LOS ANGELES RADIOLOGICAL SOCIETY
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
RADIATION ONCOLOGY SOCIETY
INSIGHTS ONLINE
NEWSLETTER
October, 2007
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LARS President's Message
Patrick M. Colletti, MD
It is my great honor to serve as the 60th President of the Los Angeles Radiological Society. We have completed another successful year in 2006-07, with our re-accreditation with COMMENDATION by the Institute of Medical Quality/California Medical Association (IMQ/CMA) for four years (the maximum time possible) to provide Category 1 CME. This achievement supports the primary mission of LARS: “…the encouragement of improved and continuing educational opportunities for our members and members of the medical community; and the establishment and maintenance of high medical and ethical standards in the practice of Radiology and allied professional fields.”
To further this mission, for 2007-08 and beyond, LARS is pursuing two major efforts:
The first is the recruitment of and support for our “members in training.” For the past several years, LARS has worked to attract residents and fellows to join the society as Junior Members and to participate in LARS’ activities. As we are all aware, in today’s environment understanding and pursuing the process of obtaining and maintaining licensing and certification can feel like a full time career in itself, not to mention the time involved in obtaining the required CMEs. Why should those in training programs join LARS? Because LARS provides excellent local educational opportunities featuring world-class presenters at a significantly reduced price for Junior Members.
However, we think that membership goes farther than that. Those at the beginning of their careers may wonder “who decides” what’s required. How can I get involved, make my opinions known, and influence the process? Well, who decides is us, and it’s that realization that we hope to share by encouraging membership in LARS. Each of us as practicing physicians have the opportunity to become involved with the process by joining organized radiology and volunteering our time to the committees and study groups that make it all happen. An excellent example is given in the article in this issue outlining discussions that took place at the California Radiological Society Annual Meeting held here in Southern California a few weeks ago. Those are our colleagues influencing the outcomes of the ABR and of Federal Legislation. How does one become involved with a state or national decision making organization – simple – one starts by being involved with ones local organization.
To that end, we now offer membership to active trainees at no charge, and have included a Resident Representative on the LARS Board of Directors. Hui Jenny Chen, MD of UCLA is the current representative. Additionally, we include special offerings for trainees at our conferences, and we provide Radiology Classics, a review course designed specifically for residents, though its popularity is growing with radiologists at all career levels. The presentation by John C. Carpenter, LARS’ attorney, at the Resident’s Forum section of the 2008 Midwinter Conference (January 26 and 27, 2008) should be of particular interest: "Employment Contracts and Partnership Agreements: How to Protect Yourself."
At this time LARS and SCROS have a combined total of 168 Junior Members. Programs that achieve 100% resident membership will receive one free tuition to the Midwinter Conference to be distributed at the discretion of the Program Director. At this time the Kaiser Permanente Radiation Oncology and UCLA Radiation Oncology Programs have achieved that mark. USC and Harbor UCLA Radiology programs are close to 100%.
In keeping with Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements for Self Assessment Modules (SAMs), LARS is developing the infrastructure and expertise necessary to provide SAMs at educational programs. Adapting a presentation to meet the ABR requirements for a SAM adds additional burden to the speaker, over and above the usual task of preparation and presentation, and we are grateful to those who agree to accept the additional responsibility and obligation. Plans are underway for at least two SAM modules at the 2008 Midwinter Conferences, pending ABR approval. The process has begun. In addition, plans are underway to include audience response technology in Sunday’s program. This technology is acknowledged to increase attention and retention of subject matter and will become an increasingly valuable part of meeting participation.
We look forward to another great year for LARS!
Patrick M Colletti MD
President
60th Annual Midwinter
Radiology and Radiation Oncology Conferences
January 26 and 27, 2008
Sheraton Universal Hotel, Universal
City, CA.
The 2008 program information is posted on the LARS website at www.larad.org. Online registration is also available on the site. The Nuclear Medicine track in the Radiology Program is a one-day program, Saturday only. Registration is available for the complete program, or for the Nuclear Medicine program.
New in 2008! Select Sunday sessions will incorporate audience response technology. Our objective is to increase interaction between the conference audience and our expert speakers, with the net result of improved comprehension and retention. Response pads will be available at the conference registration desk beginning Sunday morning at 7:00am. Self-Assessment Modules – Plans for offering Self-Assessment Modules (SAMs) are underway for 2008. Our goal is to offer a Radiation Oncology and a Neuroradiology SAM. We are working with our speakers to complete the application process and will provide updates on our website as they become available.
Annual Traditions! A Conjoint Radiology & Radiation Oncology Session featuring the 2008 Isaac Sanders Honorary Lecturer, David S.K. Lu, MD of UCLA and Michael Brant-Zawadzki, MD of Hoag Memorial Hospital will open Sunday’s schedule. Dr. Lu will present “Interventional Oncology: The Time Has Come” which will explore various minimally invasive, image-guided treatment techniques in cancer therapy. Dr. Lu will provide insights and review data in evidence based interventional oncology treatments so that radiologists can incorporate or expand interventional oncology into their daily practice. Dr. Brant-Zawadzki, the 1997 Isaac Sanders Honorary Lecturer, will present an overview of the evolving regulatory, political, and economic environments shaping the practice of radiology/radiation oncology and demonstrate how patient-centered care can help us adapt, survive, and thrive.
Resident’s Forum – The focus of our 3rd Annual Forum, a luncheon session planned specifically for Residents and Fellows, will be “Employment Law and Partnership Agreements: How to Protect Yourself.” presented by John C. Carpenter, Esq. of the Law Offices of John C. Carpenter, Pasadena, CA.
Commercial exhibit hall - As attendees have come to expect, the Midwinter Conference will include an exhibit hall where the latest radiology and radiation oncology products can be viewed while networking with friends and colleagues. All refreshment breaks will be held in the exhibit hall.
Go
to Midwinter Radiology Conference Information Page>
Go to
Midwinter Radiation Oncology Conference Information Page>
Mark Yeh, MD
Chair, LARS Insurance Committee
CRS Alternate CAC Member
ACR Alternate Councilor at Large
ACR Managed Care Committee Member
October 2007
Once again we are in the last quarter of the year and yet again we are facing major cuts by Medicare, this time to the tune of 9.9%! There was hope over the summer months that the Medicare cuts were going to be eliminated as part of a bill designed to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) but, in the end, those Medicare provisions were not included in the bill’s final form. Furthermore, the fight continues over the imaging cuts put into effect this year by the infamous Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA). The continued advocacy of our physician members and their patients remains critical in these legislative efforts.
Report of the
California Radiological Society Annual Meeting
October 2007
LARS ACR Councilors and Alternate Councilors
ACR Councilors and Alternate Councilors attended the California Radiological Society Annual Meeting in October.
Summary
Report submitted by Kenneth W. Chin, MD, ACR Councilor.
ACR Comments on the proposed CMS notice "Medicare Program: Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physicians Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 2008."
Dr. Ellerbroek, 2008 CRS Program chairman has requested that members with recommendations for topics or speakers for the 2008 program contact her at nellerbroek@vantageoncology.com
What were you doing in 1949?
Click here to view the program of
the
1st Annual Midwinter Radiology Conference.
LARS Conferences 2008
60th Annual Midwinter Conference
January 26 and 27, 2008
Current Ultrasound Topics Dinner Meeting
February 7, 2008
Nuclear Medicine Update 2008, March / April
date to be determined
Radiology Classics April 19, 2008
Torrance Memorial Medical Center
Spring Diagnostic Ultrasound Conference, May 3-4
Sheraton Universal
Hotel, Universal City
Note: The date of the Annual Spring Diagnostic Ultrasound
Conference has been changed from that earlier published.
This year's date is
May 3 and 4, 2008
6th Annual Leopold Honorary Lecture
Philip W. Ralls, MD, FACR
"The Future of Radiology"
Summer Seminar in Breast Imaging, July 19, 2008
Location to be determined
Click on any link to view information about programs
Congratulations
Two LARS officers have been elected to positions in the California Radiological Society Wilson S. Wong, MD, FACR, LARS President 1996-1997 is President of the CRS. Nancy A. Ellerbroek, MD, FACR, SCROS President 1998-2000, is CRS Program Chair for 2008. Both Dr. Wong and Dr. Ellerbroek currently serve as ACR Councilors.
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| Dr. Wong | Dr. Ellerbroek |
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Dr. Lo |
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Former LARS President William W.M. Lo, MD, FACR (1986) is named as ASHNR Gold Medalist. The American Society of Head and Neck Radiologists awarded the 2007 Gold Medal to Dr. Lo during its 41st annual meeting in Seattle, Washington. We are honored that Dr. Lo will participate in the 2008 Midwinter Conference speaking on “Vestibular Aqueduct and Endolymphatic Duct and Sac: Anatomy and Pathology” and “Imaging for Synchronous Tinnitus” during the Head and Neck Track .
Congratulations also to the LARS and SCROS Junior Members who completed Residency and Fellowship Program in 2007. We look forward to your continued involvement in the Society and active members and volunteers.
We love to congratulate LARS and SCROS members. If you have congratulations that you would like to pass along, email the information to lars@larad.org.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
By: John C. Carpenter
Law Offices of John C. Carpenter
The Law Offices of JOHN C. CARPENTER currently represents the Los Angeles Radiological Society and offers reduced rates for legal services to its members. All initial consultations are at no charge. Click here to see membership benefits.
The growing trend in law in almost every country in the world, including the United States, is to attempt to resolve disputes between the parties through the use of Mediation and Arbitration, and commonly referred to as Alternative Dispute Resolution.
In drafting commercial and business contracts, including employment agreements, the majority of experienced business attorneys now incorporate contract language that provides that any dispute between the parties to the contract, be resolved through Mediation and Arbitration.
For the last ten (10) years, experienced business attorneys have incorporated language into contracts, which utilize a three (3) tiered approach to Alternative Dispute Resolution, that is similar to the following language:
“Dispute Resolution”
A. In the event of any dispute, controversy or claim between the parties hereto arising from or relating to the subject of this Agreement (“Dispute”), upon the written request of either party, each of the parties shall meet and negotiate in good faith with the other to resolve such Dispute. Formal proceedings for mediation of such Dispute as set forth below in paragraph B hereof may not be commenced until the earlier of (a) the expiration of thirty (30) days after the initial request for such negotiations, or (b) either of the parties concluding in good faith and notifying the other that amicable resolution through continued negotiation of the matter in issue does not appear likely.
B. The parties stipulate that if they are unable to resolve the Dispute as contemplated by paragraph A above, then such Dispute shall be resolved by Mediation before an experienced Mediator agreed to by the parties.
C. Both parties stipulate that if they are unable to resolve the Dispute as contemplated by paragraph B above, then such Dispute shall be resolved by final and binding arbitration before one (1) arbitrator who shall be a retired Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge, chosen by the parties, and the arbitration shall take place in Los Angeles, California. Discovery as permitted by the California Rules of Civil Procedure then in effect shall be allowed in connection with arbitration to the extent consistent with the purpose of the arbitration and as allowed by the arbitrator. Judgment upon the award rendered in any arbitration may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction, or application may be made to such court for enforcement, as the law of the state of California may require or allow. The fact that arbitration is or may be allowed shall not impair the exercise of any termination rights under this Agreement.
D. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs A, B, and C above, the parties recognize and acknowledge that one party may suffer irreparable harm if the other party is allowed to act in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement for which money damages may be inadequate. Both parties agree that either party shall have the right to petition for injunctive or other equitable relief from any court in the County of Los Angeles, State of California as may be necessary and appropriate.”
Language similar to the above three (3) tiered approach (Negotiation, Mediation and Arbitration), is still the preferred approach in dealing with disputes between parties who contract with each other. This type of language is included in almost every business or commercial contract, including employment contracts, as a method for parties to avoid the expense, publicity and time that is associated with litigation that is filed and vigorously pursued in State or Federal courts. Chances are you have already seen this type of language in many of the contracts that have been presented to you for consideration. It’s still popular, and most likely will continue to be used in the future to avoid costly and public court proceedings.
LARS/SCROS mailed 2008 dues invoices on October 15, 2007. LARS/ SCROS dues are due January 1, 2008 and memberships are valid through December 31, 2008. Memberships of those who did not pay dues in 2007 were suspended, and can be reactivated by paying delinquent dues and 2008 dues. Please call or email LARS if you have any questions about your membership status.
We would like to congratulate Residents in the following programs who have achieved 100% memberships in LARS or SCROS:
Kaiser Permanente Radiation Oncology
LAC + USC Radiation Oncology
Both USC and Harbor UCLA radiology programs are very close to 100% membership - lacking just one or two resident memberships to achieve 100%. Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Radiology program is also close to 100%. We encourage you to suggest that your colleagues join LARS or SCROS. Tuition to all programs are significantly discounted for Junior Members and there is no cost for membership.
Nonmembers may choose to join and take advantage of reduced membership tuition to upcoming meetings. Applications can be downloaded (physicians, technologists). If we receive your membership applications with dues at the same time as a meeting registration we will honor member level tuition.
1, Download membership application, complete it, and fax , mail or email it to LARS with any required supporting documents. Do not email payment information.
2. Pay membership dues online.
3. Register on line for any meeting.
LARS Leadership
LARS and SCROS are pleased to welcome new members to leadership positions on the Board of Directors and Continuing Education Committee.
Board of Directors:
LARS Membership Chairman
Jabi Shriki, MD
SCROS Membership Chairman
Helen K. Chen, MD
Continuing Education Committee:
Breast Imaging Co-Representatives:
Anne C. Hoyt, MD and Nazanin Yaghmai, MD
Diagnostic Representative:
Margaret H. Lee, MD
Ultrasound Representative
Jon M. Foran, MD
Radiology Classics Representative
Suzanne L. Palmer, MD
President, Nuclear
Medicine Section
Hossein
Jadvar, MD, PhD, MPH, MBA, FACNM, FACNP
Resident’s
Perspective: Visibility, Identity
Hui Jenny Chen, M.D.
LARS Resident Representative
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
One week ago, residents and fellows from all over California gathered in the beautiful Newport Hyatt hotel for the CRS RFS annual conference. As we socialized with our peers and mentors on the patio, I could not help but wonder how many passing hotel guests knew who we were and what critical roles radiologists played in their healthcare. Like my friends outside of the field of medicine, many probably thought that it was their neurologist who first diagnosed the brain tumor on their MRIs, or that it was their orthopedic surgeon who first saw the cartilage damage in their knees. Many people could perhaps make the connection between their cardiologist and an angiogram, but would not consider the role of their radiologists.
Who are radiologists? To the non-medical community, it is often difficult to even distinguish a radiologist from a technician because we rarely interact with our patients directly. To our medical colleagues, we are frequently referred to as “radiology” collectively, a faceless and shapeless entity, because many times we close our doors to consulting clinicians at night, trying to avoid being interrupted.
Facing the demand of productivity and the development of progressively efficient information technology, radiologists are becoming increasingly invisible to clinicians, patients, and the public. We easily become a report, a text page, or a voice at the other end of the telephone line, impersonal and sometimes even indifferent. When our invisibility makes us undifferentiated, we not only face commoditization of radiology, we also face losing our professional identity. While there is no doubt that imaging will continue to be a critical component of future medicine, will radiologists?
During the roundtable discussion at the CRS RFS meeting, it was clear that most residents/fellows were fully aware of the issue. Not only did they identify the problem, they also actively sought for solutions and acted upon them. Some suggested seizing opportunities to introduce radiology to patients who were receiving the studies. Some suggested increasing radiologist’s voice in political arena, through such organizations as the American Medical Association. Others suggested improving the quality of our work and our relationships with consulting clinicians. Nonetheless, all agreed that in order to effectively achieve better visibility and consolidate our identity, we need organized and cooperative efforts. Organizations, such as LARS, CRS, and ACR cultivate a sense of professional pride and responsibility in members, since as many speakers have pointed out, apathy is the worst enemy faced by our battle against invisibility.
As a group, we are known for our innovative abilities, our vast medical knowledge, and our visions for the future of medicine. However, we are also physicians who genuinely care about our patients. It is time to step out and say “hi” to our patients whenever we can, to open our doors to our clinicians, and to pick up that phone to discuss our findings one-to-one. The time invested will not be wasted.