Sedgwick County’s medical community stepped up during pandemic | Commentary

I have the honor this month of beginning my term as president of the Medical Society of Sedgwick County. It is a privilege to lead this nearly 120-year-old organization and work with so many caring and outstanding physicians.

I’ve long been proud of MSSC and our medical community. That is especially the case these past two years, as health care workers stepped up to care for our community in a time of extraordinary need.

All physicians and health care workers have been impacted and challenged by COVID-19. But those who work in the hospitals have truly been on the front lines, dealing with multiple waves of patients and new virus variants.

Ascension Via Christi, Wesley Healthcare and their staff members have consistently provided heroic work under great pressure. They reorganized their operations to care for more COVID patients. For most of this past fall and winter, the hospitals’ capacity levels have been “critical,” yet they continue, day after day, to provide a high level of care.

I also want to recognize the many physicians who work in and with the hospitals in Sedgwick County. These hospitalists, emergency room doctors, critical care physicians, pulmonologists, cardiologists, infectious disease doctors, nephrologists and others put their own health at risk to care for our community. They have been there, and continue to be there, when our community needs them most.

I’m proud to acknowledge the work of Dr. Garold Minns, Sedgwick County’s public health officer, and other public health staff. Dr. Minns has faithfully served our community with integrity and humility, trying to balance public health threats with economic concerns.

I also appreciate all the Medical Society’s work during the pandemic, much of which has been behind the scenes. In the early months of the pandemic, MSSC arranged for COVID testing of medical personnel and helped provide them with personal protective equipment. It helped organize and promote vaccination efforts. It provided physicians with a list of resources for mental health support during this immensely trying time. Recently, it has been working on ways to increase the number of Black physicians in Wichita as a way to help reduce some of the health disparities magnified by COVID.

It is difficult to predict what this new year will bring, given the many ups and downs of 2021 and 2020. Will omicron continue its rapid spread or will it soon fade? Will another variant emerge?

Much depends on vaccination rates. If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, please do so. More than any other public health measure, vaccinations are key to reducing the spread of the virus and keeping people out of the hospital. If you are vaccinated already, be sure to get your booster shot when you are eligible.

And though we are all tired, it is still important to follow protocols from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on masks, social distancing and quarantines.

I am certain about one thing: Whatever happens this year, the Sedgwick County medical community — hospitals, clinics, physicians, nurses, EMS personnel and other staff — stands ready to serve and care for our community with skill and compassion.