INSIDE WVSMA
Message from the President
Engagement , Leadership , Education
“ The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams .” – Eleanor Roosevelt
This quote from my favorite first lady , Eleanor Roosevelt , has special meaning to me , as it was the motto for my high school class — the Weir High Class of 2003 . This quote is in my daughter ’ s room as a reminder of the importance of believing in the beauty of our dreams . During my WVSMA presidential inauguration , I shared my vision to grow and further develop our association as we begin a new chapter with our modernization via a new governance model and bylaws . As a pediatrician , I frequently focus on growth and development , and the same is true for the WVSMA .
As a new mom , I do various things each day to promote growth and development for my daughter , and she is helping me focus on how to promote growth and development in our association by lending her name , Eleanor , as an acronym for key areas of my presidency — engagement , leadership , education , advocacy , networking , outreach , and resilience .
Let ’ s start with the first three : engagement , leadership , and education .
ENGAGEMENT
Lisa M . Costello , MD , MPH , FAAP
Member-driven organizations , like the WVSMA , depend on our volunteer leaders and engaged members to serve our mission to “ advance health and promote quality and safety in the practice of medicine in West Virginia by representing the interests of patients , public health , and physicians .” The WVSMA ’ s new bylaws and governance model , once fully implemented , will provide opportunities for additional membership engagement in leadership roles and policy making . If you are reading this , you are already engaged . Consider growing that engagement by encouraging colleagues to join , developing your membership engagement by serving on a committee , or considering a leadership role . The WVSMA is here to support our members , and the more engaged members we have , the stronger we are together . To find out how you can become a more engaged member or to let us know how the WVSMA can better help you grow and develop in our association , please reach out at info @ wvsma . org .
LEADERSHIP
Now , more than ever , physicians are needed in leadership roles with the skills and experience to lead complex and ever-changing environments . To help physicians grow in leadership , WVSMA launched Physician Leadership , Education , Advancement and Development Series West Virginia ( Physician LEADS WV ). This certificate program will equip current and emerging physician leaders with the knowledge , skills , and tools needed to be leaders in healthcare and our communities .
Physician LEADS WV takes place over four weekends at venues across the state that progress along four leadership tracks : personal leadership , organizational leaders , healthcare environment and change , and agility of leaders . The first session will take place in January 2023 in Morgantown . This dream is becoming a reality through the dedicated hard work of the program director , Dr . Shafic Sraj , committee members , staff , and our cosponsors : West Virginia State Medical Association ; Davis Health System ; Marshall Health ; West Virginia Medical Foundation ; Mountain Health Network ; Charleston Area Medical Center , part of Vandalia Health ; and Mon Health , part of Vandalia Health .
Stay tuned for more information as Physician LEADS WV continues to grow and develop in 2023 and beyond .
EDUCATION
This year , we joined forces with the West Virginia Hospital Association to hold our first-ever joint healthcare leadership summit at The Greenbrier from November 13-15 , 2022 . This robust education event is focused on leadership , learning , and advocacy . Education on these topics will continue to be vital in our work as physicians and community members . As an association , we will strive to continue to provide meaningful learning opportunities so we can continue to grow in our knowledge and develop as professionals .
As we continue through a challenging respiratory season and head into the holidays , I am reminded how grateful I am for the opportunity to serve as WVSMA president . Every day , I am inspired by members who help move WV forward through engagement , leadership , and education . It is my hope you take some time for yourself during this busy time of year and reflect on , or even dream about , your own growth and development or how the WVSMA can support you now and in the future — it belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams .
8 • www . wvsma . org