CMA Leadership and Staff - Columbus Medical Association

CMA OFFICERS

President
Sugat Patel, MD

More about Dr. Patel

Acting as President of the Columbus Medical Association is truly an honor that I sincerely value. When I was first introduced to the group, I was not fully aware of the CMA purpose. However, after learning of the Foundation’s work with the Physicians Care Clinic, the Healthcare Collaborative of Greater Columbus, the Central Ohio Trauma System, the Physician’s Leadership Academy, and the Youth Advisory Council, I became aware of the valuable and dynamic role the CMA plays in the healthcare of our community. There is truly a wonderful group of leaders who collaborate with the Association, making it enjoyable, functional, and versatile. I implore you to visit the CMA website to learn more about these organizations.

A little bit about myself, I am a practicing Retina and Vitreous surgeon with Midwest Retina. This is a private Retina-only practice, currently with 7 doctors, servicing central Ohio. I grew up in Akron, Ohio, graduated from the Ohio State University with an electrical engineering degree, and then went straight into the OSU College of Medicine. I did my ophthalmology residency at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, MI, and completed my retina fellowship in Vancouver, BC at the University of British Columbia. Vancouver has become my favorite city in North America (to visit… couldn’t afford to live there). Whistler Mountain and Village is also fantastic any time of year. Smitha, my wife, grew up in Circleville and is a practicing Psychiatrist (no, I am not a patient… I think) in Marysville. I have 4 children, Divya (17), Sagar (14), Dhiren (13), and Som (10). All are soccer players and musicians, hence most of my free time is spent in a car, or running around some playing fields. Sports and cuisine (eating) are among the passions I share with my family.

I look forward to working with the wonderful physicians of the CMA in continuing the fantastic core leadership. I hope to take this unique post-pandemic time to add to the wonderful feeling we should all have as caregivers, by sharing amongst ourselves in experience and friendship. Hopefully, that will empower us to grow and prosper individually, and as an organization.

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President-Elect
Catherine Romanos, MD

More about Dr. Romanos

Why CMA? What made you decide to take a leadership position?

I joined the CMA originally as a volunteer for the PCC. The PCC was a great way to meet other healthcare providers from Columbus who cared about underserved medicine. I have also long been interested in physician advocacy and political activism and the CMA has offered me many opportunities to join with other physicians to advocate for my patients.

What are your clinical or professional interests?

I am a family doctor and an abortion provider. I care deeply about reproductive justice.

What are your hobbies/interests?
Outside of medicine, I love spending time cooking, baking, eating, and drinking with friends. In fact, my best meals in Columbus have been in friend's backyards!

What’s the best thing about being a doctor in central Ohio?
Since moving to Ohio in 2013, I have really loved providing abortion care. However, I am gravely concerned that I will not be able to provide this medical care to patients in the future. I am hopeful that my role in the CMA will help me to continue to advocate for Ohioians to access safe and legal abortion.

What’s the “can’t-miss spot” for out-of-town guests visiting Columbus?
If you are new to town, don't miss the June PRIDE celebrations all over the city!!!

Immediate Past President
Beth Liston, MD

More about Dr. Liston

Why CMA?

I joined the CMA because I think it is critical that we remain connected with physicians within our community. Many of us belong to subspecialty societies, but those can be quite distant. The CMA deals with local issues and provides services to doctors practicing together. It helps to build relationships with other physicians and leaders in our city and state.

Secretary-Treasurer
Ahmad Mostafavifar, MD

More about Dr. Mostafavifar

Why CMA? What made you decide to take a leadership position?
CMA is a vital organization in central Ohio that looks after the interests of physician’s and their patients.

What are your clinical or professional interests?
Hospital Medicine, medical education, Sports Medicine

What are your hobbies/interests?
Cycling around central Ohio, Golfing at The Ohio State Golf Club

What’s the best thing about being a doctor in central Ohio?
We have 4 major healthcare organizations that are very strong: OhioHealth, Mount Carmel, Ohio State, Nationwide Children’s

What’s the “can’t-miss spot” for out-of-town guests visiting Columbus?
Catch a Columbus Crew game at the new Crew stadium

Secretary- Treasurer- Elect
Kanny Grewal, MD

More about Dr. Grewal

Why CMA? What made you decide to take a leadership position?

I have always thought it is important to serve our medical community, the same way that mentors and previous physician leaders have influenced and supported me

What are your clinical or professional interests?

I am a clinical cardiologist, my specific interests are cardiac imaging, sports cardiology, consultative cardiology. I also write a blog on heart prevention, www.hearthealthdocs.com

What are your hobbies/interests?

Physical fitness, golf, traveling

What’s the best thing about being a doctor in central Ohio?

Being able to work in a family friendly environment, but with all of the amenities of a big city

What’s the “can’t-miss spot” for out-of-town guests visiting Columbus?

I love showing off Central Ohio's variety of golf courses, hiking trails and MetroParks to visitors..

CMAF Board President

Marc Parnes, MD

More about Dr. Parnes

Why CMA? What made you decide to take a leadership position?

When I joined a practice after residency, my two partners said to me, “You will need to join the CMA”. I did and for a number of years it wasn’t apparent to me as to why I was a member. Then I was invited to be a member of the Professional Relations Committee and as a member of that committee, I learned the reason that I was a CMA member. It was an organization that supported physicians in our community for the benefit of the health of our community. As time progressed my appreciation of what the CMA provided grew. When I was asked to serve, I was pleased to be able to support our organization.

What are your clinical or professional interests?

Since retiring from the practice of medicine, my interest has been in supporting physicians in their endeavor to practice their art. I have continued to be the practice manager of our OB/GYN practice, and have been involved as both faculty and Board Chair for the Physician Leadership Academy. I have a particular interest in helping physicians understand their relationship with money as I see that interaction having a great impact on the practice of medicine.

What’s the best thing about being a doctor in central Ohio?

I was born and raised in Columbus, so this is home. Practicing in a community that is my home has been the best thing. Oh yes, and the CMA.

What’s the “can’t-miss spot” for out-of-town guests visiting Columbus?

I would vote for our Columbus Zoo as being that place. It has grown to be on par with zoos anywhere.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Christopher Brown, MD

More about Dr. Brown

Dr. Brown is a native of North Carolina who graduated from North Carolina A&T State University. He entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill school of medicine and graduated with dual degrees, a Master’s in Public Health with a concentration in Health Care and Prevention and a Doctor of Medicine degree. He trained at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Internal Medicine and then completed sub-specialty training in Nephrology. He has served as an Assistant Professor of medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center where he was also an Assistant Medical Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program. Since that time he has worked in a variety of settings from large hospitals in Columbus to small critical access hospitals in rural areas in the Central Ohio region as a hospitalist and as a nephrologist. Dr. Brown is board certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology. He has been active in the community participating in health talks and health fairs.

Britta Buchenroth, MD

More about Dr. Buchenroth

Why CMA? What made you decide to take a leadership position?

The CMA does amazing work for the health of the greater Columbus area. I wanted to be able to take part and help where I can for the community.

What are your clinical or professional interests?

All things women's health.

What are your hobbies/interests?

My hobbies and interests include hiking, walking our dog, and crafting with the cricut.

What’s the best thing about being a doctor in central Ohio?

The people are the best part- I really enjoy getting to know each of my patients as people.

What’s the “can’t-miss spot” for out-of-town guests visiting Columbus?
The Columbus Zoo! It is such a great place for every member of the family to enjoy!

Laura Espy-Bell, MD

More about Dr. Espy-Bell

Why CMA? What made you decide to take a leadership position?

The CMA has ideals and values that are similar to my own. I decided to take a leadership role in the CMA due to their commitment to creating a pipeline for African American students to be exposed to careers in medicine and increasing minorities in medicine as a whole.

What are your clinical or professional interests?

I have a strong interest in emergency medicine, health disparities, diversity & inclusion, and public health.

What are your hobbies/interests?

I enjoy traveling to new places, photography, jigsaw puzzles, politics, and researching ancestry/genealogy.

What’s the best thing about being a doctor in central Ohio?

Central Ohio is a great place to work and raise a family. Our community is rich in diversity and our patient population is diverse as well. I also enjoy the partnerships between all of the major health systems to serve our community and improve overall health.

What’s the “can’t-miss spot” for out-of-town guests visiting Columbus?
Short North Galleries, Easton Town Center, Scioto Mile, and COSI.

Daniel Eiferman, MD

More about Dr. Eiferman

What are your clinical or professional interests?

Acute care surgery, hernia surgery, lymphedema surgery, surgical critical care

What are your hobbies/interests?

Sports, reading

What’s the “can’t-miss spot” for out-of-town guests visiting Columbus?

If you are a sports fan, the Horseshoe is a pretty cool place to watch a college football game

Laura Gravelin, MD

More about Dr. Gravelin

Why CMA? What made you decide to take a leadership position?
Via the Physicians' Leadership Academy, I have met many CMA members; their desire to not only improve patient care but also impact health care policy inspired me to participate more broadly at the CMA. I enjoy the Women in Medicine group at CMA as well.

What are your clinical or professional interests?
I am a cardiac electrophysiologist, with additional interests in cardiovascular disease in women and addressing disparity in medicine.

What are your hobbies/interests?
Reading (sci-fi/fantasy geek), traveling and playing tennis with my husband, walking my German Shorthaired Pointer are all hobbies of mine.

What’s the “can’t-miss spot” for out-of-town guests visiting Columbus?
Living in German Village (bias alert!), everyone should walk around the neighborhood, enjoy the old homes, lovely eateries and shops, and beautiful Schiller Park.

Kathy Harter

More about Kathy Harter

Why CMA? What made you decide to take a leadership position?
I have been involved with the CMA – Alliance for many years. I have enjoyed being on the Board and bringing to the group the importance of remembering the family side of the physician

What are your clinical or professional interests?
Ron and I have 5 children who are making their way thought high school, college and adulting. Outside of being on the Board I work for the International Dyslexia Association .

What are your hobbies/interests?
Ron and I have participated in the Peloton for many years now. I also like to garden and take long walks.

What’s the “can’t-miss spot” for out-of-town guests visiting Columbus?
Bridge Street Park in Dublin

John Ward, MD

More about Dr. Ward

Why CMA? What made you decide to take a leadership position?

I am a graduate of the CMA-sponsored PLA leadership academy. I have been involved in Ohio Gastroenterology Group executive committee for a number of years, and have recently rotated off that committee. I was asked to consider serving on the board and decided it was the right time.

What are your clinical or professional interests?

Clinically, I spend quite a bit of time as a general G.I. doctor. My particular interest inside of our group has been with quality metrics and quality improvement. I have also spent time with legislative advocacy with one of our national associations.

What are your hobbies/interests?

When I have time, I love to tinker. Are used to describe myself as a woodworker, but I feel inadequate when I compare my work to people who really are good woodworkers. However, I am particularly proud of the classroom easel I built for my wife for the last school year. Our family loves music, particularly country music. We like to travel to see our favorite bands perform.

What’s the best thing about being a doctor in central Ohio?

Columbus is a great city, I was born here, I have raised a family here, and I have been able to have a fulfilling professional career here. The community has a genuine appreciation for doctors, end I am grateful for what it has given me.

What’s the “can’t-miss spot” for out-of-town guests visiting Columbus

I would find it impossible to give one answer to this question. Here are some can’t misses: Franklin Park Conservatory In the spring, Metro parks in the summer, Columbus Clippers game in the evening, OSU football in the fall, and Blue Jackets game in the winter. A great meal can always be found in the Short North and Grandview.

Andrew Phillips
OSU College of Medicine

More about Andrew Phillips

I chose to become a part of the CMA's Medical Student Community for the network, advocacy, and mentorship opportunities. The community events, such as the specialty fair that will be held in July, are geared towards medical-students and are great chances to meet fellow Columbus-area students and physicians.

There are excellent resources to take advantage of including free professional headshots, advocacy training videos, and an online forum to discuss anything medical student related.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult to find and talk with others who share similar experiences and passions; I think this community can ease that burden. Finally, and maybe most importantly for students living on a budget, membership is totally free. There are so many benefits to join, I hope to meet you in the community!

STAFF