President's Page

President's Page
August 2005

Creating a More Tightly Knit Society—
DCMS goes beyond influencing public policy

by Leslie H. Secrest, MD
2005 DCMS President

Reflecting on the first six months of my term as DCMS president, I’m impressed by the many projects and activities in which the medical society has participated. The society’s participation in processes that contribute to public policy that affects the practice of medicine and the delivery of medical care to the citizens of Dallas County is remarkable. The number of society members who provide leadership in these accomplishments also is phenomenal. For every member who provides leadership, a host of others provides the support necessary to allow activities to occur smoothly. Such teamwork allows our community to use DCMS as a resource and a trusted partner.

Despite all the excitement that surrounds public policy, another area may be reawakening in DCMS after a 25- or 30-year slumber that is equally exciting—the society as a catalyst for socializing. Fifty years ago, DCMS was the resource that provided the opportunity for physicians to get to know each other. DCMS provided the networking necessary to develop medical practices, share ideas, and obtain continuing medical education. More importantly, this networking allowed physicians to see each other’s human qualities and interests. As the many factors that all of us now know so well began to emerge, the activities that allowed the sharing of human interests began to slumber (and, some might say, died).

In some county medical societies in Texas, signs of reawakening are evident. The most recent example in DCMS is Dr Greg Dimijian’s suggestion that DCMS be the forum that would allow members interested in photography to organize a photo-taking excursion. The October trip was announced in a recent Dallas Medical Journal, and the response was overwhelming. Space was filled quickly for a trip to Oklahoma. Although one event doesn’t establish a trend, it is one event the likes of which have not occurred in a long time. The interests among members are so diverse that it is surprising this has not emerged previously.

Recently, a former DCMS member who had moved to another state was in town to talk about his interest in writing and the unique perspective physician writers have brought to literature. But he noted that local medical societies did not have a forum in which to encourage and foster the development of physician writers.

This could be said for most interests that physicians have in the arts, and about most interests that physicians share outside of medicine. In Austin, members of the Travis County Medical Society periodically get together to share a beverage and talk. At times, the last thing a physician wants to do is to talk to another physician, but at other times, the only person a physician wants to talk to is another physician. Back when most physicians worked a significant amount of time in the hospital, the doctors’ dining room or physician lounge provided the opportunity to share interests and discuss excursions. Today, physicians spend less time in hospitals and more time in ambulatory settings with less opportunity to contact or get to know physicians with similar interests. Could this be another opportunity for the county medical society to provide a venue for physicians that is exciting and fun, and makes for better physicians and enjoyable people?

In addition to having the opportunity to share with each other, physicians often need opportunities to exhibit their interests. One such venue that most of us have enjoyed and look forward to seeing is the front cover of the Dallas Medical Journal, which has been a constant display of photographic talent and artistry. Opportunities could be developed for similar displays. The champion of a physician art show has yet to step forward.

We have a number of excellent musicians among our members, and it is sad that most of us do not get the opportunity to hear them play because no recitals are dedicated to physician expression. Physicians bring a unique perspective to their avocation, whether they fly model airplanes, fly real airplanes, or fly-fish.

Physicians may find that with a little effort, that which has slumbered for 30 years will awaken to enrich us all and encourage us to get to know each other from perspectives other than practicing medicine or fending off the next threat to the delivery of health care.

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