President’s letter: The beginning, the middle and the final kiss goodnight

Tuesday, September 01, 2015 12:05 PM

by Tamaan Osbourne-Roberts, MD, President, Colorado Medical Society

My friends, this has been an adventure.

In just over two weeks from the date that I am writing this, I will hand over the leadership of CMS to the president-elect, Michael Volz, MD, and as with any other large transition, I’m left with a wide range of feelings. On one level, I’m extremely proud; this has been an amazing year in which CMS has worked tirelessly on behalf of the physicians of Colorado, and it has been no small privilege to have had a direct role in influencing health care policy in our great state. On another level, I’m disappointed; the time has gone exceedingly quickly, and it seems like there is so much more left to do. On yet another level, I’m excited, and maybe even a bit relieved; my wife Camille, as well as my two children, will certainly enjoy having their husband and father around more, and I’m eager to explore what additional professional opportunities await me following my service to the physicians of Colorado.

But, more than anything else, I feel…confused.

It is not lost on me that my presidency has been a historic one, at a historic time for our state. I considered, at the outset of this year, that my identity as the youngest president in the 143-year history of the organization, as well as the first person of color to hold the presidency, might be symbolic of the organization’s overall desire to move forward in tackling the challenges of the future. This has proven quite true, and, compounded with the overall rapid evolution of the health care marketplace in Colorado, it has made for quite a busy year at the CMS offices, as well as down at the Capitol. The results of this work are detailed in the cover story starting on page 8, and I encourage you all to take some time and learn just how much CMS is doing on behalf of the physicians of Colorado.

However, despite my involvement in each part of this remarkable process; despite the many extra hours of work and effort; despite long days spent in front of legislators, policymakers, conference audiences and other physicians; I feel like I haven’t really done that much. In part, this is a testament to the amazing staff of CMS, who can make even the most difficult of task run smoothly and effortlessly. But even taking this into account, I was initially confused by how I could have gone through a year like this, filled with so many incredible moments, and feel like I haven’t really accomplished anything or been a real leader.

And then, I realized it’s because I’m a physician.

All physicians, everywhere, are leaders in their communities, simply by virtue of our shared profession. Our roles, by default, take us into people’s lives as guides and authorities, tasked with leading them through some of the most difficult and challenging moments of their lives. We serve as resources for our communities, guiding public health, serving as teachers, and even advising public officials. We do yeoman’s work. Despite this, the vast majority of us do it without giving it a second thought and, in so doing, forget just how important our individual leadership is to the greater good.

This is perhaps understandable, given our training, our temperament and our calling’s focus on others. Leadership is not something most of us consider on a daily basis. But given the vacuum of leadership we’ve seen in health care over the past several years and the pressing health care policy needs of the moment, perhaps it is time for us to start thinking about it.

I am just one physician. Yet, over the past year, this one physician has overseen a review of governance structures for the largest and most powerful physician organization in the state; has worked with the governor’s cabinet, legislators and other policymakers on issues ranging from insurance market reforms to epidemic control policy; has influenced the public through multiple interviews with members of the state’s largest media organizations; and has even found time for self-reflection, self-care, time with family and the occasional vacation. All while continuing to work full time as a clinically practicing doctor.

I realize that this type of policy leadership is not everyone’s cup of tea but imagine if every physician in the state took just a little bit more initiative in their own community to make things better. Used the respect and prestige of their position to push for what is right. Sacrificed just a little more time to influence their local policymakers. Started to believe, really believe, that they were more than just a leader by default…that, instead, they were a leader by choice and ability.

Imagine what we could do.

Take care, my friends. Good luck, Godspeed, and I’ll see you out there, in the trenches, serving our profession and our patients.