Tobacco 21 Draft Ordinance

Puerto Rico Relief - Volunteer FAQs

San Antonio For Puerto Rico

Physician Volunteer Request - FAQ’s

Puerto Rico is trying to organize efforts to have physicians volunteer to travel to Puerto Rico to help patients impacted by Hurricane Maria. A flyer has been prepared with information about the conditions of the volunteer service. Following are some frequently asked questions about the volunteer conditions.

1.       Who in San Antonio is coordinating this effort to volunteer to serve in Puerto Rico?

Carmelo Otero, MD: Cell phone – 210-383-1828; Fax – 210-615-6626; Email - drotero@cmics-sa.com

2.       Will I be paid as a physician to volunteer in Puerto Rico?

No, this is a volunteer effort. No physicians will be paid for their services.

3.       How will volunteers get to Puerto Rico, where will they stay and who will pay for the costs?

Volunteer physicians must book commercial airlines to travel to and from Puerto Rico. The costs of travel, lodging, food and other expenses are the responsibility of the volunteer physicians. However, the governor will ensure lodging will be available for volunteers.

4.       Will volunteers need a visa to be able to enter Puerto Rico?

The governor has ensured that all volunteer physicians with a valid medical license, under governor’s order #OE-2017-58, will be able to practice in Puerto Rico.

5.       Does physician medical mal practice insurance cover services provided in Puerto Rico?

Each physician should check with their medical malpractice insurance provider as to their own coverage.

6.       Where in Puerto Rico will volunteers be working?

The government in Puerto Rico will assign areas most in need at the time.

7.       Will the medical supplies be provided?

In some cases, yes, and in others no. Donations are being sought to cover the cost of supplies. A list of needed supplies can be provided.

8.       Are donations being sought? Where do I send the check?

Monetary donations may be sent to (please put Doctors 4 Puerto Rico on the Memo line on the check):

The Puerto Rico Heritage Society, Attn: Doctors 4 Puerto Rico

225 E Sonterra Blvd, Suite 201

San Antonio, TX  78258

San Antonio for Puerto Rico

Input Needed for Development of Designated Doctor Plan-Based Audit

MedDrop SA - Sept. 16

BCMS Golden Aesculapius Award Nominations

GOLDEN AESCULAPIUS AWARDS

The Bexar County Medical Society periodically honors chosen physicians who have given much to the medical community in the form of lifetime service to organized medicine, or have made other significant contributions to the practice of medicine. Dr. Jayesh Shaw has asked that each of you consider and recommend BCMS physicians whom you believe should be considered for one of these awards. Obviously, we can’t give awards to everyone, but we would like to hear from you on who you think should be considered and recognized for these awards and why. Please send your recommendations to the attention of Steve Fitzer (steve.fitzer@bcms.org) and Jayesh Shah, MD (jshahaapi@gmail.com). Golden Aesculapius Award In 1980, the Bexar County Medical Society established the Aesculapius Award as our highest honor recognizing a lifetime of distinguished service by a BCMS member to our patients and our profession. This award is not given annually but only upon the occasion of nomination and confirmation of distinguished service. Those who have received the award are: Alvin O. Severance, M.D.       1980 John M. Smith, Jr., M.D.         1984 John J. Hinchey, M.D.             1985 Charles A. Hulse, M.D.           1996 Merle W. Delmer, M.D.          1998 Al Sanders, M.D.                     2006 Robert N. Jones, M.D.             2009 Jose M. Benavides, M.D.         2010 Harmon W. Kelley, M.D.        2011 Antonio Cavazos, Jr., M.D.     2013 Distinguished Service Award At the January 13, 2009, meeting of the BCMS Past Presidents Advisory Council, the BCMS Distinguished Service Award was established. The first recipient of the BCMS Distinguished Service Award will be William H. “Bill” Hinchey, MD. Award presented at the Installation of Officers.                                          Date presented William H. “Bill” Hinchey, MD     2009 George “Rick” Evans              2010 Charles Rockwood, MD          2010 Marion Primomo                     2011

BCMS Leadership Nominations

LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS CALL FOR BCMS LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS It is time to nominate physicians to serve in leadership positions of the Bexar County Medical Society in 2017. Nomination Deadline - 5 p.m., JULY 13, 2016. In accordance with Chapter 8, Section 8.31, of the Bylaws of the Bexar County Medical Society, "Each member shall have the opportunity to correspond in writing for the purpose of submitting nominations to the Nominating Committee. Nominations shall . . . reflect nominee’s character, integrity, attributes, and qualifications for the position." The BCMS is calling for written nominations for the following positions with terms beginning in 2017: □     President-elect – assists President; is ex-officio member of all boards and committees; and becomes acquainted with all matters pertaining to work and affairs of the Society to properly prepare for office of President, which office is automatically assumed at expiration of one-year term as President-elect. President-elect shall have been a member of BCMS for minimum of five years. □     Vice President – assists President; presides in President’s absence; and, on President’s death, resignation or removal, succeeds to presidency. Term of office shall be one year; tenure of office shall not exceed one term – shall have been a member of BCMS for minimum of five years. □   Secretary – makes certain adequate records of meetings of Society and Board of Directors are maintained; is responsible for such records and reports as may be required by Board of Directors or Bylaws of Society or TMA. Term of office shall be one year; tenure of office shall not exceed two terms – shall have been a member of BCMS for minimum of two years. □   Treasurer – makes regular reports to Board of Directors on financial status of Society. Term of office shall be one year; tenure of office shall not exceed two terms – shall have been a member of BCMS for minimum of two years.  □   Director – 3 at-large positions – establishes and implements policies of Society; acts upon applications for membership upon recommendation from Board of Censors; conducts disciplinary hearings as prescribed by Hearings Procedures Manual; is responsible for long-range planning; decides all questions not specifically delegated to other authorities. Meetings are held a minimum of six times per year – term of office shall be three years; tenure of office shall not exceed two terms. □   Member Board of Censors – 2 positions – supervises medical ethics of membership and counsels individual members where circumstances warrant; examines applicants for membership; investigates suspected violations of code of conduct and prefers charges when indicated; receives investigative charges of unethical conduct made against Society members by another member; and, upon request, reviews findings of Board of Mediations and makes proper disposition of each case. Meets monthly – term of office shall be three years – shall have been a member of BCMS for minimum of ten years. □   Member Board of Mediations – 5 positions – receives, investigates, and mediates complaints from patients or insurance companies brought against member of Society; hears matters of unprofessional conduct, violations of principles of medical ethics or any other matter involving patient/physician relationship; hears and/or reviews insurance complaints; investigates and supervises ethical deportment of membership and receives complaints from general public. Meets monthly – term of office shall be three years – shall have been a member of BCMS for minimum of ten years. □   Delegate/Alternate Delegate to TMA – 30 positions – studies needs and desires of medical profession in Bexar County in its relation to state and national associations to effectively and intelligently represent the membership of Society in TMA House of Delegates (two meetings a year). Meets at least four times a year in San Antonio – term of office shall be two years. □   Member Nominating Committee – 2 positions – studies the challenges and leadership requirements of the organization. The committee will commence its functions from January 1 of each year. Meetings of the committee shall be held at least two times a year and as often as necessary – term of office is one year. Members of the committee will not seek an elected position (other than Delegate or Alternate Delegate) in the Society.          Please seriously consider getting involved with the leadership of BCMS; don’t leave it to someone else to watch out for the practice of medicine. Below, please indicate which position you are interested in running for or for which you are nominating a colleague. If you are nominating yourself or someone else please indicate below. Thank you! Your Name:                                                      Nominating Self:                    Phone:                                   Position:                                                                                                      Name of Person You are Nominating:                                                            Phone:                                   Nominations must be submitted in writing via email, fax, or mail. CVs will be required from all nominees. Click here for an online nomination form. Or Mail to: Bexar County Medical Society Attn: Nominating Committee P.O. Box 781145, San Antonio, TX 78278 or by email to bcms@bcms.org or fax to (210) 301-2150 Nomination Deadline - 5 p.m., JULY 13, 2016.