For organized medicine in California, 2007 will be a year filled with much change, but many of the same challenges.

With Jack Lewin, MD, leaving as the head of the California Medical Association and Joe Dunn, a former state senator, replacing him, members anticipate a new direction for the association. Dunn brings significant passion and political savvy to his position as physicians' top advocate. In fact, those who know Dunn personally know he is very driven and a bundle of energy. Those qualities helped make him a successful politician.

A few years back, I remember watching him walk the entire 3.5-mile route of the Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade. It was quite a sight--he worked the crowd with such energy and barely broke a sweat.

Because I worked many parades in Oklahoma while campaigning for various candidates, I know that the golden rule for politicians in parades is riding--not walking--the route. If they walk, they are likely to step inadvertently in the droppings of every horse in the parade, and that's not a good thing.

When I asked Dunn about why he walked the parade, he simply replied that he couldn't greet people from a distance. He liked being a personal politician, shaking hands and meeting constituents.

His energy and his people skills will serve the CMA in a positive way. There is no substitute for developing and maintaining strong and positive personal relationships with others who impact your issues. Whether you agree with them is not relevant. The fact is you must be able to approach people with your issues and exhibit a spirit of cooperation. Dunn understands this well, and throughout his political career, he has worked across the aisle effectively and gained the respect of both republicans and democrats.

In Orange County, 2007 brings a significant leadership change as well. Marika Bonner, executive director of the Orange County Medical Association, is retiring. She has been with the OCMA in various positions for 29 years. Everyone in the organization will miss her historical knowledge of physician issues.

Still, there is good news. Michele Revelle will join the OCMA next month as executive director. She is a former OCMA staff member who brings her own unique skills and knowledge of the politics of Orange County and organized medicine. Revelle is best known as the lead organizer of the successful Measure H campaign that required the County of Orange to spend its Tobacco Settlement Revenue on healthcare. In particular, physicians receive several million each year for uncompensated care provided in county emergency rooms.

The Measure H experience honed Revelle's keen political skills. Couple this with the fact that after leaving the OCMA, she worked on Dunn's Senate campaign and developed a close relationship with him. As a result, the OCMA will be well placed with CMA leadership as we move through the maze of issues in the year ahead.

Yes, 2007 will bring significant change. However, many of the issues remain the same--Medicare reimbursement, MICRA protection, and membership recruitment and retention. Plus, there are likely to be as-yet-unknown challenges on the horizon. We will meet those challenges head on under our new leadership. The goal of serving physicians and patients is unchanged and will continue to drive both the CMA and OCMA to further success.

If you are not currently a member, we encourage you to join us. Add your voice to organized medicine and help us help you and your patients. It is well worth the investment.

Perry Cain is the director of public affairs and communications. He can be reached at 714/978-1160 or pcain@ocma.org.