Page 6 - 2023-Jan-Feb-Journal-Final

from
the President

Gratitude

ratitude! This emotion surged rely on the collective knowledge and the TMA House of Delegates, local
through me as I hovered strength of our colleagues. practicing physicians, medical
Gweightless over the coral reef As physicians we are all educators students, residents, and fellows have
I had last seen eight years ago. The —doctor in Latin is “docere,” meaning a strong collective voice. I am
respirator gently cycled with the to teach. As professionals, we also grateful to be part of that
sound of my breathing and lulled me strive to adhere to the highest ethical collective voice.
into a contemplative state. With each standards, to continuously expand I am also grateful to be part of a
breath, while beneath me a multitude our knowledge through research medical society that has such a strong
of fish scurried around performing and education, and to share this history as TCMS does of serving our
their daily activities, I found myself knowledge with our colleagues. A community. Many physicians I speak
giving thanks for health, family and sustainable profession is one that with are surprised to discover the
friends, and life. trains and nurtures professionalism history and close ties between TCMS
Above the ocean’s surface, the in the next generation and builds on and medical education. In 1971,
COVID pandemic had forced us the knowledge of those who have TCMS established a non-
all to adapt to a new normal. Our paved the way. We may have profit foundation that operated
profession faced stressors that we different practice types and serve on community-based graduate medical
had never experienced before as we different medical staffs, but ultimately education (GME) programs in
took care of patients terrified of the we all are colleagues in an honorable Austin accredited by the Accreditation
unknown. Burnout and wellness were profession working together to Council for Graduate Medical
among the many challenges we faced ensure the highest level of care to Education (ACGME). Now several
daily. How long would this pandemic our patients. decades later, medical education in
last? What treatments should we use? Since moving to Austin in 2014, Travis County is university-based
Which vaccines were safe and I have discovered how TCMS reflects but still part of the fabric of our
effective—how many boosters? all that is good about our calling. Its community. As Central Texas grows,
When can I safely interact with mission and goals embody who we it is wonderful to see how many of
others and return to work? How are and what we strive collectively our community partners have
does one unmute? All of us had to to do as physicians, including: to embraced medical education. Dell
address these questions from our maintain high standards of medical Medical School is preparing to
patients in real time, even as we were practice, professionalism, and ethical graduate its fourth class, and several
struggling for answers ourselves. conduct; to promote the common of our healthcare systems have
This diverse life-giving ecosystem I interests and unity of physicians committed resources to supporting
was looking at beneath the waves in our community; to provide new residency and fellowship
did not have to deal with any of representation and advocacy for programs. This spirit of inquiry and
these modern-day issues we face. patients and physicians at all levels of scholarly activity embodies the core
“How naïve of me,” I thought as government and medicine; and, values of our profession and helps
I took another breath and reflected: a to strengthen the role of the Society to prepare its future leaders who
coral reef faces just as important in addressing local needs and will be faced with multiple new
although different stressors. And contributing to a healthier challenges.
then it struck me. Our healthcare community. Every one of TCMS’s Speaking of future leaders, I am
system is an ecosystem as fragile programs and activities are grateful that several of our young
as a life-giving coral reef. And like a intentionally organized with these TCMS members have recently
reef, it needs to be nurtured, managed goals in mind. approached the society to create a
efficiently, and protected from both I have witnessed how TCMS support forum for members
internal and external threats. A healthy and the Texas Medical Association interested in diversity, equity, and
ecosystem is one that is diverse and (TMA) advocate for members and inclusion (DEI). Recognizing that
relies on the strengths of its individual for our patients at all levels. We are this aligns with our mission, the
parts and takes care of them. For 4,500 members strong and represent TCMS Executive Board will be
example, throughout the pandemic approximately 80% of practicing forming a Health Equity and Advocacy
we’ve been able—through the Travis physicians in the Greater Austin Committee to foster education,
County Medical Society (TCMS)—to Area. Through our delegation to awareness, and actionable
6 2023 January • February TCMS