MDNews - Central New York

ON MARCH 24, Thomas J, Madejski, MD, FACP, was elected President of the Medica l Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) at the 212th meeting of the House of Delegates held at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Buffalo. Dr. Madejski, who lives in Albion and practices in Medina, is board-certified in internal medicine, hospice and palliative care. He is no stranger to Central New York, having earned his medical degree in 1986 at what is now called Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. Dr. Madejski also completed his residency in internal medicine at Upstate Medical University and was chief resident from 1989–1990. Before attending Upstate Medical University, Dr. Madejski followed in his parents' footsteps and received a degree from the Buffalo College of Pharmacy. In the ever-changing world of medicine, having trained in pharmacy and medicine is most helpful to patients and physicians. His expertise in pharmacy and medicine has been a great resource as Dr. Madejski has played a leadership role in addressing the opioid crisis in Western New York. The new MSSNY President is associated with General Physician P.C., and is Chief of Medicine and Immediate Past President of the medical staff at Medina Memorial Hospital and is Medica l Director of the Medina Memoria l Hospita l Nursing Facility. He is a past president of the Orleans County Medical Society. Dr. Madejski testified at an Assembly Committee on Health hearing on Assembly Bill 2383A on April 23 that would permit patients to request medication to hasten his or her death from physicians. In his testimony Dr. Madejski says, "Unless the law changes aid-in-dying or assisted suicide by a physician is still illegal. The New York Court of Appeals on Sept. 7, 2017, reaffirmed that decision in Myers vs. Schneiderman." The June 1 issue of News of New York, a MSSNY publication, reported that the council, a governing body of the society, approved the creation of a task force in lieu of a House of Delegates resolution to examine whether MSSNY should change to neutrality its position on physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia. Dr. Madejski says, "The task force will ethnically and philosophically be diverse and will include physicians from the Long-term Care and Health Disparities Committees. These are very complex issues, and it is important that we address them in an appropriate way." During his one-term as president, Dr. Madejski also wants to focus on efforts to curb obesity and diabetes and does not want to lose touch with physicians in the Upstate. In early May, Dr. Madejski drove to Binghamton to meet with members in Broome, Chemung and other nearby counties. Later in the month he also visited Franklin and Lewis counties. Those in attendance were pleased to have the opportunity to meet, hear and interact with him. Dr. Madejski shared with listeners that New York has more medica l schools than any other state. It has a lso has the reputation as one of the worst states in which to practice medicine. New York state retains less than 50 percent of physicians who go to medica l school or complete their medica l training in the Empire State. New York state's high ta xes, lofty ma lpractice premiums and the cost of doing business in the state discourages many physicians from coming to or staying in the state. Dr. Madejski reminds physicians that each year the president, president-elect and pa st president of the Societ y rotate from MSSN Y's three areas of the state — New York City, the counties surrounding New York City and Upstate. In the last 43 years, Centra l New York and the Southern Tier have been successful in electing four MSSNY presidents, which includes Drs. Richard Eberle (deceased), Charles Aswad, Duane Cady and Jeffrey Ribner. Dr. Madejski and his wife, Sandra, have five children: Geoffrey, Joseph, Giovanni, James and Jacqueline. Gerald "Jerry" N. Hoffman was chief executive officer of the Onondaga County Medical Society from 1981 until his retirement on Jan, 31, 2014 . He is the coauthor of two books, "Medical Malpractice Insurance: A Legislator's View," and " The History of Local Medical Care: Celebrating Physicians Past and Present, 1806–2006." n Medical Society of the State of New York President Knows the Territory BY JERRY HOFFMAN 0 5 M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S C E N T R A L N E W Y O R K ■ 2 018

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