Health Equity
News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues
25th Council session information coming soon.
MSDC’s 2025 Capital Healthcare Honors Brings Community Together Around Excellence
On March 26, 2025, the Medical Society of DC held its 5th Capital Healthcare Honors awards gala and dinner recognizing outstanding contributions to the health of our nation’s capital. This year’s event, which was held at the National Press Club, recognized health system executives, private practice leaders, health tech entrepreneurs, and public health luminaries.
Over 150 members of the DC health care community attended, including elected officials, health system executives, specialty and medical society leaders, physicians, and health care professionals. MSDC President Dr. Dock Winston hosted the event and introduced the special guests. Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, the AMA President-Elect, tied together national health priorities and local DC initiatives and encouraged the District to adopt best practices in protecting physician wellbeing in credentialing and licensing.
The awardees were distinguished healthcare leaders who have striven to preserve the health and wellbeing of the nation’s capital, the Medical Society, and the profession.
Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt received the John Benjamin Nichols Award for outstanding contributions toward improving the health of the community. Dr. Nesbitt is a worthy recipient solely for her work as the Director of DC Health during the pandemic, but was also recognized for her past and continuing work as a health equity advocate and leader.
Dr. Lisa Boyle received the Certificate of Meritorious Service for her distinguished service to the medical profession. Dr. Boyle rallied the staff at Georgetown before and during the COVID-19 pandemic to a higher level of excellence, and as president of the hospital is setting the standard for community health.
Dr. Keith Egan received the Dr. Charles H. Epps, III Community Service Award for outstanding public service to the community. Dr. Egan is one of the physician leaders of Pride Medicine on Capitol Hill and has a long history of advocating for equitable care for patients in need.
Dr. Michael Weinstein received the Distinguished Service Award for outstanding service to the Medical Society. Dr. Weinstein is a visionary in sustainable private practice and for MSDC has been a long-time financial advisor, including serving as Treasurer and Finance Committee member.
Caretaker Medical is the inaugural Dr. Cesar A. Caceres Innovation in Health Care Technology Award, presented to a company that is using technology in a new way to improve patient care and physician health. Caretaker has created a remote monitoring device that provides real-time health data with minimal physical restraint to the patient, allowing patients to move while giving the care team a steady stream of information.
The honorees were nominated by MSDC membership and selected by a volunteer committee. More information can be found at www.msdc.org/chh. Attendees were encouraged by Dr. Winston to contribute to MSDC's campaign to create care packages for DC medical students; more about that campaign can be found here.
Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked
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.
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.
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.