Posted September 13, 2021
The 2021 Annual Meeting of the Kentucky Medical Association, “Better Together” Transforming the Landscape of Care,” emphasized the importance of physicians working together, even while apart.
The virtual meeting, held throughout the month of August, gave members the opportunity to participate in events from the comfort and safety of their home communities, while continuing to care for patients amid the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 250 physicians participated in education sessions, elections, and the Association’s first virtual House of Delegates meeting, which determines KMA policy.
Throughout the month, attendees heard from a dynamic array of speakers through virtual education sessions, including:
Mark Burns, M.D., Infectious Disease Specialist, Assistant Professor, UofL Health, who discussed Kentucky’s current COVID-19 status and vaccine acceptance rate. This session was moderated by KMA Budget Committee Chair and former Kentucky Department for Public Health Infectious Disease Branch Manager David Bensema, M.D., MBA, FACP.
Mickey Trockel, M.D., PhD, Stanford WellMD Program, who discussed Stanford’s approach to physician well-being, including development of foundational programs, culture transformation, rapid iterative experimentation, and sustainability. This included identification of drivers of burnout or professional fulfillment and how to develop, evaluate, and apply innovative interventions to improve them.
Karen Paulin, employment attorney, Vice Cox & Townsend PLLC, who discussed human resource considerations in the private practice setting post COVID-19.
Sara Police, PhD, Associate Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Pharmacology & Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, who discussed how nutrients work to benefit health and prevent disease, how specific nutrients affect chronic conditions and how culinary medicine can be incorporated into patient interactions. Doctor Police also discussed how physicians can implement nutritional changes in their own diets to improve physical health and wellness.
Asha Shah, M.D., Dermatologist, MagMutual, who discussed the “webside” manner and interacting with patients via telehealth.
On Sunday, Aug. 29, members convened virtually to elect physicians to its Board of Trustees and AMA delegation as well as set Association policy during the House of Delegates. Neal Moser, M.D., a Taylor Mill pulmonologist, was installed as the KMA’s 171st President, Monalisa Tailor, M.D., of Louisville was elected President-Elect, and Michael Kuduk, M.D., of Winchester was elected Vice President. SarahBeth Hartlage, M.D., of Louisville, was elected Vice Speaker of the KMA House of Delegates. A full listing of resolutions passed during the 2021 House of Delegates is available here.
KMA members are asked to save the dates for the 2022 Annual Meeting, which is scheduled for Aug. 26-28, 2022.
