Collier County Medical Society (CCMS), the local professional association for physicians, is pleased to announce the installation of its 2022-2023 president and board of directors. Dr. Rebecca Smith began her one-year term as the 65th CCMS president at the Medical Society’s 2022 Annual Meeting, July 16th at Arthrex One Conference Center. Dr. Douglas Murphy, Florida Medical Association President, administered the oath of office.
Dr. Smith is interim medical director at the Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging and Rehabilitation, as well as a palliative medicine physician at the Patty Baker Outpatient Palliative Care Center and inpatient service of NCH Healthcare System. She earned her medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine and completed her residency in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Temple University Hospital. She completed a Pain Medicine fellowship at Harvard Medical School and is Board Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Hospice & Palliative Care Medicine, and Pain Medicine. She has co-authored peer-reviewed publications and teaches at St. George’s School of Medicine. She has been a member of the CCMS Board since 2017.
“We are living during challenging times. Change and uncertainty are often our new norm,” said Dr. Smith during her installation address. “What we do have with CCMS is certainty. There is certainty that we have an organization that is looking out for the needs of Collier County physicians and their patients, no matter what the challenge. Let’s continue to advocate for one another, be role models for our peers and staff, and stay strong as an organization.”
The new 2022-2023 CCMS board of directors joining Dr. Smith are: Dr. Gary Swain, Vice President; Dr. Zubin Pachori, Treasurer; Dr. George Brinnig, Secretary; Dr. Jose Baez, Officer/Director at Large; and Drs. Glenn Groat and Alexandra Grace, Directors at Large. Dr. Alejandro Perez-Trepichio remains on the board as Immediate Past President. Ex-officio board members April Donahue, CCMS Executive Director and Dr. Michael Witte, 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.
The installation event was attended by approximately 170 local physicians and community leaders. Presenting sponsors were Advocate Radiation Oncology and Solas Wealth.