focused on how GLMS serves as that community, a sanctuary where we can find peer support that no corporate wellness module or mandatory HR seminar can ever replicate.
The Strength of Connection
The most rewarding part of this year wasn’ t the policy wins or the formal presentations; it was the quiet, unscripted moments of connection that happen when physicians actually sit down together.
As digital communication and“ efficiency” take hold, we have lost much of the informal interaction that used to define the medical community. The“ Physicians Together” theme sought to bring back that sense of camaraderie. We are better doctors when we know each other. We are more resilient when we realize that our colleague across town is struggling with the same administrative red tape that keeps us up at night.
The Bridge Across Generations
I recall an evening GLMS event in the middle of my term. I happened to be standing between a young resident, still wearing her scrubs and looking understandably exhausted, and a retired surgeon who had practiced in Louisville for 40 years. The resident was describing the crushing weight of regulatory requirements that blocked evidence-based patient care.
The retired surgeon listened intently, then shared a story of a similar administrative hurdle he faced decades ago when Medicare regulations first transformed his practice. Despite the years between them and the vastly different technologies they used, they were speaking the same language. They shared the same frustrations and the same underlying passion for the“ save.” By the end of the night, they were mentor and mentee. That is the essence of being“ Together” and creating the bridge across generations that keeps the soul of our profession intact.
Final Thoughts as We Move Forward
As I prepare to hand over the gavel, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of optimism. We have seen a significant resurgence in member engagement and a renewed vigor in our political advocacy. We have proven that when we speak with one voice, we are an undeniable force for good in our community.
However, the theme of“ Physicians Together” was never meant to be a oneyear slogan or a temporary initiative; it is a permanent, existential necessity. The pressures of the modern health care environment will continue to try to pull us apart, to cheapen our work and to silence our expertise. Our only defense is each other.
I encourage each of you to stay deeply involved with the Greater Louisville Medical Society( GLMS). Do not let your engagement end with this term. Continue to write your legislators, continue to show up for your colleagues and continue to protect the sanctity of the work we do. Reclaiming the“ greatness” of our profession requires our constant, collective presence.
It has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life to serve as your President. Thank you for your trust, your passion, your hard work and above all, your commitment to each other.
In service and solidarity, Thomas S. Higgins, Jr., MD, MSPH, MBA President, Greater Louisville Medical Society, 2025-2026
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