Dear colleague:
Today I presided over my final CMS Board of Directors meeting as your president and board chair. Again a virtual meeting, we worked through a packed agenda to advance issues of critical importance to us all and further support the physicians of Colorado while strengthening our organization. I am grateful to our dedicated volunteer board members and all members who attended the meeting.
We as your Board took the following actions:
- Approved a proposal to partner on a statewide pro-vaccination campaign
- Approved a recommendation from the Work Group on Health Care Costs and Quality to develop and execute a plan for broader hospital engagement and alignment on achieving increased value in health care.
- Supported a recommendation by the Council on Legislation regarding two ballot items, to support Proposition EE (Nicotine Taxes) and oppose Initiative 120 - Prohibition on Late-term Abortions.
- Approved a Central Line proposal to speak out against discrimination against front-line workers and their families due to potential exposure to COVID-19.
- Approved a set of revised CMS Bylaws put forth by the Bylaws Committee that ensure our bylaws are consistent with relevant law, current CMS policies, and association management best practices.
- Approved recommendations from the Task Force on Committee Evaluation, most importantly to promote member engagement by opening all committee meetings to all CMS members and allow for participation and engagement.
- Heard testimony from physician leaders from component societies around the state on the issue of local-only members, referring a recommendation back to the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs given the complex nature of the issue and desire to advance common goals.
- Approved the June/July 2020 financials and Fiscal Year 2020-2021 budget that adjusts spending in the face of negative projections for membership associations nationwide.
I thank you for the opportunity to serve this past year as your president. It has been my true honor and privilege to advocate on behalf of Colorado's physicians, to reestablish and reinforce to all the unique role and place in society of a physician, including the physician-patient relationship and the calling to be a physician.
