Speakers' Letter

November 30, 2022

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Speakers’ Letter
2023 SCMA Annual Meeting and House of Delegates
Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa
April 27-30, 2023

SCMA Members:

This letter is intended to help in your preparations for the South Carolina Medical Association Annual Meeting in Myrtle Beach. I will continue offering updates throughout the year on key topics leading up to the Annual Meeting and House of Delegates but want to begin by asking you to mark your calendars for April 27 through April 30, 2023. We had a wonderful return to an in-person event in Spartanburg, SC for the 173^rd annual meeting, and we are excited for continued growth in attendance.

House of Delegates Schedule

The House of Delegates is the policy-forming body of the membership and informs the Board of Trustees on important issues affecting the practice of medicine in our state. The 2023 House of Delegates will meet on Friday, April 28^th and Sunday April 30^th.  Although the business is conducted by the delegates, all SCMA members may attend the House of Delegates meeting on either day to hear SCMA updates, election results, and other items of interest (including our keynote speaker).

The events will kick off on Friday with a delegates’ luncheon at 11:30 a.m. in the Exhibitor Hall, immediately followed by the opening of the House of Delegates. The business meeting will run for approximately two hours, highlighted by guest speaker Jeff Skiles presenting on his experiences as a pilot (with Captain Sullenberger) on US Airways Flight 1549 that landed in the Hudson River. It will be a captivating talk incorporating much of our medical practice and daily lives.

Following the business portion of the meeting, the House of Delegates will adjourn to the Reference Committees at 3 p.m.:

Reference Committee A, B, G, H
A. Credentials
B. Reports of Trustees and Officers
G. Miscellaneous Business
H. Constitution and Bylaws

Reference Committee C, E, F
C. Public and Occupational Health
E. Medical Education and Hospitals
F. Medical Services and Insurance

Reference Committee D
D. Legislative Activities and Public Relations

Following the reference committees, we hope you will join us for a reception honoring the SCMA delegates and our sponsors. We are also thrilled to be celebrating the centennial celebration of the SCMA Alliance.

The House of Delegates will reconvene on Sunday to discuss the suggested changes from the reference committees. Although healthy discussion is always welcomed, most of the debate will be held during the reference committees on Friday. Sunday will complete the process with a vote on the floor to create new SCMA Policy.

CMEs
Thursday through Saturday will be filled with various CME topics ranging from pediatric issues to end-of-life care. Required controlled substance training will also be available. The President’s Session will be held on Saturday with a topic of Patient Safety.

MSS/RFS Poster Competition
The SCMA Resident and Fellow Section and Medical Student Section will participate in the Annual Scientific Research Poster competition. Cash awards will be given during the gala on Saturday night. More information will be sent later in the year, but please reach out if you would like to donate to the prize for the poster session or would like to serve as a judge (and earn CME!).

Inauguration and Gala
Saturday evening will see the induction of Dr. Helen Stockinger as the 162^nd President of the South Carolina Medical Association. Following the induction ceremony, attendees will be invited to a gala held in honor of Dr. Stockinger and the new SCMA Alliance President, Ms. Meredith Tuten.

Registration
Please be on the lookout for registration information in January 2023. We expect rooms to fill up and would encourage you to register and book your rooms early!

County Delegation
If you desire to serve as a delegate for your district, we ask that you reach out to your Trustee or County Medical Society. Delegates must be active SCMA members, and you are also encouraged to be active members of your local society, if available.  If you do not know who represents your region, please reach out to Diana Fernandez (dianaf@scmedical.org).

Meeting Attire

• Annual Meeting: Business casual
• House of Delegates: Business / Business casual
• Inauguration and Gala: Business / Cocktail / Black Tie Optional
  
  

Code of Conduct
The South Carolina Medical Association has a code of conduct for SCMA-sponsored meetings to ensure a professional and ethical environment for attendees. Attendees should feel safe and able to participate without fear of unwelcome conduct. There is an expectation that attendees will conduct themselves in a manner that is concordant with the ideals of our profession.

Reference Committee Volunteers
If you would like to serve on a reference committee, please reach out to Diana Fernandez (dianaf@scmedical.org).  We are always seeking ways for attendees to serve in active roles with the SCMA and the House of Delegates.

Elections
Elections for the following races will be occur at the House of Delegates, unless previously elected by acclamation:

• Officers of the SCMA
• Counties will nominate Trustees for Districts1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13, and the House of Delegates will elect these positions.
• Young Physician Section: Nominated by the YPS and elected by HOD
• Resident and Fellow Section: Nominated by the RFS and elected by the HOD
• Medical Student Section: Nominated by the MSS and elected by the HOD
• The AMA Delegate will nominate one AMA Delegate and one AMA Alternate Delegate pursuant to AMA rules and elected by the HOD.
  
  

We look forward to an exciting year and continued involvement in the policy making process for the SCMA.  Please continue to follow the SCMA Physician Alerts and SCMedNews, as well as our website at scmedical.org for updated information.

Yours in service,

Jeff Cashman, MS, DO, Speaker
Stefanie M. Putnam, MD, Vice-Speaker