Fortunately , my experiences and struggles with starting and running a practice led me to an interest in advocacy . I got to see firsthand how many of the existing policies and laws negatively impact both patients and physicians . As such , I became involved in several nationwide organizations that advocate for both , including the Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations , American College of Rheumatology , and Association of Women in Rheumatology . Simultaneously , several rheumatologists in West Virginia ( WV ) formed a society that has been active in both clinical education and advocacy efforts for access of rheumatic care both in the state and nationally . I have been part of this association since its inception and am currently the president with ongoing passion to provide better access and care for the patients of WV .
It was through these efforts that I became involved with the West Virginia State Medical Association ( WVSMA ). It has become increasingly important for physicians to maintain a voice in the ever-changing landscape of medicine . There are many cogs in the wheel of medicine , including the pharmaceutical industry , insurers , pharmacy benefit managers , hospital administrations , etc . Unfortunately , physicians are often relegated to a secondary role with more money and power backing many of the other players in this space . That said , physicians should feel obligated to speak up and have an influence on how policy gets made . We have given up much of our voice over the years , often to the detriment of our profession and decreasing the quality of care to our patients . We cater to a system that tells us we want to measure quality but pays based on quantity . Quality measures are being set by the number of clicks on a computer and not by the time and energy spent in direct patient care .
If medicine as a profession wants to continue to exist and be a respected and valued field , physicians need to take a stand . We need to find the areas where we can work together with the other parts of this industry and work for a common good . However , we also need to stand our ground when laws and policies negatively impact our profession and the care of our patients .
Interestingly , as we go to this year ’ s WVSMA summit , which will again be combined with the West Virginia Hospital Association , I ’ m entering a new phase in my career . In July 2023 , my partners and I decided to become a part of Vandalia Health via CAMC . While I have worked for several years with Mon Health in Morgantown , WV , on a part time basis , this will be the first time in my professional career that I have worked in a system as a full-time employee . I go into this adventure with the hope of being an effective physician leader . That entails representing the interests of my fellow physicians while finding ways to work with hospital leadership to better provide services and access to patients across the state . As the landscape of private practice changes and more large systems and private equity firms become the norm , it is going to be increasingly important that physicians play a role in how pathways are formed and have input on how patient care is delivered .
It is with this hope that I go into my tenure as WVSMA president . I hope to carry on the tradition of our recent leaders , including Dr . Shafic Sraj and Dr . Lisa Costello , both of whom have been instrumental in growing the WVSMA despite obstacles and difficulties and continue to grow the physician voice and representation in WV . With the help of our hardworking staff and volunteers , I hope to see us become an increasingly agile and nimble organization , capable of adapting to the changing needs of the physicians we represent .
Best regards ,
Suzanne Gharib , MD
West Virginia Medical Journal • September 2023 • 11