Dr. Olivia C. Liao
Dear Colleagues,
I hope you are all enjoying the fall season. I’m happy to share a meaningful issue of Vital Signs for you to enjoy.
September always carries that ‘back-to-school’ feeling, even when we’re no longer students. For our early-career members, I’m excited to share “What I Wish I Knew in My First Year as an Attending,” featuring reflections and advice
from several of our mid- to senior-career colleagues. Personally, I would tell my younger self to accept imperfections: Medicine will take all you give to it, so remember to carve out time away from medicine to de-stress, enjoy time with family and
friends, and take good care of yourself. Learn how to give deeply to medicine without giving away your whole self.
True to our commitment to positively impact the policies that shape patient care, our physician-driven advocacy led the MMS to play a central role in driving landmark updates to the Commonwealth’s Shield Law, signed by the Governor on August 7. The reforms
in the Shield Law 2.0 deliver some of the nation’s strongest protections for patients and providers against escalating out-of-state legal threats to reproductive and gender-affirming health care. Find details in “Keeping Care in the Exam Room: MMS Helps Pass Shield Law 2.0.”
We also recognize that physician burnout continues to affect many of us. In “Finding Support Behind the Stethoscope: How Balint Groups Help Physicians Prevent Burnout,” Dr. Eran Metzger shares how Balint Groups offer a forum to process
the emotional side of care — a space that can help prevent burnout, foster resilience, and build connection.
Your officers also continue to focus on the stewardship and future plans for the Society. I wanted to share the news that the Society’s Executive Vice President, Lois Dehls Cornell, will retire in May 2026 at the conclusion of her contract after 10 years
with the Society.
During Lois’ tenure, the Society has weathered significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and many sociopolitical pressures impacting health care. Under her leadership, the Society has remained a trusted voice in times of change and uncertainty.
Lois is leaving the organization well-positioned to continue the important work we do, and the officers wish to thank her for her wisdom and guidance over the years.
MMS Immediate Past President Hugh Taylor, MD, is chairing a search committee to select our next EVP/CEO, supported by the executive search firm Korn Ferry. If you have input that would be helpful to this process, or if you have any questions or need additional
information about the search, please reach out to the Korn Ferry search team at MMS@kornferry.com. If you’d like to be considered as a candidate or to recommend a candidate, you may also send a letter of interest
and a curriculum vitae to that email address.
Thank you,
Olivia C. Liao, MD, FACS
president@mms.org
