135 Years of Growth and Change

2005 is the 135th anniversary of the San Diego County Medical Society. Contemplating 135 years of growth and change in San Diego medicine truly stretches the imagination. Clearly, the times have changed, the population and the infrastructure of San Diego County have grown enormously, and modern medical knowledge and practice now is advanced in ways unimaginable in 1870. But constant are the challenges to a volunteer organization of physicians who work to improve the care of patients and their own professional lives. In the recent past, and especially in the 135th anniversary year of SDCMS, we have focused and will continue to work on improving patient access to care, quality of care, physician workforce, and healthcare finance reform. You have a talented and dedicated SDCMS Council and Executive Committee, and we encourage you to join us in the pursuit of constructive change.

The year 2005 will see the following changes and more in your San Diego County Medical Society: SDCMS welcomes 99 new physician members from UCSD; the SDCMS Council will merge with the District I Delegation to the CMA House of Delegates in a new, combined Board of Directors effective January 1, 2006 (this change in governance was approved by the membership vote on bylaws changes in November 2004 and promises to improve your local and statewide representation); more than 50% of practicing San Diego County physicians will become members of SDCMS because of the compelling value of member benefits; Physician’s Rx Care Prescription Card will be launched in January by your SDCMS Foundation (see story by Stephen Carson, MD, on page 21).

Please volunteer. We need SDCMS members in every hospital medical staff department, in every healthcare system, IPA, and mode of practice to feel the pulse of change and to help us respond. We welcome your activism, enthusiasm, and devotion to your profession in pursuit of positive change for patients and physicians. Email me at cyoung@pol.net or call me at (619) 977-6757 to express yourself and to help your organization. It is my honor to serve as the 135th president of your SDCMS.