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.

2008 CMS Board of Governors

Andres F. Rodriguez, M.D. President Digestive Disease Clinic	David Bellamy, M.D. Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic	Sandeep Rahangdale, M.D. Florida Department of Corrections
Lisa Jernigan, M.D., President-Elect TMH Family Medicine Residency Program	Steven Currieo, M.D. Capital Health Plan	Cay Ford President, CMS Alliance
Jerry Ford, M.D. Secretary/Treasurer Eye Associates of Tallahassee	Tracey Hellgren, M.D. Patient's First - Parkway	John Thabes , M.D. Tallahassee Pulmonary Clinic
Gregory Albright, M.D. Immediate Past President Radiology Associates	Terreze Gamble, M.D. Family Practice Residency Program	Richard Thacker , D.O. Medical Group of North Florida
	Samantha McKay, M.D. TMH Residency Program	Hugh VanLandingham, M.D. Tallahassee Primary Care Associates
	Michael Putland, M.D. Medical Group of North Florida	Karen Wendland, M.S. CMS Executive Director

2008 CMS Foundation Board of Directors

John P. Mahoney, M.D. President Pathology Associates	J. Brian Sheedy, M.D. Immediate Past-President Hematology Oncology Associates	Nelson H. Kraeft, M.D.
Al C. McCully, M.D. Vice President	Raymond E. Bellamy, II, M.D. Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic	William F. Lindsey, M.D.
Barbara Williams, M.D. Secretary Patient’s First - Parkway	Donald M. Dewey, M.D. Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic	Andres F. Rodriguez, M.D. Digestive Disease Clinic
Kenneth R. Wasson, M.D. Treasurer	H. Avon Doll, M.D. Florida Nephrology Associates	Scott Sellinger, M.D. Southeastern Urological Center
	Larry L. Harper, M.D. Tallahassee Plastic Surgery Clinic	Charles Williams, M.D. Radiology Associates
	Lisa Jernigan, M.D., TMH Family Medicine Residency Program	Karen Wendland, M.S. CMS Executive Director

2008 CMS Services Board of Directors

Francis C. Skilling, Jr., M.D., President Eye Associates of Tallahassee, PA	Terence N. Reisman, M.D., Secretary/Treasurer Digestive Disease Clinic	Andres F. Rodriguez, M.D. Digestive Disease Clinic
Karl F. Hempel, M.D., Vice-President Tallahassee Primary Care Associates	Armand B. Cognetta, Jr., M.D. Dermatology Associates	Brian Wilson, M.D. Tallahassee Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
	Lisa Jernigan, M.D., TMH Family Medicine Residency Program	Karen Wendland, M.S. CMS Executive Director