June 2026 President’s Message
Serving physicians, patients and our community
by Chady Sarraf, MD —
As I approach the halfway point of my term as president of the Medical Society of Sedgwick County, I find myself reflecting on the work we have accomplished over the past six months and the exciting initiatives that continue to move forward.
When I began this journey, I shared a simple vision: to serve our physicians, our patients and our community. That vision continues to guide every conversation, every meeting and every project we undertake.
One of the greatest privileges of this role has been working alongside what I believe is the most dedicated MSSC Board I have ever been part of. Our monthly meetings consistently achieve nearly perfect attendance, and each gathering is filled with thoughtful engagement, respectful debate and meaningful discussion.
Serving our physicians
Supporting physicians remains at the heart of MSSC’s mission. Advocacy continues to be one of our highest priorities. We regularly engage with local legislators to keep them informed about the challenges and opportunities facing healthcare in our community. At the state level, we work closely with the Kansas Medical Society on legislative issues that directly affect physician practice and patient care.
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to meet with outgoing AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, MD, in Chicago. I shared our excitement about hosting him at the MSSC annual meeting on Dec. 1 and the valuable opportunity for our members to engage directly with national physician leadership. His visit will provide a forum for physicians to share their perspectives and discuss the role organized medicine plays in supporting their professional lives.
We also are preparing for the future of healthcare through innovation. Under the leadership of MSSC Immediate Past President Jany Moussa, MD, our artificial intelligence committee is exploring ways to educate physicians about the rapidly expanding role of AI while identifying opportunities to improve healthcare delivery through thoughtful adoption of emerging technologies.
Professional development remains another important focus. MSSC is investing in physician leadership by developing a unique leadership training program in partnership with local community organizations. Our goal is to help cultivate the next generation of physician leaders who will shape healthcare in our region for years to come.
Equally important is our work to strengthen collaboration across the healthcare workforce. Through partnerships with nursing organizations and educational institutions, we are working to improve nurse recruitment and retention. Together, we strive to make Wichita and Sedgwick County among the best places in the country for healthcare professionals to practice, collaborate and thrive.
This year, MSSC also had the privilege of hosting one of the first public discussions regarding Wichita State University’s ambitious plans to develop a new health sciences institute. This transformative project has the potential to significantly impact healthcare education, workforce development and patient care throughout our region.
Serving our patients
While MSSC is a physician organization, our advocacy is ultimately centered on patients.
We are committed to bringing patient priorities into every discussion with policymakers. Our strategy has been simple: Help legislators recognize that healthcare issues are constituent issues. Patients represent the largest voting bloc in every community, and their voices deserve to be heard.
Prior-authorization reform is one example of this work. Delays created by prior-authorization requirements continue to interfere with timely access to care and place unnecessary burdens on both patients and physicians. MSSC remains actively engaged with state and federal leaders to advocate for improvements that put patient care first.
Another source of pride for our community is Project Access. This remarkable program continues to serve as a national model for coordinated charitable healthcare. Through the generosity of our physician members and partnering hospitals, thousands of patients have received essential medical services they otherwise could not afford. It is a powerful example of what can be accomplished when a medical community comes together in service of its neighbors.
Serving our community
Giving back to our community remains one of MSSC’s most important responsibilities.
We are committed to serving as a trusted voice on healthcare issues by providing information grounded in science, evidence and expert medical opinion. At a time when healthcare information can be overwhelming and sometimes confusing, our community deserves reliable and credible medical guidance.
To further that mission, MSSC has invested significantly in expanding our social media presence. As a result, we have recently achieved some of the highest engagement levels of any medical society in the country. Our platforms celebrate the achievements of our members, share important healthcare information and strengthen our connection with the community we serve. We envision these channels becoming an increasingly valuable healthcare resource for the public.
We also are investing in the future healthcare workforce. MSSC Secretary Kesha Crichlow, MD, MPH, is working with MSSC member Rebecca Reddy, MD, and the YMCA to champion a youth jobs program that allows high school students to explore healthcare careers during the summer. The initiative will provide meaningful exposure to healthcare profeFssions while creating opportunities for MSSC members to support and sponsor student experiences.
MSSC also has been engaged with USD 259 to encourage its students to consider careers in healthcare. In recent years MSSC and Past President Maurice Duggins, MD, have partnered with the Family Medicine Interest Group at KU School of Medicine-Wichita to host “Doc for a Day” events.
Looking ahead
Many of MSSC’s accomplishments happen behind the scenes and are not always visible to our membership. Yet every day, dedicated physicians and volunteers work to advance our mission.
As I reflect on the past six months, I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together and even more excited about what lies ahead.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not recognize Phillip Brownlee, our executive director. Phillip works tirelessly behind the scenes to coordinate, organize and execute countless initiatives that make MSSC successful. His dedication, professionalism and commitment to our mission have been instrumental in helping turn ideas into action.
Thank you for your continued engagement, support and trust. Together, we will continue serving our physicians, advocating for our patients and strengthening the health of our community.