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United States Department of Transportation
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Medical Review Board
Meeting Minutes
The Medical Review Board (MRB) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was convened August 31, 2006 at the DOT in Washington, D.C. The meeting was open to the public.
Board Members Present:
Kurt Hegmann, MD, Acting Chair
Gunnar Andersson, MD
Michael Greenberg, MD
Barbara Phillips, MD
Matthew Rizzo, MD
FMCSA Staff:
*Rose McMurray, Acting Chief Safety Officer and Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development
Larry Minor, Director of the Office of Bus and Truck Standards and Operations
Dr. Mary D. Gunnels, Chief, Physical Qualifications Division
Kaye Kirby, Team Leader, Medical Review Board
Pearlie Robinson, Co-Leader, Medical Review Board
*Designated Federal Official
Other FMCSA Staff:
Madeline Boyd
Shashunga Clayton
Teresa Doggett
David Goettee
Christine Hydock
Mark Johnson
Richard Johnson
Monica Lanos
Pam Pelcovits
Linda Phillips
John Steinhoff
Eric Wood, MD, ACOEM/FMCSA Fellow
Frederic Wood, Office of Chief Counsel
Others:
Cynthia Roscoe, U.S. DOT, Office of the Secretary
FMCSA Contractors:
Ellison Wittels, MD, FMCSA Sr. Medical Consultant
John Sheridan, Manila Consulting Group
Laurie Conly, Manila Consulting Group
Maria Soto, Manila Consulting Group
Dave Burns, Manila Consulting Group
Members of the Public:
Raphael Warsham, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA)
Peter Herbst, Yellow Transportation
Art French, United States Coast Guard
Ryan Mead, United Parcel Service
Katie Hathaway, American Diabetes Association
Christie Cullivan, American Trucking Association
Essie Wagner, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Melissa Theriault, OOIDA
Dave Osiecki, American Trucking Association
Mitch Garber, National Traffic Safety Board
Gary Gross, Epilepsy Foundation
Amy Hanley, American Chiropractic Association
Darrel Drobnich, National Science Foundation
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Rose McMurray, DFO for the MRB, chaired the first public meeting of the MRB. The MRB is an advisory body to FMCSA on scientific and medical issues related to medical certification of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. Ms. McMurray, Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development, noted that her office has lead responsibility for FMCSA's medical program, including setting standards for commercial drivers and establishing a National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners, as well as overseeing the Agency's rulemaking program.
Ms. McMurray said the meeting was largely administrative, describing how the MRB will conduct its business and how the public can influence the work of the MRB. As mentioned by Ms. McMurray, the second meeting will shift focus to review and development of the medical requirements for commercial drivers. Ms. McMurray referred to a goal set in 1996 to reduce fatalities involving large truck and buses by 41 percent. Although the rate of reduction is improving, she said it is "not on track."
Ms. McMurray said the MRB will play a critical role in reviewing existing medical standards to see if they are compatible with the demands of the driving and working environment while also proposing new science-based standards.
Dr. Mary D. Gunnels, Chief of the Physical Qualifications Division, discussed the MRB's mission-to review the 13 medical standards and regulations for CMV drivers, as well as guidelines, which offer advice to medical examiners on how to apply the rules. Dr. Gunnels said that many of the standards are out of date, and the MRB will provide advice on these. The MRB will also have a role in two other important programs: the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners and the integration of driver medical certification data with state commercial drivers' licenses (CDLs).
Acting MRB Chair Kurt Hegmann, MD, discussed the MRB's responsibilities, noting that the first issue to be addressed would be standards for commercial drivers with diabetes. The MRB will be supported by medical research panels that FMCSA will convene to gather the research data required to consider each issue and develop a consensus statement related to the issues raised. Some research panels will be expedited and will develop a research report within a few months; others will focus on large issues and may require more than a year to complete the research report. Those reports will be the basis of review by the MRB. The MRB would like to have a member participate in these comprehensive review panels.
Dr. Hegmann said the MRB had discussed the bylaws and that he expected these would be adopted at the next meeting.
During public comment, questions were raised about epilepsy standards, coordinating expiration dates for the integration program for medical certificates and CDLs, enhancing communication with state and local jurisdictions, and the MRB's role in non-scientific issues, such as the implementation of its recommendations.
The MRB's next meeting will be November 1, 2006 at DOT headquarters, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC. The MRB will deliberate on an evidence report on diabetes and the recommendations of an expert panel of endocrinologists who reviewed the report.
The August 31, 2006 MRB public meeting minutes were approved by the MRB.
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