Annual meeting not all business

Friday, November 01, 2013 12:34 PM

CMS members socialize and enjoy themselves in Vail

Kate Alfano, CMS contributing writer

One of the main purposes of the annual meeting is to bring CMS members together for fun and fellowship. Friday, Sept. 20, members gathered for a Mardi-Gras-themed reception hosted by the 2013 Exhibitors. Attendees enjoyed Cajun-inspired food and drinks, live music, a photo booth and giveaways.

The masquerade-themed Presidential Gala on Saturday, Sept. 21, honored incoming CMS President John Bender, MD, FAAFP. Also recognized at the gala were outgoing president Jan Kief, MD, and outgoing immediate past president F. Brent Keeler, MD.

One of the time-honored traditions of the inaugural gala is to present 50-year pins to CMS members celebrating their 50th anniversary of graduating medical school. This year’s honorees were M. Herzl Melmed, MD, Gene Bolles, MD, C K Wanebo, MD, Joseph Broughton Jr, MD, David Bagley, MD, Clarence Henke, MD and David Hutchison, MD.

Bender thanked his wife and children, his practice staff and CMS as a whole – which he called his three families – for supporting him in his role as president. He also kept true to his COMPAC challenge pledge: if CMS members and friends raised $10,000 for the political action committee of CMS, he would cut his hair during the gala. He surpassed his goal and had a professional give him a Marine-style buzz cut.

The keynote speaker of the gala, “Dr. Anderson Payne,” a fictional special advisor and consultant to the president’s council on economic development, brought the house to uproarious laughter by sharing his “findings” in current economic trends – a series of one-liners and stories about corporate culture and bureaucrats. The comedian, whose real name is Durwood Fincher, is also known as “Mr. Doubletalk” for his ability to interject gibberish into normal conversation for a comedic effect. For his finale, Fincher showed the audience his pre-taped interviews with annual meeting attendees candidly reacting to his unique interviewing style.

The evening concluded with a dessert bar sponsored by COPIC with music and dancing.