What has being a KMA member meant to you?
I have practiced medicine in the Commonwealth of Kentucky for 50 years. I’ve been on the faculty of the University of Louisville School of Medicine for 45 years and been a member of the KMA. I’ve appreciated their representation and their advocacy, particularly their surveillance of legislative activities and their lobbying on behalf of issues of importance to physicians and our patients.
What do you think is the biggest benefit to organized medicine?
As a physician, I hate to use the term collective bargaining or leverage, but I think that is one of the biggest benefits. I’ve spent a number of years trying to get the University of Louisville group unified and organized. I think there is power in having united representation. I think that’s what the KMA provides for Kentucky physicians.
Anything you’d like to say about being a physician for 50 years?
I think there aren’t many people in the world that have a job that they love and that they enjoy going to work every day. I feel like as a neonatologist, a physician, a university professor, I’ve gotten to care for a tremendous number of critically ill newborn babies. I’ve gotten to know and work with their parents. I’ve gotten the opportunity to educate thousands of medical students and hundreds of pediatric residents and probably over 100 fellows in neonatology. It’s been a privilege and it’s been a wonderful career. I’m actually still working part time at the University. I’m working actually 40%. So I hope to add to my service.
Do you have any advice for future physicians?
Appreciate what a privilege they have to be a physician and to expect to have to work hard and have a commitment to lifelong learning. Enjoy being able to provide services for people that need you.
