Dev Sangvai, MD, MBA, chaired his first meeting as President of the NCMS Board of Directors on January 11, 2014 at the newly renovated North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) headquarters, the NCMS Center for Leadership in Medicine. Dr. Sangvai, Associate Chief Medical Officer for the Duke University Health System and Medical Director for DukeWELL, is the 160th President of the NCMS.
Dr. Sangvai is the first Leadership College alumnus to serve as NCMS President. After several years of service to the NCMS on various committees and as Secretary-Treasurer, Dr. Sangvai was elected by his peers to be President of the NCMS.
Presiding at his first Board meeting, Dr. Sangvai welcomed Jeffrey Runge, MD (Region 2) and Leadership College Alum Brian Kuscyk, MD (At-Large) to the Board.
With “Leadership in Medicine” in action, Dr. Sangvai welcomed two guest speakers. Thomas E. Sibert, MD, President/COO of Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, made a dynamic presentation discussing the factors at play in a changing health care environment, including legislative, payers, employers and systems. He discussed his experience in California and current transformations at the Wake Forest Baptist Hospital.
Warren P. Newton, MD, Director of the NC Area Health Education Center (AHEC), gave an overview of the AHEC system and its objectives. Dr. Newton discussed ways the NC AHEC and NCMS can work together, including the Toward Accountable Care (TAC) Consortium and working with integrated systems and specialty practices on quality and value programs.
In other business, the Board discussed the impact of the renovations of the NCMS headquarters on the Society’s financial position. Naming and other sponsorship opportunities are available via the NCMS Center for Leadership in Medicine Fundraising Campaign. The Medical Mutual Insurance Company of NC took a leadership role as the first major donor to the campaign, followed by the Kate B. Reynolds Memorial Trust, physician leaders and medical practices. For more information or to contribute, contact Pamela P. Highsmith , NCMS Director of Development.
The Board discussed legislative issues, including Medicaid program reform. Dr. Sangvai delivered remarks on behalf of the NCMS before the Governor’s Medicaid Reform Advisory Group the week following the Board’s meeting.
Other action included:
- NCMS staff reported on an inquiry of the NC Physicians Health Program (NCPHP) by the State Auditor. The NCMS is finalizing responses to the complaint and remains supportive of the NCPHP program.
- Speaker of the House Docia Hickey, MD reported on actions taken at the 2013 House of Delegates and how these actions will be implemented.
- Review of NCMS Committee charges and Board assignments.
- Approval of a strategic planning process for 2014.
The Board meets next on Saturday, March 22 at the NCMS Center for Leadership in Medicine. An open forum meeting will follow with the leadership of NC specialty societies. Watch upcoming issues of the Bulletin for a report on action taken at the meeting.
