Caring for patients and fellow physicians is an “essential behavior” at Ascension St. Vincent in Indianapolis, said Curt Ward, MD, director of medical education and designated institutional official there. That’s why the hospital has automatically enrolled its 162 residents and fellows as members of ISMA.

“We want to be advocates for our patients and for each other,” Dr. Ward said. “One of our essential behaviors at Ascension St. Vincent is to care for those we serve and those who serve beside us. The ISMA helps us do that by being an advocate for our patients in regard to legislation and helping us to care for one another as physicians, not only through advocacy, but through all the support services ISMA provides.”

Making sure all Ascension St. Vincent residents and fellows are ISMA members continues a tradition begun by retired Medical Director of Managed Care Bernard Emkes, MD. Dr. Emkes, who served as ISMA president in 2000, knew the value of participation in ISMA and wanted to make sure the trainees in St. Vincent’s eight residencies and eight fellowship programs experienced it, too, Dr. Ward said.

ISMA Physician Relations Liaison Katie Kluger recently connected members of Ascension St. Vincent’s house staff council, who are elected by residents and fellows, with ISMA Resident and Fellow Society (RFS) leaders to learn how to become involved. Many are active in their specialty societies, and RFS membership enables them to have an impact on medicine statewide, across specialties, Dr. Ward said. 

Partnering with ISMA also helps the trainees make the transition to practice, he said: “ISMA helps us support the professionalization of our resident physicians.”