Members of the 2011 class of the NCMS Leadership College, Mike Thomas, MD, PhD, Vipul Shah, MD, Holly Biola, MD, Jessica Scott, MD, JD and Paul Trani, MD, participated in the NCMS Leadership College Legislative Advocacy Day (White Coat Wednesday) on June 15, 2011. Before going to the Legislative Building, NCMS Legislative Relations Director Chip Baggett gave a detailed overview of several of the bills being considered by the House and Senate that day.

The program gave doctors an opportunity to meet with legislators and discuss current issues that affect them, their patients and their practices. Doctors also watched legislators at the climax of the session, with many bills up for vote as the General Assembly was preparing to adjourn later in the week.

Leadership College scholars met with Senator Thom Goolsby, JD (R, New Hanover), Representative Tom Murry, JD (R, Wake), Senator Jim Forrester, MD (R, Gaston), Senator William R. Purcell, MD (D, Scotland), Representative W.A. “Winkie” Wilkins (D, Person), and Representative Larry Hall (D, Durham). They also spoke with lobbyists: Dave Horne, JD, with Smith Anderson, who represents the NCMS, and Rob Lamme, and Rob Lamme, with Rob Lamme and Associates, who represents the NC Dermatology Society.

Following the legislative visit, the scholars were briefed on NC Medical Board (NCMB) activities by NCMB President Janice Huff, MD and General Counsel Thom Mansfield, JD. The scholars also discussed the mission and activities of the North Carolina Physicians Health Program with Medical Director Warren Pendergast, MD, and A. Clark Gaither, MD.