January is a time of transitions, as we move from one year into the next, and transition from one president to the next at the Nashville Academy of Medicine.

Last year, the Academy had a GREAT year under the strong leadership of Kevin Smith, MD. In 2018, membership was the highest in 15 years, we saw updated offerings to engage more with members, and the Medical Foundation of Nashville was launched to house the Academy's charity care program.

This is an opportune time to become a member of the Nashville Academy of Medicine and make a difference for the medical landscape of Middle Tennessee. I am looking forward to serving you as president during 2019 to build on the strong foundation Dr. Smith and others created.

In 2019, a few things you'll see from the Academy in an effort to enhance the way our local medical society serves us as members, including a new membership recruitment campaign designed to connect members with our colleagues who are potential members, a survey of members to ensure the Academy is providing the value we as members want, and a look forward to 2021 when the Academy will celebrate 200 years of serving physicians.

Enthusiastically, on behalf of your Board,

- V. Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA, FACS