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STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> �oF,LOUlsr DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> ����✓,,z: � �•,°�99 LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> P.0.BOX 4368 <br /> * /���� ��' �� ' BATON ROUGE,LA 70821 <br /> �°N��oENc�� (225)219-5600 <br /> •..«o»..� FAX:(225)381-7271 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> www.ethics.la.gov <br /> May 6, 2025 <br /> Jeffrey W. Williams <br /> Executive Vice President& CEO <br /> Louisiana State Medical Society <br /> 2351 Energy Drive, Suite 1310 <br /> Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808 <br /> Re: Docket No. 2025-064 <br /> Advisory Opinion <br /> Dear Mr. Williams: <br /> The Louisiana Board of Ethics, at its meeting on May 2, 2025, considered your advisory opinion <br /> request as to whether the Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") permits Dr. Roderick Clark to <br /> receive a stipend as the President of the Board of Governors for the Louisiana State Medical <br /> Society ("LSMS") while also serving as the Governor-appointed President of the Louisiana State <br /> I�oard of Medical Examiners ("LSBME"). <br /> FACTS PROVIDED <br /> The LSMS is a voluntary membership organization made up of physicians, physicians iiz training, <br /> and medical students. The LSMS is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit membership/professional <br /> organization. <br /> The LSMS has a Board of Governors that serves as its trustee and administrative board.The LSMS <br /> Board of Governors consists of a president, seven other off'icers (one ex-officio), and fifieen <br /> additional members representing their geographic districts and delineated sections. The LSMS has <br /> historically paid a stipend ranging between $25,000.00 to $50,000.00 to the president. <br /> Dr. Roderick Clark is the current president of the Board of Governors. Additionally, he was <br /> appointed by Governor Jeff Landry in July 2024 and currently serves as the president of the ten- <br /> member LSBME. There is no contractual or financial relationship between the LSMS and the <br /> LSBME. However, the LSMS participates in rule-making activities, including commenting on <br /> written rules and testifying before both the LSBME and their advisory committees. LSMS also <br /> requests advisory opinions from the LSBME relative to the practice of inedicine and physician <br /> actions. The LSMS does not represent individual members before the LSBME but does represent <br /> the LSMS and the profession before the LSBME. <br /> Dr. Clark's duties as president of the LSMS are different, separate, and distinct fi•om ]iis duties as <br /> president of the LSBME.As president of the LSMS, Dr. Clark's duties include but are not limited <br /> to,serving as the official spokesman for the LSMS,presiding at all meetings of the Society,preside <br /> at all meetings of the Board of Governors, presiding at all meetings of the Executive Committee <br /> Page 1 of 4(BD 2025-064) <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUN/TY EMPLOYER <br />