2026 Incoming President's Speech January 22, 2026 RCMA/CMA 0 The following is the speech presented by Benjamin Mahdi, M.D., Incoming President, at the 133rd Installation of Officers and Annual Awards Dinner on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Victoria Club in Riverside. Before we look ahead, I want to pause for a moment - because occasions like this invite reflection. They remind us that leadership is not something we arrive at on our own. It is built over time, shaped by those who came before us, and sustained by people who choose to serve, often without recognition. And so I want to begin with gratitude. I want to begin by recognizing our outgoing president, Dr. Maheshwari. Over the past year, Dr. Maheshwari has led this association with steadiness, thoughtfulness, and a clear commitment to doing what is right for our members and our community. At a time when healthcare has been anything but predictable, that kind of leadership matters. I also want to recognize the Board of Councilors. Your time, your engagement, and your willingness to take on difficult questions are what allow this association not only to function, but to move forward and to thrive. I am especially grateful for RCMA as an organization and as a community. I first joined this board during my very first year of residency, at a time when I was still learning what it meant to belong to this profession. What I found here was mentorship, encouragement, and the belief that physicians have a responsibility beyond our exam rooms. That belief continues today through the leadership of our CEO, Dolores Green, and through the work of an incredible staff who keep this organization focused, stable, and effective - day in and day out. To my team from Riverside Family Physicians - I’m truly honored that so many of you are here tonight. Every day, I have the privilege of working alongside people who show up for patients who are often overlooked, unheard, or struggling. You won’t find a more dedicated group of people. Your dedication and compassion are a constant reminder that this work - truly matters. And to my family - to my wife, Keeley, our three children - Quinten, Nils, and Auggie, my parents - Tarek and Ana, and my in-laws - Pam and Leigh - thank you. You have been the steady presence through every season of our lives together. Keeley - My love - I could not imagine a more perfect partner to do this with life. You have stood with and beside me through all of our wild adventures - from living in the Caribbean, to New York City, to the beautiful chaos of raising three young men. Through every move, every uncertainty, and every final exam I told you I had to get a 95% to pass the semester, your support never wavered and you always knew how to ground me and bring calm. Thank you. To Quinten, Nils, and Auggie - you remind me every day what really matters - not titles or accomplishments, but character, kindness, and how we treat the people around us. I am so proud of you three. And to my parents - Tarek and Ana who are role models to me not just in medicine, but in life. Growing up, I saw their consistency, their sacrifices, and the way they showed up - day after day. More than anything, always present and always encouraging. If I bring any steadiness or perspective to this role, it is because of all of you. You have grounded me, challenged me, and reminded me - again and again - why this work is worth doing. So thank you. As we shift and reflect on the year behind us, we also must be honest about the moment we are in. The past year has been one of the most disruptive periods in healthcare. The passage of HR1, “The Big Beautiful Bill”, and the resulting loss of healthcare coverage for hundreds of thousands of patients locally has created real uncertainty - not in theory, but in the lives of the people we care for every day. But moments like this also clarify something important. They remind us why organizations like the RCMA exist. Not simply to respond when conditions are easy, but to lead when they are not. Not to wait for political winds to shift, but to focus on what we can do - right here, in our own communities. What if this is not just a setback, but a turning point? What if this is the moment that brings us closer together, strengthens our resolve, and sharpens our voice as physicians? Real change rarely begins at a distance. More often, it starts locally - through relationships, shared experience, commitment to our patients, ourselves, and our community. We know how to advocate. We know how to listen. And above all, we know how to care. If we remain grounded in those values, we can be thoughtful, effective, and principled voices for the people we serve. I step into this role mindful of the responsibility it carries and confident in what we can build together. The work ahead won’t always be easy - but it will matter. And I look forward to doing that work alongside all of you. Benjamin Mahdi, M.D. Comments are closed.
