President

Interview with Dr. Durst

Summary: On the Health Links Podcast, hosted by DJ Thatcher, Dr. K Durst discusses the vital role of the Charleston County Medical Society in South Carolina, emphasizing its long history since 1749, efforts in physician wellness, and initiatives like the "Closing the Gap in Healthcare" program led by Dr. Thaddeus Bell to address health disparities, particularly in minority communities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKugJ3Due-k

March 27, 2024|Categories: 2024, General, Newsletter, President|

President’s Corner- Significant Health Observances

As we bid farewell to the first month of 2024, I trust you've had a joyful and safe start to the New Year, filled with joyous moments and connection with your loved ones. Here's to hoping the year is brimming with exciting possibilities and memorable experiences for you and your family. Thank you to all CCMS members and sponsors, the SCMA, and Dr. Gerry Harmon for attending the 2023 Annual Meeting.  We also enjoyed spending time with you at the January Medical Mingle and look forward to more in 2024.  Stay tuned for upcoming member events throughout the [...]

February 1, 2024|Categories: 2024, General, Newsletter, President|

President’s Corner- 2023 Annual Meeting and Other Updates

Exciting news!  Our Annual Meeting on November 16th, 2023, is just around the corner, and we can't wait to see you there.  It's an excellent chance for networking and idea sharing.  BUT THAT'S NOT ALL!  We're thrilled to announce the launch of the new CCMS Mentorship Program,  Physicians in Training (PIT), where experienced doctors will guide and support medical students.  Also, remember to attend our Medical Mingle Socials for some fun and connection. We look forward to a great day on November 16th!  Please RSVP by Friday, November 3, 2023. I appreciate your dedication to the CCMS.  Please reach out to us if [...]

October 25, 2023|Categories: 2024, General, Newsletter, President|

President’s Corner- Focus on Your Health

I hope September is going well for you.  This month is the beginning of fall flu season and COVID.  Please take care of yourselves.   September is women's physician month and physician suicide prevention month.  Please focus on your physical and mental health- reserve time to pause and rest.  If you or a colleague are struggling, please get in touch with a mentor or the physician's health line.  You are an essential part of health care, and we want to uplift physicians and reduce burnout. Thanks to all who worked hard to support the Lowcountry Jazz Festival and Closing [...]

September 11, 2023|Categories: 2023, General, Newsletter, President|

President’s Corner- The CCMS Mentorship Program

August is such an exciting time!  We still have a few weeks of summer left and an opportunity to prepare for the school year and football season.  I hope you are focused on healthy eating, wellness, and a Personal Health Improvement Project (PHIP). CCMS is spearheading a new mentorship program called Physicians in Training (PIT).  The CCMS PIT Mentorship Program Needs You!  Register here to become a PIT Mentor or email our Executive Director, Tracey Waring, if you have any questions. CCMS is looking forward to September and the Lowcountry Jazz Festival.  There will be a white party at the new [...]

August 15, 2023|Categories: 2023, General, Newsletter, President|

President’s Corner- Enjoy the Summertime

As the end of June comes to a close and we approach the beginning of July, we will never forget what the term JULY 1 means as a resident and an attending.  Good thoughts and many wishes to our graduating students, residents, and those who help train future doctors. We are excited about all the work behind the scenes with CCMS.  We look forward to our Lowcountry Jazz collaboration with Closing the Gap in Health Care in September.  Get ready for the Lowcountry Jazz Festival, more news to come regarding tickets for you.  Many thanks to our hard-working Health Committee [...]

June 20, 2023|Categories: 2023, General, Newsletter, President|

President’s Corner – Happy Physician Week

Happy Physician week. Thanks for all you do. Also thanks for all your work. Happy Doctors day March 30th. Did you know that the first Doctors’ Day observance was on March 28, 1933, in Winder, Georgia? It was started by a group of the Medical Alliance. The law was passed on October 30, 1990, designating Doctors' Day as a national holiday on March 30th. Physician week was started in 2017. March 25-31. So thanks for all your hard work and go celebrate you and wish your colleagues Happy Doctors’ Day.    Kay Kay Durst, MD, FAAFP [...]

March 28, 2023|Categories: 2022, General, Newsletter, President|

Lowcountry’s Remarkable Women: Dr. Kay Durst

Watch The Interview CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – For many, Dr. Kay Durst embodies the best in service, compassion, and achievement. She has her hands in many endeavors to help heal, uplift, and improve our communities all while continuing a family tradition of improving lives for generations of families throughout the Lowcountry.Coming from a family of doctors, Dr. Durst is a third-generational family medicine physician who has worked in a doctor’s office since her childhood — even now, she shares a practice with her father, Dr. George Durst, on Sullivan’s Island.“I just love helping people and healing, and I love [...]

March 16, 2023|Categories: 2023, Member Highlights, President, Women in Medicine|Tags: |

President’s Corner March 2023

What a great month! We had so much to be thankful for as we celebrated Black History Month, Women’s Physician Day, and Red Heart Healthy Month. We had some great collaboration among our Board of Directors and members. We were able to honor some of the first African Americans that graduated from MUSC medical school. We were also able to collaborate more with Dr. Thaddeus Bell and his Lowcountry Jazz Festival, and Closing the Gap in Health Care which will be a continuing project and we will highlight the jazz festival which is held in September. The money raised [...]

March 1, 2023|Categories: 2022, General, Newsletter, President|

President’s Message November 2022

Dear members, Let me start by giving gratitude for all your accomplishments and dedication to serving others. Thank you for your membership and service to our organization, our community, and the health of individuals. We are so excited of our new version of the Charleston Medical Society. We are excited for all our new ideas and support. We had a wonderful annual meeting. We were able to hear from leaders in their fields and leaders in our organization. Dr. Janice Key ,one of our past presidents, and school leader of our Docs Adopt program and wellness in schools [...]

December 7, 2022|Categories: 2022, General, Newsletter, President|

Yaffee and Dr. Marcelo Hochman Discuss Problems in Our Healthcare System

On June 11, 2021, Dr. Hochman was interviewed by Yaffee on WVNN. Listen here

After COVID: 3 things that states can do now to fix health care

To improve health care, there are a number of steps that states should be taking, including tax reforms and getting rid of CON laws. By Dr. Marcelo Hochman and Daryl James (Opinion contributors) Policymakers talk about comprehensive health care reform. They see a broken system and want to fix everything at once. Emergency room workers can relate, but they take a more strategic approach when patients arrive with multiple injuries. Through triage, they prioritize problems and apply isolated but related interventions to save lives. Fixing the health care system can work the same way. COVID-19 has exposed a range [...]

May 26, 2021|Categories: 2021, Medico-Legal, President|Tags: , |

CCMS in the News

An SC doctors’ group banded together to crack its PPE problem. The idea caught on. Amid ongoing PPE crisis, doctor-led efforts focus on needs of smaller healthcare entities Charleston County Medical Society Forms Buying Group to Help Doctors Get Essential PPE DOCTOR-LED COLLECTIVE BUYING GROUP ACTIONPPE GIVES DENTAL PROFESSIONALS ACCESS TO NEEDED PPE

January 13, 2021|Categories: 2021, Covid-19, Marcelo Hochman MD, ppe-project|

End of the Year President’s Message

From the President: As we wind down 2020, this short newsletter is to alert you to some very important information. Again, as with PPE, non-employed Doctors seem to be having trouble figuring out how to get COVID vaccines for themselves and their Staff. We have worked with SCMA to get the information linked in this newsletter. In recognition of CCMS’ effort to obtain PPE for the Doctors in SC and in launching a national project for Doctors around the country, we have been honored as Healthcare Heroes in the COVID 19 response category. The links will take you [...]

December 22, 2020|Categories: 2020, Marcelo Hochman MD, President|Tags: |

Letters to the Editor: Charleston County Medical society denounces racism, violence

Photo by Grace Beahm Alford gbeahm@postandcourier.com Read the Letter

June 16, 2020|Categories: 2020, Marcelo Hochman MD, President|Tags: , |

President’s Message January 2020

As you read this, we’ve all recovered from the end of a decade and celebrating the beginning of a new one. The purpose of this short message is to report that 2019 was good for CCMS.  I, the Board and our wonderful staff feel that CCMS has turned a corner.  We are stronger financially, are increasing in membership and have attracted the attention of the local and state medical community, legislature and the public as a voice for Doctors. This year we will continue to work on the Legislative priorities that you, the Membership, identified as important to [...]

January 9, 2020|Categories: 2020, Marcelo Hochman MD, President|

Burnt Toast

I recently heard from a local physician who decided to take a ‘sabbatical’ from the practice of medicine. The ‘bureaucracy’ of daily practice, ‘lack of control’ and ‘feeling disrespected’ all contributed to the doctor’s decision to step away. I quote the email I received - ‘My toast is burnt’. This sentiment, fellow Doctors, is an increasingly common occurrence. Physicians are feeling burdened and increasingly isolated in their places of employment. In fact, the graphic below mimics almost exactly our Charleston Doctor’s complaints: Another sobering fact is that Doctors have higher rates of depressive symptoms and suicide risk than the [...]

August 29, 2019|Categories: Marcelo Hochman MD|
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