Alachua County Medical Society

09/06/2025

The Alachua County Medical Society, representing more than 1,000 physicians and medical students, is calling on Florida officials to preserve existing vaccine requirements following the Florida Surgeon General’s recent announcement proposing their removal- even for public school attendance.

Alachua County is home to one of Florida’s top children’s hospitals and a community of skilled, compassionate doctors who are deeply committed to keeping kids healthy and safe. The decision to remove vaccine protections is not only medically unsound- it’s personally troubling to those of us who care for children every day.

Vaccines are one of medicine’s greatest achievements. They are time-tested and have protected our communities from whooping cough, pneumonia, meningitis, measles, and other severe and life-threatening infections for generations. Alachua County physicians and scientists have contributed to the very research confirming the safety and effectiveness of these life-saving tools. Unfortunately, we are already seeing some reversal in our decades-long progress in fighting these preventable illnesses. Measles cases in the U.S. are at their highest levels in over 30 years. Whooping cough is on the rise in our county. These infections are a warning bell for us to work together to shore up our defenses. In this pivotal moment, Florida should strengthen our community safeguards, not dismantle them.

School vaccine requirements keep all of our children safe at school and prevent infections from spreading. They allow kids with chronic medical conditions to safely learn alongside their classmates. They allow parents the freedom to bring younger siblings and grandparents to school events without picking up whooping cough or the measles. They protect our teachers and front office staff who are there for our children day in and day out.

The Alachua County Medical Society urges educators, parents, community leaders, and lawmakers to stand with us to protect existing vaccine requirements. Together, we can continue to make our community a safe and healthy place for families in the generations to come.

Brittany Bruggeman, MD, ACMS President;
and the ACMS Board of Directors

07/30/2025

Congratulations, Dr. Akey! Thanks for your continued dedication to local health.

Gainesville’s beloved family physician, Dr. Angeli Maun Akey, a steadfast advocate for whole-person primary care and the visionary founder of North Florida Integrative Medicine, has been awarded the prestigious Florida Medical Association Certificate of Appreciation

07/01/2025

As summer kicks in and the Legislative Session has come to an end (finally), it’s time for the ACMS 2025 Spring/Summer edition of House Calls.

Download at: https://www.acms.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/SpringSummer2025-Web-sm.pdf

In this issue, we
• Recognize Chris Balamucki, MD for serving at 2023-25 ACMS President.
• Welcome the incoming ACMS Officers;.
• Highlight the Legislative Outcomes for the medical profession;.
• Discuss the effect of budget cuts on Medical Academic Research.
• Encourage you to Find the Power of your Voice as an advocate for your patients’ health and
• An interview with Charles Stoer, MD, who has served as a Dermatologic Surgeon in Gainesville for the past 40 years.

A professional and scientific organization representing more than 1000 practicing and retired physicians, medical residents and medical school students.

05/26/2025

Thanks to everyone who joined us to celebrate the installation of our new officers and to express our sincere gratitude to our outgoing President, Chris Balamucki, MD. Thank you, Chris for your dedication and hard work over the past two years. Your contributions have been invaluable to the ACMS.

The Annual Meeting and Installation of Officers was generously sponsored by UF Health and by Gallagher Insurance, who underwrites the ACMS Health Insurance Trust.

04/24/2025

Thanks to our wonderful Sponsors at the ACMS April Meeting and Mentorship Kickoff Program! Special thanks to Rupa Lloyd, JD; Byron Flagg, JD; and Hunter Patrick, JD of GrayRobinson, for an excellent presentation.
; ; ; ; ; ; and MyRx.

01/23/2025

Sign Up As a Mentor for Medical Students, Residents and Fellows

Alachua County Physicians are invited to participate in our inaugural Mentorship Program - designed to connect experienced Physician Mentors with Medical Students, Residents and Fellows in Alachua County. Help nurture future physicians who will go on to practice in Alachua County, Florida, and beyond. The program will run for one year from March/April 2025 to 2026. Mentor/Mentee pairs should meet at least twice during this period.

If you are interested in helping to foster the next generation of physicians, sign up QR Codes are below. Please submit your form by 11:59 pm on Saturday, February 22, 2025.

Link to Mentor Form:
https://forms.gle/L5cv8xE1bgDnK9AUA

01/23/2025

The 2025 Poster Symposium was both fun AND educational. Thanks to all our Judges and Participants for braving the cold and to our Platinum Sponsor: US Army Medical Recruiting Office and Sergeant First Class Halutz Parilla!

11/11/2024

09/27/2024

We were honored to present Reza Forghani, MD, PhD on Artificial Intelligence in Medicine: Barriers and Opportunities on September 24th at the ACMS Meeting and Fall Social. Thank you, Dr. Forghani, for an insightful presentation.
James Moore & Co.

05/29/2024

House Calls - Spring/Summer 2024:
Advances in Cardiology and a Tribute to Gerold Shiebler, MD.
Download at:

03/27/2024

Thanks to our generous Sponsors of the ACMS Spring Social: UF Health, TSG Group, TD Bank, Florida Blue, Community Hospice & Palliative Care, MagMutual, and MediG!

06/20/2023