Welcome to DOCMS!
The mission of the Durham-Orange County Medical Society (DOCMS) is to foster camaraderie within our professional community; advocate for our profession, our patients, and the public health; cultivate leadership in medicine; and bridge diverse medical communities and the populations they serve.
Message from the President
This year, our vision is to prioritize social and health justice by highlighting the incredible work being done by local providers and leaders in medicine. We are excited to have an inspiring group of speakers join us again (see below). We hope that by learning more about the communities we serve, the policies that impact them, and resources they can access, we can be better advocates for our patients. Understanding the health disparities which exist in our nation, and specificially in Durham and Orange Counties, will also help us advance efforts towards more equitable and patient-centered care. READ MORE...
DOCMS News
Durham-Orange Medical Society Holds Final Member Meeting of the Year
On December 11, the Durham-Orange Medical Society hosted its final membership meeting of 2024, featuring a dynamic and interactive presentation by Anthony Galanos, MD, PA, a Palliative Care Specialist at Duke. Dr. Galanos’ talk, titled “Communication, Emphasis on Empathy, and Reading the Room”, sparked meaningful discussions as he used role-play exercises to explore effective communication strategies with patients and their families during emotionally charged, end-of-life conversations.
The meeting concluded with heartfelt thanks to Dr. Priscille Schettini for her leadership as the 2024 DOCMS President. The evening wrapped up with congratulations to Dr. Hans Arora, who will serve as the 2025 DOCMS President.
Board members from Left to Right: Marian Cranford, PA-C; Nathaniel Erskine, MD; John Beaudry, PA-C; Keely Godwin, MD; Priscille Schettini, MD; Ronald Laney Jr, MD; Hans Arora, MD; Margaret Champion, MD.
DOCMS members have family night at Durham Bulls game!
On Saturday, September 14, it was a night at the ballpark for the Durham Orange County Medical Society! Members got to take in all the action on the field and enjoy time together as the boys of summer took on the Norfolk Tides. A two run double in the top of the seventh snapped a scoreless game and the Tides took the Bulls 2-1 in front of 8,075 fans. The loss didn't seem to upset the DOCMS members in attendance however! Keep watching for our next exciting DOCMS event!
DOCMS Members Take Part in NC Medical Society White Coat Day and Legislative Reception
The Durham-Orange County Medical Society was represented by several members at the White Coat Day event, held at the NCMS headquarters in Raleigh on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Pictured below from left to right is: Alex Tanas, (UNC student), Priscille Schettini, MD (DOCMS, President), Ronnie Laney, MD (DOCMS Immediate Past President and current NCMS Board member) and Marian Cranford, PA-C (DOCMS Secretary/Treasurer). Unavailable for the photo but in attendance was Liz Holt, MD.
2025 North Carolina Medical Society Events
All DOCMS members or prospective members are invited to attend these upcoming NCMS events:
Welcome Medical Students!
The Durham-Orange County Medical Society (DOCMS) partners with the American Medical Association (AMA) and the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) so that medical students can join all three organizations for four years, at a single rate. Joining the AMA, NCMS and DOCMS offers additional membership benefits including:
- Netter’s Anatomy Flash Cards, 5th Edition
- Rapid Review Pathology, 5th Edition
- First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 (Pre-order 2019)
- Picmonic 12 month digital subscription Bonus download! Kaplan medEssentials, 4th Edition, e-Book
- Daily e-newsletter called the Morning Rounds
- Opportunity to serve on more than 20 NCMS committees
- Representation and advocacy at the state and local level
- Access to members-only website at www.ncmedsoc.org and www.docsmedsoc.org
- Bi-monthly dinner meetings with medical community
- Networking opportunities such as the DOCMS Women’s Physician Section and social events for students, young physicians and their families
- Annual community service projects and awards
- Leadership development opportunities
- Legislative Days for students and residents.
To join, click here.
Recent Meeting Highlights
Couldn't make it to our last meeting? Watch what happened below.
Questions about the DOCMS? Email Frank Snyder, fsnyder@ncmedsoc.org.