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PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE

BCMS Capital Campaign,
new building on target

By James L. Humphreys, MD
2015 BCMS President

This is a good time for an update about the new BCMS Campaign also is going very well. We have gotten a number
building. Construction is proceeding apace, and so far our of large donations from local businesses to help fund our con-
contractors have done an excellent job of staying on time with struction, and Steve has been our chief salesman in that re-
the various phases of construction. There were a few days gard. A number of members of the medical society have
lost during the heavy rains in May and early June, but other- really come through for us as well, by making additional con-
wise that is going well. We have been staying pretty well tributions above and beyond the special assessment added to
within budget for the construction to date as well. There’s the dues this year and next year — in some cases going way
still plenty of time for items to end up more expensive than above and beyond. I want to especially recognize their gen-
we anticipated, so I don’t want to get overconfident just yet, erosity and enthusiasm for our new home. We are welcoming
but so far so good. any donations toward this effort, of course, regardless of size,
and thanks to everyone who has contributed.
I want to take a moment here to give a number of kudos
to our executive director, Steve Fitzer. He has done an excel- The best update for the building progress is to simply drive
lent job of managing the medical society’s finances this year, out to Loop 1604 between Interstate 10 and N.W. Military
and fiscally we are in very good shape at this point in the Drive, and take a look at the south side of the road, now that
budget year. He and the rest of the staff have really come the walls have been raised. In theory, the groundbreaking
through for us in their efforts. The financial strength of the was the point where the new building transitioned from
medical society over the past two years has made it possible dream to reality, but for me that point arrived when the walls
for us to get very competitive financing for the building con- went up and you can actually see the place. Drive by and
struction costs which were not covered by the money from have a look when you get a chance. It’s hard not to get excited
the sale of the old building on French Street. My congratu- about the project when you see it firsthand.
lations and thanks go out to all the staff for the work they
have done so well for us. James L. Humphreys, MD, is the 2015 president of the Bexar
County Medical Society. He is a pathologist with Precision
Additionally, Steve has shouldered the vast majority of the Pathology in San Antonio.
burden in fundraising for the building and the BCMS Capital

8 San Antonio Medicine • August 2015