Important Change to Day on the Hill March 25, Organizing Virtual Advocacy Event
March 12, 2020
The Nashville Academy leadership supports a recent decision made by the TMA Board of Trustees to transition the format of Day on the Hill scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, from a live, in-person event to a virtual, statewide advocacy effort.
The change will help address growing concerns about spread of the coronavirus and avoid unnecessary travel and exposure for approximately 300 physicians and other healthcare professionals who planned to attend on March 25, as well as lawmakers, legislative staff and other visitors on Capitol Hill.
It will also allow TMA member physicians, medical office staff and healthcare administrators to remain closer to home to address patient care needs and continue working closely with public health officials to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
“The Tennessee Department of Health is working closely with the state medical association to disseminate accurate and timely information about coronavirus to the medical community. Given the current public health climate, I believe TMA is making the prudent choice to modify the format of Day on the Hill. TMA is taking appropriate precautions without interfering with doctors’ ability to communicate with the state legislature, or provide patient care. I encourage Tennesseans to seek out and listen to physicians’ expertise as we work together to flatten the curve of COVID-19.”
- Lisa Piercey, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health and TMA member physician
The General Assembly remains in session until further notice and it is still important for physicians to advocate for good healthcare policies. Instead of traveling to Nashville on March 25, TMA is asking all members and member representatives to devote one hour during the day to contacting their legislators directly via email, phone and/or social media. TMA member physicians and others who registered for the March 25 event will receive details about the virtual Day on the Hill in the coming days.
