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About SCMS

The Sangamon County Medical Society (SCMS) is the professional, scientific organization of medical and osteopathic physician, resident and medical student members working in Springfield and Sangamon County. We are the local affiliate of the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) and the American Medical Association (AMA).

Founded in 1899, our office is located within the newly created Illinois Medical District of Springfield, and is now the second largest county medical society in Illinois. Although membership is voluntary, SCMS members understand that quality medical care means being involved with legislative advocacy, public information and community health education and affairs. We provide physicians with connection to their peers, credibility within their own profession and with the public, and access to critical and timely information.

SCMS provides a community physician referral service for our members, educational and social opportunities, newsletters and peer review mediation. Programs are sponsored throughout the year that will enrich your experience in medicine, improve your ability to practice your art, and bring you into social contact with your colleagues.

Dedicated to helping physicians serve their patients, we are represented by two District Trustees, who serve on the Board of Trustees and by 11 Delegates and six Alternate Delegates, elected annually, who express recommendations to the legislative and policy-making Illinois State Medical Society House of Delegates.

The active participation of our members is the lifeblood of this organization. We hope you will share your energy and your ideals with us.


Sangamon County Medical Society
Cultivating the Science and Art of Medicine

"At the 1837 AMA meeting in St. Louis, members of Illinois's oldest society, the Aesculapian Medical Society of the Wabash Valley, suggested a district organization for central Illinois. The next year the District Medical Society was established to include Sangamon, Morgan and Macon counties and extended south to Vandalia. Its constitution listed objectives to improve members' knowledge and practice of medicine, elevate the profession, and ameliorate the condition of society. By 1898, the District Medical Society of Central Illinois boasted 150 members and the State Society, around 800.

In this vertical structure, the county society was the 'foundation of the whole superstructure' and doctors could not belong to the higher professional organizations without first joining a county society, through which dues were paid.

Some local physicians and surgeons craved more frequent scientific discussions and sought to improve local health conditions. The Springfield Medical Club was formed in the spring of 1894 through the support of ambitious physicians such as Dr. George N. Kreider.

Dr. Kreider along with doctors Samuel E. Munson, Lewis C. Taylor and Elmer E. Hagler formed a committee to draft a constitution and bylaws to be presented at the Club's next meeting. At the Club's November 14, 1899 meeting, over which George Kreider presided, the group voted to establish the Sangamon County Medical Society.

The 1899 constitution listed the objectives of the Society as the 'cultivation of the science and art of medicine,' interchange of professional experience, encouragement of professional skill, promotion of better medical legislation and 'cultivation of social and friendly exchanges among its members."

The Sangamon County Medical Society: Cultivating the Science and Art of Medicine 1899-2001
Kathryn Wrigley
Sangamon County Medical Society, Springfield, IL 2001

Fast forward to present time...

The Sangamon County Medical Society wants to continue the objectives of the founding physicians by the 'cultivations of the science and the art of medicine through professional and social events.

To be strong in the original objectives to improve members' knowledge and practice of medicine, elevate the profession and ameliorate the condition of society, we need physicians to join us. Get involved!


The Sangamon County Medical Society Benefits YOU!
www.scmsdocs.org

Physician Support

Annual Medical Resource Guide with the State Journal Register

Patient referral to SCMS physicians

New Medical Student Welcome Dinner

Women in Medicine Program

Medical Innovators Program with Springfield Clinic, SIU, and The Springfield Chamber of Commerce
recognizing great medical innovations and research in Sangamon County

Membership Discount Card to area businesses

Education

Category 1 CME programs for physicians and CEUs for affiliates and office staff

Quarterly Electronic Newsletter

Practice Managers Meetings - Quarterly

SCMS programs open to Alliance members

Joint meetings with Sangamon County Bar Association and G.V. Black Dental Society

Legislative Advocacy

Opportunities for Physicians, Students and Residents to shadow a Representative or Senator

Key Legislative issues affecting you and your patients

Annual Mini Internship Programs - community and business leaders
and college students shadow a SCMS Member

Community Service Networking

SCMS members provide The Doctor's Two Cents articles for a SJR Blog

Collaboration with SIU Advocacy Subcommittee, Keep Kids in School Coalition, Prairie Diabetes Alliance,
genH Anchor Partner, Rotary, and Illinois Women in Leadership

Support for local fundraising programs

Community Health Committee's diverse group discusses timely health topics:
Ebola, Hepatitis C, STDs, and vaccinations

Physician Leadership

Membership on Advisory Boards and Committees for Legislators and the Illinois
Departments of Professional Regulation, Public Health and Healthcare and Family Services

Delegates to the Illinois State Medical Society's Annual Meeting

PLEASE JOIN SCMS AND ISMS TODAY
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SCMS — 2024 Officers, Board of Directors,
ISMS Representatives

Officers

Shreepada Tripathy, MD
President

Cara Vasconcelles, MD
Past President

Eli Goodman, MD
Secretary/Treasurer


Board of Directors

Donald Graham, MD
Dhuha Raag, MD
Varun Sharma, MD
Vidya Sundareshan, MD
Zafar Quader, MD


Student Representatives

Cecily Negri
Avani Yaganti
Emilee Gibson
Allison Sweeney


2024 SCMS Foundation Board Officers and Directors

Cara Vasconcelles
President

Shreepada Tripathy
Vice President

Donald Graham
Past President

June Agamah


SCMS Staff

Ozma Rahman
Executive Director

1337 Wabash Avnue
Springfield, IL 62704
217.726.5106
217.726.5403 fax
ozma@scmsdocs.org

Margarett Williams
Program Director


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