BCMA Presidential Installation Speech
Amit Bhargava, M.D.
May 6, 2023
Good evening,
The only thing different from the event held in London earlier today and this event is the headgear.
Thank you, Jim, and Wanda for your leadership over the last few years. Thanks to Mr. Russel Kujan, Executive Director who manages Baltimore County Medical Association so fluently and makes it look effortless with all the hard work and Ms. Kana R. Neibert, Administrative Coordinator who joined us recently has done a wonderful job.
I would like to welcome some of our distinguished guests: Dr York and Mrs. Maureen Carr, Dr. Ranasinghe, Dr. Camellus Ezeugwu and Mrs. Sirlyne Ezeugwu, Mr. Leo Thuman, and Mr. Gene Ransom.
I would also like to thank our sponsors Medmutual and Unity Insurance for their support.
I am deeply honored, humbled, and incredibly excited to be standing here before you tonight. I have greatly benefited from Medchi and BCMA, it is an honor to be given this opportunity to serve on the amazing platform and I look forward to continuing to cultivate the mission and work these organizations are invested in.
I joined the organization to be more fully aware of all the changes being made in the medical field and so that I can make a positive contribution to the work being done. To quote our colleague Dr. Gary Pushkin: “If you do not have a seat at the dinner table, you may be on the dinner menu.”
Over the years I have worked with different organizations and played many sports, the most valuable skill I learned from those experiences … was partnership. I’m so fortunate to work with such a committed Board that truly walks the talk and plays key roles in advancing BCMA. Having such a stalwart team is a luxury. I look forward to working with you and other members of the Executive committee and the Board in the year to come. I would like to thank everyone on the Board and our delegates and alternates.
Family and Friends
The Eagle’s nest location we are at tonight brings me fond memories as I have played golf here and our Maryland Cricket Club’s field is next door. This is a beautiful place.
I want to also personally identify some of the others guests here this evening, all of whom are very important to me. Firstly, my mother Mrs. Saroj Bhargava who is visiting from India, she is a great source of guidance, support, and encouragement.
My cousin Mr. Shailo Bhargava and Mrs. Yvonne Bhargava along with their daughter Deepika and her husband Mr. Jeffery Agnew, who are all beautiful and successful people who love me unconditionally.
My dear friends Dr. Smita and Mr. Nitin Vazarkar. They are close friends of mine living in the Baltimore area. Dr. Smita Vazarkar and I are from the same medical class in India and now she works at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Thank you all of you, for always supporting me.
A few words about our organization
As a medical Association we have been working together for patients to help give greater access to medical care including expanding telemedicine, ensuring a more timely delivery of health care services, supporting advancements in the use of medical marijuana, and recognizing the importance of comprehensive behavioral health treatment.
We will continue to center actions that promote diversity, equity and inclusivity.
More recently we are working on fixing prior authorization, scope of practice, reducing physician burnout, recognizing mental health challenges, continuing to promote telehealth.
I also want to take a moment to point out that the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) is set to expire on May 11, 2023. Dr. Laura Herrera Scott, Maryland Secretary of Health, informed us at the MedChi House of Delegates last weekend that Marylanders who were enrolled in Medicaid will no longer continue to be covered if they are not eligible, as they were during COVID. These changes to Medicaid coverage will affect patient care and physicians. We need to make sure patient access to care is not lost.
Finally, I will continue to communicate with our delegates and senators and keep them informed of how all of these issues are affecting patients and physicians.
As chair of the CME committee, we aim to hold interesting and engaging events. We are holding a virtual CME on negotiating physician contracts later this month. CME encourages physicians to get together and is a way of providing education and increasing membership. I look forward to creating more programming that interests all physicians.
Again, thank you all so much, for giving me this opportunity, your time and support. I look forward to working with each of you over the coming year. I hope to enjoy, have fun and learn a great deal while performing my duties.
Thank you. Please enjoy the rest of our evening.
There is Music and Dancing
I’m looking forward to some Happy Feet!
Invocation
Allow me to give a blessing before we enjoy our food and company.
Accept our thanks for this day and all its blessings. Guide and direct our medical association, its leaders and our actions. Grant that each of us may feel our responsibility to our patients, our community and to our state. Bless our fellowship today and bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies.
