Page 10 - Delaware Medical Journal - January/February 2020
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PRESIDENT’S PAGE
2-, 4-, and 12-year-old. I have asked my father on a few occasions, “How did you do it?” A single-income family with the stressors of being out of work or working out of state, having two heart attacks, and putting myself and my sister, Shelly, through catholic school and college. I
as well as your endless support for my career, and, most importantly, my family. You have instilled in me to be respectful, hard working, and determined never to years and many ask, “How the hell have you done it?” Honestly, I really don’t know. What I do know is that although
fun along the way. You are the rock of our family, from taking care of the kids to the house and pretty much everything else, I thank you for all you do for us. This upcoming year plans to be busy, but also rewarding for the both of us, and although my time at home may be reduced, I want you to know that family that at the beginning of 2021, we will
Now, to the Medical Society of Delaware member physicians as well as the nonmember physicians present tonight.
I ask for your support in revitalizing
the house of medicine in Delaware. It is essential that we as physicians become more active and bind together to protect and promote our great profession. Changes in medicine and the healthcare
system over the past decade have greatly affected this. Whether you are employed or independent, part time or full time or in a primary care or specialty practice, we all have one common identity: we are physicians.
I do believe that 2020 is a turning point. We have already started to address our primary care shortage and shortfalls. House Bill 227 has laid the groundwork for our continued push to improve access and quality of care for our patients as well as reimbursement to our primary care physicians. This will in turn help us recruit young physicians to our Delaware community.
Efforts have also been started to address similar issues with our mental health system. Mental health disorders affect each and every family across our
state as well as the nation. We need
to improve access to mental health services, decrease the stigma associated with mental health disorders, as well as improve reimbursement to the providers of these services.
The Medical Society of Delaware
has and will continue to stay active
and engaged on the topics of prior authorization reform, opioid prescribing, as well as medical aid in dying. We will also continue to communicate with other medical disciplines to see how we can unite to best serve our patients and the community of Delaware.
childhood baseball organization, the Pittsburgh Pirates, in 1979, the World Series-winning Buccos used a famous disco hit by Sister Sledge as their theme song: “We Are Family.” We as the physicians of the state of Delaware need to follow these words by binding together and becoming united as one family. As
it did the Pirates, this gives us the best chance of succeeding in the care of our patients as well as in our profession.
In closing, I challenge each and every
something for which you are passionate (and become a bigger part of the MSD family). Whether it is involvement in leadership, advocacy, or the education of our community, I ask you to
become engaged, active, and to make a difference. At this critical time in medicine, our profession as well as the State of Delaware needs you.
I thank all of you for giving me this opportunity to serve you and the other physicians in the State of Delaware. And
Joseph J. Straight, MD
President, Medical Society of Delaware
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Del Med J | January/February 2020 | Vol. 92 | No. 1
