President's Message

The ‘R’ Word

Think back to the first relationship you had with someone or something. For some it was the obvious boyfriend or girlfriend, maybe a toy or stuffed animal (e.g., Andy and his cowboy doll "Woody"), or even a one way relationship with an actor or actress. Oh, the days of Daisy on the Dukes of Hazzard... I digress. 

The fact is, relationships have been around since Adam and Eve and while they are not always straightforward or easy, they significantly impact our lives on a daily basis. I contend there is not a person reading this message that, if you stop and think about it, isn’t on some form of high or low within the last twenty-four hours as a result of the 'R' word. Despite the fact that we tend to focus on the personal side of relationships, it stands to reason that our professional lives are equally impacted by the people we meet and their influence on our careers.  Working within organized medicine is certainly no exception.

First and foremost, the relationship we have with our physicians is the single most important part of our jobs. Despite the fact that it is often times overlooked, providing value to our members is the sole purpose for existing as medical societies. “Building it” (e.g., programs and services) with the expectation that "they will come" just isn't enough anymore. The value has to be personalized to the extent of making a connection or relationship with the physician members.  As previously mentioned in these messages, we have seen this by the way of social media, employment arrangements and generational changes in our membership.

Since advocacy has assumed an increasingly critical role in organized medicine, the relationships with members of state legislatures and Congress are more important, not to mention more complicated, than ever. The strength of said relationships can mean the difference between passing a pro-medicine piece of legislation and/or defeating a scope of practice expansion act. The same can be said on the regulatory side of the equation in that working through state and federal health related entities during the promulgation of rules is paramount (e.g., Red Flag Rules, 5010 and IDC-10 transition, etc.). 

So, how do we navigate the complicated relationships we encounter on a daily basis? Ironically, AAMSE has been and continues to be the force that brings it all together. Since joining AAMSE in 1996, I have made countless connections with my peers throughout organized medicine that have assisted with complicated issues, helped achieve legislative victories, reach reasonable compromises and even just develop lasting friendships. 

As mentioned during my inaugural speech, I attended the 1996 AAMSE New Medical Executives Institute (NMEI) in Chicago and the program had an incredible impact on my career. Not just the information learned, but the relationships developed with speakers and other attendees. How significant an impact? Well, I do not believe it to be coincidence that the current AAMSE President-elect and Treasurer, Ed Whitver and Terri Marchiori, attended the same meeting.

Now, Terri has threatened my life if the ’96 group picture is shown ever again, but you get the point. Don’t sit on the sidelines and expect relationships to spontaneously occur. Take the initiative to volunteer for a committee or attend an annual conference, leadership academy or even the NMEI coming up in May.  As I have found in my career, it could make a lasting impression! 

Jay W. Millson, MBA
Executive Vice President
Duval County Medical Society
AAMSE President 2011-2012