List of Committees

Accreditation: Surveys and accredits institutions and organizations in Alaska to provide Category I continuing medical education to physicians. This committee itself is reviewed and credentialed by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) of the American Medical Association. The committee meets several times each year to review annual reports and site surveys. Mark Agnew, MD – co-chair, Anchorage Thomas Nighswander, MD – Anchorage Christopher Patricoski, MD – Anchorage Jack Sedwick, MD – Anchorage Brian Sweeney, Jr., MD – Anchorage Thomas Vasileff, MD –  Anchorage Alaska Medical Political Action Committee (ALPAC): Encourages physicians to take a more active and effective role in governmental affairs; seeks to understand the nature and actions of their government. Assists physicians in organizing themselves for more effective political action in carrying out their civic responsibilities. Brion Beerle, MD – co-chair, Anchorage Vacant – co-chair Dwight Ellerbe, MD – secretary/treasurer, Anchorage Budget Committee: Addresses all issues of fiscal responsibility including preparation of the annual budget. The Budget Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees regarding allocation of resources. John DeKeyser, MD – chair, Anchorage Jana Cole, MD – Anchorage Bylaws: Studies the association’s Constitution and bylaws and keeps them pertinent and up-to-date. Michael Manuel, MD – chair, Anchorage Timothy Kavanaugh, MD – Anchorage Grievance: Meets at noon on the first Wednesday of each month and investigates, adjudicates and mediates complaints from any source regarding the practice of medicine by physicians in Alaska. It considers questions of medical ethics, professional competence, and fee disputes. The Grievance Committee refers complainants to the State Medical Board when appropriate. Shirley Fraser, MD – chair, Anchorage Peter Ehrnstrom, MD – Anchorage Leslie Dean, MD – Anchorage Paul Ferucci, MD – Anchorage John Hall, MD – Anchorage Peter Hansen, MD – Kenai Charles Herndon, MD – Anchorage Jean Persons, MD – Anchorage Jack Sedwick, MD – Anchorage Mary Totten, MD – Anchorage Information and Technology (ad hoc): Is responsible for investigation and researching information technologies that affect or potentially affect members of ASMA and their patients, as well as information technologies for ASMA’s business activities. These activities may include but are not restricted to secure physician communication, electronic health records, and the ASMA Web site. Jerome List, MD – chair, Anchorage Richard Burger, MD – Fairbanks Mary Langdon, MD – Anchorage Lily Lou, MD – Anchorage Declan Nolan, MD – Anchorage Legislative: Meets frequently during the legislative session and considers state and federal legislative and regulatory issues. The committee speaks and acts for the association only when there is clear Association policy to direct it. David Alexander, MD (retired) – Anchorage carolyn Brown, MD – Juneau Leon Chandler, MD – Anchorage John Cullen, MD – Valdez Chakri Inampudi, MD – Anchorage  David Killebrew, MD – Anchorage Peter Lawrason, MD – Fairbanks Jerome List, MD – Anchorage Alex Malter, MD – Juneau Thomas Mego, MD – Anchorage Thomas Nighswander, MD  – Anchorage Carl Rosen, MD – Anchorage Mark Samson, MD – Anchorage Larry Stinson, Jr., MD –Anchorage Robert Urata, MD – Juneau Ronald Zamber, MD – Fairbanks Lobbyist – Kevin Jardell (contract) Attorney – Roger Holmes (contract) Nominating: Nominates at least one candidate for each office for election by the regular membership. The committee consists of three regular members, preferably representing the northern, southcentral and southeastern regions of the state. The three members serve three-year staggered terms. Brion Beerle, MD – chair, Anchorage Roland Gower, MD – Anchorage J. Ross Tanner, DO – Anchorage Thomas Vasileff, MD – Anchorage Physician Resource Committee (inactive): This is a formal committee with the State of Alaska, Division of Medical Assistance. It works in concert with the state to address all Medicaid physician issues including their plans to institute RBRVS and trials of managed care. Selected nonphysicians are also on this committee. Physician Health: Meets monthly. A monitoring program for physicians with possible chemical dependency, behavioral and/or mental health issues. A confidential place to refer peers, and an advocate for those in recovery. It is completely independent of the State Medical Board, but works with those mandated by the board as well as volunteer clients. Call the program coordinator at 561-9644 for referral information, recommended treatment facilities or any other information. Mary Ann Foland, MD – chair, Anchorage David Johnson, MD – Ketchikan Hunter Judkins, MD – Fairbanks Jon Lieberman, MD – Fairbanks Willliam Palmer, MD – Juneau Donald Rogers, MD – Anchorage Douglas Savikko, DO – Anchorage Alexander von Hafften, MD – Anchorage Professional Insurance: Monitors and evaluates professional liability insurers and other insurance issues which affect the membership. Helps run DocPlan. Selected nonphysicians also may serve on this committee. Doug Smith, MD – Anchorage Rural Medicine (inactive)