The San Bernardino County Medical Society board approved the year-end audit report, heard a report from a CMA trustee and discussed recruitment efforts.

The Unforgettables Foundation will host its annual "Lights for Little Lives Memory Walk" on Dec. 31, 2005, in Loma Linda.

The San Bernardino County Medical Society welcomed the county public health officer for a discussion about flu, listened to a report about the American Medical Association Interim Meeting and debated the new Inland Empire Regional Health Information Organization.

You are invited to nominate a fellow member or citizen you feel qualifies for an award. Act now! The deadline for nominations is March 13.

On Nov. 28, 2005, San Bernardino County Medical Society Emeritus Board Member Gebre-Christos Gobezie, MD, retired from the board after 22 years of service.

On Jan. 30, 2006, the San Bernardino County Medical Society board approved the following report from the Nominating Committee, dated Jan. 9, 2006.

Save the Date!
Sunday, April 30, 2006, 2 p.m.
Southern California Medical Museum Annual Open House
San Bernardino County Medical Society, 3995 Jurupa Ave., Riverside
Join your peers for a look back. The presentation at this year's event is "History of Infant and Invalid Feeders," by Hans Davidson, MD; Marilyn Herber, MD; and Dee Gibson, RN, CNM.

The San Bernardino County Medical Society discussed physician reimbursement issues, reviewed financial reports, approved the Nominating Committee's slate and pondered the Inland Empire Regional Health Information Organization.

The San Bernardino County Medical Society discussed the flu pandemic, the Inland Empire Health Plan, the American Medical Association National Advocacy Conference and the agenda for the California Medical Association House of Delegates in October.

The San Bernardino County Medical Society discussed the financial report, approved the budget for 2006-07 and appointed some new board members.

Meet the six physicians who will have the top roles in the San Bernardino County Medical Society. Get insights about their professional background and commitment to organized medicine.

Peggy Firtzsche, MD; W. Benson Harer Jr., MD; Edward Dainko, MD; and Dennis Park all receive special honors at the San Bernardino County Medical Society's June event.

The San Bernardino County Medical Society board discussed a new medical school in Riverside, the American Medical Association Annual Meeting and the financial report for the year.

The San Bernardino County Medical Society joins the American Medical Association in celebrating September as Women in Medicine Month. It is an opportunity to recognize the growing number of women physicians and acknowledge their influence in the community.

The Healthy Lifestyles Award Program is designed to help school children understand and embrace healthy behaviors. Classes create projects that reflect desirable health habits. The program is an annual community partnership initiative of the San Bernardino County Medical Society, the SBCMS-Alliance and the Inland Wellness Information Network.

San Bernardino County Medical Society medical student leaders and staff attended Loma Linda University School of Medicine's Freshman Orientation and Registration on Aug. 3. By explaining member benefits and opportunities, the student leaders assisted staff in successfully recruiting 102 new student members.

The San Bernardino County Medical Society board discussed the financial report for the year, pandemic influenza, Medicare cuts and the San Bernardino County Medical Reserve Corps.

Nearly 130 physicians and attorneys attended the Sept. 12 medical-legal educational program, "The Last Choice: Is it Yours? Ethically and Legally Navigating End-of-Life Issues," at the San Bernardino Hilton. The Medical Legal Committee of the San Bernardino County Medical Society and the San Bernardino County Bar Association coordinated the meeting.

The San Bernardino County Medical Society Nominating Committee will meet on Jan. 9, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. to nominate one or more candidates for each elective office on the SBCMS Board of Directors, and for California Medical Association delegates and alternate delegates to serve during the 2007-08 fiscal year, beginning July 1, 2007.Submit your nominations by Dec. 22, 2006.

Members of the San Bernardino County Medical Society actively participated in the California Medical Association House of Delegates meeting in Sacramento, Oct. 28-30. The CMA celebrated its 150th anniversary and dealt with 145 resolutions and 46 reports.

On Nov. 8, 2006, 100 physicians, hospital administrators, medical students and their guests attended the Annual High Desert General Membership Meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn in Victorville.

Select a fellow member for recognition by the society and make your nomination by April 20. Four awards will be presented.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Great Apes and Other Animals of Africa, San Bernardino
Hear Richard Moersch, MD, speak and enjoy dinner at Arrowhead Country Club. The cost is $30 per person for a steak dinner and $21 for pasta. Contact SBCMS, 951/787-7700 or 909/825-6526.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007
California Medical Association Annual Legislative Leadership Day, Sacramento
Join physicians from around the state to meet with our legislators and discuss the latest healthcare policy issues. Contact Lucy Garcia, 951/787-7700 or 909/825-6526.

Sunday, April 29, 2007
Southern California Medical Museum Annual Open House, Riverside
Calling all history buffs to attend this fun and informative event. This year's theme is "Treatment of Snake Bites, Past and Present." Contact Michele Brown, 951/787-7700 or 909/825-6526.

The San Bernardino County Medical Society, Riverside County Medical Association and the California Medical Association are proud to introduce you to one of our outstanding affinity partners, athenahealth, and invite you to a complimentary dinner and presentation on Wednesday, May 16, 2007.

The San Bernardino County Medical Society will accept nominations for the 2007 Outstanding Physician and Citizen Awards until April 20. Three medical society members and one citizen will be honored June 21 during the Installation of Officers meeting at the Mission Inn in Riverside. The award categories are:
- Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Medical Society
- Award for Outstanding Contribution to Medicine
- Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community, and
- Outstanding Citizen Award.
Remember, the deadline for nominations is April 20. Visit our Web site at www.sbcms.org and click on the link "SBCMS Accepting 2007 Nominations." For more information, contact Linda Sue Myers at 951/787-7700, ext. 105, or e-mail lmyers@sbcms.org.

On Jan. 29, 2007, the San Bernardino County Medical Society board approved the following report from the Nominating Committee, dated Jan. 9, 2007. Please review the slate of officers.

Check out this master calendar for April and May activities at the San Bernardino County Medical Society.

San Bernardino County Medical Society President Clifford Walters, MD, presented a memorial resolution to Mrs. Elena Smith from the SBCMS board of directors honoring her late husband, Roger Smith, MD, during a celebration of his life at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center on March 11, 2007. The resolution cited Dr. Smith's service to the medical society and his contributions to medicine as a neurosurgeon. The gathering was hosted by Arrowhead Regional, St. Bernardine Medical Center and SBCMS. Dr. Smith passed away Feb. 19, 2007, in San Bernardino.

For registration information about five upcoming programs, call the San Bernardino County Medical Society at 951/787-7700 or 909/825-6526, except where noted.

The San Bernardino County Medical Society shares a review of activities in several key areas, including membership, physician advocacy, Alliance programs, legislative advocacy, community advocacy, medical student activities and communications.

During a ceremony held at the Mission Inn in Riverside on April 19, Dev GnanaDev, MD, was honored with a prestigious Dr. C. David Molina Community Champion Award, given by Molina Healthcare of California. Dr. GnanaDev received the award designated for a healthcare professional.

Friends and colleagues who wish to honor the memory of Ronald P. Bangasser, MD, a former president of the San Bernardino County Medical Society and the California Medical Association, are invited to contribute to a scholarship fund. The Ronald P. Bangasser, MD, Medical Student Scholarship Fund will award scholarships to local medical students.

Please mail your tax-deductible donation to the Physicians\' Memorial, Gift & Benevolence Fund, 3993 Jurupa Ave., Riverside, CA 92506. In the memo section of the check, reference Ron Bangasser. Contact Linda Stratton at 951/787-7700 or lstratton@sbcms.org for more information. The tax ID number for the charitable organization handling the donations is 33-0219397.

Awards were presented to three physicians and one dentist for their outstanding contributions.

During the Installation of Officers event on June 21 at the Mission Inn, Alton Garrett, senior advisor for U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, read Sen. Boxer's speech concerning Ronald Bangasser, MD, that was entered into the Congressional Record. At right, Garrett presents a framed excerpt of the Congressional Record to Susan Bangasser, PhD, as a tribute to her late husband.

A class of students enrolled in the medical assistants program at Everest College in San Bernardino toured the Southern California Medical Museum on July 13. Pictured in the center rear is Thomas Gibson, MD, a member of the Historical Committee, who regularly serves as a docent for tours.

In honor of Women in Medicine Month, the San Bernardino County Medical Society presents this historical view of female physicians, based on American Medical Association materials.

In August 2007, the San Bernardino County Medical Society received two grants from the Medical Leadership Council on Cultural Proficiency (MLC). The monies are designed to improve the quality of care received by San Bernardino County patients with limited English proficiency.

The San Bernardino County Medical Society, the Riverside County Medical Association, and the District II Delegation of the California Medical Association proudly and enthusiastically endorse the candidacy of Dev GnanaDev, MD, MBA, FACS, for 2007 president-elect of the California Medical Association. CMA elections will take place on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007, at the CMA House of Delegates in Anaheim.

San Bernardino County's most trusted and comprehensive physician directory is hot off the press! As a benefit of membership, SBCMS active members will be mailed a complimentary copy of the directory. Active members can order additional copies for their home or office at the discounted price of $35 each.

Three events highlight the increased presence of the San Bernardino County Sheriff Medical Reserve Corps.

The Physicians' Memorial, Gift & Benevolence Fund is a nonprofit public benefit corporation organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Its federal tax ID is 33-0219397.

The San Bernardino County Medical Society is pleased to announce that our former president Dev GnanaDev, MD, was named president-elect of the California Medical Association during the 136th Annual House of Delegates in Anaheim in October. The CMA also pays tribute to Ronald Bangasser, MD.

On Nov. 15, the San Bernardino County Medical Society and area High Desert hospitals sponsored the 12th Annual High Desert General Membership Meeting. Nearly 100 SBCMS members, nonmembers and hospital administrators were treated to a complimentary dinner and reception at the Ambassador Hotel in Victorville.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008, is the CMA Annual Legislative Leadership Day in Sacramento, and Sunday, April 27, 2008, is the Southern California Medical Museum Annual Open House and "Medical Quackery" Presentation.

On Dec. 18, 2007, leaders from the San Bernardino County Medical Society attended a fundraiser hosted by the California Medical Association Political Action Committee and the California Academy of Eye Physicians & Surgeons for Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter at the Claim Jumper Restaurant in San Bernardino.

Thirty-six Medical Reserve Corps volunteers attended the Mock Activation and Tabletop Drill training at the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department headquarters in San Bernardino on January 8.

On Friday, Jan. 11, Corporal Bryan Lane called for volunteers of the San Bernardino County Medical Reserve Corp to help with the search for a missing hiker.

On Jan. 28, 2008, the San Bernardino County Medical Society board approved the following report from the Nominating Committee, dated Jan. 16, 2008. Please review the slate of officers.

In observing the presidential candidates during their campaigns, you could conclude that a "me" focus has again emerged. Of course the candidates state they are seeking office to give the American people a new life, a better economic climate, a change for the future, and a secure environment for our children.

Physicians and representatives from San Bernardino County hospitals attended the quarterly Medical Staff Forum on February 27, 2008 at the Inland Empire Conference Room in Riverside.

Join us at the Southern California Medical Museum Annual Open House, at 2 pm on Sunday, April 27, for a trip to the past.

Museum Open House Reveals Some Answers

Thirty-four San Bernardino County Medical Society members attended the California Medical Association's annual Legislative Leadership Conference in Sacramento.

Whether marching on Sacramento or Washington, D.C., or visiting our local or national legislators, SBCMS tried to be anything but predictable or locked in the proverbial box.

Rodney Borger, MD, received a prestigious Molina Healthcare Professional Award during the second annual Molina Healthcare of California Community Champions Awards dinner.

San Bernardino County Medical Society leaders joined Democratic state legislators, nurses and paramedics at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center on May 16 to discuss the impact of Governor Schwarzenegger's proposed budget cuts.

Eighteen physicians, medical students and staff represented the San Bernardino County Medical Society at the 11th Annual California Health Care Leadership Academy May 2-4 at Disney's Grand California Hotel & Spa in Anaheim.

Dev GnanaDev, MD, former San Bernardino County Medical Society president and CMA president-elect, was honored by California State University, San Bernardino at a dinner held Friday, May 9 in Ontario.

During the past few months I have been reflecting on why the nursing association was successful in having its demands met, and why the teachers union was able to get Gov. Schwarzenegger to back down from extensive cuts to the state education budget.