MCMS President’s Address

2024 – Thomas S. Proctor, M.D.

What an honor to congratulate Dr John Corker on an incredible year as President of the Medical Society.   He is the epitome of selfless leadership.  Through his efforts, our organization has leaped into the electronic era with a rejuvenated website, social media presence and marked enhancements to our onboarding of new members.  He has been instrumental in engaging medical students and residents in the value of organized medicine, crucial to the future for our organization.  His continued involvement here, the OSMA and on a national stage will surely only enhance his legacy.  A new father to Ellie and doting husband to Lisa, it is my honor to thank Dr Corker for a tremendous year. John, thank you from our entire organization.

My comments regarding Dr. Corker are not enough to repay him for the countless hours he has contributed to our organization.   Indeed, he and I stand on the shoulders of the many former Presidents, particularly those who are with us tonight.  You are the pillars of our modern Medical Society.  I hope I can contribute even a fraction of what you have given.  Thank you for still being here.

2024 marks a milestone year for the Montgomery County Medical Society.   I was hoping that was called the Sesquecentennial, making me the Sesquech.  But that was 150.  Instead it’s Septa-quinta-quin-que-centennial.  I got nothing to call that.   Regardless, what an honor to serve a group that has lasted for generations.

Our society doesn’t look like it once did. 

• Physicians once came together to navigate the challenges of an independent practice.  They relied on the expertise and collective wisdom of peers to navigate payer contracting, state and federal mandates or to find other efficiencies to provide care.
• At the time, the most effective way to communicate to other physicians was face-to-face meetings and quarterly written materials.
• Value-added services for members were easily defined – regular in person meetings and a call service as examples.

What changed?

• Third party payers made it almost impossible for small, independent practices to get a reasonable fee schedule and function as solo practitioners
• Large hospital systems and Contract Management Groups bought practices, so daily management of the business of medicine was left to others. 
• “E-sources” of just about anything replaced common experiences like we are having tonight, giving physicians information on demand.
• And Advocacy moved to the state and national levels as local societies dwindle in numbers.

Is there a role for MCMS?  I firmly believe…more than ever. 

• More than ever, we need an effective local resource that hears our “hot button” issues for preserving the practice of medicine and serves as a conduit to state and federal bodies with the power to create change.
• More than ever, we need to make sure physicians are the drivers of extensions of our care through services like advanced practice provider utilization.  These hard-working men and women have a much-needed role in the delivery of health care but are not a replacement for the critical thinking skills that we developed over a decade of training.
• More than ever, physicians need to come together to challenge payer behaviors as well as the lagging impact that MCR/MCD reimbursement have on our practice viability, our ability to recruit and incentives to retain top talent to the area.
• More than ever, we need our younger physicians to recognize the importance of organized medicine that impact health care policy and our ability to preserve the very best in patient care.

What do I hope to accomplish in 2024?

• Make sure there is a society to hand to Dr. Bothra in 2025!
• I want this to be the year where we reinvigorate our interest in the common goal of enhancing the physician relationship.  Regardless of practice size, network, or employer, we have an incredible think tank in the area of bright, innovative physicians and we need to create a space where we can shine.
• Our board will have to seek continued financial efficiencies on an administrative level to make us as lean as possible while increasing our efforts at member recruitment.
• A first step, under the leadership of our finance committee, will be to create financial incentives for membership through reduced membership fees for individual as well as group practices in the coming months.
• We need YOUR HELP to develop tangible “value adds” for membership, whether it is through more regular conversations with our elected officials such as we have tonight, educational / service events, or social events that allow us the space to strengthen our bond.

I was raised by my grandmother in Germantown with a simple tenet.  “Leave the room better than you found it.”   Given the talent in this room that has created an organization that has lasted 175 years, that … will be a tough task.

I want to thank my spouse, Kyle, for the space to be involved.   Members of my own practice – Drs. Brady, Pook and Corker.  You set the highest possible bar for hard work, doing the right thing for our emergency patients, our practice and the business of medicine.   I am continually inspired by you.

Thank you to Dr. Lisa Egbert for your passion and involvement in AMA leadership while still finding the time to practice medicine and support our local efforts.   Dr. Kumar, Dr. House, Dr. Bothra and anyone I am missing for your involvement at the state and national levels.  Thank you to the members of our Board of Directors for their commitment to make MCMS a fixture in the Dayton community.

And finally, please help me thank Gerri Creel.  We have managed to continue to push back your thoughts of retirement and I plan to add one more year!   Without your tireless, honest, and often thankless commitment to our organization, none of this is possible.

Good night everyone.