Collier County Medical Society (CCMS), the local professional association for physicians, is pleased to announce the installation of its 2020-2021 president and board of directors.
Dr. Rebekah Bernard began her one-year term as the 63rd CCMS president at the Medical Society’s 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting, July 25th. Dr. Bernard is a Family Physician in a private Direct Primary Care practice. A Florida native, Dr. Bernard grew up in Clewiston, received her undergraduate degree at the University of Florida, and obtained her MD from the University of Miami. She completed her residency at Florida Hospital in Orlando, and served for 6 years in Immokalee as a National Health Service Corps Scholar. Dr. Bernard authored How to Be A Rock Star Doctor and writes a monthly blog for the Medical Economics website. She is also a national speaker on the topic of Physician Wellness and practice management.
“I am honored and humbled to accept the position of president” said Dr. Bernard. “As the community sees the medical society stepping up in our role as scientific experts, we are being increasingly looked to for a voice of authority, reason, and solace. During these difficult times, it is more important than ever that physicians come together to provide each other the support and camaraderie that we all desperately need.”
The new 2020-2021 CCMS board of directors joining Dr. Bernard are: Dr. Alejandro Perez-Trepichio, Vice President; Dr. Rebecca Smith, Treasurer; Dr. Gary Swain, Secretary; Dr. George Brinnig, Officer/Director at Large; and Drs. Zubin Pachori and Jose Baez, Directors at Large. Dr. David Wilkinson remains on the board as Immediate Past President. Ex-officio board members include April Donahue, CCMS Executive Director; Amy Howard and Jamie Weaver, DPM, CCMS Alliance Co-Presidents; and Dr. Michael Slater, Resident Physician Representative. The board members will lead CCMS in the mission to serve the needs of its physician members, so they can better serve the needs of the community.