Getting involved: When sitting at home isn't your style
March 2011
By being a member of the Medical Society of Virginia (MSV), you’ve already taken the first step. You’ve joined an organization that believes in the power of physicians working together to make a real difference in the lives of both patients and physicians. What’s next? What else can you do to make a difference and ensure that you can practice medicine in Virginia the way it was meant to be practiced?
Start at the local level
Trice Gravatte, M.D. has demonstrated what it means to go above and beyond his commitment as a MSV member. Since joining MSV in 1993, he has played a big role in helping to advance the profession and shape the practice of medicine.
How did Dr. Gravatte first get involved? He started by joining his local medical society in Fauquier County where he served as its president for many years. While serving as president, Dr. Gravatte stayed tuned in to MSV initiatives and took part in many legislative activities. Dr. Gravatte now represents district 7 as a director of the MSV Political Action Committee (MSVPAC). Within MSVPAC, he helps support legislators who will work toward making Virginia the best place for medicine.
“I got involved because I remain convinced that we should honor our Hippocratic Oath,” Dr. Gravatte said. “I believe in giving back to those who blazed the trail for us and also to those who will blaze the trail for us in the future. I believe in fighting for our patients outside of the office and continuing to stay abreast of the challenges.”
Dr. Gravatte has also been an active participant in MSV Foundation (MSVF) efforts for 11 years. He was involved in the rural health and underserved task force when he was asked to help MSVF establish a medical director council for the Virginia Association of Free Clinics. The Free Clinic Medical Directors Council was established in 2004 and now provides opportunities for medical directors to network, learn from each other and troubleshoot shared problems.
Dr. Gravatte was recognized for his work with free clinics through MSVF’s Salute to Service Award in 2005. This award is designed to recognize the outstanding efforts that have substantially improved patient care, both locally and abroad. He earned the award because of his firm beliefs in advocating for every patient.
“I’ve learned that the fights for your patients don’t end, but your voice is always well received when you fight for those who are unheard and not for yourself,” Dr. Gravatte said. “It is our responsibility to be involved because five percent of physicians shouldn’t have to carry the torch for 95 percent of them. Like those before us, we should continue to carry things forward.”
Blaze your own trail
James “Tommy” Potter Jr., M.D., FAAFP took matters into his own hands to create his path toward involvement. An MSV member since 2003, he immediately responded when he saw an e-mail asking members to apply for the MSVF Claude Moore Physician Leadership Institute to receive formal leadership training. He applied and was accepted into the 2010-2011 program.
“I decided to get involved for two reasons,” Dr. Potter said. “I got involved to educate myself further in order to lead our medical practice because I believe it is extremely important to stay up to date on the constant changes occurring in our field. The second reason is to represent Southwest Virginia. I want to do whatever I can to give our area of the state a voice as well.”
From the leadership institute, Dr. Potter says he received a number of valuable tools to assist in management and leadership. As the president of a multi-specialty group, he has learned how to deal with a variety of different situations that often arise while managing a growing medical practice.
Dr. Potter also became more involved with MSVPAC so he could stay knowledgeable on the constant changes. Like Dr. Gravatte, he currently serves as a MSVPAC director, representing district 9. Through MSVPAC, Dr. Potter learned more about the political process and how to lobby his representatives regarding issues affecting the medical profession.
“I would absolutely recommend others get involved,” Dr. Potter said. “There are so many changes occurring regarding the medical profession and the only way we can affect those changes is to be involved. The more physicians who stay on the side lines, the less input we will have.”