SMCMA Back in Person for Twenties-Themed Annual Gala August 5, 2022 Areas of interest(s): 2022, Annual Gala, event, SMCMA After two years of online meetings, the San Mateo County Medical Association (SMCMA) held its Annual Gala in person on June 23, 2022, at the Kohl Mansion. The twenties-themed gala celebrated the 117-year history of the organization. “It was nice to finally be back in person,” noted SMCMA Executive Director Keith Darby, CAE, IOM. “For our first time back after so long, everything really came together. Seeing familiar faces along with the venue, ambience, and costumes made for a festive and special evening.” The event also recognized those who have contributed to the success of the SMCMA. Thirty and forty-year members and those whom we’ve lost over the past year were honored. A special moment of silence was observed for Board of Directors member Jacob Pletcher, MD, who passed unexpectedly in May. Current Board President, Barbara Weissman, MD discussed the accomplishments of the SMCMA over the past year. Some of the highlights included increased representation in the District VII delegation with the election of Vincent Mason, MD as District VII Trustee, and Niki Saxena, MD as District VII Chair. Dr. Weissman also recounted the resolutions the SMCMA, and District VII submitted to the CMA House of Delegates this year. Gurpreet Padam, MD introduced “The Rising Costs of Electronic Health Records”, with coauthors Dirk Baumann, MD, Kenneth Blumenfeld, MD, Seema Sangwan, MD, Niki Saxena, MD, and Barbara Weissman, MD. It asks CMA to study the increasing costs and burdens of electronic records and look for ways to provide relief. Kendall Allred, MD, with co-authors Conner Lundy, MD, Aditi Patel, DO, Rod Shaner, MD, and Barbara Weissman, MD, introduced “Involuntary Holds for Adult Patients Without Capacity but Without a Mental Health Disorder” to address the need for better care for patients with dementia who present to Medical and Psychiatric Emergency Services. The gala wasn’t all business, though. Guests were treated to a swanky, twenties-themed event that included music and signature cocktails from the period, lawn games, and a costume contest for best twenties attire, which was won by Debra Phairas and David Ginn. The Fabulous Jeweltones, a 10-piece choral group, rounded out the evening with standards and favorites from the time. Photos from the event have been posted online and can be viewed by clicking this link.
