HJNO Mar/Apr 2026

44 MAR / APR 2026 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS MEDICAL SOCIETY COLUMN MEDICAL SOCIETY AS I STEP into the role of president of the Medical Association of Southeast Loui- siana, I am committed to strengthening organized medicine by engaging the next generation of physicians, advancing pre- vention through evidence-based screen- ing, and fostering meaningful collabora- tion across medical specialties. Young physicians are the future of med- icine. Our society must actively welcome their voices, mentorship needs, and lead- ership potential. By creating opportunities for involvement, advocacy training, and professional growth, we ensure that orga- nized medicine remains relevant, resilient, and responsive to the evolving healthcare landscape. Equally important is our responsibility to advocate for prevention and early de- tection. Promoting appropriate screening Meet the Leaders Serving Our Medical Societies Now that you’ve heard some of my vi- sion for MASELA, I’d like to share some background on myself and offer a brief introduction to the 2026 presidents of our colleagues from the Orleans Parish Med- ical Society and Jefferson Parish Medical Society. OPMS’2026 president, Emmett B. Chap- ital, MD, is a New Orleans native and an honors graduate of St. Augustine High School and Lake Forest College, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He attend- ed Tulane Medical School and the Tulane A. B. Freeman School of Business, earning a master’s degree in business administra- tion. He completed his residency and cardi- ology fellowship at Tulane-affiliated hos- and preventive care saves lives, reduces healthcare costs, and improves long-term outcomes for our patients and communi- ties. As physicians, we must remain trusted leaders in advancing science-based public health initiatives. Finally, collaboration between medical societies is essential. No single specialty can address today’s complex healthcare challenges alone. By working together across disciplines, we strengthen advoca- cy efforts, share knowledge, and present a unified voice on issues affecting patient care, physician well-being, and healthcare policy. Together, through engagement, preven- tion, and collaboration, we can advance our shared mission and ensure a healthi- er future for both our profession and our patients. Strengthening Our Voice, Shaping Our Future