Code of Ethics
 

Code of Ethics Committee Call
10/11/07
3:00 p.m.
Minutes

Attendees: Halley Faust (Chair), Hugh Tilson, Jim Tacci, Steve Herrin, Sara Spinnato, Barry Pakes – ex-officio member, Jen Edwards (staff)

All Committee members gave a brief introduction of themselves and their work environment

Review of Charge – summarized comments

The Code of Ethics Committee needs to determine various items/keep in mind:

  • How ‘actionable’ should the code be?
  • Will it be used to remove members from membership if they are found in violation of the code?
  • Will legal council need to be involved?
  • Need to keep the code simple.
  • We should have the code available for other groups to use/research
  • How will ACPM members be allowed to comment on the code?
  • How will ACPM members be expected to use/follow the code?

Committee members Conflicts of Interest:

In the interest of transparency for the Committee, Hugh Tilson volunteered information of his experience with law enforcement earlier this year (Jan 2007), how he fought the charges and was fully exonerated.  He was asked to serve on this Committee by ACPM’s Board of Regents, and Halley Faust specifically, for this dedication to the field of preventive medicine and his ongoing service to the College.

Jim Tacci currently serves on the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine’s Code of Ethics Committee

Process for developing code discussion:

The Committee will survey the College membership.  There is no plan to have a “copy ready” code to go to the membership for comment until after Preventive Medicine 2009.

Survey Development:

Halley will begin the survey development via the Google Groups Docs page.  Barry Pakes would like to include some questions on the survey for his research.  These questions will be evaluated as needed.

MOTION:

Jim Tacci made motion to send the Conflicts Policy and forms to the Committee members. Hugh Tilson seconded the motion.

ACTION ITEMS:

  • Committee members will review the current Codes of Ethics sent prior to this call along with any Codes from the various groups they belong and list any conflicts between the codes. (Responsible party – all members)
  • Find out how the AMA removes members for Code Violation (Jen)
  • Send Conflicts Policy on ACPM website to the Constitution and Bylaws Committee (Jen)
  • Send Conflicts Policy and forms to Committee members (Jen)
  • All Committee members should send to Jen/Halley any questions/issues they’d like raised on the survey (all committee members)

Next Call: October, 31st

5:00 p.m. Eastern