Michigan State University Graduate Focuses on Protecting, Empowering Patients – Putting Patients First in Health Care
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The Michigan State Medical Society this weekend will formally welcome Kenneth Elmassian, D.O., as the new President of the Society. Doctor Elmassian, a graduate of Michigan State University, is the past co-chief of staff and a practicing anesthesiologist at McLaren Greater Lansing, formerly Ingham Regional Medical Center.
Doctor Elmassian will take office on Saturday following his official election last year by the Michigan State Medical Society’s (MSMS) House of Delegates. During the annual House of Delegates Meeting in Grand Rapids, Doctor Elmassian will deliver his inaugural speech,focusing on the importance of empowering patients and strengthening the physician-patient relationship to ensure patients always come first in health care.
“In these times of tremendous change in health care, physicians have the sacred responsibility to put our patients’ well-being at the forefront of everything we do,” said Doctor Elmassian. “I am humbled and honored to represent the 15,000 physician members of the Michigan State Medical Society who work every day from the exam room to the operating suite and from Lansing to Washington, D.C., to put Michigan patients first,”
In his speech to delegates, Doctor Elmassian will identify numerous critical public policy reforms he believes are important to make Michigan the best state in the nation for quality patient care. Among those priorities are passage of a new bill that would give patients access to the best, most accurate information about who is treating them and what their health care provider is trained and licensed to do, which is more than the system currently affords them. The Patient’s Right to Know bill currently before lawmakers in Lansing would require medical professionals to wear and display their credentials and expertise both in the office and/or hospital, as well as in any advertising promoting their services.
“There is no place for confusion in health care that can put patient safety at risk,” said Doctor Elmassian. “Empowering patients to make the best, most informed decisions about their health care means giving them access to the best, most accurate information and transparency when they visit the doctor’s office or the hospital.”
In addition to serving as co-chief of staff at McLaren, Doctor Elmassian currently serves as Director of Cardiac Anesthesiology. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, is Past President of the Ingham County Medical Society, Immediate Past President of the Michigan Society of Anesthesiologists, and is a member of the Michigan Osteopathic Association.
The Michigan State Medical Society is a professional association of more than 15,000 Michigan physicians. Its mission is to promote a health care environment which supports physicians in caring for, and enhancing the health of Michigan citizens through science, quality, and ethics in the practice of medicine. Please visit www.msms.org for more information.
###