Why are MSV’s White Coats on Call lobbying days important? Bill Jones, M.D., an annual White Coats on Call participant from Lynchburg, explains, “White Coat Days give me an opportunity to be educated by MSV staff on the medical/political issues facing physicians. Watching the legislators in action is informative to me as a citizen and physician. MSV staff does an excellent job in preparing the legislators and physicians on the issues at hand. My only desire would be to see more doctors participate in White Coats on Call Days with our legislators.”

Are you up to Dr. Jones’ challenge? MSV’s White Coat days are MSV’s signature grassroots lobbying days held each year during the General Assembly session in Richmond. White Coat days ensure the near-daily presence of physicians at the Capitol and give physicians the opportunity to tell their delegates and senators about the challenges facing the practice of medicine and Virginia’s health care system.

Save the date on your calendar now for your 2011 White Coats on Call day. Join your colleagues from your MSV district or specialty society, or both to advocate for the practice of medicine. Without your efforts to reach out to legislators, they may not have your best interests in mind!

If your schedule precludes you from participating in your district's designated White Coat days, you are welcome to join on any of the other White Coats on Call days. MSV will provide more information about registering for the 2011 days this fall.

In addition, many local and specialty medical society executives organize efforts to get physicians to travel to Richmond for their White Coat Days. All physicians are strongly encouraged to call their medical society executive or president to find out about such arrangements.