November 17, 2009

Location

Conference Room D, 21 Penn Tower

Present

Drs. Asbury, Dalinka, Downes, Goldfine, Hess, Kefalides, LaRossa, MacGregor, McCarthy, Meadows, Meyer, Saunders, Schleyer, Steinberg and Rachael Berget from the Office of Faculty Affairs

Absent

Drs. Heppenstall and Nachmias

Minutes

Dr Goldfine called the meeting to order at 12:05. The agenda for the meeting and other documents were distributed.

2009 Retirement Dinner

The President noted that comments from this years retirees indicated that they were very pleased with the event. Thirty eight attended the dinner and five of the twelve retirees were present at the Reception/Dinner. It was noted that there were now three retiree celebrations; The Presidents Reception in September, the ASEF Reception in October and the PASEF Reception in November. Medical School retirees are honored at all three events. Discussion followed on whether or not it would be prudent to combine the ASEF and PASEF events. Little sentiment for a combined event emerged. An important activity of the ASEF is honoring our retirees in the School of Medicine. The structure of the Retirement Reception/Dinner was discussed. The need to explore the Inn at Penn next year as the reception venue was considered. Certain advantages of the Inn in terms of parking, food quality, atmosphere, and facilities were identified as more amenable to the size of our event. The group agreed to explore this and other venues for the fall event. The format was discussed and it was suggested that the program might be part of the dinner, yet separate from the reception. A concern was raised that this might increase the size of the dinner incurring additional expense to the Association.It was noted that honoring retirees was also the responsibility of the School of Medicine. ASEF should discuss with the Dean the possibility of an expanded partnership for this event in which the School sponsors the reception, and the ASEF organizes it. This might command more resources and greater attendance.It was suggested that the Association present each Retiree with a Certificate of Appreciation for their years of service to the School.

Joint Activities with PASEF: Dr. Kefalides noted that he is now organizing luncheon meetings for PASEF and has a full winter and spring schedule. PASEF is currently working on a revision to University Patient Policies as they might relate to retirees. PASEF announced that the FIAP plan is being extended to full-time faculty over the age of 70. Application must be made by December 31, 2009 to gain access to the plan. A spring meeting of PASEF is planned at the Art Museum with a lecture on the artistic and historical importance of the Gross Clinic and Agnew Clinic Paintings by Thomas Eakins. PASEF is encouraging Departmental web sites to list current Emeritus faculty along with standing faculty.

Emeritus Title for Research Track Faculty: Dr. Goldfine summarized the current status of conferring Emeritus status on Research Track faculty upon retirement. He noted that he had discussed the matter with SEC Chairman Dr. Harvey Rubin. Dr. Rubin approached the Provost concerning this matter and was asked to provide an indication of how peer intuitions handle this issue. During the summer and into the fall Dr. Goldfine and Dr. Brian Salzsberg collected data on peer institutions. In summary, there was great variability among other Universities, with no clear consensus emerging. The equivalent of our Research Track at other Universities is defined in very diverse ways. A motion was made and seconded that the ASEF requests that the University of Pennsylvania develop its own set of rules for dealing with the conference of Emeritus Status on Research Track Faculty. The vote was unanimously approved. This will be conveyed to Dr. Rubin.

By-Law Changes

A proposal was put forward by Dr. Steinberg for changes in the Association By-Laws. 1. The number of at-large members of the Executive Council is to be increased from three to six, with two new members elected each year (Council approved this last year. Adding this provision to the By-Laws formalizes it.). 2. Retain past presidents on the Executive Council for three years instead of one. This would provide greater continuity to the ASEF organization. 3) Members of the Associated Faculty are provided with continued ASEF membership after retirement (At present Associated Faculty are not given Emeritus status by the University and therefore are not formally entitled to become Emeritus members of ASEF upon retirement). The proposals were discussed and the specific language changes to the By-Laws identified. A motion was made and seconded to amend the By-Laws as above, and by unanimous vote approved. The changes will be forwarded to the ASEF membership, and a vote will be called on this matter at the upcoming spring meeting.

Committee Reports

Luncheon Seminar – Dr. Kefalides

The schedule for ASEF presentations is filled for the spring semester. He has scheduled Dr. Skobronsky for March 11, 2010 to speak on Brain Imaging and Dr. Hakonarson for May 11, 2010 who will discuss current issues in Genomics and Stem Cell Research. He is seeking recommendations for additional speakers. Dr. Kefalides noted that as he assumes the role of ASEF President this summer, there will be a need to identify a new Luncheon Seminar Chairman. Possible candidates were discussed.

Service Committee – Dr. McCarthy and Dr. MacGregor

Federally designated Health Centers may be adversely impacted by the impending Health Reforms. ASEF has identified several centers where Penn retired physicians can provide clinical service and be supported with malpractice coverage. This may change with the health reform legislation. Drs. MacGregor and Darren continue to develop an advocacy program.

Education Committee – Dr. Schleyer

The Website has largely been updated. Dr. Schleyer is currently working on the memorial links of the site. Using March, 2004 as a start date (the time of the ASEF inception) the names of all deceased Medical School faculty will be listed along with some succinct biographic text. It was discussed if a picture should be placed on the web site, and the extent to which an obituary should be included. Another archive in development is the biographic sketches of recent retirees. These archives would be kept indefinitely on the ASEF website.

Program Committee – Dr. Meadows and Dr. Pasquariello

The plans for the Spring Event were discussed. Dr. Meadows noted that the most successful events in past years were related to retirement issues. Assistance was sought to bring forth ideas for the event that would be relevant to our membership. One suggestion was a panel discussion on recent advances in stem cell research. The discussion also considered topics outside of medical and retirement issues. Members of the Association should forward suggestions for the Spring event to Dr. Meadows.

Retirement Community Committee – Dr. Saunders

The outcomes of a meeting in October with personnel of the University Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services were reported. A considerable effort was expended by personnel in the Division to identify consultants with experience in organizing university based retirement communities. Such a consultation would assist in framing the parameters of a survey designed to accurately identify a constituent community of financially capable and seriously interested individuals who would want to live in such a retirement community. The survey would be undertaken by the Cartographic Modeling Lab (CML), which is part of the School of Social Policy and Practice. The meeting concluded with agreement that the next two phases of the project are to contract a local consultant and solicit a proposal from CML. Resources to support these initial steps will be sought from the University by the Division.

New Business

Dr Goldfine indicated that he had formed a new Committee, tentatively called the Headquarters Committee, and Dr. Saunders has agreed to serve as chair. This Committee would oversee the new ASEF space on 21 Penn Tower, and consider how best to utilize it. It was noted that the facility is now fully outfitted. Members are invited to utilize the office, lounge, and study areas of the space. The entry key code can be obtained by e-mailing Dr. Goldfine or Dr. Saunders.

Future Executive Council meetings for the winter and spring of 2010 are scheduled for Jan 26, Feb 23, march 23, April 20, and May 18.

The next Executive Council meeting is on December 15th. Note: The meeting will be at 3:00 PM in Conference Room D, 21 Penn Tower. Following the meeting all EC and ASEF committee members and their spouses/partners are invited to a holiday reception in the ASEF Space on 21 Penn Tower.

Respectfully submitted,
Jim Saunders
December 4, 2009