Profiles in PAMED Leadership

Todd Hertzberg, MD, FACR
Speaker, PAMED House of Delegates

Why did you choose to become a PAMED leader?
I imagine that I got started because I saw opportunities where I thought we could do better. Of course, why we start something is not necessarily the same reason that we continue doing it!

What is at least one way you feel PAMED helps put the passion back in the practice of medicine?
As physicians, we can sometimes become isolated (too busy working, not enough family/friends time, etc...). PAMED allows us to come together, not just to work for our patient and fellow physicians, but also to "share war stories", laugh, socialize and enjoy each other's company. Many a problem is brought into perspective in the informal, social setting.

What do you see as PAMED’s biggest challenge in 2025?
Over the years, more and more physicians are now simply "employees" of a larger organization. Pennsylvania is somewhat "ahead of the curve" compared to the rest of the United States. Our challenge to ensure outstanding patient care and not be marginalized by the "bigger players" is, IMO, the greatest challenge of our time.

What is PAMED’s biggest opportunity in 2025?
Bringing together physicians is the greatest opportunity that lies ahead of us. The time we spend together as colleagues, peers and friends is how we can better strategize how to navigate an increasingly complex situation that does not always value the physician-individual, as it should.

What would you tell a member considering leadership in PAMED?
Jump right in and get involved to the level that you are (currently) able! As things change in your career/family life, you can adjust your engagement accordingly. It is truly a wonderful experience and you will learn so much more than you ever thought!

What would you tell a physician who is just considering joining PAMED?
PAMED supports ALL PA physicians - even those who are NOT members (yet). Do your part and become part of the Pennsylvania Medical Society. It is best to be engaged and participating, but if your current work/life situation does not permit this, then support those who can by becoming a member. When you are ready to get more involved, PAMED will welcome you with open arms. Yes, we all have a limited amount of funds to give as "dues", but the advantages of speaking loudly and clearly as one unified voice of physicians is priceless! Join today.

And a fun one... As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?
In my "under 6" years I wanted to be an astronaut and travel around the universe. Later I thought I might take up piracy and the high seas. By early teenage years I was clearly leaning "doctor".
Andrew Lutzkanin, MD
Vice Speaker, PAMED House of Delegates

Why did you choose to become a PAMED leader?
I have always had an inner drive to be a leader, not just a member, in the groups and organizations to which I belong. Being a PAMED leader allows me to take that inner drive and both share my voice and take the collective voices of my peers forward to advance medicine in Pennsylvania.

What is at least one way you feel PAMED helps put the passion back in the practice of medicine?
The innovation grant program helps support physicians who are actively working to make practice better for patients and physicians.

What do you see as PAMED’s biggest challenge in 2025?
Continuing to be relevant and valued by PA physicians to grow our membership.

What is PAMED’s biggest opportunity in 2025?
PAMED has been highly successful in multiple areas of political advocacy which gives us momentum into the next legislative cycle.

What would you tell a member considering leadership in PAMED?
Taking the next step to becoming a leader in PAMED allows you to further expand your network, better understand important issues, and further allow your voice to be heard.

What would you tell a physician who is just considering joining PAMED?
PAMED provides many benefits of membership beyond simply being a strong advocate. Access to practice support resources, CME, leadership development, and other programs all make membership highly valuable.

And a fun one... As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?
To be honest, I didn't really know what I wanted to be when I was a young child. I don't have that one defining moment that made me choose a path in medicine. I do remember having an interest in science that started as early as elementary school. I also know my interest in leadership goes back to my early teenage years. When the time came to pick a major in college medicine just seemed to jump out as the way to go.
John Mantione, MD
Chair, PAMED Board of Trustees

Why did you choose to become a PAMED leader?
I wanted to represent my specialty and colleagues across the state which led me to the PAMED board of trustees.

What is at least one way you feel PAMED helps put the passion back in the practice of medicine?
Having solidarity with Pennsylvania physicians. I also enjoy being able to have the passion to advocate for my profession and patients.

What do you see as PAMED’s biggest challenge in 2025?
Staying relevant while many organizations across professions are losing membership

What is PAMED’s biggest opportunity in 2025?
Advocating to protect our exam rooms and our physician expertise.

What would you tell a member considering leadership in PAMED?
It is a great opportunity to have impact with your peers across the state.

What would you tell a physician who is just considering joining PAMED?
Together is the best way to thrive.

And a fun one... As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?
I first remember telling people I wanted to be a tugboat captain because you help guide ships and people in a harbor.
Lorraine Rosamilia, MD
Vice Chair, Board of Trustees

Why did you choose to become a PAMED leader?
I enjoy collaborating with physicians of all specialties, practice venues, and communities to strengthen our voices and speak for our patients through healthcare policies and as community leaders.

What is at least one way you feel PAMED helps put the passion back in the practice of medicine?
PAMED welcomes all physician and physician trainee voices through writing, commenting on, and debating House of Delegates resolutions that dictate real life medical policy priorities. PAMED also has a stellar legislative team that involves physicians in advocacy work in Harrisburg and Washington DC, taking our experience with patients to the practical ears of Congress.

What do you see as PAMED’s biggest challenge in 2025?
Physician and staff turnover and administrative burden continue to be a driver of dissatisfaction in this vocation.

What is PAMED’s biggest opportunity in 2025?
PAMED needs to continue to highlight reasons why trainees and current physicians should stay in Pennsylvania to practice when there are many obstacles like medical liability, rural health resource dearth, and noncompetes.

What would you tell a member considering leadership in PAMED?
We welcome those from all specialties, all practice types, and all parts of the state interested in taking their experience with patients to a practical level that can elevate and realize shared challenges and opportunities.

What would you tell a physician who is just considering joining PAMED?
Navigate the website, particularly the educational resources, knowledgeable staff contacts, and events like HOD and advocacy days. Membership benefits every type of physician.

And a fun one... As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?
I think I wanted to be an architect. Mostly because the drafting table looked cool in my bedroom. I soon realized that the interactive, unpredictable, and service-oriented aspects of practicing medicine was my wheelhouse.
Kristen Sandel, MD, FACEP, FAAEM
President, PAMED Board of Trustees

Why did you choose to become a PAMED leader?
As is the case with many physicians, my first love is bedside patient care. However, I recognized early in my career that being a physician is more than caring for patients. It also means advocating for the advancement of the practice of medicine. By being a leader in the Pennsylvania Medical Society, I am able to enhance the care of the patients that I serve in multiple arenas, while also advocating for physicians across the Commonwealth. Without physician leaders, decisions about the care of patients would be made by those who have never practiced at the bedside.

What is at least one way you feel PAMED helps put the passion back in the practice of medicine?
PAMED advocates for the sustainability and joy for physicians in multiple ways. Through collegiality, education, and advocacy, PAMED listens to the voice of the physician and the barriers they face in caring for patients. Initiatives such as Safe Haven, the ED Boarding and Overcrowding Taskforce, and Maintenance of Certification work are removing frustrations physicians face daily. PAMED continues to listen to physicians across the Commonwealth through grassroots efforts and the House of Delegates to take the pulse of the society and restore the passion and joy by ensuring they can pivot to the most vital areas of physician needs.

What do you see as PAMED’s biggest challenge in 2025?
Unionization is a hot topic in many specialties around the country and in the Commonwealth. PAMED will need to continue to listen to the physician members to ensure we are meeting the needs of the physicians we serve. This issue is only one of the many challenges we face, as healthcare is changing rapidly and physicians will need to continuously be on the forefront as leaders.

What is PAMED’s biggest opportunity in 2025?
There are so many areas that are rapidly evolving including the unionization of physicians, artificial intelligence, reimbursement issues, change in venue/tort reform, sustainability and burnout amongst our physicians. Our biggest opportunity in 2025 and beyond is identifying the issues most important to the delivery and sustainability of care and making Pennsylvania the best state for physicians to practice and thrive.

What would you tell a member considering leadership in PAMED?
Leadership is a privilege that will enhance your practice in ways beyond your imagination. The experience that physicians obtain in collegiality, education, and leadership and many other areas is unparalleled and translates directly to bedside care. Mentors and mentees are in every corner of the society and the learning never stops during a physician's period of involvement and beyond.
Lynn Lucas-Fehm, MD, JD
President Elect, PAMED Board of Trustees

Why did you choose to become a PAMED leader?
I hope to enhance my ability to care for patients by collaborating with and supporting my physician colleagues.

What is at least one way you feel PAMED helps put the passion back in the practice of medicine?
Information provides the foundation for building a successful medical practice whether a doctor is in a solo, group or employed practice. PAMED is an excellent source to obtain the knowledge physicians need.

What do you see as PAMED’s biggest challenge in 2025?
Communication. Physicians are increasingly busy with increased volume, electronic paperwork, and pressure from health systems, private equity, and regulatory bodies. In the midst of all this noise, how can PAMED get its message heard?

What is PAMED’s biggest opportunity in 2025?
Potential legislative movement that directly impacts how Pennsylvania physicians practice. Non-compete contract and private equity legislation are examples that PAMED will play a strong role in negotiating. We need to communicate our involvement and reach out to our members to get them engaged in what clearly has an impact on their ability to practice.

What would you tell a member considering leadership in PAMED?
To quote Nike - JUST DO IT. in particular our younger members who do not believe they have enough experience. Their energy and new ideas are needed and coupled with the many experienced leaders already in place will create a more vibrant, successful PAMED.

What would you tell a physician who is just considering joining PAMED?
Although many do not see the value in organized medicine, the effect it has on each physicians daily practice is immense. A physician who elects to be a non-participant is allowing others to define how he/she will practice. One example is the venue issue. Over 20 years ago PAMED along with like-minded groups managed to get legislation passed that had a tremendous positive impact on physician practices.
Very few physicians truly appreciate that PAMED played a large part in the successful process that passed that legislation. Now that the supreme court of PA has reversed the legislation, we see how much of a difference it actually made.

And a fun one... As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?
My father was a doctor, his father was a doctor, his sister was a doctor. It should not be surprising that I always wanted to be a doctor.
Arvind Cavale, MD, FACE, FCPP, PCEO
Vice President, PAMED Board of Trustees

Why did you choose to become a PAMED leader?
In the 24th year of my independent practice in SE PA, I realized that I could offer valuable insights and experiences to PAMED, that could help reverse the decades-long decline in physician autonomy & patient empowerment. I recognized the definite cultural shift in PAMED leadership over the past few years that I hoped would be conducive to my message of gratitude and optimism. My business and leadership training at the Kellogg School of Management in 2019 & real-world experience in the school of hard knocks over 24 years, afforded me the confidence that I could lead a resurgence of the profession using the PAMED platform. I am convinced that we as a profession must ask fundamentally new questions that help us secure our relationship with patients and secure the profession for future generations. I believe that PAMED is well-positioned to be the organization to pose those questions and demand answers.

What is at least one way you feel PAMED helps put the passion back in the practice of medicine?
Perhaps the PACIN is the organization that can potentially do this.

What do you see as PAMED’s biggest challenge in 2025?
Creating harmony between the Board of Trustees and the House of Delegates, so that the organization can function in unison and achieve shared goals. This leads to the difficulty recruiting new members and growing the organization.

What is PAMED’s biggest opportunity in 2025?
Using my connections and experience to develop new business opportunities for PA physicians, allowing them to extricate themselves from the clutches of big insurance and big hospital systems, and realizing their true worth. This will return the joy to medical practice, improve professional satisfaction and reduce burnout. It will also increase PAMED membership and offer new grads real practice alternatives.

What would you tell a member considering leadership in PAMED?
Understand your strengths and weaknesses, review the organizational needs; figure out how your abilities can help meet organizational needs plus provide new opportunities for PAMED to grow. Think of creating a win-win outcome.

What would you tell a physician who is just considering joining PAMED?
Give it a try; figure out how you can gain from being a member and how you can contribute

And a fun one... As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?
A doctor and nothing else. Just fascinated by the profession. Paternal grandfather was a GP. As a 14-year old, I spent weeks at my dad's hospital bedside, after a massive heart attack, which cemented the idea in my head. I have been a caregiver first, a physician next - now consider myself a healer. When I really grow up, I'd like to be the healer of the profession, that has been ill for a long time!