NASHVILLE, TENN. — Dr. Landon Combs, a board-certified pediatrician with Ballad Health from Gray, Tenn., was officially installed as the 170th president of the Tennessee Medical Association, the statewide professional association for more than 10,000 member physicians. 

Dr. Combs was sworn in on Saturday, April 6, at the association’s House of Delegates and Annual Meeting in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Nearly 200 physicians from across the state gathered to discuss association business and legislative policy for the upcoming year. Dr. Combs assumed the presidency from Dr. Andrew Watson, a board-certified cardiologist with St. Francis Cardiology Associates in Memphis, who prioritized medical students and residents during his term as president. Dr. Combs will serve as the TMA president until May of 2025, at which time TMA President-Elect Dr. John McCarley, a nephrologist with Nephrology Associates in Chattanooga, will be installed as the 171st president. Dr. Combs will lead the organization in its mission to protect, empower and grow physicians while supporting organized medicine. 

"I come before the House of Delegates with one mantra I would like everyone to consider," said Dr. Combs in his inaugural speech. "We are TMA! To me, they are not just words. They are a mindset, a willingness to work together across lines when needed, to stand together as a group to support each other. In short, it means to be a family. No bond is stronger than a family bond. It transcends all things. As family, you sacrifice to help someone else. I hope that by working together, even when the issue may be controversial, we can demonstrate our strength and ensure everyone understands that WE ARE TMA. We are the organization in the state of Tennessee who represents physicians and patients and that will always speak up when issues affecting these bonds arise."

Dr. Combs, a TMA member since 1998, recently served on the TMA Board of Trustees since 2019 as Secretary/Treasurer and most recently, President-Elect. Dr. Combs has served in numerous leadership positions with groups and organizations such as Clinical Informatics Council (Chair), TMA E-Health Task Force, Quillen College of Medicine Alumni Board, and more. 

“TMA is well served by our leaders who have seen the organization from all sides,” said Russ Miller, CEO of the TMA. “Dr. Combs has been involved in every aspect of organized medicine in Tennessee…. he has been the president of his local society, he is on our American Medical Association delegation, he was part of the initial Physician Leadership College and now he is our president.”  

Dr. Combs earned his undergraduate degree at East Tennessee State University. He went on to graduate from the James H. Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University, where he also completed his residency in the department of pediatrics. Dr. Combs currently resides in Gray, Tenn.  

The Tennessee Medical Association is a nonprofit professional organization for Tennessee physicians. TMA represents more than 10,000 Tennessee physicians and physicians-in-training. The organization advocates for public policies, laws and rules that promote healthcare safety and quality for all Tennesseans and improve the nonclinical aspects of practicing medicine. Learn more at tnmed.org.

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