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Dr. Landon Combs Voted TMA President-Elect

March 6, 2023
 

Nashville, TN — Ballad Health pediatrician Landon Combs, MD, of Gray, Tenn., has been named President-Elect of the Tennessee Medical Association, the state’s largest and most influential advocacy organization for doctors, following a February election among its members.

The monthlong election featured more than 600 total votes cast among TMA members.

"I am grateful to the members of the Tennessee Medical Association for the confidence they have placed in me," said Dr. Combs. "It will be a privilege and honor to serve the physicians of our great state."

Dr. Combs will serve one year as President-Elect, one year as President and one year as Immediate Past President. His primary role is to serve as the face of the organization and spokesman for TMA with its membership, the media, government officials and the citizens of Tennessee. His formal installation will take place at April's House of Delegates meeting in Franklin.

TMA will install Memphis cardiologist Andrew Watson, MD as its President during the meeting with current President Edward Capparelli, MD continuing his leadership service as Immediate Past President. 

Dr. Combs identified several areas of focus as he prepares to enter his leadership term.

"There are several ongoing challenges before us that need to be addressed including decreasing physician fatigue, increasing physician engagement in TMA, working with insurers to lessen 'paperwork burden,' and improving clinical informatics capabilities for the benefit of physicians and patients," Dr. Combs said.

Dr. Combs has served his local medical society, the Sullivan County Medical Society, in multiple officer capacities including president. He has also participated as Region 8 representative on the TMA Board of Trustees and TMA Secretary-Treasurer. He has participated as an alternate delegate with the American Medical Association.

"In addition to his leadership service representing local physicians in Sullivan County, Dr. Combs has been an integral part of TMA's Board in recent years," said TMA CEO Russ Miller. "His thoughtful approach to solving complex problems has earned the trust of his colleagues and been of great value to our organization.

“He will no doubt serve Tennessee physicians well in this new leadership role."

Combs previously held a role with TMA's Board of Trustees as its young physician representative. He holds seats with TMA's Physician Services and Professional Relations committees. Dr. Combs also serves as a clinical informaticist with Ballad Health.

"Dr. Combs has been in our leadership ranks for years," said Russ Miller, TMA CEO. "I have worked closely with him since he led our organization's Young Physicians section. His knowledge of TMA's inner workings is a great asset toward the leading the organization successfully. He is practicing where he grew up, educated and trained, and I know he will be as dedicated to TMA as he is to his hometown patients."

During the election period, Dr. Combs met with colleagues at multiple component medical societies across the state. During these gatherings, he identified his priorities and placed an emphasis on unification of the profession around shared interests including scope of practice, government policy, and the commitment to maintaining the health and welfare of the organization and Tennessee physicians.

The following members were also elected to serve in leadership roles on TMA Board of Trustees and Judicial Council.

Board of Trustees

  • Region 1: Walter Rayford, MD
  • Region 3: Laura Andreson, DO
  • Region 6: Gene Huffstutter, MD
  • Region 8: Allan Colyar, MD

Judicial Council

  • Region 2: Chris Marshall, MD
  • Region 4: Nicole Schlechter, MD
  • Region 6: Nita Shumaker, MD
  • Region 8: John McGraw, MD

The Tennessee Medical Association is the state's largest medical organization for physicians. It features more than 9,500 members across multiple specialty organizations and geographic locations.