TMCMS at the 2026 WSMA House of Delegates: Stronger Together
The 2026 Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) House of Delegates, held September 26–27 at the Historic Davenport in Spokane, was a productive and energizing weekend for the Thurston-Mason County Medical Society (TMCMS) delegation. With strong collaboration, thoughtful debate, and a shared commitment to improving healthcare across Washington, our delegation had a meaningful impact on this year's proceedings.
Building on relationships developed over previous years, TMCMS worked closely with colleagues from other county medical societies, particularly Pierce and King counties. We also joined forces with our Southwest Washington regional caucus, bringing together delegates from Pierce and Clark counties to discuss resolutions, exchange perspectives, and coordinate our approach. These partnerships helped strengthen our collective voice. The majority of the resolutions we proposed were adopted, reflecting the hard work and collaboration that went into developing and advancing them.
This year's meeting also introduced some welcome improvements to the resolution process. The expanded use of the Virtual Reference Committee (VRC), including preliminary reference committee reports distributed ahead of the meeting, made a noticeable difference. Having the reports available at the start of Saturday's sessions allowed delegates to focus their in-person discussions on resolutions specifically extracted for further consideration. The result was a more efficient process that still allowed ample time for meaningful debate, amendments, and thoughtful deliberation. It was encouraging to see how procedural improvements could make participation more productive without sacrificing the substance of our work.
The weekend also featured excellent speakers who offered perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing medicine. Keynote speaker Vinay Gupta, MD, explored how physicians can lead through change, including the evolving role of artificial intelligence, technology's potential to restore the human side of medicine, and the importance of trust and physician advocacy. Dennis E. Worsham and Toluwalaṣé (Laṣé) A. Ajayi, MD, FAAP, also brought valuable perspectives to the meeting. Their contributions complemented the policy discussions and reminded us of the broader impact of physician leadership beyond our individual practices.
Perhaps just as valuable as the policy work was the camaraderie throughout the weekend. The HOD offers a welcoming and supportive environment where early-career physicians can learn from seasoned colleagues, experienced delegates can share their knowledge, and retired physicians can continue contributing their wisdom and perspective. Physician assistants are also an important part of these conversations. Across specialties, practice settings, and career stages, the common thread is a genuine desire to support one another and advocate for our patients and communities. That spirit of collegiality is one of the most rewarding aspects of participating in organized medicine.
We also welcome Matt Hollon, MD, MPH, MACP, of Spokane County, as the incoming 2026–2027 WSMA president. In his inaugural address, Dr. Hollon spoke about hope, trust, joy, and the importance of telling the full story of medicine, not just its challenges but also its purpose and privilege. His message was a fitting close to a weekend centered on engagement, collaboration, and the future of our profession.
As TMCMS looks ahead, this year's HOD is a reminder that our participation matters. By working together, building relationships across counties, and bringing our local experiences to the state level, we can help shape policies that support physicians and the patients we serve. The work is ongoing, but so is the opportunity to make a difference. And there is real value in knowing we are not doing it alone.
TMCMS delegates, Eddy Cates, MD ~ Elia Cole, DO ~ Bob Lang, MD ~ Hal Stockbridge, MD ~ Kim Ha Wadsworth, DO ~ Meg MacLeod, MD