March 2024

March Ushers in Change

from the Executive Committee of the

Denver Medical Society Board of Directors

Mission: As a professional organization for physicians, 

we support and promote the science and art of medicine; strive to maintain and improve the health of the people of Denver; and provide a common voice for the medical profession.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, members of the Denver Medical Society Board of Directors have been carefully evaluating how the pandemic has affected organized medicine, physicians, and finances. In order to maintain and grow resources for the future, we strategically assessed our value to DMS members. This evaluation process began under the leadership of several visionaries, including Dr. Alan Kimura, Dr. Naomi Fieman, and Dr. Michael Moore. 

Many of you have seen the Denver Medical Society property at 1850 Williams Street in central Denver. The costs of maintaining this aging structure built in 1948 became a concern for the organization. The increased taxes, the repairs, and the upkeep exceeded the value to the organization post-pandemic. 

DMS Board of Directors spent hundreds of hours in discussion and analysis with experts in the fields of law, local government, accounting, tax, finance, real estate, nonprofit leadership. We performed extensive due diligence with the intent to leave the organization in solid financial shape for the next generation of Denver metropolitan area physicians. 

Given the brand value of property ownership, we carefully weighed the options of renting versus selling the property. Ultimately, the Board of Directors were tasked with the difficult decision to sell the previous hub of Denver Medical Society. The decision was unanimous after the Denver Medical Society Finance Committee rigorously evaluated the bid and process in accordance with the mission and values of the Society. 

We obtained a fair price, and have invested the proceeds in a long term growth fund to ensure the longevity of the Society and its commitment to provide increased value for our members in perpetuity. We anticipate the value proposition for our members will increase starting this year. 

Your continued Denver Medical Society membership is very important to us! 

Michael Moore, MD, Chair,

Carol Stamm, MD, President,

Kelly McAleese, MD President-Elect, and 

Elizabeth Lowdermilk, MDN Treasurer

Letter from the President,

Carol Stamm, MD

Greetings everyone! 

Archival Help Needed

In preparing the house for sale, we explored the basement and uncovered many dusty DMS ledgers and records. Now we seek to form a group of interested physicians to help edit the Denver Medical Society’s Wikipedia pages and sort through these documents before we donate them. So, writers, historians, project organizers, interested students, please contact us. We know there is a lot of expertise in this community. We hope you will volunteer to accurately portray our society’s history and culture for posterity. There could be a history of medicine presentation and publication in this collection. Send an email to vcastleberry@denvermedsociety.org by June 15, 2024, to join the interest group or mail your interest and potential plans to her at the Denver Medical Society, 7351 E. Lowry Boulevard, Suite #110, Denver, CO 80230.

One of Our Proud Newsletter Sponsors:

Networking at the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs (SoPE), our February 2024 gathering for Next Chapter Physicians.

Are you a physician who is "next chapter" curious?

Do you have an idea for a medical device and want to learn how to do a "side hustle?" Want to press "pause" on practicing and discuss it with other physicians outside your circle? Did you retire and are you looking for volunteer, social, or mentoring opportunities? You can be at any point in your medical career and be "next chapter" curious. Let's meet for happy hour together at 6pm, Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Esters Virginia Village 1950 S Holly St, Denver, CO 80222. RSVP so we have a headcount to info@denvermedsociety.org.

¿DOCTORES, USTEDES HABLAN ESPAñOL?

DISCOUNTED SPANISH CLASSES -

SIGN UP RÁPIDAMENTE!

Zoom in with CHAMPS and Rios Associates for member-discounted Medical Spanish classes:

• 2-day and 4-day Online
• Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
• Behavioral Health Provider-specific

CLASSES ARE ALMOST FULL, but CHAMPS is saving a block of classes for DMS members only.

The mission of the Community Health Association of Mountain/Plains States (CHAMPS) is to provide opportunities for education and training, networking, and workforce development so that Region VIII (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming) Community Health Centers can better serve their patients and communities.

EARLY CAREER PHYSICIANS - WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Physicians in their first years of practice bring invaluable skills, innovation, and energy to medicine.

We want to highlight your experiences, your ideas, your concerns, and the challenges you face. Reach out to Ginny Castleberry, DMS Executive Director vcastleberry@denvermedsociety.org if you are interested or want to recommend a physician we should contact. Thank you!

Speaking of Early Career

Physicians ...

Three Questions for Kamleh Shaban, MD:

• If you hadn’t have become a vascular surgeon, what would you be doing? I would love to be on one of those traveling shows where I entertain others with my shenanigans, strange decisions, and trying local foods. I think people would really enjoy going along on my journeys and wonder how I'm still alive. 
• What magical fix to the house of medicine would make the most difference? We need a system that focuses on true whole person, person centric, preventative care. We should be teaching children from a young age how to eat, sleep, exercise, and care for themselves. We should focus on policies that allowed for clean water, clean air, food security, and housing. These policies are so connected to the health of our patients, and would prevent so much illness. If we truly had health care instead of illness focused care, we would make a lasting difference in the lives of our patients.
• What destination is next on your bucket list? I am blessed to be going to Costa Rica this fall with my family! 

Dr Kamleh Shaban, MD, is a board certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist with a private practice called Saha Psychiatry ("saha" means "health" in Arabic). She provides holistic support for patients involving a combination of medication management, therapy, nutrition, and behavioral interventions. By understanding the intricate connection between mental, physical, and emotional welllbeing, Dr. Shaban is able to help patients who have struggled to find relief from their symptoms. Website: https://www.sahapsychiatry.com/

From Our Friends at:

Did you know that BRAIN INJURY is the LEADING CAUSE OF DISABILITY AND DEATH in the U.S. in CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS?

Did you know that MARCH is BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH?

THE DMS BULLETIN

MULTIMEDIA COLUMN

Read anything interesting or thought provoking recently? Seen a good movie? Heard an excellent podcast? Want to share your thoughts with your colleagues? Please reach out if you’d like to submit a book/film/podcast review to this newsletter.

This month's review: The Right Call: What Sports Teach Us about Work and Life by Sally Jensen

Reviewed by Carol Stamm, MD:

“Can I feel your hands?” the author asked Steph Curry.

That is the hook with which Washington Post sportswriter Sally Jensen snared me. Intrigued by that line, although not a sports enthusiast, I purchased The Right Call: What Sports Teach us about Work and Life. What did I find?  Skilled professional athletes honestly scrutinize their performance to refine their skills.  Ms. Jensen shared their strategies for achieving a personal best, strategic practicing, building a team, maintaining a team, and improving team quality examined through examples of well-known sports triumphs and failures. (No, I don’t get a percentage of sales!) She revealed that Steph Curry has callouses from repetitive ball handling, which was unexpected for both her and me. Two excellent strategies with a local connection struck me.  

DMS and other component society physicians on the Denver Capitol steps on

Feb 21, 2024, to support Prior Auth reform. It worked! Click below to learn more.

Get ENERGIZED

to support Colorado physicians on advocacy that impacts YOU directly:

• "Biggest threat to CO physicians in 30 years," liability caps and professional review are under attack
• Prior Auth reform passes a hurdle
• Medicaid RAC issue resolved

Want to know more about any of these? Click Here (hit reload). Want to help us advocate for you? Email info@denvermedsociety.org and we'll tell you how.

This is a unique moment in time for Denver Health. In this intimate and interactive program, Donna Lynne will speak to:



• Denver Health’s special history as Colorado’s only safety net hospital
• Denver Health’s role today – the “who,” “what” and “how.” Hint: Denver Health serves patients from 62 out of 64 Colorado counties
• the special case of newcomers seeking asylum, primarily from Venezuela
• burnout and labor shortages
• the roadmap going forward to ensure Denver Health’s fiscal viability
• a new education campaign that seeks to bolster public awareness and support for Denver Health

Link here: DEA Diversion Field Office Contact Info Search