Letter from the KCMS President

• President, Michelle Terry, MD,
• Vice President, Daniel Low, MD,  
• Secretary-Treasurer, Mark Levy, MD,
• Our unflappable CEO, Nancy Belcher Ph.D., and
• With great support from our Senior Program Manager, Salem Adisu.

• Offers access to a network of multidisciplinary physicians dedicated to the highest standards of care,
• Possesses a highly engaged Board of Trustees and active committees to improve the health of our patients and community,
• Provided free CME opportunities with recent offerings of:
  * Lead Poisoning Prevention and Housing
  * Firearm Safety
  * Racism in Medicine
  * Opiate Regulations and Suboxone Training 
  
• Opposes exclusionary gatekeeping norms and practices ensconced in King County's medical community that limit opportunities for qualified immigrants, physicians of color, women, individuals identifying as LGBTQ+, and those requiring accommodations related to physical or mental health. We acknowledge the harm that our communities and patients experience from these practices.
• Raised $500k in funds/equipment for PPE and Telehealth equipment to support those continuing to see patients during the pandemic through the KCMS Community Foundation.
• Supports medical students and physicians who are underrepresented in medicine in the United States and our region. The URiM Scholarship has reached $100K in donations and will begin disbursements this summer.  
• Spearheaded Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution. KCMS served as Phase Finder for the WA DOH vaccinations in King County. KCMS oversaw the equitable distribution of 10,000s of Vaccines to independent physicians and their staff during phase 1a and then to the broader community in the following stages.
• Provided critical messaging for members throughout the pandemic.
• Maintained and amplified local voices at the WSMA Annual House of Delegates (HOD) to support the diversity of thought in our state's policy-setting commission by opposing exclusionary bylaws changes. 
• Continues to push for a more inclusive HOD with virtual access for those with barriers due to cost, ability, clinical demands, family or community needs, etc.
• Hired KCMS's first lobbyist to support relationships in Olympia and support the needs of King County physicians and patients. Thank you, James Paribello!
• Passed coroner reform legislation that:
  *   Increases training requirements
  *   Prevents prosecuting attorneys from being de facto coroners in small counties 
  *   Shined a light on the need to increase transparency, equity, and scientific reasoning in the death investigation process.  
  
• Supported our solvency by attracting new tenants to the KCMS owned property, increased membership, and received grants to support our organization.  
• Collaborated with local stakeholders including PHSKC, Virginia Mason, Proliance Surgeons, UW Medicine, Harborview Injury and Prevention and Research Center, other hospitals and health systems, independent physicians and practices, minority health boards, Microsoft, Expedia, WPSR, WSMA, Specialty and County medical societies, and a multitude of other non-profits.
• Lifted physician voices by publishing in and collaborating with The Seattle Times, Crosscut, South Seattle Emerald, KXNX, Kiro Radio's The Ursula and Gee Show, The Washington Post, Converge Media and so many more.
• Created an inclusive community for physicians to bring diverse perspectives to share and reflect on to better the health of King County communities.