Wake County Medical Society

Wake County Medical Society

Wake County Medical Society logo 2023Welcome to WCMS!

Wake County Medical Society is an organization established in order to enable physicians and other friends of the profession to support projects vitally affecting scientific medicine and public health.

The North Carolina Medical Society provides administrative support for the Wake County Medical Society; should you have any membership questions, please email wakemedsoc@ncmedsoc.org or telephone (800) 722-1350 or (919) 833-3836 and ask for the Member Services department.

John ER Perry, MDMessage from the President

Hello, and thanks for your interest in the Wake County Medical Society (WCMS).  In the organization’s 120 years of existence, there have been plenty of reasons why health care providers have chosen to be involved with the WCMS.  However, there is no greater attraction than the enduring spirit of the original motto, “nurturing the bonds between us.” 

At no point in my career have I felt that the bonds between health care providers have been more important.  While there is a consistent barrage of messages on maintaining wellness, we all know that finding purpose and meaning in our work is one of our most effective defenses against burnout.  And a critical piece of our armor is our support for each other.  The WCMS endeavors to find experiences that highlight the purpose and meaning of our work and to build the professional relationships that enhance and sustain our medical careers.

It’s exciting and gratifying to be a member of the leadership team of a revamped Wake County Medical Society.  Taking over for Dr. Ted Kunstling, I hope to maintain the momentum that he has generated.  In addition, I’m appreciative of the work, energy, and ideas of our Executive Council, including that of our new additions, Dr. Karen Bash and Dr. Susheel AtreeDr. Vinay Saranga’s work as Secretary/Treasurer and Dr. David Gremillion’s immense efforts revising the bylaws and combing through the history of the organization have given us an appreciation of our trajectory and our raison d’être.  Dr. Sharon Foster and Dr. Bob Munt continue to lead our program committee in finding activities for uncovering the common linkages between us as well as allowing for self-reflection and self-discovery.

During my tenure as president, I hope that our communications, meetings, programs, and activities shine a light on those activities that inspire us.  I do find meaning and pleasure in fellowship.  In addition, I hope to highlight the volunteer activities of those in our Wake County community.  We certainly acknowledge the 216 Wake County physicians who currently volunteer their time to provide care for uninsured patients in their practices through Project Access, an arm of what was previously called the WCMS Community Health Foundation.

As I launch my term as president, I appreciate the support of the NC Medical Society staff and leadership in providing administrative services for our society and look forward to their continued support of our agenda.  It is a relationship where there is much synergy plus where we can celebrate our distinctiveness as well.

Is there a theme for my tenure?  In the last year, the WCMS has provided me opportunities to discuss Shelley’s Frankenstein with colleagues, celebrate the WCMS 120th anniversary and holiday gala held at the governor’s mansion, and speak to a Thomas Jefferson impersonator at Haywood Hall—to name a few.  I hope this type of lineup continues.  At the same time, I hope we can find ways to attract and blend in and support early-career physicians, including providers in training-such as the 15 residents in the WakeMed Internal Medicine Residency Program (the first Wake County residency program in recent history), as well as the 60 medical and PA students from UNC and Campbell who are based in Wake County for their clinical training.  These training programs have certainly added much meaning to my work.

There are great opportunities through WCMS, and I hope you find some that you might enjoy and propose some of your own.  Indeed, there are many ways and reasons for “nurturing the bonds between us.”

Sincerely,

John E. R. Perry, III, MD, MS, FACP
President, Wake County Medical Society

Upcoming Events

Historical medicineHistory at High Noon: The Intersection of History and Medicine

On Tuesday, March 19, at the NCMS Headquarters building in historic Oakwood, Michael Soboeiro, MD will take us on a case-based journey, looking at the medical care of three US presidents. He’ll discuss how the care they received varied from current standards and, in some cases, the standard of the times, and the effect of the presidents’ medical conditions on world history.  Dinner will be available starting at 6:30pm, followed by brief NCMS business and Dr. Soboeiro’s presentation at 7pm.

Dr. Soboeiro is a general internist with 29 years of experience practicing medicine, teaching, and doing medical research. He has worked at WakeMed for nine and a half years. He currently heads the outpatient teaching program of WakeMed’s internal medicine residency program. Soboeiro was named one of North Carolina’s top doctors by Business North Carolina in 2021 and 2022.

CME Credit will be offered by Wake AHEC.

Sign up to attend our meeting here: http://evite.me/SECWJFbQPj  

Our goal is that the WCMS is a place where all MDs, DOs, PAs, and Students see themselves. Meeting this goal ultimately depends on you. Thank you for your support as a WCMS Member. Belonging to your county medical society community is a great way to experience personal and professional fulfillment. We look forward to getting to know you better on March 19.

WCMS Book Club 2024 Spring Schedule

Members of the WCMS who enjoy reading, good conversation, and fellowship are invited to participate in the WCMS Book Club.  It meets five times per year in members' homes.  Meetings are first Wednesdays at 6:30pm. The books cover a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction and are suggested and chosen by members. A light supper and refreshments are included.

If interested, contact Ted Kunstling at trkunstling@aol.com

Scenes from the WCMS 120th Anniversay Celebration at the NC Executive Mansion

          

Be sure to join our Facebook group! Facebook icon