Introduction

Welcome to Birthing the Foundation!  Join our journey creating a new tax-exempt foundation whose ambitious goal is to better patients' and physicians' lives and the communities in which they live.  This new org aims for two goals:  to study, teach, then "get the word out" on medical practice styles that reunite patients with doctors, and to provide a philanthropic platform for like-minded physicians. We will need your help every step of the way.  Consider this a brainstorming blog!

As we embark on this voyage, Birthing the Foundation, we will update you on our progress as we boldly build, then move into our new space.  We will share our struggles and seek your empathy as we entertain you on our challenges.

This blog will contain commentaries from Dr. John T. Kihm (black typeface) and his daughters, Anna (blue typeface), and Julia (red typeface).  Dr. Kihm appreciates his daughters' help.  Full-time medicine is rough.

Dr. Kihm
I call it concierge medicine, while others call it direct medicine.  By any name, I believe in it.  I am John T. Kihm, MD.  I believe in taking care of my patients, and that in medicine, all else follows.  This niche needs to prove itself through research, education, and philanthropy.  This niche needs a platform, a foundation.

Dr. Kihm

An internist/pilot with academic (Duke) training, I have evolved my practice into close to its highest form, I believe.  But is it?  Is concierge medicine the best medicine?  Like any new field in medicine, this "baby" needs to prove itself.  The hard way.  Through research and education.  Like talk, anecdotes are cheap.  It is time for "quality medicine" to prove itself.  Come fly with us.

Doctors like us are a generous sort. We volunteer, donate our toil, contribute to our churches and communities.  Let's channel some of those efforts and set an example to others who aspire to practice the best medicine.  More on that in future posts.

Anna
Hello, all!  I am privileged to introduce my big sister Julia.  We like to think of her as the family scapegoat because she is the eldest of four children. A rising junior at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, Julia is studying biology in the hopes of pursuing a medical career.  Deeply involved in her school's musical program, she plays French horn and piano.  Additionally, Julia enjoys spending her time with animals, especially those small and fluffy (including rattus domesticanus).  Of starting this foundation, Julia says, "I hope it is a success.  It sure is going to be a swell adventure!"  Julia is excited to become involved in a new project for the summer, and hopefully far beyond.

Julia (left) and Anna (right)

Julia
Finally, and certainly not least, Anna is the competitive middle child and rising sophomore at Clemson University, located in Clemson, South Carolina.  She has an uncanny passion for teeth and is studying biology in hopes of becoming a flawless dentist.  Anna's bounty of wit makes her the perfect blogger and will be sure to provide our audience with chuckles galore.  Though Anna is not an obstetrician, her professional opinion on the spawning of this foundation is the following: "Our baby is going to be a delight for the masses: very beautiful, big wide eyes, bountiful hair, 7 pounds, 6 ounces."

Our next post, "What Do We Name this Baby?" brings you along in our first lawyer meeting and invites you to help name this miracle.