Kim Warner, MD, CMS President

This will be my last President’s letter as my term ends in September. It has truly been an honor to serve my fellow physicians over the past year, which has gone entirely too quickly. I recall just a few short months ago during my inauguration speech I talked about the magic of being a physician. In times of need, people trust us with their lives. I can’t imagine a greater gift. For the opportunity to be a physician and to have had this role in CMS, I am beyond grateful.

I knew very early on that I wanted to be a physician, and then it became clear that I was meant to care for girls and women. It was my calling, my mission and my duty; being a part of deliveries is impactful. You get to experience one of the most important and sacred moments in families’ lives and ensure health for moms and babies. Sometimes it is not a joyous occasion, such as the early loss of a precious and wanted pregnancy, and I have the privilege of sharing in that journey and guiding families through that care and challenging experience.

Health care is not just about providing medical treatment when someone is sick, but also about promoting overall health and wellbeing to prevent diseases and improve quality of life. 

I remember a lovely 68-year-old woman who had not come to the gynecologist in a very long time. She came in very nervous, reserved, shy and withdrawn. We talked for a while about her career as a teacher, her children and life in general. She began to open up. She said she wanted some lab tests, which I ordered. She wanted a breast exam, which she had not had in a while. She wanted me to look at her old cesarean section scar, to make sure it was okay. I could tell she was trying to work up to something else she was concerned about, using minor issues maybe to gain trust in me. 

Finally, when I felt like she was finished asking me questions, she asked me to take a look at a “spot” on her vulva. It had been there for “years,” but she thought it was fine. I took a look at it, knowing it was probably a cancer, biopsied it, and when it returned a vulvar malignancy, got her the treatment she needed. Because it was an early stage, she has done well for years. I don’t think she would have opened up to me if not for the initial time we spent at the beginning of the visit building trust and rapport.

Regardless of specialty, physicians universally entered the profession to help people live longer, healthier lives. This dedication to patients is at the heart of what it means to be a physician and is central to the new communications effort the Colorado Medical Society is launching with the American Medical Association: Your Care is at our Core. 

This new communications strategy aims to highlight the sacred bond between physicians and patients. Many Colorado physicians have experienced troubling trends ignited by battles over the Covid-19 pandemic, science and evidence-based care, and the prevalence of mis- and disinformation. These factors have distracted from what matters most – the connection between physicians and their patients. 

This strategy is also in line with CMS’s new strategic plan, which includes a goal to increase public trust and understanding of health care. We know that the patient-physician relationship is the foundation of quality care. The multi-media Your Care is at our Core strategy reminds the public that physicians are compassionate and empathetic healers dedicated to delivering the very best care to their patients. Like my patient above, health care can be a vulnerable space, and establishing a meaningful patient-physician relationship is necessary to build trust and provide the most effective care and treatment. 

Your Care is at our Core highlights that physicians are patients’ strongest allies in the pursuit of improved health. We hope we can remind the public of “who” physicians are and rebuild an awareness of physicians’ dedication to their patients – all to strengthen the profession, your practices, and our advocacy on your behalf.

Do you want to help in these efforts?

Fill out our online form or email membership@cms.org to share a story of great patient care.