Foundation News

The AMDA Foundation was more active than ever during AMDA's 25th Anniversary Symposium. Among the highlights:

Wall of Caring
AMDA members came out in full force during the Anniversary Symposium to contribute to the Foundation's research initiatives and to pay tribute to those individuals who inspire their work in long term care. The Wall of Caring, which premiered at the 2001 Annual Symposium, is a new tradition for AMDA members who want to help support the efforts of the Foundation's Research Network, such as a study on the medical director's role in falls management that was completed last year.

More than 80 contributors accounted for $18,592 in donations in San Diego. Eli Lilly & Company will add a $12,500 matching grant to that total. "We set a goal of $12,500 in member contributions," says Foundation Consultant Janet Pailet, JD. She adds, "We never dreamed that we would exceed that goal to this degree. This clearly demonstrates the commitment of our physicians to moving the Foundation's efforts forward."

Foundation Futures Program.
The second year of this popular program featured an intensive one-day learning experience addressing career opportunities in long term care. Participants learned about clinical, corporate, research, and academic opportunities in the field from an array of medical directors who are in the trenches. They also were guests at a special reception and had the chance to attend Anniversary Symposium program and social events.

Participants were enthusiastic in their evaluations of the program. Tanyankia Reine, MD, exclaimed, "As a consequence of participating in this amazing educational experience, I am motivated to help others in training learn more about long term care."

Long Term Care Research Network.
Nearly 50 members of the AMDA Foundation's Long Term Care Research Network attended a special meeting in San Diego, where they heard results of a falls study, broke into small groups to work on ongoing research projects, and looked ahead to a second annual conference next Fall.

Larry Lawhorne, MD, reviewed results of the Network's first project--a card study on falls. Twenty cards went out to each Network member. Overall, 60 medical directors reported on 906 falls for a 30 percent response rate. "The key thing the study told us," said Lawhorne, "was what you do as medical directors from a systems perspective."

He also talked about a possibility for the group to work with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to address trends in pressure ulcers that the agency is tracking through the Minimum Data Set (MDS). He then discussed the potential impact of impending privacy and confidentiality rules on research. The group agreed that these rules have the potential to deter facilities and practitioners from getting involved with research studies.

Long Term Care Educators Forum.
Thirty internal medicine and family practice residency and geriatric medicine fellowship training directors attended a day-long program on long term care education.

AMDA Foundation Board of Directors Meeting.
During the Foundation Board of Directors meeting in San Diego, Larry Lawhorne, MD, was appointed Director of the Long Term Care Research Network. The Board agreed that the Network has evolved enough to require the formal leadership that Dr. Lawhorne will provide.

The Board also agreed to form two new sub-groups: a Development Committee and a Bioethics Committee. Additionally, the Board announced new officers: David Polakoff, MD, CMD, Chair; Jonathan Musher, MD, CMD, Vice-Chair; and David Zimmerman, PhD, Secretary/Treasurer. New Board members are Anwar Feroz, MSc; Renee T. Juhl, PharmD; Dan Osterweil, MD, CMD; and Charles Roadman, II, MD.

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