Stephen R. Permut, MD ’72, JD, FAAFP, FACP, FACLM, Professor and former Chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, has been installed as the 160th President of the Philadelphia County Medical Society. Founded in 1849, the Society — one of the oldest county medical societies in the United States (founded in 1849) — has more than 5,000 members who advocate for patients, public health, and high professional standards in medical practice and education.
As President, Dr. Permut succeeds Natalia Ortiz-Torrent, MD, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine.
“Dr. Permut, incoming President, and Dr. Ortiz-Torrent, outgoing President, are Lewis Katz School of Medicine faculty members and medical leaders with incredible know-how. They’ve taken the helm of PCMS during one of the most challenging times for health and welfare in the City in decades – and that’s a real confidence-builder for Philadelphia,” says Amy Goldberg, MD, FACS, the School’s Interim Dean.
A leader in medical affairs at the county, state, and national levels, Dr. Permut has practiced and taught medicine in a variety of settings in underserved, inner-city communities. In addition to bringing this experience to his role as PCMS president, he also brings decades of experience in organized medicine. It’s a passion he has pursued from the earliest days of his career, which began in the State of Delaware. He was Trustee of the New Castle County Medical Society and founding Chair of its Community Relations Committee. Later he was President and Trustee of the Medical Society of Delaware — and founding Chair of its Legislative Action Committee.
Dr. Permut chaired Delaware’s Delegation to the American Medical Association (AMA), was named to the AMA Council on Legislation, and ultimately served on the AMA Board of Trustees (2010-2018). In 2017 he was elected Board Chair of the AMA — the largest medical organization in the nation, representing all states. Dr. Permut also served as a Commissioner for the Joint Commission – the nationwide accrediting body for hospitals.
Dr. Permut has been a member of the Philadelphia County Medical Society and Pennsylvania Medical Society (PCMS PAMED) since 2005. He served as Treasurer on the PCMS Board of Directors and continues to serve as a Delegate to PAMED — likewise remaining a Trustee of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.
"I grew up and was educated in Philadelphia — Olney High School, Penn, Temple — so to become the President of the Philadelphia County Medical Society is an incredible honor," says Dr. Permut, who notes that, as President, he plans to engage regional medical societies and physicians in ways that serve their needs as well as the needs of the Philadelphia community.
A native Philadelphian, Dr. Permut received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1967, his MD from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in 1972, and his juris doctorate degree from Widener University School of Law in 1985.
He is a Fellow of numerous organizations: the American Academy of Family Physicians; the College of Physicians of Philadelphia; the American College of Legal Medicine; and the American College of Physicians. He is recipient of the Laureate Award of the American College of Physicians; the Distinguished Service and President’s Awards of the Medical Society of Delaware; and several honors from Temple University, including induction into the University’s Gallery of Success -- and the Preceptor of the Year and Honored Professor Awards of the School of Medicine. Dr. Permut is also a past president of the medical school’s alumni association.
To learn more about The Philadelphia County Medical Society, visit www.philamedsoc.org.