SEPTEMBER EDITION, VOLUME 2023, NO. 9
YOUR PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE ON THE 2023 FLORIDA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING By Sarah Ko, M.D., PhD, CMS President “Helping physicians practice medicine” – that is the mission of the Florida Medical Association (FMA). The FMA Annual Meeting was held at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando from July 28 to July 30. It was electrified, with hundreds of physicians gathered together, taking time off from their practices, from their personal lives, and from their families – to meet at 6 am every day – to discuss, debate, and craft policies to help physicians practice medicine. These physicians came from all corners of our state, with a diversity of experiences – from general practitioners and family medicine, to specialties such as obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, orthopedic surgery, oncology, ophthalmology, as well as hospital CEOs, medical school dean, and senators. The Capital Medical Society is part of the Northwest Florida Caucus along with Emerald Coast Medical Association (ECMA) and Escambia County and Santa Rosa County Medical Society (ECMS). This year, Capital Medical Society planned and hosted the caucus meetings. Our delegate entitlement is based upon Capital Medical Society’s number of FMA members. Capital Medical Society was represented by 11 delegates, together with our tireless leader Pam Irwin, Dr. Alma Littles who served as secretary on the FMA Board of Governors, and Dr. Paresh Patel
who also served on the FMA Board of Governors. Also joining our caucus meetings were Dr. Brence Sell, 2023 President, Florida Society of Anesthesiologists, and Dr. Seymour Rosen. Our delegates included Dr. John Bailey, Dr. Andrew Borom, Dr. Jana Bures-Forsthoefel, Dr. David Dixon, Dr. Michael Forsthoefel, Dr. Rohan Joseph, Dr. John Mahoney, Dr. John Meade, Dr. Helen Paulson, Dr. Hugh VanLandingham, and myself. Some attended for the first time, while others like Drs. Jana and Michael Forsthoefel and Dr. Mahoney, were (and still are!) seasoned delegates. These three doctors have collectively attended 95 years at this meeting, and in the process built connections and relationships they leverage to advance the issues that are important to our society members. Other CMS members were also present representing their specialty societies or testifying on resolutions.
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CAPITAL MEDICAL SOCIETY 2023 MEETINGS CALENDAR September 19, 2023 CMS Membership Meeting Panel Discussion: Caring for Aging Family – Care Planning and Resources 6:00 pm Maguire Center for Lifelong Learning at Westminster Oaks
October 17, 2023 CMS Membership & CME Meeting Prevention of Medical Errors (2-Hour CME) E. Victoria “Tori” Penny, Esq. and Julia Weeks, M.D. 6:00 pm Maguire Center for Lifelong Learning at Westminster Oaks
December 8, 2023 *NEW DATE* CMS Foundation Holiday Auction 6:00 pm Dunlap Champions Club at FSU
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