Historic Board Meeting Held at 2007 Summer Symposium

by Ron Pace, PA-C
Chair, Judicial Affairs & Ethics Committee

On Saturday, August 10^th, 2007, the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants Board of Directors held what can be billed as the most historic board meeting in this Academy’s history.

After months of hard work and persistence by our FAPA leaders, specifically President Mike Funk and President Elect Eric Smith, FAPA is on the verge of establishing an unprecedented professional relationship with the Florida Medical Association and the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association.  After many meetings with the leaders of these two organizations to lay the groundwork for this relationship, it has come to fruition.

Dr. Karl Altenburger, M.D., President-Elect of the Florida Medical Association and  Dr. Anthony Ottaviani, D.O., President of the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association were both extended invitations to address our Board at the annual summer conference, and graciously both gentlemen agreed to do so.    They were there for a good part of the Board meeting and were able to witness our leadership in action.

Dr’s. Altenburger and Ottaviani each addressed the Board and then entertained questions and comments from the Board and the gallery. They discussed their respective organizations concerns about the future of medical care for the citizens of Florida due to the expected decrease in the number of physicians because of an aging physician population and the lack of new, younger physicians coming to Florida. They also commented on the decrease in the number of other health care professionals and Dr. Ottavianni reported that at a recent national convention it was reported that by 2017 ninety percent of all primary care in the United States will be performed by Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners. They also discussed concerns over PIP insurance issues. Of particular concern to both doctors are: the effects in decreasing physician and other healthcare providers due to increased law suites and inappropriately high jury awards; availability of emergency care; malpractice costs and the resulting loss of critical care specialists such as neurosurgeons; availability of OB-GYN care; and rising health care costs but decreased reimbursements for providers.

They both gave outstanding presentations and gave the FAPA Board and those present insights into these issues that many may not have previously been aware of. It was very enlightening for all present. 

But most importantly these two gentlemen seemed to recognize the necessity of their organizations and FAPA working together to address these, and other, issues in the future, and that FAPA is most strongly supportive of the physician/PA team concept.

We are hopeful that this will be the beginning of stronger relationships for all concerned so that we can work together to improve health care access and quality for all Florida citizens in the future.  Leaders will change for all groups over time, but by building a strong friendship between our organizations now we are confident that our relationships will continue to progress well into the future.

As a part of this process, the FAPA Board passed a resolution that will help ensure that FAPA will have adequate representation at all future Board of Medicine and PA Council meetings, Florida Medical Association and Florida Osteopathic Medical Association meetings.

On behalf of all Physician Assistants in Florida and especially the members and Board of Directors of the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants, we wish to offer our most sincere gratitude to Dr. Altenburger and Dr. Ottavianni for taking the time out of their demanding schedules and for making the effort to extend their hands in friendship to our organization. By working together, a better day for healthcare for all Floridians will dawn.