Page 9 - Delaware Medical Journal - January/February 2021
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PRESIDENT’S PAGE
MATTHEW J. BURDAY, DO
Matthew J. Burday, DO is an Internal Medicine Hospitalist and the
Director of Medical Student Education for the Department of Medicine at ChristianaCare.
‘We Need to Come Together’
Incoming President Matthew J. Burday, DO delivered the following text as his inaugural speech at the MSD Council Meeting on November 17, 2020.
I’ve been a member of MSD since 1989 and have always enjoyed the ability to help make a difference for
the residents of the State of Delaware. When I initially joined, I was not at all thinking I would be where I am today.
As I look back, I can still recall the phone call I received from Dr. Janice Tildon-Burton, asking if I would become the Chair of the Program Committee.
I was honored to be asked, but also concerned I didn’t have the experience to chair this important committee. When I mentioned this to Dr. Tildon-Burton, she noted the MSD staff would be very helpful, and I would be well supported. There is no question about support, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity and have continued working with the Program Committee to this day.
I also believe reaching out to MSD members to ask for their help in serving on a committee or supporting many of the other initiatives of MSD can mean so much. It means a lot to be asked to participate in such work, and it makes us feel wanted and needed to know we can offer something to this excellent organization. It also is a way of holding on to members by leading them to leadership positions. We can’t expect those ahead of us to continue to take care of our organization.
These certainly have been challenging times. However, in spite of all the
our patients, friends, families, and many others in our community, we will survive and thrive. MSD will continue to have a meaningful role going forward. We will continue to work with the State and local counties and partner with them in our efforts to contain COVID-19.
As I look onward to the months ahead, I’m hopeful we can make inroads into leading in our own organization and within others around us. We must make this a priority as we challenge those who would seek
to divide us. We’re stronger together, and we must continue to work to support those less fortunate, those that have been us as we serve our patients and physician community. We’ve been an organization in place for 231 years and have always been here to provide this support.
What are some ways in which we can gather together our resources and provide members and our patients? I’m speaking about community involvement, the opioid crisis, support for primary care, involvement, diversity, and the Delaware Medical Journal (DMJ). These are all agendas I have for the year ahead.
Del Med J | January/February 2021 | Vol. 93 | No. 1 9
