I hope September is treating you well!  As fall begins, so does flu season and the continued presence of COVID.  Please remember to take care of yourselves during this time.

September is a significant month for our community, as it marks both Women in Medicine Month and Physician Suicide Awareness.  These observances remind us of the importance of our physical and mental health.  If you or a colleague are struggling, please reach out to a mentor or the Physician Support Line.  Your well-being is our priority, and we are dedicated to supporting physicians and preventing burnout.

This month also highlights National Sickle Cell Awareness.  How can you make a difference?  Encourage new and expectant parents to explore newborn screening for sickle cell disease.  You can also share these valuable National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) resources with your community and colleagues.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended the Lowcountry Jazz Festival and supported Closing the Gap in Health Care.  We were honored to have Dr. Thaddeus Bell present a scholarship to a MUSC student dedicated to addressing healthcare disparities.  You can contribute towards the next scholarship by donating here.  We look forward to your involvement in next year’s festival!

Our next Medical Mingle is set for September 18th from 6-7:30 p.m. at Taco Boy Charleston (RSVP here).  This is a great opportunity to connect with your peers and learn from each other.  Additionally, mark your calendar for the 2024 Annual Meeting and Dinner (RSVP here), which will take place on November 14th from 6-9 p.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Cooper River Room.  We have an excellent speaker lined up, and it promises to be a wonderful event that you won’t want to miss!

Sincerely,

Kay

– Kay Durst, MD, FAAFP