From Our President

Making it to the Hill

It has been a fantastic year for me as I end my year as President. I am delighted for Dr. Lisa Usdan to take the reins, and to celebrate our transition at this year’s President’s Gala on April 22nd at FedEx Event Center at Shelby Farms.

While technically after my term expired, I felt that TMA’s Day on the Hill was a great finale of sorts for me to attend and feel that my year as President was complete. The combination of connecting with colleagues from across the state, meeting with our state’s lawmakers, and the youthful energy of our Memphis contingent left me full and feeling pride for our profession.

We have a great presence on The Hill in Nashville, despite the fact that many of us are never able to physically be there. Locally, our physician leaders are meeting with our legislators throughout the year while our TMA Legislative Committee and staff are formulating the strategy for what is always a challenging legislative session. We all know that, but once you have the firsthand experience of attending Day on the Hill, it really pulls the entire picture together. I appreciate what MMS and TMA do for us now more than ever. We need you there with us next year. The bus ride is the icing on the cake!

Our contingent from Memphis had a broad representation. I was quite impressed with the turnout from our students and residents. Shoutout to Drs. Catherine Womack and Chris Jackson for modeling the leadership we seek with emerging physicians and getting them on the bus with us. They have threatened the need for a second bus next year, and we welcome that challenge. We also had members of Bluff City Medical Society on the bus with us, led by current President Dr. Michelle Kitson. Last but not least, we welcomed several MGMA practice leaders, and we are very grateful for their time and energy toward the event.

I hope you get the picture, figuratively, and literally, here in the Quarterly.

I get it. It’s hard to break away for an entire day. I was even conflicted about giving up a surgery day. I can tell you it was worth it. But if that still seems impossible to you, then find a way to engage throughout the year. Responding to a call to action, attending an event, or becoming a delegate from Memphis to the TMA House of Delegates. It could be as simple as picking up the phone. I was “volun-told” into this leadership role by physicians that I respected. I wasn’t sure about the time commitment, but they were. And I’m grateful for the experience. So, pick up the phone when I call you.

Let me close by thanking each of you once again for the opportunity to serve as President. I am honored to have served and be passing the torch to Lisa. I hope to see you or hear from you soon and talk about how you can be more involved in the work we do.

Christopher Pokabla, M.D. President, Memphis Medical Society

2022