| NEWS | |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 22, 2024 | Contact: Kevin Lusk, 423-591-9825 Kevin@chattmd.org |
Todd Thurston, MD, Installed as 2025 Medical Society President
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Todd Thurston, MD, has been installed as the 2025 President of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society. He is the 142nd president in the organization’s history.
Dr. Thurston is a craniofacial reconstructive surgeon with Erlanger Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. He succeeds Immediate Past President Harish Manyam, MD, chief of cardiology with Erlanger Cardiology.
During 2025 Dr. Thurston plans to focus on championing the vital role of physicians as leaders in healthcare, addressing disparities in rural healthcare access, and advocating for legislative reforms that improve patient outcomes. “Physicians are the cornerstone of healthcare, and it is our responsibility to ensure patients have confidence in the care they receive,” he said.
Looking ahead, Dr. Thurston called for increased collaboration across specialties and a unified approach to tackling challenges in the healthcare system. “The heart of medicine is found in our collective dedication to our patients and our profession,” he said.
Newly elected officers and members of the 2025 Medical Society board are:
- President-Elect Eugene Ryan, MD, Parkridge Health System;
- Jennie Mahaffey, MD, Erlanger Behavioral Health;
- Lori Proctor, MD, PathGroup; and
- Jason Susong, MD, Chattanooga Dermatology and Chattanooga Mohs Surgery.
They join returning board members Steven Fox, MD, Erlanger Family Medicine; Robert Jean, MD, University Surgical Associates; Sam Jones, MD, The Chattanooga Heart Institute; Michael Nichols, MD, Tennessee Interventional and Imaging Associates; Paula Nicola, MD, Eye Care Chattanooga; Mukta Panda, MD; Kate Shuster, MD, Galen Dermatology; Harsha Vardhana, MD, Tennessee Oncology; Chris Young, MD, Anesthesiology Consultants Exchange; and Ethan Zimmerman, MD, Beacon Family Medicine Red Bank.
The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society is an advocate for physicians and for the continual improvement of community health. Founded in 1883, the 1,300-member Medical Society is affiliated with the Tennessee Medical Association. Patient advocacy and the protection of the patient-physician relationship are primary goals.
The Medical Society partners with the Medical Foundation of Chattanooga on public service projects including the Southeast Tennessee Project Access program; the Future Docs Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine and the Medical Exploration Program; and the LifeBridge Physician Well-Being Initiative.
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