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| Charles A. Crecelius, MD, PhD, CMD |
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| E-mail Your Articles |
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What better way to disseminate information to other AMDA chapters than to include an article in State Network News (SNN)?
If you would like to include an article in an upcoming issue, please e-mail it along with permission to reprint to Nicole Germain, Membership Coordinator, at ngermain@amda.com.
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| State Chapter Meetings |
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Click here for a listing of state chapter meetings.
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New Self-Study CME Available
Earn two hours of AMA PRA category 1 credit when you
study AMDA CPGs and complete and return the accompanying CME test and
evaluation.
Tests are currently available for Acute Change of
Condition, COPD, Depression, Falls and Fall Risk, Osteoporosis, and
Pain Management.
Web-based version of the tests, which include the
ability to submit tests immediately online, are available at AMDA's CME
web site: www.amdacmedirect.com.
If you purchased any of these six titles before the Annual
Symposium and prefer a printed test and evaluation, go to www.amdacmedirect.com.
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Message from AMDA's House of Delegates Chair
Does It Make A Difference?
Ever feel like just giving up? Frustrated over slow progress or the
lack of change? Feel like one person just can't make a difference?
No--one person normally can't make a difference--but a group can.
That's what AMDA is all about. Many of us go to our state and national
meetings to get our "batteries recharged", so we can then function
better as individuals. The organization also gets re-energized after
meetings. New ideas and new directions occur, and enthusiasm for better
ways to advocate for our patients and ourselves takes shape.
The House of Delegates and State Presidents Council act as conduits
for member input that is vital to the health of AMDA. AMDA staff depend
on the help of many volunteers throughout the year to make ours an
effective voice in LTC. It is essential this be a year round process to
operate, educate and advocate effectively. So how can we do this?
Participation in state chapter affairs is essential for the health
of AMDA. Working with other stakeholders including consumer groups,
state surveyors, and nursing home, nursing and administrator
associations on either the local or national level is a win-win
proposition when the focus is kept on resident care. Offering to help
with committee work, replying to surveys and email queries, keeping
staff and officers aware of concerns, and helping to build membership
keeps the grassroots nature of AMDA alive and well. AMDA especially
needs the experienced services of those who have served either the
House of Delegates or their state organization.
AMDA is not a once a year event at the annual symposium. It
requires year round commitment, not just from staff and elected
officials, but from the members from where its strength lies.
Resolutions and policy don't happen only in March, but need continuous
suggestion, development and enactment. Unless there is more continuity,
more flow from the general membership, we risk stagnation at a time and
place where we can least afford it.
It's normal to get frustrated over the slow progress or lack of
success that sometimes occurs. We work with many people and
organizations, and consensus and change happen gradually. We have to
balance talking and listening, acting and observing, and being firm and
compromising constantly. Failure to be involved is the only true
failure.
Work for yourself, and you can make a small difference in your
community. The future will be out of your control, however, until you
work within your state and national organization to affect the systems
and processes that need the expertise of the medical director and
attending physician to truly improve the delivery of resident care.
Charles A. Crecelius, MD, PhD, CMD
Chair, House of Delegates
In This Issue of State Network News:
Ethical Decision-Making, PACE, and Assisted Living Resolutions Approved by House of Delegates
AMDA's 2004 House of Delegates passed three new resolutions in Phoenix, Arizona, in March.
CMS Releases Revised Medical Director F-Tag
CMS recently released its final proposed revisions to the State Operations Manual Medical Director F-tag (501)
AMDA Joint Sponsorship Update
AMDA's Education Committee has voted to strictly enforce the AMDA requirements for submitting a Joint Sponsorship application.
New AMDA Curriculum on Geriatric Clinical Practice for LTC Goes on the Road
AMDA's new Curriculum on Geriatric Clinical Practice in LTC is being offered in four locations this year.
Huss and Knebl Win Top Awards
Randall Huss, MD, CMD, and Janice Knebl, DO, CMD, received the 2004
William Dodd Founder's Award for Distinguished Service and the 2004
James Pattee Award for Excellence in Education, respectively.
Seeking Workgroup Nominees for Upcoming CPG Consensus Conference
AMDA is seeking nominations for workgroups to draft two new clinical
practice guidelines at a consensus conference later this year.
International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Set for July
The 9th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related
Disorders, the world's leading forum on dementia research, is set for
July 17-22, 2004, in Philadelphia, PA.
New Date for Immunization Awareness Week
National Adult Immunization Awareness Week will be held from September
26 through October 2 with the theme, "Immunization: Building a Path to
a Healthy Tomorrow."
Texas Chapter Changes Name
The Texas Medical Directors Association has formally changed its name
to the Texas Medical Directors Association of Long Term Care Medicine.
AMDA's 2005 Annual Symposium
Quality Leadership in Long Term Care: Affirming the Physician Role
March 17-20, 2005, New Orleans, Louisiana
Call for Presentations Deadline: June 1, 2004
Call for Posters Deadline: October 1, 2004
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