Кристина Ко избрана 176-м президентом Медицинской ассоциации Кентукки

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington physician Christine Ko, M.D., has been installed as the 176th president of the Kentucky Medical Association, taking leadership of the statewide organization representing physicians and medical professionals across the Commonwealth. Ko, an internal medicine physician employed by Baptist Health, was installed during KMA’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Louisville. She succeeds Jiapeng Huang, M.D., Ph.D., as president. KMA members also elected Ashland pediatrician Ishmael Stevens, M.D., as president-elect. Other officers elected include Christopher Jones, M.D., of Louisville as vice president; Aneeta Bhatia, M.D., of Louisville as secretary; and Marisa Belcastro, M.D., of Lexington as treasurer. Ko previously served as KMA treasurer and as president of the Lexington Medical Society. She is a graduate of Emory University School of Medicine and the Kentucky Physicians Leadership Institute, or KPLI. Her work with organized medicine has focused on physician leadership and ensuring Kentucky physicians have access to resources supporting their professional and personal well-being. Ko launches ‘Your KMA’ initiative During her installation address, Ko introduced “Your KMA,” a year-long presidential initiative aimed at strengthening the association’s support for physicians throughout different stages of their careers. The initiative carries the message, “Physicians Caring for Kentucky. KMA Caring for YOU.” It will organize KMA programs and resources around five areas: Caring for Your Health, Caring for Your Voice, Caring for Your Growth, Caring for Your Future and Caring for Each Other. Ko also emphasized the importance of leadership development within Kentucky’s medical community, pointing to her experience with KPLI as an important part of 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,” Ko said. “That experience changed the trajectory of my professional life, and it is one of the reasons I stand before you today.” The leadership program is designed to help physicians develop skills extending beyond clinical practice and prepare them for leadership roles within health care organizations and their communities. Ten physicians were recognized during the annual meeting for completing the 2026 KPLI program. They are Rebecca Chatham, M.D., of Danville; Alexander Hou, M.D., of Edgewood; John Frandina, M.D., of Lexington; Manikya Kuriti, M.D., of Louisville; Stephanie McGee, M.D., of Louisville; Rejith Paily, M.D., of Louisville; Melonie Proctor, D.O., of Union; Ishmael Stevens, M.D., of Ashland; Tina Simpson, M.D., of Louisville; and Allison Yoder, M.D., of Louisville. KMA recognizes Kentucky medical leaders The association also honored four individuals during its President’s Celebration Reception on Aug. 22. KMA Board of Trustees Chair Stephen Toadvine, M.D., received the Distinguished Service Award, the association’s highest honor. Owensboro orthopedic sports medicine physician Philip Hurley, M.D., received the Community Service Award, while Jennifer Koch, M.D., of Louisville received the Educational Achievement Award. KMA Executive Vice President Pat Padgett received the Debra K. Best Outstanding Layperson Award. Padgett is retiring in November after nearly 30 years of service to the organization. The 2026 Annual Meeting was held under the theme “Kentucky Physicians: At the Heart of Impact,” highlighting physicians’ roles in patient care, community health, advocacy, education, leadership and service. Programming included sessions on physician wellness and leadership as well as continuing medical education. KMA also offered its “Meet the Mandates” sessions, which allow physicians to complete mandated continuing medical education requirements ahead of the end of the three-year CME cycle. Ko also recognized the work conducted during Huang’s tenure as president, including KMA’s “Small STEPS, Big Impact” public health campaign. “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,” Ko said. As she begins her term, Ko said her focus will be on strengthening the relationship between KMA and Kentucky physicians while supporting their professional development, health and leadership. Short videos honoring each 2026 KMA Awards of Excellence recipient are available on KMA’s YouTube channel here. About KMA The Kentucky Medical Association is a non-profit 501(c)(6) organization that supports physician members and their patients with a variety of services. The KMA, established in 1851, represents and supports nearly 7,000 physicians, physician residents, and medical students across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Learn more about the KMA and its programs at www.kyma.org.