NASBS News and Upcoming Events

Vol 9 No 1 Archive

Minutes from the 1999 Annual Business Meeting

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING May 30, 1999 - Chicago, Illinois

Dr. John P. Leonetti called the Annual Business Meeting to order at 5:00 pm. The minutes of the last business meeting that had been circulated were approved.

A number of reports were presented from the Board of Directors. Dr. Leonetti gave the President's Report, summarizing some recent actions of the Board of Directors. He reported that after the NASBS submitted an application to ACCME, the NASBS had been accredited as a sponsor of continuing medical education for a period of two years. The 10th Annual Meeting will be the first continuing education program where it will provide the CME credit. Regarding the Annual Meeting, Dr. Leonetti provided a summary of the 1999 Annual Meeting format and presentations. Finally, Dr. Leonetti mentioned that the Board had approved the Society joining the newly formed World Federation of Skull Base Surgery.

Dr. Donald C. Wright presented the Secretary's report. Information on the current state of membership and statistics for the past three years was distributed. The Secretary's Report was accepted.

Dr. Thomas C. Origitano presented the Treasurer's report. The presentation included a 1998 Income-Expense report and a balance sheet as of December 31, 1998. Following the report, a brief discussion was held on finding additional income sources for the Annual Meeting. One suggestion was to attempt to get more exhibitors at the Annual Meeting. An ad hoc committee was proposed to complement current efforts to increase exhibitors. An ad hoc committee comprised of Drs. Paul Donald (Chairman), Johnny Delashaw, Scott Jellish and Ian Jackson was formed. The Treasurer's Report was accepted.

Several issues were raised during the discussion of research activities of the NASBS: (1) Should the NASBS commit funds towards clinical research? (2) Should the NASBS maintain a database of clinical research protocols conducted by members? (3) Should the NASBS fund or supplement clinical research protocols on rare tumor types or those conditions with "unacceptably poor" outcomes despite best treatment to increase the collective experience and share results of various modes of treatment? While no final consensus was reached, Dr. Paul Donald and others commented on prior efforts to establish clinical protocols for NASBS activities (unrealized) and their continued willingness to participate in such activities. Dr. Carl Snyderman commented in his capacity as the Chairman of the Protocol and Research Committee that it would be difficult to equitably distribute NASBS funds, nor was there a precedent, and a vote by the NASBS Directors would be needed to start such activities. He and his committee were willing to explore the interest in the Society for this type of activity. Other members commented on the need to investigate or sponsor clinical research in such areas as chordoma/chondrosarcoma, sino-nasal undifferentiated carcinoma, and various head & neck malignancies, comparing best treatment methods with experimental protocols. Dr. Snyderman invited other interested parties to contact him to explore this possible NASBS activity.

The Nomination Committee presented the slate of nominees for the following positions. Ballots were circulated, a vote was taken and the results were the following: President-Elect: Ian T. Jackson, MD Director-at-Large (Otolaryngology): Guy J. Petruzzelli, MD, PhD Director-at-Large (Neurosurgery): Johnny B. Delashaw, MD Director-at-Large (non-ENT/Neurosurgery): Jatin P. Shah, MD Nominating Committee: Keith L. Black, MD, Ehab Y.N. Hanna, MD, Howard R. Krauss, MD, Gail L. Rosseau, MD Nominations were taken from the floor for a member to serve a three year term on the Audit Committee. Dr. Douglas D. Backous was nominated and elected.

Dr. Wright presented the approved applicants for NASBS membership. A ballot list was circulated. The applicants were approved by the membership. A list of the new members of the NASBS is appended to these minutes.

In closing, Dr. Leonetti thanked the members of the current Board of Directors whose terms end at this Annual Meeting. They include two Board Members at Large (Dr. E. Leon Barnes and Dr. Vinod K. Anand) and one Board of Advisors member (Dr. Albert L. Rhoton Jr) for their years of service.

With no other business, the meeting was adjourned.