Why Participate in the Saginaw County Medical Society

Tiffany K. Kim, MD

Lately, I have been reflecting on why I became a member of the SCMS and what benefits I receive…to be honest, I started my membership as a resident and didn’t know why I belonged! I showed up to a meeting when I could and had a meal. As I have matured in my practice of medicine, I have realized the benefits of belonging to our Medical Society. I will list a few…

1. Honor – It reminds me what a privilege it is to be part of such an amazing community. The medical community, as a whole, is something to be proud of. Saginaw County has such a diverse, smart, dedicated medical community that we need to remember how special it is.

2. Camaraderie – Attending dinner meetings is a way to socialize with our colleagues, obtain CME and maybe learn something new! Being able to meet with physicians we interact with via EMR or through mutual patients is a great way to network, but also a way to remember that there is a human being on the other side of the note or order. Hopefully that relationship will enable us to treat each other with dignity and respect.

3. Advocacy – Our Medical Society is a place to come to find help with issues or to participate in building a solution to a problem. This can be done by proposing and writing new resolutions for the House of Delegates, or attending our candidates’ forum to learn and discuss policies that are being voted on and educating the potential lawmakers.

4. Information – We get new information thrown at us from all directions but through our Medical Society, we provide updates on licensure requirements and how to obtain the CME, we keep our eye on the political environment and new bills coming down the pipeline and help with ways to support or contest these potential changes. We maintain a relationship with our local lawmakers and help them see the physician side of a topic or issue.

Membership across the board (local, state, national levels) have decreased likely because of cost and possibly the feeling that participation is unnecessary or that there is no benefit. Hopefully, as a Medical Society, we can provide great rewards and encourage new physicians to participate and reap the benefits of being a part of such a great group of colleagues. Please contact me with ways we can continue to grow and benefit our members, I would love to hear from you!

Mission Statement

• Bringing physicians together for the common good

VISION STATEMENT

• We aim to improve the lives of physicians and the patients we serve

Values Statement

Service

Advocacy

Genuine Health

Inclusive

Networking

Always Learning

We Lead