2013-2014
General Information
Standing Committees relate directly to the structure, governance, management, or legislative activity of the Society, with limited openings available in accordance with the MMS bylaws.
Special Committees are established by the House of Delegates to address specific topics/subjects and have unlimited openings available.
Board Committees are established by the House of Delegates to address specific duties which are under the jurisdiction of the Board of Trustees.
The Member Interest Network (MIN) provides a way for you to participate in Medical Society activities at the level you choose. Organized around broad topics, the MIN affords the opportunity to network with colleagues and share information in a way that accommodates your schedule. The MIN is open to all MMS members.
Committee appointments are for specific terms, usually three year renewable commitments.
Medical Students and Resident Physicians will be appointed to a one-year term.
Meeting Schedules
All meetings are held in Waltham at MMS headquarters unless otherwise specified. There are resources in place for distance participation including conference calls, online meetings and video conferencing at regional offices. Those with limited time who wish to participate can take advantage of these means. Many meetings serve refreshments or meals.
Committee Descriptions
Accreditation Review (Special Committee)
Oversees and serves as a statewide resource for hospitals, specialty societies, and health care organizations seeking to offer continuing medical education. Monitors compliance with nationally recognized continuing medical education standards and guidelines in order to ensure quality education for physicians throughout Massachusetts and its contiguous states. This committee meets 6 times a year (no meetings in July or August) on Wednesdays from 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Administration and Management (Board Committee)
Provides oversight to matters related to the Society’s offices and its management, and performs other such responsibilities as shall be delegated by the Board of Trustees. No medical student/resident physician positions available.
Advisory Committee (Special)
Consists of the five most recent past presidents of the Society, the most recent of whom presides as chair. It is advisory to the President and meets at the request of the President.
Arts, History, Humanism and Culture (MIN Executive Council)
The Arts, History, Humanism & Culture MIN explores the creative side of members interested in a variety of pursuits. This MIN Executive Council meets every three months, usually on a Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m.
Boston Medical Library Trustees (Board with MMS reps)
Founded in 1805, the Boston Medical Library (BML) is one of the most significant sources of medical information in the world. The BML and Harvard Medical Library formed an alliance in 1965 and moved into a new building named The Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine located at Harvard Medical School. The BML’s priceless historical collection of medical materials and artifacts is an incomparable resource for physicians. The BML became the library for the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1947; the MMS president appoints 12 of the 24 BML Trustees. In addition, MMS members have unlimited access to the collections of the Boston Medical Library as a benefit of membership. This Board meets alternately between the Countway Library of Medicine at 10 Shattuck St., Boston and the MMS Headquarters in Waltham. It typically meets every other month on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday afternoon at 4:15 p.m. The medical student and resident physician representatives serve a one-year term beginning each October/November.
Bylaws (Standing Committee)
Considers suggested bylaws changes and submits to the House of Delegates proposed amendments to the bylaws. This committee meets approximately two or three times per year, on a weekday (Monday-Thursday) at 5:00 or 5:30 p.m., generally by teleconference.
Communications (Standing Committee)
Recommends priorities and provides counsel to the Society and MMS leadership in matters relating to communicating the Society’s strategic priorities to various audiences, with a special focus on communicating with physicians and the general public. The committee meets quarterly, Thursday nights, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Diversity in Medicine (Special Committee)
Works to promote diversity within the medical profession and heighten awareness of disparities in health care access and treatment. The Committee meets 4-6 times a year on weekday evenings, with about half of the meetings occurring by phone.
Environmental & Occupational Health (Special Committee)
Provides advice and counsel to the society on environmental and occupational health issues, such as Department of Industrial Accidents guidelines, workers' compensation, and health-related environmental exposures in the home, work, and outdoor environments. This committee meets approximately 6 times a year in the evening, typically on Wednesdays or Thursdays from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.
Ethics, Grievances, & Professional Standards (Standing)
The Committee on Ethics, Grievances, and Professional Standards is a medical peer review committee that investigates allegations of member unethical conduct through a formal grievance process. Where appropriate, the committee may recommend practice modifications, including the identification of potential areas for improvement. The Society’s Bylaws state that “Members of the Society are subject to grievance review for the following apparent or alleged offenses:
(a) Violation of the Code of Medical Ethics of the Massachusetts Medical Society
(b) Violation of the Principles of Medical Ethics of the American Medical Association
(c) Presenting false certificates or false statements of character or of educational attainments
(d) Engaging in conduct unbecoming a physician
The committee is also responsible for providing advice on ethical issues to the Society's leadership and members and assisting the Society in formulating ethical policy. At the House of Delegates' direction, the committee also conducts an Ethics Forum on current ethical issues twice yearly, at each regular meeting of the House.
Please note special circumstances for medical students and resident physicians:
- One medical student and one resident physician may be appointed
to the committee annually for a one-year term.
- The medical student member’s participation on the
committee is limited to ethical policy matters, including the planning
and participation in twice-yearly Ethics Forums and publications
thereof.
- The resident physician member on the committee shall not have a
vote in cases of grievance matters except when the member under
investigation is also a resident physician.
- The appointment of a medical student to the committee shall be
subject to the medical student’s submission of a letter from the
dean of his or her medical school, approving that student’s
participation on the committee.
- The appointment of a resident physician to the committee shall
be subject to the resident’s submission of a letter from the head
of his or her resident training program approving the resident’s
participation on the committee.
- The medical student and resident physician members of the committee will not be counted toward the quorum requirement; except that when the member under investigation is a resident physician; then the resident physician member shall be counted toward the quorum.
Finance (Board Committee)
Oversees the finances and investments of the Massachusetts Medical Society, working with the Secretary-Treasurer, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, and the VP of Finance. This committee meets approximately 14 times per year (including 2 meetings in November and May at the site of the MMS House of Delegates meetings and two contingency meetings in October and December), usually on a Tuesday from 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Geriatric Medicine (Special Committee)
Addresses issues related to geriatric health (including psychosocial issues, disease prevention, health enhancement, education of the health care community), health care policy as it applies to the elderly, and all aspects of long-term care, including palliative care. This committee meets 5 times a year, typically on Wed. at 7:00 p.m.
Global Health (Special Committee)
Provides a benefit to the members of the Massachusetts Medical Society and the citizens of the Commonwealth by expanding the understanding of international health issues, while at the same time promoting the active participation of members in a variety of international health related projects. The committee also maintains the Global Medicine Network website at www.globalmedicine.org. This network was created to establish connections between individuals and organizations interested in international health. This committee meets 7 times a year from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
History (Special Committee)
Recommends actions and activities to preserve the history of the Society and recognize its accomplishments. Sponsors an annual medical student essay contest focused on Society-related contributions to health. This committee meets approximately four times a year, usually in September, December, March, and May.
Information Technology (Special Committee)
Promotes the effective use of information technology by physicians in order to improve the quality of care and help to put efficiency and joy back into the practice of medicine, through collaborating with MMS leadership in providing vision and follow-up for technology projects in medicine; assisting members in using technology and electronic information in their practice environment; promoting open communications through the use of electronic mail, the internet, and other interactive media; promoting seamless and secure (HIPAA-compliant) transfer of patient information among all health care providers; and encouraging the use of electronic knowledge-based information sources. The CIT meets monthly in the evenings at the MMS and offers technology collaboration options such as web-based electronic conferencing to include those unable to attend in person.
Interspecialty (Standing Committee)
Provides a mechanism for open communication, cooperation, and coordination between and among the medical specialty societies of Massachusetts and their members, and the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS). Additionally, the committee will present recommendations to the MMS regarding medical specialty specific or practice of medicine issues, with the ultimate goal of providing the highest quality of care to the patients within the Commonwealth. This cmte. meets in June, Sept., Jan., and March. Most meetings held on the next to last Tuesday of the month from 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Judicial (Standing Committee)
Interprets MMS Bylaws and Code of Ethics. No medical student/resident physician positions available.
Legislation (Standing Committee/District-Appointed)
Study, take positions and report periodically to the Board of Trustees and to the House of Delegates on pending legislation affecting the public health or the practice of medicine. Initiates legislation at the state level to improve the health of the public and to improve the practice environment in Massachusetts. This committee meets 6 to 7 times a year on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings from 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Matters (Special Committee)
Enhances MMS policy, advocacy, and education on LGBT health and professional issues, advocates for better access to care for LGBT patients, educates physicians across the Commonwealth about the unique health care issues facing LGBT patients, creates a relationship with the AMA advisory committee on LGBT issues, increases MMS membership and participation of physicians with an interest in LGBT issues, and provides a dedicated forum for involvement, mentoring, and networking for LGBT physicians and medical students. This committee meets approximately 6-8 times per year.
Maternal & Perinatal Welfare (Special Committee)
Provides advice and counsel on matters relating to maternal and perinatal welfare. Sponsors an annual educational program on maternal and perinatal welfare for physicians and other health care professionals. This committee meets approximately 5 times a year on Mondays, from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Medical Education (Standing Committee)
To provide counsel and advice to the Society, its leadership and the Board of Trustees and House of Delegates as it relates to medical education across the learning continuum as well as education in the allied health professions; to advance medical knowledge, competence and/or performance through the development of continuing medical education activities; to explore, propose and develop methodologies to measure the effectiveness of CME on changes in physician competency, performance and/or patient outcomes; to serve as an educational resource to address physicians’ practice gaps; their educational needs; and strategies to overcome barriers of change; to prepare and recommend standards and guidelines for accrediting Massachusetts providers of continuing medical education; to establish policy governing the role of the Society as an ACCME accredited provider and to address other issues affecting medical education as may come before it. This committee meets approximately 4 times a year on Monday afternoons from 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Member Services (Board Committee)
The goal of this committee is to understand the challenges physicians face with the management aspect of providing care to their patients, and deliver benefits and services to MMS members that directly assist with their overall practice management. In addition, as these benefits will offer value and relevance, they will also present important tools for new member recruitment and member retention. This committee meets 4-5 times a year. No medical student/resident physician positions available.
Membership (Standing Committee)
Provides oversight to membership development programs and promotional opportunities for the MMS and the AMA, including recruitment, retention and related outreach activities using mul-tiple marketing channels; attention is focused on constituencies that will increase the diversity of the membership base in both associations. This committee meets 4-5 times a year.
Men’s Health (Special Committee)
The mission of this committee is to monitor the ongoing and evolving topics concerning the physical and mental health issues affecting men, and to work through the MMS to make recommendations to appropriate agencies and organizations, determine and act upon the best methods to educate and inform physicians, researchers, other health care providers, and the public toward improving the overall health of men, promote awareness of men’s health issues, as well as supporting the Federal and State government organizations to represent and act on men’s health issues. This committee meets 5 times a year on Wednesdays beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Nominations (Standing Committee/District-Appointed)
Provides for the House of Delegates a slate of nominees for each of the officers of the Society and AMA delegates and alternate delegates. This committee meets three times a year.
Nutrition & Physical Activity (Special Committee)
The committee provides advice and counsel to the Society and its leadership on matters related to nutrition and physical activity, with a particular focus on overweight and obesity prevention and treatment. This committee meets approximately 5 times a year in the evening. Meeting dates are determined at the beginning of each year, but in recent years meetings have been held on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Oral Health (Special Committee)
Focuses on increasing public awareness of the relationship and importance of good oral health to good physical health and works to promote prevention and improve oral health literacy to health providers and the public. Recommends ways to improve access to oral health care. Committee schedule to be announced.
Preparedness (Special Committee)
This committee works in collaboration with public health agencies and others responsible for disaster management on the development and implementation of comprehensive and integrated response plans for the physician community in order to enhance the health care system’s capacity to prevent, prepare for, detect, mitigate, respond to and recover from the public health consequences of terrorism, natural or man-made disasters, and other health emergencies and protect the health and safety of patients and communities. This committee meets 4-6 times per year, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Professional Liability (Standing Committee Designation pending Bylaws approval at A-13)
Monitors the professional liability market in Massachusetts, and educates members about developments in professional liability. Cmte. meets 4-5 times a year, usually on a Monday at 6:30 p.m.
Public Health (Standing Committee)
This committee recommends and leads a public health agenda for the Society to achieve the greatest positive impact on the health and well-being of the public and to reflect the resources, mission and strategic direction of the Society. This committee meets 6 times per year from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and videoconferences with the Regional Offices as needed.
Publications (Standing Committee)
Establishes policy concerning the publishing activities of the Society, including initiation, planning, supervision, and coordination of publications related to the dissemination of medical information. Directs the publication and distribution of the New England Journal of Medicine and other publications of the Society. This committee meets quarterly on Wednesday mornings from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
The Quality of Medical Practice (Standing Committee)
The Committee on The Quality of Medical Practice is focused on the improvement of the quality of health care provided by physicians, including attention to cost effectiveness. The committee serves as consultants to the Board of Trustees and the House of Delegates to define quality of health care, as well as to create and coordinate initiatives to improve and measure the quality of health care and factors affecting the practice environment. This committee meets approximately 4 times a year with additional conference call meetings as needed.
Recognition Awards (Board Committee)
Designs selection criteria for and creates awards to recognize leaders in medicine. Selects awardees for existing awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Award for Distinguished Service to the Massachusetts Medical Society, and the Special Award for Excellence in Medical Service. Ratification of awardees for the Henry Ingersoll Bowditch Award for Excellence in Public Health, the Grant V. Rodkey, M.D. Award for Significant Contributions to Medical Students, the Senior Volunteer Physician of the Year Award, the Information Technology in Medicine Award, the Men’s Health Award, and the Committee on History Medical Student Essay Award. This committee meets once a year in January.
Senior Physicians (Special Committee)
Studies and reports to the House of Delegates on issues of unique concern to physicians 65 years of age and over. Uses existing channels and resources to share pertinent information with all MMS members 65 years of age and over and solicits the input of older physicians about their issues of concern. Committee schedule to be announced.
Senior Volunteer Physicians (Special Committee)
Utilizes the experience and skills of retired physicians to address common interests and community needs on a voluntary, part-time basis. This committee meets 5 times a year on Wednesday evenings.
Sponsored Programs (Special Committee)
Reviews potential MMS-sponsored and jointly sponsored educational programs to determine their eligibility for AMA PRA Category 1 continuing medical education credit and risk management study, and ensures that this quality programming supports the strategic priorities of the MMS. This committee meets approximately 6 times per year via teleconference on Tuesdays 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Strategic Planning (Board Committee)
Studies the environment effecting physicians, their patients and the global health care industry. Makes recommendations concerning the short and long term strategic direction of the Society and serve as a guide for prioritizing and planning activities of the Society. Reviews and makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees, regarding policies eligible for sunsetting. This committee meets approximately 4 times a year and participates in strategic planning retreats as appropriate.
Student Health & Sports Medicine (Special Committee)
Provides advice and counsel in matters related to student health and sports medicine – specifically to promote school-based adolescent health education and sports medicine for various patient populations, including the student athlete. Acts as liaison with organizations working in these areas, increases MMS visibility with various audiences on student health and sports medicine issues, and addresses related areas as may come before it. This committee meets approximately 5 times a year on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Violence Intervention and Prevention (Special Committee)
Provides education, advice, and counsel to the Society and its leadership on matters relating to violence intervention and prevention, with emphasis on family violence (intimate partner violence, child abuse and/or neglect, adolescent relationship violence, and elder abuse), school violence, bullying, sexual assault, suicide, torture, and other forms of intentional trauma. This committee typically meets on Mondays 4 or 5 times a year beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Women in Medicine (Special Committee)
Provides a valuable forum to identify, address and educate fellow professionals about key issues of concern to women in medicine. The committee works to increase membership and influence women physicians and medical students in the MMS governance structure. This committee meets approximately 6 times a year on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.
Young Physicians (Special Committee)
Increases the membership and active participation of young physicians in the MMS. Focusing on physicians aged 40 and under – as well as those within their first eight years of practice – this committee identifies issues and sponsors educational and social programs specific to young physicians as well as lowers barriers to their participation in Society activities and governance. This committee meets approximately 5 times a year on weeknights via teleconference from 7:00-7:30 p.m. and 3 times a year on weeknights at MMS headquarters from 7:00-8:00 p.m.
