While in many ways it feels like 2024 just started, we are already at the finish line, and this is my last President’s Message of the year.
Although I didn’t take over as KMA President until August, I wanted to reflect on the many accomplishments of our Association over the last year. I am so proud of all that we accomplished, thanks to your involvement, leadership, and membership.
Our Immediate Past President, Dr. Michael Kuduk, conducted a wildly successful year-long campaign called “Voices for Vaccination,” which encouraged Kentuckians to stay up-to-date on their immunizations. The campaign, a partnership with the Kentucky Nurses Association and Kentucky Hospital Association, generated nearly one million digital impressions, with targeted advertisements in areas of the state with the lowest vaccination rates. In addition, the campaign conducted two highly successful educational events for providers, which discussed “The Modern Anti-Vaccine Movement” as well as the “State of Vaccinations in Kentucky.” Hundreds of physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals from across the state joined these virtual events, which have been made available online as enduring material.
Speaking of education, I am particularly proud of the KMA’s educational offerings over the last year. We hosted 9 CME events, with more than 2,000 total attendees. We offered topics ranging from weight loss, to dementia, to women’s health, vaccinations, pediatrics, to eating disorders, and more. There was truly something for everyone, and as always, these programs were free for KMA members and part of our CME Guarantee benefit, which allows physicians to access at least 30 hours of Category I CME credit each three-year cycle at no cost.
On the legislative front, although our priority bill on prior authorization reform did not pass during the 2024 session, several other important healthcare bills did become law. KMA-supported House Bill 10 supports maternal and infant health and will help reduce the high mortality rate for mothers in Kentucky. In addition, House Bill 194, a measure to address workplace violence against healthcare providers, successfully passed both chambers. The legislation expands assault in the third degree to cover harm to healthcare providers in a health clinic, doctor’s office, dental office, long-term care facility, or a hospital or hospital-owned facility. Another workforce measure, House Bill 159, provides immunity for healthcare providers from criminal liability for inadvertent medical mistakes committed while providing healthcare services. We also supported legislation that further regulates vaping and e-cigarette sales, supports greater access to AEDs in schools, and improves access to cancer screenings and detections.
While there are many other KMA successes in 2024, I wanted to highlight a few of them this month to express both my pride and gratitude to you for your membership, which is what ultimately makes all of these things possible. KMA enjoyed a 77% membership retention rate this year, which I think also underscores the value our members place in our Association. We have a lot of exciting things underway in 2025, and I am looking forward to seeing what kind of impact we will have in this next chapter.
Thank you for all your hard work this year, and I wish you a wonderful holiday season. See you in 2025!
