ANNUAL REPORT 2020 Thank you so much for your interest in the CAN BOARD MEETINGS AND work of the North Carolina Medical Board. HEARINGS GO DIGITAL? YES. It is tradition for the current NCMB President to orient readers of the Like most organizations and individuals, agency annual report by writing a brief letter highlighting some of the NCMB had to be both resilient and most significant events of the previous calendar year. In a way, though, creative to continue working and serving that does not seem right because the Board Member who is President the public and the profession when the when this report is released takes office in November. That means that coronavirus pandemic hit. most of the work accomplished during the calendar year 2020 happened In mid-March, NCMB closed its Raleigh offices under the watch of my predecessor, Dr. Bryant Murphy, who served as to visitors and most staff transitioned to full- Board President from Nov. 1, 2019 – Oct. 31, 2020. time work-from-home. But perhaps the biggest As you know, 2020 brought a devastating and unwelcome surprise in challenge (among all the challenges COVID-19 the form of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. NCMB was fortunate to brought) was figuring out how to continue have Dr. Murphy’s steady hand at the helm as this agency, like so many with NCMB’s bi-monthly Board Meetings and other organizations, determined how best to continue its work and be of periodic Hearings amid tight restrictions on service amid the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. public gatherings. Some key accomplishments related to the pandemic: In May 2020, NCMB converted to a virtual meeting format for the first time in its • Virtually all NCMB staff shifted to full time telecommuting, history. NCMB has continued to with almost no lead time. present meetings virtually since then, • NCMB took numerous actions to ease barriers to licensure and scheduling a full slate of interviews and all practice for clinicians helping with the state’s pandemic response and standing committees of the Board, as well as processed emergency temporary licenses to allow retirees who recently presentations from outside groups. Hearings have inactivated a North Carolina license to quickly resume practice. adopted many virtual components as well, such TOP: Dr. Jonnalagadda • NCMB converted, for the first time, its bimonthly Board Meetings to as allowing witnesses to testify remotely. and Dr. Bryant Murphy a completely virtual format. These fully virtual sessions successfully Although NCMB looks forward to a time when BOTTOM: incorporate all aspects of the Board Meetings including confidential Dr. Jonnalagadda we can safely come together in person, virtual at NCMB’s offices at interviews with licensees and applicants. meetings have validated that many aspects of a 3127 Smoketree Court Board Meeting or Hearing can be conducted as in Raleigh I am proud to say that due to the diligence and flexibility of both Board Members and staff, NCMB’s regulatory work continued uninterrupted in well online as they are in person. For example, 2020. I hope you will enjoy reviewing all that was accomplished last year! virtual licensing and investigative interviews and remote witness participation has gone Sincerely, so smoothly and offer such convenience to participants NCMB is considering whether they should remain in the mix post-pandemic. Venkata R. Jonnalagadda, MD Board President 2 | 2020 NC Medical Board Annual Report 2020 NC Medical Board Annual Report | 3 2020–2021 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BOARD MEMBERS Board Members The North Carolina Medical Board is made up of 13 members, including eight physicians, one physician assistant, one nurse practitioner and three non-clinicians. Board Members serve three-year terms President President-Elect William M. Brawley, W. Howard Hall, MD, Christine M. Joshua D. Malcolm, JD, and may serve up to two consecutive Venkata R. John. W. Rusher, MD, JD, Public Member, OB/GYN, Morganton Khandelwal, DO, Public Member, terms. Board Member biographies Jonnalagadda, MD, Pediatrics, Raleigh Matthews Hospice and Palliative Pembroke Psychiatry, Greenville Medicine, Apex may be viewed at www.ncmedboard.org/boardmembers. NEW MOTTO GETS CLOSER TO NCMB’S MISSION In 2020, Board Secretary/Treasurer At-large Member Damian F. McHugh, MD, Anuradha Jerri L. Patterson, NP, Devdutta G. Sangvai, Members voted Michaux R. Kilpatrick, Varnell McDonald- Emergency Medicine, Rao-Patel, MD, Pain Management, MD, MBA, to update the MD, Ph.D, Fletcher, PA-C, Ed.D, Raleigh Physical Medicine and West End Family Medicine, Neurological Surgery; Colorectal Surgery, Rehabilitation, Raleigh Durham motto on the Stereotactic and Durham official seal of Functional Neurosurgery, the North High Point Carolina Medical Board. The language changed from ‘Primum Non Nocere’ WE LAUNCHED A PODCAST! or “Do no harm” to ‘Salus Populi Suprema Lex’, which translates to “The safety of the NCMB took the leap in 2020 and debuted regulation, presented in an easy-to-digest format. people is the highest law.” NCMB feels the its first-ever podcast. Reaching NCMB’s two And while NCMB is still relatively new to the change more closely describes the work of primary audiences — the public and the medical podcast game, we have had success at securing the agency and is also more aligned with professionals it licenses — remains the medical nationally recognized guests, along with our At-large Member NCMB’s mission and patient protection board’s greatest challenge. in-house experts! Shawn P. Parker, mandate. A new seal with the updated JD, MPA, The new podcast, MedBoard Matters, aims to Find MedBoard Matters on your favorite podcast motto hangs in the Board Room at NCMB’s Public Member, reach both groups with timely, engaging content platform or visit www.ncmedboard.org and search new headquarters at 3127 Smoketree Court Raleigh on important topics in medicine and medical ‘podcast’ to listen to episodes on our website! in Raleigh. 4 | 2020 NC Medical Board Annual Report 2020 NC Medical Board Annual Report | 5 Financial Performance Information reported shows NCMB’s revenues and expenses for the budget beginning Nov. 1, 2019, and ending Oct. 31, 2020. 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