SEPTEMBER EDITION, VOLUME 2018, NO. 9
YOUR PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE ON THE 2018 FMA ANNUAL MEETING By David Dixon, D.O., CMS President On August 3rd, our Capital Medical Society (CMS) delegation traveled to Orlando to attend the annual meeting for the Florida Medical Association (FMA). Our delegation consisted of Dr. Andrew Borom, Dr. Rohan Joseph, Dr. William Kepper, Dr. Alma Littles, Dr. Maribel Lockwood, Dr. John Mahoney, Dr. Winston Ortiz, Dr. Alfredo Paredes, Dr. Gary Winchester, and me. We were also privileged to have Dr. Andrea Friall, who attended as a delegate from the Florida OB/ GYN Society, Dr. Christie Alexander, who serves on the FMA Board, Dr. Brence Sell, who attended as a delegate from the Florida Society of Anesthesiologists, and Dr. John Katopodis, current FMA President, sitting with our delegation at most discussions. Our incredibly organized Executive Director, Pam Irwin, had the unenviable task of making sure we all stayed on schedule and attended the necessary meetings. This was a very experienced delegation, and we are all fortunate to have these local physicians sacrifice their time and energy to make sure our state medical association is aware of the concerns and issues facing our local physicians. This is my second year serving as a delegate from our Capital Medical Society. The annual meeting can be daunting; just navigating the meetings and reference committees can be overwhelming. Having experienced physicians representing our local medical society is a huge advantage. It was also important to have Dr. Borom, Dr. Lockwood and Dr. Ortiz join our delegation this year. As some of our veteran delegates will soon be relinquishing their seats, it is imperative to get new delegates engaged in this process. The 2017 President of the FMA, our own Dr. John Katopodis, was an active participant in our planning
meetings here in Tallahassee, as well as, at the Northwest Florida Caucus meetings in Orlando. I must admit that having one of our own members as the current president of the FMA was a huge advantage for our delegation.
Delegates and Members from Capital Medical Society: (l-r) David Dixon, D.O., Andrew Borom, M.D., John Katopodis, M.D., Rohan Joseph, M.D., Alfredo Paredes, M.D., Pam Irwin, Christie Alexander, M.D., Maribel Lockwood, M.D., Winston Ortiz, M.D., Alma Littles, M.D., William Kepper, M.D., and Gary Winchester, M.D. (Not pictured: John Mahoney, M.D.)
Dr. Katopodis’ knowledge of current events and his input on what was happening at the Board level was a tremendous perk for us this year. He was able to assist us in not getting “bogged down” with issues that were not going to be considered by our current legislature, and instead focus on resolutions where progress could be made. Personally, I found myself walking around with “my chest poked out,” feeling confident and proud having the FMA president as a member of our medical society. On Saturday morning, in front of the entire House of Delegates, he reviewed his term as president, focusing on the challenges that face today’s physicians, and the steps he and his administration took to address these challenges. Dr. Katopodis has represented our medical society with exceptional class CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
CAPITAL MEDICAL SOCIETY 2018 MEETINGS CALENDAR September 18, 2018 CMS Membership & CME Meeting Addressing the Opioid Epidemic (2-Hour CME) Panel: Justin French, Tallahassee Police Department; E. Victoria “Tori” Penny, J.D., Henry Buchanan, P.A.; Celeste Philip, M.D., Florida Surgeon General; Matthew Standridge, M.D., TMH Physician Partners; and Sam Ashoo, M.D., Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, Bixler Emergency Center, Moderator 6:00 pm - Maguire Center for Lifelong Learning at Westminster Oaks
September 27, 2018 Connect the Docs Happy Hour sponsored by Capital City Bank 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm The Wine House (1355 Market Street, A1)
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