President’s Address

Good evening, colleagues, friends, honored guests, and members of the Montgomery County Medical Society.

Thank you for being here, and thank you for the trust you have placed in me. It is a profound honor to serve as the 177th President of the Montgomery County Medical Society.

Since 1849, MCMS has represented something enduring: physicians coming together, not because it was easy, but because it was necessary. Throughout wars, pandemics, scientific breakthroughs, and seismic shifts in healthcare delivery, physicians in this county have chosen collaboration, advocacy, and leadership. In this age of expanding medical AI, from scribes to clinical assistance such as colon polyp detection and OpenEvidence, and even revenue cycle management—and the writing of this speech—I am deeply humbled to join that lineage.

Gratitude and Continuity of Leadership

Before looking ahead, I want to acknowledge those who have brought us to this moment.

I want to recognize those who have walked through their professional careers alongside me, including past presidents Dr. John Corker and Dr. Tom Proctor, as well as many colleagues in this room. I believe medicine is sustained by relationships built through years of shared work, mutual respect, and trust. None of us stands here alone, and I am grateful for the community that has shaped my journey.

Thank you as well to our Board of Directors and our past presidents, whose steady dedication and institutional knowledge remain central to everything MCMS accomplishes.

A Personal Note

I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the support behind the scenes.

My husband, Jack Pook, has been my partner through many years of medicine and leadership. Jack serves as a lead prosecutor in the juvenile division in Greene County, a role that reflects his own commitment to service and community. Together, we raised four truly amazing individuals, a constant reminder of why the work we do—on long days and difficult nights—matters.

As the “TV doctor” who tells people silly things, like wearing layers in winter and sunscreen in the summer, I have heard from my family how often others have said to them, “Your mother,” or, “Of course I know your wife. She’s on TV.” To my wonderful family, thank you for your support, patience, and belief.

Medicine from the Front Lines

I stand before you tonight as an emergency physician. That’s right, exactly like The Pitt.

“From the first heartbeat to the last breath, it is an amazing privilege to have a front-row seat to the miracle of life.”

I know firsthand that the emergency department is where systems reveal themselves. It is where policy meets reality—where access, equity, staffing, public health, and leadership converge, often in a single moment. Emergency medicine teaches us to act decisively, lead thoughtfully, and never forget that behind every chart is a person who needs us to care.

I am from the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York: green mountains, many lakes, and plenty of experience shoveling snow in the winter. I am privileged to have learned “Midwest nice” from the outstanding community that surrounds us.

These perspectives have shaped my career and inform how I approach this role.

The State of Our Profession

There is no question that medicine today is complex and continuously evolving.

Physicians face administrative burden, prior authorization, evolving care teams, workforce challenges, and rising professional fatigue. Yet despite these pressures, our role remains unchanged. Patients still rely on us at their most vulnerable moments. Communities still look to physicians as trusted leaders.

When physicians disengage, healthcare does not stop. It simply moves forward without our voice. That reality makes an organized medical society that encourages involvement and problem-solving more important than ever.

Why MCMS Matters

The Montgomery County Medical Society is uniquely positioned.

We are close enough to understand what policy means at the bedside, in the emergency department, hospital, clinic, operating room, and community. Through OSMA and the AMA, we are also connected enough to influence decisions at the state and national levels.

MCMS is more than an organization. It is a professional home: a place where advocacy becomes action, mentorship becomes leadership, and collective voices carry weight. When physicians stand together, we are credible, effective, and heard.

Priorities for the Year Ahead

As I begin this year, my focus will center on three priorities:

Caring for physicians is inseparable from caring for patients.

A Call to Engagement

Our collective strength comes from participation.

I ask each of you to stay engaged this year. It is becoming increasingly important to attend events, mentor learners, share your concerns, and invite colleagues to become part of MCMS. Medicine has never been easy, and as we have been reminded by those before us, hard is never an excuse not to do our job.

Closing and Staying Connected

I am grateful for your confidence and honored to serve as your President. I take this role not as a title, but as a responsibility—to this Society, to our colleagues, to our patients, and to one another.

I also want to thank Elizabeth Nyberg for her administrative expertise and energy in strengthening our Medical Society’s presence, particularly through events such as this and social media outreach that highlights our members and the relevance of MCMS in today’s medical landscape.

I invite you all to stay connected with us beyond tonight by following the Montgomery County Medical Society on Instagram, X, and Facebook, where we continue to share advocacy efforts, celebrate our members, and build community. Please take a moment right now to grab your phone and add MCMS. Next, on your favorite platform, add a memory of your experience tonight and tag MCMS. Remember to like, comment, and share!

And if there are any interested students who understand TikTok, let’s start tonight. We’ll call it “MCMS Doc Talk.”

Thank you for the privilege of serving as your 177th President of the Montgomery County Medical Society. I look forward to the work ahead.