The Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society Med Journal May 2020 Final 2 | Page 8

Cover Story
by Casey L. Penn
The Value of AMS Membership
S
tacy Zimmerman, MD, FACP FAAP, has
been the internal medicine residency
program director for Unity Health in
Searcy for the past four years. Before
that, she owned a rural clinic, where she prac-
ticed internal medicine and pediatrics for 14
years. An AMS member since 2003, she reflects
on her decision to enter primary care and re-
main on the front lines of medicine.
She believes it takes more than the basic
desire to help heal others, however. Physicians
must also learn to maintain career satisfaction.
For contentment, advocacy, and continued
growth in her field, Dr. Zimmerman turns to her
physician community for support. Specifically,
she turns to the Arkansas Medical Society.
“The sense of community is perhaps the
greatest value of my AMS membership,” she ex-
plained. “A physician’s learning environment is
socially staged during medical school and resi-
dency. We round in teams, collab-
orate with ancillary and consult
services, and learn in group envi-
ronments. Residents are so excit-
ed to leave residency only to later
realize that in the world outside
of academics, we practice in more
isolated environments. 
Like many of her colleagues, Dr. Zimmerman
cites family members’ illnesses as a profound
influence on her career path. How-
ever, there were other drivers that
factored into her pursuing medi-
cine – factors she shares with fellow
physicians. “It goes deeper than
just a pivotal event in one’s life,’”
she said. “If you look at commonal-
ities among early-career physicians,
you’ll find a desire to help others as
caretakers and a determination to
Stacy Zimmerman, MD
become a lifelong learner.”
FACP FAAP
248 • The Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society
“When I left residency, I ex-
perienced professional loneliness
within a few years of private prac-
tice. I felt the need to reconnect to a medical
community for collegial support and social
fellowship.  AMS fills this need by providing a
community network for me. I have found that
I am much happier navigating through a frag-
mented health care system when I can routine-
ly connect with peers who deal with the same
frustrations.”
A sense of community is one of the many
essential values provided with AMS member-
ship. Others include advocacy, education, prac-
tice management support, and more. Read on
for a closer look at what your paid membership
includes.
Maintaining Value Since Day One
The Arkansas Medical Society was founded
in 1875 on the principle that combined efforts
create a powerful force for all physicians and
their patients. Through AMS, members have
access to practice management expertise,
continuing education, comprehensive insur-
www.ArkMed.org