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Due to scheduling conflicts with State EMS officials, the Medical Director’s conference will NOT be held in conjunction with the Reimbursement Conference. We will post an announcement if a reschedule date is selected.

The 2014 TASA Reimbursement and Compliance Conference will be October 7 & 8, 2014 at the Inn at Opryland in Nashville. WE NEED YOUR INPUT TO BEGIN SELECTING TOPICS AND SPEAKERS.

Please email your suggestions for topics, speakers or other ideas for the conference to secretary@tennesseeambulance.com before June 15, 2014.

Will Frawley is a Hamilton County Paramedic recently diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome. The disease is basically an early form of Leukemia. Will has had to receive several units of blood in the past weeks, and he will be leaving to go to Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore where he will receive a bone marrow transplant. He will be unable to work for approximately 1 year if all goes well. Obviously, the medical costs and loss of income will be devastating so we want to help!

There is a Bone Marrow and Blood Drive for Will 

on May 20th from 9:00am-5:00pm at two locations:

1>  Chattanooga Police Service Center on Amnicola Hwy.

2>  Hamilton County Sheriff’s Annex  at 6233 Dayton Blvd.

We are also selling T Shirts to raise money for Will’s medical expenses.  The cost of the shirts are $15.00;  with $7.00 of that going to Will.  To place an order please contact Ashley Murphy at 423-385-4569.

A charity fun run is also being planned for later this summer.

For those who wish to donate money, we have set up an account at Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union.  Stop by any TVFCU location to donate or send a check to me or Chris Harper and we will deposit it.  Make checks payable to “The Will Frawley Memorial Fund-00”.

Go to www.TestYourWill.com for complete information about how YOU can help Will!

CONTACT: Captain Wade Batson (HCEMS Shift Supervisor) Cell: 423 486 4674 / Office: 423 209 7714 / Fax: 423 209 7715

The May 1st TASA Board meeting time has been changed to 1:00 PM CST and the location has been moved to:

Tennessee Hospital Association

Virginia Way Conference Center

5201 Virginia Way

Brentwood, TN 37027

The State has promulgated the rule regarding immunizations for declared disasters. Effective 7-9-2014 EMT-IV’s, AEMT’s and Paramedics may assist local/State health departments with immunizations during declared disasters. The rule does require “just in time” training by health departments as well as medical direction for the immunizations. Rule ID 5696

Governor Haslam has signed the TASA sponsored legislation which expands the environment for EMS providers and clarifies non-emergency care. This legislation is key in enabling EMS services in TN to participate in mobile integrated health (community para-medicine). Thank you to everyone who contacted your representatives and helped with this important legislation. HB1807 – SB2029

President Chad Graham stepped down this week following a career change from EMS Director to managing a physician’s group. Chad is still associated with Bedford County EMS but he felt he would not be able to provide the time and commitment necessary to continue TASA’s progress. Chad will certainly be missed and we thank him for his vision and leadership of TASA.

Andrew Reed (Vice-President) will immediately assume the President’s position.

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 
April 3, 2014

President Graham called the meeting to order at 10:12 a.m.

Board Members in attendance: Chad Graham, Keith Douglas, Rick Valentine, Brandon Ward, Doug McQuary, Tommy Crowder, John Combes, Ricky Slack, John Fitzsimmons,  Lis Henley, Danny Houseright , Wallace Elliot, Joyce Noles

Board Members not in attendance: Andrew Reed and Joe Rike

Others present: Lynn Thompson (Maury Regional EMS) and Donna Tidwell (State EMS Director)

Presentation: Mike Cook with Chickenhouse Web Design gave a presentation on upgrading the TASA web site to include a more modern/interactive site. Board members agreed to evaluate and discuss action at the next board meeting.

Previous meeting minutes: Minutes of the January meeting were approved. Minutes approved.

Wallace Elliott discussed the options of utilizing an on-line system to allow remote viewing/interaction of board meetings. He advised that the WebEx system cost approximately $80 – $100/year and allows for 100-125 people to join the meeting at one time. He will be contacting a representative to see if he can offer a webinar for board members to evaluate this system.

Lis Henley advised LifeFlight would allow TASA to use their hardware (web camera) at no cost. It was decided to use this equipment at the next board meeting in an attempt to test the possibilities/options of on-line board meetings.

Treasurer’s Report: Current balance of $62,000 with some outstanding conference/D.C. trip bills yet to be paid. The Mid-Winter conference currently shows approximately $3,000 loss but other revenue is still coming in. Financial report approved

NAEMT: Brandon Ward reported that the EMS Day on the Hill in D.C. was very successful with 236 legislative office visits by EMS services throughout the nation. The TCRS retirement issue is being looked at by one Tennessee legislator. The must be a change in the federal legislation to exempt EMS personnel from the age discrimination law in order to allow early age retirement in Tennessee. TASA will begin drafting proposed wording for the legislation change.

Mid-Winter Conference: President Graham thanked the conference committee and others for their hard work in making the conference a success. Joyce Noles expressed her appreciation to everyone for stepping up during the conference.

Reimbursement Conference: The conference dates are set for October 7 & 8, 2014 at the Inn at Opryland. Ward advised that Donna Tidwell would like to have the Medical Director Conference again this year and will provide information to the Board when she arrives.

· Motion by Slack – 2^nd by Crowder to not have Doug Wolfberg again this year. Motion passed.

Legislative: Tommy Crowder advised that the bill to expand EMS provider environment has passed both houses and is waiting on the Governor’s signature. Brandon Ward provided information on SB2050/HB1895 which requires insurance coverage for “Tele-Health”. This could allow billing by medical directors while using remote telemedicine along with other opportunities.

· Motion by Fitzsimmons – 2^nd by Combes for TASA to support draft language to get the retirement issue addressed on the federal level. Motion passed.

Audit/Budget: no report

Bylaws: President Graham discussed the recent proposal to clarify the bylaw regarding TASA membership which was not approved by the full membership. Several board members discussed the issue of how an “organization” is defined within the bylaws.

· Motion by Slack – 2^nd by Fitzsimmons to have attorney Chris Kelly offer his opinion regarding the definition of “organization” as defined in the membership bylaws. Motion passed

EMS Expo: TASA will have a booth (no charge by EMS World) located just outside the vendor hall at the EMS World Expo in Nashville. Crowder will be checking on the possibility of having an event to raise money during Expo week and present his finding at the next board meeting.

Old Business: President Graham discussed the booth set up for EMS World Expo and requested board members email him with suggestions for the graphics that will go on the TASA booth.

Question presented to Donna Tidwell as to the expiring terms for EMS Board members

· EMS Board – ambulance service director position will become open this year. Nominations for this position should be emailed to the TASA Secretary by April 30^th, 2014 at secretary@tennesseeambulance.com

Committees: President advised that all committees will remain the same with following change:

· Joyce Noles will be chairman of the Mid-Winter Conference

New business: President Graham advised that TASA has been approached in the past requesting to advertise on the TASA web site.

· Motion by Slack – 2^nd by Crowder to not allow advertising on the TASA web site outside of the TASA sponsorship program.

State EMS: Director Tidwell offered the following

· The Yellow Dot Program is on the State EMS web site and encourages everyone to be aware of the program and participate.

· Some continuing education items listed on the State Audit are questionnaires only (Sudden infant death & domestic violence). These items are not there as a possible deficit – only as a information gathering source and reminder for services. If your service receives a deficit for these items – please contact Director Tidwell.

· Meeting notices will be sent out inviting stake holders to join a meeting about Mobile Health Integration/Community Paramedicine (date not official yet).

· Mechanicals – The state is working to get clarification on the exact certification required for mechanics to be able to sign the mechanical forms.

· Ambulance service committee needs to reconvene as the KKK specification will be expiring in 2015.

· Assistant Director (State EMS) position was opened and the deadline for applications closed on 4-1-2014. Applications now go to State HR and they hope to have the position filled by June.

· There is a vacancy in Region IV for regional consultant. They are trying to get that position upgraded before it can be opened.

· July 1, 2014 new law allowing laypersons and responders to administer narcan via atomizer. Does require education of the narcan and administration.

President stepping down: President Graham had previously advised board members that he was changing jobs last month. The new job is managing a physicians group but he is still associated with Bedford County EMS. He had previously stated that he would stay on as President as long as the board was comfortable with it. However, after much thought, he has decided to step down as President to allow TASA to continue to progress under the direction of Andrew Reed. Graham felt with his new position he would not be able to dedicate the necessary time to ensure TASA continued to progress.

Graham officially gave his resignation and offered to be available to assist TASA in any possible going forward.

The meeting was adjourned at 13:20

Board of Directors Minutes

Tennessee Hospital Association

Brentwood, TN

May 1, 2014

President Reed called the meeting to order at 12:50 p.m.

Board Members present: Andrew Reed, Rick Valentine, Brandon Ward, Doug McQuary, Tommy Crowder, Joyce Noles, Lis Henley, Wallace Elliott and John Fitzsimmons

Board Members absent: Ricky Slack, Danny Houseright, Keith Douglas, Joseph Rike and John Combes

Others Present:  Shannon Seaton, Jonathan Wood, Thomas Perkins, Danny Fleming, Lynn Thompson, Pam Kiestler and Andrew Hart

Motion by Rick Valentine to accept the April 3, 2014 TASA Board Minutes as written, a second by Joyce Noles, motion passed.

Presentations and Monthly Reports

Donna Tidwell – State EMS Director:

 

• Brandon Ward has been offered the open position in the ST EMS Office and he has accepted.  She mentioned the large number of applicants and she believes that they have made the best decision in choosing Brandon.
• Donna appreciated the attendance for the MIH (Mobile Integrated Healthcare) meeting today.  She summarized some of the points brought out in the meeting and reported there is nothing stopping the process but we do need to proceed with caution and make sure that the we do not fail in developing the community medic program.  She emphasized the need for good communication with all the different agencies and to develop the most effective educational process.

 

Financial Report:

 

• Rick Valentine – Treasurer reported on the Financial Statement for May 1, 2014 (copy attached).  Rick reported that we currently have a balance of $59,154.25.  Rick reported that he had received an invoice from the lobbyist in the amount of $15,000.00 and requested instruction on paying this invoice. Motion made by Doug McQuary to pay the lobbyist bill in the amount of $15,000.  Second by Joyce Noles. Motion Passed.
• Rick also reported that we had budgeted $6,000 for the Washington DC trip to attend the “EMS Day on The Hill” event last March.  We spent $4,996.05 and came under the budgeted in the amount of $1,003.95.
• There was a brief discussion on the proposed change of TASA financial year to the calendar year beginning on January 1st, rather than the fiscal year beginning on July 1st.  The consensus was to leave it the way it is.

NAEMT/Washington Day on the Hill:

• Brandon Ward reported that there have been four additional House co-sponsors on the EMS Field Bill.  There are still no sponsors in the Senate.

Committee Reports

• Reimbursement: Nothing to report at this time.
• Equipment: Doug McQuary would like to have the speakers updated before the Reimbursement Conference.
• Legislative: No report.
• Audit/Budget: No report.
• Bylaws: No report.

Others/EXPO:

• John reported that the Craig Morgan concert has been cancelled due to problems between EMS World and Peter Obermyer in securing sponsors for the event.  John expressed disappointment with EMS World in their lack of cooperation in this matter.  Doug McQuary also voiced his and Peter’s frustration with EMS World.  John recommends TASA should continue to support the EMS/EXPO conference and described the contract that needs to be signed between TASA and EMS World.  A brief discussion on obtaining rooms early in preparation for the November 9th through 13th, 2014 EMS/EXPO.  Pres. Reed will work with Ricky Slack getting room rates before the next TASA Board meeting.
• Motion made by Rick Valentine to sign the contract with EMS World, second by Wallace Elliott.  Motion passed.
• Tommy Crowder explained a plan that he has been working on to be held during EMS/EXPO.  He has developed a plan to have a (TASA Night Out) during the week on November 9th, 2014 in Nashville.  He is working with a band to perform.  The band will cost $1500. The venue is yet to be determined.  Tommy is working with EMS World in planning this event.  Tommy described having a coin designed with the TASA logo on one side and EMS/EXPO on the other side to be sold and used for admission to the event.  He is working on getting sponsors.  He has calculated the need for $5,000 in sponsorship to cover the expenses.
• Rick Valentine made a motion for Tommy to proceed with this plan with the stipulation that there will be no cost to TASA. John F. seconded the motion.  Motion passed.

Old Business

• Website Upgrade (Chickenhouse Web Design):
  • Motion by Rick Valentine to table this matter until Keith can be present and provide more details. A second by Joyce Noles, motion passed.
• Exhibit Booth:
  • No progress to report at this time.  Chad and John are working on this project.
• Definition of “Organization” (Bylaws-membership):
  • Needs decision before June 15th – No progress to report. Bylaws committee will continue to work on this and have a recommendation by the June meeting.
• TASA Lapel Pins:
  • Motion made by John F./2nd by Rick V. to purchase 500 of the newly designed lapel pins, with the stipulation that the pins will be functionally designed to hang level and not spin if only one stud is provided, at the cost of $770. Roll call vote; with nine board members present six voting in favor, two abstained and the president not required to vote, the Motion passes.
• WebEx – board meetings:
  • Lis will set-up for the next meeting.
• Federal legislation wording for early retirement:
  • Brandon and Tommy will work on this.  Brandon explained that the language just needs to include Paramedics and EMTs.

New Business

• President Reed requested a nomination from west TN to fill the West Tennessee Grand Division Board Position currently held by Joseph Rike upon his request to be replaced.  Pres. Reed stated that he would need a written resignation statement from Chief Rike.
• A brief discussion as to appointments to be made this month for the vehicles certification committee.

Announcements

• Lynn Thompson announced the TEMSEA conference to be held July 16, 17 & 18, 2014 in Hilton East Hotel, Memphis, Tennessee.

Rick Valentine made motion to adjourn 1366 hrs.

 

Attachments:

EMS World Expo Contract

Financial Statement – May 1, 2014