Robin Williams, MD, has been named president of the Nashville Academy of Medicine for 2020. She is the first African American to be elected to the role of president of this prestigious association, the oldest medical society in Tennessee, founded in 1821. Dr. Williams specializes in surgery of the breast with Saint Thomas Medical Partners and is a former president of Tennessee Women in Medicine.
Dr. Williams was officially installed at a dinner on January 30, 2020, with current and past presidents and members in attendance. The Nashville Academy presented Dr. Williams with a signature white physician's coat bearing the Nashville Academy of Medicine logo for use as she represents Middle Tennessee physicians in this official role. In a speech addressing the members, she stated, "What an amazing opportunity. NAM is 2,300 strong, and that number is powerful. With our collective voices, this is the year of opportunity. I just want to say thank you for allowing me to be your voice this year."
She also encouraged those in attendance and the Nashville healthcare community to support and join the excitement of the Nashville Academy of Medicine's Bicentennial Gala next year on October 2, 2021, at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, benefiting the Medical Foundation of Nashville. "It will be a hallmark event, celebrating the 200-year history of healthcare and physicians serving patients in Nashville. The event will be a unique blend of history and the modern impact of healthcare in Nashville and Tennessee."
Her election to the presidency follows a two-year term as the board chair for the Medical Foundation of Nashville, the philanthropic arm of the Nashville Academy, which has provided nearly $44 Million in donated medical charity care through Project Access Nashville Specialty Care. In this role, she was featured as a 2018 Woman to Watch by the Nashville Medical News.
- Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, FACS, with TriStar Medical Group Cardiovascular Surgery, is immediate past-president of the Academy, and has been named chair of the Board of Directors for 2020.
Joining Drs. Williams and Reddy on the Nashville Academy of Medicine's 2020 board of directors are:
- Nicole Schlechter, MD - 2021 President-Elect, Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital
- James Powers, MD - Secretary/Treasurer, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Michael Beckham, MD - Beckham Internal Medicine
- David Duong, MD - Urology Associates
- Cindy Le, MD - Anesthesia Medical Group
- George "Trey" Lee, MD - Real Time Neuromonitoring Associates
- Rodney Lewis, MD - Heritage Medical Associates
- Lael Luedtke, MD - Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance
- Adrian Rodriguez, MD - Nashville Skin
- Gregg Shepard, MD - Tennessee Oncology
- Kevin Smith, MD - Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Richard Soper, MD - Center for Behavioral Wellness
The Medical Foundation of Nashville also named its 2020 officers:
- Ralph Atkinson, III, MD - Board Chair, Nephrology Associates
- Christopher Ott, MD - Vice Chair,HCA Physician Services
- Michel McDonald, MD - Secretary/Treasurer,Vanderbilt Dermatology
