Brentwood – Dr. Jim Holt, professor and Associate Program Director of the family medicine residency program at East Tennessee State University health system in Johnson City, has been named President of the Tennessee Academy of Family Physicians. He will preside over meetings of the Board of Directors and serve as the public representative for the organization, which represents 2,500 family physicians, residents and medical students across the state with advocacy, continuing medical education and other programs.
Originally from Baltimore, Dr. Holt graduated cum laude from Princeton University, earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland and completed residency training at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. He practiced family medicine in South Carolina for 16 years before joining the Johnson City Family Practice Residency Program in 2001.
“The family medicine specialty has reaped the benefits of advocacy efforts in recent years. State and federal lawmakers are becoming more aware of the important role of primary care, especially family medicine, but we still have a long way to go,” said Dr. Holt. “It is difficult for small, rural family medicine practices to thrive with so many administrative and regulatory burdens, and our system places more value on specialties over family medicine when it comes to payment. At the same time, we are well-positioned to lead through change and help shape the future of healthcare in Tennessee and the U.S. I am honored to serve the Academy in this role.”
Family physicians deliver comprehensive, coordinated and continuing care for every member of the family and serve as patient advocates in the changing healthcare system. Because of their focus on prevention and primary care, family physicians can treat illnesses early and refer to appropriate subspecialists, when necessary. One out of every four patients in the U.S. is treated by family physicians.
Dr. Holt was officially installed on October 26 during TNAFP’s annual conference in Gatlinburg and will serve in the role until his term expires in November 2023.
The TNAFP Congress of Delegates also elected new officers and directors during its recent meeting. Following is the slate of TNAFP officers for 2023.
PRESIDENT: Jim Holt, M.D., FAAFP – Johnson City
PRESIDENT-ELECT: Jason Goolsby, DO – Jackson
VICE PRESIDENT: Kenneth Beaty, MD – Livingston
SECRETARY-TREASURER: Katherine Hall, MD – Athens
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: T. Michael Helton, MD – Brentwood
SPEAKER OF CONGRESS: W. Trae Bates, DO, FAAFP – Cleveland
VICE SPEAKER OF CONGRESS: Grant Studebaker, MD – Jackson
AAFP DELEGATION: B. Alan Wallstedt, MD – Nashville
Beth A. Fox, MD, MPH, FAAFP – Kingsport
ALTERNATE DELEGATES TO AAFP: Daniel Lewis, MD, FAAFP – Greeneville
Ty Webb, MD, FAAFP – Sparta
The TNAFP officers serve on the larger Board of Directors, which is the governing body of the association representing physician members across the state.
TNAFP has also announced Dave Chaney as the association’s new Executive Director. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Academy and working with physician leaders to develop and implement the strategic vision. Prior to joining TNAFP, Chaney served as CEO of a 1,000-member REALTOR® association in the Nashville area. Before that he was Vice President at the Tennessee Medical Association. His career also includes 13 years in public relations and corporate communications roles, primarily in healthcare.
Karen Baird has been named Director of Member Services. Most recently, Baird served as a healthcare consultant with LBMC in Brentwood. Prior to that she was Director of Insurance Affairs with the Tennessee Medical Association, and before that she managed a primary care practice in Nashville for 32 years. Baird holds certifications in medical coding, auditing and compliance and will be responsible for the Academy’s membership, continuing medical education, events and other programs and services.
