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PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE

2021 A Year in Review:

Reflections, Regrets

and Restoration

By Rodolfo “Rudy” Molina, MD, MACR, FACP, 2021 BCMS President

Reflections:
As I thought about what to write as my last message as President, lively discussions. Zoom meetings have a restrictive aura for me.
I decided to first review what my two most recent predecessors I’m not able to read body language (not that I’m very good at it),
wrote as their last message. I loved rereading them. Dr. Ratner’s “I’m I’m not able see all the participants and I’m not able to independ-
Serious. Have Fun!” (2019) and Dr. Greenfield’s “A Year of Tumult” ently meet in person with the participants before or after the meet-
(2020), offered good advice and were insightful as usual. With those ing. Therefore, I don’t feel I was able to have a full discussion on
articles in mind, I thought of writing a three-part article that sum- particular topics. As our conversation progressed from topic to
marizes my thoughts as we go forward into 2022. I could reflect on topic during our Zoom meetings, I couldn’t help but think we
the political landscape and discuss the laws recently passed; however, sometimes gave a thumbs up on a car to take us on a drive without
Mary Nava did a superb job reviewing the legislative activities of looking under the hood.
2021 in her article published in August’s magazine. Great work
Mary! I could also discuss the incredible work our immediate past Restoration:
CEO, Steve Fitzer, accomplished (you would be impressed; I know In the biblical sense, restoration refers to making something better
I am). I could also discuss the very impressive hard work and accom- than it was before. Whereas, I have felt the title of President really
plishments our new CEO, Melody Newsom, has already done and refers to my duties as being a good steward of the organization,
is doing, but it would take more words than I am allotted. There is restoration has played a big part in the motives and agenda during
also Brissa Vela, who I would consider our ambassador to the com- my term. I also believe the incoming leadership and those who are
munity. She makes us all proud with her undertakings and accom- on our Board or who serve on the various committees all want to
plishments. That being stated, I want to express a deep gratitude to make our Society a better organization. Restoration is in the hearts
the entire staff at BCMS. They are dedicated, informed and their of all who serve. I want to thank them for all that they do for our
intuitive help did not go unnoticed or underappreciated. Society and our community. I would encourage all of you to seek
opportunities to serve on one of our committees and grow as a per-
Regrets: son. I cannot honestly say that I’ve made this Society a better place,
When I speak of a regret, I don’t see it as a destination where but I can humbly state that serving the Society has made be a better
one’s journey ends and we are destined to forever mull over the in- person. And for that I’m eternally grateful.
cident. I instead see it as a process, a passage if you will, where the
journey teaches us something about ourselves and we are left with My thanks and my very BEST to ALL.
an opportunity to improve and prepare for the next similar episode Respectfully signing off on my last Presidential message,
in our lives. A regret is an opportunity to make changes when nec-
essary and possible. My biggest regret about this year is that we did- Rodolfo “Rudy” Molina MD, MACR, FACP
n’t have live in-person meetings. Live meetings lend themselves to 2021 President, Bexar County Medical Society

8 SAN ANTONIO MEDICINE • December 2021