Brunson stated that Mississippi’s physicians are at the forefront of the fight for Mississippi to become a healthier state. Brunson added that he was happy to be able daily to support his colleagues through the state medical association. “MSMA has been a key advocate for Mississippi’s health care system for decades, and this role is even more critical today, as Mississippi faces a rapidly changing healthcare environment.” With more than 5,000 members, the 160-year-old Mississippi State Medical Association (MSMA) is undoubtedly the most powerful lobbying organization for doctors in the state. Charmaine Kanosky, the former executive director of the MSMA, resigned in December after 25 years. Brunson will replace her. Brunson, an anesthesiologist and president of the MSMA in 2013, is one of few Mississippi doctors who have held greater leadership positions than Brunson. Brunson was Senior Advisor to Vice Chancellor at University of Mississippi Medical Center since 2010. Brunson was previously the director of the Office of Government at UMMC and the chair of the Anesthesiology section. Brunson is currently the president of the Board of Medical Licensure. This licensing and regulatory agency regulates Mississippi doctors, of which more than 70% are MSMA members. “All the state’s doctors know that they have one of their own at helm today. He is a doctor and he is a Mississippian,” Dr. Jennifer Bryan, the chair of the Mississippi State Medical Association Board of Trustees said in a statement. Brunson stated that he will resign from his position before taking on the full-time role of MSMA executivedirector on April 1. The close relationship between the Board of Medical Licensure (MSMA) and Brunson is established. The MSMA can nominate three members whenever the governor makes an appointment. This is something that non-member physicians have criticised. The MSMA’s job it to be pro-doctor. Personally, I don’t think you can be both pro-doctor or pro-patient. In an interview last year, John K. Hall, the former director of Board of Medical Licensure stated that if given the option, you should be pro-patient. Brunson, a native of Auburn, Ala. earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Alabama following a four year tour as a U.S Navy hospital corpsman and field medicine technician. Brunson received his medical degree at University of Alabama at Birmingham, and then completed his residency in anesthesiology at UMMC. Brunson was elected to the medical school faculty and later became the chief of the medical staff. Brunson has served on expert panels for the Food and Drug Administration. Gov. Gov.