House of Delegates

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

House of Delegates

All legislative power of the WSMA is vested in the 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 2023 House of Delegates

For policies adopted at the 2023 WSMA Annual Meeting, download the Official Actions of the 2023 WSMA House of Delegates (updated October 2023).

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 comprises elected delegates from each county medical society, qualified state specialty societies, and members of the WSMA board of trustees. There is one young physician delegate, one resident delegate, and three student delegates (one from each of the three medical schools in Washington state). 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 100 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 15 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 shelby@wsma.org.

Delegate Duties

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

House of Delegates Members

Asotin County - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Benton-Franklin County - 2

Delegate

Saravanan Kasthuri, MD, Richland

Chelan-Douglas County - 6

Delegates

Rachel A. Reeg, MD, FACP, Wenatchee

Clallam County – 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Clark County - 12

Delegates

Bruce J. Andison, MD, Ridgefield
Vivienne T. Meljen, MD, Vancouver
Alan L. Melnick, MD, MPH, Portland
Douglas R. Myers, MD, Vancouver
Dino 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 - 54

Delegates

Erin M. Bauer, MD, Seattle
D. Chris Belcher, MD, Seattle
Christopher B. Chambers, MD, Seattle
Jose C. Flores-Rodarte, MD, Seattle
Michael J. Franceschina, DO, Federal Way
Thérèse H. Franco, MD, Seattle
Jeffrey M. Frankel, MD, Mercer Island
Anisha K. Gill, MD, Shoreline
Zannah S. Herridge-Meyer, MD, Seattle
Kevin M. Johnson, MD, Bellevue
Richard A. Kaner, MD, Bellevue
Mona P. Kathuria, DO, Redmond
Rajneet S. Lamba, MD, Kirkland
Mark R. Levy, MD, Mercer Island
Penny Li, MD, Seattle
Daniel H. Low, MD, Kirkland
Shane E. Macaulay, MD, Bellevue
Leo Morales, MD, Seattle
Julia H. Murray, MD, Seattle
Ellen S. Passloff, MD, Seattle
Sara J. Pauk, MD, Seattle
Vincent J. Picozzi Jr., MD, Seattle
Megha V. Rao, MD, Issaquah
Frank Riedo, MD, Kirkland
Donald J. Ross, MD, Seattle
Anukrati Shukla, MD, North Bend
Bruce C. Smith, MD, Issaquah
Ian Smith, DO, North Bend
Angela Sparks, MD, Seattle
Michelle Terry, MD, Seattle
Mark R. Vossler, MD, Kirkland
Mandeep Walia, MD, Snoqualmie
Hope A. Wechkin, MD, Seattle
Sarah K. Weinberg, MD, Mercer Island
Irene A. Young, MD, Bellevue

Kitsap County - 6

Delegates

William Bauer, MD, Bremerton
Christopher Johnson, MD, Silverdale
Dana Jungshaffer, MD, Silverdale
Narendra Siddaiah, MD, Silverdale
Steffan Tolles, MD, Silverdale
Duane Whitaker, MD, Bainbridge Island

Alternate

Dawson Brown, MD, Silverdale

Kittitas County - 1

Delegate

Vanessa S. Wright, MD, Spokane

Alternate

Holly Dawson, DO, Ellensburg

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

David Cundiff, MD, MPH, Ilwaco

Pierce County - 17

Delegates

Anthony Chen, MD, Tacoma
Courtney M. Kennel, DO, Tacoma
Breck J. Lebegue, MD, Steilacoom
Camille P. Samujh, DO, MPH, Tacoma
C. Blake Perry, MD, Tacoma

Skagit-Island County - 2

Delegate

Wirt A. Hines III, MD, PhD, Anacortes
Jordann Loehr, MD, Coupeville

Snohomish County - 13

Delegates

Gerald Yorioka, MD, Mill Creek

Spokane County - 15

Delegates

H. Frank Andersen, MD, Spokane
Mark E. Gaulke, MD, Spokane
Erin R. Medina, MD, Spokane

Thurston-Mason - 6

Delegates

Eric W. Frevert, PA-C, Olympia
Julia L. Hamilton, DO, Olympia
Robert G.R. Lang, MD, Olympia
Penny V. Reck, MD, Lacey
Kim H. Wadsworth, DO, Olympia
Robert J. Widrow, MD, PhD, Olympia

Alternates

Margaret A. MacLeod, MD, Yelm
Henry L. Stockbridge, MD, Olympia

Walla Walla County - 1

Delegates

No delegate on record

Whatcom County - 6

Delegates

Megan B. Ellingsen, MD, MPH, HMDC, Bellingham
Katherine A. Jong, MD, Friday Harbor
Xiaoxiao Li, MD, Bellingham
Nancy R. McAllister, MD, Bellingham
Zoe J. M. Taylor, MD, MBA, Bellingham

Whitman County - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Yakima County - 2

Delegates

Josh D. Stanfield, DO, Yakima
Linda M. Dale, PA-C, Yakima

Medical Student Section - University of Washington - 1

Delegate

Nicki Mostofi, Spokane

Alternate

Natalie Fuller, Spokane

Medical Student Section - Washington State University - 1

Delegate

Robin Von Davies, Spokane

Alternate

Douglas Nanu, Spokane

Medical Student Section - Pacific Northwest University - 1

Delegate

Andy Shang, Yakima

Alternate

Emily Simmons, Yakima

Resident & Fellow Physician Section - 1

Delegate

Jacob Leary, MD, Seattle

Alternate

David Van-Thai, MD, JD, Kennewick

Young Physician Section - 1

Delegate

Peter Anthony Barkett, MD, Silverdale

Alternate

Anukrati Shukla, MD, North Bend

Northwest Washington Medical Society - 6

Delegates

Nancy McAllister, MD, Bellingham
Kat Jong, MD, Friday Harbor
Zoe Taylor, MD, Bellingham
Megan Ellingsen, MD, Bellingham

Washington Society of Addiction Medicine - 1

Delegate

Lucinda Grande, MD, Lacey

Washington State Society of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Washington State Society of Anesthesiologists - 1

Delegate

Jeff Minard, MD, Edmonds

Washington Chapter, American College of Cardiology - 1

Delegate

Ruchi Kapoor, MD, PhD, Seattle

Washington State Dermatology Association - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Washington Chapter, American College of Emergency Physicians - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons - 1

Delegate

Courtney E. Francis, MD, Seattle

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

Sabine M. Von Preyss, MD, Seattle

Washington State Medical Oncology Society - 1

Delegate

Swathi Namburi, MD, Tacoma

Washington State Neurological Society - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Washington Association of Neurological Surgeons - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Washington Section, American College of OB/GYN - 1

Delegate

Jennifer Chin, MD, MS, Redmond

Washington State Obstetrical Association - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Northwest Association of Occupational & Environmental Medicine - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

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

Cigdem H. Ussakli, MD, Kirkland

Washington State Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics - 1

Delegate

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

Washington State Academy of Physician Assistants - 1

Delegate

Eileen M. Ravella, PA-C, Olympia

Washington Chapter, American College of Physicians - 1

Delegate

Chris Wong, MD, Seattle

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

Nathan 'Gib' Morrow, MD, MPH, Bellingham

Washington State Radiological Society - 1

Delegate

Edward Y. Kim, MD, Seattle

Alternate

Sammy Chu, MD, Bellevue

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

No delegate on record

Washington State Urology Society - 1

Delegate

No delegate on record

Physician Leadership News

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weekly-rounds-december-1-2023-something-for-everyone-this-holiday-season

Weekly Rounds: December 1, 2023 - Something for Everyone This Holiday Season

Leadership

Shared_Content/News/Weekly_Rounds/2023/weekly-rounds-december-1-2023-something-for-everyone-this-holiday-season

<div class="col-md-12"> <div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/Weekly%20Rounds/Weekly-Rounds-Article-Graphic-2022-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="Weekly Rounds logo" /><span style="text-align: left;"></span></div> <h5>December 1, 2023</h5> <h2>Something for Everyone This Holiday Season</h2> <p>Jennifer Hanscom, CEO</p> <p> In a recent survey of WSMA members, when asked why they joined the association, second to advocacy work was the desire to stay current with issues in the medical profession. At the WSMA we strive to keep you connected to what's happening in health care in Washington state but appreciate that you don't always have the time to read every email or newsletter or to peruse our website. As we often say, we understand that our members' job is to care for their patients while we look out for the profession. Still, we want to give you an opportunity to hear first-hand about our work. In the months ahead, we have several webinars, professional development courses, and events meant to provide value to you and your day job. Here are some of those opportunities: </p> <h3>2024 Pre-Session Legislative Preview Webinar</h3> <p> <em>Friday, Dec. 15 at noon</em> </p> <p> In advance of the 2024 legislative session, WSMA's government affairs team will offer a legislative preview webinar via Zoom on Friday, Dec. 15 at noon. Our team will cover top priorities impacting medicine including across-the-board Medicaid rate increases; health care workforce retention and pipeline investments; and opposing inappropriate scope expansions; and we'll provide an overview of the broader health care policy landscape in Washington state. Your feedback is critical to WSMA's legislative advocacy, so we will welcome questions and encourage sharing of professional experiences and expertise to help guide our engagement at the Capitol. <a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIlfuupqDsjG9Fzmh2JzDVgNCRa3XmVsYtf#/registration">Register online</a>. </p> <h3>Health Equity Leadership Development &amp; Action Collective</h3> <p> <em>Jan. 19-Nov. 15</em> </p> <p> If you have an interest in DEI issues, we urge you to sign up for our Health Equity Leadership Development &amp; Action Collective, which provides education, guidance, and support in addressing inequities that exist within your sphere of influence. This collective is design to assist those who are ready to act on the understanding that systemic racism exists within health care, and who are positioned to lead and facilitate change in their organizations and beyond. If you are committed to making lasting, equitable change in your organization, then this course is here to support you on that path. </p> <p> The collective will meet virtually in six two-hour sessions held monthly or every other month from January-November 2024. This activity has been approved for <em>AMA PRA Category 1 Credit</em><sup>TM</sup>. <a href="[@]wsma/education/physician_leadership/health_equity/wsma/physician_leadership/health_equity_leadership_development_and_action_collective/health_equity_leadership_development_and_action_collective.aspx?hkey=17f095ae-34e3-407f-9877-3b0f79264c0a&amp;_zs=B3aFd1&amp;_zl=6N5L9">Learn more and register</a>. </p> <h3>2024 WSMA Legislative Summit</h3> <p> <em>Wednesday, Jan. 24</em> </p> <p> Grab your white coat and join us in Olympia for the 2024 WSMA Legislative Summit on Wednesday, Jan. 24! Free for members, the Summit gives Washington's physicians, physician assistants, and medical students an opportunity to amplify WSMA's advocacy message with state legislators. </p> <p> This in-person event will feature a legislative update from WSMA's government affairs team, optional meetings with your legislative representatives, and keynote speakers such as Sen. Andy Billig (D-Spokane), majority leader of the state Senate and recipient of WSMA's 2023 Legislator of the Year award. Come to Olympia and help deliver our advocacy message directly to your elected representatives. Don't forget your white coat! <a href="[@]wsma/events/legislative_summit/wsma/events/wsma_legislative_summit/legislative_summit.aspx?hkey=795731a5-79ba-45b0-b78b-b9dfbfc336e5&amp;_zs=B3aFd1&amp;_zl=7N5L9">Register online</a>. </p> <h3>Physician Leadership Course</h3> <p> <em>March 22-May 31</em> </p> <p> The WSMA Physician Leadership Course is a 40+ hour hybrid-distance leadership skills-development course for physicians and physician assistants who want to know more about health care leadership. </p> <p> Once out of residency, many physicians will find themselves leading a multidisciplinary team charged with delivering the highest quality care to our patients. To be an effective team leader, core leadership competencies are required-skills not taught in medical school. Without these skills, physicians may find themselves unprepared and overburdened with unexpected responsibilities-a recipe for burnout. </p> <p> The Physician Leadership Course combines face-to-face and online learning to enable course participants to begin developing and honing their leadership skills at their convenience. Designed with a physician's busy schedule in mind, only three in-person classes are required; the remainder of the course is conducted online. This activity has been approved for <em>AMA PRA Category 1 Credit</em><sup>TM</sup>. <a href="[@]wsma/education/physician_leadership/physician_leadership_course/wsma/physician_leadership/physician_leadership_course/physician_leadership_course.aspx?hkey=efdc4ad1-ff20-4089-ab51-caafbe73572b&amp;_zs=B3aFd1&amp;_zl=8N5L9">Learn more and register</a>. </p> <h3>Dyad Leadership Course</h3> <p> <em>April 5-May 3</em> </p> <p> Safe, cost-effective, and quality care can only be achieved when physicians and administrators are strong partners in leadership. Forging such a partnership effectively connects the culture of patient care with the culture of business, yielding better outcomes and real change. </p> <p> The WSMA Dyad Leadership Course is a month-long hybrid-distance course with three in-person educational workshop days. This course is intended for physicians and their administrative dyad partners who wish to improve team function and achieve greater operational success within their clinical system. The course develops leadership knowledge and skills based on the ongoing operational needs of the physician and their administrative partners. The course is adapted to fit the specific clinical culture of participating teams. At the end of the course, participants will have a greater understanding of how to enhance leadership and operational success within their clinical system. This activity has been approved for <em>AMA PRA Category 1 Credit</em><sup>TM</sup>. <a href="[@]wsma/education/physician_leadership/dyad_leadership_course/wsma/physician_leadership/dyad_leadership_course/dyad_leadership_course.aspx?hkey=f6387317-48e4-44f1-b623-4b00fcba57ab&amp;_zs=B3aFd1&amp;_zl=9N5L9">Learn more and register</a>. </p> </div>

12/1/2023 12:00:00 AM

1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM

sign-up-to-be-a-wsma-social-media-ambassador

Leadership

Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/november-22/sign-up-to-be-a-wsma-social-media-ambassador

<div class="col-md-12"> <div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2023/november/doc-with-smartphone-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="doctor with a smartphone" /></div> <h5>November 22, 2023</h5>  <h2>Sign Up to Be a WSMA Social Media Ambassador</h2> <p>If you are a social media user, you can help amplify WSMA's calls to action, legislative priorities, public health messages, and more with your peers and the public online by becoming a WSMA social media ambassador.</p> <p>Ambassadors will receive periodic email prompts to promote WSMA's most strategically important content. We'll provide links to articles, sample posts, graphics (if available), and relevant hashtags or partner organizations to tag. We'll also keep you apprised of opportunities for more enhanced social media engagement-social media "takeovers," short videos, and more.</p> <p>You can choose which content you want to promote based on your interests, and you can opt out of the program at any time. Use our <a href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=CgN5_wMfNU66xEvN3PBcAFbXjQTErcBIm97a5r4IigdUQ1pBQ0pSNFVFVk9INVlYTExJUlNNMURTVy4u">online sign-up form</a> to become a WSMA ambassador; all we need is your name and preferred email address. If you are a social media user, we hope you'll join us in advocating on behalf of Washington medicine.</p> </div>

11/22/2023 12:00:00 AM

1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM

Leadership

Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2023/november-8/register-now-for-the-2024-wsma-legislative-summit

<div class="col-md-12"> <div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2023/november/wa-capitol-dome-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Washington capitol dome" /></div> <h5>November 8, 2023</h5> <h2>Register Now for the 2024 WSMA Legislative Summit</h2> <p> <em>Join us Jan. 24 in Olympia. Free for WSMA members.</em> </p> <p>Registration is <a href="[@]wsma/events/legislative_summit/wsma/events/wsma_legislative_summit/legislative_summit.aspx?hkey=795731a5-79ba-45b0-b78b-b9dfbfc336e5">now open</a> for the 2024 WSMA Legislative Summit, which will be held at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 24. This is your opportunity as a WSMA member to learn about what's happening in Olympia and connect with your local legislators in meetings scheduled by WSMA staff.</p> <p>At the Summit, we'll provide updates on WSMA's priority issues, including increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates for all specialties and supporting physician and health care workforce issues. We'll also bring in key policymakers to share their perspectives, including Sen. Andy Billig (D-Spokane), majority leader of the state Senate and recipient of WSMA's 2023 Legislator of the Year award.</p> <p>Register today to join us in Olympia on Jan. 24, 2024! Visit the <a href="[@]wsma/events/legislative_summit/wsma/events/wsma_legislative_summit/legislative_summit.aspx?hkey=795731a5-79ba-45b0-b78b-b9dfbfc336e5">event webpage</a> for more details and to register.</p> </div>

11/8/2023 12:00:00 AM

1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM

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