At the time of the formation of the Lehigh County Medical Society, Allentown had 3,700 residents, among them a total of five doctors. One of these physicians was Dr. Charles H. Martin, who practiced from his office on Hamilton and Hall Streets. One day in 1852, Dr. Martin gathered together his brother and four other doctors from neighboring towns for the formation of the Lehigh County Medical Society.
The Lehigh County Medical Society had a somewhat rocky start. After being formally organized in 1853, the group disbanded within a year or so, perhaps due to personal or professional rivalries. In 1858, the society reformed, and has been flourishing ever since.
Shortly after the society’s second formation, it began sending delegates to the annual House of Delegates meeting at the Pennsylvania Medical Society, which was founded just a few years earlier (1849), joining the other newly-created medical societies of neighboring counties (Montgomery County MS – 1847, Berks County MS – 1824, and others).
Throughout it’s over 160 years of existence, the Lehigh County Medical Society has played in active role in providing for its members’ professional and social needs. At general membership meetings, physicians are invited to discuss health policy and learn about a wide range of medical topics. Past topics have included current issues on healthcare enforcement, the future of cardio-thoracic surgery, and medical volunteering in Haiti. LCMS also holds yearly joint meetings with the Bar Association on medical legal issues as well as joint meetings with the Northampton County Medical Society.
Social activities, allowing doctors to network and relax, have also been a component of the LCMS’s work over the years. These include golf outings, IronPigs baseball games and more. Each year the LCMS hosts a formal banquet honoring the 25 and 50-year member award recipients, introducing that year’s president, and providing dinner and dancing for all attendees.
With healthcare policy continually changing, the Lehigh County Medical Society has always been there to advocate for physicians. And now, as we stand at another formative point in the history of medicine, the Lehigh County Medical Society is there to continue its mission to “unite physicians to speak with one voice… to influence health policy, thereby achieving the highest standard of healthcare for our community.”
Membership in the Lehigh County Medical Society offers you the opportunity to voice your opinions on medical matters that affect all physicians in your profession at the local level with regard to legislative issues, public health, and community service. By becoming one of our more than 400 members, you will be joining a community that is there to help you.
“We speak your language. We will help you with your problems.”
Membership in the Lehigh County Medical Society and the Pennsylvania Medical Society will help fulfill your professional and social needs.
Wondering why you should become a member or renew?
Advocating on Your Behalf by…
✓ Addressing physician concerns about Maintenance of Certification (MOC). PAMED is recognized as the national leader in these efforts and has issued a statement of no confidence in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s leadership. www.pamedsoc.org/moc
✓ Confronting the opioid crisis by advocating for and educating physicians and patients through our Be Smart. Be Safe. Be Sure. initiative. www.pamedsoc.org/opioidinfo
✓ Led efforts to pass legislation limiting retroactive denials of reimbursement by insurers. www.pamedsoc.org/insurancereforms
✓ Aggressively advocating for physician-led, team-based care. www.pamedsoc.org/teambasedcare
✓ Working to advance telemedicine in Pennsylvania. www.pamedsoc.org/telemedicine
Medical Staff Tools
✓ Get the most out of your medical staff bylaws and help your staff ensure effective patient care with a resource created with physicians’ needs in mind. www.pamedsoc.org/medstaffbylaws
Questions?
Contact our Knowledge Center at 855-PAMED4U (855-726-3348) or KnowledgeCenter@pamedsoc.org.
CME/Leadership Development
Gain access to 40+ credits of free, online CME ($1,200 value) that help you meet your state license renewal requirements. These include courses that help you meet your patient safety and risk management requirements. www.pamedsoc.org/cme
✓ Comply with child abuse reporting education required for licensure. www.pamedsoc.org/childabusecme
✓ Easily track your CME using PAMED’s online tracking tool. www.pamedsoc.org/tracker
✓ Learn how to meet your responsibilities under the state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP). www.pamedsoc.org/opioidscme
✓ Enhance your leadership skills. Scholarships are available for PAMED’s Year-Round Leadership Academy. www.pamedsoc.org/leadershipacademy
Practice Support
✓ Prepare for and navigate MACRA through PAMED’s online resources. www.pamedsoc.org/macra
✓ Receive important updates and expert advice at our spring and fall practice manager meetings, which includes both live and virtual attendance options. www.pamedsoc.org/managermeeting
✓ Get tools to help you run your practice, such as our Medicare Annual Wellness Visit Toolkit. www.pamedsoc.org/awvtoolkit
✓ Gain access to a myriad of practice support tools on our website. www.pamedsoc.org/practicesupport
However you choose to participate in the Lehigh County Medical Society, you will know that, as a society member, you will be represented in important medical issues.
How to Join:
The online application at the Pennsylvania Medical Society
You can renew or join online at www.pamedsoc.org/renew or by calling PAMED’s Knowledge Center at 855-PAMED4U (855-726-3348).
Membership Types
Physicians — For actively practicing physicians. Physicians in first, second, or third years after training receive a discounted rate. (Not currently practicing medicine? Call us at (800) 228-7823 to ask about membership.)
Residents and Fellows — First year of membership is free. After that, dues are 10 percent of full physician rate.
Medical Students — Membership is free if you’re studying for an MD or DO degree.
Practice Administrators — Individuals who directly manage a medical practice.
Hospital Medical Staff Coordinators — Individuals who function as the primary contact for the medical staff.
Frontline Membership
A number of medical practices stand on the Frontline of the medical profession in Pennsylvania—they’ve made a commitment to 100 percent membership in the Pennsylvania Medical Society and Lehigh County Medical Society. Is your practice among this elite group?
Allentown Anesthesia Associates Inc
Children’s HealthCare
Lehigh Valley Pediatric Assoc Inc
Allen ENT Association
Eastern Pa Gastroenterology & Liver Specialists PC
Aesthetic Surgery Associates
Dorville & Kundu MD Associates
Advanced Dermatology Associates Ltd
Colon-Rectal Surgery Associates
Professional Anesthesia Services of North America
LVPG 1250 CC Infectious Diseases
Parkland Family Health Center
St Luke’s Obstetrics and Gynecology Associates
Total Family Health Care
St Luke’s Nephrology Associates
Patient First – Allentown
- A 5 percent discount on your Pennsylvania Medical Society dues.
- A certificate of recognition to hang in your office.
- Regional meetings covering topics like risk management, employment law, OSHA and Workers’ Compensation. These meetings are designed exclusively for member practice managers and office staff, free of charge.
- Additional discounts and services from Pennsylvania Medical Society endorsed vendors
Solion — Printed business products to help medical practices run more efficiently.
United Communications Group (UCG) — Discounts on newsletters, reference binders, and software programs.
RiskCare — Provides CME and risk management services. A subsidiary of PMSLIC.
