Oregon Medical Association Installs Brian Duty, MD, MBA, as 150th President

PORTLAND, Ore.— On Saturday, Oct. 4, the Oregon Medical Association (OMA), the state's largest advocacy organization for physicians and physician associates (PAs), hosted its Annual Meeting, where physicians and other members of the medical community witnessed the installation of Brian Duty, MD, MBA, as the OMA's 150th president. Dr. Duty was sworn in by former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber, MD, who also delivered the meeting's keynote address.

Dr. Duty earned his medical degree and completed his Urologic Surgery Residency at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), where he has been on staff since 2012. Dr. Duty also serves as Director of Strategic Outreach for OHSU Health, where he is responsible for helping develop clinical and educational programs in collaboration with health systems and hospitals across Oregon and Southwest Washington. A leader in organized medicine and health care advocacy, Dr. Duty has been President of the Oregon Urological Society, Chair of the American Urological Association's State Advocacy Committee and Vice-Chair of the Oregon Health Authority’s Value-based Benefits Subcommittee.

Dr. Duty emphasized the importance of leadership, collaboration and conviction, stating, "I'm proud to be an Oregonian because it means thinking creatively, acting boldly and having the courage to do what's right even when it's hard. I urge you to engage with community leaders and policymakers, and together defend what matters most: our patients, our profession and our values."

Shereef Elnahal, MD, who commenced his tenure as the president of OHSU on Aug. 11, stressed the urgency of keeping as many Oregonians insured as possible in the face of unprecedented cuts to Medicaid and Medicare. Echoing Dr. Duty's call for collaboration, he said, "The only solution is for us to get together ... to minimize the damage and build a platform for us to thrive again."

The meeting culminated in a keynote address delivered by former Gov. Kitzhaber. "The challenge we're faced with is unlike anything we've faced before," he said. "I've seen this organization and the physicians in this state rise up in common cause and do amazing things that no one thought were possible, and we are called upon to do the same thing again today."

During the meeting, the OMA also recognized several individuals for their exceptional service and contributions:

Doctor-Citizen of the Year: Antonio Germann, MD, MPH, FAAFP

Physician Associate-Citizen of the Year: Amy Snow, PA-C

JEDI Award: Jane-Frances Akpamgbo, MD

These awards serve as a testament to the dedication and excellence displayed by medical professionals who have made significant contributions to their communities in the field of medicine. For more information about the awards and recipients, click here.

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The Oregon Medical Association (OMA) is the state’s largest professional organization engaging in advocacy, policy, community-building, and networking opportunities for Oregon's physicians, physician assistants, and medical and PA students. In the state capitol of Salem and in Washington, DC, the OMA's members speak with one voice as they advocate for policies that improve access to quality patient care and reduce administrative burdens on medical professionals. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, the OMA is a 501(c)6 organization governed by a Board of Trustees. Additional information is available at theOMA.org.