Missouri Representative Keith Frederick, DO, an orthopedic surgeon from Rolla, received the 2013 Legislative Award during MSMA’s 155th Annual Convention in Kansas City. The award reflects the close relationship MSMA has with state senators and representatives throughout the year to formulate policy and regulations that govern the practice of medicine in Missouri.
Rep. Frederick, represents the 121st House district, which encompasses portions of Phelps and Pulaski counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2010, and quickly earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle. This year, Representative Frederick was appointed Chair of the important House Health Care Policy Committee. In this position, he controls the speed of any legislation in his committee which impacts physicians and the practice of medicine.
Dr. Keith Frederick receives the Legislative Award from President Jim Wolfe, MD.
Representative Frederick has come to medicine’s aid countless times during his service in the General Assembly. He has been a staunch supporter of our efforts to ensure prompt credentialing of physicians. He has also been a tireless advocate for patient safety.
And, he has been an important voice in our battle to restore the noneconomic damage caps through commonsense tort reform measures. Most importantly, he is a consistent protector of the practice of medicine when other health care professional groups attempt to expand their scope of practice. For example, this year she has led the charge in the House of Representatives to extinguish HB 314, which would allow nurses to practice without physician oversight. He also sponsored HB 387, an MSMA-backed bill which amends the physician assistant supervision rules.
Representative Frederick consistently seeks the advice of organized medicine on important healthcare issues at the Capitol, and shares that information with the members of his committee and colleagues.
Whether it is big issues, like Medicaid reform and nursing scope of practice, or the less visible ones, like tanning beds and medical records fees, Representative Fredrick has been a habitual supporter of Missouri physicians and their patients.
Medical students mingle in the MSMA Exhibit Hall with Ted Groshong, MD, (far right).