LEADERS IN MEDICINE
Service to Medicine – How Did I End Up So Involved ?
Early in my training at Michael Reese Hospital and University of Illinois – Chicago , the mantra was : “ Everybody has to do something for the profession .” Early in my career I committed half my time to basic research , so I wrote many grants , papers and posters . In the lab , I had many early learners , from undergraduate summer student research fellows to physicians from other countries and local residents and fellows . I have always enjoyed the immense energy and inquisitiveness of young people with an interest . In addition to research , I practiced and taught clinical neuroanesthesiology . As times evolved , we had to spend more time in the operating room and so my research shifted to more clinical projects .
With the blessing and often financial support of my bosses over the years , I always looked for opportunities to facilitate career development . I was able to attend several Association of American Medical Colleges ( AAMC ) Faculty Women ’ s Development workshops , the American Society of Anesthesiologists Certificate in Business Administration , the Grant Writing Institute and most recently the Kentucky Physicians Leadership Institute . These activities highlight opportunities to enhance the standing of our profession . They are a lot of work , but totally worth the effort to enhance understanding of the challenges in academic medicine - education and research , the business of medicine , and advocacy for the profession of medicine .
16 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE by HEIDI M . KOENIG , MD
I served on responsible committees in the department , the hospital , the School of Medicine and the University , and later with the Illinois State Anesthesiology Society , Society of Neuroanesthesiology and Critical Care , and the American Society of Anesthesiology . Each of these activities led to better understanding of the health care systems and networking among health professionals . At the society meetings , I variously gave lectures , taught ACLS , served in the House of Delegates and on the Scientific and Clinical Program Committees , Latex Allergy Taskforce and Wellness Taskforce .
After relocating to Kentucky , I quickly got involved with the department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine , the University of Louisville School of Medicine , Greater Louisville Medical Society , the Kentucky Society of Anesthesiologists ( KSA ) and the Kentucky Medical Association ( KMA ). With KSA , I attended a legislative conference in Washington , D . C ., testified before the Licensure and Occupation Committee in Frankfort regarding the anesthesiologist assistants right to work in our state , served as a Delegate to the American Society of Anesthesiologists ( ASA ) House of Delegates and stepped up to fill a vacancy as President at the Kentucky Society of Anesthesiologists . I have continued to serve on the KSA Board as I ’ m able . Last August I stepped up to fill the vacant role of Vice Speaker of the House of Delegates for the KMA . These high-level roles were only possible because of my early career involvement in organized medicine . Everyone can contribute at any level at any time in their career when they have time and energy to do so .
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