TCMS IN ACTION RUTH PARRIOTT, MSW, MPH, CEO
Racism as a Public Health Crisis
Twin Cities Medical Society is proud to have lent our support to the City of Bloomington’s recent resolution declaring Racism as a Public Health Crisis. The resolution includes a small appropriation to hire a consultant to recommend concrete local policies to combat the crisis. Bloomington has long been a leader in public health policy, including being the first city in Minnesota to assure clean air in outdoor dining spaces. We look forward to continuing to support their efforts as they explore municipal actions to impact health inequities. Pilot Program for Resident Physician Wellness
The new wellness arm of Physicians Serving Physicians, Physician Wellness Collaborative, is launching a pilot program with four residency programs across the state to seamlessly and confidentially connect residents with support from physician mentors through a mobile app. The application, PeerConnect, has been in use by other professions, such as firefighters and EMTs. If the pilot is successful, PWC hopes to expand its reach to a broader physician community. If you are interested in volunteering as a peer mentor, please contact pwc-mn.org/peerconnect.
MetroDoctors
advance care planning training and advocacy, and collaborates to produce effective messaging and tools. New Leader in 2021
Annual Legislative Training for Medical Student Advocates
Each January, the Dr. Pete Dehnel medical student Public Health Advocacy Fellowship hosts a workshop to discuss legislative actions to advance advocacy initiatives. Despite the tripling of the class size and a new virtual format, the session was quite interactive, including a legislative “Chutes and Ladders” game to illustrate the path a bill must traverse to become a law. The session concluded with an inspiring message from a health-professional-turned-elected-official, Sen. Erin Murphy of St. Paul. For the third year, Sen. Murphy offered herself as a resource and the “first person to ask you to run for office.” Honoring Choices Expands National Network
Honoring Choices Minnesota welcomes Georgia as the twelfth state program to join its national network. Through the network, Honoring Choices ensures timely sharing of best practices in
The Journal of the Twin Cities Medical Society
Twin Cities Medical Society CEO Ruth Parriott announced her decision to retire from TCMS in early 2021. The Board of Directors is pleased to appoint Annie Krapek, MPH as Interim CEO during the transition period. Ms. Krapek leads TCMS’s advocacy programs, most notably the public health initiatives and the medical student Public Health Advocacy Fellowship. She manages relationships with many of our most active members and external funders. Ms. Krapek joined TCMS five years ago and during her tenure completed a Masters program in Public Health while advancing from Program Coordinator to Senior Manager. Annie’s professional background includes working as nonpartisan staff for the Minnesota House of Representatives, and as program manager for the Minnesota Physical Therapy Association and Propel Nonprofits. She resides with her husband as a proud Nordeaster, animal lover, and enthusiastic home gardener. Spring 2021
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