November 2005
 |
| Dear
Colleague, Much has happened since my last e-mail. I'm sure that you share Kristin's and my concern for our colleagues and their families and their patients who live on the Gulf Coast. The effects of the double punch of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have been felt by every sector of society, and each of us will continue to deal with the consequences for years to come. I want to thank our international members for their outpouring of concern and support. It is heartening to see how our global community comes together in times of need. Many AGA members in the region have been personally involved in the care of patients affected by the storms. As many of you may know, AGA Treasurer Ian Taylor is dean of the Tulane Medical School. He evacuated ahead of Katrina to Houston where he began working with another AGA member, Peter Traber, president of Baylor College of Medicine, to help coordinate temporary relocation of Tulane Medical School. Together, Baylor, Texas A&M University's Institute of Biosciences and Technology, the University of Texas Medical School, Austin, and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, have formed the Alliance of South Texas Academic Health Centers to assist in the reestablishment of classes and training in the Houston area. After a delay due to Hurricane Rita, Tulane held orientation for clinical and pre-clinical students in Houston on Saturday, and rotations began today. I know that all AGA members join me in extending the Tulane faculty and students our best wishes for success in this difficult situation. Earlier this week, a study out of UNC-Chapel Hill reported that Hurricane Katrina affected 20,000 physicians with up to 6,000 displaced. The AGA has created a discussion board on our Web site to connect displaced gastroenterologists with those offering assistance. To access the site, go to www.gastro.org and to log on as a member (with your last name and member number. Then click on "Discuss." You'll need to register with the discussion boards if you have not accessed them before. It's a simple process. The AGA compiled a number of resources related to the hurricane, which are also available on the AGA Web site. The government has invested and will continue to invest billions of dollars in hurricane relief and rebuilding assistance for the region affected by the hurricanes. Without question, this expenditure is necessary; however, it will impact other government budgets. In fact, as reported in last week's edition of AGA eDigest, some legislators are proposing delaying implementation of the Medicare prescription drug benefits to finance Katrina aid. Earlier this month, the AGA held a very successful Advocacy Day attended by 29 GIs, the largest participation ever. While the focus in Congress has rightfully shifted to address hurricane relief efforts, AGA members were able to offer their expertise on related issues such as waterborne illness and other efforts being undertaken by the association and individual members. Congressional offices were receptive to AGA's ongoing concerns of addressing the Medicare physician update formula (SGR) and the need for increased funding for biomedical research. Thank you to the Advocacy Day attendees: Alfredo Mendoza, MD; Donald Campbell, MD; James Grendell, MD; Barry Kisloff, MD; Colin Howden, MD; David Peura, MD; James Allison, MD; Natalie Bzowej, MD, PhD; Mary Pat Pauly, MD; Sum Lee, MD; Cynthia Yoshida, MD; Taylor Wootton, III, MD; Marcia Cruz-Correa, MD; Mark Kogan, MD; Kim Barrett, PhD; Peter Kaufman, MD; Stephen Hiltz, MD; Suzanne Rose, MD; Peter Holt, MD; Timothy Wang, MD; Ronald Fogel, MD; Rupam Sharan, MD; Joel Brill, MD; Gail Hecht, MD; Bernard Levin, MD; Mark Feldman, MD; Cecil Chally, MD; Mel Wilcox, MD; and Lawrence Sorkin, MD. As always, I am interested to hear your feedback on the work of the AGA. Send comments to communications@gastro.org. Sincerely, David A. Peura, MD President |
| American
Gastroenterological Association (AGA) 4930 Del Ray Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814; Phone: (301) 654-2055; Fax: (301) 654-5920 |