DC healthcare community comes together to celebrate service, leadership and public health

Being a physician in the District in the 21st century means being on the front line of the most pressing public health issues in the world. In our small geographic boundaries, physicians help address issue found in every state all in one area. The issues are too lengthy to list on one webpage but physicians are on the front lines of addressing health issues for all District residents.

News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues

25th Council session information coming soon.

DC healthcare community comes together to celebrate service, leadership and public health

May 11, 2023, 08:11 AM by MSDC Staff

The Capital Healthcare Honors honored four award recipients and the physician community.

Last Friday, May 5, MSDC celebrated the second Capital Healthcare Honors at the National Press Club. MSDC President Dr. Susanne Bathgate and past president Dr. Raymond Tu co-hosted the well-attended event honoring DC’s healthcare community and featuring local and national luminaries.

Among the physician leaders present was Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, president-elect of the American Medical Association (AMA). Dr. Ehrenfeld called attention to MSDC’s prior authorization reform campaign and urged the community to remove the barriers that prior authorization places on practices, patients, and health.

Dr. Peter Lavine, a three-time MSDC president, received the Certificate of Meritorious Service for service to the profession. He has been a vocal healthcare reform advocate throughout his career and active in organized medicine, serving as the current chair of MSDC’s AMA Delegation. Dr. Ehrenfeld also commended Dr. Lavine for his service to the profession and the AMA.

The late Dr. John Larsen received the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of service to the Medical Society. MSDC President Dr. Susanne Bathgate, a mentee of Dr. Larsen, co-presented the award with DC Health Chief of Staff Dr. Jacqueline Watson, who recognized Dr. Larsen’s service on the DC Board of Medicine. Dr. Larsen’s widow, Joan Larsen, accepted the award on his behalf and shared the poem, The Bridge Builder, by Will Allen Dromgoole.

Dr. James Taylor received the John Benjamin Nichols Award, presented by UnitedHealthcare, for his outstanding contributions to the health of the community. Dr. Taylor is the director of the Howard University Center for Sickle Cell Disease, and he has dedicated his career to this damaging disease which disproportionately impacts African Americans. Daniel Wilson, director of marketing and outreach for UnitedHealthcare, commended Dr. Taylor for his work.

Dr. Constance Bohon received the Dr. Charles H. Epps, III Community Service Award in recognition of her outstanding public service to the community. A vigorous supporter of women’s health, she helped to organize a committee to review maternal mortality in the District and has long fought for maternal health coverage.

At the event, MSDC also highlighted its new pooled employer program and work by its gender equity task force. MSDC thanks the following event supporters for their support: Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, UnitedHealthcare, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Prestige Healthcare Resources, MedStar Family Choice – District of Columbia, Bridgepoint, Amerigroup, AmeriHealth Caritas – District of Columbia, and Janssen.

Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked

Student Access to Treatment Amendment Act (B23-467)

What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.

MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools

Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.

Electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment Registry Amendment Act (B23-261)

What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).

MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.

Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.

Healthy Beverage Choices Amendment Act (B23-495)

What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.

MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.

Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.