Under the auspices of the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies (CSNS) and the Washington Committee, the first Neurosurgical Leadership Development Conference (NLDC) was held July 21-22 in Washington, D.C. Eighty people attended this highly interactive and informative conference.
The two overall goals of the NLDC were to inform and educate participants on key current issues that significantly affect today’s practice of neurosurgery and to learn how to effectively “lobby” Congress on behalf of neurosurgery.
Specifically, participants were charged with seeking support from their congressional representatives on three fronts: passing a patient bill of rights, reforming the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) and supporting the Medicare Education and Regulatory Fairness Act of 2001. Two full days of speakers, workshops, and interactive seminars prepared participants to visit Capitol Hill to meet with congressional representatives.
An Excellent Program
An Education and Practice Management Course, sponsored by the AANS Education and Practice Management Department, was held on July 22. Additionally, several faculty members made excellent presentations. These included Stan Pelofsky, MD, “How and Why You Should Build Your Own Specialty Hospital,” Greg Przybylski, MD, “RBRVS, E&M Requirements,” Sam Hassenbusch, MD, “CPT Coding, PATH Audits,” Kimberly Pollock, “Creating a Fee Schedule, Containing Cost and Financial Benchmarking” and John Kusske, MD, “EMTALA and Other Regulatory Issues” and “Implementing and Maintaining a Compliance Plan.”
Seminars were held on July 23 on grassroots advocacy, public speaking, effective communication with congressional offices and preparation for congressional visits. Among the notable keynote speakers was Rep. Ernie Fletcher, MD, (R-KY), sponsor of patients’ rights bill H.R. 2315. Additionally, congressional staffers made presentations, which served to further educate members regarding Capitol Hill visits.
Overall the program was highly successful in motivating participating neurosurgeons. Given the overwhelming success of the conference, plans are under way to consider a second NLDC next year during the hotly contested upcoming elections.
CSNS to Meet in September in San Diego
The next meeting of the CSNS will take place September 28-29, 2001, at the Marriott Hotel in San Diego. Several resolutions have been introduced and reviewed by the Executive Committee. These include: The Role of Midlevel Practitioners in the CSNS, Facilitation of the Think First Foundation, Disciplinary Actions for the AANS and CNS Members on False Testimony and Reimbursement Methodologies.
There are plans for further presentations and leadership development, particularly at the state level. Presentations on how to become involved with your state medical society and on how to effectively lobby at the state level for neurosurgical issues also will be made.
The Council continues to be very productive and an excellent venue for grass roots neurosurgical initiatives. If you have any innovative ideas, issues or concerns that affect the way you practice neurosurgery, you can have them addressed by contacting your state delegate. Or you may e-mail me at [email protected] or send a fax to me at (573) 884-5184.
David F. Jimenez, MD, FACS, is the Chairman of the CSNS.