UC Riverside Assistant Chancellor Cynthia Giorgio expressed UCR's desire to establish a medical school that trains a diverse physician workforce, with innovations in research, education and healthcare delivery. UCR's Health Sciences Initiative will strengthen research and graduate education in the health sciences to address the medically underserved in the Inland Empire, she said.

The three major programs are the Health Sciences Research Institute; the establishment of the Center for Clinical Medical Education, which will coordinate rotations in area hospitals for third- and fourth-year medical students and residency programs for recently graduated MDs; and the expansion of the two-year UCR/UCLA Thomas Haider Program in Biomedical Sciences to a full-scale, four-year, research-based School of Medicine. Following Giorgio's presentation, the San Bernardino County Medical Society board approved a resolution supporting UCR's efforts.

San Bernardino County Public Health Officer Eric Frykman, MD, emphasized the importance of planning for pandemic influenza to ensure a sustainable healthcare response. He distributed a flu-planning checklist for medical offices developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Inland Empire Health Plan Chief Medical Officer Brad Gilbert, MD, responded to concerns raised by SBCMS members regarding reimbursement by the plan.

American Medical Association Alternate Delegate Victor Ching, MD, reviewed the highlights from the June AMA Annual Meeting and reported that California Medical Association Past President William Plested, MD, was installed as AMA president and Rebecca Patchin, MD, past president of the Riverside County Medical Association, was elected secretary of the board of trustees.

CMA Trustee Dev GnanaDev, MD, reported on the organization's search for a new executive vice president, the CMA's response to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's executive order banning balance billing, the CMA's new membership database system, and the proposal to revitalize the Los Angeles County Medical Association.

California Medical Association Political Action Committee board member Thelma Korpman, MD, reported that in the June 6, 2006, primary election, CALPAC was able to continue its electoral success with 94 percent of the candidates it supported winning their races.

SBCMS Treasurer Rick Murray, MD, presented the 12-month financial report for the period July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006. Total revenue was $613,277. Total expenses were $464,324. Excess revenue over expenses was $148,953, after depreciation. The board approved the 12-month financial report as submitted.

SBCMS President Manmohan Nayyar, MD, presented and the board approved a new SBCMS member benefit that will save members money on credit card processing fees. The board selected Victor Ching, MD, as the new District II vice chair. His term begins following the 2006 CMA House of Delegates. The board nominated Rebecca Patchin, MD, for the CMA's YPS Young At Heart Award and nominated Ron Bangasser, MD, for the CMA Foundation Robert Sparks, MD, Leadership Award.