Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Get Involved with MSS!

Upcoming Events
The LSMS MSS will meet in conjunction with the LSMS Annual House of Delegates in Baton Rouge, LA.  Members of the MSS will meet on January 27 from 11:30am to 1:30pm. The business meeting of the MSS is scheduled for 11:30 to 12:30, agenda items including section elections and officer updates. From 12:30 to 1:30 members are encouraged to attend a joint luncheon  with the Young Physician Section and Resident/Fellow Section, sponsored by The Omni Group. A representative from The Omni Group will be discussing benefits and will be available for insurance questions. Please contact Terri Watson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are interested in attending. 

Latest News
Mid-Year Updates - 9/21/2011
A message from your 2011 MSS Chairman, Matt Giglia
The MSS has taken major strides this year in establishing ourselves as a strong voice for Louisiana medical students. Not only do we have members on various statewide committees helping direct future medical policy in Louisiana, but we have representatives actively working to better medical education for Louisiana medical students as a whole in various capacities. These include two members on the powerful LSMS Council on Legislation, which sets the overall LSMS policy on legislative agendas, as well as two members on LAMPAC, which is the political arm of the LSMS which lobbies state legislators on how to vote on bills. I'm proud of the work that our Governing Council has completed this year, including membership surveys on bills before the legislature, personally testifying at the state capitol on behalf of the medical students, and sending numerous emails to state legislators to help sway positions on bills. Beyond this work already accomplished, the Governing Council plans to reach out to our newest medical students across the state this fall to engage them in conversations as to what they would like to see happen over the next four years through orientation fairs, as well as lunch meetings at the the three Louisiana medical schools. I encourage any and all LSMS members to try to attend one of these events, as the Governing Council is here to represent and serve you, which is best accomplished whenever we hear directly from our membership. I hope everyone has a great start to the year and please feel free to contact any members of the Governing Council with any questions or concerns.
 
LSU-New Orleans
LSUHSC New Orleans kicked off their year with a lunch meeting that hosted guest speaker, Dr. Donald Palminsano, former AMA and LSMS President. Dr. Palminsano brought his charisma and eloquence to the first and second year medical students, discussing the politically hot topic of healthcare reform. He also educated the students about the importance of being involved in Organized Medicine.
 
The 26th Annual Camp Tiger Summer Camp was a huge success! Camp Tiger is a week long summer camp for children with special needs. The camp is entirely funded, staffed, and run the LSU School of Medicine first year class. This year, the class of 2014 was able to hosst over 200 campers from the New Orleans are for a week of fun in the sun. This year's activities included trips to the Audubon Zoo, the Aquarium, Global Wildlife, Children's Museum, the New Orleans Saints training facility, and many more. For more information about Camp Tiger, please visit www.lsuhsc.edu/camptiger.
 
The LSU Student-Run Homeless Clinics welcome the newly elected 2011 Executive Officers and volunteers. The LSU Student-Run Homeless Clinics are an integral part of LSUHSC's commitment to serving the people of New Orleans. Since 1991, students from the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans have been operating the two clinics known as Ozanam Inn and the New Orleans Mission. These clinics provide physicals, TB and STD screening, blood pressure screening, referrals, physician consults and prescriptions to a diverse array of patients in order to provide basic medical care for those who have none. For more information about the clinics and the complete list of newly elected officers and volunteers, please visit www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu/hclinic.
 
LSU-Shreveport
LSUHSC Shreveport has started the new school year off very well. Interest among incoming first year students was high allowing us to enroll two-thirds of the class in LSMS during the orientation fair. In the past week, we held our fall luncheon for the school and had a tremendous turn out with may students from each level of medical study in attendence. At the luncheon, Dr. Dean Griffen (LSMS President) gave a poignant talk about why the LSMS is important to future physicians and how to get the most out of our student membership. He discussed points on how healthcare, politics, regulations, etc. are changing in Louisiana and how LSMS is there championing the views and wishes of its members. Dr. Griffen made excellent points supporting why medical students should be more involved and how that involvement is being heard around the state. Currently, our chapter is preparing for the AMA meeting in New Orleans this coming November, organizing ideas for the spring conference, continuing to recruit new members and inform our current members on where things stand concerning medicine in Louisiana.
 
MSS visit LSU AED
Matt Giglia, MSS Chairman, and Matt Landrum, MSS Chairman-Elect, spoke to LSU-BR AED, Pre-Med Honor Society, on Wednesday August 31st.  Matt Giglia gave a brief history of the LSMS and explained the role of the Society in the politics of Louisiana healthcare. He also encouraged the students to join the Society when they transition to medical school. Matt Landrum discussed a new shadowing project he developed with Dr. Susan Bankston, President of Capital Area Medical Society, at the Baton Rouge Clinic. Members of AED can shadow physicians of all specialities at the Clinic at times that fit their schedules. For more details, contact Matt Landrum at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .'; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text34863 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
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 Hartman Brunt, AED President and Matt Landrum                      AED members waiting for the meeting to start
 

LSU Medical School Profesor named Medical Journal's Editor

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A doctor at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans and the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge has been named editor-in-chief of the American Diabetes Association's medical journal.

Another doctor from New Orleans and another Pennington Center scientist are among 16 people from around the country and one from Australia named associate editors under Dr. William T. Cefalu for the peer-reviewed journal, Diabetes Care.

A news release says all 18 will serve a three-year term with an optional two-year extension, starting with the 2012 volume year. The current team started in 2006.

The new associate editors from Louisiana are Dr. Lawrence Blonde, a diabetes specialist at Ochsner Health System and Pennington's Eric Ravussin, a diabetes and metabolism professor and chief of the division of health and performance enhancement.

Cefalu is director of the diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism program run jointly by the LSU medical school and Pennington center, and a professor at both institutions. His research includes clinical studies to look for ways to improve the metabolisms of people with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, and basic research on what makes cells become insulin resistant. He also is director for Pennington's Center for the Study of Botanicals and Metabolic Syndrome, funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. 

"Club Day's" were a success!

Each year LSMS staff, members of the Medical Student Section and AMA school representatives recruit new medical students at each schools respective 'Club Day'. All three events were a success! LSU-N.O. recruited 85 new members, LSU-Shreveport recruited 111 new members and Tulane recruited 50 new members. We are so proud of the efforts put forth by each schools representatives & section members and look forwarding to working with all of the new members. 

NEW Psychiatry Residency Program

LSU and OLOL have announced the creation of their new Psychiatry residency program and are accepting applications for 6 available spots.  The program start date is July 2012 and will be directed by Dr. Karen Crapanzano. In a letter to the LSMS from Dr. Crapanzano, she says "We are currently busy in the development of how the residency training will look and how best to educate the young women and men who chose to train with us. It is a responsibility we take seriously. We are looking at the best from traditional medical teaching models as well as some newer, innovative ways to do things."  Visit www.lsuololpsych.lsuhsc.edu to learn more about the program.

 

The LSMS-MSS is heard!
Even though HB 628 passed, opposition from the LSMS-MSS was heard lout and clear.  The Section is mentioned in the June 22, 2011 blog posted by The Advocate, based out of Baton Rouge.  Read more here.

In May, the MSS conducted a survey amongst LSU - New Orleans and LSU - Shreveport members.  More than 85% of respondents said that they would have been either very likely or somewhat likely to consider attending medical school out of state if tuition was raised the 10% per year.  The MSS believes this raises a concern for the future of the two LSU medical schools.

 

LSMS-MSS students honored

On Sunday, March 20th, the Orleans Parish Medical Society (OPMS) honored Jordan Guice at its 2011 Installation of Officers meeting.   Ryan Vega was not able to attend but both earned the 2010 Outstanding Student Award. Jordan was presented a scholarship and certificate by Dr. Norman McSwain, OPMS President.

 
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 Jordan L. Guice, 4th year Medical Student, Tulane
Jordan (pictured left with Dr. McSwain) served as Louisiana State Medical Society Medical Student Section Chapter Director representing Tulane, and has been instrumental in re-energizing interest from the medical students through his leadership.  He provided an organized medicine benefits presentation for the Tulane LEAD program medical students at the Baton Rouge General Medical Center.  This effort lead to the addition of LEAD student participation at the LSMS House of Delegates as well as the BRGMC now offering the LSMS House of Delegates as part of their leadership program curriculum for 4th year medical students.
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Ryan Vega, 2011 Graduate, LSU-NO
In 2008, Ryan (pictured left)  began his leadership role in organized medicine by accepting the position of Louisiana State Medical Society Board of Governor's Medical Student member.  For the past three years he has brought the section to a place where there is now competion for leadership positions!  Through his leadership, the 2010 House of Delegates had the highest number of participating student delegates in over a decade.  He has also fostered future leaders who are ready to step in and continue the ground work that has been laid through his leadership.  We wish him great future success and appreciate his tireless efforts.
 
 
LSMS Organized Medicine Award
The LSMS MSS is pleased to announce the inaugural LSMS Organized Medicine Award. This award will be presented at commencement to the graduating senior at each of the three Louisiana medical schools who has demonstrated an extraordinary effort in advancing the field of organized medicine, whether on the local, state or nation level. For more information contact Matt Giglia, LSMS MSS Chairman at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
 
2011 Presentation Dates:
LSU New Orleans - May 18th, recipient: Ryan Vega
LSU Shreveport - May 27th, recipient: Eric Greber
Tulane - May 13th, recipient: Jonathan Page

Spring Events

On April 30th, members of the MSS met in New Orleans and Shreveport for the Spring Conferences. Conference topics were healthcare reform and the business of medicine. Featured speakers were F. Dean Griffen, MD - LSMS President, Steen Trawick, MD - COL 4th District Councilor, Donald Palmisano, MD, JD - Past LSMS President and Owner of Intrepid Resources, Anthony Blalock, MD - LSMS President-Elect, Joan Burmaster, RN, JD - General Counsel, LAMMICO, and Thomas H. Grimstad, MD - President/CEO, LAMMICO 
 
LSU - Shreveport Spring Conference, Christopher Kannady, LSU - S, MSS Chapter Director
Speakers:
Dr. F. Dean Griffen (President of LSMS)  “Medical Professional Liability”
Dr. Steen Trawick (4th district council on legislation)  “Politics effecting medicine”
Alan Beason (Administrator for the Cardiovascular Consultants in Shreveport)  Business and medicine

'The Shreveport conference went fairly well.  Our speakers spoke about some very poignant issues concerning the future of medicine. They were very knowledgeable and supportive even when our power went out after the 1st hour.
Dr. Griffen gave a memorable talk about malpractice and its effects on medicine. Ranging from the history of malpractice to what is being done about malpractice today.  Dr Griffen explained some of the most common causes of lawsuits and how to get doctors to step up their performance and awareness of these causes. 
 
Dr. Trawick was excellent.  He provided a key insight to the upcoming legislation concerning medically relevant bills being brought to congress.  He especially focused on the SB 61 coming to the floor concerning the medical malpractice claim caps.  He explained the utility of this potential law.  Also, Dr. Trawick went into detail regarding our states issues with healthcare funding and the struggles that are needed to prevent further cuts.

Mr. Alan Beason gave a thorough presentation concerning business relating to medicine.  Being the administrator of a prominent cardiology group here in Shreveport, he was able to give a rarely seen insight into the workings of a doctor group.  The needs that an organization such as his needs just to function let alone strive. Mr. Beason was also able to show us how the profits of procedures are dwindling and how doctors/groups are trying to combat or adapt to this.  

Even in spite of a power failure, I feel that the spring conference was a success in bringing issues concerning future physicians, such as ourselves, to the forefront so that we can start preparing in dealing with these issues."
 

Volunteer Opportunities

for Physician Spouses
Did you know that spouses of physicians have their own organization? Medical Students are also welcome to join and membership is FREE. Find out more about the LSMS Alliance today!