Happy Mother’s Day to all of our members who are mothers!  As we step into May, a month dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and celebrating physical fitness and sports, I find it essential to reflect on how these areas impact our professional and personal lives.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to reiterate our dedication to mental health.  Mental health, a crucial aspect of our overall well-being, often doesn’t receive the attention it deserves in the medical community. Let’s use this opportunity to educate ourselves and our patients about the importance of mental health care. By advocating for the resources needed to support mental wellness, we’re not just benefiting our patients but also ourselves, as we all need to prioritize our mental health for a balanced life.

Moreover, May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, a time that underscores the health benefits of physical activity. Physical activity strengthens our bodies and enhances our mental health and cognitive function. As healthcare providers, we have a unique opportunity to lead by example. Promoting and practicing regular physical activity can inspire our patients to prioritize their health and well-being.

The month of May also marks Older Americans Month.  This is a moment to acknowledge and appreciate the valuable contributions of older adults in our communities. It is also a time to discuss and understand the changes and needs of aging individuals and provide them with the support they require.

Last month, our organization was honored to participate in the SCMA 2024 Annual Meeting. This enriching experience allowed us to connect with colleagues and sparked meaningful conversations on how to continue enhancing patient care and professional development in our field.

We saw some great friends throughout the state and met some new ones. We reconnected with Dr. Gerry Harmon, USC dean of medical school and past president of AMA, who spoke at our annual meeting. We also got to see SCMA CEO Richelle Taylor. We had outstanding students from MUSC and other medical schools there. They did an excellent job with their posters. We congratulate- Hannah Pressler – MS 3 MUSC student, who won 3rd place for her poster presentation on chat GPT and questions regarding surgery.

The president’s Gala was great. We honored the past presidents, including our own Dr. Alex Ramsey. Dr. Helen Stockinger was honored as last year’s president, and then Dr. Mayes Dubose was inaugurated as the new SCMA president.

We had a grand gala with fun karaoke and dancing. They even had a “Golden Mike “prize given to a faculty member at USC Medical School for his incredible singing and dancing. Our school health and wellness committee, with Dr. Janice Key and Dr. Kathryn Ouzts, was nominated for a prize, and Dr. Thadeus Bell, Closing the Gap in Health Care, was also nominated for an award.

There was a speaker whose physician husband died by suicide, who gave a moving talk as the agenda focused on mental health awareness month. We also had a Women in Medicine meeting, which sparked a lot of interest. Dr. Ada Stewart, a family medicine doctor and colonial in the US Army reserves who was past president of SCAAFP and past president of the national AAFP, was our Women in Medicine speaker. What an honor to have her speak.

The House of Delegates worked hard, passing many resolutions. The reference committees made decisions that were beneficial to the health of our state and community. Dr. Cleave Hamm will later get us an updated report. Thanks to our delegates who took time off their weekend to join the event. Special thanks to Dr. Alex Ramsey, Dr. Marcelo Hochman, Dr. Katharyn Ouzts, Dr. Cleave Hamm, and the medical students- Hannah Pressler, Isabelle Doan, Zari O’Connor, and Anne Crosswell, who attended and devoted their time to the health of our community.

Congrats to all those graduating and families with family members graduating from school.  May all the new residents enjoy their new and exciting adventures.

Your dedication and passion for medicine inspire me.  Let us carry this energy forward by actively participating in these essential observances and applying the knowledge gained from the SCMA meeting to enhance our practices and patient care. 

I appreciate your dedication to the CCMS.  Please reach out to us if you need anything.  Many thanks to our Administrators, Tracey Waring and Tom Steenhuysen, who work hard behind the scenes.

Kay Durst, MD, FAAFP