It's that time of year again! KCMS is proud to consistently maintain affordable membership dues, significantly below the rates of other medical membership organizations. By submitting your membership dues today, you empower KCMS to monitor legislative developments and advocate for the protection and interests of doctors in the ever-changing landscape of laws and regulations in healthcare.
We thank all our members and the medical organizations that generously support their physicians by covering their KCMS dues.
If your organization does not currently extend this valuable benefit, we strongly encourage you to advocate for including KCMS Membership support as a benefit. Your proactive involvement can pave the way for more physicians to access KCMS membership. Thank you for being so dedicated to KCMS.

Providence Swedish is thrilled to announce the appointment of Elizabeth Wako, M.D., as the permanent president and CEO of Swedish Health Services, effective immediately. Dr. Wako has been serving in an interim capacity for the past seven months, and her leadership is set to chart a transformational course for Swedish during a pivotal period in the organization's history.  

“As we prepare to embark on key initiatives that will improve the health of the region and carry our tradition of excellence well into the future, Dr. Wako brings a clear vision, a strategic mindset, and a remarkable ability to build consensus and enthusiasm around our shared purpose,” says Rod Hochman, M.D., president and CEO of Providence.  

With a career spanning three decades, Dr. Wako’s path in medicine began at the bedside as a registered nurse caring for psychiatric patients. Seeking a broader role on the care team, she went to medical school in Utah and then to the University of Washington, where she completed a residency in anesthesiology and a fellowship in perioperative medicine. In addition, she also holds an MBA from the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business. 

“This is an exciting moment for the organization as Dr. Wako’s appointment represents a number of historic firsts for Swedish,” says R. Omar Riojas, Chair of the Swedish Board of Trustees. “She is the first woman and first African American to lead the organization since it was founded by Dr. Nils Johanson 113 years ago. As a nurse, physician, woman of color, wife, and mother of four, she brings a unique perspective that is critical in shaping healthcare delivery of the future.”

Following a national search, Dr. Timothy H. Dellit has been appointed to lead UW Medicine and the University of Washington School of Medicine. UW President Ana Mari Cauce and Provost Tricia Serio announced today.    

Dellit will serve as the CEO of UW Medicine, the Paul G. Ramsey Endowed Dean of the UW School of Medicine, and the university’s executive vice president for medical affairs, positions he has held on an interim basis since July 2022.   

“Tim has proven himself to be a leader in the most difficult of times, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and as UW Medicine addresses the challenges caused by the changing healthcare landscape. He is an adept listener and communicator who is dedicated to serving all communities,” Cauce said. “Tim is also committed to advancing excellence and equity in education and our workforce and healthcare outcomes, all of which are core to UW Medicine’s mission to improve the health of all people. 

“And even as someone who has more than two decades of service to UW Medicine, Tim still brings new perspectives. I’m so pleased that he’ll be the one leading our healthcare enterprise into a new era.”  

3.37% Medicare Physician Payment Cut Coming 

Physicians are again on the brink of facing a Medicare payment cut, set to take effect on January 1, unless Congress takes action before year-end!
These next few weeks are pivotal as Congress races towards the year-end finish line. We're calling upon advocates like YOU to make a significant impact by reaching out to your members of Congress today. Please urge them to rectify the flawed Medicare physician payment system and prevent the impending cut from becoming a reality.
This potential 3.37% reduction is especially concerning as it follows three consecutive years of cuts to Medicare services. If Congress fails to act this year, Medicare payments will have endured nearly a 10% reduction over four years—an unsustainable burden for our nation's physicians. These past and potential cuts have already led to significant consequences, including hiring freezes, service delays, and shifting towards new value-based care models within physician practices and integrated care systems.
The repercussions of these cuts will be most acutely felt in rural and underserved areas, which are already grappling with substantial healthcare access challenges. Furthermore, Medicare physicians and providers do not receive inflationary updates within the Medicare program, further underscoring the urgency of averting these impending cuts.
Please take action today by reaching out to your members of Congress and urging them to cancel this looming cut before it takes effect on January 1. There is a unanimous consensus that the Medicare physician payment system needs reform, and the time for Congress to act is now—before it's too late.

The team at KCMS wants to express our gratitude to each of you. We are thankful for your dedication to the field of medicine, your commitment to healing, and your continued efforts to ensure the well-being of our community.

As we approach the New Year, we are filled with excitement and honor to continue serving you, united in our shared commitment to the health and vitality of our community.
Warmest wishes,  Your KCMS Team