November 17, 2003

Florida Medical Directors Association Announces Gambone as its New President

West Palm Beach, Fla. - The Florida Medical Directors Association (FMDA) is pleased to announce that Victor Gambone, MD, FACP, CMD, was installed as the organization's president during its recently-held, 12th Annual Program in October.

Dr. Gambone is a well-respected physician with decades of long-term care experience. He is currently the medical director for numerous extended care facilities in Largo, Clearwater, and Dunedin, Fla. 

He earned his medical degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1975 and completed an Internal Medicine Residency at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Dr. Gambone is a Diplomate in Internal Medicine, Diplomate in Geriatric Medicine, Diplomate in the Specialty of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review, and a Certified Medical Director.

Dr. Gambone takes over the presidency of FMDA as it reaches its highest membership totals ever. This is a trend he hopes to continue.
"The more professionals involved in FMDA, the better it is for our patients, our members and health care in the state of Florida," Gambone said. "It provides a unique opportunity for us to exchange information and ideas, support our profession and share innovative approaches."

Dr. Gambone said the organization will continue to keep a close watch on the state Legislature and the Governor's office in order to ensure that legislation does not negatively affect the ability of medical directors to do their job.

"Over-regulation can lead to the closing of quality long-term care
facilities," he said. "FMDA takes it responsibilities in this area very
seriously. We will continue to work hard to protect the interests of our
members and our patients."

FMDA will continue to communicate with its membership through the group's newsletter Progress Report, as well as its Web site, www.fmda.org.  Dr. Gambone said he hopes the Web site will be an expanding source of information for FMDA members. He pointed to such sections as "Coding Corner," and the inclusion of links that allow members to contact their legislators, as examples of ways FMDA is using technology to make things easy for its members.

"Our dues are still among the lowest in the country, and I think that has helped the organization to be inclusive," Gambone said. "At the same time, we've been successful at making sure we provide more bang for your buck. We have one of the largest educational conferences of its kind in the country and we do positive things for our membership each and every day. I'm proud to help continue the standard of excellence that has been set by those before me."
 

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The Florida Medical Directors Association represents nearly 250 medical directors, attending physicians, physician assistants, and advanced registered nurse practitioners in Florida’s postacute care continuum including subacute care, hospice, skilled nursing, and assisted living facilities, as well as in continuing care retirement communities. The mission of FMDA is to promote the highest quality care in the postacute care continuum by providing leadership, professional education and advocacy.
 

Contact: Ian Cordes, Executive Director
Florida Medical Directors Association
(561) 371-2586, ian.cordes@fmda.org