Kim Warner, MD, delivered her inaugural address at the 2024 Colorado Medical Society (CMS) Annual Meeting, reflecting on her career and outlining her vision for the organization’s future. Dr. Warner shared personal stories from her early days in medicine, including a memorable first experience with an emergency cesarean section during her intern year.
She described how mentors have shaped her approach to medicine, highlighting the influence of Lynette Vialet, a respected physician and Air Force flight surgeon. “She was one of us. One of the best of us. She was magical,” Warner said.
Dr. Warner spoke about moments in life she considers magical—summiting Mount Kilimanjaro just before September 11, 2001, and scuba diving in Palau where she encountered a whale shark. She compared these experiences to the daily work of physicians: “Then I realize what physicians get to do daily for our jobs is one of the most magical things anybody can imagine… In times of need people trust us with their lives. That is magical.”
Referencing Roger Federer’s recent commencement speech at Dartmouth College, Dr. Warner noted that while athletes can recover from small losses, physicians must strive for near perfection due to the stakes involved in patient care.
Dr. Warner emphasized CMS’s role in advocacy and its commitment to diversity and inclusion within Colorado’s medical community. She noted a milestone for the society: “I want to make note that this is the first year in CMS history that there are women in both the president and president-elect roles! As Elenor Roosevelt said, ‘well behaved women rarely make history,’ right, Brigitta [Robinson]?”
Warner highlighted legislative achievements by CMS’s Council on Legislation over the past session, including negotiations around liability caps and professional review laws as well as reforms on prior authorization and privacy protections for biological data.
Looking ahead, Dr. Warner set goals focused on increasing membership and improving perceptions of CMS among Colorado physicians by developing a strategic plan centered on advocacy, belonging, education and engagement.
“I am grateful to all CMS members for trusting me this year,” she concluded.
