As you soak up the last few weeks of summer and get ready for fall, remember to register for the NCMS 2012 Annual Meeting. The meeting is fast approaching and there are many exciting changes this year that you do not want to miss. The 2012 Annual Meeting and House of Delegates (HOD) will be held October 26-27, 2012 at the Raleigh Marriott City Center located in downtown Raleigh.

As previously reported in the Bulletin, the 2012 Annual Meeting has been redesigned to provide members more opportunity to participate remotely, maximizing physician time to network with colleagues and take part in several educational sessions. Annual Meeting modifications include:

• Abbreviating the meeting to two days instead of three to accommodate physicians’ time;
• Conducting HOD business and debate online prior to the meeting; and
• Holding a brief HOD meeting on Friday to streamline business.

The deadline for resolutions is Wednesday, September 12, which is 45 days prior to the HOD, as required by NCMS Bylaws. That deadline will trigger a rapid schedule of evaluating resolutions and member debate, representing the most significant change in this year’s proceedings. All debate will take place online, in an easy-to-use format so that all members can participate. On Friday, September 21, resolutions will be posted online and will be open for comment. This open comment period will continue until Friday, October 12.

Following the comment period, the NCMS Reference Committee will develop their report, to be published online on Friday, October 19. This gives Delegates additional time to review the report. Any late resolutions must be submitted no later than Thursday, October 25, by 5:00 pm.  Late resolutions will be reviewed by the NCMS Board of Directors.

The first session of the HOD will convene on Friday, October 26, from 4:00-6:00 pm. The order of business for the first session will include elections and other important Society business at its annual meeting of members. The Reference Committee Report will not be open for discussion until the second session of the HOD on Saturday, October 27, beginning at 9:00 am. 

Coupled with abbreviated HOD sessions, the NCMS has scheduled dynamic educational sessions and networking opportunities. North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper has accepted the invitation of NCMS President Robert “Charlie” W. Monteiro, MD, to address the medical community about the prescription drug crisis in North Carolina and resources available, including the Controlled Substance Reporting System (CSRS), prescription drug “take back” events, and training for law enforcement and healthcare providers. This session, entitled “The Epidemic of Prescription Drug Abuse” will take place on Friday, October 26 from 2:00-4:00 pm.

On Saturday, October 27 from 2:30-4:30 pm, a session entitled “Value-Driven Healthcare: Physician-Led Innovations in North Carolina,” will focus on accountable care models and physician leadership. NCMS member Grace Terrell, MD, President and CEO at Cornerstone Healthcare, will lead a discussion on how North Carolina practices are taking the lead in implementing accountable care models. NCMS members Conrad Flick, MD, FAAFP, of Family Medical Associates of Raleigh; Perrin Jones, MD, of East Carolina Anesthesia Associates, PLLC; John J. Meier, IV, MD, of Wake Internal Medicine and Pediatrics; Ward Oakley, Jr., MD, of Pinehurst Surgical; David C. Oliver, MD, of Coastal Carolina Health Care, PA; as well as Stephen Nuckolls, CEO of Coastal Carolina Health Care, PA, also will speak at this session.

The weekend of the Annual Meeting is a great time to enjoy the Triangle area. Sports fans, do not miss the Carolina Hurricanes hockey game on Saturday versus the New York Rangers. Wolfpack and Tarheel fans, North Carolina State University’s men’s football team will play University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) on Saturday. The Junior League of Raleigh’s annual “A Shopping Spree,” conveniently located at the Marriott City Center, is a great opportunity for spouses and guests to enjoy during Annual Meeting business. Raleigh also has many museums, tours, shopping, and dining for the entire family.

For more information on these events, download a registration brochure now (PDF- 12 pages).