PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

#VaxEducation

You may notice that the picture here is a new face – my name is Roderick Vitangcol, MD and I’m honored to be serving as SSVMS’s 2026 President.

Over the past few years, public conversations about vaccines have drifted further from evidence and lived experience and closer to fear and misinformation. We know the science; we also know that facts alone don’t cut through the noise.

So SSVMS is launching #VaxEducation, a physician-led storytelling campaign grounded in real patient experiences and real professional judgment.

#VaxEducation centers short, personal stories when vaccines made a difference, or when their absence led to preventable harm. These are calm, compassionate reflections meant to inform, reassure, and rebuild trust.

You can participate by sharing a brief video or message, and we provide ready-to-use tools to help stories reach friends, families, and the broader community. Every voice helps normalize evidence-based care and remind the public that behind every recommendation is a physician who cares deeply about their community.

Here are some of the messages that have already gone out:

• Dr. Vanessa Walker
• Dr. Lisa Guirguis

Thank you for using your voice thoughtfully, responsibly, and in service of public health.



Roderick Vitangcol, MD

SSVMS President

CONGRATS, DR. PARSONS!

Recipient of SSVMS's 2026 Excellence in Advocacy Award. Celebrate with her at SSVMS Honors Medicine on February 7!