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PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE

A Year to Remember

By Leah Jacobson, MD, 2017 BCMS President

It is hard for me to Academic Collaboration Ad Hoc Committee spearheaded by Dr.
believe that this year Adam Ratner.
is almost over. I am
proud of the many *We had many events, some recurring and some new. With the
things we have ac- recurring events, such as the New Member Welcome/Anniversary
complished this year. Event, Women in Medicine 25th Annual Event, and the Auto Show,
we tried different venues which I felt were a great success. As for
*We attempted to new adventures, the Publications Committee held a terrific writers'
bring the Medical So- workshop in conjunction with Gemini Ink, and we partnered with
ciety into the modern UHS to hold an ethics seminar put on by the Texas Medical Board.
era by launching the
BCMS app in Febru- *BCMS members helped support the health of their community
ary, and having the by participating at the San Fernando Health fair and the Shavano
first electronic ballot Park Health fair. Members also provided 24-hour medical care to
for the BCMS general the evacuees of Hurricane Harvey that were brought to shelters
elections this Fall. in San Antonio.

*We engaged more *Current projects revolve around the development of a new
actively with our city leaders and community partners, by co-spon- Leadership series for
soring one of the mayoral debates along with the Hispanic Chamber BCMS helmed by in-
of Commerce in March, partnering with Metro Health in the To- coming president, Dr.
bacco (T-21) Campaign this Fall, participating in the joint Sheldon Gross, and ad-
County/City Opioid Task Force, and promoting our agenda with ditional cooperation be-
City Council members. tween the BCMS
Alliance as they cele-
*BCMS continued its active involvement on a State level, lead by brate their centennial
Mary Nava, during the 85th State Legislative session. We had many year. We are also actively
members each month attend the First Tuesdays. We maintained on- working to revise the
going relationships with our local legislators with committee and in- BCMS By-Laws.
dividual meetings. BCMS and TexPac, along with TMA, successfully
held the first (and hopefully annual) Legislative Forum. I would like to thank
the members of the
*On a financial note, most of the first floor of the new BCMS BCMS Executive Com-
building was leased this year with two new tenants moving in this mittee- specifically, Drs. Gross, Ratner, Shah, Holcomb, and Green-
Fall. Also, we, as a Board of Directors, invested BCMS funds to field, for their support and guidance this year, as well as the Board
help solidify the Society's financial future. of Directors. A big thanks also goes to the BCMS staff, in particular
Steve Fitzer, Melody Newsom, Brissa Vela, Mary Nava, Mike
*At the TMA level, BCMS successfully promoted the election of Thomas, Alice Sutton, and August Trevino for their great job run-
Dr. Jennifer Rushton to the position of AMA alternate delegate at ning the BCMS. I would like to thank the members of the Medical
TexMed in May 2017. Five BCMS members were also selected for Society for allowing me to serve as your president. It has been an
this year's TMA Leadership College (the most ever!). honor and a privilege.

*With the opening of the new University of the Incarnate Word We tried some new things. I saw some new faces — I consider that a win!
School of Osteopathic Medicine, BCMS forged a new academic re-
lationship. Both UIW and UT-Health have been great partners in With Warm Regards,
sponsoring BCMS events this past year. I thank them and look for- Leah H. Jacobson, MD FAAP
ward to continuing these relationships. There was also the re-devel- 2017 BCMS President
opment of an ad hoc committee to address such needs- the BCMS

8 San Antonio Medicine • December 2017