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CONTACT Texas Society of Pathologists 401 W. 15th St. Austin, TX 78701 USA (512) 370-1510 (512) 370-1626 fax © Copyright 2001-2005 Texas Society of Pathologists, Inc. All Rights Reserved |
| President's Message |
PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE
TEXAS SOCIETY OF PATHOLOGISTS
As President-elect, I received an education in the operations of this society. I can’t help being impressed by the organization and its membership. It was an unusually busy and successful year. I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Speights for what he has done for the society and profession and for his mentoring me through the process. I look forward to working with him in the future.
This year’s educational program was an outstanding success due to the efforts of Phil Cagle and the Education Council. Our Membership Committee is also remarkable. Most organizations are struggling to maintain their membership. We are growing due to efforts of Tom Molina and others. Dr. Laucirica has performed admirably with the resident programs. We had a record number of resident presentations, 115. A few years ago we thought that 43 was an overwhelming number. Now we are approaching three times that number and the quality is increasing. The local arrangements committee provided us with dancing last night and string quartet.
Our Legislative Council has been amazing. Together with a large group of volunteers, they worked long and hard to get a Bill passed into law. This was an impressive result for a small organization. It reminds me of my father’s comment upon seeing a new fountain in front of the county building in Chicago. He said “You know, it is amazing what a lot of little squirts can do when they work together.” We have shown that the TSP can accomplish much when we work together on important initiatives. We can make a difference.
We have just had an intense discussion about the future of the House of Delegates. Many important points were raised. I am especially grateful for Dr. Milam’s leadership in formulating orderly processes by which everyone can be heard. It is clear that the current operation of the House of Delegates is obsolete. Yearly meetings are no longer the best way to solicit input from the membership and govern the society. We need to find ways to use modern communications in addition to meetings enable the society to better serve the needs of pathologists in Texas.
The House of Delegates charged us with developing and demonstrating the value of new communication modalities in the coming year. Major revision of the TSP website is in progress with the goal of enabling greater participation of members in the activities of the society. I believe that people are more likely to participate when they see that we have important goals, that they can make a difference that their efforts are appreciated. Pathology, like all of medicine, faces increasing challenges. We have demonstrated that together we can make a difference in diverse areas including our educational and the legislative activities. Our challenge is to develop an infrastructure to effectively facilitate such activities.
In past years, we seized the ethical high ground in the Texas legislature. I believe that is a major reason why our bill passed. It is hard argue for narrow self interest against well conceived positions based on the good of patients and ethics as published by the AMA.
I would like to look for other initiatives to advance the profession. I am particularly interested in finding ways to use tissues removed in the normal course of autopsies by medical examiners for research on important public health issues. About two years ago, I asked permission to do immunohistochemistry stains on ten-year old paraffin blocks for studies of tuberculosis. I was told that Informed Consent was required. The charge of medical examiners is to determine the cause and manner of death and no more. The public interest would be better served by defining conditions under which such tissues could be used for research. We have been working with the Harris County Medical Examiner and with the State Anatomical Gift’s Board to devise a plan. Our Board of Directors voted to form an ad hoc committee to consider options and support the program. I believe that this is an important public health initiative for the people of Texas and an opportunity to keep our name in front of the legislature supporting the public benefit.
I would like very much to receive suggestions and volunteers for initiatives for the society. Who would like to join the ad hoc committee for House of Delegates to help improve the ways that we communicate and govern ourselves. I look forward to working with you and to your participation.
Robert L. Hunter, Jr., MD, PhD
President
Texas Society of Pathologists
2008-2009 Officers & Directors