Missouri State Medical Association

There is no fee to participate in MSMA’s Annual Convention, but attendees MUST register, because many Convention events, including access to the Exhibit Hall, require badges. Preregistration is encouraged. Register online or download a registration form. To request a registration form, call 800-869-6762.

Registration for the House of Delegates is located in the Concourse Foyer, and is open from 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 30, and from 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 31.

Delegates MUST register at the Registration Booth to obtain Delegate credentials. Delegates are urged to register as early as possible so that they may be seated promptly when the House is called to order.

The MSMA strongly encourages you to book overnight accommodations at Convention headquarters, the St. Louis Renaissance Airport Hotel at 9801 Natural Bridge Road in St. Louis, at 800-468-3571 or make your reservations online. This helps MSMA meet its contractual obligations with the hotel and maintain current Convention benefits, as well as keep future hotel guest rates and fees reasonable. Be sure to mention that you are with MSMA Convention. Please make reservations by March 7 to take advantage of the MSMA’s Convention room rate.

The 154th Session of the House of Delegates will meet March 30- April 1, 2012, at the St. Louis Renaissance Airport Hotel. The Opening Session will convene in Concourse CD at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, March 30, and conclude around 10:00 a.m., and will consist of reports, awards, speeches, and consideration of acceptance of late resolutions. On Sunday, April 1, the House will convene in Concourse CD at 8:15 a.m. to hear reports from the Reference Committees and install officers.

Starting times for Reference Committees A and B will be staggered. Reference Committee A will begin immediately following the first House of Delegates at 10:00 a.m. and Reference Committee B will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Late resolutions may be introduced at the opening session of the House of Delegates. The individual or society offering the resolution must provide sufficient copies for the entire House of Delegates, plus ten copies delivered to the Secretary at the time of its introduction.

All members of the MSMA are privileged and urged to attend the sessions of the House of Delegates and meetings of the Reference Committees. While discussion in the House is limited to Delegates, any Association member may present his or her viewpoint during meetings of Reference Committees when recognized by the Chair.

Delegates MUST register at the Registration Booth and identify themselves as a Delegate. The Delegate will then receive the Delegate’s badge. Each Delegate elected to the House of Delegates by his/her component medical society will be included on a Delegate’s List at the MSMA Registration Desk. If the elected Delegate is unable to be present at the Annual Convention, his or her duly elected Alternate Delegate will then be entitled to register as a Delegate.

Proceedings of the House of Delegates are conducted in accordance with Sturgis Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure.

The Inaugural Ceremony for incoming Association President Stephen Slocum, MD, St. Louis, is scheduled for Saturday, March 31, in the Renaissance Penthouse on the 12th Floor. Seating will begin at 6:00 p.m., and the ceremony will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. There will be a reception, music, and entertainment following the ceremony in the Renaissance Ballroom.

Sandra Murdock, St. Louis, 2012-2013 MSMA Alliance President, and spouse Nathaniel Murdock, MD, will also be honored. This special event does not require tickets or reservations. Attire: black tie/cocktail or business evening.

The 87th Annual Convention of the MSMA Alliance House of Delegates will meet in conjunction with MSMA, Friday, March 30, and Saturday, March 31. Celebrate National Doctors' Day with the Alliance! "Life is an Adventure Across Missouri" - the AMA/MSMA Foundation Fundraiser, will be held in conjuction with National Doctors' Day.

Join the Alliance for a fun evening of great food and games while benefitting medical education during the MSMA/AMA Foundation Fundraiser - Auction & Trivia Challenges, along with a delicious Tuscan Dinner Buffet on Friday, March 30, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Renaissance Ballroom. Tickets are $110, of which $40 is contributed to the Foundation of your choice. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Visit www.msma.org/allianceannualconvention to make your reservation. Attire: business/cocktail wear.

The MSMA Alliance Shopping Boutiques will be open during the regular meeting hours of the MSMA Alliance program in their meeting area on the 12th Floor. A percentage of the proceeds will be directed to the MSMA and AMA Foundations.

All leaders (presidents, presidents-elect, etc.) who represent local medical societies and medical specialty societies are encouraged to attend this question and answer session directed by MSMA leadership and staff scheduled for Saturday, March 31, at 3:00 p.m., on emerging issues and concerns facing organized medicine on a grass roots level.

Caucuses, luncheons, and business meetings will be held by the MSMA Insurance Agency, the Physicians Health Foundation Committee, MMPAC, Missouri State Medical Foundation, the St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society, the Metropolitan Medical Society of Greater Kansas City, and the University of Missouri.

The schools of medicine from Saint Louis University, Washington University, University of Missouri-Columbia, and University of Missouri-Kansas City, will be hosting receptions on Friday, March 30, from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

The Missouri State Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Nonmembers of MSMA will be charged $50 per credit hour of continuing medical education. Following the Annual Convention, nonmembers will be billed for the appropriate number of CME credit hours. After payment is received, a CME certificate will be forwarded to the nonmember.

In order to receive CME credit for attending scientific sessions, be sure to complete and return the evaluation forms passed out at each scientific session. You should turn them in to the moderator of the session you attended. After all evaluations are processed at MSMA Headquarters, you should receive your CME certificate in six to eight weeks.

MSMA’s Membership Division invites you to stop by the Association’s booth to learn more about MSMA’s membership services.

Professionals from MSMA’s Insurance Agency will be on hand to discuss a multitude of coverage options that fit your specific needs.

The Exhibit Hall will be open two days in Concourse AB: Friday, March 30, beginning at 7:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m., and Saturday, March 31, beginning at 7:00 a.m. through 10:00 a.m. To support our exhibitors, designated viewing times are listed in the Official Program.

Join colleagues, spouses, guests, and exhibit partners for complimentary breaks, including a continental breakfast,

mid-morning break and afternoon refreshment on Friday, and a continental breakfast on Saturday in the Exhibit Hall.

To be entered into MSMA’s Exhibit Hall prize drawing, member physicians and medical students must have the entry form initialed by exhibit personnel. Fill out personal information and deposit in drum at entrance by 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 31. Exhibit cards are available in the Exhibit Hall. Winners will be announced at Sunday’s House of Delegate’s meeting. You need not be present to win.

The MSMA Annual Convention offers an “Open Attendance Policy” to all Convention attendees. Exceptions are food programs, which are members- or reservations-only, or closed board/business meetings.

Appropriate attire for the Convention is business casual for all sessions and events, except the Presidential Inauguration and Reception on Saturday evening, which calls for black tie or business evening.

To respect others, please turn all communication devices to “silent” during the meetings.

Attendees will have the opportunity to evaluate the meeting and speakers online at www.msma.org/annualconvention. After submitting your evaluation, you will be entered to win one of two prizes of $100 each.

All room and time assignments will be listed in the final Convention Official Program. Schedules are tentative and subject to change.