New Jersey Podiatric Medical Society MARCH/APRIL NJ SENATE PASSES CAP GAP FUND BY A WIDE MARGIN Professional Liability Reform Moves Forward

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1 New Jersey Podiatric Medical Society MARCH/APRIL 2003 NJ SENATE PASSES CAP GAP FUND BY A WIDE MARGIN Professional Liability Reform Moves Forward By Laurie A. Clark NJPMS Lobbyist After several months of intense negotiations, SCS 2174/1570/A-50 was finally approved on March 20 TH by the New Jersey Senate with a vote of ( 33-4 ). The vote was strong, decisive and bi-partisan in nature. This substitute, designated as the "New Jersey Medical Care Access and Responsibility and Patients First Act," provides for a comprehensive set of reforms affecting the state's tort liability system, health care system and medical malpractice liability insurance. The approach contained in this bill sets a national precedent by providing a reform package that balances the needs of all stakeholders involved in this process. The bill, approved by the New Jersey Senate, includes the establishment of a CAP GAP FUND for jury awards over $300,000 with an upper limit of $1 million. The fund will be known as the Medical Malpractice Insurance Excess Fund. Revenue for the fund, is provided for by an annual surcharge of $3 per employee for all employers who are subject to the New Jersey "Unemployment Compensation Law." The bill also provides for an annual surcharge of $50 on the professional licenses of physicians, podiatrists, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists and attorneys. AFFIDAVIT OF NON-INVOLVEMENT- A health care provider named as a defendant in a medical malpractice action may file an affidavit of noninvolvement with the court. The affidavit of noninvolvement shall set forth the facts that demonstrate that the provider was misidentified or otherwise not involved, individually or through its servants or employees, in the care and treatment of the claimant, and was not obligated, either individually or through its servants or employees, to provide for the care and treatment of the claimant. The substitute provides penalties for false statements made in the affidavit or in challenging the affidavit. NEW EXPERT WITNESS CRITERIA Qualifications are established for expert witnesses in medical malpractice actions and for the purpose of executing an affidavit of merit. An expert must have the same type of practice and possess the same credentials, as applicable, as the defendant health care provider, unless waived by the court. The substitute also provides that an opinion given in expert testimony or in an affidavit as to the appropriate standard of practice or care shall demonstrate the existence of that standard through the production of tangible evidence. The substitute prohibits expert witnesses from testifying on a contingency fee basis and provides for penalties for expert witnesses who intentionally misrepresent the applicable standard of practice or care. PHYSICIAN JOINT PURCHASING ALLIANCE ESTABLISHED for the purpose of negotiating a reduced medical malpractice liability insurance premium, the bill permits physicians to join together, by means of a joint contract, to form a "Medical Malpractice Liability Insurance Purchasing Alliance". (Continued on page 8) Highlights of the Tort Liability Reforms are as follows: NEW STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS - The bill provides that actions by or on behalf of a minor that have accrued for medical malpractice shall be tolled until the minor's 11th birthday. An action, by or on behalf of a minor who has reached his 9th birthday by the effective date of the new law, that has accrued for medical malpractice for injuries sustained prior to the effective date, shall begin within four years of the effective date, except that no such action shall be commenced after the person's 20th birthday. Connecting The NJPMS will be hosting a local phone-athon on June 18 th at the office. Regional advertising of this event should generate a significant number of phone calls. In addition, to the Board of Trustee members who will man the phones to answer podiatric related questions, we invite all interested members to the office on a first-rsvp basis, as space is limited. We are also seeking additional sponsorship of this educational program in order to be able to advertise on a statewide level. Please call the office with the names of any interested companies who will receive acknowledgement of their support. Please respond ASAP! Thank you.

2 The President s Message By Robert Warkala, DPM For Members Only Happy Spring! Fortunately the toughest winter in recent memory is behind us and warmer and brighter days lie ahead. The winter weather did not prevent us from completing pre-arranged programs. Our CME Committee presented a diverse and well attended seminar on Feb. 26th. I am confident that NJPMS will continue to be a major provider of quality CME programs as we enter the initial SBME biennial period in October (Remember the NJPMS program at Region III and the Podiatry Institute/NJPMS program in October.) In March, NJPMS members provided foot screenings at the state house in Trenton and at the Diabetes Expo in Somerset. The state house screening allowed legislators and their staffers to learn about their foot and ankle problems, and provided us the opportunity to educate them about podiatric medicine and surgery. In Somerset, our volunteer doctors were kept busy the entire time and provided countless referrals to NJPMS members. Our presence at the Expo also strengthened our relations with the NJ component of the American Diabetes Association (a no-brainer). I would like to extend a special thanks to the doctors who volunteered their time, and to Mr. Hammerschmidt and the office staff for coordinating these events. Looking ahead to April, the NJPMS leadership will remain quite busy. The NJ delegation travels to the APMA House of Delegates with specific goals. It is our hope to have Dr. Chris Robertozzi elected as treasurer of APMA and to pass substantial resolutions that are sponsored by NJPMS. We continue to monitor the evolution of legislation regarding malpractice reform. A Senate bill that includes a cap of $300k for non-economic damages seems likely to pass in the Senate but will face stiff opposition in the Assembly. Look for another physician work slow down rally in late April or May if Assembly passage is uncertain. Finally, please remember that HIPAA requirements begin April 14, The APMA s HIPAA manual is available online at and is an excellent resource. Additional HIPAA materials will be available to NJPMS members through our legal counsel, Kern, Augustine, et al, or at I look forward to seeing many of you at Region III and at our own House of Delegates meeting in May. Happy Spring! New Corporate Member Jumps on Board Practice Alternatives, Inc. (PAI), of Eatontown has, as of March, become a gold member in the NJPMS Corporate Membership Program. The contact person for PAI is Mr. Phil Grassia, at PAI and its family has, since 1982, effectively worked in partnership with healthcare providers and their staffs, providing essential administrative and technical support services such as: custom billing, cost effective transcription service and custom designed support services. Those members who attended the recent February seminar may have already met Mr. Grassia. Additionally, many of our members already utilize their services. I urge you to contact them or stop by their booth at Region III in May. We appreciate their support and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship. A publication of the New Jersey Podiatric Medical Society 557 Cranbury Road Suite #3 East Brunswick, NJ Tel: (732) Fax: (732) executiveoffice@njpms.com Editor Herman Hammerschmidt Robert Warkala, DPM President Harvey Karpo, DPM President- Elect Nancy A. Kaplan, DPM Vice-President Sharon M. Root, DPM Treasurer Steven Cancell, DPM Secretary George Nassoor, DPM Imm. Past President Herman Hammerschmidt Executive Director Lorraine Fenenic Financial Administrator Janice Baker Administrative Assistant Barbara Kreitzman Office Assistant/Receptionist Deborah Mucisko Office Assistant The NJPMS is a professional medical society founded in 1905, whose purpose is to advance the profession of Podiatric Medicine in the state of New Jersey; to advance and promote the art and science of Podiatry; to elevate and maintain professional standards; to safeguard the integrity of its membership; to establish mutual relationships and understanding between the podiatric and other medical professions; to inform and establish a credible relationship with the public. The NJPMS and its official publication of For Members Only assumes no responsibility for the statements or opinions appearing under an author s name or for articles reprinted from other publications.

3 Announcing a New Way to Receive Important Medicare Information In our continuing efforts to serve our providers, Empire Medicare Services is now offering a new way for you to receive important information relating to the Medicare program. Sign up now for our provider electronic mailing list on the Empire Website ( Members of our electronic mailing list will receive information regularly on topics such as billing, provider education and training, and other time-sensitive Medicare announcements. You will also receive notification when our most recent Medicare News Briefs are available online. Signing up is easy. Simply click on the News button from our homepage. Then click on Subscribe to the Mailing List! link under Part B New Jersey and fill in the requested information. You will begin receiving important information regularly. The Medicare News Brief February/March Medicare Physician Fee Schedule If a physician/provider cannot acquire the new, 2003 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule from our website ( and wants to receive a hard copy version, it should be requested as follows: A request for a hard copy fee schedule must be sent in writing, along with a check made out to Empire Medicare Services for $11.50 to: Empire Medicare Services Coordination Department PO Box Harrisburg, PA If a physician/provider requires copies for multiple localities (Area 01 and 99), there is a cost of $11.50 for each fee schedule needed. Gail Rounds Manager, Provider Education & Training Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Update CMS will cover hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy for diabetic wounds beginning April 1, CMS issued a National Coverage Decision for this treatment last year. To qualify for coverage, the patient must have a lower extremity wound that is due to diabetes (ICD-9-CM diagnosis, 250.7, 250.8, 707, 707.1, , , , and ): the wound must be classified as Wagner Grade III or higher; and standard wound therapy for at least 30 days has been unsuccessful. CMS created two Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes to use: (physician attendance and supervision of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, per session and C1300 (hyperbaric oxygen under pressure, fully body chamber, per 30 minute interval). Code 1300 is only for use in a hospital outpatient department. See the CMS program memorandum specifying the coverage policy and coding for this treatment at the following website: pm_trans/ab02183.pdf 54th Annual Region Three Conference Approaches By Barry G. Wolff, DPM, Convention Manager Just a reminder, the Region Three Conference will be held from May 13th -16th, 2003, at the Trump Taj Mahal Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. I would like to focus on the program on Tuesday, May 13th. Once again, we have received an unrestricted educational grant from Otsuka American Pharmaceuticals (they are the manufacturers of Pletal, (a drug used for intermittent claudication and wound healing). The program is entitled: Podiatric Medicine and Vascular Disease: A-State-of-the-Art-Update. The course director is Dr. Michael Jaff. The presenters include: Anthony Comerota, MD, director Jobst Vascular Center; Bruce Mintz, DO, Director Vascular Laboratory, St. Clare s Medical Center; Robert Schainfeld, DO, Director of Vascular Medicine at St. Elizabeth s Medical Center and Baur Sumpio, MD, Chief of Vascular Surgery at Yale University School of Medicine. As you can see, this is a very impressive array of vascular medical specialists who will provide a very impressive day long program. The program will be augmented with an interactive audience component. For those of you who are not familiar with this concept, it is the same type of system that is used on the show: Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? Each attendee will receive a remote unit with numbers and letters. When the lecturer asks a question, the audience responds by selecting the appropriate button. An instant chart or graph will indicate the audience s response. Lunch will be provided by Otsuka, as well as a refreshment break and cocktail reception. All this, in addition to the rest of the conference (Track I) is included in the registration fee of $95.00 for members in good standing who register before April 28th. (continued on page 8)

4 Medicare Update By Ken Malkin, DPM Notes from Medicare Provider Education Committee Provider Relations in Lawrenceville has been sending out faxes to keep abreast of fee schedule changes to all specialty societies. NJPMS has forwarded this on to members. NON-MEMBERS have received no formal notification of a revised 2003 fee schedule.member BENEFIT has a fee calculator which allows one to check RVUs global days, multiple procedure rules for any CPT code for free Fee schedule available on paper for $11.50 for each geographic location Outpatient Therapy Cap PT, OT, Speech therapy Effective for DOS 7/1/03 DOS there is a $1, limit allowed at Medicare fee schedule per calendar year PT and $1, per calendar year OT on allowed incurred expenses including the $ deductible and 20% $1, (MPFS) x 80% = $1, Bene pays $ and limit reached at $1, Excluded from CAP As a hospital outpatient Hospital inpatients not in covered Part A stay Casts and splints and wound care code does not fall under cap All PT codes in office need a GP modifier - physical therapy All therapy needs 1.) Plan of care, 2.) At First Encounter need patient to know they are responsible for paying all charges above cap and they may get PT above the cap at a hospital outpatient department. Common working file which tracks cap posts on date claim received not processed so send PT claims in timely. There will be a survey of providers.regarding training in the Medicare program. Complete local medical review policies will no longer be in bulletins after 10/02. You can obtain them via fax or the internet. Creating a Bigger Pie By Harvey Karpo, DPM, President-Elect We need to continually educate the public as to who we are and what we do as the specialists of the foot and ankle. At two recent foot screenings not only did our volunteer NJPMS members examine and educate over 110 potential new patients to the value of podiatric care but also provided over 100 referrals for these individuals and their families. Referrals were made based on the proximity of member practitioners to the homes of those needing referrals. The Legislative Foot Screening at the state house on March 13 th involved approximately 50 employees, legislators, and their aides. We wish to thank Drs. Franceschini, Kaplan, Karpo, Killian, McAnespey, McGuigan, Mangel, and Warkala for their time and efforts at this event. Special thanks to Etonic for sponsoring the event and displaying their exciting line of diabetic therapeutic footwear! At the Diabetes Expo in Somerset on March 15 th, over 60 diabetics were screened, given some guidance on preventative foot care, and appropriate referrals to NJPMS member podiatrists for treatment. Numerous others requested, and were given, referrals to podiatrists. Thanks go out to Drs. Robert Warkala, George Nassoor, Phil Tutnauer, Ira Schiowitz, Norman Heifitz, Harvey Karpo and his wife Agnes and Herman Hammerschmidt, our executive director and his wife, Chris, for their time and efforts at this very busy event of over 3,000 attendees. Don t discount the value of these screenings to your practice! A few hours spent in your community will help to increase the mere 5-8 percent of the population-at-large who utilize podiatric services. Volunteer for your profession and help your practices, and our profession will grow! Call the office to get info and assistance in setting up regular foot screenings in your communities. Work with your local hospitals, senior centers, even a local pharmacy or medical supplier to increase foot health awareness and the podiatrist s invaluable contribution to a good quality of life. The public will never know what we do until we show them our expertise.

5 Physician s Recovery Network Help your family, your patients, your profession and most of all, yourself. Call: All calls are strictly confidential. DEP WEBSITE As a membership service and resource, the website for the Department of Environmental Protection is This will provide up to date information including the list of approved medical physicists. LOST OR STOLEN PRESCRIPTIONS? Call Office of Drug Control Enforcement/ New Jersey Prescription Blank Unit Division of Consumer Affairs P.O. Box 183 Newark, NJ HELP!!!!! NJPMS to update your file. Fax your address to: ATTENTION Attend your division meeting for news, information and camaraderie. All in the interest of podiatric medicine. State Hotlines Available Please be advised that the State of New Jersey has available several HOT LINES concerning any questions or problems you are experiencing with patient care. For Medicaid/HMO problems/ patient questions call the: MEDICAID/HMO ACCESS HOTLINE For the new Family Care Plan and Kid Care programs call the: FAMILY CARE HOTLINE MARK THE DATE The 2003 Fifth Annual Jonathan Robertozzi Memorial Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament will be played at the Pine Barrens Golf Club, Jackson, on June 11th. No excuses this year!!! 2003 May 7 June 18 July August NJPMS Board Meeting Schedule Executive Committee and House of Delegates E. Brunswick Chateau Board of Trustees No Meeting No Meeting September 10 Board of Trustees October 15 November 19 December 17 Executive Committee Committee Meetings Board of Trustees Executive Board Committee Meetings New HIPAA Manual Available The long awaited HIPAA manual is available from APMA. Members can download the manual from the Members Only section of the APMA website at Or the manual may be ordered from the national organization by calling ASK-APMA for a $15 shipping charge. Point of Concern Please make sure that all permits and licenses which enable you to practice podiatry in New Jersey are valid and upto-date. Do not put your practice at risk.

6 (Continued from page 1) NJ Senate Passes Cap Gap Fund NEW DEDUCTIBLES MUST BE OFFERED BY INSURERS - Individual or group medical malpractice liability insurance policies shall be offered with a deductible, at the option of the insured, in an amount of at least $10,000 per claim and up to $1 million per claim. The deductibles offered by an insurer shall be subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance. For policies with a deductible of $15,000 or greater, the insurer would be responsible for payment of the deductible and would be reimbursed for that amount by the insured. NEW PREMIUM INCREASE CRITERIA The bill provides that an insurer shall not increase the premium of any medical malpractice liability insurance policy based on a claim of medical negligence or malpractice against the insured unless the claim results in a medical malpractice claim settlement, judgment or arbitration award against the insured or the cost of defending against the claim exceeds $15,000. NEW PREMIUM INCREASE CRITERIA The bill provides that an insurer shall not increase the premium of any medical malpractice liability insurance policy based on a claim of medical negligence or malpractice against the insured unless the claim results in a medical malpractice claim settlement, judgment or arbitration award against the insured or the cost of defending against the claim exceeds $15,000. INSTALLMENT PAYMENT OPTION MUST BE OFFERED BY INSURERS - The bill requires medical malpractice liability insurers to offer its insured the option to make premium payments in installments, as prescribed by the commissioner, by regulation. As most are aware, the New Jersey General Assembly previously passed A50 (Cohen/Roberts) a proposal that was substantially different from the Senate bill. The bill now requires a full Assembly floor vote for concurrence. As of this writing, the Legislature is not scheduled to return until May. We need to keep the grassroots efforts strong and ongoing in order to convince the Assembly Leaders to come on board. The fight goes on! (Continued from page 5) 54th Annual Region Three Conference Approaches For those interested in staying at the Trump Taj Mahal, the single/double rate is the same as last year: $ Reservations must be made prior to April 11th in order to guarantee the convention rate.the phone number is Mention group APODMO3. You will receive more information in the mail. Other presenters for the remainder of the meeting include: Kiern Mahan, DPM; Liza Ovington, PhD, CWS; James McGuire, DPM; Charles M. Zelen, DPM; Jason Miller, DPM; David Zuckerman, DPM; Mark Kosinski, DPM and Michael Warsaw, DPM. You will be receiving information on specific times and topics in the mail. If you have not received any information to date, please contact me by fax at or bwolff@jersey.net. I would like to thank the following companies for their generous support of the meeting: Otsuka American Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Pharmacia Corporation; Johnson and Johnson Wound - Management; Dermik; Exogen and Medicis. It is because of their support and the support of the exhibitors that the registration fee is so low. The assistant s program will be held on May 14th-15th and will once again be co-directed by Joan Gordon and Lynn Homisak. This is traditionally one of the best assistant s program in the country. Exhibit space is going fast and we expect to be sold out. Once again, compliments of Region Three, lunch will be provided Wednesday and Thursday, May 14th and 15th, with a continental breakfast on Friday, May 16th. Our state society, NJPMS, is offering a Track II Program on Wednesday May 14th. It will include a PICA Risk Management Seminar in the morning which is free to NJPMS members. A Foot and Ankle Orthosis Hands-On Workshop featuring, the Arizona Brace with Mr. Ernesto Castro, Board Certified Pedorthist, the Ritchie Brace with Douglas Ritchie, DPM, and the STS Stocking with inventor Richard Stess, DPM, will be presented from 1-5 pm. There will be an additional $95.00 charge for all those wishing to attend this workshop. As I mentioned in my last article, the New Jersey members have supported the convention very well, with that comes a greater portion of the surplus given to NJPMS, which is contingent on the total number of New Jersey attendees. For those who attend regularly I welcome you and encourage more of our colleagues to come back to Region Three. I welcome any ideas or suggestions that would increase registration from NJPMS members. My address once again is bwolff@jersey.net.

7 Dates to Remember National/2003 State/2003 April 26-27, Rearfoot and Ankle Surgical Skills Course, Rosemont, IL. CMEs pending. April 26-27, Ortho Medicus and the American Society of Podiatric Dermatology/Annual Cherry Blossom Podiatric Dermatology Seminar, New York, NY. Approved for 12 CMEs Category 1. April 28, NYCPM/2003 Lecture Series, New York, NY. Approved for 2 CMEs Category I. NJPMS Corporate Members Noted As we begin another year let us recognize and thank our corporate sponsors. They support and assist your society with their efforts. Please utilize their services and products. Dermik Pharmaceutical Telephone: Doak (Bradley Pharmaceutical) Telephone: Toll Free: Etonic Athletic Worldwide Toll Free: Worldwide Financial Resources Mortgages/Appraisals/Refinances Mr. Dana Goodman Telephone: Kern, Augustine, Conroy, Schoppmann P.C. Attorney at Law Telephone: Mr. Robert Conroy Legal Council to the Society Endorsed Legal Defense Plan Patton Associates Insurance Brokers Mr. James Wiley Telephone: x 104 Endorsed PICA Malpractice Program Practice Alternatives, Inc. (PAI) Mr. Phil Grassia Telephone: Practice Mgmt. Information Systems/Billing/Account Receivable Services May 7th, New Jersey Podiatric Medical Society House of Delegates, East Brunswick Chateau May 13th-16th, Region III, Atlantic City, Taj Mahal June 11th, Robertozzi Golf Tournament, Pine Barrens Golf Club, Jackson, NJ June 25th, PAC Fishing Trip, Belmar October 10-12, Podiatry Institute Seminar, Sheraton, Atlantic City October 11th, Installation Dinner/ Dance, Sheraton, Atlantic City Plan to Attend Mark your calendar now for three days of top-notch continuing education in our own backyard. The Podiatry Institute will be presenting a three-day seminar at the Sheraton Atlantic City from Oct There will be topics of interest for every practitioner, pearls for every practice. For additional information, please see the website at www. podiatryinstitute.com where you may register now for this exciting event. Our annual installation of state officers will take place on Oct 11 th to round out the educational experience. Additional info will be forthcoming! NJPMS Take A Shot Raffle For a mere $25 bucks, you can Take A Shot at one year s free membership in NJPMS, APMA and your division for the fiscal year. Proceeds designated are for public education and public relations programs. Nobody loses...whether or not your ticket is drawn, with funds for PE&I, you re bound to win anyway. Simply fill out the mailed ticket and send it to the society office along with your check for $25 for each raffle ticket. No limit on the number of entries. (Photocopy the form if more tickets are desired.) Approximate value: $1, Drawing will be held at the June 18th board meeting.

8 NJPMS Professional Marketplace Please respond to box numbers at: NJPMS 557 Cranbury Road, Suite #3 E. Brunswick, NJ Position Available in Central NJ. Associate position available full-time. PSR24/36 trained. Includes salary, benefits and bonus. Busy, well-established single practitioner in practice that has grown too large. Send CV to or to (03/03) -2 Associate Wanted. Looking for a highly motivated podiatric associate, northern New Jersey area, great potential for growth, friendly environment. Mail curriculum vitae to Box 328. (03/03) -2 Practice Wanted. PA podiatry group interested in purchasing practice or possible joint venture. Preferable in Warren County, NJ. Surrounding areas will be considered. Great opportunity if you wish to sell or expand your practice. Please respond: podsearch@hotmail.com (03/01) -2 Practices for Sale.Wellestablished highly successful two office practice. General podiatry, surgical, with strong referral base. Hospital privileges available, good insurance mix. Physician retiring this summer, will transition. Reply to Box (03/03)-2 Associate Position. In Hudson county, mature, reliable, willing to do house calls. May lead to partnership for the right individual. Please send replies to Box 330. (03/03) -1 For Sale. Auto XR Processor, brand new, $3, Please call (03.03) -1 Associate Needed. North Jersey, must be well trained, must be ABPS qualified. Call (03/03) -1 For Sale. Polaroid X-ray equipment 8 x 10 less than two years old, used less than 20 times. Best offer. Xcell X-ray Unit circa 1986 used very sparingly. Passed recent inspection. Short arm wall mounted. Best offer. Call Ken Malkin (03/03) -1 Associate Wanted. PSR-24 or higher. Two offices. This is a truly unique opportunity for a new practitioner to join an ABPS certified group with partnership potential. All aspects of foot and ankle surgery performed. Please reply with a letter of intent and CV to Box 331. (03/03) -1 NJPMS LOGO POLO/GOLF SHIRTS and New Long Sleeve Blue Oxford Shirts Available $33.00 S,M,L,XL $35.00 XXL $1.50 S & H Show your colors!!!! Please mail your check to: NJPMS 557 Cranbury Road, Ste. 3 E. Brunswick, NJ Address Request PLEASE FORWARD TO YOUR DIVISION CHAIR, YOUR CURRENT AD- DRESS. THIS WILL COINCIDE WITH THE SOCIETY S WEBSITE UPDATING TO HAVE ONLINE CAPABILITIES. YOUR COOPERATION IS APPRECIATED. A Capital Improvement By Harvey Karpo, DPM, President-Elect Membership Committee Chairman Another very stimulating meeting of the proposed Capital Division was held in the Mercer County area on March 11th. Sixteen of our colleagues not only enjoyed breaking bread together, but also nominated and approved the tentative officers of the new division. Special thanks to Dr. James Ricketti who delivered a very informative presentation of the role of our State Board of Medical Examiners and to Medicis for their sponsorship. The next meeting of the Mercer area members will be on April 22nd at 6:30 pm. Please RSVP to the office at by April 16th. Motions to formally approve the formation and naming of this new division will occur at the April 2nd Board of Trustees meeting with ratification to take place at the House of Delegates meeting on May 7th. Please call Dr. Harvey Karpo at with any comments, or input, prior to the April meeting. Thank you. Please Note NJPMS accepts credit card payments for membership dues, seminar fees, PPAC and any other miscellaneous charges.