History
On January 23, 1905, the Cape Girardeau County Medical Society was granted its charter by the Missouri State Medical Association. In 1977 the Cape Girardeau County Medical Society changed its name to the Cape Girardeau County Area Medical Society (CGCAMS). For the past 111 years, CGCAMS has served not only the local medical community, but the Cape Girardeau community as well.
Cape Girardeau has long been considered a medical hub in Southeast Missouri. Located between St. Louis and Memphis, Cape Girardeau physicians see patients throughout Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois, and Northeast Arkansas. With two hospitals in Cape Girardeau, there is constant innovation, benefiting everyone in the Cape Girardeau community.
Over the last 111 years many things have changed within CGCAMS, however the mission of the society has not. CGCAMS still aims to serve the people of the Cape Girardeau County community in matters of medical care, prevention and in the efforts of improving public health.
CGCAMS Membership
Being a member of CGCAMS has many benefits for local physicians. CGCAMS offers free bi-monthly membership meetings which includes a dinner, computerized CME tracking for all CGCAMS events, complimentary quarterly journal, patient dispute mediation, referrals, and networking, in addition to social opportunities for members and their families.
CGCAMS President
Andrew Moore, MD
CGCAMS Vice President
Darren Allcock, DO
The main service of CGCAMS is providing members and guests access to continuing medical education. Each year CGCAMS hosts four symposiums and six membership meetings, from each of which CME credits are awarded.
Each year CGCAMS kicks off its CME season with the Infectious Disease Symposium. CGCAMS then offers a variety of topics of interest to area physicians. Past popular topics have included Skin Cancer, Back Pain, Diabetes & Endocrinology, Colon Cancer, Breast Cancer and Pediatrics. By providing a wide range of topics, CGCAMS is able to support a wide range of specialties. This fall CGCAMS will host a Dermatology Symposium on September 17, followed by a Diabetes & Endocrinology Symposium on October 1.
Each membership meeting features a CGCAMS member or guest speaker, allowing attendees to learn what their peers are doing in their field. These presentations lead to great discussions among the membership. One very well attended membership meeting featured a guest speaker from the St. Louis anti-human trafficking office. Unbeknownst to many Americans, and by extension physicians is; human trafficking is not just limited to ‘foreigners.’ There are young American children who are corralled into human trafficking, often by not so well meaning parents and relatives. The meetings are free for members; spouses are invited for ‘date night’ and the setting provides an invaluable networking opportunity.
Another service CGCAMS is proud to provide to its members is the Cape Medical Journal. Initially published in 1954, after a long absence the journal made its return in July of 2013. Published quarterly, the journal features articles by CGCAMS members and tackles important issues facing the Cape Girardeau community.
Social and Networking
In January, CGCAMS hosted its annual holiday party. Members celebrate the past year, induct new officers and recognize two members with the CGCAMS Blue and Yellow Awards. The recipient of the Blue Award is known as a physician of distinction in the local community. The recipient of the Yellow Award is a physician who is a leader in their field and encourages constant learning and professional growth.
The holiday party is not the only social opportunity for members. In June CGCAMS hosted a Summer Social at a local winery. This social also featured a karaoke competition where attendees were treated to the very best karaoke in town. Songs included, Adele’s “Someone Like You” to “Jackson” the duet by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. Other favorites of the night included “Yellow Submarine” by the Beatles and “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen.
In August CGCAMS will host the Back to School Bowling Bash. CGCAMS members work long and hard, and it is through these social events that CGCAMS hopes to encourage long lasting friendships among its members.
5 Goals of CGCAMS.
To enhance the reputation of CGCAMS and its members through professional and personal development with CME programs for physicians and staff.
To promote interdisciplinary harmony among our members and maintain a member-driven approach based on effective communication.
To vigorously maintain the highest ethical standards.
To represent physicians’ interests when interacting with managed care organizations, third-party payors, legislative groups, and regulatory agencies.
To be an effective advocate for our members and strive to maintain the highest quality of care for patients.
Moving Forward
The last couple of years have seen great change within CGCAMS. The Society has become more active within the Cape Girardeau community and the Missouri State Medical Association.
The desire to be a force of good in the community has led to the society becoming involved with Hope House and the Safe House for Women.
The Hope House is a non-profit children’s home, which provides emergency shelter for foster children in the Cape Girardeau area. While the Hope House works alongside the State of Missouri Children’s Division, the Hope House does operate independently of the State of Missouri Children’s Division. The society contributes annually to the First 48 fund, which covers emergency medical services when children are brought to the Hope House.
CGCAMS work with the Safe House has included presentations to increase awareness of domestic violence as well as resources for physicians who see victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. Additionally CGCAMS has worked with the Safe House to find a safe method to convey contact information for the local shelter, for victims of domestic violence.
CGCAMS Summer Social
Annual Back to School Bowling Bash
Increased participation by CGCAMS in the Missouri State Medical Association, is essential; as MSMA is the voice of Missouri physicians. With everything that is happening in health care, it is important to work together. With this in mind, CGCAMS put forth two resolutions at the 2016 Annual Convention, which affect the CGCAMS membership.
In the last year, CGCAMS created the Past Presidents Advisory Board. This board is made up of past presidents of CGCAMS and meets before each membership meeting. The past presidents shaped the society, and by forming this board, CGCAMS hopes to combine aspects of the past to create a greater future for CGCAMS.
In regard to the future, CGCAMS took a big step in relocating its office effective August 2016. The new office provides a more functional updated space that reflects the forward momentum and growth of CGCAMS. The last few years have seen new life breathed into CGCAMS and with this there is no stopping us.