The Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society Med Journal April 2019 Final 2 | Page 17

9.
Dr. Scott Ferguson was recognized for his
election to the AMA Board of Trustees. He
thanked everyone for the support of his
campaign and reviewed some of the advocacy
efforts of the AMA.
10. Dr. Omar Atiq was elected to fill Scott Ferguson’s
unexpired term as an AMA Delegate.  Dr. Amy
Cahill was elected AMA Alternate Delegate to
fill the unexpired term of Dr. Omar Atiq.
11. Dr. Danny Wilkerson was re-elected Chairman
of the Board.
12. The Board of Trustees convened into Executive
Session to discuss personnel matters.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned.
November 2, 2018
The Arkansas Medical Society Board of
Trustees met at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, November 2,
2018, at Red Apple Inn in Heber Springs. Members
attending the meeting were Drs. William Ackerman,
Lee Archer, Bradley Bibb, Dale Blasier, Samuel
Bledsoe, Amy Cahill, Kay Chandler, George Conner,
William Dedman, James DeRossitt, Gina Drobena,
Kristie Gast, Matt Haustein, Michael Hickman, Tim
Paden, Carolyn Reeves, Chad Rodgers, Jeremy Saul,
Matthew Spond, Shannon Swift, Joe Thompson,
Toby Vancil, Danny Wilkerson, Dennis Yelvington,
and Robert Zimmerman. AMS Past Presidents
present were Drs. G. Edward Bryant, Scott Ferguson,
Stephen Magie, Michael Moody, Gene Shelby, and
Steve Strode. AMS staff present were Billie Jean
Davenport, Alanna Scheffer, Laura Hawkins, Laura
Haywood, Scott Smith, Kay Waldo, and David Wroten.
AMS Legal Counsel present were Mike Mitchell,
David Ivers, and Blake Byrd. Guests present were Dr.
Cole Peck, Dr. Mark Hahn, and Dr. Milton Hammerly.
Chairman Danny Wilkerson, MD called the
meeting to order, reminded members of the AMS
conflict of interest policy, and the following business
was received and transacted:
1.
2.
Dr. Brad Bibb, Chairman of the AMS Finance
and Auditing Committee, presented the 2019
proposed budget in Executive Session. The
Board approved the budget recommendations.
The Board approved the minutes of the
following meetings:
• August 22, 2018 Board of Trustees Meeting
3.
Dr. Nisha Viswanathan was elected to fill the
unexpired term for Dr. Seth Barnes in District 2.
Dr. Barnes’ term ends May 2020.
4. David Wroten presented the membership
and budget report and a tort reform update
for information.
5. The following doctors were reappointed to
the Finance and Audit Committee with terms
of January 2019 – December 2020: Dr. Sam
Bledsoe, Dr. Danny Wilkerson, Dr. Lee Archer,
and Dr. Kristen Lienhart.
6. The Board discussed a pending lawsuit to
lift midwife restrictions in the state. Upon
motion, the Board voted to allow AMS
attorneys to intervene in the lawsuit to
dismiss if deemed necessary.
7. Dr. Brad Bibb led a discussion on Point of
Care.Members agreed AMS should research
to determine what other states are doing
on this issue and contact the AMA for their
position.
8. AMS Board members
following three issues:
discussed
the
• What are three most valuable benefits of
your AMS membership that you would
share with a non-member colleague?
• What do you think are the biggest
challenges with recruiting and retaining
members?
• What can AMS do to bring more value to
current and potential members?
This information will be used for membership
recruitment and retention efforts.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned.
January 30, 2019
The Arkansas Medical Society Board of Trust-
ees met at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30,
2019, at the Little Rock Club. Members attend-
ing the meeting were Drs. Lee Archer, Bradley
Bibb, Dale Blasier, Samuel Bledsoe, Calvin Bracy,
Amy Cahill, Kay Chandler, George Conner, Wil-
liam Dedman, Jacob Dickinson, Gina Drobena,
Gary Edwards, Matt Haustein, Michael Hickman,
Jim Ingram, Larry (Jack) Johnson, Kristen Lien-
hart, Tim Paden, William Reding, Carolyn Reeves,
Chad Rodgers, Jeremy Saul, Shane Smith, Mat-
thew Spond, Shannon Swift, Joe Thompson, Toby
Vancil, Danny Wilkerson, Ngozidilenna Wilkins,
Dennis Yelvington, Robert Zimmerman, and Nisha
Viswanathan. AMS Past Presidents present were
Drs. Omar Atiq, G. Edward Bryant, Scott Ferguson
Lloyd Langston, Larry Lawson, Stephen Magie,
and Gene Shelby. AMS staff present were Billie
Jean Davenport, Alanna Scheffer, Laura Haywood,
Scott Smith, Kay Waldo, and David Wroten. AMS
Legal Counsel present was David Ivers. Guests
present were Dr. Julie MacNeil and Dr. Nate Smith.
Chairman Danny Wilkerson, MD called the
meeting to order, reminded members of the AMS
conflict of interest policy, and the following busi-
ness was received and transacted:
9. The Board approved the minutes of the
November 2, 2018 Board of Trustees
Meeting.
10. Dr. Julie MacNeil of Pine Bluff was elected
to fill the unexpired term for Dr. Doug
Coleman in District 4. Dr. Coleman’s term
ends May 2020.
11. David Wroten presented the membership
and budget report for information. He re-
minded Board members that AMS would be
holding elections for district trustees Feb.
15-28.  Nominations are also being accept-
ed for the Askelpion and Shuffield awards.
12. Upon motion, the Bylaws Committee will
review and consider a recommendation
to allow districts that have had a drop in
membership to have one year to regain the
membership before losing a trustee.
13. David Wroten and Scott Smith discussed the
2019 Legislative Session and discussed the
issues AMS would be working on during the
2019 legislative session. Board members
were encouraged to get involved and
respond to calls for action.
14. Board members were encouraged to attend
the Annual Membership Meeting on April 26,
2019, in Little Rock.
15. Dr. Danny Wilkerson, Chairman, asked
Board members to contact him should they
have any suggestions for when AMS Board
of Trustees meetings should be held. The
Board typically meets four times a year on a
Wednesday and/or Friday.
16. Highlights of an AMA Interim Meeting were
provided for information.
17. The final letter in response to a CMS request
for feedback on the Open Payments Program
reporting requirements was provided for
information.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned.
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