Illinois State Medical Society

The isms governmental affairs team represented the interests of physician members in the State capital and with the Illinois congressional delegation. In springfield, isms worked to preserve and enhance the practice of medicine by advocating for high standards of licensing for physicians and allied health professionals, and for measures to protect the public health and preserve physician autonomy in clinical decision-making. Isms also advocated for enhanced access to health care through public and private programs of insurance. Through the reality medicine public awareness initiative, isms continued to highlight the impact of Medical liability issues on patient access to health care in Illinois.

The membership and marketing team is responsible for the ongoing maintenance and enhancement of a strong physician membership. This is crititcal to supporting key advocacy activities of isms and the respect and credibility accorded to it as the only organization representing physicians of all Medical specialties in Illinois. Marketing activities both statewide and at the local level, include but are not limited to: focused outreach and marketing programs to physicians as well as their professional office staff, development of the partners in practice series of marketing materials focusing on specific demographics, expanded membership benefits programs, streamlining of membership application and renewal processes, development and implementation of effective peer-to-peer marketing tools, and enhancement of its physician database.

The isms division of health policy research and advocacy fielded hundreds of member calls for assistance in 2023. It reviewed and analyzed scores of health care reform proposals and State legislative bills and worked to voice physicians policy concerns before State government and private sector entities. Isms devoted significant educational resources to assist physicians in transitioning to use of electronic Medical records and related technology issues. The division produced a variety of publications, educational brochures and webinars.