Neurologist assumes ISMA presidency amid ‘troubling times’

ISMA President Thomas Vidic, M.D., Elkhart

“These are troubling times for medicine, but united we will be heard,” Thomas Vidic, M.D., the newly inaugurated ISMA president, told the House of Delegates at the 162nd Annual Convention.

A board certified neurologist, Dr. Vidic asked his colleagues to take home to fellow physicians the lessons learned at convention and the “spirit” of the House. “We need to honor our differences, but work towards a common outcome for the practice of medicine and the care of our patients,” he said.

While acknowledging the comfort of old routines, the new leader noted, “The problem is that medicine continues to evolve, and we need to be part of this evolution.”

Before becoming president-elect, Dr. Vidic completed two one-year terms as speaker of the ISMA’s House of Delegates and two one-year terms as vice speaker. He also was an alternate on the ISMA Board of Trustees. Dr. Vidic is a past president of the Indiana Neurological Society and serves on several committees of the American Academy of Neurology.

Today, he subspecializes in neuro-rehabilitation at the multispecialty Elkhart Clinic.

ISMA Alliance inaugurates first physician president

Terre Haute emergency physician Ferial Alsikafi, M.D., became the new president of the ISMA Alliance. Dr. Alsikafi was inaugurated Sept. 17 during the ISMA-A and the ISMA conventions in Indianapolis, taking an oath delivered by outgoing ISMA-A President Laurel Weddle.

As president, Dr. Alsikafi said she would like the organization to focus on childhood obesity by working with schools, physicians and community leaders. She is the first physician to serve as Alliance president.

“This year, I am working to spread the message of healthy lifestyles for children,” she said. “We need to encourage children to eat healthy foods, limit TV and computer time, and exercise.”

An immigrant from Iraq 40 years ago, Dr. Alsikafi has been a member of the Vigo County Alliance since 1978. She completed her residency in anesthesia at the University of Louisville and practiced board certified emergency medicine at Union Hospital from 1979 to 2009.

Dr. Alsikafi is married to hand surgeon Fadhil Alsikafi, M.D. (pictured above).The couple has three sons.

2011 ISMA Elected Officers
President Elect Gordon Hughes, M.D.,  Muncie Speaker of the House John Wernert, M.D., Carmel  Vice Speaker Heidi Dunniway, M.D., Indianapolis
Treasurer Deepak Azad, M.D., Scottsburg Asst. Treasurer William Penland, M.D., Evansville
2011 AMA DELEGATES
Michael Mellinger, M.D., Lagrange William Mohr, M.D., Kokomo Alred Cox, M.D., South Bend
AMA ALTERNATE DELEGATES
Vidya Kora, M.D., Michigan City Kevin Burke, M.D., Jeffersonville Brent Mohr, M.D., South Bend David Welsh, M.D., Batesville