Tennessee Medical Education Fund, Inc

John Ingram Institute for Physician Leadership

The Tennessee Medical Education Fund Inc. (TMEF) is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation established by the Tennessee Medical Association (TMA) in 1963 to provide scholarships to students enrolled in an accredited medical school within the state. TMA is the state’s largest professional association for physicians which aims to improve the health of Tennessee by advocating for effective physician care and ensuring public policies reflect the best interests of patients and the medical profession.

TMEF manages the John Ingram Institute for Physician Leadership, a specialized professional program developed and managed by TMA. The program was first proposed to the House of Delegates by former TMA President, John J. Ingram III, MD of Maryville in May of 2006. As a result, the Physician Leadership College (PLC) was established as our foundational leadership course. Through the PLC, Dr. Ingram helped create a conduit for physicians to learn and grow within their profession while equipping them with the necessary non-clinical skill set to excel in executive leadership.

The Physician Leadership Immersion Program delves into individual leadership development and incorporates personal skill and strength sets. This program offers a smaller group setting with physicians representing various disciplines across the state. The first 3-day retreat serves as an introspective opportunity for physicians to reflect on their own leadership and conflict styles, while focusing on how to channel their strengths to influence outcomes and interactions with others. In addition to individual leadership assessments, the subjects of leading teams, dealing with conflict, collaboration, goal setting, and negotiation are explored. The second meeting encompasses a shorter, 1.5-day schedule. At this session, the topics of media relations and communications, delegation, time management, resiliency, advocacy and healthcare policy are addressed.