2014 GLMS Election
President-Elect
How to Cast
Candidate
Your Vote
Robert H. Couch, MD,
a native of Tuscumbia,
Alabama, received his
B.S. from the University of Alabama and his
medical degree from the
University of AlabamaBirmingham. He worked
as a Paramedic during
his time at Alabama. Following medical school,
he came to Louisville
for a residency in Emergency Medicine under
Dr. Donald M. Thomas.
He co-founded his EM
group, Southern Emergency Medical Specialists in 1985, and it has grown to include over 25 physicians and
20 mid-level providers. It exemplifies the team-based approach
to the practice of Emergency Medicine. In 2009, he completed
the MBA program at Auburn University, confusing both Alabama
and Auburn alumni.
Dr. Couch, or “Bob”, has been active in leadership roles in Emergency Medicine, twice serving as president of the Kentucky Chapter
of the American College of Emergency Physicians and in hospital
medical staff activities, serving as president of the medical staffs
at both Caritas Medical Center and Jewish Hospital-St. Mary’s
Healthcare. He has also been active in GLMS activities, serving
on the Board of Governors since 2009, and currently serves as
treasurer. He has been selected by his peers for a number of
years as a “Top Doc” in Louisville Magazine, and was presented
the Horizon Award at the Doctor’s Ball.
One of Bob’s passions is in taking his skills in medicine to underserved regions in the world, including rural areas of China, India,
Haiti, and Central America. He has partnered with Dr. Tom McKechnie in his “Teach to Transform” initiative, taking healing arts
and teaching indigenous peoples basic medical skills, helping to
transform both individuals and communities. This initiative has
grown to include other GLMS members and has touched people
groups all over the world.
Dr. Couch and his wife of 25 years, Wilma, have two daughters, Mary
Claire and Julia, both students at Belmont University in Nashville.
They are all avid Louisville Bats fans. Wilma also serves as crew
chief for their hot air balloon, Zwazo, and prefers to stay on the
ground while Bob slips the surly bonds of Earth.
GLMS News March 2014
The GLMS election is conducted entirely online for the
offices listed on page one as well as KMA delegates.
Please note that all candidates are unopposed except
for the 2015 Nominating Committee, where 20 will be
selected. It is important for GLMS members to vote and
choose Nominating Committee members who they
believe will represent the various sectors of the medical
society’s membership, since the committee will develop
next year’s slate of candidates.
Active, life, military and in-training members are eligible
to vote. Voting will close on Friday, April 4.
If GLMS has your email address on file, you will receive
instructions via email. Otherwise, go to www.glms.org
and click on 2014 GLMS Election – Vote Now.
Clicking the link will take you to the Official Ballot, you
will need to enter your member ID number to cast your
vote. Your member ID is located next to your name in
the GLMS Annual Pictorial Roster. Members can vote
only one time.
If you need your member ID or have difficulty voting,
contact Jennifer Howard at jennifer.howard@glms.org
or 502-736-6362.
Board of Governors’
Highlights, continued
(continued from page 2)
postpone implementation.
o Part of the AMA’s strategic plan includes studying new methods for medical student education. The AMA recently released
$11M over five years to 11 schools to study new methods of
providing education.
o SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Modernization Act (HB 1415/
SB 2000) would repeal SGR and put things into value-based
purchasing using quality indicators that specialty societies
have come up with. The senator who championed the repeal
has been made an ambassador to China so he’ll have to be
replaced. Members are urged to contact their legislator. More
information can be found at ama-assn.org.