Fall Focus: Engaging with Pressing Medical Issues, Membership Renewal, and Annual Meeting
As we transition into November, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the pressing health care issues that continue to shape our profession and the communities we serve. This month, we are reminded of the importance of our collective efforts in addressing the challenges that affect patient care, public health, and the overall well-being of our society.
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Even though we have seen a dramatic decrease in cigarette smoking with smoking rates falling 73% among adults, from 42.6% in 1965 to 11.6% in 2022, cigarette smoking remains a leading cause of preventable disease and death. In fact, every two minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with lung cancer.
This year’s American Lung Association report examines the lifesaving potential of lung cancer screening, which can detect the disease at an earlier stage when it’s more curable. Screening with annual low-dose CT scans can reduce the lung cancer death rate by up to 20% by detecting tumors at early stages when the cancer is more likely to be curable. Unfortunately, in 2022, only 4.5% of all those eligible were screened. This represents an opportunity for all of us to encourage screening to our patients, family, and friends.
Additionally, many other health initiatives are occurring in November, including National Family Caregivers Month, American Diabetes Month, Movember (Men's Health Awareness), Epilepsy Awareness Month, National Alzheimer's Disease Month, as well as Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care Month!
As we navigate these challenges, I want to take this opportunity to encourage each of you to renew your membership dues. Your continued support is vital for our society to work effectively on behalf of our members and the patients we serve. Membership not only provides you with access to valuable resources, educational opportunities, and networking events, but it also amplifies our collective voice in addressing healthcare policies that impact our profession.
In addition, I invite you to extend this opportunity to a friend or colleague who is not yet a member. Sharing the benefits of our society with fellow professionals can strengthen our community and enhance our collective impact. Together, we can foster a robust network of physicians dedicated to excellence in health care.
I am also excited about our upcoming Annual Meeting and Scholarship Awards Dinner. Dr. M. Timothy Nelson will be our Keynote Speaker this year. This event promises to be an enriching experience, highlighted by recognizing nine medical students as scholarship award recipients, as well as an opportunity to connect with fellow members. Your participation not only supports these deserving recipients but also reinforces our commitment to advancing medical education and healthcare in our community. Please mark your calendars and make plans to attend. There is more information and link to RSVP on page 5.
In closing, I want to express my gratitude for your dedication and commitment to our society and the healthcare profession. Let us continue to work together to address the pressing issues of our time, support one another, and inspire the next generation of medical professionals.
Thank you, and I look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting.
Stephen D. Bruns, MD, FACS
President
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