Why Public Health Is Every Physician’s Work
Kathryn Kelly, M.D.
Co-Chair, MCMS Public Health Committee
As a part of the Montgomery County Medical Society Strategic Plan from 2025, the Public Health Committee was established and focused on creating opportunities for physicians and education around current public health policies, needs, and challenges. Currently, Dr. Isha Misra and I have the privilege to serve as co-chairs of the committee. I am also honored to participate as the MCMS representative to the Montgomery Cares Advisory Board, where I serve as the Board Chair, advocating for the priorities of the programs that serve some of the most vulnerable populations in our County.
My experience as contractor for the County's Healthcare for the Homeless Primary Care and Homeless Medical Respite contracts offers me a unique perspective into the current public health dynamic and allows me to help MCMS build a committee and Public Health Approach for the future. However, the impact of current circumstances is not isolated to the most vulnerable. In my private practice, the weight of vaccine misinformation, access to quality health care, lack of affordable health insurance, and systemic racism is leading to a physically and mentally unhealthy population.
Additionally, I have had the opportunity to participate in the Access to Care Workgroup, the Medicaid Workgroup, and Troika. All of these touch points have allowed me to better counsel the MCMS team on public health issues and make connections with organizations like the Primary Care Coalition (PCC) to bring information to the membership on public health opportunities for collaboration through volunteerism and participation in county programs for specialty care coverage.
We are very fortunate in Montgomery County to have physician leadership in the county through Dr. Kisha Davis, the Montgomery County Health Officer. Dr. Davis is a strong, unwavering voice for physicians and for the public good while actively engaging with MCMS. In a time of national chaos on public health issues, she is a steady voice of compassion and reason, as well as information on topics that are important to the practice of medicine in Montgomery County.
My hope is that each of you will take the coming charge to be a part of Public Health Committee events and discussions or to join the committee to help us reach our goals of engagement and impact in our community. The benefits of membership in MCMS must be paralleled with our obligation to uplift and protect the patients we care for through public health initiatives. I encourage you to get involved how you can TODAY!
