DR. JOHN ROBERTS WELCOMED AT 2016 PRESIDENTS’ CELEBRATION
Aaron Burch
To begin his 2016-2017 GLMS Presidency, John Roberts, MD, wanted to do something a little different by taking a hard look at the addiction epidemic currently affecting Louisville’ s population. To give physicians a window into the nature of this disease, Dr. Roberts and GLMS invited members to The Healing Place Women’ s Campus for the annual Presidents’ Celebration, held May 22, 2016.
The Healing Place, founded by GLMS in 1989, is one of the most successful addiction centers in the nation, treating hundreds, if not thousands, of residents fighting addiction each year.
Introducing Dr. Roberts, Outgoing GLMS President Robert Couch, MD, MBA, praised the work done by The Healing Place, saying“ It stands as a beacon of light and hope in the community, helping those who feel lost in addiction.” Dr. Couch then welcomed Dr. Roberts to the podium and presented him with the ceremonial president’ s gavel, the banging of which officially began his 2016-2017 presidency.
As his first act as GLMS President, Dr. Roberts announced the GLMS election results including incoming President-Elect Robert Zaring, MD, MMM, Vice President Wayne Tuckson, MD, and Secretary Monalisa Tailor, MD. He then informed members GLMS and the GLMS Foundation recently made a contribution of $ 10,000 to The Healing Place, part of a five year, $ 50,000 pledge to The Healing Place’ s capital campaign for a new men’ s campus.“ It’ s the looking outward and involvement in our community which sustains us,” Dr. Roberts said, asking the physicians in attendance for their active involvement to achieve the vision of GLMS.
“ Historically, physicians have been leaders in our community.
This requires more than waiting for the patient to bring an illness to your doorstep. It is about taking health to the community,” he said.“ So in the coming year I will call upon you, sometimes quite directly, to help. In doing so, I am confident that you will realize again the joy of medicine.”
Artist and psychiatrist Keith Auerbach, MD, contributed to the Presidents’ Celebration’ s in-depth look at addiction by bringing 12 art pieces for GLMS members and guests to reflect on as they walked throughout the campus. Sadea, a resident of The Healing Place, shared her story with GLMS members following Dr. Roberts’ inauguration. A piece of art from Dr. Auerbach’ s collection was auctioned off and won by Dr. Wayne Tuckson’ s wife, Brenda, who gave it to Sadea as a gift.
Earlier in the evening, Louisville Medicine Editor Mary Barry, MD, announced the winners of the 2016 Richard Spear, MD, Memorial Essay Contest. Kara Curry, DO, took home first place in the Physician In-Training category for her essay“ Exploring Human Connection for Physicians Within Social Media.” She was presented with a plaque and a check for $ 750. David Dageforde, MD, was the winner of the Practicing / Life Physician category for his essay“ When Medicine Became More Than a Diagnosis.” He was presented with a plaque and a $ 1,500 check. Both essays can be found in this edition of Louisville Medicine. Runners-up will be published in the coming months. For more coverage of the 2016 Presidents’ Celebration, visit the June edition of GLMS News.
Aaron Burch is the communications specialist for the Greater Louisville Medical Society.
Your 2016-17 GLMS Officers: President- Elect Robert Zaring, MD, MMM, Board
Chair Robert Couch, MD, MBA, and President Robert Couch, MD.
Dr. Robert Couch, left, passes the presidency to Dr. John Roberts.
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