By: Raymond E. Pontzer, MD – 2024 ACMS President
As I wrap up my year as ACMS President and look back at the past year there is much to be thankful for. First off, I remain thankful for the gifts and opportunities that have allowed me to practice for the past 40 years in our profession of helping and healing those in need. Participating in organized medicine and being a member of ACMS has given me the additional opportunity to further amplify the good of our chosen mission – improving healthcare through education, advocacy, service, and physician well-being.
During my time involved in leadership at ACMS, we have continued to make positive strides in achieving our mission goals. I would like to thank and give credit to both our incredibly talented staff at ACMS as well as the many physician leaders, including board members, delegates, officers and many others, who have contributed readily of their time and talents to help us achieve the goals of our mission stated above.
One especially important goal achieved during this past year was the establishment of our Physician Wellness Program under the leadership of Dr. Vint Blackburn. This program is dedicated to the urgent issue of physician burnout. The ACMS initiative offers an alternative to similar programs established by the health systems in our region. One advantage of the ACMS Wellness Program is that physicians are able to maintain total anonymity away from their workplace. In view of the critical need that this program provides.
Another step forward this year was the return of the ACMS Distinguished Awards Program. Following a hiatus precipitated by the COVID pandemic, it was great to finally get back together to celebrate those among us who have truly excelled. I would like to personally congratulate the amazing group of honorees. Each one of them was inspirational and represent the best of our profession. Thanks go out to the wisdom and efforts of the Awards Committee, Dr.’s Mark Goodman, Micah Jacobs, and Michael Aziz, for their efforts selecting the winners from among the many well qualified nominees. Also, the talents of our staff organizing this hugely successful event at Acrisure Stadium were much appreciated.
The Women in Healthcare Committee continues to thrive and serve the special needs of our women members. Special thanks to Dr. Prerna Mewawalla and Dr. Meilin Young, who presently co-chair this committee. The Women in Healthcare activities and events have been quite successful and attendance continues to grow.
During the past year, we have maintained focus on the advocacy portion of our mission. At one of our board meetings, we hosted Pennsylvania representative and ACMS member Dr. Arvind Venkat. At another, we had the legislative lobbying team from PAMED, and in September our guest was Marty Raniowski, CEO of PAMED. We have made a strong effort to stay abreast of legislative efforts impacting our membership and thereby keeping you informed. Keep in mind that a call or email from you to your legislators may well influence decisions made in Harrisburg or Washington that can have a direct impact on how we are able to practice our profession.
I am thankful to our predecessor members going back multiple generations as they created a sound financial foundation for our society. As a result, the ACMS Foundation has been able to distribute approximately a quarter million dollars annually in recent years to needy nonprofit organizations throughout our region. Also this past year we have enlarged and diversified the ACMS Foundation Board of Directors, who deserve our thanks for their dedication to this worthy cause.
Another big shout out goes out to the ACMS staff. Executive Director Sara Hussey has assembled a talented team that works well together to handle the many varied responsibilities overseeing ACMS operations, as well as managing several other local physician organizations. This administrative team is quick to respond adeptly to the multiple and varying inputs from the physician leadership.
I want to give my sincere thanks to the physician leadership, including the ACMS Board, ACMS Foundation Board and the executive officers for their unfailing support during this past year. They were all quick to respond to whatever duties or challenges arose. Departing board chair, Dr. Matt Straka, has been a steady leader and wise decision maker during the years we have spent together here at ACMS. Additionally, Dr. Keith Kanel and Dr. Kirsten Lin have been terrific to work with. ACMS leadership will be in good hands as they come into their new roles of President and President-elect. Dr. Bill Coppula has done a great job as treasurer and is now entering his third year in this capacity. Our incoming Secretary, Dr. Rick Hoffmaster, is coming off a two-year term as chair of the delegation and we are very glad having him continue on the leadership team this coming year. Additionally, I am excited about the newly elected board members, who should further energize our board this coming year.
Finally, and most importantly, I want to thank you, our members. Without your support, ACMS with its mission to improve healthcare through education, advocacy, service, and physician well-being and its vision to create a healthy region with compassionate medical care could not exist. You are all much appreciated. I wish you and yours a healthy and productive 2025.