Vascular Society of New Jersey

News
A Monthly Communiqué for the Vascular Society of New Jersey - January 2004

NOTE TO MEMBERS:
Effective November 1, 2003,
VSNJ has moved.

Please note new address:
214 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608

Same phone: 609-392-7553

Same fax: 609-392-2664

Same website: www.vascularsocietynj.org

From the President….Rocco Ciocca, MD
January is a time of New Year’s resolutions. It is a time of renewal and positive change. We at the Vascular Society expections are no different. It is, therefore, time for us to look forward to next year with high expectations and hope. We need to begin to explore new goals and new opportunities. We remain open to the ideas of our members regarding the direction of this Society and continue to strongly encourage their participation.
Here are just a few things that I would like to see accomplished:

A well attended Spring meeting that is both topical and educational.
The solidification of the Society’s leadership for the next several years.
A continued increase in the profile of the Society and with that, increase in profile and increased awareness of the importance of vascular surgery.
A continued increase in Society membership.
A broadening of scope of the issues addressed by the Society.
A stand by the Society on pertinent issues such as malpractice and reimbursement.
An increased emphasis on quality improvement.
Aid to our members in obtaining skills in new technologies such as Carotid stenting.

In summary, there is a lot that needs to be done. Vascular surgery is at an important crossroad as a profession. The national and regional societies can be helpful but they can only accomplish so much. The Vascular Society of New Jersey has the potential to have a significant impact upon the practice of vascular surgery in this State. Hopefully, this year will see the Society come closer to realizing that potential.

Mark your Calendar!
Wednesday, March 17, 2003
Spring Vascular Meeting
RWJ Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ
Call For Abstracts Due Now. Please consider submission of a case presentation or abstract. Deadline January 17, 2004.

Help us make the Annual Meeting a Success…with solicitation of exhibitors and sponsors. Encourage the pharmaceutical and medical device reps who call on you to participate….or, fax the VSNJ office (609-392-2664) any business cards of reps who should receive these materials. We are building a large prospective sponsor list and will be mailing the solicitation to everyone!

Hearing on Med Mal Limits…
The Medical Society of New Jersey, through its general counsel, Kern Augustine Conroy & Schoppmann, P.C., has petitioned the State Board of Medical Examiners asking the Board to amend its regulation which requires every licensed physician to carry medical liability coverage in the amounts of $1 million/ $3 million unless such insurance is unavailable. The Medical Society has suggested that the required coverage limits be lowered to $300,000/$900,000. While not every physician may want to reduce their coverage, many may have no choice. Coverage at the lower limits may allow financially strapped practices to afford coverage. The State Board will conduct a hearing on the Society's petition on February 19, 2004, at 10:00 a.m., at the Ramada Conference Center in Jamesburg. Physicians are urged to attend and make their voices heard. It is particularly critical that physicians who can no longer afford coverage attend and be prepared to tell their story to the Board. More information can be obtained from the Medical Society's website (www.msnj.org) or from Bob Conroy at Kern Augustine (conroy@drlaw.com).

To save important resources (time and money), we are building an email address list of members. The monthly report, and other important communications, can then be easily and efficiently emailed to the organization. Please provide your name and email address.

Home