2 . The following reports were accepted for information :
• March 31 , 2020 Membership Report
• March 31 , 2020 Cash Budget Report
3 . The board approved a proposal for a public service announcement to thank Arkansas physicians for their contributions to healthcare and their patients during the COVID-19 pandemic .
4 . Dr . Steven Strode requested that these minutes reflect the board of trustees ’ appreciation of the AMS staff and the efforts put forth during these challenging times .
5 . The board re-elected Dr . Danny Wilkerson to serve as chairman .
There being no further business the meeting adjourned .
August 5 , 2020
The Arkansas Medical Society Board of Trustees met via Zoom at 4:00 p . m . on Wednesday , August 5 , 2020 . Members on the call were Drs . Appathurai Balamurugan , Bradley Bibb , Dale Blasier , Josh Chance , Kay Chandler , George Conner , William Dedman , James DeRossitt , Jennifer Doyal , Matt Haustein , James Hunt , Tony Johnson , Joseph Miller , Erick Messias , Darrell Over , Naveen Patil , Carolyn Reeves , Chad Rodgers , Shane Smith , Garry Stewart , Shannon Swift , Toby Vancil , Nannette Vowel , Randy Walker , Donya Watson , Gary Wheeler , Danny Wilkerson , Mark Wren , and Stacy Zimmerman . AMS Past Presidents present were Drs . Lee Archer , Omar Atiq , G . Edward Bryant , Amy Cahill , Scott Cooper , Scott Ferguson , David Jacks , Larry Lawson , Stephen Magie , Gene Shelby , Steven Strode , and guest Dr . Joe Thompson . AMS staff present were David Wroten , Kay Waldo , Scott Smith , Billie Jean Davenport , Laura Hawkins , and Laura Haywood . AMS Legal Counsel present was Charles Hicks .
Chairman Dr . Danny Wilkerson called the meeting to order , reminded members of the AMS conflict of interest policy , and the following business was received and transacted :
1 . The board approved the minutes for the following meetings :
• May 1 , 2020 Board of Trustees Meeting
• July 22 , 2020 Executive Committee
2 . The board approved the following recommendations from the Executive Committee :
• A letter be sent to the Arkansas State and Public-School Life and Health Insurance Board recommending that it add practicing physicians to their decision-making bodies .
• AMS legal counsel to confer with the legal counsel of the Arkansas Hospital Association to investigate ways to strengthen the corporate practice act to ensure that patient care always takes precedence over corporate profits .
3 . Joe Thompson , MD , MPH , Director , Arkansas Center for Health Improvement ( ACHI ), provided an analysis of COVID-19 data , reported there is a need for more physicians voice to the COVID-19 crisis and asked for a call to action . This was referred to Executive Committee .
4 . Appathurai Balamurugan , MD , ADH Deputy Chief Medical Officer , reported on the Arkansas Department of Health COVID-19 Response .
5 . David Wroten presented the membership report and budget report for information .
6 . Omar Atiq , MD reported on the AMA Annual Meeting .
7 . Carolyn Reeves , MD was appointed to fill the Finance and Audit Committee vacancy replacing Robert Zimmerman , MD . Term will begin September 2020 for 4 years .
8 . Stephen Magie , MD gave the update on Safe Surgery Arkansas ( SSA ).
9 . Chad Rodgers , MD will chair a committee to draft a diversity policy for the Board of Trustees to consider for adoption .
There being no further business the meeting adjourned .
November 5 , 2020
The Arkansas Medical Society Board of Trustees met at 6:00 pm . on Thursday , November 5 , 2020 via Zoom . Members attending the meeting were Drs . Appathurai Balamurugan , Seth Barnes , Bradley Bibb , Dale Blasier , Samuel Bledsoe , Willard Burks , Josh Chance , Kay Chandler , George Conner , William Dedman , James DeRossitt , Gina Drobena , Jennifer Doyle , Matt Haustein , Michael Hickman , James Hunt , Jim Ingram , Tony Johnson , Erick Messias , Amanda Novack , Darrell Over , Tim Paden ,
Naveen Patil , Mark Ramiro , Carolyn Reeves , Chad Rodgers , Jeremy Saul , Alan Schumacher , Garry Stewart , Shannon Swift , Toby Vancil , Nannette Vowell , Randy Walker , Donya Watson , Gary Wheeler , Danny Wilkerson , Mark Wren , and Stacy Zimmerman . AMS Past Presidents present were Drs . Lee Archer , Omar Atiq , Amy Cahill , Scott Cooper , Scott Ferguson , David Jacks , Larry Lawson , Stephen Magie , Gene Shelby , Gerald Stolz , Steven Strode , and Dennis Yelvington . AMS staff present were David Wroten , Kay Waldo , Mary Ann Mansfield , Scott Smith , Billie Jean Davenport , Alanna Scheffer , Laura Hawkins , and Laura Haywood . AMS Legal Counsel present was Mike Mitchell . Guests present were Dr . Jose Romero , Dr . Patty Gibson , Dichelle George , Amanda Deel , Zainab Atiq , and Mary Beth Rogers .
Chairman Dr . Danny Wilkerson called the meeting to order , reminded members of the AMS conflict of interest policy , and the following business was received and transacted :
1 . Dr . Brad Bibb , Chairman of the AMS Finance and Auditing Committee , presented the 2021 proposed budget in Executive Session . The Board approved the budget recommendations .
2 . The board approved the minutes of the following meeting :
• August 5 , 2020 Board of Trustees Meeting
3 . Dr . Jose Romero , Arkansas Secretary of Health , led a question-and-answer session regarding COVID-19 .
4 . David Wroten presented the membership and budget report for information .
5 . Dr . Dennis Yelvington discussed the State Medical Organizations meeting .
6 . Dr . Bradley Bibb encouraged trustees to contribute to ARKMED PAC .
7 . Dr . Chad Rodgers reported the Diversity Committee was getting organized and would report back to the Board .
8 . Scott Smith discussed the 2021 anticipated legislative issues .
There being no further business the meeting adjourned .
Volume 117 • Number 11 MAy 2021 • 259