By: Richard B. Hoffmaster, MD – ACMS Secretary 2025 | Chair of the ACMS Advocacy Task Force
Change is never easy, especially when it happens within institutions that physicians rely on every day. The recent turnover at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has left many in the medical community wondering how shifting leadership and restructuring could affect their work on the ground. At the Allegheny County Medical Society (ACMS), our role is not to debate the politics of these decisions, but to recognize the very real impact they have on the practice of medicine and on the physicians we serve.
What This Means for Physicians
Physicians look to the CDC for timely, evidence-based guidance – whether it’s on immunizations, maternal health, infectious diseases, or prevention initiatives. When there is turnover at the top, there is often uncertainty at the front lines.
- Disrupted Guidance: Shifts in direction can make it harder for physicians to provide consistent answers to patients.
- Data Gaps: CDC surveillance and reporting are the backbone of public health. Any interruption makes informed decision-making more difficult.
- Added Stress: When guidance feels less reliable, physicians often shoulder the burden of filling in the gaps – on top of already heavy administrative and patient care demands.
ACMS Commitment
While national agencies may change direction, ACMS remains steady in its mission: to support physicians, protect the physician–patient relationship, and strengthen our local healthcare community. That means:
- Sharing Trusted Resources: We will continue to provide clear, concise updates as guidance evolves.
- Prioritizing Wellness: Our Physician Wellness Program ensures confidential, no-cost support remains available to all physicians in Allegheny County – because uncertainty at the national level should never undermine physician wellbeing.
- Advocating for Stability: ACMS will continue to advocate with state and national partners for policies that reduce administrative burden, strengthen primary care, and protect reliable public health data.
At ACMS, we know that moments of uncertainty in national leadership can create ripple effects across your daily practice. Our commitment is to remain a steady partner—listening to your concerns, sharing trusted resources, and advocating for the stability you need to care for your patients.
If you have a question, comment, concern, or a topic you’d like the ACMS and the ACMS Advocacy Task Force to focus on, please reach out to us at [email protected]. Your input ensures that our advocacy remains rooted in the realities physicians face every day.