LACMA PRESIDENT
JEFFERY LEE, MD
Greetings to the Physicians of Los Angeles! So much has happened in the past several months. As COVID numbers declined and people were getting vaccinated, patients felt more comfortable resuming their previously deferred healthcare. Surgeries were rescheduled and office visits resumed in the “post-COVID surge”. People started gathering again and moving about. Restaurants opened and masks came off. Kids started to go back to school. Similarly, LACMA has been active. In April, the LA Healthcare Awards celebrated the praiseworthy work being delivered by exceptional LACMA will attend physicians in Los Angeles in the midst of a once-in-a-century pandemic. to the needs of LACMA partnered with neighborhood clinics to deliver badly needed PPE to staff and patients. In June, the Health Equity Council hosted Dr. Tung physicians struggling Nguyen as part of the Race Against Time lecture series. LACMA leaders did to continue their their part to promote vaccinations on video and social media. But as life seemed to be coming back to normal these past few months, practices in an the Delta variant and the stalling of vaccinations have merged to cause environment that was a bit of a setback – even causing LACMA to change our Installation Ceremony plans. difficult even before Despite this setback, I nurture much optimism for the future. The clear message is getting out - vaccinations work! Mountains of data show that coronavirus. the vaccines are overwhelmingly safe and effective. And there’s story after story of COVID patients expressing regret for not getting the shot earlier. Angelenos are plainly seeing that the tragic deaths occurring are totally preventable and unnecessary. So there is still much work for physicians to do – to talk to our patients about why they are hesitant, what the data shows, and speak clearly about the potential side effects. And physicians are setting a great example. A recent AMA survey showed that over 95% of physicians have been vaccinated! What better way to lead by example. And we see light at the end of this pandemic tunnel. We all acknowledge the need for physicians to attend to their wellness and avoid burnout. LACMA will be announcing some bold programs to assist physicians “make-over” their practices. LACMA will attend to the needs of physicians struggling to continue their practices in an environment that was difficult even before coronavirus. In November, we will be holding a Member Appreciation Event celebrating the 150th Anniversary of LACMA’s founding. So to the thousands of physician members of LACMA, thank you for your dedication to your patients, communities, and to each other.
2 LOS A N G EL ES M ED I CI N E | Q UA RT ER 3 2021
