On Thursday, January 15th, the Charleston County Medical Society (CCMS) gathered for our Annual Meeting. A night dedicated to progress, innovation, and leadership. Attendees heard timely legislative updates, explored the future of medical technology, honored dedicated board members, and celebrated the transition to new leadership. If you couldn’t join us, here’s a concise recap of the evening’s highlights and the exciting direction our society is headed.
Reflecting on a Strong Year with Dr. Kay Durst
The evening began with reflections from our outgoing President, Dr. Kay Durst. Leading an organization like CCMS requires dedication, patience, and a deep love for the medical profession. Dr. Durst has exemplified all these traits over the past year.
During her address, Dr. Durst updated members on the society’s progress. She highlighted the strides we have made in advocacy and community building and also celebrated a suite of new member benefits introduced last year. These included a member self-service portal to streamline access to important resources, a dedicated physician community platform to foster collaboration and support, and newly established wellness discounts. Additionally, the society launched practice resources such as access to discounted pharmaceuticals and health insurance options through Ryze Health. Dr. Durst’s tenure focused on strengthening the bonds between local physicians, ensuring our voices were heard at the state level, and enhancing the overall value of CCMS membership. We owe Dr. Durst a tremendous debt of gratitude for her steady hand and visionary leadership. Her work has laid a solid foundation that allows us to continue growing and thriving as a society.
Welcoming Our New President: Dr. Justine DeCastro
As we said farewell to Dr. Durst’s presidency, we turned our eyes toward the future. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Justine DeCastro as the incoming President of CCMS.
Dr. DeCastro took the stage to share her vision for the year ahead. Her address was energized and forward-thinking, promising a continued focus on physician advocacy and member engagement. She spoke about the challenges facing modern medicine and how a united medical society is the best defense against burnout and regulatory overreach.
Looking ahead to 2026, Dr. DeCastro emphasized her commitment to three guiding principles: Connection to Other Physicians, Connection to Patients, and Connection to our Profession. She shared her plans to foster meaningful relationships among CCMS members, strengthen the bond between doctors and their patients, and help physicians reconnect with the deepest values of their calling.
Under Dr. DeCastro’s leadership, we look forward to a year of innovation. She aims to bring fresh perspectives to the table while honoring the traditions that make CCMS vital to Charleston’s medical community.
The Future of Medicine
Our Annual Meeting is not just about business; it is also about education. This year, we were honored to host two distinguished guest speakers who addressed topics currently reshaping our profession.
Navigating the AI Revolution
Dr. Michael Fang, Chief Strategy Officer for Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine’s Institute of AI in Medicine, captivated the room with his presentation on Medical Technology and AI.
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept; it is here, and it is changing how we diagnose and treat patients. Dr. Fang broke down complex technological concepts into practical insights. He discussed how AI can serve as a tool to augment physician capabilities rather than replace them. His talk sparked important conversations about how Charleston physicians can stay at the forefront of this technological wave.
Legislative Updates from the SCMA
We also heard from Henry “Fritz” Butehorn, III, MD, President of the South Carolina Medical Association (SCMA). Dr. Butehorn provided crucial updates on South Carolina legislation that directly impacts how we practice medicine.
Understanding the political landscape is essential for protecting our practices and our patients. Dr. Butehorn highlighted upcoming bills and regulatory changes that we need to monitor. His insights reminded us why organized medicine is so important—our collective voice has the power to shape policy in Columbia.
Honoring Our Dedicated Board Members
A medical society runs on the volunteer time and effort of its board members. During the meeting, we took a moment to honor two outstanding individuals who are stepping down from their board positions:
- Marcelo Hochman
- James Tolley
Both Dr. Hochman and Dr. Tolley have given generously of their time and expertise. Their contributions have helped steer CCMS through challenging times, and their impact will be felt for years to come. While they are leaving the board, we know they will remain valued members of our community.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Events like our Annual Meeting would not be possible without the generous support of our partners. We want to extend a sincere thank you to the sponsors who helped make the evening a success:
- HealthLinks Marketing
- Fulcrum Risk Solutions
- United Community Bank
- 890 Capital
Their commitment to the medical community allows us to host high-quality events and continue our mission of support and advocacy.
Moving Forward Together
The January 15th Annual Meeting was a powerful reminder of the strength of the Charleston medical community. We have new leadership, fresh insights into technology, and a clear understanding of the legislative road ahead.
As we move into this new year under Dr. DeCastro’s leadership, we invite you to stay engaged. Attend our upcoming events, join a committee, or simply reach out to a colleague. A strong medical society depends on active, connected members.
Thank you to everyone who attended and made the night memorable. Here is to a successful and unified year for the Charleston County Medical Society.
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