President’s letter cont’d
University of Florida. I went to the University of Washington for an Interventional Pain Medicine Fellowship. From there I joined a private practice in Orlando for several years and I moved up to the Panhandle almost 6 years ago. My original plan was to live in the same place I grew up and make Orlando my permanent home. For several reasons, a topic for a different article, I decided to make a change. My family packed up and we moved to the Panhandle knowing that worst case scenario I would be here for 2 years to serve out my non-compete and then move back to Orlando if I so chose. But something happened, perhaps it was my first Blue Angels Show, but I truly fell in love with the area and the people and in my heart, this became my home. I joined the ECMS right away as a chance to meet people as I am a bit of an introvert by nature unless it is something I am truly passionate about. I stayed because I became inspired. I stayed because perhaps I may have found something that was missing for me, that same camaraderie that I felt as a college athlete, people working together for a common goal. I began to wonder: What was the ECMS all about? How could I get involved? Could I make a difference? Surely, I could not, but then, again, why not me? I listened to those that came before me and continue to serve. I listened to the viewpoints of those that were different than mine and continue to do so. I genuinely believe that the practice of medicine is a privilege. We are privileged to take care of human beings during some of the most vulnerable times in their lives. It is humbling and without a doubt an honor, one of my biggest honors. How can I continue to make a difference? Can I make a difference amidst all of the chaos, especially the chaos of the last 2 years? Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be helping to lead a practice and serve on the ECMS executive board during a pandemic, certainly not one that lasted two years. No one could have possibly imagined or been prepared. The light in the middle of the storm is that we figured it out together. We figured it out and continue to figure out how to weather the tough times and make decisions in the best interest of our community and patients. The hospital systems worked together and shared information and resources to care for our patients and community. For me, us coming together, that was and is the light in the darkness. Perhaps (fingers crossed) in the not so distant future “the time of COVID” will become a memory and a lesson in the history books. I pray that we never forget all that we have learned throughout this unprecedented time and we still always remember that our goals and passion are common and unite us all. 4 | Escambia County Medical Society in conjunction with Santa Rosa County
In our organization and in our meetings, you will listen and discover that you have other passions that are similar to those of your colleagues and together you can work to advance medicine for our community, state, and country. In these rooms you will find people that are eager to give back but do not know how and they will connect with colleagues that do know how and are doing so successfully. How we learn and grow is by stopping, listening, and becoming involved. Thus, my message and mission for this year, is for us to learn to come together in fellowship and truly hear one another. Only then will we be able to effect change, whether it be in your hospital, your practice, your city, your state, or your country. Dream big. Perhaps some of the issues that divide us aren’t black or white or right or wrong. Can you discuss one side of an issue without truly trying to understand the other side? One of my favorite speeches was Dr. Ellen McKnight’s speech about becoming an Activated Physician. How much more powerful would we be if we were not only activated, but we were activated together? Together we march forward. Whether you are just starting out in your career, get involved. Whether you are nearing retirement, get involved. We need your wisdom and guidance. Whether you are hospital employed, private practice, academic or military, Generation A through Z, get involved. We effect change by coming together in fellowship and listening to each other, learning from each other, and becoming inspired by each other. If you heard my inaugural speech, I took a moment to thank my amazing husband, for which none of my accomplishments would be possible, my children, my family, my dear friends, and my colleagues. I shared with each of you in attendance a bit about my village. They say it takes a village to raise a child. I will use the same statement and say that it takes a village, our village to effect change. I thank you for being a part of my village and look forward to seeing you all soon.
– Kacey Montgomery, M.D.
