|
 From the President - As President of the Illinois Society of Anesthesiologists, I would like to personally welcome you to our new web site. We have been working over the past year to enhance our web site, in an effort to improve communications with YOU, our members.
Our new site features state-of-the-art technology that enables us to make changes easily and often, allowing us to give you fresh content and news. One important feature is the ability to customize content according to who is using the site. Different content is available for the public, ISA members (membership directory, legislative information), House of Delegates and Board of Directors members. For this reason it is important that you log in to take full advantage of all its features.
Please take a look around and let us know what you think. If there are features or links you would like to see, please leave us a message through the feedback page. Thanks for visiting, - Wendy Binstock, MD |
|
|
The Illinois Society of Anesthesiologists (ISA) is the professional association of about 1900 Illinois Anesthesiologists. The mission of ISA is to advance and further patient safety and the practice of Anesthesiology in Illinois through education, representation and advocacy of the Illinois Anesthesiologist. ISA is the leader in defining and advancing the standards of anesthesiology in our state.
|
|
Pressure builds for further slashes to Medicare Advantage spending
Any money saved by making private rates equal to traditional Medicare rates could go toward doctor pay relief or other health reforms.
Medical centers reveal doctors' industry pay
Experts foresee a rush of other teaching institutions following suit as political pressure mounts to disclose financial ties to pharmaceutical companies and device makers.
Florida consumer-driven Medicaid reform in limbo
Some physicians are considering dropping out of the program rather than deal with its new hassles.
Low Medicare, Medicaid pay rates impact private costs
Cost-shifting was the focus of an insurer-hospital survey.
Louisiana pediatricians sue over Medicaid managed care pilots
Fearing problems with access to care, doctors are seeking public records related to the plan to shift poor children into managed care.
Medicare picks 4 vendors in PHR pilot program
The use of personal health records could help beneficiaries better manage their own conditions as well as help physicians better treat them, CMS says.
Defective directives? Struggling with end-of-life care
Most patients lack advance care plans, leaving doctors and families struggling to make decisions. Is there a better way?
AHRQ funding safety research in ambulatory care
Developing tools to better track tests in the ED and reduce complications in transitions from neonatal intensive care are among the projects.
Supreme Court asked to examine Texas peer review case
A Dallas cardiologist wants the U.S. high court to decide whether federal law is being interpreted to give peer reviewers absolute immunity.
Nevada medical board seeks to update discipline, licensing systems
The goal is to make processes more timely and public, and to allow a voice at hearings for people filing complaints.
Knowledge on call: Finding new uses for smartphones
Physicians increasingly are discovering smartphones serve a purpose beyond being a convenient communication gadget.
Maryland insurance commissioner seeks audit of CareFirst reserves
By the most recent estimate, the Mid-Atlantic Blues plan had nearly $1.7 billion in surplus set aside. An audit would examine whether the amount is reasonable.
Blues merger faces opposition in Pennsylvania Legislature
The state Senate's banking and insurance committee votes 10 to 4 to recommend the insurance commissioner block a merger of Highmark and Independence Blue Cross.
Teens' health care often a missed opportunity
A retooled health care system that includes a focus on adolescents is needed, as are coordination of primary and specialty care.
Call for widespread HIV tests has been only partially heard
Widespread screening can help curb HIV's spread and connect those already infected with lifesaving treatment, say testing advocates.
Report focuses on long-term effects of battlefield brain injuries
Traumatic brain injury has become the signature wound of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, yet its effects are often overlooked.
MRSA-fighting drug is approved by FDA panel
The need is great for a potent, oral antibiotic drug to treat resistant infections, say physicians, who are running out of effective treatments.
| |
| ISA Needs YOU - ISA has initiated a membership recruitment campaign for 2008. ISA is the leading voice for anesthesiologists in the state of Illinois. ISA is committed to its mission of representation, advocacy and education for the Illinois anesthesiologist. Be sure you are a member of ISA. Our strength is in our numbers and in our commitment to our patients. Join us today, by signing up on line or by calling the ISA offices at 312-580-2455.
| ISA Sends 26 Members to ASA House of Delegates - 
ISA was represented by twenty six members who traveled to Orlando, FL October 18-23 for the ASA Annual Meeting. These members attended both House of Delegates meetings as well as caucusing as a state component and with the midwest caucus. Members also attended reference committee meetings where testimony was heard regarding the various issues contained in the delegates manual. Jeffrey Apfelbaum, MD was thanked for his tireless work as ASA President for the past year. The following members attended as delegates and alternates:
DELEGATES
Wendy Binstock, MD
Ralph Glasser, MD
George Hefner, MD
W. Stephen Minore, MD
Glenn Murphy, MD
Usharani Nimmagadda, MD
Rodney Osborn, MD
David Rothenberg, MD
John Szewczyk, MD
Joseph Szokol, MD
Kenneth Tuman, MD
Eric Werner, MD
Ted Yaghmour, MD
ALTERNATES
Asokumar Buvanendran, MD
Norbert Duttlinger, MD
William Frame, MD
Ori Gottlieb, MD
Helena Gunnerson, MD
Jon Jacoby, MD
Tripti Kataria, MD
Charles Kim, MD
Mark Krause, MD
Timothy Starck, MD
Gary Tzeng, MD
Robert Whitcomb, MD
| 44 Anesthesiologists Attend 2008 ISA House of Delegates -  The annual ISA House of Delegates meeting took place at the ISMS offices at 20 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL on May 10, 2008. Breaking with tradition, this year's meeting occured all on one day, a popular format. The HOD took up several important issues facing ISA including governance reorganization, membership recruitment and communications.
Shastri Swaminathan, MD, President of the Illinois State Medical Society, addressed the society discussing the malpractice climate in Illinois, Medicare and Medicaid reform, medical staff issues, and scope of practice. Wendy Binstock, MD was sworn in as President of the Illinois Society of Anesthesiologists for 2008-9 by outgoing President, Joseph Szokol, MD. Dr Szokol was thanked for his year of service to the society.
| ISMS President, Rodney Osborne, MD Completes Year of Service -  ISA's own, Dr. Rodney Osborne (Peoria) served as President of the Illinois State Medical Society for the past year. A past President of the ISA, Dr. Osborne also serves as the ASA 14th District Director.
| ISA Members Visit Springfield - Twenty four ISA members visited Springfield to lobby our state legislators on March 5, 2008 in the annual ISA State Legislative Conference. Then members broke into groups and made calls to legislators offices. Here are some photographs of the event.
|
| |
|
|
|
ISA CALENDAR OF MEEETINGS |
|
|
December 5-7. 2008 - 22nd Annual: Challenges for Clinicians - Sponsored by University of Chicago. Chicago. March 8, 2009 - ISA Board of Directors, Westin O'Hare. 2009 - ISA Legislative Conference - To be determined. Springfield, IL. May, 2009 - Illinois Society of Anesthesiologists House of Delegates - To be determined. Chicago, IL. May 4-6, 2009 - American Society of Anesthesiologists - Legislative Conference, Washington DC. October 17-21, 2009,- American Society of Anesthesiologists - Annual Meeting. New Orleans, LA. |
|
Nominations Sought for FAER Mentoring Excellence in Research Award
The Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research is seeking nominations for the first annual FAER Mentoring Excellence in Research Award. This award was created to ensure that the value of outstanding mentors is recognized and to encourage, develop and retain these valuable individuals in our specialty.
Anesthesiologists making a difference in the World
Belvedere to Baghdad --Mayor Tom Cromwell leads Bay Area doctors into Iraq
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have posted the 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) program measures and specifications
They are available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI/15_MeasuresCodes.asp#TopOfPage
FDA approves fospropofol and follows ASA's labeling recommendation
ASA has learned that the FDA's recent approval of fospropofol disodium (brand name LUSEDRA) includes important safety information recommended by ASA.
ASA President Roger A. Moore, M.D., congratulates former Sen. Tom Daschle for nomination as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services
The following statement was released by ASA President Roger A. Moore, M.D., following the announcement of former Sen. Tom Daschle's nomination for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services:
Internet-based Medicare enrollment available in 15 states and the District of Columbia
Now there's a better way for physicians and non-physician practitioners to enroll or make a change in their Medicare enrollment information.
ASA Member John F. Dombrowski, M.D., Interviewed on ABC News Now
ASA Member John F. Dombrowski, M.D., appeared in a November 26, ABC News Now segment
CMS announces specifications for E-Prescribing Incentive Program
On Friday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the specifications for the E-Prescribing measure, which will be used to determine whether an eligible professional is a successful E-Prescriber and may qualify for a 2% incentive payment for the 2009 reporting period, have been posted to the CMS website.
| |
|