., Philanthropist of the Year; and kid-centered legislator Rep. Sylvester Turner, Presidential Award of Merit.

In charge of leading the Academy during 2007-2008, the new TAFP officers are President Linda Siy, M.D.; President-elect Robert Youens, M.D.; Vice President Melissa Gerdes, M.D.; Treasurer K. Ashok Kumar, M.D.; and Parliamentarian I.L. Balkcom, IV, M.D. AAFP board members in attendance, Judith Chamberlain, M.D., and Leah Raye Mabry, M.D., were also recognized at the lunch.

The 2007-2008 TAFP officers, from left to right: Melissa Gerdes, M.D., K. Ashok Kumar, M.D., Robert Youens, M.D., Linda Siy, M.D., and I.L. Balkcom, IV, M.D.

Members gathered for the Town Hall Meeting on managed care Friday night to bounce ideas and opinions off TAFP Deputy Executive Director Tom Banning, Outgoing President Douglas Curran, M.D., and North Richland Hills physician Justin Bartos, M.D. The discussion included an update on where family physicians stand in the managed care market, what physicians can expect in legislation over the next few years and what TAFP members can do to preserve the specialty in this market.

This Annual Session gave the Academy a chance to honor outgoing Executive Director Jim White, who has served TAFP for the past 25 years. Past presidents; organization executives from around the state; current and former TAFP staff; family, and friends gathered to bid farewell to Jim by sharing stories about his career and life, keeping the audience in stitches and tears throughout the evening. The President’s Gala, held at the Texas State Aquarium, gave TAFP members and their families a chance to welcome incoming President Siy and mingle among the aquarium’s sea creatures.

Go ahead and mark your calendars for other TAFP CME programs including the 2007 Primary Care Summit in Houston October 19-21, 2007, and the 59th Annual Session and Scientific Assembly in Houston, July 16-20, 2008, where you can expect more educational programs, informative topics and great events.