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RURAL PHYSICIAN SECTION

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The rural physician members of the Oklahoma State Medical Association (OSMA) comprise one-third of the physician members of the Association, representing approximately 1,276 MDs and 80 DOs for a total of 1,356 members.    This number excludes honorary, student and resident members.   All members of the OSMA are required to join through one of the 45 county medical societies as defined through the OSMA.  Of the 43 rural county medical societies, approximately two-thirds (23) of the societies charge dues (ranging from $3 to $100), have elected officers to represent their local society and have some type of meeting (monthly, quarterly or annually).  The other 20 societies do not charge dues and most do not have elected officers or any type of formal structure to address membership issues. 

Based on results from a membership survey to physicians in rural areas, the Rural Physician Section (RPS) was formed by vote of the OSMA House of Delegates at the 2007 Annual Meeting and funding was approved within the OSMA membership budget for some activities of the section.   The Section is governed by a delegate assembly composed of representatives from the active rural county medical societies.  The rural caucus delegates annually elect a Chair and Vice-Chair to work with the assigned OSMA staff to coordinate and direct the activities of the Section.   The caucus meets on an annual basis during the OSMA Annual Meeting.   The rural caucus co-chairs are Mike Tally, MD, Stillwater and Mary Clarke, Stillwater.  Dr. Woody Jenkins, Okeene is the vice-chair.   

The next meeting of the OSMA Rural Physician Section will be held during the OSMA Annual Meeting beginning at 8:00 a.m. on April 17, 2010 at the Reed Center in Midwest City, Oklahoma.