Important Issues

MSDC members, guests, and DC leaders gathered at the AIA Courtyard and Event Center on Friday to celebrate the Society's annual meeting of members. The meeting coincided with the Society's founding over 205 years ago and took place less than one mile from the location where the Society's first leaders gathered to found MSDC.

The highlight of the event was the inauguration of Susanne Bathgate, MD, as the Society's 158th president. Dr. Bathgate becomes president of the Society at the conclusion of the meeting, and offered a forward-looking vision in her inaugural address. Dr. Bathgate offered a vision for the Society working towards protecting the patient/provider relationship from undue interference. As a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist, she highlighted her own community's struggles against politicians as a guide for how physicians can be proactive in advocacy to promote good policy. She reiterated the Society's commitment to reforming prior authorization, reducing fatalities due to opioids, and other medically appropriate policies.

The business meeting began with special remarks from the Chair of the Council of the District of Columbia, the Honorable Phil Mendelson. The Council Chair encouraged the physicians present to remain involved in advocacy and share their perspectives before the Council.

MSDC President Dr. Kirsty Nevin then gave her presidential remarks. Dr. Nevin led the Society through a tumultuous year including the Omicron and B.A.5 COVID resurgences, Monkeypox, the Supreme Court Dobbs decision, and more. Dr. Nevin highlighted the Society's successes over the past year, including membership growth, an expanded Healthy Physician Foundation, the creation of a mentoring program, and increased activities both in-person and online. Dr. Nevin thanked Dr. Laurie Duncan, who is leaving the Board this year, and welcomed new Board members Drs. Klint Peebles and Meghan Schott. She also recognized the new President-Elect, Dr. Ashesh Patel.

A new addition to the business meeting was the special recognition and thanks to Councilmember Mary Cheh. CM Cheh is retiring from the Council after this session and has been a major advocate for better health in the District, leading the movement for better access to healthy foods, more affordable prescriptions, and integrating health into other DC priorities. In remarks to the audience, CM Cheh thanked the physician community and reflected on how she worked with physicians throughout her career.

Before and after the business meeting, attendees mixed and mingled in the lobby of the American Institute of Architects. Surrounded by glass, food, and beverage, attendees meet with colleagues, learned from sponsors, and participated in the Healthy Physician Foundation's online auction. In addition, the Early Career Physician Section held its first ever annual meeting within the MSDC meeting, and planned its activities for the next 12 months.

More information, pictures, and details about this event will be shared in the coming days.