GSOMS Newsletter |
May 2010 |
In this issue!
From the President
Letter from the Editor
GSOMS Summer Meeting
Raymond Fonseca, DMD
From the President
Extreme positions are not succeeded by moderate ones, but by contrary
extreme positions. j
Friedrich
Nietzsche
Dear Colleagues,
As a proverbial “lame duck” with the tenure of my time as president winding down - I am struck by the magnitude of the changes that face our specialty. The very fabric of Healthcare in this country is in a state of flux and some would say needed changes are eminent while others would wholeheartedly disagree. Whatever your political or professional inclinations I think its easy to see that no matter how we interpret government involvement as intrusive or beneficial the bottom line is in the words of Bob Dylan “the times they are a changing”. We must be prepared to meet challenges head on to ensure that we are able to provide the quality of service and kind of service we pride ourselves when taking care of the citizenry of Georgia.
The society has confronted several issues over the past year-some more successfully than others but they have been addressed and confronted nonetheless. Our state run programs have made providing services almost untenable for most surgeons. The embarrassingly inadequate amount for consultation is almost a salvo toward reducing the number of providers as opposed to increasing access that we always hear about. The only way to change what we are facing is to work with the legislature to make sure they understand the difficulties and can apply the proper leverage to have the system bettered, changed or dismantled and rebuilt. Your personal relationship with legislators and with your community leaders are invaluable in the effort to make inroads to betterment. Organized dentistry (specialty and state societies) seem to understand this concept and we must join their efforts if we are to have a seat at the table. In a recent meeting with AAOMS leadership it was quipped that “if you are not at the table…then you are probably on the menu”. A Mark Twain like anachronism to be sure but drives the point home.
Our ability to self regulate our practices is of paramount importance. The office anesthesia evaluations, involvement with the board of dentistry,GDA law days and committee work within the society are great ways to keep that ability. Rules and regulations regarding office based surgery and anesthesia is under revision. The AAOMS, GSOMS and GDA have worked diligently to make sure that Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons interests are served and considered. Our dual degree colleagues are in for some changes. Hopefully, we have “headed off at the pass” a problem and obtained an exemption for them from tighter and possibly practice ending resolution that could easily become law or rule and adversely affect them.
The AAOMS anesthesia resolution has been met (by all but 6 surgeons) and we can keep our number of delegates which would have to be reduced if too many memberships were eliminated because of non-compliance. It has been a long and winding road but you have traveled with me and I appreciate your efforts to bring us into compliance. Challenges from our third party payers to continue to bundle and downgrade our services have been renewed by another major insurance carrier …but as before the executive committee and committed officers are already at work to secure a face to face meet and hopefully obtain results like we did with Blue Cross/Blue Shield just a few short years ago. I don’t offer these points as resume fodder but to let you know there are many issues and a lot of effort that goes on between our general meetings. To those who question the need for or the relevance of their state society-I ask you to please evaluate openly and honestly the hard work and time that your elected officers put into taking care of our specialty.
I would be completely remiss if I didn’t thank all of you who have contributed in one way or the other over the past year. We all owe a special debt to Leslie Boulter and to Hank Holderfield who perform their jobs and tasks so well-even in the face of keeping up with busy surgeons. Special thanks also goes to Dr’s Roser, Perciaccante, Stacey, Maron, Kinsey, Schultz, Bankston and Hogan-your counsel and honest opinions have been invaluable. I know that Dr. Roser will not only draw on his vast experience but your opines as well. Please don’t forget to join us at the May 22, meeting at the Georgia Aquarium and bring your referrals. We will update you on our progress and whatever new issues we face-stronger and better prepared because of your participation.
Antwan L. Treadway, DMD
GSOMS President
Letter from the Editor
As we gear up for the busy summer months, I would like to take a moment to congratulate and thank all of the contributors to our Newsletter for the time and energy put forth to publish informative updates for our members to read. The content of our newsletter reflects the efforts and diligence of the members and leaders of the Georgia Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons acting as advocates for our patients and our specialty. I hope that our readers have found this publication a useful tool of communication to keep everyone abreast of the works accomplished, the current issues being addressed, and the future tasks of and by our society.
Chris Jo, D.M.D.
GSOMS Summer Meeting
August 20-22, 2010
Ritz Carlton Lodge at Lake Oconee
Featuring: Raymond Fonseca, DMD
Dr. Raymond Fonseca will be the speaker for our weekend meeting in August
at the
Ritz Carlton Lodge at Lake Oconee. His lecture will focus on “Things
I Have Learned In Orthognathic Surgery" and "Treatment of Transverse
Maxillary Deficiency".
Our meeting will begin on Friday, August 20 with registration from 4-6pm followed by a welcome reception/dinner beginning at 6:30pm. On Saturday the program will be held from 8:00am to noon with the afternoon and evening free for you to relax with family and friends. On Sunday, the program will begin at 8:00am followed by the business session at 10:00am.
Hotel Reservations: Our block is now open! Please contact the Ritz Carlton lodge at 706.467.0600. Our room rate is $265 per night single/double room occupancy based on availability. The block is under the Georgia Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
Mark your calendar for a great weekend!
Raymond Fonseca, DMD
Dr. Raymond Fonseca received his DMD degree from the University Connecticut
School of Dental Medicine in 1973 and completed his oral surgery residency
at Parkland Memorial Hospital Dallas in 1976. He received his certification
from the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in 1978.
Following his postgraduate training, he held the position of assistant Professor and Associate Director of Graduate education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
In 1980, Dr. Fonseca joined the faculty of the University of Iowa as Associate Professor and Director of the Graduate Education in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Dr Fonseca was Chairman and Professor of Oral Medicine, Pathology and
Surgery at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry form 1982-1989. From
1989 to 2003,
Dr. Fonseca was the Dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of
Dental Medicine.
He has published 62 articles, 15 book chapters, 27 abstracts and 7 major books. He is also the editor of the seven volume text of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery published in July 2000. He was awarded the Outstanding Educator Award, the Distinguished Researcher Award, the Gies Award, The W. Harry Archer Award and is a fellow of the International College of Dentists.