FROM THE PRESIDENT by LEWIS HARGETT, MD
Reflections on my 2024-25 Tenure as Greater Louisville Medical Society President
There are four words( dedication, hardwork, engagement and availability) that define my year as your Greater Louisville Medical Society( GLMS) President. As I reflect on my tenure, I am also appreciative to all who have been instrumental in assisting me with having a successful year. In particular, I want to thank the GLMS Board Chair, Dr. Patricia Purcell, the Executive Vice President / CEO, Mr. Bert Guinn and the GLMS staff.
It’ s been a very busy year, and I have attended meetings as GLMS President to assist with conducting and carrying out the business of the organization. My theme,“ Strong advocacy for our profession leads to strong advocacy for our patients” carried us throughout the year. As President of GLMS, I was able to offer encouragement and outline why advocacy by all physicians is imperative. The GLMS business model and connections with other physicians and stakeholders were fundamental to achieving my goals.
My GLMS responsibilities and duties have been comprehensive. I have had the opportunity to serve as speaker and panelist at numerous medical events and programs. My participation in health fairs promoting health and wellness was very rewarding. I have met with hospital administrators, city, state and national leaders to discuss important health care issues that physicians and patients encounter. Also,
I had the opportunity to meet with legislators to advocate for and explain health care policy issues. More importantly, I have had many meaningful discussions with fellow physicians, medical students and my patients about the rapid changes occurring in health care, health policy issues as well as health and wellness in the community. All those encounters were significant events during the year.
There have been many highlights during this year to include, attending the American Medical Association Annual Meeting in Chicago and being present for Dr. Bruce Scott( ENT physician from Louisville) being installed as the 179 th President of the AMA. I was present to represent GLMS and address the University of Louisville School of Medicine students at their White Coat Ceremony. Another event, sponsored by the GLMS Foundation, called Wear the White Coat Experience partnered physicians with community leaders to allow these leaders to gain some insight into what it is like to practice medicine. My community leader was a Kentucky State House Representative. She had a significant experience shadowing me as I attended to patients at UofL Health, Jewish Hospital and Frazier Rehab Institute. The annual GLMS Foundation Doctor’ s Cup golf scramble held on Sept. 30, 2024, raised monies for deserving UofL medical students. The GLMS Foundation Doctors’ Ball recently held on Mar. 8, 2025, recognized outstanding physicians in the community. These events were enjoyable and memorable.
In regard to the GLMS magazine, each month a theme was chosen to highlight areas in health care that physicians experience doing their daily job. These articles explored many changes that affect physicians and patient health care and revealed why advocacy is needed. Below are some of the areas covered:
• Physicians should remember that we are the leaders in health care, and we must continue to lead. Our leadership skills started in medical school. They were perfected through residency and fellowship. When the training was finished, we became leaders of the health care system by directing patient care.
• Other stakeholders continue to try to dictate how medicine is practiced in the U. S.: corporations, for-profit health care companies, hospital administrators, state and national governments, legislators and the courts are having greater influence on how medicine is regulated and direct patient care.
• The demographics of medicine continue to change. There
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