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Shalala Appoints 3 Physicians to Advisory
Council and First Woman to Chair Council

HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today announced the appointment of three members and the first woman to chair the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council.

Secretary Shalala swore in the new members and new chairman today during the council's quarterly meeting.

Marie G. Kuffner, M.D., of Los Angeles, Calif., who was vice chairman last year, is the new chairman.

The new appointees are Stephen A. Imbeau, M.D., an internist and allergist from Florence, S.C.; Dale Lervick, an optometrist from Lakewood, Colo.; and Victor Vela, M.D., a family practice physician from San Antonio, Texas. Richard A. Bronfman, a podiatrist from Little Rock, Ark., was reappointed to the council. They will serve four-year terms.

"The new appointees represent a diverse group of medical specialists," Secretary Shalala said. "I am sure their experience and dedication will help the council greatly in carrying out its goal of improving care for Medicare beneficiaries and dealing with the difficult issues facing practicing physicians."

The three members ending their council service are Gary C. Dennis, M.D., Ardis D. Hoven, M.D., and Marc A. Lowe, M.D.

The 15-member council, established by Congress in 1990, meets quarterly to advise the HHS secretary on proposed changes in regulations and carrier manual instructions which relate to physicians� services under Medicare and Medicaid.

Note: HHS press releases are available on the World Wide Web at: www.hhs.gov.