Lexington Medical Society

February 2023 e-Newsletter

CLICK HERE To View the Entire Newsletter online

2628 Wilhite Court, Suite 201

Lexington, KY 40503

PH: (859) 278-0569 FAX: (859) 277-3919

www.LexingtonDoctors.org

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

The Healthcare Environment Has Changed, and We Need to Change With It

By: Lee Dossett, MD

As physicians, we are all well aware of the rapidly changing environment in which we work. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare industry has faced unprecedented challenges and stresses. One of the most significant impacts of this crisis has been on the nurses and staff who make up the backbone of our healthcare system. Nurses and other healthcare staff have been on the front lines of the pandemic, working tirelessly to care for patients and keep our hospitals and clinics running. They have faced long hours, high levels of stress, and the risk of infection, all while being essential to the care of those most in need.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

MEMBERSHIP NEWS & EVENTS

LMS Annual Essay Contest

The LMS Editorial Board is accepting essays for their 9^th annual essay contest. Prizes are awarded in each of three categories: active physician, resident, and UK Medical Student. You have a choice of one of two questions: “What do you think is the most important issue in medicine today?” or “Has the current practice of medicine made it easier or more difficult to foster the physician-patient relationship?” You have 800-1000 words and the deadline is March 12, 2023. All entries must be original, unpublished writing intended for publishing in the LMS Newsletter, April 2023 issue. CLICK HERE for more information.

SAVE THE DATES

2/3/2023 Senior Luncheon Noon Bronte Bistro/Joseph Beth

2/22/2023 Physicians' Day at the Capitol 8am Frankfort, KY

3/3/2023 Senior Luncheon Noon Bronte Bistro/Joseph Beth

4/7/2023 Senior Luncheon Noon Bronte Bistro/Joseph Beth

4/11/2023 Public Health Symposium 6:30-8:30pm Signature Club

5/5/2023 Senior Luncheon Noon Bronte Bistro/Joseph Beth

5/9/2023 LMS Dinner Meeting 6-8pm Signature Club

5/24/2023 Foundation Golf Tournament Noon University Club of Kentucky

6/2/2023 Senior Luncheon Noon Bronte Bistro/Joseph Beth

7/7/2023 Senior Luncheon Noon Bronte Bistro/Joseph Beth

8/4/2023 Senior Luncheon Noon Bronte Bistro/Joseph Beth

8/26-8/27 KMA Annual Meeting TBA Marriott Louisville East

9/1/2023 Senior Luncheon Noon Bronte Bistro/Joseph Beth

9/21/2023 Career Chats 6:30-8:30pm Signature Club

10/6/2023 Senior Luncheon Noon Bronte Bistro/Joseph Beth

10/10/2023 LMS Dinner Meeting 6-8pm Signature Club

11/3/2023 Senior Luncheon Noon Bronte Bistro/Joseph Beth

12/1/2023 Senior Holiday Luncheon Noon Bronte Bistro/Joseph Beth

TO SIGN UP FOR THE SENIOR PHYSICIAN LUNCH EMAIL Cindy Madison

KMA Physicians' Day

at the Capitol

KMA Physicians’ Day at the Capitol is one of the most important days for physicians across the state of Kentucky. Each year, physicians come together in Frankfort to meet and educate their legislators on important issues that will impact not only physicians and their practices, but their patients as well.

This year, a Virtual Legislative Briefing will be held via Zoom Webinar on Thursday, February 16 at 7:00 pm EST, prior to the KMA Physicians’ Day at the Capitol event. During the briefing, participants will hear from KMA lobbyists about priority legislation for the session and have a chance to ask questions.

CLICK HERE to register.

Kentucky Blood Center Welcome Back Donors

By: Dennis Williams, MD, Medical Director

Following recently updated guidance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Kentucky Blood Center reinstated eligibility for donors who were previously deferred from blood donation due to travel or residence in the United Kingdom, France or Ireland.

The deferral was related to a theoretical risk of transmitting variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD, also known as mad cow disease) to blood transfusion recipients. The FDA determined this is no longer a concern for donors who have previously lived in the United Kingdom and other European countries.

As a result, KBC removed all indefinite deferrals for nearly 4,000 KBC donors who were affected by the previous guidance in December. Those donors can return to any KBC location immediately to resume donations.

To Read More CLICK HERE

'The Helper' Continues Her Legacy Through UK COM

By: Audrey Kirby, Communications Director & Kristin Shattack, Director of Philanthropy

According to her family, Gabriella Smith was the second oldest of six and “the helper child” of the bunch. She lived up to this nickname at home in Alexandria, Kentucky, caring for her three youngest siblings who have special needs. She demonstrated it through church, traveling with teams across Central America to make health care more accessible.

Smith hoped to continue helping others as a doctor. She pursued her education at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine’s main campus in Lexington. In spring 2023, she was expected to graduate with her Doctor of Medicine degree, which would help her fulfill her dream.

But tragedy struck in 2021. While on a springtime hike at Red River Gorge, Smith suffered a 150-foot fall. She died at 24 years old, just halfway through her medical training. This unexpected loss was devastating to her family, the College of Medicine community and everyone impacted by Smith's compassionate nature.

To Read More CLICK HERE

LMS Featured Physician

Kenneth "Tad" Hughes, MD

Otolaryngology

LMS Member Since 1994

Why did you become a physician?

My decision actually was more like a calling that I did not realize until I was making out my schedule for my sophomore year in college. I knew I was into science and specifically biology. It was my uncle that suggested dentistry as a career that would allow me to use more of my social skills and my love for biology. I had a better idea; I was to be a physician. I would describe it as an epiphany through my own evolution, as was my decision to be an Otolaryngologist. My great grandfather practiced Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat and I am glad to have followed in his footsteps; my son is training to be an ophthalmologist and my daughter is a dietitian, they will help carry the torch.

To Read More About Dr. Hughes CLICK HERE

To enquire about attending the KPLI Leadership Institute CLICK HERE

THANK YOU TO OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS:

Central Bank

CMS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

The Pain Treatment Center