INSIDE WVSMA
Message from the President
Physician Leadership and Advocacy
Lisa M . Costello , MD , MPH , FAAP
Dear West Virginia State Medical Association ( WVSMA ) members , colleagues , and friends ,
“ The three-point goal is good .”
This phrase was uttered throughout my basketball career and was one I wanted to hear frequently . However , the hardwood is not the only place I desired to hear this phrase , for I have always valued the formulation and completion of a goal . To achieve goals requires more than an idea ; it requires a strong work ethic , determination to succeed through collaboration , and commitment to help others .
When I was 7 years old , I wanted to become a pediatrician . I remember returning home from a well-child check and looking up what a pediatrician was in the Encyclopedia Britannica . The feelings of warmth and care and the positive impact my pediatrician had on my life inspired me to want to do the same for others .
Fast forward some 30 years later , and here I am , an actual pediatrician , with the humbling honor to begin my term as president of the WVSMA , West Virginia ’ s ( WV ) leading physician advocacy organization . While a fourth-year medical student at West Virginia University , I had the fortunate opportunity to complete the legislative medicine rotation through the WVSMA . During that rotation , I saw firsthand the importance of organized medicine as I observed physicians being leaders and advocates speaking out for our patients and profession . From helping to enact legislation to working to defeat policy changes that could negatively impact patients and our profession , the WVSMA served “ as the unified voice for the practice of medicine and the premier authority for evidenced-based health policy in West Virginia .”
Since that time , I am frequently reminded of and witness the importance of physician leadership and advocacy . The WVSMA leads through its mission to advance health and promote quality and safety in the practice of medicine in WV by representing the interests of patients , public health , and physicians . The WVSMA will continue to expand its advocacy networks to better serve all communities .
Many of our patients today no longer wait to get home to look up the meaning of a pediatrician , or other physician specialties , in an encyclopedia — rather , they or their caregiver are likely searching the meaning before they leave our offices , hospital rooms , or wherever you care for patients . Information is more quickly accessible from websites , blogs , and social media , and we continue to experience more care being delivered through digital means . As an association , we will continue to advocate and lead to ensure physicians are able to deliver care to our patients when and where they need us and to provide clear and accessible resources to keep up with information .
These past two years have been especially challenging for our profession and personally as we have needed to answer the call time and time again to care for our communities in a pandemic , while also addressing the many health disparities facing West Virginians . From physicians adapting to more telemedicine services to assist patients , to learning about evolving science in the pandemic , to advocating for policies that protect public health and the patient-physician relationship — through leadership and advocacy , physicians have played a vital role in navigating these unprecedented and changing times . Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for our association , our communities , and our state . I will do my best to represent the WVSMA and each one of you .
The WVSMA is preparing for its annual summit . This year we are joining forces with the West Virginia Hospital Association to hold our first-ever joint healthcare leadership summit at The Greenbrier November 13-15 , 2022 . Mark your calendars and plan to attend this special event . It will be filled with impactful sessions and opportunities to network and collaborate . You never know what may happen at an annual meeting . On a personal note , at the 2018 WVSMA Healthcare Summit , my now husband , Dave Smith , proposed to me . This year we will be introducing our daughter , Eleanor “ Ellie ” Grace Smith , to this memorable WVSMA event .
8 • www . wvsma . org