The President’s Report
Article Date: Monday, March 19, 2012
Written By: Melanie Phelps
By the time you view this edition of Prognosis, the 2011 NCSHCA Annual Meeting will have come and gone. The Society will be under the capable leadership of new president Marie Moseley from University Health Systems of Eastern North Carolina. And while new Board members will be installed, bringing fresh ideas and energy to Society affairs, a number of dedicated leaders will rotate off the Board, including, immediate past president Bill Stewart of K&L Gates and past president Lou Patalano of Cape Fear Valley Health System. In addition, Board members Dean McCord, Wendy Greene, and Sean Timmons will conclude their many years of valued service to the Board. All five individuals have generously given their time and talent to the Society and will be greatly missed.
The Society has made some significant changes over the past year. Most notably, after many years with the same management firm, the Board voted unanimously to search for a new firm that could help reenergize the Society. After an extended search, the Board decided to engage the services of Colleen Kochanek and Elizabeth Taylor with Kochanek Law Group. Colleen and Liz, in the six months that they have been working with the Society, have introduced a new level of professionalism and service for which the Board is quite grateful.
In addition, the Society has focused its efforts on giving back to the community. We have made a $5,000 donation to the End-of-Life Care Public Education Initiative sponsored by the Health Law Section of the N.C. Bar Association along with numerous other partners from the legal and health care communities. Through this community partnership, a video and toolkit will be produced and disseminated that will educate the general public about the importance of communicating end of life wishes to loved ones before the need arises. Former Society presidents Ken Burgess and Chuck Hollowell have been instrumental in initiating this important and much needed project.
The Society also launched its law school clinic grant program this year. We received four grant applications for a Society grant of up to $2,500. We awarded two grants of $1,500 each. One went to Campbell University School of Law for its Minority Organ Donor Awareness Project, and the other was awarded to Duke University School of Law for its Duke AIDS Policy Initiative. Each clinic was provided the opportunity to give a brief overview of their projects at the Society’s Annual Meeting on Oct. 28, 2011. Board member David Broyles is largely responsible for the success of this effort. Board member Claire Moritz and past president Ken Burgess also served on the Gifts and Grants Committee and contributed to this important project.
As I wrap up my final president’s report, I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize the many other members who contributed their time and effort to the Society over the past year. In addition to those I have already mentioned, Secretary-Treasurer Joe Kahn deserves special recognition for his service to the Society as do committee chairs Marcus Hewitt and Jessica Lewis as well as Board members Matt Fischer, Chris Evans, June Farrell, Ross Sallade, and Harriett Smalls. Also, Ashley Brathwaite, Colleen Crowley, and Freddie Zufelt continued their service as the Society’s editors for Prognosis. Finally, I would like to thank Society members Gina Bertolini, Mike Gordon, Todd Hemphill, Kristi Huff, Linwood Jones, Steve Keene, Jodi Knox, and Robb Leandro for their participation on Society committees. Without our volunteers, the Society would be nonexistent. Thanks to all of you for a great year! •
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