J. James Rohack, M.D., a cardiologist from Bryan, TX, was recently inaugurated as the 164th president of the American Medical Association (AMA), the nation’s largest and most influential physician organization.

First elected to the AMA Board of Trustees in 2001, Dr. Rohack served a term as board chair in 2004-2005. He has previously chaired the AMA Council on Medical Education and represented the AMA on the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the Accreditation Council on Continuing Medical Education, the Joint Commission and the National Advisory Council to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. He continues to serve on the Hospital Quality Alliance.

In addition to his work with the AMA, Dr. Rohack held leadership positions in his home state of Texas. Dr. Rohack was first elected to represent Texas physicians in the AMA House of Delegates more than 20 years ago. He is a former president and board member of the Texas Medical Association. Dr. Rohack also served as president of the American Heart Association’s Texas affiliate.

Currently, Dr. Rohack is a professor in both the Department of Medicine and the Department of Medical Humanities in Medicine at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, director of the Center for Healthcare Policy at Scott & White and medical director for system improvement for Scott & White Health Plan in Temple, Texas, where he continues his clinical practice.

Cecil B. Wilson, M.D., an internist from Winter Park, FL was named president-elect of the American Medical Association (AMA). Following a year-long term as president-elect, Dr. Wilson will assume the office of AMA president in June 2010.

First elected to the AMA Board of Trustees in 2002, Dr. Wilson served a one-year term as board chair in 2006-2007. He had previously chaired the AMA’s Membership Committee for three years, leading efforts to focus member involvement and leadership on the AMA’s national health care advocacy agenda. Prior to being elected to the AMA Board, Dr. Wilson represented Florida in the AMA House of Delegates for 10 years.

Dr. Wilson has a distinguished record of service and leadership in organized medicine. He was president of the Florida Medical Association and chair of its Board of Governors and executive committee. He has served as president of the Orange County Medical Society and of the medical staffs of Winter Park Memorial Hospital and Florida Hospital Orlando Medical Center.

Currently, Dr. Wilson serves as the national fellow and advisor for the Center for Global Health and Medical Diplomacy at the University of North Florida.