Over 150 physicians convened on Saturday, May 17, in Franklin, Tenn., for the Tennessee Medical Association’s (TMA’s) 190^th Annual Meeting and House of Delegates. Delegates and officers conducted association business and discussed resolutions to direct TMA’s governance and legislative policy. In addition, TMA presented several physician awards and conducted annual changes in leadership positions.

The 2025 TMA House of Delegates focused on the areas of artificial intelligence (AI), public health, private equity and insurance payers, both government and commercial. Actions of the House included: 

Ensuring Physician Oversight of Artificial Intelligence in Patient Interactions

Delegates affirmed TMA’s support of the development of policies that ensure oversight by physicians in AI-driven patient interactions. TMA will work with appropriate agencies, healthcare institutions and lawmakers to form guidelines for the safe, ethical and transparent use of AI in healthcare.

Combating the Accessibility of Addictive Substances and Reducing Barriers to Treatment 

Delegates called for the ban of specific addictive substances and the need to reduce barriers to life-saving treatments like naloxone. Additionally, the body charged TMA with supporting increased reporting requirements and penalties for child vaping in schools in an effort to reduce widespread use among Tennessee youth. TMA will work through its delegates at AMA to carry out many of these directives. 

Addressing Private Equity in Healthcare 

Delegates charged the TMA Board of Trustees with developing and implementing state policies surrounding private investment in healthcare to promote greater transparency, protect physician autonomy and safeguard patient access.

Supporting Greater Efficiency of Government and Commercial Payers  

Delegates stressed the need to streamline government and commercial payment and processes for health-related services, including reducing the time frame to approve CoverKids applications, strengthening state and federal policies related to telehealth, improving patient education on the risks and benefits of Medicare Advantage plans and increasing transparency in prior authorization policies. Several of these resolutions were referred to the AMA for further action.

John McCarley, MD, a nephrologist with Nephrology Associates in Chattanooga, Tenn., was installed as the 171^st President for 2025-2026, and Landon Combs, MD, a Ballad Health pediatrician from Gray, Tenn., became the Immediate Past President.

Trey Lee, MD, President and CMO a neurologist in Nashville, Tenn., was re-elected Speaker of the House, and Kirk Stone, MD, Family Medicine, from Union City, Tenn., was re-elected Vice Speaker of the House. Dr. Leslie Treece, a Cookeville pediatrician, was installed as Chair of the Board and Dr. Michelle Allmon, an internist from Collierville, Tenn., was installed as Vice-Chair.

Recently elected members of the Board of Trustees and Judicial Council were also installed, including Marijka Grey, MD, a new member of the Board representing the greater Chattanooga area. Additionally, Dr. Sandhya Mudumbi, an oncologist in Nashville was installed as the Board representative for TMA’s Young Physician Section, and Dr. Catherine Quiñones, an ophthalmology resident at UT Health Science Center in Memphis was installed as the Board representative for TMA’s Resident and Fellow Section. For the full list of election results, click here.

Several physicians were recognized and presented with awards during TMA’s Annual Meeting. Dr. Donald Lovelace and Dr. John Ingram, III received TMA’s Outstanding Physician Award. This award is presented annually by the House to member physicians who have made their own personal mark on the profession of medicine in Tennessee and on their colleagues. This award is considered TMA’s lifetime achievement award.

Dr. Wm. MacMillan Rodney from Memphis and Dr. Natalie Dickson from Nashville received the Dr. William Schaffner Public Health Hero Award. This award is presented every two years by both the Tennessee Public Health Association and the TMA to physicians who demonstrate extraordinary efforts in the advancement of public health in Tennessee.

TMA’s Annual Meeting provides Tennessee physicians the opportunity to guide the association’s priorities and advance the interests of the medical profession through policy creation. All TMA regions were represented and debated resolutions on the House floor as well as in break out caucus sessions. The next TMA Annual Meeting is scheduled for May 1-3, 2025 at the Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin, Tenn.