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Academy News: January 2006

State society success story: the Florida experience
By Hugh H. Windom, MD, FAAAAI, 2005-2006 Chair of the Federation of RSLAAIS

The Regional State and Local Societies consist of some 67 entities ranging from big city groups, state organizations, and regional, predominately educational, societies. One group stands out in its transformation from relative obscurity to a vigorous, proactive state society skillfully representing patients and A/I physicians in our country's fourth most populous state. I am referring to the Florida Allergy Asthma and Immunology Society (FAAIS) and here is their story:

A humble beginning
The FAAIS was formed in 1949 when it was led by President Frank Metzger, MD. The small group of allergists became more active in educational events in the early 1970's, spurred on by the establishment of the Division of Allergy and Immunology at the University of South Florida (USF) under the leadership of Samuel C. Bukantz, MD, FAAAAI. The society officially met once a year in conjunction with the Florida Medical Association where they offered a three-hour lecture series and held a brief business meeting. Richard F. Lockey, MD, FAAAAI, current chief of A/I at USF, has served as president of the FAAIS and continues to be an invaluable resource for the society.

The beginning of something special
According to Dennis K. Ledford, MD, FAAAAI, Governor of Region 3 - Southeast, past-president of the FAAIS, the tide started to turn in 1994 when the society hired Jeanne Torbett as their executive director. "The transition from a small, token professional/social society to an effective professional society requires vision, commitment, leadership and an element of timing. The primary tangible factor that facilitates the transition is the acquisition of a persistent executive director, or contact person and advisor, who provides stability to the organization," Ledford said.

Torbett was instrumental in proposing and planning the society's first annual stand alone weekend meeting in 1995. The enthusiasm generated by the gathering of statewide allergists to learn, network and socialize led to record membership growth, now at an all time high of more than 130 physician members. Torbett's company also manages the Florida Society of Rheumatology and the Jacksonville Community Asthma Partnership.

As president in 1995, Sudhir L. Prabhu, MD, FAAAAI, had the foresight to realize that insurance reimbursement battles could be more effectively fought by the society representing 100+ allergists than a group practice or solo practitioner acting alone. "We started doing practice analysis surveys and formed a Liaison Committee for Medicare, a biggie in the retirement state of Florida, and third party insurers to focus on reimbursement issues," said Prabhu. His advance planning paid off in 1996 when Aetna of Florida proposed a $365 global fee for annual allergy services, new patient visit, follow up visits, skin testing, etc. Through organized presentations to several of Aetna 's regional medical directors around the state, the FAAIS was successful in eliminating the global fee plan.

What the FAAIS is doing today
Under the guidance of President Samuel Gubernick, DO, FAAAAI, the FAAIS is as active as ever in 2005. "We've felt the financial crunch arising from pharma regulations like others around the country, but besides canceling this year's residents' conference, we're managing to still raise funds through unrestricted educational grants to carry out our activities and put on our annual meeting," said Gubernick. The primary care residents' conference, modeled after the Texas society's program, has been held annually since 1998 in Orlando where second and third year residents, most coming from hospitals without an A/I presence, are treated to a weekend of allergy lectures delivered by FAAIS members.

The executive board meets by telephone conference bimonthly with reports from the standing committees: Carrier Liaison, Legislative, Practice Standards and Public Relations. There have been recent improvements to the Web site, www.faais.org, with a new Members Only section. They are planning to post forms for clinic use and conduct member surveys on issues ranging from use of safety needles to insurance reimbursement. The Allied Health section of the FAAIS has their own executive board and holds a two-day meeting in conjunction with the physician annual meeting, with concomitant sessions for front and back office personnel.

The next annual meeting will be held June 9-11, 2006, in Orlando and, according to meeting planner and President-Elect Steven J. Louie, MD, FAAAAI, promises to be the "biggest and best yet. We have added a pre-conference symposium for Friday morning in addition to our usual Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday morning sessions." They have 10 speakers scheduled including an in-state A/I Fellow-in-Training lecture and a faculty members' research update. Both of these are hoped to be offered annually as part of the society's attempt to grow their relationship with training programs. In an effort to reach out to nearby state societies, Gubernick has recently announced that all Region 3 state society presidents and vice-presidents are invited to attend the June meeting (registration fee waived).

Over the last 10 years, the FAAIS has blossomed into a vibrant organization that brings real value to its members, enough so that a dues increase a few years ago from $100 to $250 easily passed and many members pay $25 for their staff members to be part of the Allied Health section. If you are interested in knowing more about the FAAIS, feel free to contact Jeanne Torbett at faais@aol.com, Gubernick at DocSamG@msn.com, Ledford at dledford@hsc.usf.edu or me, FAAIS past-president, hwindom@comcast.net.

 

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