The Polk County Medical Society is the oldest continuously operating medical society in the state of Iowa, representing more than 1242 physicians and their patients since 1851. Members are local physicians and residents dedicated to serving Des Moines area patients in medical care. Throughout the changes that have taken place in medicine, PCMS has remained a leader at the local, state and national levels.
Our Physicians represent thousands of patients, their staff and families. The purpose of the Polk County Medical Society is to bring together into one organization incorporated under the laws of Iowa Ethical qualified physicians of Polk/Warren/Dallas Counties to promote the science and art of medicine and the betterment of public health unity, harmony and the welfare of the medical profession. We provide physician referral and background education and training information for consumers in Central Iowa.
Mission Statement
The Polk County Medical Society advocates for physicians and patients to promote a healthy community
Promote the science and art of medicine
Communicate a shared mission for healthcare
Maintain the highest professional and ethical standards
Strengthen the voice of the medical profession through enhanced collegiality
PCMS Goals
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- The goals of the Polk County Medical Society are to:
- Establish the medical society as the definitive source of health care information in Central Iowa.
- Become the recognized leader and resource in ensuring value in health care.
- Continue as the pre-eminent Central Iowa organization that advances and protects the medical profession and the practice.
- Ensure that the physician and the medical profession remain viable and thrive in the new health care environment.
- Strengthen PCMS by demonstrating membership value.
PCMS Values
Integrity
Diversity
Protector of the profession
Camaraderie among members
Patient-centered
PCMS provides services to physicians as well as to the public, such as in administering care to the uninsured and underinsured and distributing The Healing Path Guide on Domestic Violence educational booklets to Iowa Hospitals and state agencies. PCMS is active in supporting public health issues, such as increasing immunizations, preventing obesity, and supporting smoke-free Iowa.
PCMS has the VPN, a physician-led, community effort to provide specialty health care to the uninsured. More than 600 physicians have volunteered their time to provide health care to Central Iowa uninsured patients through the VPN.
During the Iowa legislative sessions, PCMS physicians and lobbyists are involved in influencing legislation as it pertains to the quality of care delivered to patients. PCMS physicians and lobbyists meet with legislators and discuss issues pertinent to medicine as they advocate for quality patient care.
At the federal level, PCMS physicians are actively lobbying our congressional delegation in Washington D.C. on health care bills that affect doctors and their patients.
PCMS publishes a Bi-Monthly magazine for members. The Bulletin Member Magazine informs physicians and their office staffs of legislation affecting health care, member events, the business or practice of medicine, and other issues pertinent to medical care. The PCMS Membership Pictorial Directory is published annually and is the only comprehensive pictorial directory of physicians listing the complete membership by name, specialty and location, and lists area hospitals and other health-related agencies. Advertising information is available for both publications.
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Thank you for your interest in the PCMS Foundation. The PCMS Foundation is a charitable foundation providing financial assistance to programs and activities that benefit the health of the citizens of the community and health education relating to public health issues and specific health areas.
One of the Foundations most successful endeavors is the Volunteer Physician Network, a community service project that helps the uninsured working poor of our community receive the specialty care they need.
For more details, contact us at 515-288-0172, or vpn@pcms.org
The Foundation also support the Kathie J. Lyman Scholarship fund which is a grant award of to help offset the cost of medical school for future physicians who are Iowa residents and intend on practicing medicine in Iowa.
Remember your PCMS foundation when making contributions or memorials.
Your gift to the PCMS Foundation will support multiple programs helping Polk County residents in need.
