President's Message

President’s Message

Spiro Spanakis, DO President, WDMS

As you read this issue of Worcester Medicine – which sheds light on racial, ethnic, and social injustices and inequities in our society – I hope you can do so with faith in the future. As clinicians, not a day goes by when we are caring for patients whose medical conditions were not worsened by the social determinants of health. These insults to the patient’s health can take many forms and are often the most difficult for us to address in our treatment plans for patients.

But, no problem can be solved without first recognizing it and committing resources to it. I am pleased that institutions, employers and legislators are focused on making improvements in this realm. We must also do so in the way we care for patients. The medical and surgical home models are wonderful examples of how we can begin to address some of the real underlying barriers our patients face to their health and well-being. I hope that payers continue to realize the long-term benefits to our patients of such care models in the future.

As a larger segment of the population becomes vaccinated for COVID-19, I look forward to a time when we can come together in person again to conduct the business of society and socialize like we once did. In the meantime, we will continue to conduct our meetings virtually. Please stay tuned as we adapt to what will, hopefully, be an easing of social distancing guidelines and a time when we can come together again as a society.