Philadelphia PCMS NEWS Strittmatter Award Gerald J. Marks, MD, FACS, FASCRS Member since 1957 Medicine A world renowned surgeon Volume 105, No. 6 June 2009 and pioneer for conservation surgery for colorectal cancer, Incoming president plans to promote Dr. Marks is currently PCMS’ Philadelphia agenda Professor of Surgery at Lan- kenau Institute for Medi- and make the Society a stronger information source cal Research. A graduate of Jefferson By David Woods, PhD Medical College, he also completed his This month, William with short-term goals that can be quickly and residency at Jefferson. A VanDecker, MD, will be disseminated and placed at the service of Professorial Chair in Colorectal Surgery sworn in as the Phila- the membership as a whole.” has been established in his honor at delphia County Medical Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Marks Society’s 148th president. “I’d like to create a buzz about what has been president of numerous organi- Asked what he’d like PCMS is doing and create task forces zations including the 1st World Congress to accomplish during and committees with short-term of Endoscopic Surgeons in Berlin, as well his one-year term, the new president as Honorary President of subsequent goals that can be quickly dissemi- describes himself modestly as ‘a plank World Congresses. Dr. Marks is a past in a platform’ who will make no radi- nated and placed at the service of the founding President of the Society of cal changes to the Society’s work … but membership as a whole.” American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic rather take a step by step approach. In Surgeons; founder and past President of that context, he will build on the work of On the broader issue of healthcare the International Federation of Societies his predecessor, Theodore Christopher, reform, Dr. VanDecker sees this as a of Endoscopic Surgeons. In addition, MD, who, he says, ‘did a great ,’ espe- consensus issue. “In the fervor to do Dr. Marks is a recognized published cially in connecting PCMS to the local something different,” he says, “let’s make watercolorist and has had national and academic community. sure we don’t do something bad.” More- international one-person shows. Dr. VanDecker is Director of over, in any reform movement or health Nuclear Cardiology at Temple University policy changes, he believes, physicians Humaneness in Medicine Award Hospital, where he is also Director of the must play a central role. In his own role for resident/fellow physicians Cardiovascular Fellowship Program, and in health policy, he has served in Wash- Jennifer M. Johnson, MD, PhD an Associate Professor of Medicine. He ington on CMS and other committees, Member since 2006 graduated from Georgetown University, and is a past president of the American After graduating from did his residency and a cardiology fel- College of Nuclear Cardiology. St. Joseph’s University in lowship at Temple … and was on staff A self-described workaholic, Van- Philadelphia, Dr. Johnson at MCP between 1989 and 2004. He Decker says his ‘hobbies’ are Temple, enrolled in the Medical has served PCMS as a board member for PCMS, and CME. He does spend some Scientist pro- eight years, including a three-year stint as time though, watching his children—a gram at the University of treasurer. daughter of 18 and identical twin sons of Pittsburgh and completed her PhD in Part of the new president’s step 16—play sports. molecular genetics and biochemistry. In by step approach will include expand- He is also proud of his wife Gen- 2008, she earned her MD degree from ing PCMS’ Philadelphia-based agenda, erosa Grava, MD: “the person I aspire the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Johnson involving trainees, and enhancing physi- to be.” She is Chief of Oncology at is currently training in the Department cian interaction with hospitals. He also Cooper University Hospital and has been of Internal Medicine at Thomas Jef- wants to make the Society a stronger featured in Philadelphia Magazine’s Top ferson University Hospital where she is information source for physicians, par- Doctors for a decade. And yes, they do completing her intern year. She hopes to ticularly utilizing Philadelphia Medicine talk about work when away from the specialize in medical oncology and to use and the website. “I’d like to create a buzz workplace. her PhD training to teach basic science about what PCMS is doing,” he says, Dr. Woods is the publisher of within the medical school setting. “and create task forces and committees Philadelphia Medicine. Please see PCMS NEWS on page 3

Official Publication of the Philadelphia County Medical Society • www.philamedsoc.org Philadelphia Medicine June 2009 2 Vol. 105 No. 6 Editorial Philadelphia An Extraordinary Year Medicine By Theodore A. Christopher, MD EDITORIAL BOARD As my presidency comes to This year, we have worked very William S. Frankl, MD an end, allow me to revisit closely with the Pennsylvania Medical Stephen L. Schwartz, MD an extraordinary year. We Society in advocating for issues impor- Paul D. Siegel, MD began by holding a strate- tant to all physicians such as malpractice Rachel Sobel, MD gic planning retreat where reform, membership, workforce and David Woods, PhD we redefined the Society’s reimbursement issues. mission, vision and goals for the next five We are a society of many medical PHILADELPHIA COUNTY years. These included: 1. Serving as the specialties, but when we travel to City MEDICAL SOCIETY relentless voice and advocate for our phy- Council, Harrisburg, or Washington to sicians; 2. Being a champion of access to meet with the legislators and politicians President care and public health and policy for our who lay down the laws and regulations Theodore A. Christopher, MD patients; 3. Strengthening and enlarging that influence the practice of medicine, President-Elect our membership; and 4. Maintaining we must be unified. If we don’t continue William A. VanDecker, MD the resources and structure for a highly to down our silos and speak as one Secretary effective, nationally recognized county voice, we will not be successful. John D. Cacciamani, Jr., MD, MBA medical society. Last month, we convened a meet- Treasurer Two new committees were added ing with leadership of the Pennsylvania Lynn M. Lucas-Fehm, MD, JD to the Society. The Government Affairs Medical Society and the Deans from Committee was tasked with identifying the five Philadelphia medical schools Immediate Past President City healthcare issues and lobbying for to talk about ways we can all work Shailendra S. Vaidya, MD increased Society influence and repre- together. Executive Director sentation on City health committees. Last week, we followed up that Mark C. Austerberry The Academic Affairs Committee was meeting with a conference call which Executive Offices charged with identifying issues common updated the Deans on the PMS’s current 2100 Spring Garden Street to both the leaders and rank-and-file Mcare fund strategy. Where continuation Philadelphia, PA 19130 physicians in Philadelphia’s academic of an Mcare abatement for physicians Phone: (215) 563-5343 medical institutions. seems unlikely in this economic climate, E-mail: [email protected] I was privileged to be president of the Mcare fund without Web site: www.philamedsoc.org during the Public Health Committee’s additional expense to physicians becomes ISSN 0031-7306 10th year Anniversary Block Captain a paramount concern. Pennsylvania’s Celebration, a tribute to our program Deans have committed to lobbying with bringing health awareness to the citizens us in Harrisburg on June 2 to explain Philadelphia Medicine is an editorial of Philadelphia. how retiring the Mcare fund in only two project management service of Healthcare Media International, Inc. (HMI). The Membership Committee con- years would adversely affect not only the HMI provides writing, editing, and tinues to present innovative ways to in- practice of medicine and physician re- contract publishing and medical crease our society’s membership, includ- cruitment throughout the state, but also communication consulting services. ing reaching out to area medical students medical school and research No part of this publication may be and residents in training and continuing initiatives. reproduced in any medium without the to work with PMS on group dues strate- This year’s unprecedented economic publisher’s written permission. Copyright ©2009. gies with large physician groups and the crisis has resulted in severe healthcare academic medical centers. challenges in Philadelphia. We met on Publisher The Finance Committee met more several occasions with Deputy Mayor David Woods, PhD times than it wanted to, but acted de- Donald Schwarz to discuss ways we can Senior Editor cisively to enact cost-cutting budgetary work together to avert closure of Phila- Susan Keane Baker measures to preserve our endowments. delphia’s vital health centers, which serve Production Editor Finally, we are very close to renting many of the city’s uninsured population. Norman Kline space in our Spring Garden building to We will also be working closely with the bring in additional revenue. DOH to explore ways to utilize stimulus For more information about HMI’s The Executive Committee initiated package money for individual physician products and services call 215-351- weekly phone conferences, often with and global health system electronic medi- 5328 leadership from the Pennsylvania Medi- cal records. E-mail: [email protected] cal Society, to discuss ongoing and devel- In this volatile and unpredictable or visit www.davidwoods.info oping issues of the week. This communi- political and economic climate, we HEALTHCARE MEDIA INTERNATIONAL cation structure will provide continuity have accomplished much in a short as society leadership transitions yearly. Please see Editorial on page 3 Philadelphia Medicine June 2009 3 Vol. 105 No. 6

PCMS NEWS continued Practitioner of the Year Cristol Award Joel L. Chinitz, MD, MPH Editorial, from page 2 Lynn Lucas-Fehm, MD, JD Member since 1970 year. With real healthcare reform on Member since 1986 Dr. Chinitz is Clinical Asso- the horizon, we are well on our way Dr. Lucas-Fehm has con- ciate Professor of Medicine, to making the Philadelphia County sistently devoted her time Drexel University College of Medical Society the voice of Philadel- and energy to serving on Medicine. He is retired from phia medicine, its physicians and our numerous medical society the practice of nephrology patients. But we have great challenges committees and boards at but is active in community ahead of us. I look forward to continu- the local and state level. health and instrumental in ing to serve the society and its mission She served on the PAMPAC Board from organizing and implementing training with the same vigor and passion as I 1997 to 1999 and in 2002 she was ap- programs to prevent domestic violence. have this past year as your president. pointed to the Board of KePRO. Since In addition, he is actively engaged in Finally, I want to thank the dedicat- 2007, Dr. Lucas-Fehm has served on the Philadelphia citywide efforts to reduce ed board of directors, committee chair- PCMS Pfahler Foundation Board; she firearm related interpersonal violence. Dr. men and members for their currently serves on the PCMS Board of Chinitz is active with numerous associa- time and efforts in making our society Directors; and is the current Treasurer tions including the Catholic Workers Free function productively. of PCMS. Dr. Lucas-Fehm has been a Clinics and Drexel University Homeless And personally, I want to thank the Delegate to PMS for 15 years. Outreach Project. He has also developed incredibly helpful and professional staff the ongoing Bullying Prevention Program at PCMS—Mark, Tanya, Eileen and FOR SALE which was adopted by the School District Louise. Without their commitment and 40 year old established family medical of Philadelphia. passion for this organization, none of practice in Northern Liberties with what we do would be possible. residence on top floor. Change of address? Dr. Christopher is the President of PCMS. Lot 20 x 100 freestanding. Phone 215-563-5343, Ext. 102 with Call:215-928-1423 any change of address, phone, fax or [email protected] number, or e-mail address.

Official Publication of the Philadelphia County Medical Society • www.philamedsoc.org Philadelphia Medicine June 2009 4 Vol. 105 No. 6

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