LMS President’s Message, April, 2020
Our COVID-19 Reality
By Mamata Majmundar, MD
The Lexington Medical Society tag line, “Physicians caring for the community since 1799,” is especially meaningful in our current COVID-19 reality. It is the health care team of physicians, PA’s, nurses, and other health care providers that are risking their lives on the front lines of this battle against COVID-19. Since the declaration of a state of emergency on March 6th, when the first COVID-19 case in Kentucky was confirmed in Lexington-Fayette County, things have rapidly evolved. I want to thank our state and city health commissioners, Dr. Steven Stack and Dr. Kraig Humbaugh for leading our public efforts and for their continuous dedication to keep our community safe and informed.
The economic impact on families, individuals, businesses, and disruption to services is heard. The Kentucky Medical Association and the American Medical Association are advocating for Congress, during this time of national emergency, to ensure every physician and health care provider have access to critically needed personal protective equipment and for economic relief legislation to support and sustain physicians and their practices through tax relief, no-interest loans, direct payments, payment for virtual visits including phone calls, and other measures.
The upcoming months will be a time requiring strength, flexibility, and a creative mindset. The LMS Physician Wellness Program continues to operate using teletherapy. This is an opportunity to reach out and utilize our member benefit, 8 counseling sessions at no cost, in the privacy of your home. Call 1-(800) 350-6438 to make an appointment.
Thank you for all that you are doing to save lives. We are all in this together. The smartest doctors and researchers in the world are on this and will lead us out. Our state is doing a great job and we will get through this. Be safe.
