As the season shifts once again and we welcome the longer days and warmer weather of early summer, I’m reminded of the value of rest and renewal, not only in our personal lives, but in our professional and organizational efforts as well. May is a time when we naturally reflect on growth and progress, and I’m proud to say that the work of the Kentucky Medical Association continues to shine brightly in those areas.
Over the past several months, I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand how our Small STEPS, Big Impact public health campaign is inspiring action in the lives of patients across the Commonwealth. This two-year initiative encourages Kentuckians to make small, manageable changes in five key areas—Screenings, Tobacco use, Exercise & Nutrition, Physician visits, and Stress management (STEPS). These areas are truly the foundational elements of wellness and preventive care, and I’ve seen how small efforts truly can lead to big, lasting improvements.
With May serving as Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to encourage you to check in on both yourself and others for signs of stress and burnout. As we promote stress management to our patients, we must also remain mindful of our own well-being. This month can certainly be busy—with school ending, graduations, sporting events, and planning for summer vacations, it’s no wonder that many have started calling this time “Maycember.” It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness and let things like sleep, exercise, and eating nutritious foods slide. However, if we make it a focus to nurture these areas, even during times that our calendars are full, we are much better at keeping our stress levels down and our mental health, healthy. Should you need assistance dealing with stress or burnout, KMA remains committed to supporting physician wellness. Our “Be Well. Stay Well Physician Health Program” is available to members in rural areas, and physicians in Louisville and Lexington are encouraged to check out similar wellness programs offered through their county societies.
I want to close by expressing my gratitude to each of you for your commitment to medicine and to this Association. Your continued engagement—whether it’s through participating in legislative calls to action, attending educational events, or mentoring the next generation of physicians—makes KMA stronger and more effective. Our KMA Annual Meeting, which is coming up at the end of summer (Aug. 22-23) offers a wonderful opportunity to celebrate these achievements and connect with one another. This year’s theme, “Kentucky Physicians: Leading with Every Step,” reflects our STEPS campaign and the impact physicians are making with every action they take, whether in patient care, advocacy, or leadership. I encourage you to learn more and make plans to attend by visiting kyma.org/2025-kma-annual-meeting/.
As we look ahead to summer, I’m energized by the momentum we’ve built and excited for the work still to come. Thank you for your leadership, your service to your patients, and your dedication to improving health across Kentucky.
