NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Medical Association has announced the following staff promotions in its continued work as the most influential advocacy organization for physicians and patients in the state.
Julie Griffin, to Vice President of Government Affairs. Ms. Griffin is the first female Vice President for the statewide physician-led organization. During her 16-year tenure, Ms. Griffin has spearheaded the most important legislative battles on behalf of Tennessee physicians. Her groundwork and strategy were instrumental in passage of the "Tennessee Civil Justice Act of 2011", also known as medical malpractice tort reform, which capped non-economic damages in medical malpractice claims. Ms. Griffin also manages the political action committee (PAC) known as IMPACT, which has 95.5% lifetime success in supporting winning political candidates who understand the challenges facing medicine. She previously worked for the late U.S. Congressman Jimmy Quillen and for Governor Don Sundquist.
Ben Simpson, JD, to Director of Government Affairs and Assistant General Counsel. Mr. Simpson led TMA's efforts to address the opioid epidemic without tying physicians' hands when properly prescribing treatment for patients. Mr. Simpson also spearheads TMA's COVID pandemic response with legislators and Governor Bill Lee. Mr. Simpson joined TMA in 2016 as Assistant Director of Government Affairs after 10 years of public service with the Tennessee Legislature and serving as a Department of Health legislative liaison for Governor Bill Haslam where he focused on health-related boards and specialized in medical malpractice. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and the Nashville School of Law, is a member of the Tennessee Bar and Nashville Bar, and serves as a board member of Tennessee Firearm Training and Safety Resources.
Rebecca Lofty Woods, to Assistant Director of Government Affairs. A registered lobbyist and grassroots expert, Mrs. Woods honed a newly created position into a highly successful program for engaging physicians in the legislative process. During her seven-year tenure, she has significantly grown TMA's annual Day on the Hill and Legislative Doctor of the Day program. Mrs. Woods specializes in all forward-facing public health initiatives such as reducing nicotine use, tanning bed prohibition, and best practices for stroke care and cancer treatment. She coordinates the Tennessee General Assembly Doctors' Caucus, oversees the Collaborative Care Coalition comprised of a dozen state physician organizations, and serves on the board of the Tennessee Lobbyist Association.
