What is SSVMS?

I plan to address both questions, starting in this message with what SSVMS is. Below is a compilation of the discussion at the retreat including the presentation by Bill Sandberg, our executive director.

History (What's in a Name?)
We were founded in 1855 and incorporated in 1868 as the Sacramento Society for Medical Improvement (which is still our legal name). Today we represent physicians in three counties: El Dorado, Sacramento, and Yolo. A few years ago, when the Yolo County Medical Society merged with the Sacramento/El Dorado Medical Society, the name was changed to Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society (SSVMS) to better reflect the regional nature of the medical society.

Mission
In 1996, the mission statement was clarified and revised. This is our most recent mission statement:

The Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society is dedicated to upholding the authority and autonomy of physicians in the delivery of professional and ethical medical care.

In carrying out the mission of the Society, we recognize the following principles:

• All physicians, regardless of mode of practice, are uniquely qualified and committed to the caring, compassionate treatment of patients.
• Physicians share a commitment to uphold the law, standards and principles of the profession and will take action against any violation thereof.
• Physicians share values and ethics that transcend practice settings. The Society encourages and supports these values.
• The Society supports physicians' efforts to maintain the highest ideals of professional practice in a changing health care and economic environment.
• Through membership in the Medical Society and participation in its committees and community health activities, physicians promote the art and science of medicine and defend the public health.

By joining with others of like purpose, we strive to represent all physicians to strengthen our historic role as patient and health care advocates.

Organization of SSVMS
The Board of Directors is elected by six membership districts: North, Central and South Sacramento; The Permanente Medical Group (TPMG); El Dorado County and Yolo County. The Board meets monthly and the Executive Committee, made up of the officers, meets between meetings of the Board.

Our committees include Membership, Professional Conduct and Ethics, Editorial, Public and Environmental Health, Child and Adolescent Health, Historical, Emergency Care, Judicial, Physician Wellness, Scholarship and Awards, and Medical Review and Advisory.

We also have a formal method of electing Delegates and Alternates to the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association. These individuals represent our Society during deliberations of the House of Delegates of the CMA and AMA. More than 100 members are involved in our committees and delegations.

Membership in 2005
We have over 2,400 members, of which approximately 1,500 are full dues-paying members; other members include retired physicians, residents, medical students, etc. As of 2005, SSVMS is the fifth largest medical society in California after Los Angeles, Santa Clara, San Diego and Alameda/Contra Costa Medical Societies. In California, a physician who joins must be a member of both the local medical society and the CMA; membership in the AMA is optional.

SSVMS has no formal motto, but if it did it might well be this:

"Every man owes a part of his time and money to the business or industry in which he is engaged. No man has the moral right to withhold his support from an organization that is striving to improve conditions within his sphere." - President Theodore Roosevelt, 1908

I sincerely hope the words of our 26th President will inspire nonmembers to become members and support our mission.

2006 Active Members by Age

2006 Active Members by District

2006 Active Members by Gender

2006 10 Largest Groups

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