News
SEPTEMBER 2014 · VOLUME 24 & ISSUE 9
A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER LOUISVILLE MEDICAL SOCIETY
DOCTORS &
LAWYERS FOR
KIDS HOLDS
5TH ANNUAL
CHARITY 5K
JUDICIAL COUNCIL
ENCOURAGES
MEDIATION
WITH PHYSICIAN
TRAINING
The Greater Louisville Medical Society Judicial Council and Mediation
First, a Louisville based full-service mediation firm, recently hosted a
physician training session at The Old Medical School Building on Aug. 22.
This introductory session was a part of the GLMS Judicial Council’s efforts to expand mediation services as a tool for physicians and their
staff members. The physician group was led by Mark Stein, founder
and president of Mediation First. Stein has mediated more than 2,000
cases ranging from business and human resource to divorce and custody
mediation. For this session, he worked with 14 GLMS physician members
and introduced techniques which can help solve professional differences
and practice disputes.
The annual 5k fun run and fitness walk, Ramble by the
River, took place Saturday, Aug. 24 at Beckley Creek Park
at the Parklands of Floyds Fork. The fundraiser benefits
the medical-legal partnership Doctors & Lawyers for Kids
while offering a day of community activities for adults and
children alike.
“We started with an extended role play where an OB delivered a baby who
died. The doctors present were so engaged that we went all morning just
discussing that case,” said Stein, who often trains professional groups in
mediation practices. “The physicians really got it. With mediation, you
either get it or you don’t. People can solve their own disputes without
someone hammering them on the head.”
This year’s event saw approximately 200 racers cross the finish line. Inflatables, a pancake breakfast, cutest dog contest
and more kept patrons engaged throughout the morning.
Stein continued, “This process is successful 95 percent of the time when
people agree to come into it. So it’s very inspiring to see these horrible
disputes resolved. With the pressures being seen in the medical profession right now, there’s a lot of stress in the workplace. I’d love to see an
increased use of mediation to resolve some of these conflicts and reduce
some of the pressure that staff and physicians feel.”
GLMS has proudly supported Doctors & Lawyers for Kids
since its establishment and has a representative on its board,
M. Eli Pendleton, MD. The organization’s mission is to connect the medical and legal professions to address problems
that affect the health and well-being of children and their
families. Physicians seek underlying reasons for children’s
illnesses and refer them as needed to an in-house legal team.
To make a tax-deductible donation to Doctors & Lawyers for
Kids, mail to 600 W. Main St., Suite 110, Louisville, KY 40202.
GLMS Judicial Council Chair Suresh Alankar, MD, praised Stein’s program
and said the council is continuing to discuss how best to proceed with
the information gathered. “We weren’t sure what to expect, but it was
wonderful. Mr. Stein kept the interest of the group going very well and
we learned a lot. We weren’t only seeing where mediation works but we
were also practicing how to do it.”
(continued on page 2)