An Interview With SBCMS' 110th President
J. Frank Randolph, M.D.

When did you decide that you wanted to be a physician, and why did you choose Family Practice and Geriatrics?
I decided when I was in the 6th grade. My desire was always to become a family physician. Geriatric Medicine came later, when I realized disparity between the needs of elders and the capacity of our health care system.

What leadership experience do you bring to the presidency?
Being a chief resident in a large residency, allowed me to assume related roles with less intimidation. The years have afforded me a progressive of leadership opportunities, mostly in physician organizations.

What are your major goals for your presidency?
At a minimum maintaining the respect of my colleagues, whose collective opinions I value. It is critical that programs initiated by my predecessors (with my backing) be maintained, such as the IWIN program, and the African American Health Initiative.
Additional goals for this year include 1) exploring and enhancing our community disaster response efforts; 2) strengthening our membership through communication with local physicians about the issues that make a federation of medicine necessary such as threats to the public health, liability risk, challenges to our scope of practice, regulatory infringements of physician rights, and inadequate health care funding (to name a few).

What is the value of organized medicine today and why did you become involved?
Physicians have helped others most through the centuries through public health measures, clinical research, and the applications of such efforts through advocacy. Physician organizations have

helped to do these things. I became involved because other physicians of like mind called me to stand among them.

What are physicians' greatest challenges today?
Maintaining a strong vision for patient advocacy while struggling for financial survival and professional autonomy.

What advice would you give young physicians just starting their practices?
Be proud of your accomplishments, go forth and heal, but surround yourself with strong allies who support your principles.

What are your interests outside of medicine?
Family, friends, guitar, mountain bike, occasional book… I hope to try my hand at writing someday.

Feel free to discuss any other issues or interests that you would like to share with the membership.
Please stay involved. We need each other. Our patients need our compassion. Our profession requires our advocacy. Our society needs our leadership.