Executive Committee Meeting
February 9, 1948.
Those present at the meeting were Drs. Harry Thompson, R.E. Hastings, Ed. J. Gotthelf, H.D. Cogswell, E.M. Hayden, Roy Hewitt and D.F. Hill.
Letter from the Board of Medical Examiners was read regarding irregular practitioners practicing in the City of Tucson. Plans for curbing such practices were discussed.
Letter regarding the Blue Shield was read and a Committee was named by Dr. Hastings for local administration of the Blue Shield in this city. Those appointed to the new Blue Shield Committee are: Drs. Roy Hewitt, E.M. Hayden and V.A. Smelker.
The Publicity Committee was discussed, the present Committee consisted of Drs. Littlefield, Presson and Hugh Thompson.
A letter from the State Publicity Committee was read when it was stated that General Hawley was to be the new Executive Officer for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
A letter from the state Medical Association was read regarding Associate, Active and Affiliate memberships. It was learned that unless active membership is maintained, those individuals retaining only affiliate of associate membership lose their membership in the AMA. It was also emphasized that only active members are acceptable to the Specialty Boards, as well as most national affiliations. It was recommended that letters be sent to all men whom the change from active membership affects. It was moved by Dr. Hugh Thompson that Dr. Harold Fink be dropped from active membership and this was seconded by Dr. Hewitt, and carried, due to the fact that membership may be maintained for only one year after changing residence, at which time the membership should be changed to the State in which the doctor resides. Affiliate membership was granted to Dr. H.D. Bigglestone and associate membership has been granted to Dr. J.E. Gaines and it was advised that they be so notified and also the consequences of dropping an active membership be revealed in a letter. It was also suggested that Drs. Oatway, Howard, Bigglestone and Gaines be notified of the loss of privileges when an affiliate membership is granted in lieu of active membership.
It was announced that the Health Council will hold a meeting at the end of them month to discuss plans for the organization of a General Health council, the reason for the delay being, it was explained, that the stock show and the rodeo had tied up the city officials who are interested and that they wish to get these projects completed before beginning the organization of a Health Council.
The question of osteopaths sharing the Red Cross blood bank was discussed as this has become a problem in Phoenix. Dr. Hastings is to contact the Red Cross and discuss this project with them. Due to the fact that the Red Cross blood bank is sponsored by the Pima County Medical Society, it is thought that the physicians and surgeons belonging to this organization should have complete control over the blood bank and should the osteopaths need blood, they should organize their own system of a blood bank.
It was moved and seconded that all the hospitals in the City be written a letter to encourage centralization of the training and distribution of Residents. It was recommended that a centralized Residence Committee be established. This Committee would consist of the Chairman of the Resident.
