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.

2011 CMS Board of Governors

Tracey Hellgren, M.D. President	Alberto Fernandez, M.D.	J. Daniell Rackley, M.D.
Hugh VanLandingham, M.D. President-Elect	Nancy Loeffler , M.D.	Lorna Stewart, M.D.
Sandeep Rahangdale, M.D. Secretary/Treasurer	Winston Ortiz, M.D.	Richard Thacker , D.O.
Jerry Ford, M.D., Immediate Past President	Alfredo Paredes, M.D.
Robert Chapman, M.D.	Nicholas Peterkin, M.D. Resident	Tami Frankland President, CMS Alliance
Timothy Elder, M.D. Resident	Christienne Sain, M.D.	Renee Tucker, MBA CMS Executive Director

2011 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.	Tracey Hellgren, M.D. CMS President
J. Brian Sheedy, M.D. Immediate Past-President	Ron Ray, M.D.	Hugh VanLandingham, M.D. CMS President-Elect
Raymond E. Bellamy II, M.D.	Katrina Rolle, Esq.	Renee Tucker, MBA CMS Executive Director

2011 CMS Services Board of Directors

Francis C. Skilling, Jr., M.D., President	Armand B. Cognetta, Jr., M.D.	Tracey Hellgren, M.D. CMS President
Karl F. Hempel, M.D., Vice-President	Brian Wilson, M.D.	Hugh VanLandingham, M.D. CMS President-Elect
Terence N. Reisman, M.D., Secretary/Treasurer		Renee Tucker, MBA CMS Executive Director