Who We Are

The mission of the Capital Medical Society is to promote the practice of medicine for the ultimate benefit of the patient.

The first evidence of a Tallahassee-based medical society dates back to 1826, a time when only seven doctors were in practice in the capital city. Over time, the society expanded to include physicians from not only Leon County but neighboring counties as well. In 1973, the local medical society was named, the Capital Medical Society, and represents Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson and Wakulla Counties.

Physicians make up the membership of the Capital Medical Society. They are involved with all issues and dynamics that surround medical care, such as legal, legislative, public health, media relations, peer review and medical care for the uninsured. Since 1973, the CMS membership has grown from 158 members to its current membership of more than 525 members. Over the years, society members have taken the leadership role in providing and promoting quality health care in the community.

The primary focus of the Capital Medical Society is physician advocacy and support. Therefore, the Capital Medical Society offers a full range of membership services that include:

• Membership meetings
• Professional CME seminars
• Monthly newsletter
• Pager service
• Employment service for office staff
• Grassroots advocacy efforts at all levels of government

The Capital Medical Society provides many impressive programs designed to offer helpful information to healthcare consumers, including:

• The Physician Referral Service, which makes more than 2,000 referrals each year to licensed physicians in our four-county area.
• The Physician Information Service, which answers inquiries about physicians and local medical services.
• The Speakers Bureau, which provides speakers to organizations and civic groups.

Capital Medical Society is the local affiliate of the Florida Medical Association and works closely with the FMA on its initiatives. The Florida Medical Association is the largest, most effective organization representing the interests of all Florida physicians and their patients. Based in Tallahassee, the FMA provides its 16,000 member doctors with a strong voice and active representation in state legislation, medical economics, practice issues and medical, ethical and legal affairs. For more information about the FMA, visit www.fmaonline.org.

2009 CMS Board of Governors

Lisa Jernigan, M.D., President	Steven Currieo, M.D.	Richard Thacker , D.O.
Jerry Ford, M.D. President-Elect	Satish Mital, M.D.	Hugh VanLandingham, M.D.
Jerry Ford, M.D. Secretary/Treasurer	Winston Ortiz, M.D.	Terreze Gamble, M.D. Resident
Tracey Hellgren, M.D. Secretary/Treasurer	Sandeep Rahangdale, M.D.	Samantha McKay, M.D. Resident
Andres Rodriguez , M.D. Immediate Past President	Christienne Sain, M.D.	Cay Ford President, CMS Alliance
David Bellamy, M.D.	John Thabes , M.D.	Karen Wendland, M.S. CMS Executive Director

2009 CMS Foundation Board of Directors

John P. Mahoney, M.D. President	H. Avon Doll, M.D.	Scott Sellinger, M.D.
Al C. McCully, M.D. Vice President	Larry L. Harper, M.D.	Jay Walton, D.D.S.
Barbara Williams, M.D. Secretary	Nelson H. Kraeft, M.D.	Charles Williams, M.D.
Kenneth R. Wasson, M.D. Treasurer	William F. Lindsey, M.D.	Lisa Jernigan, M.D.
J. Brian Sheedy, M.D. Immediate Past-President	Ron Ray, M.D.	Jerry Ford, M.D.
Raymond E. Bellamy, II, M.D.	Katrina Rolle, Esq.	Karen Wendland, M.S. CMS Executive Director

2009 CMS Services Board of Directors

Francis C. Skilling, Jr., M.D., President	Armand B. Cognetta, Jr., M.D.	Jerry Ford, M.D. CMS President
Karl F. Hempel, M.D., Vice-President	Brian Wilson, M.D.	Karen Wendland, M.S. CMS Executive Director
Terence N. Reisman, M.D., Secretary/Treasurer	Lisa Jernigan, M.D., CMS President