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Public Health, KMA has led statewide public health initiatives, including our current“ Small STEPS, Big Impact” campaign, that have reached hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians. In addition, KMA’ s CME Guarantee program provides at least 30 hours of Category I Continuing Medical Education( CME) credit each three-year cycle at no cost. These efforts support lifelong learning and equip physicians to adapt to evolving clinical, regulatory and public health challenges.
Ultimately, organized medicine amplifies the collective impact of individual physicians. By working together through local societies like GLMS, state societies like KMA and national societies such as the American Medical Association( AMA) and our own specialty societies, physicians shape policy, safeguard patient safety and support sustainable health care delivery. In an era of rapid change and increasing complexity, organized medicine remains essential to a resilient, physician-led health care system.
For me, medical association membership is more than a benefit. It is an active commitment. Organized medicine has provided mentorship, community and purpose throughout my career. At a time when physicians face unprecedented pressures, it reminds us that we are not alone and that our shared challenges demand shared solutions.
Kentucky’ s health care challenges are real, but so is the power of physicians working together. The future of health care in Kentucky will be shaped by those who embrace the opportunities and step forward. By engaging in organized medicine, physicians ensure their voices are heard where decisions are made. When physicians stand together, we amplify our impact, protect our values and reaffirm the purpose that drew us to medicine in the first place.
Dr. Huang is a board-certified anesthesiologist in active practice at UofL Health and a professor at University of Louisville. The views and opinions expressed in this article are Dr. Huang’ s own and do not reflect the position of either the University of Louisville or UofL Health.
Richard Spear, MD, Memorial Essay Contest 2026
“ Roots of Medical Hesitancy in Our Patients: How Can We Overcome the Challenge”
GUIDELINES
THEMED ESSAY CONTEST: All entries must be original, unpublished writing intended solely for publishing in Louisville Medicine. Essays must be pertinent to the following theme:“ Roots of Medical Hesitancy in Our Patients: How Can We Overcome the Challenge”
LENGTH: 800 to 2,000 words DEADLINE: Sunday, March 1, 2026 PRIZE: $ 1,125 for practicing and retired; $ 1,125 for physicians in-training
FORMAT: Microsoft Word or Pages document. Please include your name, entry category, essay title and contact information( judges are blinded to authors).
SUBMISSION: Send via email to Kathryn Vance at kathryn. vance @ glms. org.
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