The First Plenary Session (Business Meeting) was called to order by the current APHMG president, Reed Pyeritz, at 6:30pm. The minutes from the 2001 Workshop in Tucson, Arizona were approved.

Secretary-Treasurers Report: Dr. Feldman reported this year's financial information, which is attached to these minutes. On April 15, 2001, the account balance was $78,049.32. The current balance (as of April 17, 2002) is $79,023.48. This includes registration fees from this year's workshop; no payments to the hotel for the current meeting have been made. Essentially, APHMG broke even over the course of the year, but the major reason for this was the substantial amount paid to the Westward Look Hotel for last year's meeting. This year, the hotel costs appear to be much more reasonable.

Membership: There are currently 68 paid institutions for 2002. There were 98 paid members in 2001. This year the invoices were sent to the Medical School Deans and a copy was mailed to each representatives. An accounting of whether the Dean's office or genetics department paid the institutional dues was able to be made based upon the payments made, and it looks like ~2/3 of the dues were paid by the Deans office. Some institutions made duplicate payments because of the duplicate invoices mailed. A second dues invoice will be sent to the representatives whose institutions have not paid their 2000 dues.

ABMG: Dr. Richard Erbe discussed the ABMG recertification process, including the competency component for individuals previously certified. Dr. Erbe encouraged even those without certificates that have no expiration date to still recertify. Concerns were raised regarding the time commitment to read the required journal articles and the expense of paying for the exam. Surprisingly, more people have opted to take the full 1-day examination instead of reading the journal articles. The 1-day written examination will be given at various Sylvan Learning Centers around the country. The Board is discussing whether to continue to partner with the National Board of Medical Examiners.

ACMG: Mike Watson, Executive Director of the ACMG, reported on various efforts in progress at the ACMG. He discussed that the Laboratory Quality Assurance Technology Committee is finishing the new version of the Laboratory Standards and Guidelines, as well as guidelines for testing for cystic fibrosis and the Inherited Thrombophilias (Factor V Leiden and Prothrombin 20210A). He also discussed that two new interest groups have been formed – Public Health Interest Group and an Adult Genetics Interest Group. The College is working on enhancing relationships with other medical specialties, including Internal Medicine and Neurology. A number of other specialties are seeking certificates in Genetics. HRSA contracts for newborn screening and deafness programs are to be decided in May/June. There are follow-up networks for metabolic diseases being established jointly with the Society for Inborn Errors of Metabolism. There is a National Genetics Cooperative Group, similar to the Oncology Groups, whose goal is to standardize genetic services. In the education arena, the College is actively partnering with various other organizations, such as the Endocrine Society, to establish direct relationships and enhance genetics education. Dr. Watson also discussed the issues involved in CLIA certification of research labs.

AMA: our liason is Priscilla Short. She is on medical leave. The AMA remains committed to genetics education of it's physician members.

ASHG Education Committee: Dr. Bronya Keats reported that the latest version of the core competency requirements in genetics education will be published and we will also post them on the APHMG web site. Dr. Keats also discussed other issues the ASHG Education Committee is working on, including a joint Internal Medicine/Medical Genetics Residency Training Program. The ASHG is looking for student mentors for the lunch at ASHG. There will be a high school teacher's workshop at ASHG. They are also establishing an archive of the history and biography of human genetics, with Walter Nance as Chair.

ASHG: Dr. Joann Boughman, Executive Director of ASHG, discussed the importance of making efforts to have our voices heard on various issues of national significance, such as stem cell research, public policy and others. She encouraged all of us to write our legislators.

NCHPEG: Dr. Elsas is our representative to this organization. Dr. McInerney will present in the plenary session scheduled for tomorrow.

SACGT: Dr. Bougman presented the past and future efforts of the SACGT.