Legislature(2007 - 2008)CAPITOL 106
04/03/2008 03:00 PM House HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s)|| State Medical Board | |
| Board of Certified Direct-entry Midwives | |
| Board of Education and Early Development | |
| Board of Nursing | |
| Board of Certified Direct-entry Midwives | |
| Board of Pharmacy | |
| Professional Teaching Practices Commission | |
| Board of Examiners Optometry | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
April 3, 2008
3:04 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Peggy Wilson, Chair
Representative Bob Roses, Vice Chair
Representative Anna Fairclough
Representative Wes Keller
Representative Paul Seaton
Representative Sharon Cissna
Representative Berta Gardner
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
State Medical Board
Dr. John Cullen - Valdez
Dr. William W. Resinger - Palmer
Dr. Lawrence W. Stinson, Jr. - Anchorage
Michael J. Tauriainen - Soldotna
Dr. Jean Tsigonis - Fairbanks
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives
Cheryl A. Corrick - Fairbanks
Dr. Peggy A. Downing - Palmer
Holly M. Steiner - Wasilla
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Education and Early Development
Geraldine C. Benshoof - North Pole
Philip E. Schneider - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Nursing
Denise Ekstrom - Anchorage
Agnes M. Jack - Kotzebue
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Pharmacy
Kathe Boucha - Anchorage
Robert Young - Sitka
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Richard Lum - Eagle River
George Troxel - Palmer
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Board of Examiners Optometry
Jill Matheson - Juneau
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
DR. JOHN CULLEN, MD, Appointee
to the State Medical Board
Valdez, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the State Medical
Board.
DR. WILLIAM RESINGER, MD, Appointee
to the State Medical Board
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the State Medical
Board.
DR. LAWRENCE STINSON, JR., MD, Appointee
to the State Medical Board
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the State Medical
Board.
DR. JEAN TSIGONIS, MD, Appointee
to the State Medical Board
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the State Medical
Board.
CHERYL CORRICK, Appointee
to the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Certified Direct-Entry Midwives.
GERALDINE BENSHOOF, Appointee
to the Board of Education and Early Development
North Pole, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Education.
PHILLIP SCHNEIDER, Appointee
to the Board of Education and Early Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Education.
DENISE EKSTROM, Appointee
to the Board of Nursing
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Nursing.
AGNES JACK, Appointee
to the Board of Nursing
Kotzebue, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Nursing.
HOLLY STEINER, Appointee
to the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Certified Direct-Entry Midwives.
KATHE BOUCHA, Appointee
to the Board of Pharmacy
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Pharmacy.
ROBERT YOUNG, Appointee
to the Board of Pharmacy
Director, Professional Service Division
Mount Edgecombe Hospital
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Board of
Pharmacy.
RICHARD LUM, Appointee
to the Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Eagle River, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Professional
Teaching Practices Commission.
GEORGE TROXEL, Appointee
to the Professional Teaching Practices Commission
Superintendent, Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Professional
Teaching Practices Commission.
TRACY OMEN, Executive Director
Alaska Optometric Association
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of Dr. Jill
Matheson's, appointment to the Board of Examiners Optometry.
ACTION NARRATIVE
CHAIR PEGGY WILSON called the House Health, Education and Social
Services Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:04:09 PM.
Representatives Wilson, Seaton, Roses, Keller, and Gardner were
present at the call to order. Representatives Fairclough and
Cissna arrived as the meeting was in progress.
3:05:11 PM
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
^State Medical Board
3:05:15 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced that the first order of business would be
the confirmation hearings on the appointment of Dr. John Cullen,
Dr. William W. Resinger, Dr. Lawrence W. Stinson, Jr., Michael
Tauriainen, and Dr. Jean Tsigonis, to the State Medical Board.
[The motion for advancement to be combined with that of the
Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives; to follow.]
3:06:38 PM
DR. JOHN CULLEN, MD, Appointee, to the State Medical Board,
introduced himself as a rural physician, a perspective that he
will bring to the board.
3:07:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER referred to his resume, and commented on
his original presentation for medical groups or general public
regarding extreme ski injuries. She asked if he had experience
with that area of medicine, prior to his practice in Valdez.
DR. CULLEN said that his knowledge stems from being the
physician sponsor, for the Valdez based extreme skiing
championships, for seven years.
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER referred to his presentation on adult
manifestations of child abuse, and inquired whether he had
observed this through his practice, or followed the topic out of
personal interest.
DR. CULLEN responded that he has done research on the topic due
to his personal interest.
3:08:36 PM
DR. WILLIAM RESINGER, MD, Appointee, to the State Medical Board,
said that when the governor called, he did not hesitate to
serve. Directing attention to his resume, he said that this
appointment is consistent with his experience.
3:09:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER pointed out that Dr. Resinger is a
personal friend, and expressed his appreciation for his
willingness to serve.
3:10:10 PM
DR. LAWRENCE STINSON, JR., MD, Appointee, to the State Medical
Board, stated his interest, for serving on the board, is due to
his focus on forwarding general health care in Alaska.
3:11:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER noted his extensive work in the research
field and asked if he is still actively involved in that area.
DR. STINSON explained his past opportunities to publish, and
said that he is currently working on a paper. Finding the time
is always a challenge, he added.
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER said that being appointed to the board,
may adversely impact his ability to continue writing.
DR. STINSON responded that he anticipates the service will be an
overall beneficial experience.
3:12:36 PM
DR. JEAN TSIGONIS, MD, introduced herself to the committee.
3:13:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES reflected on Dr. Tsigonis' comments that
she has previously provided on issues before the committee. He
stressed the value of the information that every witness
provides, in the committee's decision making process.
3:15:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON reviewed the qualifications of Mike
Tauriainen, and established that his appointment is to the
layman's seat on the medical board.
^Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives
CHAIR WILSON announced that the next order of business would be
confirmation hearings on the appointment of Cheryl Corrick,
Peggy Downing, and Holly Steiner to the Board of Certified
Direct-Entry Midwives.
3:16:25 PM
CHERYL CORRICK, Appointee, to the Board of Certified Direct-
Entry Midwives, said that she has attended over 600 births, in
the interior of Alaska, and sees this appointment as a means to
maintain her interest, as well as to serve the public.
3:18:18 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked the committee to review Dr. Peggy Downing's
and Holly Steiner's qualifications. She added that Ms. Steiner
was called away to attend a birth.
3:19:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON referred to Dr. Downing's certification,
and asked if her appointment is to a seat on the midwifery board
specifically reserved for a medical doctor.
3:20:40 PM
CHAIR WILSON said yes.
3:21:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to forward the names of Dr. John
Cullen, Dr. William Resinger, Dr. Lawrence Stinson, Jr., Michael
Tauriainen, Dr. Jean Tsigonis, Cheryl Corrick, Peggy Downing,
and Holly Steiner to the joint session of the House and Senate
for confirmation. There being no objection, the confirmations
of Dr. Join Cullen, Dr. William Resinger, Dr. Lawrence Stinson,
Jr., Michael Tauriainen, Dr. Jean Tsigonis, Cheryl Corrick,
Peggy Downing, and Holly Steiner were advanced from the House
Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee.
3:22:58 PM
^Board of Education and Early Development
3:23:22 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced that the next order of business would be
the confirmation hearings on the appointment of Geraldine
Benshoof and Philip Schneider to the Board of Education and
Early Development.
[The motion for advancement to be combined with that of the
Board of Pharmacy; to follow.]
3:23:44 PM
GERALDINE BENSHOOF, Appointee, to the Board of Education and
Early Development, established her background in education and
speech pathology.
3:24:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER commented that her resume is
"astounding," including her extensive public service on various
boards and camps, as well as being an ordained deacon.
MS. BENSHOOF stated that she has been in the area for a number
of years and the accomplishments have occurred over a length of
time.
3:25:28 PM
PHILLIP SCHNEIDER, Appointee, to the Board of Education and
Early Development, expressed his interest in educational policy.
He has traveled and consulted in schools around the world and is
interested in bringing that global perspective to the board.
CHAIR WILSON seeing no questions, thanked him for his
willingness to serve.
^Board of Nursing
3:27:48 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced that the next order of business would be
confirmation hearings on the appointment of Denise Elkstrom and
Agnes Jack to the Board of Nursing.
[The motion for advancement to be combined with that of the
Board of Pharmacy; to follow.]
3:27:53 PM
DENISE EKSTROM, Appointee, to the Board of Nursing, provided a
statement outlining her service and interest in the nursing
field.
3:28:29 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked if she worked at the clinic in Delta
Junction, Alaska.
MS. EKSTROM stated that she did; working one day a week, while
raising her children.
CHAIR WILSON cited her own work in Tok, Alaska, and said that it
is good to have a board member who brings a firsthand rural
perspective.
3:29:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked what characterizes a family nurse
practitioner (FNP) from a nurse practitioner (NP).
MS. EKSTROM responded that an FNP is qualified to attend to
patients ranging from the age of newborn through geriatric.
3:29:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES noted her educational background.
3:30:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH asked her to address the nursing
shortage in Alaska, and her approach to the issue of safe
nursing practices.
MS. EKSTROM suggested that the training offered at the local
University of Alaska campuses is helpful in providing nurses to
the rural areas.
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH inquired if she has worked at an urban
hospital, and asked her to address the mandatory overtime issue.
MS. EKSTROM responded that she has worked in an urban location.
Work in a hospital is very demanding, she said, and it is
difficult to work effectively beyond a 12 hour shift.
3:33:44 PM
AGNES JACK, Appointee, to the Board of Nursing, noted highlights
of her resume.
3:34:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH asked her to comment on Alaska's
nursing shortage, and the issue regarding nurses working
overtime.
MS. JACK acknowledged the nursing shortage, and said it is
difficult to lure, and retain, nurses in bush areas.
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH asked if the high turnover was
specific to the climactic conditions, or due to the work hours.
MS. JACK speculated that both the challenging climate, and the
long hours, are contributing factors.
^Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives
3:36:55 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced that the next order of business would be
to redirect attention to the confirmation hearing on the
appointment of Holly Steiner to the Board of Certified Direct-
Entry Midwives.
HOLLY STEINER, Appointee, to the Board of Certified Direct-Entry
Midwives, apologized for her tardy call-in, and announced that
it was a girl.
3:39:08 PM
CHAIR WILSON asked how many babies she has delivered this year.
MS. STEINER answered five or six, thus far, and reported that
she usually averages about 20 per month.
CHAIR WILSON informed her that her name was included in the
previous motion for advancement. She thanked her for the
follow-up call, and her willingness to serve.
[Her name was previously moved for advancement.]
3:39:41 PM
^Board of Pharmacy
3:39:53 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced that the next order of business would be
the confirmation hearings on the appointment of Kathe Boucha and
Robert Young to the Board of Pharmacy.
3:40:01 PM
KATHE BOUCHA, Appointee, to the Board of Pharmacy, explained how
she came to submit her resume, and said her willingness to
serve, as a citizen participant, is primarily due to her
interest in the standard operating procedures, and to address
process improvement.
3:40:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER asked her to describe the Kosova
Foundation for Medical Development.
MS. BOUCHA explained that it is a non-profit foundation that
receives international funding. The name was recently changed
to the International Virtual E-Hospital Foundation. The
foundation has created a telecommunications system to help
Kosovo rebuild their medical system, and reconnect with the
medical world.
3:42:15 PM
ROBERT YOUNG, Appointee, to the Board of Pharmacy, Director,
Professional of Service Division, Mount Edgecombe Hospital, said
he has been a long time pharmacist in the state, both in
hospital and private sector settings. He provided further
highlights from his resume, and stated that he is in his final
year of law school. He said he holds a passion for safety.
3:43:14 PM
CHAIR WILSON noted that he works full time as well as attends
law school.
MR. YOUNG stated that he has been taking classes on-line, which
helps with the logistics of work and school.
3:43:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH asked the candidate to speak to the
misuse of pharmaceutical drugs, and if information sharing
between doctors is in need of improvement.
MR. YOUNG opined that a fair amount of drug misuse may occur and
that information sharing may be the only means to dispel such
activity. There is no machine to measure levels of pain for
management purposes, he added.
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH inquired about the pharmacists' role
regarding clients.
MR. YOUNG explained that under HIPPA [Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act] information can be shared,
and could be considered an aspect of the treatment component, as
part of the treatment is to prevent a patient from abusing a
drug.
3:46:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to forward the names of Geraldine
Benshoof, Philip Schneider, Denise Ekstrom, Agnes Jack, Kathe
Boucha, and Robert Young to the joint session of the House and
Senate for confirmation. There being no objection, the
confirmations of Geraldine Benshoof, Philip Schneider, Denise
Ekstrom, Agnes Jack, Kathe Boucha, and Robert Young were
advanced from the House Health, Education and Social Services
Standing Committee.
3:48:40 PM
^Professional Teaching Practices Commission
3:48:45 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced that the next order of business would be
the confirmation hearings to appoint Richard Lum and George
Troxel, to the Professional Teaching Practices Commission.
[The motion for advancement to be combined with that of the
Board of Examiners Optometry.]
3:49:10 PM
RICHARD LUM, Appointee, to the Professional Teaching Practices
Commission, cited his involvement in advocacy work for employee
rights, and bargaining experience, as qualifications to serve.
He sees this as a time for all of his skills to come together.
3:50:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH noted her previous relationship with
the candidate, and provided a personal recommendation.
3:52:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES noted his previous relationship with the
candidate, and provided a personal recommendation.
3:53:33 PM
GEORGE TROXEL, Appointee, to the Professional Teaching Practices
Commission, Superintendent, Matanuska-Susitna Borough School
District;, provided a brief biography and stated that he is
familiar with the "landscape of schools and education in the
State of Alaska, and knows ... the challenges and opportunities
that exist." He is particularly interested in the subject of
ethics.
3:55:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER provided a personal recommendation.
3:55:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES asked if this appointment is to the
superintendent position on the commission.
MR. TROXEL said yes.
^Board of Examiners Optometry
3:56:00 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced that the final order of business would be
the confirmation hearing to appoint Dr. Jill Matheson, O.D., to
the Board of Examiners Optometry.
3:56:41 PM
CHAIR WILSON stated that the appointee is not present and
requested that the committee review her written qualifications.
3:57:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES said that her qualifications appear to be
in order, and offered that his office has received no objections
to her appointment.
3:57:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked what the "TPA" endorsement, in her
resume, represents.
3:58:00 PM
TRACY OMEN, Executive Director, Alaska Optometric Association,
stated that Dr. Matheson is currently the chair of the Optometry
Board, and a board member for the past four years. The TPA
indicates that she holds the highest level of certification, and
is authorized to prescribe therapeutic pharmaceutical agents
(TPAs).
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON inquired if that is the license criteria
most recently allowed.
MS OMAN clarified that optometrists have had the ability to
prescribe pharmaceutical agents since 1992, but in 2007 it was
amplified to include systemic pharmaceuticals, as well as the
topical.
3:59:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to forward the names of Richard Lum,
George Troxel, and Jill Matheson to the joint session of the
House and Senate for confirmation. There being no objection,
the confirmations of Richard Lum, George Troxel, and Jill
Matheson were advanced from the House Health, Education and
Social Services Standing Committee.
4:00:00 PM
CHAIR WILSON thanked all of the appointees for their willingness
to serve the state on their respective boards and commissions.
Further, she announced the pending meeting schedule.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee meeting
was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
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