One of the great joys of being in a leadership role with the Massachusetts Medical Society is being invited to attend and speak at myriad events across our state and beyond.
I take a tremendous amount of pleasure in learning and sharing. However, I most look forward to the opportunity to meet, catch up with, and simply talk with colleagues and peers before and after these events.
Those moments at a dinner table or in the corner of a conference room are important, uplifting, and necessary, but they’ve also become rare. That separation from camaraderie is yet another symptom and cause of burnout.
In this issue, you’ll hear from several of our colleagues who are part of and/or lead physician communities. You’ll learn more about our
informal networking events around the state, how our
Member Interest Network brings physicians and their families together to enjoy nonclinical downtime, and why
advocacy has opened a new gateway to physician community. Across the Commonwealth is your source for upcoming events in the MMS districts (
page 7, pdf above). Our sections provide dynamic networking forums and mentoring and engagement opportunities for International Medical Graduates, Medical Students, Residents and Fellows, Minority Affairs, and Women Physicians (starting in 2019).
The support we can give and receive as a part of a community builds social capital within our ranks and can help to support and encourage peers.
I realize that time, like camaraderie, is a precious commodity. I encourage you to consider ways in which you can help foster a community of your physician peers, perhaps by deploying some of the strategies within these pages.
— Alain A. Chaoui, MD, FAAFP
