Board of Directors Meeting--April 8, 1954 8
patients, in a position to understand the problems a little better. I frankly do not want to go through any investigation unless I can follow it through.
Dr. Bernstein--The reason I did this is that this was a strong public relations matter and the Board of Censors is overloaded.
Dr. Manning--I believe a formal complaint, verbal, would be just as legal, if it were witnessed. If you do this again I will say no.
Dr. Rudolph--The Board of Censors' job is complaints of individuals.
Dr. Manning--Actually the Board of Censors is involved in any criticism directed toward us as physicians, either for lack of attention or overcharges, or anything.
Dr. Rudolph--Outline the duties of the Board of Censors.
Dr. Lesemann--I think it should be an automatic job of the Secretary of the President. The Secretary could do that as part of his job and automatically be put in writing and passed to the Board of Directors.
Dr. Bernstein--We did not even know what doctor was involved.
Dr. Beaton--I think the way to handle it is to funnel it into one channel. The State Grievance Committee acts to investigate and make some judgment on any matter which might involve malpractice.
Dr. Steen--How large a group does the State Grievance Committee have?
Dr. Beaton--7 or 8
Dr. Steen--Do we need a larger Grievance Committee?
Dr. Bernstein--We have a By-Laws Committee, why not let them work on this? I cannot see for the life of me why someone who calls up on the telephone--he would not dare to give his name.
Dr. Beaton--Then write a letter, according to our By-Laws, and ask them to sign an affidavit. Then, if they are crack pots they won't follow up.
Dr. Bernstein to Mary-
"Write to the State Grievance Committee and ask for a copy of their forms."
Dr. Rudolph--I do not know if it would help much to have 5--we have not had a meeting for a month, and I do not think additional members would help.
Dr. Neubauer--I would move you follow Lindsay's suggestions and get those forms the Phoenix people use, contact the State Grievance Committee for their procedure.
Dr. Hileman seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
Tucson Times Article
Dr. Bernstein--Here's another instance of "What to do".
Dr. Steen--You know what prompted this? The dentists, not the doctors.
Dr. Rudolph--I move we do nothing about it.
Dr. Bernstein--This was brought to the attention of our Council through the State Grievance Committee and Mr. Carpenter presented copies to Bud Jacobson, and this is the reply we got. My impression after reading it was that probably what he did advise us to do was just sit tight. Apparently there is no legal basis to attack these people because they did not attack any individual.
Dr. Carreras--You know I was pretty hot about that thing, and I consulted a couple of lawyers, and they said everybody is entitled to his opinion.
Dr. Beaton--I present that to the State Grievance Committee at Ed's request, but after all the discussion on Mr. Jacobson says there is nothing legally you could do and that the only thing you can do safely was to write some kind of reply, and his advice to drop it.
Dr. Hayden I want to add that the Arizona Pharmaceutical Association told us they would be very happy to boycott the Magazine.
Dr. Rudolph--As I understand it, they can't raise money to publish another edition.
Dr. Beaton--Carroll Roberts is an Industrial Commission patient of George Dixon's--no trouble there as far as I know. The man had trouble with his dentist.
Minutes of the Pima County Medical Society 1904-1954
