House of Delegates

All legislative power of the WSMA is vested in the approximately 175 voting members of the WSMA House of Delegates.

For the compendium of all policies passed by the House of Delegates, visit our What’s Our Policy? page.

Official Actions of the 2021 House of Delegates

For policies adopted at the 2021 WSMA Annual Meeting, download the Official Actions of the 2021 WSMA House of Delegates.

Update on 2021 HOD actions

Official Actions of the 2021 House of Delegates progress report (updated April 2022)

For previous years' reports, contact the WSMA Seattle office at wsma@wsma.org or 206.441.9762.

About the House of Delegates

The WSMA House of Delegates is comprised of elected delegates from each county medical society, qualified state specialty societies, and members of the WSMA Board of Trustees. There is one resident delegate, one student delegate, and one young physician delegate. Each county society has one delegate for every 50 active WSMA members.

Each medical specialty society is entitled to elect or appoint one delegate and one alternate, provided that such specialty society has as members at least one hundred active members of the WSMA, or if the specialty society has fewer than 100 members, 50% of its members must belong to the WSMA.

How the House of Delegates Operates

The WSMA House of Delegates meets once a year, typically in September or October (learn more about the Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates). The House may also be called into special session at any time by the WSMA president on the written request of fifteen members of the House.

All business of the House is conducted according to parliamentary procedures as outlined in "The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure."

WSMA Governance Outside of the Annual House of Delegates Meeting

When the House of Delegates is not in session, the WSMA is governed by the board of trustees. The board meets quarterly and is responsible for carrying out the mandates and policies of the House. The board has all the powers of the House except amending the bylaws or establishing dues or assessments.

From the board of trustees, the WSMA president, president-elect, vice president, immediate past president, and secretary-treasurer form the executive committee. The committee meets monthly and acts for the board in implementing WSMA programs and establishing interim policy.

The WSMA president is the spokesperson for the association.

How to Serve as a WSMA Delegate

If you are interested in serving as a delegate, contact your county medical society or state specialty society. If you are unsure who to contact, email WSMA staff at slb@wsma.org.

Delegate Duties

Learn more about your responsibilities and the expectations of service as a delegate.

2022 House of Delegates Members

If you are interested in serving as a delegate, there are still some remaining seats open for the 2022 meeting. Review the delegate roster below for available seats. Contact your county medical society or state specialty society about serving as a delegate. If you are unsure who to contact, you can email WSMA staff at slb@wsma.org.

Asotin County - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Benton-Franklin County - 2

Delegate

Saravanan Kasthuri, MD, Richland

Chelan-Douglas County - 6

Delegates

No delegate on record

Clallam County – 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Clark County - 12

Delegates

Bruce J. Andison, MD, Ridgefield
Rebecca L. Hoffman, MD, Vancouver
Alan L. Melnick, MD, MPH, Portland
Douglas R. Myers, MD, Vancouver
Dino W. Ramzi, MD, Washougal

Cowlitz-Wahkiakum County - 3

Delegate

No delegate on record

Grant-Adams County - 2

Delegates

No delegate on record

Grays Harbor County - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Jefferson County - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

King County - 53

Delegates

Christopher Belcher, MD, Seattle
Nancy Connolly, MD, MPH, Seattle
Amish J. Dave, MD, MPH, Seattle
Jeffrey M. Frankel, MD, Mercer Island
Teresa M. Girolami, MD, Redmond
Matthew J. Grierson, MD, Bothell
Kevin Johnson, MD, Bellevue
Richard A. Kaner, MD, Bellevue
Rajneet S. Lamba, MD, Kirkland
Daniel H. Low, MD, Renton
Shane E. Macaulay, MD, Bellevue
Julia Murray, MD, Seattle
Tony S. Quang, MD, JD, Seattle
Donald J. Ross, MD, Seattle
Bruce C. Smith, MD, Issaquah
Michelle Terry, MD, Seattle
Mark R. Vossler, MD, Kirkland
Hope A. Wechkin, MD, Seattle

Kitsap County - 6

Delegates

Dawson S. Brown, MD, Silverdale
Glen Carlson, MD, Bremerton
Christopher C. Johnson, MD, Silverdale
Dana A. Jungschaffer, MD, Silverdale
Steffan R. Tolles, MD, Silverdale
Duane C. Whitaker, MD, Bainbridge Island

Alternate

Paul Tice, MD, OFEM, Bainbridge Island

Kittitas County - 1

Delegate

Vanessa S. Wright, MD, Spokane

Klickitat-Skamania County - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Lewis County - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Lincoln County – 0

Northeast Tri-Counties - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Okanogan County - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Pacific County - 1

Delegate

Dave R. Cundiff, MD, MPH, Ilwaco

Alternate

Frank A. Hing, MD, Raymond

Pierce County - 19

Delegates

Julian S. Arroyo, MD, Lakewood
Neil R. Batta, MD, Gig Harbor
Anthony L. Chen, MD, MPH, Tacoma
Breck Lebegue, MD, MPH, Steilacoom
Richard S. Hawkins, MD, Tacoma
Nicholas Rajacich, MD, Tacoma
Dina C. Titova, MD, PhD, Auburn

Skagit-Island County - 3

Delegate

Wirt A. Hines III, MD, PhD, Anacortes
Krishnaraj Jayarama, DO, Bellingham

Snohomish County - 13

Delegates

Troy K. Bender, PA-C, DMSc, MSPAS, Gold Bar
Gary M. Goldbaum, MD, MPH, Seattle

Spokane County - 15

Delegates

Frank Andersen, MD, Spokane
Dawn E. DeWitt, MD, MSc, MACP, Spokane
Erin R. Medina, MD, Spokane
Brian J. Seppi, MD, Spokane

Thurston-Mason - 7

Delegates

Lucinda Grande, MD, Seatac
Julia L. Hamilton, DO, Olympia
Alexandra E. Harmony, DO, Olympia
Robert G.R. Lang, MD, Olympia
Amie E. Mower, DO, Shelton
Kim H. Wadsworth, DO, Olympia
Robert J. Widrow, MD, PhD, Olympia

Alternate

Henry L. Stockbridge, MD, Olympia

Walla Walla County - 1

Delegates

No delegate on record

Whatcom County - 7

Delegates

Rodney J. Anderson, MD, Bellingham
John E. Dunne, MD, Bellingham
Megan B. Ellingsen, MD, MPH, HMDC, Bellingham
Garrett S. Jeffery, DO, Bellingham

Whitman County - 1

Delegate

Laura Baker, MD

Yakima County - 2

Delegates

Linda M. Dale, PA-C, Yakima

Medical Student Section - 1

Delegate

Brian Carlson, Spokane

Alternate

Adam Knott, Spokane

Resident & Fellow Physician Section - 1

Delegate

Kelsie M. Smith, DO, Spokane

Young Physician Section - 1

Delegate

Jennifer M. Maxwell, MD, Yakima

Alternate

Peter A. Barkett, MD, Bremerton

Washington Society of Addiction Medicine - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Washington State Society of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Washington State Society of Anesthesiologists - 1

Delegate

Timothy W. Clement, MD, Wenatchee

Washington Chapter, American College of Cardiology - 1

Delegate

Ruchi Kapoor, MD, PhD, Seattle

Washington State Dermatology Association - 1

Delegate

Kendra G. Bergstrom, MD, Seattle

Washington Chapter, American College of Emergency Physicians - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Washington Academy of Family Physicians - 1

Delegate

June G. Bredin, MD, Ellensburg

Alternate

Lydia Bartholomew, MD, Edmonds

Pacific Northwest Gastroenterology Society - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Infectious Diseases Society of Washington - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Washington Society for Post-Acute & Long-Term Care - 1

Delegate

Jason W. Heffernan, MD, MS, Spokane

Washington State Medical Oncology Society - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Washington State Neurological Society - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Washington Association of Neurological Surgeons - 1

Delegate

Robert G.R. Lang, MD, Olympia

Washington Section, American College of OB/GYN - 1

Delegate

Jane A. Dimer, MD, Mercer Island

Alternate

Nariman Heshmati, MD, FACOG, Mukilteo

Washington State Obstetrical Association - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Northwest Association of Occupational & Environmental Medicine - 1

Delegate

Eric B. Smith, DO, MPH, Tacoma

Washington State Orthopedic Association - 1

Delegate

Thomas C. Kennedy, MD, Yakima

Northwest Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Washington State Society of Pathologists - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Washington State Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics - 1

Delegate

Beth E. Ebel, MD, MSc, MPH, Seattle

Washington State Academy of Physician Assistants - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Washington Chapter, American College of Physicians - 1

Delegate

Stephanie M. Fosback, MD, FACP, Pullman

Washington Society of Plastic Surgeons - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Washington State Psychiatric Association - 1

Delegate

Wade Reiner, MD, Bellevue

Washington Public Health Officers Society - 1

Delegate

James G. Wallace Jr., MD, MPH, Winthrop

Washington State Radiological Society - 1

Delegate

Jennifer L. Favinger, MD, Seattle

Washington Rheumatology Alliance - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

American College of Surgeons, Washington State Chapter - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Washington Thoracic Society - 1

Delegate

Erik R. Swenson, MD, Seattle

Washington State Urology Society - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Physician Leadership News

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the_whole_person

The Whole Person

Leadership

Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2022/the_whole_person

<div class="col-md-12"> <div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/Reports/2022/september-october/reports-sept-oct-2022-cover-article-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="cover illustration for WSMA Reports September/October 2022" /></div> <h5>September 16, 2022</h5> <h2>The Whole Person</h2> <p> <em>Osteopathic principles inform incoming WSMA president Katina Rue's life philosophy.</em> </p> <p> By Milana McLead </p> <p>Nestled on the desk amid numerous photos of Katina Rue's daughter, Valeria, and a sign that says "Mom: A title just above queen," rests a heart-shaped red glass paperweight. It's a shiny reminder of an experience that exemplifies Dr. Rue's approach to life, medicine, and community. It was her first year practicing medicine in Yakima, when a patient presented with gout at the after-hours clinic where she worked. Dr. Rue, an osteopathic family physician, listened to his heart, realizing that he had a "whopping loud heart murmur." She recommended an echocardiogram, which revealed a ruptured leaflet. Thanks to her attentive observation, his valve was repaired. Later, his wife brought her the glass heart, noting, "He was here for his toe. I don't even know why you listened to his heart. But if you hadn't, who knows where my husband would be now."</p> <p>"That heart reminds me that it only takes a few moments to impact patients' lives," says Dr. Rue, "and that the time we spend with patients is a precious opportunity and privilege we have as physicians. It also grounds me in the need to be present with each and every patient."</p> <p>It's an ethos that's integrated into everything she does, whether it's tending patients, teaching medical students and residents, caring for her family and community, or minding her five-acre farm.</p> <p>Her colleagues see this in action. Nicole Austin is a program coordinator at Trios Health Family Medicine Residency in the Tri-Cities, where Dr. Rue serves as residency program director. "She is passionate about her role as an educator and community building," says Austin. "She's made a concerted effort to increase the collaboration between training programs and departments within the hospital. Although that can be challenging and at times frustrating, she has not backed down, realizing that the results will benefit not only our programs and organization, but ultimately and most importantly, the patients we serve."</p> <p>Community, connectedness, and collaboration all played a role in Dr. Rue's journey. In middle school, she thought about heading into marine biology. High school prompted an interest in physical therapy. While shadowing physical therapists during her pre-PT studies at Western Washington University and later at Montana State University, she took note of the education and training they offered in biomechanics, physiology, and more, but felt their scope of practice was limited. After learning about osteopathic medicine, she switched to pre-med and applied to osteopathic medical school at Kansas City University in Missouri.</p> <p>"What spoke to me about osteopathic medicine was the interconnectedness of&nbsp;the patient, the human condition of the mind, the heart, the body, the spirit, and&nbsp;that we are made in a way that structure&nbsp;and function are related," she says. "It's&nbsp;hard to be well when one aspect isn'tâ€”it's not only the physical aspect, it's the&nbsp;whole person."</p> <p>While she enjoyed surgery, having grown up around the OR with her mom, as well as psychiatry, it was family medicine that felt like the best fit. "Seeing patients over time in multiple settings, getting to make connections with families, being there for the birth of a child and the passing of grandparentsâ€”holding that community and space to be together as a family was really amazing," she says. "When you have those relationships and you understand the different aspects of people's lives, it just made sense to me."</p> <p>Getting involved in organized medicine was another aspect of community in her journey. In medical school, she saw her mentors modeling involvement in state and county medical associations. She stepped up, as well, serving as a student liaison between the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and the Missouri State Medical Association, and as a student and resident member of the Johnson County Osteopathic Medical Society. When she moved to Washington state, it was a natural progression to join the WSMA and participate in its House of Delegates.</p> <p>"It was naturally what I did when I got here, because I believe it's what you're supposed to do as a doctor," she says. "I wanted to continue to be part of the passion and commitment to communities, patients, and medicine that I saw modeled by my mentors." Once part of the WSMA, she was all in, helping to launch the early career governing councils and sections with Past-President Ray Hsiao, MD, and others, and later stepping into leadership. "For me, it's what you do to support your profession and to represent it in the best way in the eyes of the public. If you're not involved, if you're not at the table, then, as they say, you're on the menu."</p> <div class="col-sm-5 pull-right newsbody" style="text-align: center;"> <p><img alt="Katina Rue DO" src="/images/newsletters/Reports/2022/september-october/Rue.Katina_2022.SeptOct-small.jpg" class="pull-right" /></p> </div>  <p>Dr. Rue continues to be passionate about engaging younger physicians in the WSMA. As she looks to the year ahead, other interests include prior authorization, scope creep, social determinants of health, physician burnout, and physician workforce diversity. She is the co-chair of WSMA's newly formed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and is an active participant in WSMA's Latinx Advisory Council. "WSMA's vision and mission can be bolstered by the development of a strong, diverse physician workforce that looks like, sounds like, and understands the patients they serve," she says. "For me, WSMA has been an open and accepting place to grow and be a voice for those who are less represented."</p> <p>As she embraces her role as president of the WSMA, how will she lead? Her colleague Russell Maier, MD, offers a glimpse. "Dr. Rue is confident, a good listener, looks to the future, and is committed to the house of medicine," he says. "She is committed to community, learners, and improving patients' health." Just as she did for that patient with gout.</p> <p> <em>Milana McLead is WSMAâ€™s senior director of strategic communications and membership.</em> </p> <h3>Snapshot: Katina Rue, DO</h3> <p><strong>FAMILY</strong></p> <p>Husband of 11 years, Aureliano, 10-year-old daughter, Valeria, and "unofficially adopted" 22-year-old Nataliya Frick and her 25-year-old brother, Anthony.</p> <p><strong>GROWING UP</strong></p> <p>Lived in Pueblo, Colorado until her family moved to Washington when she was 11. Her mom is a retired operating room nurse and ran the OR in Port Townsend for almost 30 years. Her father was the director of pharmacy at Olympic Memorial Hospital in Port Angeles.</p> <p><strong>HERITAGE</strong></p> <p>While Dr. Rue's adoptive mom is of Latino and Navajo heritage, her birth parents were also Latino (and Norwegian!). Dr. Rue's husband, Aureliano, is Mexican, although was born in Yakima, and has family in Mexico that they regularly visit.</p> <p><strong>AT HOME</strong></p> <p>Lives on five acres of farmland populated with five cows (Charlotte, Dixie Mae, Lia, Estrella, and Luna), five chickens, three beehives, a Yorkie named Storm, and 30 fruit trees (cherry, apricot, peach, pear, plum, walnut, and quince). Note: Blueberry the bull (who features in Dr. Rue's virtual Zoom background) recently moved to a ranch nearby.</p> <p><strong>WORDS TO LIVE BY</strong></p> <p>"Live like someone left the gate open!"</p> <p><strong>WHAT GETS HER UP IN THE MORNING</strong></p> <p>"Opportunities! I haven't always been the positive person. But now, in the face of daunting challenges, I see opportunities sprinkled like wildflowers."</p> <p><strong>PET PEEVE</strong></p> <p>Hearing people complain about things. "If you are a member, showed up, participated, and taken actionâ€”then maybe I'll listen to you complain." She wants to hear feedback, input, and solutions.</p> <p><strong>FIRSTS</strong></p> <p>She'll be the first DO and the first Latina to serve as WSMA president.</p> <p><strong>SPARE TIME</strong></p> <p>Soccer mom, dance mom, farm wrangler, WSMA leader, Washington Osteopathic Medical Association leader, Washington Academy of Family Physicians alternate delegate to American Academy of Family Physicians, and past president of Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation.</p> <p> <em>This article was featured in the September/October 2022 issue of WSMA Reports, WSMA's print magazine.</em> </p> </div>

9/26/2022 12:17:06 PM

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2022-wsma-annual-meeting-final-call-for-preregistration

2022 WSMA Annual Meeting: Final Call for Preregistration

Leadership

Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/september-23/2022-wsma-annual-meeting-final-call-for-preregistration

<div class="col-md-12"> <div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/august/2022-annual-meeting-graphic-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="2022 Annual Meeting graphic" /></div> <h5>September 23, 2022</h5> <h2>2022 WSMA Annual Meeting: Final Call for Preregistration</h2> <p>There's still time to preregister and join your colleagues next weekend, Oct. 1-2 in Spokane for the <a href="[@]wsma/events/annual_meeting/wsma/events/annual_meeting/annual_meeting.aspx?hkey=fea49254-3815-4dc9-8710-53ff2e3a100f">2022 Annual Meeting of the WSMA House of Delegates</a>. In addition to the policymaking and networking that are central to the meeting, you'll have an opportunity to attend thought-provoking CME sessions, participate in celebratory events, and be on hand as we inaugurate WSMA's next president, Katina Rue, DO, who will be the first osteopathic physician and the first Latina to hold WSMA's top office. <a href="[@]Shared_Content/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=ANNMTG2022">Reserve your spot today</a>-preregistration closes at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28 (registration is free for all WSMA members). </p> <h3>A quick look at Saturday afternoon presentations</h3> <p>Our two plenary sessions on Saturday will seek to uncover what truly inspires us as physicians, what moves us, and what keeps us connected to ourselves and our work. Sessions include:</p> <ul> <li>The Obstacle is the Path: Finding Meaning and Purpose in Troubling Times: In this presentation, Washington Physicians Health Program Executive Medical Director Chris Bundy, MD, MPH, will explore the core existential concerns as defined in contemporary discourse and identify strategies that physicians can use to promote meaning and purpose in the face of adversity.</li> <li>Thinking Deeper - Necessary Components to Achieve Health Equity: A conversation between Fernando De Maio, PhD, and Edwin Lindo, JD, two nationally recognized scholars and practitioners in health equity. This is an opportunity to observe the rigorous intellectual exploration of health equity, as speak about a few of the most challenging elements of this work.</li> </ul> <h3>Accommodations and COVID-19 precautions</h3> <p>Room availability at The Historic Davenport is very limited. If no rooms are available, ask about availability at the Davenport Tower across the street. Call The Davenport at 800.899.1482 for room information at both locations.</p> <p>The WSMA will have the following COVID-19 precautions in place at the 2022 Annual Meeting, as we look to have a safe and supportive gathering:</p> <ul> <li>Conference attendees and guests will have attested that they are up to date on their vaccines.</li> <li>Wearing a mask during indoor meetings is recommended. We will have masks available at the registration desk.</li> <li>Refunds for lunch and/or dinner tickets will be offered if you get sick prior to the event and are unable to attend. Please call 206.441.9762 or email <a href="mailto:abby@wsma.org">abby@wsma.org</a> if you test positive or are symptomatic for COVID-19.</li> <li>We will have a limited number of COVID-19 test kits available at the registration desk.</li> </ul> <p><em>Thank you to our corporate partners for their generous support: Physicians Insurance, The Polyclinic and The Everett Clinic, and the UW Psychiatry Consultation Line. If your company would like to be a WSMA Corporate Partner, contact Jessica Martinson at </em><a href="mailto:jessica@wsma.org"><em>jessica@wsma.org</em></a><em>.</em></p> </div>

9/23/2022 12:00:00 AM

1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM

department-of-health-announces-regional-medical-officers

Department of Health Announces Regional Medical Officers

Leadership

Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2022/september-23/department-of-health-announces-regional-medical-officers

<div class="col-md-12"> <div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2022/september/doh-regional-health-offices-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Map of DOH regional health offices" /></div> <h5>September 23, 2022</h5> <h2>Department of Health Announces Regional Medical Officers </h2> <p>The Washington State Department of Health has announced the four physicians who will serve as regional medical officers as part of a Legislature-directed effort to decentralize the agency's work and increase its responsiveness to community health needs.</p> <p>The state Legislature directed the DOH to <a href="https://waportal.org/resources/state-rho">establish regional health offices</a> in the 2021 legislative session. The DOH divided the state into four operational areas, with each regional health office serving as an easy entry point for access to a regional liaison and a medical officer. Regional health offices will provide services such as:</p> <ul> <li>Assistance with unanticipated vacancies or workforce gaps.</li> <li>Consultations with medical officer or regional liaison.</li> <li>Support and resources for convening partners.</li> <li>A point of contact to bring resources and support within DOH together.</li> </ul> <p>The following new regional health officers will join the new Division of Medical and Veterinary Science led by Scott Lindquist, MD, MPH:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Herbie Duber, MD, MPH</strong> - regional medical officer for Region 4, Northwest Waterway. Dr. Duber is an emergency physician at UW Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and president-elect of the Washington chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians.</li> <li><strong>Bob Lutz, MD, MPH</strong> - regional medical officer for Region 2, Eastern Plains. Dr. Lutz is a family medicine physician with more than 30 years of urgent care experience, recently serving as the health officer for Spokane County until moving to DOH to serve as COVID-19 medical advisor.</li> <li><strong>James ("Jay") S. Miller, MD, MPH</strong> - regional medical officer for Region 3, South Gorge. Dr. Miller is an internal medicine physician and epidemiologist who has worked on the DOH and the CDC COVID-19 response as a CDC epidemic intelligence service officer.</li> <li><strong>Amy Person, MD</strong> - regional medical officer for Region 1, Central Corridor. Dr. Person is a pediatrician who, since 2011, has served as local health officer for Benton-Franklin Health District and additionally for Klickitat County Public Health.</li> </ul> <p>Joining the four regional health officers is Beth Lipton, who will serve as the new public health veterinarian.</p> </div>

9/23/2022 12:00:00 AM

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