As the 2012-2013 year of the Jefferson County Medical Society begins, I would like to thank the membership for the honor of serving as your president.  As I start the new term, the Society is stronger and more robust than any time that I can remember during my 30 years of medical practice in Jefferson County.  Our goal during the next year is to continue the successful programs that have been started in the last two years and build on them to provide value to our membership.  To that end we have scheduled an outstanding program of meetings with speakers from across the state.  Many of these will be approved for CME credit.  Some will offer an insurance discount for those who are insured by the TMLT.

The reorganization of the Society’s office is complete.  Brandi Gaitan our executive director is doing a great job and is very knowledgeable regarding resources available to our membership from the Texas Medical Association.  If she does not know the answer to a question chances are that she has contacts at the TMA level who can find out.

I am very excited to have a board of directors who are energetic and talented physicians in our community.  We have a well rounded group consisting of a wide spectrum of specialties and ages ranging from physicians just beginning practice to those who have been in practice for many years.  They have many different backgrounds but stand together with the common belief that we must stand together as physicians for the common good of our patients.

Remember the County Society exists as a component of the Texas Medical Association but the true strength of the organizations  is  derived from the membership.  Both organizations exist to provide value to the membership.  Both organizations achieve their strength from their members.  If there is an issue that affects your practice chances are the TMA is aware and is working on a solution.  Please do not hesitate to contact the leadership of this Society or our executive director if you have issues or suggestions as to how we can be more effective advocates for you.

R. Barry Berndt, MD