The Kansas City Medical Society welcomes Betty M. Drees, MD, FACP, as our 2020 president. An endocrinologist, Dr. Drees is Dean Emerita of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, where she served as dean from 2001 to 2014. Since 2018, she has been president of the Graduate School of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research.
Thanks to you, our members, the Kansas City Medical Society enjoyed a most successful year in 2019. We are reaping the benefits of the merger that created one metropolitan medical society. We look forward to even greater success in 2020. Here are some highlights that took place in 2019 ... because of you.
North Kansas City Hospital has appointed Stephen L. Reintjes, Sr., MD, as president and chief executive officer of the hospital and its physician network subsidiary, Meritas Health. A KCMS past president, Dr. Reintjes is expected to succeed current president and CEO Peggy Schmitt in early April when she plans to retire.
Health care costs weigh heavily on Americans’ minds, with 73% concerned about their ability to pay for an unexpected medical treatment, according to the 2019 biennial Survey of America’s Patients by the Physicians Foundation. In addition, the survey found that Americans are unclear about policy proposals for a single-payer system, with an overwhelming number (77%) confused about what a single-payer system means.
Delegates from Missouri and Kansas participated in the House of Delegates at the American Medical Association meeting in June. A wide range of issues were discussed. See this blog for links to more detailed reports on the proceedings.
The Kansas City Medical Society Foundation is seeking a qualified individual to serve as our Business Manager. This position provides management, administrative and project/event coordination functions for the Kansas City Medical Society Foundation in a virtual office environment. Learn more about key responsibilities and qualifications needed for this position.
Volunteer opportunities available with JayDoc Free Clinic and Metro Care/ Wy Jo Care.
Medicaid expansion will help address the serious access to care issues faced by those in greater Kansas City who do not have health insurance. KCMS will be advocating for Medicaid expansion in the 2020 legislative sessions in Missouri and Kansas.
Congratulations to KCMS board member and past president John C. Hagan, III, MD, for receiving the 2019 Hal Foster Award from the Kansas City Society of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology.
The Kansas City Medical Society takes physician burnout seriously. From learning about the latest in Electronic Health Records (EHR) and polling our members on ways their organizations are dealing with stress - we are making Physician Burnout one of our 2019 priorities.