In health care, change is the word.
“Since the Affordable Care Act, we’re facing tremendous change,” said Dr. D. Michael Baxter, chairman of the Berks County Medical Society ’s executive council.
“Look at St. Joe’s and Penn State,” he said of the former St. Joseph Medical Center in Bern Township going under the Penn State Health umbrella. “Things are changing all around us.
“The medical society has to be flexible and help doctors deal with all the changes going on.”
Fitting the theme of change, the medical society has a new executive director, T.J. Huckleberry, 33, who is settling into the post after his first few weeks on the job.
Health care is changing, and the Sinking Spring resident said he could not wait to get started in his new role. “Being able to advocate for doctors, being able to be their voice in Berks County is a great opportunity and honor,” Huckleberry said. “The medical field, both legislatively and policywise, has been constantly moving and changing in the last five to 10 years, so this is very exciting.”
Huckleberry follows Bruce R. Weidman, who served as the medical society’s executive director for more than 27 years before retiring in June 2014. Huckleberry’s background is in politics, most recently serving as a staffer for state Sen. Judy Schwank, a Ruscombmanor Township Democrat. He also sits on Sinking Spring Borough Council.
Baxter said Huckleberry’s background in politics will be a big asset for the medical society. Many of the discussions that happen among lawmakers directly affect doctors, patients in Berks and the rest of the nation.
“He brings a lot of political experience with him, which is always valuable,” Baxter said. “A lot of issues that take place in Harrisburg and (Washington) D.C. affect doctors and patients and the way health care is delivered in this state. The medical society plays a role in those conversations.”
Huckleberry said that Berks has one of the most active medical societies in the state and a strong crop of doctors providing care in the region.
“We’re lucky right now,” he said. “We have a lot of dedicated physicians, a lot of independent practices and two major hospitals.
“We do have a physician-oriented and medically minded county. We have a strong presence in the community. We’re very fortunate to have that.”
Berks County has one of the oldest medical societies in the country, dating back to 1824, Baxter said. The organization in an advocate for doctors and patients, provides programs for doctors and gives physicians a place to get together.
Huckleberry said recruiting and helping young physicians is another goal.
“It’s a matter of keeping the best and brightest here in Berks County,” he said. “A lot of young physicians have the growing pains starting their own businesses, entering their own field. We have veterans who can assist them.”
He said doctors are at the center of a lot of health and medical policy issues that are debated, and Huckleberry said it’s an exciting time to be a part of that conversation.
“For me the goal is outreach and advocacy,” he said. “I’m ecstatic to be a part of this.”