KMA Annual Meeting celebrates leadership, service, and a vision for the future
LOUISVILLE — Kentucky physicians gathered in Louisville in August for the 2026 Kentucky Medical Association (KMA) Annual Meeting, where members celebrated another year of accomplishments, recognized outstanding physician leaders, and looked ahead to a future focused on supporting those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.
Centered around the theme “Kentucky Physicians: At the Heart of Impact,” this year’s meeting highlighted the many ways physicians improve the health of Kentuckians—not only through exceptional patient care, but also through advocacy, education, leadership, and service. The weekend also marked the culmination of President Jiapeng Huang, MD, PhD’s successful Small STEPS, Big Impact initiative while ushering in a new chapter under incoming KMA President Christine Ko, MD, whose presidential theme, Your KMA, will focus on caring for Kentucky’s physicians as they continue caring for their communities.
A New President, a New Vision
During the House of Delegates, members installed Christine Ko, MD, a Lexington internal medicine physician, as the 176th president of the KMA. Members also elected Ishmael Stevens, MD, of Ashland, as president-elect, along with Christopher Jones, MD, of Louisville, as vice president, Aneeta Bhatia, MD, of Louisville, as secretary, and Marisa Belcastro, MD, of Lexington, as treasurer.
In her installation address, Ko reflected on the tremendous impact of outgoing president Huang’s leadership before introducing a vision centered on supporting physicians throughout every stage of their careers.
“For two years, we asked physicians to help Kentuckians take better care of themselves,” she told attendees. “Now, it’s our turn to take better care of our physicians.”
That philosophy serves as the foundation for Your KMA, a year-long initiative built around the message “Physicians Caring for Kentucky. KMA Caring for YOU.” The initiative seeks to elevate and expand the many resources KMA offers while strengthening physicians’ connection to one another and to organized medicine.
Throughout the coming year, Your KMA will focus on five pillars: Caring for Your Health, Caring for Your Voice, Caring for Your Growth, Caring for Your Future, and Caring for Each Other. Together, these areas are designed to address many of the challenges physicians face today, from wellness and advocacy to leadership development, financial planning, mentorship, and professional connection.
Ko also shared how participating in the Kentucky Physicians Leadership Institute (KPLI) transformed her own career.
“KPLI taught me that leadership is learned. It is practiced. It is strengthened through relationships, self-awareness, and a willingness to grow,” she said. “That experience changed the trajectory of my professional life, and it is one of the reasons I stand before you today.”
Celebrating Small STEPS, Big Impact
Ko also used her remarks to recognize the tremendous accomplishments of outgoing president Huang whose Small STEPS, Big Impact campaign has become one of KMA’s most successful public health initiatives.
“Through the Small STEPS, Big Impact campaign, you helped KMA reach millions of Kentuckians with trusted, physician-led health information while reminding our members that even the smallest actions can create meaningful change,” she said. “That campaign earned national recognition, but perhaps more importantly, it has made a real difference for patients across Kentucky.”
The Annual Meeting theme, “At the Heart of Impact,” reflected the campaign’s philosophy, celebrating the countless ways Kentucky physicians influence the health of their patients and communities every day through clinical excellence, advocacy, education, and leadership.
Education Designed for Today’s Physician
Educational programming throughout the meeting highlighted KMA’s continued commitment to providing timely, practical learning opportunities for physicians.
Among the featured offerings were KMA’s “Meet the Mandates” sessions, designed to help physicians complete all required continuing medical education credits before the conclusion of the current three-year reporting cycle. The meeting also featured sessions on physician wellness, leadership, and other topics aimed at helping physicians navigate today’s increasingly complex healthcare environment.
Honoring Excellence in Medicine
One of the highlights of the weekend was the annual President’s Celebration Reception, where KMA recognized four outstanding individuals whose careers exemplify leadership, service, education, and dedication to Kentucky physicians. Short videos were produced to honor each individual and are available to view at kyma.org.
The Association’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, was presented to Stephen Toadvine, MD, of Cynthiana. Throughout his career in family medicine and healthcare administration, Toadvine has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to patient care, physician leadership, and community health. His extensive service to KMA—including serving as chair of the Board of Trustees—and his mentorship of future physician leaders through KPLI have left a lasting mark on organized medicine in Kentucky.
The Community Service Award was presented to Philip Hurley, MD, of Owensboro, in recognition of decades of service to his community. A respected orthopedic sports medicine physician, Hurley has devoted countless hours to caring for student-athletes, mentoring future physicians, and strengthening partnerships that improve community health.
The Educational Achievement Award recognized Jennifer Koch, MD, of Louisville, for her extraordinary contributions to medical education. Through her work at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Koch has helped shape generations of physicians through innovative teaching, mentorship, and curriculum development while advancing educational excellence both in Kentucky and nationally.
Finally, the Debra K. Best Outstanding Layperson Award was presented to Pat Padgett, of Louisville, KMA’s executive vice president, who will retire in November after nearly three decades of dedicated service. Throughout his tenure, Padgett has provided visionary leadership and steadfast advocacy while helping shape KMA into the strong and respected voice for physicians that it is today. His commitment to organized medicine has left an enduring impact on healthcare throughout the Commonwealth.
Investing in Kentucky’s Future Leaders
The Annual Meeting also celebrated the graduation of the 2026 Kentucky Physicians Leadership Institute (KPLI) class.
Ten physicians completed the award-winning leadership program, which prepares physicians to become more effective leaders within their practices, hospitals, communities, and organized medicine. Throughout the year, participants engaged in a series of leadership development sessions focused on communication, advocacy, governance, emotional intelligence, and professional growth.
Graduates of the 2026 class are Rebecca Chatham, MD, of Danville; Alexander Hou, MD, of Edgewood; John Frandina, MD, of Lexington; Manikya Kuriti, MD, of Louisville; Stephanie McGee, MD, of Louisville; Rejith Paily, MD, of Louisville; Melonie Proctor, DO, of Union; Ishmael Stevens, MD, of Ashland; Tina Simpson, MD, of Louisville; and Allison Yoder, MD, of Louisville.
Looking Ahead
As one presidential year concluded and another began, the 2026 KMA Annual Meeting offered an important reminder that the Association’s greatest strength has always been its members.
Over the past year, physicians demonstrated the power of education and prevention through the Small STEPS, Big Impact campaign. Looking ahead, Your KMA will build upon that momentum by turning the focus inward—ensuring physicians themselves have the resources, connections, and support they need to thrive.
As Ko reminded attendees in her closing remarks, “When physicians invest in one another, we all become stronger. When we strengthen our profession, we strengthen patient care. And when we care for the people who care for Kentucky every single day, everyone benefits.”