April 25, 2023
Dear Fellow New Mexico Surgeons:
I am very humbled and extremely honored to be your president of the New Mexico Chapter of the American College of Surgeons this year. For our current members, I would like to thank you for your participation and support over the past years. For our prospective members, I request your consideration in joining the New Mexico Chapter of the ACS. The mission of the NM Chapter of the ACS is to improve the health of the people of New Mexico by promoting ethical practice of the art and science of surgery and allowing surgeons multiple opportunities to network with colleagues throughout the state and attend educational meetings close to home.
The past two years have been harrowing for our chapter and state. We have had our difficulties and challenges over the years with a shortage of providers and healthcare workers, and this has reached its tipping point during the Covid-19 pandemic. New Mexico doctors are facing large increases in the cost of their medical malpractice insurance because of recent changes to the Medical Malpractice Act, which raised the cap on damages. Coupled with lower reimbursement for physicians and lack of access to care, it is more paramount that NM surgeons come together as One Voice to promote surgical education and improve access to surgical care for all our NM patients. The NM local chapter of the ACS represents the views of the ACS and strives to foster the relationship of surgeons with our patients and legislature within the State of NM. Our chapter went through a 2-year hiatus and our Chapter Council leadership has nearly disintegrated. Yet we prevailed through these challenges and we are aiming to come back stronger than ever.
One of our goals is to provide an educational meeting with CME in a convenient location. We would like to encourage medical students, residents, recently graduated surgeons as well as seasoned surgeons to come enjoy the conference. One of the great advantages of an in-person meeting is getting to know our colleagues around the state, urban and rural, establishing new contacts and finding new friends. I believe most would agree that involvement in state chapter activities is a great way to keep up with medicine around the state and country. This includes economic, political and clinical realms. Your chapter dues are essential to making this excellent educational event possible. I certainly encourage those who are members to continue your membership and encourage your colleagues, partners and other surgeons of all specialties in the state to become involved. Ask your colleagues and partners if they are members of the New Mexico Chapter and if they are not, encourage them to become members and get involved. I urge you all to look at our new soon-to-go-live website (www.nmchapteracs.org) for information and communications to help you with your day-to-day practice. We look forward to seeing you at our meeting this year!
Sincerely,
Chayanin Musikasinthorn, MD, FACS
President, New Mexico Chapter, American College of Surgeons