Dr. Olivia C. Liao
Dear Colleagues,
As we start a new chapter together, I’m honored to help carry forward the vital work of this organization. It’s a privilege to step into the role as president alongside such a thoughtful and dedicated community of physicians. I also want to thank Dr.
Hugh M. Taylor for his steady leadership and contributions during his term — his work has set a strong foundation for the year ahead.
Today, there’s no shortage of opportunity — or urgency. I’m energized by our challenges and deeply committed to supporting our members through meaningful action and advocacy. This issue of Vital Signs reflects several of the key priorities I
will focus on during my term. Foremost among them is physician well-being, which I believe is foundational to the strength and sustainability of our profession.
I’m pleased to highlight a compelling piece by Dr. Diane Shannon, an MMS member and certified physician coach, who shares her experience with burnout and the journey that led her to help other physicians rediscover meaning in their work. Her
article offers insight and practical strategies that I believe will resonate with many of you.
You’ll also find a summary of a fascinating presentation by MMS member Dr. Adam Rodman, Towards a Medical Superintelligence: Exploring Human Reasoning, AI, and the Future of Clinical Decision-Making, which he delivered at the Committee on Information Technology’s recent awards dinner. His exploration of the evolving partnership between physicians and AI underscores the need to shape how new technologies are integrated thoughtfully into clinical
care.
This issue also includes an overview of key policy decisions made at our 2025 Annual Meeting. These newly adopted positions—focused
on public health, care delivery, and federal health care policy — demonstrate the Society’s continued leadership in responding to the challenges of our time.
As we navigate the peak of summer, I encourage you to read our member-authored article, Community & Clinic: A Unified Front Against Extreme Heat, which offers thoughtful strategies for addressing the impact of extreme temperatures on our most vulnerable patients.
For those exploring career transitions or advising trainees, we’ve included an insightful piece on Tracking the Physician Specialty Growth Curve.
This piece analyzes US trends across specialties and provides guidance for strategic career planning.
I’m proud that the Massachusetts Medical Society has the resources, talent, and commitment to engage on these priority issues. I hope you find this edition of Vital Signs informative, thought-provoking, and supportive of your professional journey.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out — I welcome your ideas, feedback, and continued engagement as we work together to shape the future of medicine in Massachusetts.
Warm regards,
Olivia C. Liao, MD, FACS
president@mms.org
Sponsored Content
