President's Message

The next 150 years of the Polk County Medical Society got off to a good start with the January 16th Annual Meeting at the Izaak Walton League.

Officers for the current year are doctors: Tom M. Brown, President; Lou Schneider, President-Elect; and Janie Hendricks Secretary/Treasurer. We thank Carole Frier for an outstanding job as President during year 2001. She not only had the usual duties of President but also spent many tedious hours planning the outstandingly successful 150th year Celebration. Carole's presence always brings a cheerful patient tone to any situation and I am looking forward to working with her for another year.

We welcome doctor Robin Hartley as a new Director in her first year of a five-year term. She joins doctors; Ahmad Al-Shash, Tom Becker, Neil Mandsager, and David Drake. Doctor James Bice joins doctors; Jeff Stahl and Kelly Reed as Councilors. We thank doctors Betsy Brown and George Drake for their long hours and hard work as Director and Councilor. I'm looking forward to working with Alliance President Linda Bardole and other alliance volunteers in the coming year.

Mark your calendar for an exciting meeting at the West Des Moines Marriott Hotel April 24th for the joint meeting of the Polk County Medical Society and the Polk Bar Association featuring Michael Gartner.

You will soon be getting information on World Medical Leaders. This is a free service, available only to members of the Polk County Medical Society, which provides AMA Category 1 online continuing medical education credits. It provides an opportunity to significantly reduce the cost and travel associated with continuing medical education. This membership benefit also provides a convenient educational opportunity to maintain your skills without leaving home.

I cannot imagine what the Polk County Medical Society will be like in 150 years. Fifty years seems somewhat easier to contemplate. We have many young members and some of them will still be alive 50 years from now. Currently we have members who are in their 80's and early 90's attending meetings. Mind boggling changes in the science and art of medicine and in reimbursement have occurred in their life times. There will be many more changes in the next 50 years and many more in the next 150 years. No matter how dramatic the changes, friends, family and strangers will come to you with their concerns, fears and hopes. They will be seeking someone whom they can trust to care for them as an individual and to act as their advocate when they are powerless to help themselves. It is a sure bet that there will continue to be many frustrations and discouraging moments in the next months. I personally would like every one who reads this to accept the many impediments to adequate patient care as an opportunity. Be the last to curse the darkness and the first to light the candle. Your light of leadership will be desperately needed by your patients and health care colleagues.

Mark your calendar for an exciting meeting at the West Des Moines Marriott Hotel April 24th for the joint meeting of the Polk County Medical Society and the Polk Bar Association featuring Michael Gartner.

You will soon be getting information on World Medical Leaders. This is a free service, available only to members of the Polk County Medical Society, which provides AMA Category 1 online continuing medical education credits. It provides an opportunity to significantly reduce the cost and travel associated with continuing medical education. This membership benefit also provides a convenient educational opportunity to maintain your skills without leaving home.

I cannot imagine what the Polk County Medical Society will be like in 150 years. Fifty years seems somewhat easier to contemplate. We have many young members and some of them will still be alive 50 years from now. Currently we have members who are in their 80's and early 90's attending meetings. Mind boggling changes in the science and art of medicine and in reimbursement have occurred in their life times. There will be many more changes in the next 50 years and many more in the next 150 years. No matter how dramatic the changes, friends, family and strangers will come to you with their concerns, fears and hopes. They will be seeking someone whom they can trust to care for them as an individual and to act as their advocate when they are powerless to help themselves. It is a sure bet that there will continue to be many frustrations and discouraging moments in the next months. I personally would like every one who reads this to accept the many impediments to adequate patient care as an opportunity. Be the last to curse the darkness and the first to light the candle. Your light of leadership will be desperately needed by your patients and health care colleagues.