Throw Your Hat into the Ring!
It's time for the Ohio-ACC Nominating Committee to develop its slate of candidates for the upcoming Ohio-ACC Board of Trustees election. Are you interested in a leadership position? Let us know: ohioacc@gmail.com.

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Fellows-in-Training: Winners Announced
Nine research posters were presented at the recently held fellows-in-training poster competition on October 11, 2003, at the 13th Annual Ohio-ACC Meeting in Dayton. Congratulations to first-place winner, Dr. Anthony Bavry, Cleveland Clinic Foundation; and to second-place winner, Dr. Carrie Selvaraj, Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Each will receive $500. Don't miss out on next year's competition scheduled for Saturday, October 16, 2004, at the Ritz-Carlton Cleveland.

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Thanks to Our Industry Partners
The Ohio-ACC expresses its appreciation to the following companies who supported the Ohio-ACC 13th Annual Meeting on October 11, 2003, at the Crowne Plaza Dayton:

Corporate Roundtable Sponsors
AstraZeneca
Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Platinum Sponsors
Medtronic USA, Inc.
Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals
Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc.
Vasomedical Inc.

Gold Sponsors
Guidant
Wyeth

Silver Sponsors
Abbott
Actelion
Aventis Pharmaceuticals
Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging, Inc.
Dayton Heart Hospital
GlaxoSmithKline
Miami Valley & Good Samaritan Hospitals
Promedica Health System
Scios, Inc.

Thanks to AstraZeneca
for its support of the U.S. Air Force Museum Dinner

Thanks to Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
for its support of the Fellows-in-Training Poster Competition

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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Philip M. Dorfman, MD, FACC
Every September, the ACC governors from across the country convene in Washington for the ACC's September Legislative Conference. This legislative conference affords us the opportunity to meet with our congressmen and senators. Hurricane Isabel put a damper on things, however. Fortunately, the conference has been re-scheduled for November 20, 2003.  Another important date is also right around the corner -- January 1, which may prove to be a telling date for medicine as Congress decides on Medicare reimbursement. My inside sources tell me that we will be spared a 4.4% Medicare reimbursement cut---stay tuned. 

Ohio Looks to Physician Review Panels
I had the pleasure of attending the OSMA Specialty Societies President's Meeting in Columbus last month, where we discussed our state's medical malpractice problems. We discussed House Bill 215, which would bring physician review panels to the malpractice scene.  Hopefully the Ohio Senate will pass an equivalent bill for the governor to sign.  In those states with review panels, premiums have dropped substantially. I'm sure you see as I do that physicians continue to leave the state or retire early---premium rates are becoming unaffordable for the vast majority of Ohio physicians. 

Supreme Court Elections Next Year
As for the Supreme Court, elections are coming up again next year. Four seats will be open.  At present there are 7 members---4 Republicans and 3 Democrats. More info will be forthcoming over the next few months.  Contributions to specific campaigns will be especially helpful.

Educating Patients about Medical Liability Reform
You will soon be receiving the ACC materials addressing liability reform for your waiting rooms.  The OSMA also has plenty of reading material on the topic. We are the best advocates for our profession and the rights of our patients.  American medicine is being whittled away at an exponential pace---if we don't press the issues with our patients and the public, we will soon be federal workers in a system over which we will have absolutely no control.  You are your best advocate---you must educate your patients-not only about their heart disease but also about the American medical system.  Complacency has hurt us very badly in the past. Let's not let it continue to hamper our efforts to effect change.  I urge each member to take some time to review www.ohioacc.org/LiabilityReform.htm. 

How Can We Help You?
We at the Board level of the Ohio-ACC want to understand exactly what it is you expect and look for from the Ohio-ACC throughout the year. Your valuable comments are encouraged.  Please let the Ohio-ACC know what you would like us to do to help you!  Send your comments to ohioacc@gmail.com.

Cardiac Care Associates - Important Part of ACC
The ACC's newest membership category, Cardiac Care Associates, is now accepting applications. Registered nurses, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse practitioners can download an ACC membership application.  Questions? Call 800.253.4636, ext. 697.

Because the Ohio-ACC believes that this new category of membership is so important, the Ohio-ACC Board of Trustees voted to create a board-appointed seat on the Ohio-ACC Board of Trustees  for cardiac care associates. Congratulations to Melanie Gura, who was appointed to this position.

Special thanks to Upsher-Smith Laboratories for its support of this issue.

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