History - 1967

The Northwest Eye Clinic P.A. of Robbinsdale, Minn., was founded in 1967 as was Urology Associates Ltd. in Minneapolis.  Doug Ravnholdt, with the benefit of his 1967 model Day-Timer, was able to establish without a shadow of a doubt that the MMGMA conference of 1967 was held in Alexandria.  And, with the help of a 1967 summer meeting program received from George Lehigh in July 1993, we can add that Virgil Hanson of Fergus Falls was Chairman.  This is the earliest MMGMA such document we've found.  It presents a picture of a meeting very typical of those of the 1960s, with discussion of pension planning, Medicare, "National Cash -- 42 series punched tape alphanumeric accounting machine," physician recruiting, personnel policies, professional corporations and current problems with IRS and doctor compensation.  Participants, besides Mr. Hanson, included:  Richard Taylor, National Life Insurance Co., Minneapolis; Earl H. Mosiman, Deferred Compensation Inc.; Clark Downey, Internal Revenue Service; Don Thompson and C.C. Neese, Blue Shield; William Lanzo, Travelers Insurance Company Inc.; R.A. Trester and Donald L. Anderson, National Cash Register; Ormond Seavey; roger Asplin; Woody Glad; George Lehigh; Will Youngquist, Stan Allen; Bill Costello, Harold Ullrich, Lyman Anderson.  Lunch and social hour were sponsored respectively by:  C.F. Anderson Co.; Physicians Hospital Supply; and Aloe Company.  On the back is George's expense account totaling $91.60 for 3 days of lodging, food and transportation at eight cents per mile and registration at $5.00.

Minnesota's membership in MGMA in this year numbered 30.  Of these, new members included:  Edsel Gunderson of Detroit Lakes, Donovan Peterson of Lufkin Medical Laboratory in Minneapolis, Ben Stephens of doctors Medalman and Hall, James Vitali of East Range Clinic Virginia, Vivian Winkle of the Fridley Clinic.  Al Farley terminated his participation in the Minnesota delegation in this year.

The 41st Annual Conference of MGMA was held in Boston in September 20-23, 1967, under the leadership of William Barry of the Joslin Clinic of Boston.

In this year the Education Committee was reorganized to become the Joint Special Committee on Education including three MGMA appointments, three ACCM appointments and headed in this first year by Carl Anderson, Chairman.  The new committee proposed to seek foundation funds and proposed hiring an education director.

The Midwest Section presented a "Medical-Legal Institute" at the School of Law at Loyola University of Chicago on April 19-22, 1967.  Moderator was Joseph Krapek of Park Clinic in Iowa, President of the Midwest Section.  Subjects included:  legal considerations in selecting the proper form of clinic organization; employment contracts for professional personnel; privileged information and control of records; legal problems arising out of real estate contracts and other contractual transactions; related business activities and satellite operation; operational problems and unforeseen liabilities; wage and hour law; pension plans and profit sharing.  Donald A. Denneson, Treasurer of Midwest Section, moderated the Friday afternoon session.

Donovan Peterson joined MMGMA in 1967.  Don, in his letter of September 12, 1991, makes observations which resonate in the hearts and minds of most members when he says:  "During my consulting years, I came to appreciate more fully the scope of the real clinic manager's job as I became involved with a number of medical groups around the state.  There was always a willingness to share information and ideas with colleagues.  The informal sessions at conventions, the monthly Twin Cities' lunches or wherever two managers met, there was an exchange of experience to mutual benefit.  I learned a lot from all of you.  Like many others, I came into group management through a side door, and found a distinct lack of expertise in many areas.  My association with MMGMA members was a tremendous benefit to me."   Don was Administrator of the Lufkin Laboratories headquartered in Minneapolis from 1966 until retiring in 1980.  He did consulting in the field thereafter for a number of years.

President of the ACCM this year was Judson C. Green of Quincy, Ill.  Minnesota's first member to earn Fellowship in 10 years was Wilford S. Youngquist, FACCM, of the Bloomington Lake Clinic.  Before him were only Ormond A. Seavey in 1957 and the original founding group in 1956.