A Word from our President
Daniel F. Rychlik, MD
“Challenges are what makes life interesting;
overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.”
-Joshua J. Marine
As we welcome in the fifty-second year of the Phoenix OBGYN Society, we continue to face challenges that are somewhat reflective of the current world in which we live.
At a macro-level, these are perplexing, if not troubling. We live in a world greatly influenced by instant news, where events are brought to us in ways unlike ever before and knee-jerk reaction is the norm whether accurate or not.
We live in a nation struggling to regain its footing economically, while seeking a more harmonious society. We live in state beset with problems, both trickled-down and self-inflicted. Many of these things we cannot control, per se. However, we can influence and control, in many ways, our micro-world.
In our personal lives, we seek to nurture ourselves and our family, to develop friendships, to be good citizens, and to have an enjoyable and fulfilling life. In our working lives, especially as physicians, we strive to deliver exemplary service and to a make a difference in the lives of our patients. And we seek collegial relationships through associations that offer a conduit to professional growth and development.
Although we’ve all traveled different roads, the one constant on our map is change. Whether we’ve had to modify simple plans, or radically adapt to circumstances, we’ve all been there. It is human nature to find a comfort zone and want to stay there. In reality, however, we’ve all learned to adapt to change because we recognize that flexibility is necessary to our being.
Our Society’s first president, Dr. Ray Jennett, was a true leader in our field. He was a founding member of the Phoenix OBGYN society in 1959; he was a founding member of ACOG; and he established the residency training program in OBGYN in Arizona. He and his colleagues were visionaries, and much of what they established stands today.
From what I’ve come to learn, Dr. Jennett was a great man, and a humble man. Surely, he would acknowledge that these wonderful accomplishments could not have been achieved without the efforts and support of his colleagues, nor would they have been as meaningful. This is fundamental to most societies: to serve a collective purpose reaching farther and wider than any one individual possibly can.
Today, perhaps more than ever, we need to unite our colleagues and embrace change and innovation to strengthen our Society. The COMFORT ZONE OF THE PAST is giving way to A NEW COMFORT ZONE reflective of new times, new technology, and new opportuntity.
To understand our future, I’d like to review, in the context of this past year, the objectives of the Society as represented in Article II of the Constitution and By-Laws.
The purpose of the Society shall be:
1. To improve the practice and advance the cause of Obstetrics and Gynecology as a specialty.
2. To stimulate interest in the scientific and clinical aspects of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
These objectives are, and will remain, central to the Society. Over the past years, we have had the privilege to host many excellent local and nationally acclaimed speakers, who’ve imparted their expertise, -- perspectives, -- and goodwill to an audience eager to use what they have just learned.
Oftentimes, these events were underwritten by Pharma sponsors, whose support was welcomed because without it, we’d be reliant only upon a treasury comprised of membership dues, which, unfortunately, would leave us with limited options.
Upon taking office as society President last year, Dr. Hibner remarked: “This new season presents us with big challenges.- The changing economy has left drug companies with less funds to sponsor medical events, and new Pharma codes have changed the way those companies are allowed to spend their money. For this New Year, we have significantly less money, which made us very cautious in planning this year's events.”
His forecast was right-on. Not discouraged, however, Dr. Hibner and the executive leadership executed a change-order, and delivered a new and innovative agenda that would allow the Society to hold true to these two by-law objectives.
This past year, our lectures covered a range of topics. On occasion, we did have to change a presentation at the last minute due to circumstances beyond our control. None-the-less, I think we delivered a very good agenda.
I’d like to take a moment to address the reformatted Spring Meeting. I respect and appreciate the history and legacy of the Mid-Winter Symposium. Having attended each year since arriving in the valley in 2003, I thought it was always well organized, with excellent speakers, and held at outstanding venues. Despite this, however, there has been a steady decline in attendance. One reason given by physicians was their time constraints and attending for three days became prohibitive.
This year, we introduced a new approach, one that was in-line with the educational objectives of the Mid-Winter Symposium, however, with an added social event aimed at bringing members and sponsors together in a way we’ve not tried before. Instead of 3 full-days, we made the meeting 2 half-days.
On Friday, we had the honor of two distinguished presenters: Dr. Matthew Peterson & Dr. Paul McDonough. The afternoon start was well received because it gave members a chance to wrap-up their week,--and enjoy the lectures and events without encumbrances.
On Saturday, we had the first annual Golf Outing. This, too, was well received. This event had several caveats:
First, golfing experience was not a requisite. As a matter of fact, the “non-golfers” had great fun, especially since this was a team format. Trust me, my nickname, “Hack”, was heard on a few occasions!
Secondly, an academic feature was provided by the residents who interacted with the participants by asking medical questions.
Thirdly, we followed a round of golf with a luncheon lecture by another distinguished presenter, Dr. Arthur Herbst.
Last, but not least, this was great chance to relax and spend a few hours with colleagues and friends, and to make new friends and forge new relationships. This, too, is an objective of the Society, especially in these times where we rarely allow ourselves social contact with our colleagues. The end of the Spring Meeting really marked a new beginning – a change in response to economic circumstances and the needs of our members. I am declaring next year’s Spring Meeting: “The Can’t Miss Event of 2010” and I anticipate a great turnout.
The purpose of the Society shall be:
3. To maintain and promote continued friendship and goodwill among the members.
A social component is important, in many ways, to the success of our Society. Our meetings provide more than a fresh learning experience; they also provide a chance to say hello to colleagues, meet new people and renew old relationships.
This year, we introduced a new venue, Maggianos, for two reasons – affordability and accessibility. They have great food for a good price, an excellent ambiance, and close proximity to the freeway. Dr. Hibner and I have received very positive feedback about this change. We are committed to Maggiano’s for this coming year, but recognize there may be opportunities to refresh the venue in the future.
The purpose of the Society shall be:
4. To formulate standards and principles for the practice of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Phoenix and in Maricopa County.
This is an area that we need to address on a formal basis. There have been many contributions from individuals and from organizations such as Arizona ACOG. But our Society, too, can find ways to contribute as a voice of OBGYN in Phoenix and Maricopa County.
For this coming year, I’d like to set-out the following goals:
1. Change the By-Laws to reflect the vision of the Society in these current times. Vice-president, Dr. Matthew Moore will spearhead this effort and form a committee with other officers to review the by-laws and recommend changes.
2. Have OBGYN residents make presentations relating to their research, at our meetings. We are all mentors and it is paramount that we influence, in some way, the development of our residents.
3. Embrace internet social networking. We’ll be looking to link to our members via social network mediums such as facebook, or twitter, or blogs. This will create opportunities for the Society to be a conduit for information --and provide a place for interaction between members. Dr. Marotz has opened my eyes to the value and usefulness of this in our world. -Thank you, Bob.
4. Increase membership. Now is the time to “sound the trumpet” and recruit our partners and colleagues, who are not members, to join the society. Membership affords: eight educational meetings a year; opportunities to support our OBGYN residents; a spring educational and social event; and “esprit de corps” and collegiality amongst peers.
Phoenix is the 5th largest city and the largest capital city in the US. We have over 450 OBGYN physicians and OBGYN residents in the county. For 2010-2011 - let’s set 100% participation as our goal. We CAN make it happen.
In closing, I’d like to say thank you to Dr. Hibner for a great year. It was a pleasure working with you and the executive leadership team. You have great energy and vision, and are an outstanding steward of the Society. I’d also like to say thank you to Kelly Pile, our executive director. Kelly has been a part of this program for many years and her efforts are very important to our success.
This is in some ways a watershed period for the Society, a time to refresh, to redefine our comfort zone through necessary change and innovation. Let us embrace the challenge and emerge stronger, more vibrant, and more resolute in making the Phoenix OBGYN Society a signature association amongst our peers in the nation.
Daniel F. Rychlik, MD
President, 2010-2011
Phoenix OB/GYN Society
May 20, 2010
overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.”
-Joshua J. Marine
As we welcome in the fifty-second year of the Phoenix OBGYN Society, we continue to face challenges that are somewhat reflective of the current world in which we live.
At a macro-level, these are perplexing, if not troubling. We live in a world greatly influenced by instant news, where events are brought to us in ways unlike ever before and knee-jerk reaction is the norm whether accurate or not.
We live in a nation struggling to regain its footing economically, while seeking a more harmonious society. We live in state beset with problems, both trickled-down and self-inflicted. Many of these things we cannot control, per se. However, we can influence and control, in many ways, our micro-world.
In our personal lives, we seek to nurture ourselves and our family, to develop friendships, to be good citizens, and to have an enjoyable and fulfilling life. In our working lives, especially as physicians, we strive to deliver exemplary service and to a make a difference in the lives of our patients. And we seek collegial relationships through associations that offer a conduit to professional growth and development.
Although we’ve all traveled different roads, the one constant on our map is change. Whether we’ve had to modify simple plans, or radically adapt to circumstances, we’ve all been there. It is human nature to find a comfort zone and want to stay there. In reality, however, we’ve all learned to adapt to change because we recognize that flexibility is necessary to our being.
Our Society’s first president, Dr. Ray Jennett, was a true leader in our field. He was a founding member of the Phoenix OBGYN society in 1959; he was a founding member of ACOG; and he established the residency training program in OBGYN in Arizona. He and his colleagues were visionaries, and much of what they established stands today.
From what I’ve come to learn, Dr. Jennett was a great man, and a humble man. Surely, he would acknowledge that these wonderful accomplishments could not have been achieved without the efforts and support of his colleagues, nor would they have been as meaningful. This is fundamental to most societies: to serve a collective purpose reaching farther and wider than any one individual possibly can.
Today, perhaps more than ever, we need to unite our colleagues and embrace change and innovation to strengthen our Society. The COMFORT ZONE OF THE PAST is giving way to A NEW COMFORT ZONE reflective of new times, new technology, and new opportuntity.
To understand our future, I’d like to review, in the context of this past year, the objectives of the Society as represented in Article II of the Constitution and By-Laws.
The purpose of the Society shall be:
1. To improve the practice and advance the cause of Obstetrics and Gynecology as a specialty.
2. To stimulate interest in the scientific and clinical aspects of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
These objectives are, and will remain, central to the Society. Over the past years, we have had the privilege to host many excellent local and nationally acclaimed speakers, who’ve imparted their expertise, -- perspectives, -- and goodwill to an audience eager to use what they have just learned.
Oftentimes, these events were underwritten by Pharma sponsors, whose support was welcomed because without it, we’d be reliant only upon a treasury comprised of membership dues, which, unfortunately, would leave us with limited options.
Upon taking office as society President last year, Dr. Hibner remarked: “This new season presents us with big challenges.- The changing economy has left drug companies with less funds to sponsor medical events, and new Pharma codes have changed the way those companies are allowed to spend their money. For this New Year, we have significantly less money, which made us very cautious in planning this year's events.”
His forecast was right-on. Not discouraged, however, Dr. Hibner and the executive leadership executed a change-order, and delivered a new and innovative agenda that would allow the Society to hold true to these two by-law objectives.
This past year, our lectures covered a range of topics. On occasion, we did have to change a presentation at the last minute due to circumstances beyond our control. None-the-less, I think we delivered a very good agenda.
I’d like to take a moment to address the reformatted Spring Meeting. I respect and appreciate the history and legacy of the Mid-Winter Symposium. Having attended each year since arriving in the valley in 2003, I thought it was always well organized, with excellent speakers, and held at outstanding venues. Despite this, however, there has been a steady decline in attendance. One reason given by physicians was their time constraints and attending for three days became prohibitive.
This year, we introduced a new approach, one that was in-line with the educational objectives of the Mid-Winter Symposium, however, with an added social event aimed at bringing members and sponsors together in a way we’ve not tried before. Instead of 3 full-days, we made the meeting 2 half-days.
On Friday, we had the honor of two distinguished presenters: Dr. Matthew Peterson & Dr. Paul McDonough. The afternoon start was well received because it gave members a chance to wrap-up their week,--and enjoy the lectures and events without encumbrances.
On Saturday, we had the first annual Golf Outing. This, too, was well received. This event had several caveats:
First, golfing experience was not a requisite. As a matter of fact, the “non-golfers” had great fun, especially since this was a team format. Trust me, my nickname, “Hack”, was heard on a few occasions!
Secondly, an academic feature was provided by the residents who interacted with the participants by asking medical questions.
Thirdly, we followed a round of golf with a luncheon lecture by another distinguished presenter, Dr. Arthur Herbst.
Last, but not least, this was great chance to relax and spend a few hours with colleagues and friends, and to make new friends and forge new relationships. This, too, is an objective of the Society, especially in these times where we rarely allow ourselves social contact with our colleagues. The end of the Spring Meeting really marked a new beginning – a change in response to economic circumstances and the needs of our members. I am declaring next year’s Spring Meeting: “The Can’t Miss Event of 2010” and I anticipate a great turnout.
The purpose of the Society shall be:
3. To maintain and promote continued friendship and goodwill among the members.
A social component is important, in many ways, to the success of our Society. Our meetings provide more than a fresh learning experience; they also provide a chance to say hello to colleagues, meet new people and renew old relationships.
This year, we introduced a new venue, Maggianos, for two reasons – affordability and accessibility. They have great food for a good price, an excellent ambiance, and close proximity to the freeway. Dr. Hibner and I have received very positive feedback about this change. We are committed to Maggiano’s for this coming year, but recognize there may be opportunities to refresh the venue in the future.
The purpose of the Society shall be:
4. To formulate standards and principles for the practice of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Phoenix and in Maricopa County.
This is an area that we need to address on a formal basis. There have been many contributions from individuals and from organizations such as Arizona ACOG. But our Society, too, can find ways to contribute as a voice of OBGYN in Phoenix and Maricopa County.
For this coming year, I’d like to set-out the following goals:
1. Change the By-Laws to reflect the vision of the Society in these current times. Vice-president, Dr. Matthew Moore will spearhead this effort and form a committee with other officers to review the by-laws and recommend changes.
2. Have OBGYN residents make presentations relating to their research, at our meetings. We are all mentors and it is paramount that we influence, in some way, the development of our residents.
3. Embrace internet social networking. We’ll be looking to link to our members via social network mediums such as facebook, or twitter, or blogs. This will create opportunities for the Society to be a conduit for information --and provide a place for interaction between members. Dr. Marotz has opened my eyes to the value and usefulness of this in our world. -Thank you, Bob.
4. Increase membership. Now is the time to “sound the trumpet” and recruit our partners and colleagues, who are not members, to join the society. Membership affords: eight educational meetings a year; opportunities to support our OBGYN residents; a spring educational and social event; and “esprit de corps” and collegiality amongst peers.
Phoenix is the 5th largest city and the largest capital city in the US. We have over 450 OBGYN physicians and OBGYN residents in the county. For 2010-2011 - let’s set 100% participation as our goal. We CAN make it happen.
In closing, I’d like to say thank you to Dr. Hibner for a great year. It was a pleasure working with you and the executive leadership team. You have great energy and vision, and are an outstanding steward of the Society. I’d also like to say thank you to Kelly Pile, our executive director. Kelly has been a part of this program for many years and her efforts are very important to our success.
This is in some ways a watershed period for the Society, a time to refresh, to redefine our comfort zone through necessary change and innovation. Let us embrace the challenge and emerge stronger, more vibrant, and more resolute in making the Phoenix OBGYN Society a signature association amongst our peers in the nation.
Daniel F. Rychlik, MD
President, 2010-2011
Phoenix OB/GYN Society
May 20, 2010
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