Victor J. Bernet, MD Secretary/Chief Operating Officer

Secretary's Report
November 2018

Fall seems to be moving along quickly. Our annual meeting is already > 1 month behind us and the season of Thanksgiving is here! I hope that our entire ATA family had a Happy Thanksgiving! Of course, as Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful, I would like to comment on being thankful for the ATA. The ATA has been a constant in my life since attending my first meeting in Saddlebrook, FL in Fall 1993 as a fellow. The ATA really has been my scientific home since that point in time. ATA membership has been a source of much learning and mentorship, research collaborations, friendships developed through interactions at various ATA functions, a place of support for my patients and a means of service to give back to the thyroid community and the community at large. Being Secretary/COO has afforded me the opportunity to work closely will a great number of our members and am pleased to say that we have a very active membership who are willing to share their time and talents for furthering ATA's mission. Moreover, I am always amazed by the dedication of our ATA office team. We really have a group of "All Stars" to say the least. Bobbi, Adonia, Sharleene, Kelly, Josette and Carrie are always ready and able to assist with any issue, large or small.

Speaking of our excellent ATA office, it is important that we share with ATA members that we anticipate a change in Executive Director leadership in 2020 as Bobbi Smith has plans to retire. Bobbi has done a phenomenal job in leading and growing the ATA office over her years at the helm and know many of us consider her like a family member. Please be assured that the ATA Board of Directors is moving forward in a coordinated fashion to determine the best way forward to identify and select ATA's next Executive Director. An Executive Director Selection Task Force has been formed and will be capably led by past ATA Secretary/COO and past President John Morris. Presentations and discussions in regards to this issue were already held by the BODs in Washington, D.C. during our annual meeting and the task force will be moving forward full force in 2019. The task force will intermittently update membership on the status of the process as we move forward. If you would like to provide any feedback to the ED Selection Task Force please route them through John Morris, myself or the ATA President Elizabeth Pearce.

There is another important issue which I will bring forth as well. ATA leadership has been in contract renegotiations with our publisher Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Our present contract stipulates the opportunity to renegotiate our contract with MAL every seven years. We have taken a very deliberate process with these negotiations which have been ongoing for over a year. It is critical that the ATA ensure that we update present publishing contracts to optimize the agreements so that they fully reflect the stature and worth of our respected publications while being fair and mutually beneficial to both parties. If all goes according to plan, we will complete this process within the next month.

As previously noted, the ATA annual meeting was a resounding success on all points to include shattering our previous attendance record (1621) by more than 20%!! Maybe we need to meet in D.C. a bit more often!?! Of note, we are in the process of selecting future sites for our annual meetings. To remind you next year's meeting will occur in Chicago from 30 Oct - 3 November, 2019. If you have any recommendations for other potential future ATA annual meetings sites please contact Adonia Coates, Bobbi Smith or myself.

As the annual meeting launches our governance year, I would like to remind all committee members to complete their governance documents found in the members only section of the website which include conflict of interest, financial disclosure and copyright release. Our conflict of interest policies were developed in a two year process led by Bob Smallridge. Each committee will have their disclosures listed on our project management system, WorkZone.

Importantly – reviewing and updating your member record is essential for us to know your specialty and other demographic data – and indicating that you would like to be in the physician referral database. Privacy issues compel us to have an opt-in system of referring patients to you. The ATA receives 10-20 calls a week from patients. ATA members have created patient information materials which are updated monthly and provide a wide spectrum of support for your patients. Let us know other ways we can improve to support your practice and patient care. Thank you for renewing your membership and volunteering for committees and other projects

Victor J. Bernet, MD
Secretary/Chief Operating Officer