As much as we all would like for things to stay the same, they always change. Healthcare, organized medicine, and how we treat our patients are all changing and the Illinois State Medical Society is facing serious challenges. 

For the past year, the Illinois State Medical Society has been working on a strategic planning and restructuring initiative. Three separate task forces have been working on recommendations for how we should organize our Society to best address the needs and challenges of the future. Healthcare reform, the changing face of our healthcare delivery system, and the changing needs and interests of our member physicians have been taken into consideration. The way our medical society looks now and where we need it to be is being discussed in depth.

Throughout the weekend of October 28^th, at our regular Board of Directors meeting, your ISMS leadership will hear the recommendations of the task forces for this strategic plan and restructuring initiative. We will then begin the process of creating a proposal for presentation, discussion, and ratification by the House of Delegates. Our hope is that we will have a new and revitalized society as a result, and we will be able to serve our physicians better in the future. There will be controversies, as we all believe that change is necessary, and there will be many viewpoints on how this should happen. But we will be certain to assure that all interested stakeholders have a chance to be heard.

As of the printing of this newsletter, we do not know the outcome of all these months of research and exploration. I wish I knew what the best solutions will prove to be, but I have great confidence in the people that you have selected to lead your Society.

Be assured that I will keep you up to date as this process evolves, and that I will be here to answer any questions you may have, or give you feedback on how some of these decisions have been made. ISMS realizes change can be difficult.  Change is inevitable if we want our societies to stay relevant and strong for our physicians. I look forward to a newly revitalized, healthy, and relevant Illinois State Medical Society!

Here is my email: (pdehaan@mhsjvl.org). Please feel free to drop me a note.

Paul H. DeHaan, MD

District 13 Trustee, Illinois State Medical Society