When founded in Brunswick in 1853, the Maine Medical Association mission was “… to support Maine physicians, advance the quality of medicine in Maine, and promote the health of all Maine citizens.”
Later it is stated, “One major area of focus for our advocacy and committee efforts is working to improve public health for all Mainers, keeping our patients healthier and saving health care dollars.”
Recently, however, in a communication from MMA, I was advised “… as an association we do not have the scientific expertise or the credibility to speak with authority on the issue of climate change, nor do we have the resources to take this on.”
This seems unacceptable. We do have the “scientific expertise” — more expertise is not needed. Credibility is in the evidence all around us. And the resource is our own education of our patients in adapting to the challenge.
The time has come for a new way of thinking, a way unfettered by the bonds of the past, a way that must have innovative ideas if we are to survive the greatest challenge of all recorded time.
MMA must update its mission and prepare, for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren.
Richard Jennings MD, Brunswick
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