ATLANTA — The American Medical Association (AMA) presented Calvin Chaney, J.D., CAE, former general counsel and associate executive director for policy and administration at the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), with the Medical Executive Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is given by the AMA to honor a medical association executive who has contributed substantially to the goals and ideals of the medical profession.
"The AMA is pleased to honor Calvin Chaney with this year's Medical Executive Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication and tireless work advocating for improved patient access to emergency health care," said AMA President Steven J. Stack, M.D.
Joining ACEP in 1992 as its first state legislative director, Chaney was instrumental in developing the association's initial advocacy resources and providing support and guidance to ACEP chapters—drafting legislation, hiring and evaluating lobbyists and providing advocacy training for members. Chaney also became the association's first general counsel and served finally as ACEP's associate executive director for policy and administration.
During his 22 year career with ACEP, Chaney played a pivotal role in a wide variety of initiatives aimed at advancing emergency medicine and patient access to care. One of his most notable accomplishments was his work to shepherd the Prudent Layperson Standard legislation, which provided a safeguard for patients seeking emergency care at a time when health plans were denying coverage to those enrollees who didn't first secure prior authorization. As a result of his efforts, the legislation was passed in 47 states and included in Medicaid, Medicare, federal employee health plans, and was most recently included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act—providing all Americans with access to emergency care.
Chaney served as president of the American Association of Medical Society Executives and also chaired several committees and led numerous trainings as part of the association's New Medical Executive Institute.
He received both his Bachelor of Art degree as well as his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
The award was presented to Chaney during the opening session of the 2015 AMA Interim Meeting in Atlanta.
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