Brigitta Robinson, MD, FACS
President, Colorado Medical Society

In a time of constant change in medicine, one thing has become very clear to me: having a seat at the table is paramount.

The Colorado Medical Society exists to represent physicians across our state, but our strength comes directly from the number of physicians who choose to participate. The more voices we have, the stronger voice we are able to bring – not just at the state level, but all the way through to the national level.

We speak for all physicians, whether they are members or not. That matters. Our voice is louder, more credible, and more effective when more physicians are actively part of that effort.

At its core, membership in CMS is about being able to make a difference. It is about having a unified voice, about being able to communicate directly with legislators, and about shaping decisions rather than reacting to them after the fact.

There is also a practical side to this. Medicine today is complex and constantly evolving, and CMS is working continuously to help physicians navigate that environment. Whether it is advocacy, timely updates, or helping translate complicated policy changes into something meaningful for everyday practice, we are always working on behalf of physicians – even if that work is not always visible.

One of the lessons I have seen reinforced time and again – whether here in Colorado or in conversations with colleagues across the country – is that we are stronger together. The louder your voice and the more people you speak for, the more trusted and effective that voice becomes.

That principle carries through every level of organized medicine. It starts locally, with physicians coming together in their communities, building relationships, and identifying shared challenges. Those ideas move to the state level, and from there can influence conversations nationally. Each level builds on the other, and each becomes stronger as participation grows.

I also know that physicians are often asked to make choices about where to invest their time and resources. If that is the case, I believe strongly that your state medical society should be one of those choices. Most of the decisions that affect how we practice medicine happen at the state level, and supporting that work is one of the most direct ways to make an impact where you live and care for patients.

And to those of you who are already members, I would ask you to do something simple but important: reach out to a colleague who is not.

Share your experience. Encourage them to give CMS a try. As I often tell people, if you have doubts, give it a year. Use it, explore it, and ask questions. I believe the value becomes clear when you truly engage with what is available.

This work – advocating for physicians and patients – does come with a cost. But the ability to have a say in how we practice medicine, and to help shape the future of health care in Colorado, is well worth that investment.

Ultimately, this is about our collective voice.

When we come together, support one another, and speak as one, we are far more effective than we could ever be alone – and that is how we move medicine forward in Colorado.