MRB Members:
Michael Greenberg, MD
Kurt Hegmann, MD
Barbara Phillips, MD
Matthew Rizzo, MD

FMCSA Staff:
Dr. Mary D. Gunnels, Chief, Physical Qualifications Division
Kaye Kirby, Team Leader, Medical Review Board
Pearlie Robinson, Co-Leader, Medical Review Board
Madeline Boyd, Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) Officer

FMCSA Contractors:
John Sheridan, Manila Consulting Group
Laurie Conly, Manila Consulting Group
Maria Soto, Manila Consulting Group
Latasha Casey, Manila Consulting Group

Summary

Dr. Mary D. Gunnels opened the teleconference. The purpose of the operations meeting was to discuss preparations for the meeting to be held in Washington, DC on August 29-31, 2006. FMCSA and MRB members discussed Federal Advisory Committee Act requirements, administrative issues, the Board's advisory role, public participation, and next steps.

MRB members have received conflict-of-interest packets from FMCSA's lawyer, who will attend a portion of the August 2006 meeting to answer questions. MRB members accepted draft bylaws with no changes at this time. The Agency intends to appoint the first chairperson; a memo to the Office of the Secretary regarding this issue is in review and will be ready prior to the August meeting.

FMCSA explained that the MRB will be an independent advisory group and that FMCSA will provide support and oversight. MRB members asked about their role in relation to the FMCSA Medical Expert Panels, which investigate specific medical issues and develop consensus reports. The Board will review the panel’s recommendations as part of their recommendation process and may incorporate information from the panels and the evidence reports in its recommendations on medical standards. The first two panels will address: 1) diabetes and 2) drugs (Schedule II).

The MRB's initial priority is to review current physical qualifications for commercial motor vehicle drivers. Once that task is complete, the MRB will be involved in setting priorities. MRB members requested a work flow diagram of FMCSA's medical program and how the Board fits in, as well as a sampling of the work, research methodology, and preliminary reports to be presented at the August 2006 meeting.

The group discussed logistics for the August 2006 meeting, which will include a truck demonstration intended to give the MRB an understanding of the CMV driver's work environment and the power of a truck. The public portion of the meeting will be held August 31, 2007 at DOT from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Comments will be limited to relevant topics and may be limited in time, depending on the number of people who wish to participate. Oral comments will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. MRB members requested a spreadsheet on any written comments submitted in advance so the doctors can anticipate issues to be addressed. A public listening session with FMCSA staff will be held after the public meeting, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the same day. All media questions for MRB members are to be directed to FMCSA. The MRB will meet August 29-31, 2006 in Washington, DC.