Jacquelyn T. Coleman (CT), David A. Cook (GA), Louis J. Goodman (TX), Palmer P. Jones (NH), David L. Tarver (LA) Honored

CHICAGO, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Medical Association (AMA) today presented five medical society executive leaders with achievement awards to honor their contributions to the goals and ideals of the medical profession. The awards were presented at the AMA's semi-annual policy making meeting in Houston.

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"The AMA is pleased to recognize these medical society executives for their contributions to the medical profession and their advocacy on behalf of physicians," said AMA Board Chair Rebecca J. Patchin, M.D.

    --  Jacquelyn T. Coleman, CAE, has served as the executive director of
        subspecialty medical associations for over thirty years. She has been
        the executive director of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
        (AAPL) for 16 years and the executive director of the American Clinical
        Neurophysiology Society for 20 years. She has worked in these
        organizations to foster growth in medical education,  publications and
        advocacy.
    --  Louis J. Goodman, PhD, has served the Texas Medical Association (TMA) as
        its executive vice president for 11 years. Under his leadership, the TMA
        has become the largest state medical association and was named
        "America's Best Medical Society" by Medical Economics magazine.
    --  Palmer P. Jones has served the New Hampshire Medical Society (NHMS) as
        its executive vice president for 24 years. During that time, he has
        helped to foster a supportive environment of advocacy and growth at the
        NHMS. New Hampshire Physicians are recognized and respected in the
        legislative environment because of his leadership.
    --  David L. Tarver has served the Louisiana State Medical Society (LSMS) as
        its executive vice president for 27 years. Under his leadership, the
        LSMS was able to advocate effectively on behalf of Louisiana physicians,
        earning the respect and ear of the state legislature.

    --  David A. Cook has served as executive director of the Medical
        Association of Georgia (MAG) for eight years. Under his leadership, MAG
        has employed an integrated legal advocacy program to affect change in
        the managed care arena. Cook was instrumental in passing comprehensive
        tort reform law in Georgia in 2005, which continues to improve the
        practice environment for physicians in the state.

Coleman, Goodman, Jones and Tarver were presented with 2009 Medical Executive Lifetime Achievement Awards, and Cook received the 2009 Medical Executive Meritorious Achievement Award.

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About the American Medical Association

The American Medical Association helps doctors help patients by uniting physicians nationwide to work on the most important professional and public health issues. Working together, the AMA's quarter of a million physician and medical student members are playing an active role in shaping the future of medicine. For more information on the AMA, please visit www.ama-assn.org.

SOURCE American Medical Association