IN THE NEWS

Seven outstanding physicians are featured
People News
By Dina Franks
Published September 1, 2006

Brian D. Johnston, MD, and Robert Pugach, MD
LACMA members since 1981 and 1989 respectively

A Los Angeles emergency physician, Brian D. Johnston, MD, and Robert Pugach, MD medical director of Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center in Los Alamitos, were named members of the 2006-08 American Medical Association Organized Medical Staff Section Governing Council at the AMA Annual Meeting in June. Dr. Johnston was appointed delegate and Dr. Pugach was elected secretary. Composed of seven members from different states, the AMA-OMSS Governing Council is a national policymaking body that promotes medical staff self-governance.

Due to recent battles between physicians and hospitals locally and nationwide, Dr. Pugach says the council is more important than ever. "Because of the ongoing onslaught to physician autonomy, we cannot afford to sit on our laurels," says Dr. Pugach. "Our goal is to promote an agenda that empowers physicians to take care of their patients, govern their own medical staffs and write their own bylaws. And when physicians run into obstacles, we want them to utilize the legal resources of the California Medical Association and the AMA.

The council is designed to help medical staffs fulfill their responsibility to provide patients with the highest-quality care possible. In addition, AMA-OMSS council leaders develop policies and services based on the issues and ideas brought forward by AMA members.

"We have a new group this year," Dr. Pugach says. "We have a new vision, new direction and remarkable energy."

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