Todd Thurston
Todd Thurston, MD, MSM, has been installed as the 2025 president of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society. He is the 142nd president in the organization’s history.
Dr. Thurston is a board–certified plastic surgeon with Erlanger Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and director of Pediatric Cleft and Craniofacial Center with Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. He succeeds Immediate Past President Harish Manyam, MD, chief of cardiology with Erlanger Cardiology.
During 2025 Dr.
Thurston plans to focus on championing the vital role of physicians as leaders in healthcare, addressing disparities in rural healthcare access, and advocating for legislative reforms that improve patient outcomes.
“Physicians are the cornerstone of healthcare, and it is our responsibility to ensure patients have confidence in the care they receive,” he said.
Looking ahead, Dr. Thurston called for increased collaboration across specialties and a unified approach to tackling challenges in the healthcare system.
“The heart of medicine is found in our collective dedication to our patients and our profession,” he said.
Newly elected officers and members of the 2025 Medical Society board are:
• President-Elect Eugene Ryan, MD, Parkridge Health System;
• Jennie Mahaffey, MD, Erlanger Health System;
• Lori Proctor, MD, PathGroup; and
• Jason Susong, MD, Chattanooga Dermatology and Chattanooga Mohs Surgery.
They join returning board members Steven Fox, MD, Erlanger Family Medicine; Robert Jean, MD, University Surgical Associates; Sam Jones, MD, The Chattanooga Heart Institute; Michael Nichols, MD, Tennessee Interventional and Imaging Associates; Paula Nicola, MD, Eye Care Chattanooga; Mukta Panda, MD; Kate Shuster, MD, Galen Dermatology; Harsha Vardhana, MD, Tennessee Oncology; Chris Young, MD, Anesthesiology Consultants Exchange; and Ethan Zimmerman, MD, Beacon Family Medicine Red Bank.