- Email: [email protected]
AAPM&R Members Advocate for Specialty on Capitol Hill
375
ORGANIZATION
NEWS-AAPM&R
Marv Schroder Retires; Michael Vasko Named New Managing Editor
have been steadfast throughout his long career. We wish him the best.”
Archives
After more than 30 years of service to the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM), Marvin Schroder retires this month as managing editor of the Archives
of Physical
Medicine
and Rehabilitation.
The new managing editor is Michael Vasko of Framingham, MA. who has been associated with the American Society of Law. Medicine & Ethics in Boston since January 1994. He has been the Society’s publications director and, since April 1997, its associatedirector. Before joining the ASLME, Mr. Vasko was managing editor of a monthly scienceoriented journal published by Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston; he was editor of North American Directories, Inc.. in l98990. and senior researcher for the Intemational Crisis Behavior Project in Montreal in 1988-89. He earned both an undergraduate degree and a Master of Arts degree from McGill University. Mr. Schroder’s retirement brings to a close an association with the Academy and the ACRM that began in 1969 when the two organizations shared one headquarters office in Chicago. He was hired as director of information and education, and when it was decided that the Archives needed a full-time, in-house managing editor, he was appointed to the position. Under the watchful eye of Mr. Schroder, Archives bilitation
of Physical
Medicine
and Reha-
has seen many significant changes. Most obvious is the size of the journal. An average current issue runs about 140 pages-more than double the page count in 1969. In 1987, Archives began publishing the Medical Education Supplement once a year, which contains the Study Guide. Manuscript submissions to Archives are at an all-time high. In 1999 there were more than 600 submissions. Mr. Schroder was also the first managing editor of the Academy newsletter, The Physiatrist, when its inaugural issue was published in the spring of 1985. Academy President Robert Weber, MD, presented Mr. Schroder with a recognition award during the 1999 Annual Assembly in Washington, DC, thanking him on behalf of the Academy for his dedicated service. On behalf of AAPM&R, executive director Ron Henrichs notes, “The Academy members and its staff will miss working with Marv. His loyalty and dedication to
2000 Study Guide Supplement to This Issue of Archives The 2000 Study Guide and SeljAssessment Examination for Practitioners is included as a supplement to this issue of the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for all subscribers.The 2000 Studv Guide is part of the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program and contains timely updates, learning objectives, and extensive bibliographies. The 2000 edition covers two key clinical topic areas: Neuromuscular Rehabilitation and Electrodiagnosis; and Rehabilitation of Orthopedic and Rheumatologic Disorders. Two focused reviews explore, in depth, the subtopics “Acute Weakness Syndrome in the Critically Ill Patient” and “Lumbosacral Epidural Steroid Injections.” Sponsored by the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the Study Guide features two self-examination components that allow participants to earn up to 30 hours of Category I CME credit by completing program requirements.
AAPM&R Members Advocate for Specialty on Capitol Hill The 1999 AAPM&R Annual Assembly, held November 1l-14 in Washington DC, was a huge successin terms of advocacy. Congress was still in session, giving Academy members an opportunity to meet with the congressional staff and in many cases, to meet formally and informally with legislators to discussthe field of physical medicine and rehabilitation in general as well as three of the Academy’s legislative priorities. In total, 120 meetings were held with representatives and senators from every region of the country. At least one Academy member did more than describe the practice of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Utah physiatrist Alan Davis, MD, PhD, was asked by Sen. On-in Hatch (R-UT) to consult with a member of his staff who had been having lower back pain. Stuart Glassman, MD, from New Hampshire, a veteran at grassroots advocacy, accompanied members from other states and advised them as to what to expect during their congressional visits. Issues addressedwith members of Congress: Work Incentives Improvement Act: Just days after Academy members met with legislators to urge them to pass the
Work Incentives Improvement Act, both the House and the Senate approved the Act and on December 17, 1999, President Clinton signed it into law. Financial Limitations on Outpatient Therapy Services: Shortly after the Annual Assembly, the Omnibus Spending Bill (H.R. 3194), which includes Medicare amendments designed to alter or repeal numerous Medicare provisions in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, was approved. Among the Medicare amendments is a 2-year moratorium on the $1,500 cap for outpatient therapy. Patients’ Bill of Rights: Members of the Academy met with many members of Congress who have been appointed to the conference committee that is expected to addressthe issue in early 2000 (for a list of the conferees, visit the Academy’s Web site). Members unable to participate in a congressional visit during the Annual Assembly, but who are interested in visiting with their legislators, are encouraged to visit district offices. For information on visiting with legislators, call Kristina Fjeld at the Academy office at (3 12) 464-9700, e-mail [email protected], or contact the advocacy leader in your state. To identify the advocacy leader, visit the Academy Web site at: www.aapmr.org.
400 Academy Members Sign Up for Free Practice Web Sites AAPM&R will partner with Salu.net, a provider of Internet services for physician specialists, to offer Academy members a comprehensive package of Internet applications designed specifically for PM&R physicians and their patients. The servicesare a free benefit to Academy members and are designed for ease of use and efficiency. Since last November, more than 400 AAPM&R members have created an online presencefor their practices using Salu. net’s services. As a specialty that demands a high level of physician-patient interaction, a growing number of physiatrists view the Internet as a valuable tool that can enhance their communication with patients. Similarly, the public is turning to the Internet and medical practice Web sites to learn more about specific physicians and their practices. Through the Salu.net services,AAPM&R members can: Create a custom Web site for their practices by choosing from four specially designed PM&R templates. l
Arch
Phys
Med
Rehabil
Vol81,
March
2000
ORGANIZATION
NEWS-AAPM&R
Marv Schroder Retires; Michael Vasko Named New Managing Editor
have been steadfast throughout his long career. We wish him the best.”
Archives
After more than 30 years of service to the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM), Marvin Schroder retires this month as managing editor of the Archives
of Physical
Medicine
and Rehabilitation.
The new managing editor is Michael Vasko of Framingham, MA. who has been associated with the American Society of Law. Medicine & Ethics in Boston since January 1994. He has been the Society’s publications director and, since April 1997, its associatedirector. Before joining the ASLME, Mr. Vasko was managing editor of a monthly scienceoriented journal published by Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston; he was editor of North American Directories, Inc.. in l98990. and senior researcher for the Intemational Crisis Behavior Project in Montreal in 1988-89. He earned both an undergraduate degree and a Master of Arts degree from McGill University. Mr. Schroder’s retirement brings to a close an association with the Academy and the ACRM that began in 1969 when the two organizations shared one headquarters office in Chicago. He was hired as director of information and education, and when it was decided that the Archives needed a full-time, in-house managing editor, he was appointed to the position. Under the watchful eye of Mr. Schroder, Archives bilitation
of Physical
Medicine
and Reha-
has seen many significant changes. Most obvious is the size of the journal. An average current issue runs about 140 pages-more than double the page count in 1969. In 1987, Archives began publishing the Medical Education Supplement once a year, which contains the Study Guide. Manuscript submissions to Archives are at an all-time high. In 1999 there were more than 600 submissions. Mr. Schroder was also the first managing editor of the Academy newsletter, The Physiatrist, when its inaugural issue was published in the spring of 1985. Academy President Robert Weber, MD, presented Mr. Schroder with a recognition award during the 1999 Annual Assembly in Washington, DC, thanking him on behalf of the Academy for his dedicated service. On behalf of AAPM&R, executive director Ron Henrichs notes, “The Academy members and its staff will miss working with Marv. His loyalty and dedication to
2000 Study Guide Supplement to This Issue of Archives The 2000 Study Guide and SeljAssessment Examination for Practitioners is included as a supplement to this issue of the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for all subscribers.The 2000 Studv Guide is part of the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program and contains timely updates, learning objectives, and extensive bibliographies. The 2000 edition covers two key clinical topic areas: Neuromuscular Rehabilitation and Electrodiagnosis; and Rehabilitation of Orthopedic and Rheumatologic Disorders. Two focused reviews explore, in depth, the subtopics “Acute Weakness Syndrome in the Critically Ill Patient” and “Lumbosacral Epidural Steroid Injections.” Sponsored by the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the Study Guide features two self-examination components that allow participants to earn up to 30 hours of Category I CME credit by completing program requirements.
AAPM&R Members Advocate for Specialty on Capitol Hill The 1999 AAPM&R Annual Assembly, held November 1l-14 in Washington DC, was a huge successin terms of advocacy. Congress was still in session, giving Academy members an opportunity to meet with the congressional staff and in many cases, to meet formally and informally with legislators to discussthe field of physical medicine and rehabilitation in general as well as three of the Academy’s legislative priorities. In total, 120 meetings were held with representatives and senators from every region of the country. At least one Academy member did more than describe the practice of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Utah physiatrist Alan Davis, MD, PhD, was asked by Sen. On-in Hatch (R-UT) to consult with a member of his staff who had been having lower back pain. Stuart Glassman, MD, from New Hampshire, a veteran at grassroots advocacy, accompanied members from other states and advised them as to what to expect during their congressional visits. Issues addressedwith members of Congress: Work Incentives Improvement Act: Just days after Academy members met with legislators to urge them to pass the
Work Incentives Improvement Act, both the House and the Senate approved the Act and on December 17, 1999, President Clinton signed it into law. Financial Limitations on Outpatient Therapy Services: Shortly after the Annual Assembly, the Omnibus Spending Bill (H.R. 3194), which includes Medicare amendments designed to alter or repeal numerous Medicare provisions in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, was approved. Among the Medicare amendments is a 2-year moratorium on the $1,500 cap for outpatient therapy. Patients’ Bill of Rights: Members of the Academy met with many members of Congress who have been appointed to the conference committee that is expected to addressthe issue in early 2000 (for a list of the conferees, visit the Academy’s Web site). Members unable to participate in a congressional visit during the Annual Assembly, but who are interested in visiting with their legislators, are encouraged to visit district offices. For information on visiting with legislators, call Kristina Fjeld at the Academy office at (3 12) 464-9700, e-mail [email protected], or contact the advocacy leader in your state. To identify the advocacy leader, visit the Academy Web site at: www.aapmr.org.
400 Academy Members Sign Up for Free Practice Web Sites AAPM&R will partner with Salu.net, a provider of Internet services for physician specialists, to offer Academy members a comprehensive package of Internet applications designed specifically for PM&R physicians and their patients. The servicesare a free benefit to Academy members and are designed for ease of use and efficiency. Since last November, more than 400 AAPM&R members have created an online presencefor their practices using Salu. net’s services. As a specialty that demands a high level of physician-patient interaction, a growing number of physiatrists view the Internet as a valuable tool that can enhance their communication with patients. Similarly, the public is turning to the Internet and medical practice Web sites to learn more about specific physicians and their practices. Through the Salu.net services,AAPM&R members can: Create a custom Web site for their practices by choosing from four specially designed PM&R templates. l
Arch
Phys
Med
Rehabil
Vol81,
March
2000