The American Medical Association (AMA) Board of Directors awarded a Medical Executive Lifetime Achievement Award to W. Calvin Chaney, JD, CAE, ACEP’s former general counsel and associate executive director for policy and administration.

The award, which was given to Mr. Chaney during the opening session of the AMA’s interim meeting in Atlanta in November, honors medical association executives who have “contributed substantially to the goals and ideals of the medical profession,” according to the AMA.

AMA President Steven J. Stack, MD, FACEP, said Mr. Chaney was honored “for his dedication and tireless work advocating for improved patient access to emergency health care.”

Mr. Chaney

Mr. Chaney joined ACEP in 1992 as its first state legislative director. He helped develop ACEP’s initial advocacy resources and provided support and guidance to ACEP chapters, including drafting legislation, hiring and evaluating lobbyists, and providing advocacy training for members.

During his 22 years with ACEP, Mr. Chaney played a key role in advancing emergency medicine and patient access to care. One key accomplishment was his work on the prudent layperson standard legislation, which provided safeguards for patients seeking emergency care when health plans were denying coverage to those who ultimately were deemed to have a nonemergent diagnosis. In addition, the legislation prohibited requiring patients to seek preauthorization. As a result of his efforts, according to the AMA, legislation was passed in 47 states and included Medicaid, Medicare, federal employee health plans, and, most recently, the Affordable Care Act.

Mr. Chaney served as president of the American Association of Medical Society Executives, chaired several committees, and led trainings as part of the association’s New Medical Executive Institute. He received an honorary membership award from ACEP at ACEP15 in Boston.