Give Us Your Brains

The Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society had its beginning in 1868 and continues to be one of the most outstanding medical societies in our nation. This is due to the dedication of its membership and its staff. You can be proud of your Medical Society.

As was the case 134 years ago — and will be the case 134 years from now — there are innumerable conditions and situations in healthcare today that need our attention and a remedy. The delivery of healthcare is a continually evolving system, and like any evolving, changing entity, problems will arise. Our profession needs to be constantly vigilant of changes that need correction. We created our Medical Society to maintain that watch. But, we must not lose sight of the fact that we are the Medical Society, and without our participation and involvement, there is no watch, there is no action, and there will be no remedy.

About 4 or 5 years ago, those facts arose out of the dark depths of my dull brain. I was tired of complaining and, besides, it had not changed anything. I suddenly realized that I had no right to complain, because I was not doing anything to bring about a change.

I wondered if my Medical Society was doing anything. So, I asked to be a guest at the Society's Board of Directors meetings — and look what happened! At the moment I'm thinking it might have been a lot less stressful if I had remained in my warm office, complaining.

I am here tonight because I was impressed by what I saw and heard at the Board of Directors meetings. Since then, I have attended Society committee meetings, served on the Society's Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and I am a Delegate to the California Medical Association House of Delegates. Participating in these activities has been inspirational, and it has renewed my admiration and faith in our profession.

Today, bogged down under the third party handicaps that are now in place, physicians are severely hindered in the delivery of efficient and timely quality healthcare.

We are frustrated, and we wonder, "Does anybody care?" After personally participating in our Medical Society's activities, I am here to tell you, "Yes, someone does care!" We are still In there! Doctors care. We care about our patients. And, we care about other doctors, whether they are in this group or that group, or no group. We care about nurses; we care about therapists; we care about hospitals. Doctors care about the delivery of quality, compassionate medical care for our local community, our state and our nation.

As physicians, we must realize that complaining without action has never accomplished anything, All of us must be activists and participate in and support the activities to right a wrong. We must speak out, but in an appropriate and calculated manner. Working toward a better healthcare system starts here, right here, in the Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society.

This is not a "do nothing" Medical Society. This is not an "old boys club." This is an active, creative Medical Society geared and poised to meet the medical needs of our community.

But, your Medical Society cannot perform without you. Your participation in the activities of the Medical Society must be an integral part of your life in order to maintain the quality medical care you want for your patients and your family.

You might be tired, frustrated and discouraged. But, you possess talents and genius that no one else has. Without your participation, our Medical Society is absent those unique talents.

As your President this year, I wish to say I am proud of our medical profession and for the good each one of you have, and continues to achieve. But we can do so much more, if we work together. Your Medical Society needs you. I guess, as a neurologist for the past 38 years, I might restate this another way: Your Medical Society Needs Your Brains!

bryantsheehy@yahoo.com