Page 5 - Mecklenburg_Medicine_May-2019

President’s Letter

Spring Update

By Elizabeth B. Moran, MD

T his edition of the magazine should arrive and be in addition, MCMS offers opportunities, such as our PAC, to provide
your hands in early May — one of the most beautiful a way to become more politically active.
times of the year in Charlotte. It also tends to be a busy
time for everyone, with many social and school events These earnest students came to this meeting in the context of
medical school rotation groups and many organized interactions.
at the end of the academic year, many patients wanting to get in They reminded me that they literally are around one another
all the time. It was hard for them to imagine that spontaneous
for appointments before summer travel and people preparing for moments of interaction at a lunch table or in the corner of a
conference room after a lecture could become rare as they move
graduations and other milestones. forward toward a career in medicine. They simply couldn’t
imagine that seeking out connection and camaraderie might
These are wonderful ways to connect with family, friends become a more active process and online forums can only go so
far. I was glad to let them know organizations like MCMS can
and colleagues. If you have read some of my previous articles, make this much easier.

you know I have been trying to emphasize the theme of human Below are some highlights of what MCMS and your Board
have been hard at work making happen so far this year, as well
These are wonderful connection as vitally as what we are planning moving forward to help our members
ways to connect with connect and make a difference locally. We also have completely
family, friends and important to satisfaction updated the website, meckmed.org, making it more interactive
colleagues. If you in our profession. In my and user friendly.
March letter, “A Place
MCMS Annual Dinner Meeting was March 7 at Myers Park
have read some of my at the Table,” I appealed Country Club. It featured speaker John M. Barry, author of the
previous articles, you to membership for bestselling book, “The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest
feedback on this topic Pandemic in History.” Some 120 people attended. If you have
suggestions or connections to a speaker you would like to see featured
know I have been trying and, at the time this issue in upcoming Annual Meetings, email sbuchanan@meckmed.org.
to emphasize the theme goes to press, I have just
started to see some very David G. Welton, MD, Society Annual Spring Luncheon

of human connection insightful and interesting was March 28, featuring a speaker and attendance by 40 Emeritus
as vitally important responses come in. I look and Early Retired members. The annual fall luncheon will be in
forward to sharing the September. For more information on the Welton Society, email
jotto@meckmed.org.
to satisfaction in our insights I have gained
profession. from you in an article The Child Health Committee, chaired by Sara Horstmann,
later this year (and it MD, met March 28 in the MCMS office. The next meeting is May
3 at 7:30 a.m. The committee has been organizing and planning
is not too late if you school health physicals, immunizations for the next school year, the
would like to contribute resilience program, ACES, transgender educational meetings and
your thoughts). the child health issue of this magazine (July-August). If you have
interest in joining this committee, email jotto@meckmed.org.
For me, one of the
The Women Physicians Section Meet and Greet on April
great joys of being in 2 had 75 anticipated attendees (at press time). In addition to
planning mixers, this group assists in planning the annual
a leadership role with MCMS has been being able to connect “Fighting for Women With Fashion” event. The event was created
more than eight years ago by a collaborative group of women
with my colleagues and our community in different ways. One of physician members of the Mecklenburg County Medical Society
and local women attorneys. The proceeds from the fundraiser
the most fun things I have done is give a talk to the senior UNC benefit Safe Alliance, a local non-profit committed to helping
victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Safe Alliance
medical students based in Charlotte. They were participating in a is a tremendous community resource. Feeling safe is vital to the
health and well-being of men, women and children.
series of lectures to help prepare them for residency and beyond.

This relaxed round-table discussion at Sycamore brewery just a

few days before their Match Day allowed me to introduce our

local medical society as an avenue to connect in person and

discuss the benefits of knowing and interacting with members

of the professional community face to face, in addition to

electronically. They were surprised to learn MCMS is completely

unaffiliated with any major hospital systems, and the membership,

as well as the Board of Directors, is representative of physicians

and physician assistants across diverse work environments. I

educated them about our mission and that it includes not only

to connect and support one another, but also is actively involved

in volunteerism in the medically underserved community. In

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