The excellence of Vicksburg’s and Warren County’s community leaders has once again been demonstrated to the state with the election of Vicksburg internist Dr. Daniel P. Edney as the 148th president of the Mississippi State Medical Association.

Dr. Edney is known locally for more than his radio program, “On Call with Dr. Dan Edney.” He is a volunteer on medical missions across the world, the medical director of First Baptist Church of Vicksburg’s Medical/Dental Ministries and an expert on medical readiness for international disasters.

His education has made him well-qualified to enter the medical profession. He graduated Summa Cum laude with a B.S. in chemistry and biology from William Carey College in Hattiesburg and graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of Virginia Hospitals in Charlottesville, Va.

His work as a physician has inspired his peers to elect him as president of the association that serves as an advocate for doctors, their patients and the public health, and promotes ethical, educational and clinical standards for the medical profession.

Dr. Edney’s devotion to his profession and to making Mississippi a healthier place to live was evident in his address to association members.

“Every year in Mississippi we lose competent colleagues with mature practices to suicide, substance-use disorders, burn-out, accidents from risky behaviors and preventable diseases,” he said. “Because of this I am calling on the association to study ways to promote physician wellness and health.”

Dr. Edney said one of the goals of the state medical association is to promote public health in the state of Mississippi, adding, “We work with federal, state and local government to educate our leaders on different problems we have in Mississippi with providing medical care and what the barriers to access to care are for Mississippians,” he said. “Mainly, we work with the state government to try to rectify those problems.”

Two other local physicians, Dr. Geri Weiland and Dr. Jeffery Morris, serve on the state medical association Board of Directors.

Dr. Edney’s elevation to the presidency of his state association is proof again of this area’s influence in the activities of state associations and his new position is well-deserved. We offer our congratulations.