Fred Whitehouse, MD, recognizes himself first and foremost as a clinician but also as an advocate for his county, state, and national politics. Doctor Whitehouse has been attending the Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) Annual House of Delegates since the late 1950's which makes him one of MSMS's longest serving delegates.

"The MSMS House of Delegates allows physicians from across the state to come together and consider the most important policies for themselves and their patients," Doctor Whitehouse said. "It's important for members to know that they can do more than just handle medical matters, that their voice is needed at the political level."

Doctor Whitehouse has served several different roles throughout his career including a two-year stint as a Navy flight surgeon during the Korean War after completing residency in Detroit. His true passion has always been for endocrinology, from his own family connections to his time spent working at the Joslin Clinic in Boston, Massachusetts. Doctor Whitehouse settled in Detroit in 1955 and worked for Henry Ford Hospital up until his retirement in 2015.

"One of the reasons I became involved with the Wayne County Medical Society of Southeast Michigan and MSMS is because I wanted to make certain that Henry Ford Hospital was represented and hoped that other physicians from the hospital would join me in getting involved," Doctor Whitehouse said.

When asked why he felt it was important for MSMS members to be involved in the House of Delegates and state association advocacy in general , he said, "We have to speak out and let them know at both the county and state level, what is important to physicians and their practices. It's important to represent physicians in our state, and to make sure that the powers who are in Lansing know what MSMS is doing and promoting."

Doctor Whitehouse recognizes that medicine has changed a lot over the years, especially since he began practicing. He wants employed physicians to know that just because they are part of a large hospital setting there's still room to think individually. "Once you're comfortable in your practice setting work to seek out different ways to get involved in advocacy," said Doctor Whitehouse. "Many of the issues physician face can be addressed by MSMS as a united voice. I know that I can speak as an individual but my voice is much stronger when it heard with other physicians who believe the same as I do."

Looking forward, Doctor Whitehouse hopes to continue being involved with MSMS and the House of Delegates. He believes that it has become more democratic throughout the years, that there have been and currently are great Speakers of the House who help lead productive conversations.

To learn more about the MSMS House of Delegates, please visit msms.org/HOD.