The Washington-Unicoi-Johnson (WUJ) County Medical Alliance installed its 2021-2022 officers during a special luncheon at the Blackthorn Club in Jonesborough on May 6. Past presidents of the alliance were also honored at the event.
The new Medical Alliance president is Amber Koonce, who has been a member for nine years. Koonce has two degrees: a bachelor of arts in political science – public administration and a master of science in education, both from the University of Tennessee.
She has taught in schools across the state of Tennessee from Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, to Johnson City. Koonce is actively involved in many community organizations including Hands On! Discovery Center, Junior League of Bristol, Washington County University of Tennessee Alumni Association, and 100+ Tri-Cities Women Who Care. She and her husband, Dr. James Koonce, a radiologist with Mountain Empire Radiology, have one child and are members of Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church.
The slate of officers for next year also includes President-elect Myra Gerlock, Treasurer Peggy McQueen, Assistant Treasurer Erin Misenar, Recording Secretary Bethany House, Corresponding Secretary Doris Walton, Parliamentarian Farrah Snyder, and Past President Cyndi Bailey.
In the coming year, local members serving at the state level with the Tennessee Medical Association Alliance (TMAA) will include Cathy Chang, president; Rae Grosserode, VP, communications; and Cynthia Pectol, VP, legislation. They were installed by Sue Ann Greco, American Medical Association (AMA) Alliance President, at the TMAA Annual Convention on April 30 at the Blackthorn Club.
In addition, Greco presented the AMA Alliance 2021 Social Media Community Outreach Award of Excellence to Dr. Katrena Floyd, WUJ Alliance Social Media Chair.
In 2020-2021, under the leadership of Cyndi Bailey, the WUJ Alliance collected items and funds for Ronald McDonald House, donated to The River for holiday fruit baskets, co-sponsored ETSU’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, and obtained grants from TMAA for Keystone Dental Group and the ETSU Street Medicine Interest Group. WUJ members also volunteered in COVID-19 vaccination trials and at community vaccination events.
The WUJ Medical Alliance supports the local chapter of the American Medical Association, provides volunteer services and funding for community health-related organizations, and promotes healthy lifestyles in the tri-county area.
