November/December 2009
Welcome to the November/December issue of District Council Direct, a monthly e-mail newsletter created for CAP’s District Council members. This month’s issue brings you news about CAP members and our organization. Member Spotlight
CAP Congratulates James Halderman, MD, President-Elect, San Joaquin Medical Society Congratulations to Central California District Council member James Halderman, MD, who is President-Elect of the San Joaquin Medical Society. He will take office in July 2010. Dr. Halderman is an anesthesiologist practicing in Tracy. He has been a CAP member since 2000. CAP News
Member Assessments Will Remain the Same in 2010!
On November 19, the MPT Board of Trustees voted to keep member assessments the same for the coming year. This is great news for our members, who will continue to enjoy remarkably low rates for their medical professional liability coverage. It is also great news for CAP, as we can continue the tradition of providing extremely competitive rates to qualified physicians in an effort to increase membership. The fact that there will be no change in assessments is a reflection of our financial stability and a testament to the quality of our physician members – truly the best in California. CAP Events
CAP Supports Leadership Workshops in Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties
 CAP and the California Medical Association cosponsored two physician leadership development programs on November 7, 2009. The two programs were presented by Susan Reynolds, MD, PhD, of The Institute for Medical Leadership. One of the presentations was for the Stanislaus Medical Society, and the other one was for the San Joaquin Medical Society. Both programs received excellent reviews from attendees.
Senior Account Executive Dan Cavanaugh attended the Stanislaus Medical Society program along with CAP Board Member Tammy Wu, MD, and Central District Council Member Calvin Lee, MD. "There was a good mix of CAP members and nonmembers in attendance," Dan said. "All were appreciative of CAP's support of their local medical society."
Senior Account Executive Gary Homer gave a presentation at the San Joaquin Medical Society program. He spoke about why he works for CAP and explained the advantages of joining our organization.
Both programs were excellent opportunities to spread the word about CAP. Dr. Reynolds expressed her appreciation for CAP's ongoing support of programs like these. We look forward to future presentations in northern and central California.
CAP in the News
CAP's Litigation Education Retreat Highlighted in American Medical News
 In an article in American Medical News published online on November 2, 2009, CAP's General Counsel Gordon Ownby and CAP member Karen Kohatsu, MD highlighted the benefits of CAP's Litigation Education Retreat. "Litigation Stress: Being sued is personal as well as professional" addressed the real problem of litigation stress syndrome and how some programs help physicians cope with the problem.
An excerpt from the article explains how CAP's Litigation Education Retreat assists our members in handling litigation stress:
Dr. Kohatsu found it comforting to know there were other physicians in her shoes when, in preparation for her case, she attended a retreat offered by her medical liability insurer, the Cooperative of American Physicians. When a psychiatrist presented the symptoms of litigation stress, "everything that was described as normal feelings was what I felt, down to self-doubting, self-worth, and not sleeping well," she said.
Physicians are precluded from discussing the facts of their cases at the retreat, CAP General Counsel Gordon Ownby stressed, because the opposing side can subpoena others to discover what a doctor may have shared in conversations outside the attorney-client privilege.
But doctors are free to share the emotional aspects of the ordeal, Ownby said. Also, spousal communications remain protected and spouses are invited to the retreats.
The article illustrates how CAP's Litigation Education Retreat benefits our members. Although the final Litigation Education Retreat of 2009 has already taken place, CAP members can look forward to future opportunities in 2010. To read the rest of the article, click this link.
A Message of Appreciation
As we embark on this Thanksgiving holiday, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all that you do throughout the year to spread the good word about CAP to colleagues in your community. Your dedication to CAP and insightful contributions as District Council members have played a key role in CAP’s success in reaching an impressive membership of nearly 10,700 of California’s finest physicians.
This issue of District Council Direct will be the last of the year, but I look forward to sharing more good news, and working with you all again in 2010, as we continue our mission to “do good things for docs.” My best wishes to you and your family for a happy and healthy holiday season.
Bill West
Vice President, Membership Development
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