A board-certified surgeon, Dr. Palmisano is a long-time member of the ACS. He authored the risk management section on informed consent for the ACS book, Professional Liability/Risk Management. In addition, he has served on the ACS Regeants Professional Liability Committee since 1992.
"Not only is Dr. Palmisano a well-qualified surgeon, but he also is very knowledgeable in the areas of profes-sional liability and risk management, issues that are of significant interest to every physician in this country," said Paul A. Ebert, MD, ACS Director, in the College's letter of endorsement to the LSMS. "He is an eloquent speaker and is well known ... for his well thought out and clearly articulated positions on important issues."
James W. Freston, MD, PhD, president of the AGA, noted in the association's letter of endorsement: "We are pleased to extend our enthusiastic endorsement of your candidacy for the AMA Board of Trustees. We have observed your performance within the AMA with admiration and respect."
Education
1960 - Bachelor of Science Degree, Tulane University, New Orleans
1963 - Doctor of Medicine Degree, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans
1982 - Juris Doctorate Degree, Loyola University School of Law, New Orleans
Internship & Surgical Residency
1963 - 68 - Charity Hospital, Tulane Service, New Orleans
Military
1968 - 70 - USAF, Major & Chief of Surgery, 821st Medical Group (SAC)
* Air Force Commendation Medal for "outstanding professional skill, knowledge,
and leadership in accomplishing immediate evacuation and medical treatment of
crew members and rescue personnel injured in a major aircraft accident" (B-52)
Private Practice
1970 - Present - General and Vascular Surgery (Board Certified)
Faculty Appointments
* Clinical Professor of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine
* Clinical Professor of Medical Jurisprudence, Tulane University School of Medicine
Professional Organizations
* President, Louisiana State Medical Society (1984 - 85)
* Louisiana Delegate to the AMA (1986 - present); Chairman of Delegation since 1992
* Fellow, American College of Surgeons; Diplomate, American Board of Surgery
* Member, various surgical, medical, and legal organizations, including American Bar Association and Louisiana State Bar Association
Professional Appointments
* Former Chief of Surgery and Medical Staff President, Pendleton Memorial Methodist Hospital (PMMH), New Orleans and present active staff at PMMH and Lakeland Hospital
* Chair, Louisiana Medical Disclosure Panel
* Member, American College of Surgeons Regeants Professional Liability Committee
* Physician Insurers Assn. of America (PIAA) Special Committee to Study Alternatives to the Present Tort System (1985-89)
* LA Governor's Commission on Medical Malpractice (1982 - 84)
* LA Governor's Task Force on Organ Donations; Chair, Legal Subcommittee (1983 - 84)
Risk Management & Claims Consulting
* President, Intrepid Resources/The Medical Risk Manager Company providing professional liability claims handling, risk management, and managed care contracting advice to physicians, clinics, and hospitals
* Founding Board member and former Vice President of Claims for the Louisiana Medical Mutual Insurance Co. (LAMMICO), a physician-owned professional liability insurer
Publishing & Presentations
* 50 articles and more than 200 lectures and presentations on medical and legal topics
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| Dr. Palmisano (wearing surgical telescopes) and Jan T. McClanahan, MD, one of his surgical partners, perform a femoral-popliteal arterial bypass operation for ischemia in March 1996. |
It is obvious that physicians and patients would be served best if a strong democratic organization represented our richness in diversity with a common voice to the world, including the ever growing important arena of Congress. If physicians at the grass roots clearly understand that our AMA is representing them in a relevant way, they will join. Then we will hear less of the refrain I hear in my recruitment of new members: "What's in it for me and my patients? The AMA doesn't represent me." This year I was able to convince 10 doctors (including one who has been a very vocal critic of the AMA for years) to join. However, they told me that even though my persistence and advocacy won them over, they would watch carefully whether we demonstrate leadership as well as clarity and consistency in our goals. I emphasized that this was the new AMA and we will get the job done!
One element of leadership is how we handle the concerns demonstrated in the Study of the Federation. I strongly urge a review of Dr. Gary Krieger's (Delegate from California) article in the January 15 issue of American Medical News. It clearly gives detailed reasons why certain recommendations in the Study are problematic. However, Dr. Prema Mona Khanna, a member of the consortium and project teams of the Study of the Federation, strongly advocates a change from the status quo in the April 1996 issue of The Internist.
In any quest to reach a consensus, a critical step is to agree on common
goals. If so, the solution is easier, as the debate then focuses on different ways to
reach the goals. We all agree on the common goals: improved efficiency and value, increased
membership, and speaking with a unified voice - a goal akin to the motto of these United
States: "E pluribus unum" (out of many, one). Let us then prepare in good faith to find an
acceptable path to the goals. Timely dissemination of the latest feedback from the state
associations and specialty organizations would be helpful in our advance planning. I believe
a most critical piece of evidence in this debate is the answer to a question raised at the
Interim Meeting, namely, have the specialty societies signed on to the concept and will they
agree to speak as one voice after the debate is over and a consensus reached in the proposed
new federation?
DJP
Note: Over the years, I have found the writings of Edward de Bono extremely helpful in finding alternative ways to reach a common goal. His classic book is New Think, and other popular books he wrote are Lateral Thinking, Six Thinking Hats, and Six Action Shoes. While at the library or bookstore, be sure to get a copy of John Allen Paulos's (author of the best seller Innumeracy) new book A Mathematician Reads The Newspaper. It presents a common sense approach to the analysis of reports. A review of these books prior to the June meeting may be just the "relief" Justice Cardozo mentions above.
2 cups water 1 roll of garlic cheese Worcestershire sauce 2 eggs, beaten 1 stick butter or margarine Tabasco sauce 1/2 cup quick grits salt & pepper Cook grits according to package directions. Remove from heat and add cheese (cubed) and butter. Stir until cheese is melted, heating a bit more if necessary. Add eggs, salt, pepper, Worcestershire and Tabasco. Mix well, taste, and adjust seasonings if necessary. Pour into greased baking dish. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees or until golden brown. Serves 4-6. A good brunch dish.