BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, The Physicians Foundation – a nonprofit organization that seeks to empower physicians to lead in the delivery of high-quality, cost efficient healthcare – announced Walker Ray, MD, will serve as its new President. Dr. Ray succeeds Lou Goodman, Ph.D., EVP and CEO of the Texas Medical Association, who led the Foundation as President for the last nine years.
Dr. Ray, who previously served as the Foundation’s Vice President and Chair of the Research Committee, is a retired pediatrician with more than 40 years of experience practicing medicine in Georgia. Throughout his career, Dr. Ray has held numerous physician leadership positions, including President of the Medical Association of Georgia, Chairman of the Legislative Council of the Medical Association of Georgia, Chairman of the Pediatrics Department at DeKalb Medical Center in Atlanta and President of the DeKalb Medical Society. Most recently, Dr. Ray was given the Award of Honor from the School of Medicine at Emory University – an annual award conferred upon individuals that have demonstrated distinguished service in the field of medicine.
“Dr. Ray’s wealth of experience – both as a practicing physician and his numerous leadership positions with medical organizations – makes him uniquely qualified to advance and elevate the important work of The Physicians Foundation,” said Tim Norbeck, CEO of the Foundation. “As the healthcare system continues to undergo massive regulatory and marketplace changes, practicing physicians and their patients will require deeper insights, innovative tools and new resources to succeed in today’s fast-evolving medical practice environment.”
Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded numerous multi-year grants totaling more than $31 million. In addition, it has commissioned an array of healthcare policy white papers and research studies, including the Foundation’s landmark Biennial Physician Survey series, which policy makers, media and other healthcare influencers frequently use to gather important insights and facts on physician workforce dynamics and the most pressing issues facing America’s practicing physicians.
“The advances the Foundation has made over the past 10 years would not have been possible without the extraordinary and dedicated leadership of Lou Goodman,” said Walker Ray, MD, newly elected President of the Foundation. “I am humbled and honored to help lead this fine organization. I look forward to the Foundation continuing to make meaningful contributions to ensure physician leadership is helping to shape American healthcare.”
The Foundation also appointed new officers to its Executive Committee. Lawrence Braud, MD, will now serve as Vice President and Lawrence Downs, CEO of the Medical Society of New Jersey, will serve as Secretary. Alan Plummer, MD, and Robert Seligson, EVP and CEO of the North Carolina Medical Society, will continue in their current roles of Vice President and Treasurer, respectively.
About The Physicians Foundation:
The Physicians Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that seeks to advance the work of practicing physicians and help facilitate the delivery of healthcare to patients. It pursues its mission through a variety of activities including grantmaking, research, white papers and policy studies. Since 2005, The Foundation has awarded numerous multi-year grants totaling more than $31 million. In addition, The Foundation focuses on the following core areas: physician leadership, physician practice trends, physician shortage issues, and the impact of healthcare reform on physicians and patients. As the healthcare system in America continues to evolve, The Physicians Foundation is steadfast in its determination to strengthen the physician-patient relationship and assist physicians in sustaining their medical practices in today’s practice environment. For more information, please visit www.PhysiciansFoundation.org and follow The Foundation on Twitter at @PhysiciansFound to stay informed on the latest news.