The Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society Med Journal July 2019 Final 2 | Page 6

by CASEY L. PENN
AFMC Welcome Reception & President’s Inaugural Gala
Highlights from the 143 rd Annual Meeting
T
he 143 rd Annual Meeting of
the Arkansas Medical Soci-
ety brought members back
to downtown Little Rock’s Double-
Tree Hotel. The one-day meeting included
several educational seminars, an awards luncheon,
and an AMS Board of Trustees meeting that was
open to all members.
After the day’s work came to an end, at-
tendees regathered to enjoy the evening portion
of the event. The Arkansas Foundation for Medi-
cal Care-hosted reception led into the anticipated
President’s Gala honoring incoming AMS President
Dennis Yelvington, MD.
Swearing in of 2019-2020 Officers and Board of Trustees
In accepting the gavel, Dr. Yelvington ex- to medical care. We as a medical society are here
pressed love for his family, his colleagues, and his to shine a bright light on the way forward. Our staff
profession. A father of four girls and husband to RN works diligently to convey our concerns to insur-
Sheryl Yelvington, he credited his wife and family ance carriers, the health network, our legislators,
for their support along the way. “It’s an honor to and our governor. Today, we learned about the suc-
serve as president of the Arkansas Medical Soci- cesses and near misses that we had during this
ety,” he said. “I’d like to thank the nominating com- year’s legislative session. It was the work of mem-
mittee and the membership. I’ve been a member ber physicians in this room and across the state
for many years, and it’s been quite an education. that made a difference.”
I’ve been amazed at the leadership and the drive of
those who have served before me.
“The AMS has become a society of advocacy
for medicine and the patients it serves,” said Dr.
Dr. Yelvington is a family physician from Stutt-
gart, Ark., and a 34-year member of the Arkansas
Medical Society. Learn more about him in our pres-
idential profile, page 8.
Yelvington. “We’ve had
too many rules and regu-
Dr. Dennis Yelvington escorted by Drs.
Steven Strode and Joe Stallings for
installation as President. lations put forth by state
In addition to AFMC, contributors included
AMS Benefits, Inc.; State Volunteer Mutual Insur-
ance Company; Alexion; Arkansas Blue Cross and
Blue Shield; Arkansas Health & Wellness/Arkansas
Total Care; and First Security Bank. insurance carriers, and
After dinner and entertainment by inspirational
humorist Dennis Swansberg, outgoing AMS Presi-
dent Lee Archer, MD, invited past AMS presidents
to join him in welcoming into office the 2019-2020
AMS President, Dr. Yelvington.
and federal laws, we have
unhealthy policies from
we’ve been told how to
care for patients by non-
physicians who say they
can see the correct path
[for us]. Too frequently,
the rules are made by
people who don’t have to
follow them – people who New AMS president, Dr. Yelvington, presents outgoing
have no direct connection president Dr. Lee Archer with a gift for his service.
6 • THE JOURNAL OF THE ARKANSAS MEDICAL SOCIETY
VOLUME 116