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Northeast Florida Medicine
Vol. 66, No. 4 2015
7
From the President’s Desk
As 2015 nears its end, I would like to thank the Duval
County Medical Society (DCMS) for the honor of serving
as its president. It has truly been a privilege to serve and I
hope that the next generation of DCMS members continues
to fill the leadership
ranks and support the
DCMS mission of
“helping physicians
care for the health of
our community.”
With every year that
goes by, it is important
to reflect on some of
the initiatives that the
DCMS has embarked
upon to improve its
abilities to support
physicians and achieve
its mission.
One great accomplishment this year has been the Leader-
ship throughMentorshipTask Force launching of theDCMS
Leadership Academy. The DCMS Leadership Academy
is a curriculum-based program in collaboration with the
Brook’s College of Health at the University of North Florida
(UNF) that will provide leadership training to physicians
in Northeast Florida.
The program will kick off with an orientation luncheon
at the University Club on February 12. This day will also
include the first of two-part media training sessions. Three
other leadership sessions are planned for March 11, April
8 and May 6 at the University of North Florida. The first
sessionwill cover the role of a physician leader.Topics include
setting priorities, applying time management principles and
defining your leadership purpose. This day will also include
the second part of media training, giving physicians hands-
on practice with media interviewing. The second session is
on emotional intelligence and team building. Participants
will learn various management styles, how to create high
performance teams and how to reduce work-related stress,
among other topics. The final session will cover strategic
planning and culture change.
Enrollment in the first class is available until January 31,
2016 by calling 904-355-6561. The sessions will take place
on four Fridays starting in February and ending in May
2016. The DCMS Leadership Academy naturally supports
theDCMSmission because stronger leaders create a stronger,
more impactful medical society.
In 2016, the DCMS is bringing back monthly mem-
bership meetings that will provide live continuing medical
education (CME) sessions. Members will be able to enjoy
these sponsored dinners with spouses or significant others.
These meetings will not only provide CME credit, but help
bring DCMS members together and increase social and
professional contact and collaboration.
During 2015, DCMS led another initiative to improve
the care of stroke in our community. After an effort that
involved hospitals, emergency room leaders, emergency
response providers and stroke centers in the area, DCMS
explored the viability of a consensus conference on the
management of stroke. As a result, our Board of Directors
has decided to change its approach and develop an annual
Future of Health symposium that would focus on stroke in
its first meeting.
The purpose of the Future of Health symposium is to
continue dialogue and develop venues to better improve
the care of patients in our community. DCMS can be the
independent and honest broker that brings all stakeholders
to the table in developing meaningful health care initiatives.
The DCMS Foundation is also embarking on an ex-
citing project that will benefit Northeast Florida. After a
comprehensive analysis of the feasibility and potential, the
Foundation will soon unveil its plans. Your support will be
important in moving this effort forward.
If you are interested in participating in the DCMS
Leadership Academy, please email our Communications
Coordinator, Kristy Wolski, at
kristy@dcmsonline.org.I
encourage you to participate. I truly believe that you receive
most when you invest time and effort into strengthening
your own community. Please do not hesitate to share your
suggestions and thank you for your support!
v
Raed Assar, MD, MBA
2015 DCMS President
DCMS and the Future of Health in Northeast Florida
Dr. Assar is Aetna’s Medical Director for North Florida. Articles or opinions provided by Dr. Assar do not necessarily reflect the views of Aetna.