The Medical Society Of Virginia Foundation
Lawrence E. Blanchard,
III, MD, President & Program Chair
Richmond
Dr. Blanchard is a managing partner with Dermatology Associates of Virginia.
He is committed to creating operational excellence and customer satisfaction
in his office, and actively participates in growing the practice and
forming relationships with insurers to deliver high quality, cost-effective
Dermatological care to central Virginia. As a former president of the
Medical Society of Virginia, Dr. Blanchard has had the opportunity to
participate locally, statewide and nationally in organized medicine
with a goal of creating and preserving a political and legal environment
supportive of patients and physicians. He serves as a lay member of
the Judiciary Committee of the Richmond Bar Association and is a member
of the Advisory Board of the Duke University Marine Laboratory at the
Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences. Dr. Blanchard
is a graduate of Duke University and received his medical degree from
Washington University in St. Louis. He is a former president of the
Richmond Academy of Medicine and is a member of the local, state and
national chapters of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Daniel Carey, MD, Vice President
Lynchburg
Dr. Carey is a renowned cardiologist who led a team to develop one of
the best acute MI angioplasty programs in the country. He practices
general and interventional cardiology and is the medical director of
the cardiac cathertization lab at Centra Health. He is a Fellow of the
American College of Physicians, the American College of Cardiology,
and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. He
received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, completed his
residency at the University of California, San Francisco, and received
his Fellowship in General and Interventional Cardiology from Emery University
School of Medicine. Dr. Carey became involved with the MSV Foundation
because “it is a group dedicated to furthering the best aspirations
of medicine. Dr. Carey is an Inaugural Class Fellow of MSVF’s
2006-07 Claude Moore Physician Leadership Institute.
Hazle S. Konerding,
MD, Treasurer & Finance Chair
Richmond
Dr. Konerding cares passionately about improving the quality of health
care, and starts by striving to deliver the highest quality in care
to her patients. She was awarded the honor of being one of Richmond’s
“Top Docs” for dermatology by Richmond Magazine.
Dr. Konerding is a former president of the Medical Society of Virginia,
is a delegate to the American Medical Association, and is very involved
with the Virginia Dermatological Society, the Richmond Dermatological
Society, and the Richmond Academy of Medicine. She serves on the Boards
of Directors of Bon Secours Richmond, the Henricus Foundation, and All
Saints Preschool. Dr. Konerding is graduated from Northwestern University,
received her medical degree from the University of Miami, and completed
her residency in dermatology at VCU/MCV.
Leslie C. Ellwood, MD, Secretary
McLean
Dr. Ellwood has played an integral role in the Foundation’s Program
Committee and was recently recognized as the Salute to Service Recipient
for Service on Behalf of the Profession and Tar Wars Virginia Volunteer
of the Year for the 2003-2004 school year. A pediatrician in the Fairfax
area, Dr. Ellwood is a longstanding member of the Medical Society of
Virginia, Immediate Former President of the Virginia Chapter of the
American Academy of Pediatrics, and is President of the Medical Society
of Northern Virginia. Dr. Ellwood recently retired from the Mid-Atlantic
Permanente Medical Group’s team, where he led quality improvement
efforts in northern Virginia and served as their Chief of Pediatrics
for nine years. He is a faculty member of George Washington University,
INOVA Fairfax Hospital—University of Virginia Pediatrics Residency
and the Georgetown University College of Medicine. He is highly regarded
as a physician leader in the arenas of public health, health education,
child advocacy, and quality improvement. Dr. Ellwood earned his doctor
of medicine from the University of Florida College of Medicine.
Deborah L. Trainer, PhD,
Immediate Former President
Richmond
Dr. Trainer uses her experience as a former cancer research scientist
to propel her passion of helping others to help themselves through education.
Her considerable expertise in the sciences has led to the development
of a curriculum of parent-volunteer led hands-on science laboratories
and fairs for several Henrico County elementary schools—a model
that has since been replicated in other schools and other states. She
is very active on several Boards of Directors and community organizations,
and serves as Immediate Former President of the Science Museum of Virginia
Foundation and on the Gifted Advisory Council for Henrico County Public
Schools. Dr. Trainer graduated with honors from the University of Delaware
and earned her doctorate in tumor biology at Hahnemann University in
Philadelphia. She serves on the Boards of Directors of the Richmond
Academy of Medicine Alliance and is the co-president-elect of the Medical
Society of Virginia Alliance.
Krista Crawford-Mathis,
Development Co-Chair
Roanoke
Mrs. Crawford-Mathis served as the Co-Chair of the MSV Foundation’s
3rd Annual Gala and Auction, which raised more than $107,000 to support
the Foundation’s philanthropic activities. Her contagious enthusiasm
is complemented by her background as a human resource executive. Mrs.
Crawford-Mathis considers her greatest professional accomplishment to
be starting a human resource department for a small production plant
of 150 men—skills that she now uses to expand her commitment to
local, regional and global community health outreach. She is graduated
from the University of Arkansas and received her MBA from Radford University.
She is currently pursuing a doctorate in leadership studies.
E. Mark Watts, MD, Development
Co-Chair
Roanoke
A family practice physician from Roanoke, Dr. Watts sees his greatest
professional challenge as expanding primary care and preventive health
care access. To fulfill this goal, Dr. Watts worked with his local medical
society and free clinic to start Project Access of the Roanoke Valley
– a physician volunteer recruitment program. Within six months
of founding the program, Roanoke’s 400 volunteer physicians had
provided more than $1 million in care to more than 450 uninsured patients.
Dr. Watts is graduated from the University of Virginia where he also
received his medical degree. He is a former president of the Roanoke
Valley Academy of Medicine and serves on the boards of the Medical Society
of Virginia and the Virginia Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. Watts
is an Inaugural Class Fellow of MSVF’s 2006-07 Claude Moore Physician
Leadership Institute.
David A. Ellington,
MD, Governance Chair
Lexington
Dr. Ellington is a family physician who has practiced in Lexington since
1984. Prior to that time he spent 9 years in the US Army Medical Corps
in various assignments in Europe and the United States. His last duty
assignment was as Chairman of the Department of Family Practice and
Director of the Family Practice Residency training program at Ft. Rod,
California. Dr. Ellington is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute
and the Medical College of Virginia. He completed his residency in Family
Practice at Fort Rod. He is board certified by the American Board of
Family Physicians and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family
Practice. Dr. Ellington is a former president of the Medical Society
of Virginia, a past president of the Virginia Academy of Family Physicians
and served as a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians’Commission
on Healthcare Services. In 1992, Dr. Ellington helped found the Rockbridge
Area Free Clinic and has been its Medical Director since that time.
His professional passion is increasing access to care for all citizens
of Virginia.
Hillary Shemes, Associate
Director
Blacksburg
As a second year student at the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine
(VCOM), Ms. Shemes has demonstrated her passion for increasing access
to care for the people of southwest Virginia through her numerous outreach
activities with free clinics and other organizations. Currently, Ms.
Shemes serves as the VCOM student director to the Virginia Academy of
Family Physicians (VAFP) Board of Directors, and as a student recruiter
for the AAFP. Ms. Shemes is active in the VCOM Student Medical Society
as their MSV-PAC representative. In 2007, she was President of the VCOM
chapter of the Student Association of the American College of Osteopathic
Family Physicians. Ms. Shemes received her undergraduate degree from
the University of Michigan.
Kurt S. Elward, MD, MPH, Director
Charlottesville
Dr. Elward has built his family medical care practice around “serving
my patients in ways that are meaningful to them.” In addition
to his private practice, Dr. Elward is the Assistant Professor of Research
in Family Medicine at the University of Virginia; Medical Director of
Quality Improvement for Southern Health Services of Virginia; and serves
on the National Asthma Education Program Coordinating Committee. He
is a member of the Technical Expert Advisory Panel for Children’s
Asthma Performance Measures at the Joint Commission on Accreditation
of Healthcare Organizations; and a member of the Commission on Clinical
Policies and Research at the American Academy of Family Physicians.
He is also a volunteer physician at the Charlottesville Free Clinic;
the Medical Director of Pregnancy Centers of Virginia; and President
of the Klilnk Lenkahasyon Fondasyon, an organization dedicated to supporting
development of health care services in rural Haiti. Dr. Elward completed
his undergraduate work at the University of Illinois, where he also
received his medical degree. He completed a fellowship in health services
research as well as an MPH at the University of Washington. Dr. Elward
is an Inaugural Class Fellow of MSVF’s 2006-07 Claude Moore Physician
Leadership Institute, and serves as Medical Director of MSVF's TO GOAL
program.
Randolph J. Gould, MD, FACS,
Director
Norfolk
Dr. Gould has been practicing general surgery with the Norfolk
Surgical Group, a division of Sentara Medical Group, for over 25 years.
He is also an Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery at the Eastern
Virginia Medical School, where he received his MD degree in 1978. He
is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a past president
of the Medical Society of Virginia. He has been actively involved in
the American Medical Association’s legislative efforts for several
years and is currently Vice Chairman of the Virginia delegation to the
American Medical Association. Dr. Gould believes working with the Medical
Society of Virginia Foundation reconnects physicians to their core values
in the medical profession.
Barry L. Gross, MD, Director
Newport News
Dr. Gross is an Executive Vice President for Riverside Health
System. He received his undergraduate B.A. degree in English and medical
degree from the University of Alabama. He served his internship and
residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Riverside Regional Medical
Center, and entered private practice in 1979. He became board certified
by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1981. Dr Gross
has served as the National Chairman of the Junior Fellow Division of
the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology; on the national Residency
Review Committee for Obstetrics and Gynecology; and on the Technical
Bulletin Committee for Gynecology for the American College of Obstetrics
and Gynecology.
Margaret
G. Lewis, FACHE, Director
Richmond
Mrs. Lewis is president of HCA’s Capital Division. She began her clinical career at Chippenham Medical Center as a student nurse and was later promoted to several senior-level positions, including chief executive officer of Chippenham & Johnston-Willis Medical Center. She is a member of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, a Founding Board Member of LEAD Virginia, and Board Chair of the John Tyler Community College Foundation. Mrs. Lewis recently received the 2005 VCU Alumni Star Award for Nursing, and is an Assistant Professor of the Department of Health Administration at the college.
Harvey B. Morgan, Director
Gloucester
Delegate Morgan, a pharmacist by profession, has represented his home
town of Gloucester and surrounding areas in the Virginia General Assembly
since 1980. Del. Morgan’s service began as a young pharmacist
in Gloucester, where along with his father and brother, he owned and
operated Morgan’s Drug Store—an experience which exposed
him to the challenges that many Virginians face in accessing affordable
quality health care. As part of his service as a State Delegate, Del.
Morgan has served as Chairman of the Joint Commission on Health Care
and is a member of the House Appropriations’ Health and Human
Resources Subcommittee. He has also received gubernatorial appointments
to the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Medicare/Medicaid, and
the Virginia Drug Abuse Advisory Council. His leadership is also demonstrated
by his service on numerous other health care related boards and councils.
Dozens of organizations including the American Cancer Society, the American
Lung Association, and the Virginia Primary Care Association have recognized
Del. Morgan for his profound contributions to health care in the Commonwealth.
William L. Murray, PhD, Director
Richmond
Dr. Murray is the Managing Director of Corporate Public Policy
for Dominion. He is responsible for managing the company’s positions
and policies on key state and local issues. Murray was formerly the
Legislative Director in the Office of Governor Tim Kaine, serving as
his chief lobbyist, responsible for passing the Governor’s legislative
package and serving as liaison with the General Assembly. In addition,
he was the Governor’s health and education policy advisor and
coordinated all regulatory policy. Prior to this appointment, Murray
served in various policy positions under Governor Mark Warner from 2002-06
including Policy Director, Legislative Director, and Deputy Director
of Policy.
Prior to the Governor’s Office, Murray was the Vice President of the Virginia Hospital & Health Care Association. He managed federal relations and worked in state government relations for the trade association representing all of Virginia’s acute care hospitals. He served as lead staff person on health insurance and managed care issues for the hospital industry and was actively involved in Medicare and Medicaid issues. Since 1997, Murray has served as an Adjunct Professor at Virginia Tech, teaching one graduate course per semester in health policy and public policy. Murray received his PhD in Public Administration and Public Policy, his Master of Public Administration from Virginia Tech, and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia.
Steven M. Piascik, CPA,
MT, Director
Richmond
Mr. Piascik is President of Piascik & Associates, an accounting
firm which specializes in all types of taxation issues, serving high
net wealth individuals, closely held businesses, and professional athletes.
Prior to founding his own firm, Mr. Piascik was part of KPMG’s
Information, Communication, and Education practice. He is the Treasurer
of the Greater Richmond Technology Council and serves as an executive
committee member of the United Way, the American Heart Association,
the Henrico Economic Business Development Committee, and the Chesterfield
Economic Business Development Committee. He is a member of the American
Institute of CPAs, the Virginia Society of CPAs, the Virginia Piedmont
Technology Council, the Charlottesville Venture Group, and the Virginia
Biotechnology Development Corporation. He was recently named one of
Richmond’s “Top 40 Under 40”, and is the recipient
of Practical Accountant’s Practice Innovation Award and
the 2004-2005 BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Integrity.
Shannon R. Valentine,
Director
Lynchburg
Del. Valentine was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates
on January 10, 2006. She serves on the Transportation Committee, the
Science and Technology Committee and the Sub-Committee to study fuel-efficient
vehicles and transportation funding. In April 2007, Delegate Valentine
was appointed by Governor Kaine to serve on the Virginia Interagency
Coordinating Council. She was also named as the 2007 Nicki Bazaco Individual
Distinction Award winner by the Medical Society of Virginia Alliance,
awarded to the individual who best promotes health education and quality
of care through legislation. Delegate Valentine has been named as a
Top 20 delegate two years in a row by the Virginia League of Conservation
Voters. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia, and recently
completed the school's Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership.
Caroline E. Cox, Director
Charlottesville
Beginning her fourth year of medical school at the University of Virginia,
Ms. Cox has already shown herself to be one of Virginia’s future
medical community leaders. Ms. Cox’s experiences at the Williamsburg
Community Hospital Emergency Department have driven her desire to improve
access to care for those Virginians without adequate resources. She
has worked as a community health educator and with the UVA Medical Reserve
corps, during which time she helped form an outreach program in disaster
preparedness. Ms. Cox received her undergraduate degree from the College
of William and Mary. She has been active in the Medical Society of Virginia
since 2005 and has served as the Treasurer for the UVA Student Medical
Society.
Thomas
W. Eppes, Jr., MD, Ex-Officio
Forest
Dr. Eppes is a family practitioner who feels a particular
commitment to the primary care of teenagers. He was one of the founders
of the Free Clinic of Central Virginia and continues to serve as a volunteer
physician at the clinic. He is very involved with the local schools—he
teaches family life and anatomy at the high school; has delivered the
baccalaureate address twice at the high school; and coaches the middle
school soccer team. Dr. Eppes is President-Elect of the Medical Society
of Virginia and is very active as a member of the American Academy of
Family Physicians, the American Medical Association, and the Christian
Medical Dental Association. He is a graduate of the College of William
and Mary, received his medical degree from the University of Virginia,
and completed his residency at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Dr. Eppes
is an Inaugural Class Fellow of MSVF’s 2006-07 Claude Moore Physician
Leadership Institute, and serves in a leadership capacity with both
DOC RxRelief and TO GOAL.
Sharon
K. Moffatt, Ex-Officio
Richmond
Mrs. Moffatt is co-president of the Medical Society of Virginia
Alliance. A graduate of Maryland's Montgomery College, she is formerly
a pediatric nurse. In addition to her duties with the MSV Alliance,
Mrs. Moffatt serves on the Liaison Committee of the Science Museum of
Virginia; and as a Eucharistic minister to the sick at the Cathedral
of the Sacred Heart. She has previously served as the President of the
Richmond Academy of Medicine Alliance.
Richard M. Hamrick, III,
MD, MBA, Ex-Officio
Richmond
Dr. Hamrick is a pulmonologist in Richmond. A former President
of the Richmond Academy of Medicine, Dr. Hamrick has fulfilled many
roles with the Medical Society of Virginia -- service as a Director,
as Treasurer, as Chairman of the Insurance Center, and now also as President
of the Society. Dr. Hamirck also served as the Program Scientific Chair
for the MSV Foundation's 2006 Educational Symposium. In addition to
his medical degree, Dr. Hamrick has an MBA and shares his business expertise
with the organizations for which he serves.
Emeritus Advisors:
Karen Jamison
Carol Shapiro, MD, MBA
Kenneth Tuck, MD
Kenneth J. Walker, MD
Meet the MSV Foundation's Emeritus Advisors
“The Foundation’s strength resides in its ability to identify and promote appropriate programs that harness the collective potential of the medical community for public service. The MSV Foundation has been particularly successful at rallying resources and forging partnerships that serve the health care needs of those Virginians that most need it.”
-Deborah L. Trainer, PhD
Immediate Former President
MSV Foundation