Written by kate@dcmsdocs.org on . Posted in Uncategorised
The Board of Directors debated the future of the medical society at the Annual Meeting on Wednesday, October 8th. After much discussion, the Board unanimously agreed to dissolve the DuPage County Medical Society by December 31, 2025, and to explore options for DuPage County physicians to continue the DCMS legacy of representation, advocacy, and collaboration on a voluntary basis.
Despite many years of significant effort, the Society could not reverse the downward membership trend. The Board determined that the best use of time and resources was to focus on other organizations such as the Illinois State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and specialty societies. At this critical time, organized medicine is needed now more than ever.
Founded in 1918, the DuPage County Medical Society provided support, knowledge, education, and public health advocacy for local physicians and their patients. Those needs are met now through other means.
Members can be justifiably proud of our Society's many accomplishments. Your involvement has made a meaningful impact in DuPage County, Illinois, and nationally.
Thank you for your membership! We encourage you to stay involved with organized medicine by engaging with the Illinois State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, or your specialty societies to continue advocating for our profession and community.
Written by kate@dcmsdocs.org on . Posted in Uncategorised
The DuPage County Health Department hosted the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Crisis Recovery Center (CRC). DuPage County officials, state representatives, mayors in DuPage County, and first responders were in attendance.
Deb Conroy, DuPage County Board Chair, remarked that this was “a great day in DuPage County.” She emphasized that the new CRC creates the gold standard for mental health “in our own backyard.”
The CRC is meant to provide an alternative to jails and emergency rooms for people in crisis, either for mental health or substance use. The mental health unit provides crisis care for youth aged 5-17 and adults aged 18 and older. Although clients can stay up to 24 hours, CRC staff expect that most won’t stay that long. At the time of intake, staff will work with clients to determine the next steps in their care.
In addition to mental health services, the CRC also boasts a substance use unit. Instead of taking individuals under the influence to the emergency room, they will instead be treated at the Crisis Recovery Center for up to seven days. As Stephen Holtsford, the Health Department's Substance Use Medical Director, said, “This is a win for the community and a win for emergency rooms.”
"The opening of the DuPage County's Crisis Recovery Center (CRC) later this month will be a historic event! Members of the planning team researched the few similar places which exist around the country - determined to build a facility which would be second to none. We have achieved that goal! It is beautiful, spacious, welcoming, and safe. Our CRC will be open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to care for children and adults with mental health and/or substance use crises. DuPage County's CRC will be the model for any other counties or hospital systems who have the heart to give hope to patients with such desperate needs," said Lanny Wilson, MD, Vice-President of the Board of Health and DCMS member.
Written by kate@dcmsdocs.org on . Posted in Uncategorised
The DuPage Medical Society Foundation Board of Trustees announces the awarding of twenty-five student scholarships for 2025.
Venkatsai “Shri” Bellala, Aurora, has been named the recipient of the prestigious James P. Campbell, MD, Memorial Scholarship for 2025. Shri holds an undergraduate degree in engineering and turned to medicine after dealing with his own chronic medical condition. He aims to combine his experiences in biomedical engineering with his medical training.
In his application, he wrote, "My pursuit of an MD is rooted in a deep commitment to integrating scientific exploration with compassionate medical care. As I continue my medical education, I will focus on honing my clinical skills and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams of clinicians and engineers to bring innovative breakthroughs to the bedside."
The James P. Campbell, MD, Memorial Scholarship was established in 1998 to honor the memory of a distinguished physician from DuPage County who dedicated 60 years to both medicine and advocacy for organized medicine. He served the DuPage County Medical Society (DCMS) and other branches of organized medicine in several capacities, most notably as the Society’s secretary-treasurer for 29 years. Recipients of the James P. Campbell, MD, Memorial Scholarship must demonstrate an outstanding academic background and exceptional potential for a future in medicine.
Sareena Shah, Bartlett, has been awarded the 2025 William B. Frymark, Sr., MD, Honorary Scholarship. Sareena is in the final year of a challenging six-year BA/MD program at the University of Missouri Kansas-City. She has served on the executive boards of several campus organizations, including the Anesthesiology Interest Group, her chosen specialty, Roo’s on Call (a volunteering group), and Kansas City Miracle Makers, a group that hosts an annual dance marathon for various charities.
Sareena stated, "I have a strong desire to continue using my role as a future physician to improve the communities around me. My work with nonprofit organizations has been particularly informative in helping me recognize that being a physician is a tremendous responsibility with the potential to do significant good."
The William B. Frymark, Sr., MD, Honorary Scholarship honors one of the Foundation’s founders, who was a dedicated supporter and steward of the organization for over half a century. Dr. Frymark served multiple terms as a trustee and president of the Foundation’s Board and held various leadership positions with the DuPage County Medical Society. Recipients of this scholarship are expected to demonstrate superior academic ability, a commitment to service, and significant potential as healthcare providers.
The other recipients of the DuPage County Medical Society Foundation’s 2025 scholarships are as follows:
Subul Ahmad, Aurora - Medicine Rushika Amin, Hanover Park - Osteopathic Medicine Kavya Anjur, Aurora - Medicine Avian Askew, Naperville - Nursing Brooke Bonta, Roselle - Osteopathic Medicine Jaladhija Chalichama, Aurora - Medicine Katy Flannery, Westmont - Osteopathic Medicine Lashawnda Floyd, Addison - Nursing Melissa Gibson, Glen Ellyn - Medicine Christina Harvey, Wheaton - Speech-Language Pathology Annaliesa Herbst, West Chicago - Nursing Baasit Jamal, Aurora - Medicine Susan Jeon, Lombard - Medicine Yanal Kawaleet, Lombard - Medicine Behrad Khamissi, Winfield - Dentistry Robert Luca, Burr Ridge - Medicine Mira Malavia, Aurora - Medicine Hamid Mohiuddin, Lombard - Medicine Jacquelyn Nguyen, Carol Stream - Medicine Natalia Nikolic, Oak Brook - Osteopathic Medicine Julie Paska, Roselle - Medicine/Master of Public Health Vir Patel, Woodridge - Medicine Ann Seward, Wheaton - Nursing
“Once again, we had an outstanding group of student applicants,” said Foundation president Lanny F. Wilson, MD. “In honoring our generous donors, the Foundation takes the evaluation of each candidate seriously based on both need and merit. In this way, we aim to manage our philanthropic resources wisely as we support future health professionals and the care of health in America.”
Each year, the DuPage Medical Society Foundation awards local students 100 percent of the funds received from contributors. With this year’s grants included, the Foundation has awarded over $546,050 in student scholarships.
