SFMMS Receives Major Recognition at CMA HOD October 24, 2017 CMA, News CMA, HOD 0 Dear SFMMS Members, At the annual California Medical Association (CMA) House of Delegates (HOD) meeting, held October 21-22 in Anaheim, the newly merged San Francisco Marin Medical Society (SFMMS) made its presence felt throughout the event. Not only did SFMMS present a strong front on issues such as single payer and mental health coverage, but it received its official charter from the CMA as SFMMS, and a number of our members received special recognition. The resolution for CMA to issue a charter to the recently formed SFMMS went seamlessly through the approval process and was passed by unanimous consent of the HOD on the first day. This means that the merged entity is now officially recognized by the CMA, and former MMS members are now part of District VIII. In less than one year from the first merger discussions, the Marin Medical Society and San Francisco Medical Society are now officially one - the San Francisco Marin Medical Society. Dr. Shannon Udovic-Constant, former SFMS (now SFMMS) President and current CMA Trustee, was elected Vice-Chair of the CMA Board of Trustees. In this role, she also serves as a member of the CMA Executive Committee. Dr. Udovic-Constant has been on the CMA Board for four years before being elected to this prestigious position. Rachel Ekaireb, former SFMMS medical student liaison and current SFMMS representative on the CMA Council on Science & Public Health, was elected Medical Student Section Trustee on the CMA Board. Dr. Peter Bretan, former MMS President and current SFMMS board member and CMA delegate, announced his candidacy for 2018 CMA President-Elect with an eloquent speech about his childhood as a farmworker, and his desire to unite physicians to preserve access to care. Dr. Pratima Gupta, SFMMS board member and CMA delegate, received the prestigious Compassionate Service Award at the President's Reception and Awards Gala for her dedication to direct care and advocacy for underserved patients. Dr. Mitch Katz, former SFMMS member and Director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, and current director of the Los Angeles County Health Agency, received the Dev A. GnanaDev Membership Award recognizing his efforts in recruiting 768 new LA county physician members. Dr. Sandra Hernández, former Director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health and now President & CEO of the California Health Care Foundation and SFMMS member, provided an illuminating presentation on the effects of the ACA on health care costs and patient access to care. More details of the major issues that were discussed at the House will be highlighted in the November/December issue of San Francisco Marin Medicine. It was an exciting weekend with well-deserved recognition for the incredible passion, hard work and dedication of our SFMMS leaders, delegation and members! Mary Lou Licwinko, JD, MHSA SFMMS CEO Comments are closed.
