HJNO Mar/Apr 2021

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  MAR / APR 2021 47 What makes MASELA unique as a physician membership association? Busenlener The Board of MASELA takes our responsibility very seriously to reach out and engage physicians in ways that have not existed previously. We need their expertise, insights and energy to be suc- cessful. And, we need their time. Building the organization will require “sweat equi- ty” of physicians to ensure that we are ac- complishing our mission and vision. Our organization will be more effective if more physicians are involved. Also, MASELA leadership is committed to a new rewarding and engagingmember- ship experience. We will accomplish this by respecting the following core values, which have been adopted by the board: • Unity • Strength • Advocacy • Service • Collegiality • Collaboration • Diversity & Inclusion • Innovation One of our priorities is to celebrate phy- sicians and the contributions they make to improve the quality of life for everyone. The value of the contributions that physi- cians and other clinicians make, especial- ly those in the trenches, has been noticed during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s im- portant to MASELA to let physicians know that they are valued each and every day. What are the initial priorities of MASELA? Gershanik MASELA’s first priority is to de- velop programs, services and products, Tanya Busenlener, MD Co-President Medical Association of Southeast Louisiana which aid physicians in the care of their patients and enhance their professional satisfaction. Our focus initially will be on developing strategies to assist physicians to enhance their own well-being and help them to address the systemic causes of stress and how to balance professional and personal demands. Many physicians were dealing with burnout prior to COVID, but it is worse now. Another initiative will be offering strat- egies to help physicians share their own practices, successes and challenges with other physicians through peer forums and virtual or in-person networking events. Busenlener It’s important to MASELA to be an advocate for physicians and to let pa- tients know what interferes with the pa- tient-physician relationship, such as the red tape we must deal with to provide care to them. We also want to be an advocate for phy- sicians with elected officials, regulators, health insurance companies and physician employers. How will MASELA improve the health of the public in Southeast Louisiana? Gershanik We have a tremendous oppor- tunity before us with the collaboration of MASELA, with JPMS and OPMS, to make a significant difference in our community. We welcome all our colleagues to be active in MASELA and our parish societies to im- prove the health of our patients and our community. As the medical association dedicated to people of the region, physicians will be a strong voice on issues impacting the public and will be devoted to working with stakeholders who share our vision to address health disparities and improve access to care and to devote resources to prevention of disease and living healthier lifestyles. How can physicians join MASELA? Gershanik It’s easy to join and get involved in MASELA via www.masela.org , and, at the same time, physicians may join OPMS or JPMS as well if eligible. The cost of join- ing is the same for a member who chooses to join MASELA only or be a member of JPMS or OPMS as well. How will you know if MASELA is ac- complishing its mission? Busenlener We will know when physicians consider their involvement in MASELA to be helping them practice medicine more effectively and they understand we “have their back.” Gershanik We will know MASELA is ac- complishing our mission to the public when we, together with our community partners, are making a difference in their understanding about the importance of prevention and they are leading healthier lifestyles. What message do you want to con- vey to our physician readers? Busenlener It’s time for the medical com- munity to step up, join and engage in this new organization created by and for phy- sicians to make a greater difference in our community — together, united, for a healthier Southeast Louisiana. n