INSIDE WVSMA
Message from the President
Advocacy and Networking
Happy New Year ! 2022 was a busy and productive year for the West Virginia State Medical Association ( WVSMA ), and we have started 2023 off with a renewed commitment to our mission : “ The WVSMA advances health and promotes quality and safety in the practice of medicine in West Virginia by representing the interests of patients , public health , and physicians .”
In January , the first session of the new Physician Leadership , Education , Advancement , and Development Series West Virginia ( Physician LEADS West Virginia ) was held in Morgantown . It was a great success . Physician LEADS West Virginia is helping physicians advance health by equipping current and emerging physician leaders with the knowledge , skills , and tools needed to be leaders in healthcare and our communities .
During my presidency , my daughter ’ s name — ELEANOR — is helping to serve as an acronym for my key areas of focus : Engagement ; Leadership ; Education ; Advocacy ; Networking ; Outreach ; Resilience . Let ’ s discuss advocacy and networking .
ADVOCACY
Lisa M . Costello , MD , MPH , FAAP
Advocacy allows physicians to move from treating one patient at a time to being part of a broader network . The WVSMA provides ongoing advocacy throughout the year on issues that impact patients and the profession of medicine .
Wednesday , January 11 , 2023 , marked the start of the 86th West Virginia Legislature . The WVSMA advocacy team works hard to speak up on behalf of patients , our profession , and public health during the 60-day session and beyond . We coordinated biweekly advocacy town halls with partners to discuss health policy and held a successful advocacy day in February where members met with policy makers to emphasize the importance of maintaining strong childhood immunization laws in West Virginia . This was also an opportunity to connect with policy makers , form or strengthen relationships , and be resources when it comes to health policy . Thank you to all who attended in Charleston and for those who participated from afar .
The WVSMA will continue to need our members to advocate on behalf of maintaining or implementing strong public health policies and laws that impact our patients and profession , and we will need your help to defeat legislation that could harm or negatively impact them . Whatever time and energy you can contribute makes a difference . The more involvement we have , the more impactful we will be when it comes to advocacy .
One of my national mentors and former American Academy of Pediatrics president Dr . Sandy Hassink described advocacy as “ creating a situation in which change can occur .” Physicians create these situations by speaking up for patients in our communities , at the local , state , and federal levels , through op-eds , social media , and multiple other ways , including meeting with elected representatives and their staff . As a fourth-year medical student , I had the opportunity to complete an advocacy rotation through the WVSMA . It was during that rotation that I saw firsthand the impact physicians and the WVSMA have on health policy . This rotation continues today , and students provide feedback on its positive impact in teaching them how to create situations in which change can occur .
NETWORKING
The WVSMA is working to further enhance networking opportunities for members and community partners . Whether through advocacy town halls , Physician LEADS West Virginia , joint educational summits , and additional outreach , we remain committed to strengthening interactions with others in our membership and in the health community .
With the new year also comes the time to renew your WVSMA membership — a vital piece for networking . If you have already renewed , thank you . Please consider encouraging a colleague to also join . If you have not had a chance , please take a few moments to renew your membership today . Please email info @ wvsma . org if you have any questions . Member driven organizations , like the WVMSA , depend on our volunteer leaders and engaged members to serve our mission . The WVSMA is here to support our members , and the more engaged members we have , the stronger we are together . As we continue through 2023 , I am reminded how grateful I am for this opportunity to serve as WVSMA president . Every day , I am inspired by members who help move West Virginia forward through advocacy and networking with colleagues and partners . Thank you for all you do every day to advance health and promote quality and safety in the practice of medicine in West Virginia and beyond .
8 • www . wvsma . org