Latest News

Dear BCMS Members,

As we move into August, I’m excited to share the significant progress our Society has made in July and outline the exciting initiatives we’re launching this fall. Your Broome County Medical Society is actively working to strengthen our medical community and advocate for both our profession and our patients.

July Advocacy Action: Standing Up for Healthcare Access

In July, BCMS organized a walkout and protest in partnership with Code Red for Medicaid to raise awareness about the impact of the “Big Beautiful Bill” on healthcare access in Broome County. The legislation, which has since passed, imposes new administrative burdens on Medicaid and CHIP programs that threaten coverage for eligible patients in our community. Our advocacy efforts received local news coverage, demonstrating the power of our collective voice on issues affecting our patients and practices.

New Professional Development Series Launching This Fall

We’re launching a monthly professional development series designed for residents but open to all members. Topics will include job search strategies, working with recruiters, CV building, interviewing skills, contract negotiations, malpractice and disability insurance, and medical coding for inpatient and outpatient settings. These sessions will provide practical, actionable guidance for career development. Registration details coming soon.

Social Events Continue

In addition to our professional development offerings, BCMS will continue hosting quarterly social events to foster collegiality and networking among our membership. These gatherings provide invaluable opportunities to connect with colleagues across specialties and build the professional relationships that strengthen our medical community. Details for upcoming events will be announced soon.

Welcome Materials for New Physicians

We’ve finalized welcome materials for new physicians coming to the Broome County area and are coordinating distribution with Guthrie Lourdes and UHS. We need your input: Are there other employers we should partner with to reach new physicians? Please let us know of any medical groups or healthcare organizations that regularly hire physicians in our area.

Volunteer Opportunities – Join Our Team!

The success of our growing initiatives depends on member involvement. We’re actively seeking volunteers for two important committees:

Welcoming Committee: Help us create meaningful connections with new physicians in our area. This committee will coordinate outreach efforts, organize orientation activities, and serve as a friendly first point of contact for physicians new to Broome County.

Event Planning Committee: Join the team that makes our professional development series and social events successful. Help with logistics, speaker coordination, venue selection, and ensuring our events provide maximum value to attendees.

If you’re interested in volunteering for either committee, or if you have ideas for how we can better serve our membership, please reach out. Your involvement is what transforms our Society from an organization into a true professional community.

A Heartfelt Farewell and New Opportunity

It is with mixed emotions that we announce the retirement plans of Shirley Cosgriff, who has served as our County Executive Director with dedication and distinction. Shirley has decided to step down from this role and we are deeply grateful for her years of service to our Society and our members.

Shirley’s departure represents both a significant transition and an opportunity for our organization. The role of Executive Director is complex and multifaceted, requiring someone who can manage administrative responsibilities, coordinate with state and national medical organizations, support member communications, and help execute our growing list of initiatives.

We Are Seeking Our Next Executive Director: We are looking for someone interested in part-time work who can step into this important role. The position offers the opportunity to make a real impact on healthcare in Broome County while working with a engaged and growing membership.

If you know someone who might be interested in this position – whether they have healthcare administration experience, nonprofit management background, or simply the organizational skills and passion to help our medical community thrive – please have them contact us. We are planning a thoughtful transition to ensure continuity of our services and support for our members.

Looking Ahead

As we continue our transformation from a small, quiet organization to a vibrant, active medical society that truly serves our 600+ physician community, every member’s engagement matters. Whether through participation in our new professional development series, volunteering for committees, attending social events, or simply spreading the word about BCMS to colleagues, your involvement helps strengthen our collective voice and impact.

The challenges facing healthcare today – from legislative threats like the Big Beautiful Bill to the everyday pressures of practice management – require us to stand together as a united medical community. BCMS is committed to being that unifying force for physicians in Broome County.

Thank you for your continued membership and support. Together, we’re building something meaningful for our profession and our community.

Questions or suggestions? Please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your feedback and ideas are always welcome as we continue to evolve and improve our services to members.

In solidarity and service,

Broome County Medical Society Board of Directors