John L. Reynolds, MD

NCMS President

Member since 1987

John L. Reynolds, MD, is an anesthesiologist from Shelby, NC, and the 164^th President of the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS). Dr. Reynolds is a longtime NCMS member who has led the NCMS’ Legislative Cabinet for the past six years and also served on numerous committees and task forces and the NCMS Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

He is a true advocate for organized medicine, being active in not only the NCMS, but also the Cleveland County Medical Society and his specialty society.

Dr. Reynolds was one of the founding partners of Shelby Anesthesia Associates in 1986. That group is now part of Mednax – Southeastern Anesthesiology. He also currently serves as clinical director of the Ambulatory Surgical Center and staff anesthesiologist at CMS – Cleveland Regional Hospital.

After receiving his undergraduate degree from Temple University and his medical degree from the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, Dr. Reynolds completed a surgical residency at Mercy Catholic Medical Center in Pennsylvania and his anesthesiology residency at the Medical College of Georgia.

As NCMS President, Dr. Reynolds is focused on advocating for physicians; promoting access to care for all; and cultivating physician leadership in the state.

Timothy J. Reeder, MD, MPH, FACEP

NCMS President-Elect

Member since 1998

Timothy J. Reeder, MD, MPH, FACEP, was elected to the NCMS Board of Directors during the 2012 NCMS Annual Meeting in Raleigh after years of service on several committees, including the NCMS Finance Committee, the Credentials Committee, and the Communications and Membership Advisory Committee. He has participated in organized medicine on the local level as well, serving as President of the Pitt County Medical Society in 2007.

An emergency medicine physician, Dr. Reeder received his MD from Ohio State University, where he also spent his residency. He currently works at the Brody School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, as an Associate Professor and Vice Chair for Clinical Operations.

Paul R. G. Cunningham, MD

Immediate Past President

Member since 1983

Dr. Paul R. G. Cunningham recently retired as the Dean and the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, where he has served since September 2008. Prior to joining the Brody School of Medicine, Dr. Cunningham was a Professor and the Chair of the Department of Surgery at the State University of New York, Upstate Medical University from April 2002 until August 2008. Board Certified in General Surgery, Dr. Cunningham is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, where he received his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree in 1972. He completed his residency in surgery at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City in 1979. He has been an NCMS Board member since 2009.

John L. Reynolds, MD

NCMS President

Member since 1987

John L. Reynolds, MD, is an anesthesiologist from Shelby, NC, and the 164^th President of the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS). Dr. Reynolds is a longtime NCMS member who has led the NCMS’ Legislative Cabinet for the past six years and also served on numerous committees and task forces and the NCMS Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

He is a true advocate for organized medicine, being active in not only the NCMS, but also the Cleveland County Medical Society and his specialty society.

Dr. Reynolds was one of the founding partners of Shelby Anesthesia Associates in 1986. That group is now part of Mednax – Southeastern Anesthesiology. He also currently serves as clinical director of the Ambulatory Surgical Center and staff anesthesiologist at CMS – Cleveland Regional Hospital.

After receiving his undergraduate degree from Temple University and his medical degree from the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, Dr. Reynolds completed a surgical residency at Mercy Catholic Medical Center in Pennsylvania and his anesthesiology residency at the Medical College of Georgia.

As NCMS President, Dr. Reynolds is focused on advocating for physicians; promoting access to care for all; and cultivating physician leadership in the state.

Timothy J. Reeder, MD, MPH, FACEP

NCMS President-Elect

Member since 1998

Timothy J. Reeder, MD, MPH, FACEP, was elected to the NCMS Board of Directors during the 2012 NCMS Annual Meeting in Raleigh after years of service on several committees, including the NCMS Finance Committee, the Credentials Committee, and the Communications and Membership Advisory Committee. He has participated in organized medicine on the local level as well, serving as President of the Pitt County Medical Society in 2007.

An emergency medicine physician, Dr. Reeder received his MD from Ohio State University, where he also spent his residency. He currently works at the Brody School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, as an Associate Professor and Vice Chair for Clinical Operations.

Paul R. G. Cunningham, MD

Immediate Past President

Member since 1983

Dr. Paul R. G. Cunningham recently retired as the Dean and the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, where he has served since September 2008. Prior to joining the Brody School of Medicine, Dr. Cunningham was a Professor and the Chair of the Department of Surgery at the State University of New York, Upstate Medical University from April 2002 until August 2008. Board Certified in General Surgery, Dr. Cunningham is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, where he received his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree in 1972. He completed his residency in surgery at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City in 1979. He has been an NCMS Board member since 2009.

John Meier MD, MBA, FAAP

Secretary-Treasurer

Member since 2008

John Meier MD, MBA, FAAP, is a practicing internist and pediatrician in the Raleigh area. He serves as a member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of WakeMed Key Community Care (WKCC), a Medicare Shared Savings Program participant and Accountable Care Organization. In his role at WKCC John also serves on the Management, Quality and Operations Committees. Dr. Meier is very active in several working groups and committees at the North Carolina Medical Society – Towards Accountable Care Task Force, Towards Accountable Care Advisory Board, the Kanof Leadership Institute Advisory Board, the Legislative Cabinet and Finance Committee.

Dr. Meier followed his interest and passion in medicine by attending medical school at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, graduating in 2004. He completed his combined Internal Medicine and Pediatric residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and had the opportunity to serve as the Medicine Chief Resident at WakeMed Hospital.

Robert W. Seligson, MBA, MA

Executive Vice President/CEO

Robert W. Seligson (Bob) is Executive Vice President/CEO of the North Carolina Medical Society, the oldest professional association in the state. He also serves as Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Medical Society Foundation. In his role as CEO, Bob directs a variety of advocacy efforts designed to serve the physician community in North Carolina.

Bob has held numerous leadership positions at renowned medical organizations and state medical societies, including the American Medical Association, Florida Medical Association and the American Association of Medical Society Executives, where he served as President in 2003 and 2004. He currently holds the position of President at the Physicians Advocacy Institute.

A graduate of the University of Georgia, with a BSA in Economics, Bob earned an MBA from the University of North Florida and a Master of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies at North Carolina State University with a concentration in film in May 2003. He and his wife, Donna, live in Raleigh and have two children.

Philip M. Brown, Jr., MD

Region 1 Representative

Member since 1991

Philip Brown, MD, currently serves as New Hanover Regional Medical Center Chief Physician Executive where he oversees care quality, care transformation and physician leadership within the organization. A vascular surgeon practicing in Wilmington since 2004, Dr. Brown finished undergraduate work at UNC-Wilmington in 1988, then gained his medical degree at the Brody School of Medicine in 1995 at East Carolina University. He completed a residency at Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville, then a fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2001-02. The next two years he served on the academic faculty at East Carolina University in Greenville.

Dr. Brown is former president of the New Hanover-Pender Medical Society and will continue as co-director of the Kanof Institute for Physician Leadership, a leadership college provided by the N.C. Medical Society Foundation.

John Meier MD, MBA, FAAP

Secretary-Treasurer

Member since 2008

John Meier MD, MBA, FAAP, is a practicing internist and pediatrician in the Raleigh area. He serves as a member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of WakeMed Key Community Care (WKCC), a Medicare Shared Savings Program participant and Accountable Care Organization. In his role at WKCC John also serves on the Management, Quality and Operations Committees. Dr. Meier is very active in several working groups and committees at the North Carolina Medical Society – Towards Accountable Care Task Force, Towards Accountable Care Advisory Board, the Kanof Leadership Institute Advisory Board, the Legislative Cabinet and Finance Committee.

Dr. Meier followed his interest and passion in medicine by attending medical school at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, graduating in 2004. He completed his combined Internal Medicine and Pediatric residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and had the opportunity to serve as the Medicine Chief Resident at WakeMed Hospital.

Robert W. Seligson, MBA, MA

Executive Vice President/CEO

Robert W. Seligson (Bob) is Executive Vice President/CEO of the North Carolina Medical Society, the oldest professional association in the state. He also serves as Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Medical Society Foundation. In his role as CEO, Bob directs a variety of advocacy efforts designed to serve the physician community in North Carolina.

Bob has held numerous leadership positions at renowned medical organizations and state medical societies, including the American Medical Association, Florida Medical Association and the American Association of Medical Society Executives, where he served as President in 2003 and 2004. He currently holds the position of President at the Physicians Advocacy Institute.

A graduate of the University of Georgia, with a BSA in Economics, Bob earned an MBA from the University of North Florida and a Master of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies at North Carolina State University with a concentration in film in May 2003. He and his wife, Donna, live in Raleigh and have two children.

Philip M. Brown, Jr., MD

Region 1 Representative

Member since 1991

Philip Brown, MD, currently serves as New Hanover Regional Medical Center Chief Physician Executive where he oversees care quality, care transformation and physician leadership within the organization. A vascular surgeon practicing in Wilmington since 2004, Dr. Brown finished undergraduate work at UNC-Wilmington in 1988, then gained his medical degree at the Brody School of Medicine in 1995 at East Carolina University. He completed a residency at Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville, then a fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2001-02. The next two years he served on the academic faculty at East Carolina University in Greenville.

Dr. Brown is former president of the New Hanover-Pender Medical Society and will continue as co-director of the Kanof Institute for Physician Leadership, a leadership college provided by the N.C. Medical Society Foundation.

Jeffrey W. Runge, MD, FACEP

Region 2 Representative

Member since 1985

Dr. Jeffrey Runge, a board-certified emergency medicine physician, has a long history of involvement with the North Carolina Medical Society and came onto the NCMS Board in 2013. He currently serves as president and CEO of Carolina Complete Health Network, a company formed by the NCMS to build and support a patient-focused, physician-led Medicaid health network.

Dr. Runge has over 30 years of experience as an emergency medicine physician and Federal government executive and currently is a consultant in public policy and strategy in the fields of biodefense, medical preparedness, emergency medical services delivery and road safety. Dr. Runge accepted the opportunity to contribute to the young Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) development in 2005, becoming DHS’ first Chief Medical Officer, where he created a new Office of Health Affairs (OHA). He was confirmed again by the Senate in 2007 as the founding Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs at DHS.

Arthur E. Apolinario, MD, MPH, FAAFP, CH

Region 3 Representative

Member since 2000

Dr. Arthur Apolinario, or "Dr. Art" as he's affectionately called by his patients, is a board-certified family medicine physician working at the Clinton Medical Clinic, Inc. He has been active in the North Carolina Medical Society and the American Medical Association, serving as delegates to both organizations as a medical student, resident, and “Young Physician” and successfully working to pass policy relating to health care and childhood obesity as well as domestic violence. He has been president of his local county society, the Sampson County Medical Society, since 2004.

After receiving his undergraduate degree in English Literature from Gannon University, he went on to New Orleans, LA for his MD at Tulane. He moved to Erie, PA to serve his residency in Family Medicine at Saint Vincent Health System, and later moved on to Newton Grove, NC to join the Clinton Medical Clinic.

Rachel D. Keever, MD, CPE, FACC

Region 4 Representative

Member since 2003

Dr. Rachel Keever, a cardiovascular disease/internal medicine physician from Asheville, is the newest member of the NCMS Board. She studied at the UNC School of Medicine where she received her MD degree, was a clinical fellow in the UNC Division of Cardiology and was a resident in the UNC Hospitals combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Program. Dr. Keever also was  awarded Certified Physician Executive (CPE) status in 2016.

Dr. Keever is one of a handful of  physicians who has completed two of the Kanof Institute for Physician Leadership’s programs: NCMS Leadership College in 2012 and Health Care Leadership and Management (HCLM) in 2016. 

Jeffrey W. Runge, MD, FACEP

Region 2 Representative

Member since 1985

Dr. Jeffrey Runge, a board-certified emergency medicine physician, has a long history of involvement with the North Carolina Medical Society and came onto the NCMS Board in 2013. He currently serves as president and CEO of Carolina Complete Health Network, a company formed by the NCMS to build and support a patient-focused, physician-led Medicaid health network.

Dr. Runge has over 30 years of experience as an emergency medicine physician and Federal government executive and currently is a consultant in public policy and strategy in the fields of biodefense, medical preparedness, emergency medical services delivery and road safety. Dr. Runge accepted the opportunity to contribute to the young Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) development in 2005, becoming DHS’ first Chief Medical Officer, where he created a new Office of Health Affairs (OHA). He was confirmed again by the Senate in 2007 as the founding Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs at DHS.

Arthur E. Apolinario, MD, MPH, FAAFP, CH

Region 3 Representative

Member since 2000

Dr. Arthur Apolinario, or "Dr. Art" as he's affectionately called by his patients, is a board-certified family medicine physician working at the Clinton Medical Clinic, Inc. He has been active in the North Carolina Medical Society and the American Medical Association, serving as delegates to both organizations as a medical student, resident, and “Young Physician” and successfully working to pass policy relating to health care and childhood obesity as well as domestic violence. He has been president of his local county society, the Sampson County Medical Society, since 2004.

After receiving his undergraduate degree in English Literature from Gannon University, he went on to New Orleans, LA for his MD at Tulane. He moved to Erie, PA to serve his residency in Family Medicine at Saint Vincent Health System, and later moved on to Newton Grove, NC to join the Clinton Medical Clinic.

Rachel D. Keever, MD, CPE, FACC

Region 4 Representative

Member since 2003

Dr. Rachel Keever, a cardiovascular disease/internal medicine physician from Asheville, is the newest member of the NCMS Board. She studied at the UNC School of Medicine where she received her MD degree, was a clinical fellow in the UNC Division of Cardiology and was a resident in the UNC Hospitals combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Program. Dr. Keever also was  awarded Certified Physician Executive (CPE) status in 2016.

Dr. Keever is one of a handful of  physicians who has completed two of the Kanof Institute for Physician Leadership’s programs: NCMS Leadership College in 2012 and Health Care Leadership and Management (HCLM) in 2016. 

Palmer Edwards, DFAPA

At-Large

Member since 1992

Palmer Edwards, MD, DFAPA, is a certified psychiatrist working in Winston-Salem, NC, and providing outpatient psychiatric care to children, adolescents and adults. He graduated from the Bowman Gray Medical School (now Wake Forest School of Medicine) and served his internship, residency and fellowship at Vanderbilt University Hospital.

Michelle F. Jones, MD, FAAFP

At-Large

Member since 1992

Dr. Michelle Jones is a certified family medicine physician who works at Wilmington Health with a focus in preventative medicine and the medical home model. She has been involved in the NCMS for a many years, serving on numerous committees and graduating in the 2009 Kanof Institute Leadership College class. In addition, she has served as president of the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians from 2006-2007.

Dr. Jones graduated medical school from East Carolina University in Greenville and completed her internship and residency at Duke University in Durham.

Brian S. Kuszyk, MD, FACR

At-Large

Member since 2000

Dr. Brian Kuszyk is a board-certified radiologist living in Greenville who works in a number of different roles: President, Eastern Radiologists, Inc.; Chief of Radiology, Vidant Medical Center; and as Affiliate Professor and Chair of Clinical Radiology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. He has been an active member of organized medicine, serving as president of the North Carolina Radiological Society and on several NCMS committees.

Dr. Kuszyk attended Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and also served his internship, residency and fellowship at that institution.

Palmer Edwards, DFAPA

At-Large

Member since 1992

Palmer Edwards, MD, DFAPA, is a certified psychiatrist working in Winston-Salem, NC, and providing outpatient psychiatric care to children, adolescents and adults. He graduated from the Bowman Gray Medical School (now Wake Forest School of Medicine) and served his internship, residency and fellowship at Vanderbilt University Hospital.

Michelle F. Jones, MD, FAAFP

At-Large

Member since 1992

Dr. Michelle Jones is a certified family medicine physician who works at Wilmington Health with a focus in preventative medicine and the medical home model. She has been involved in the NCMS for a many years, serving on numerous committees and graduating in the 2009 Kanof Institute Leadership College class. In addition, she has served as president of the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians from 2006-2007.

Dr. Jones graduated medical school from East Carolina University in Greenville and completed her internship and residency at Duke University in Durham.

Brian S. Kuszyk, MD, FACR

At-Large

Member since 2000

Dr. Brian Kuszyk is a board-certified radiologist living in Greenville who works in a number of different roles: President, Eastern Radiologists, Inc.; Chief of Radiology, Vidant Medical Center; and as Affiliate Professor and Chair of Clinical Radiology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. He has been an active member of organized medicine, serving as president of the North Carolina Radiological Society and on several NCMS committees.

Dr. Kuszyk attended Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and also served his internship, residency and fellowship at that institution.

Eileen M. Raynor, MD, FACS, FAAP

At-Large 

Member since 2009

Dr. Eileen Raynor currently works as an Associate Professor of Surgery and an Associate Professor in Pediatrics in the Department of Surgery, Division of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences within the Duke University Health System. She has been an active member of the NCMS for a number of years, serving on the NCMS Legislative Cabinet, the Medical Education Committee and the Membership and Communications Advisory Committee. She is an alumna of the KIPL Leadership College Class of 2012 and also served as President of the North Carolina Otolaryngology Society.

Dr. Raynor shares, “I would like to positively impact the quality of life for North Carolina citizens and its physicians through advocacy and collaboration. As a member of the NCMS Board, we will be able to shape the future of health care for all of North Carolina.”

Michael J. Utecht, MD, FACEP

At-Large

Member since 2005

Dr. Michael Utecht is an emergency medicine physician living in the Triangle-area. He has been an active member of the NCMS and other organizations, serving on several committees and as president of the North Carolina College of Emergency Physicians from 2009-2010.

Eileen M. Raynor, MD, FACS, FAAP

At-Large 

Member since 2009

Dr. Eileen Raynor currently works as an Associate Professor of Surgery and an Associate Professor in Pediatrics in the Department of Surgery, Division of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences within the Duke University Health System. She has been an active member of the NCMS for a number of years, serving on the NCMS Legislative Cabinet, the Medical Education Committee and the Membership and Communications Advisory Committee. She is an alumna of the KIPL Leadership College Class of 2012 and also served as President of the North Carolina Otolaryngology Society.

Dr. Raynor shares, “I would like to positively impact the quality of life for North Carolina citizens and its physicians through advocacy and collaboration. As a member of the NCMS Board, we will be able to shape the future of health care for all of North Carolina.”

Michael J. Utecht, MD, FACEP

At-Large

Member since 2005

Dr. Michael Utecht is an emergency medicine physician living in the Triangle-area. He has been an active member of the NCMS and other organizations, serving on several committees and as president of the North Carolina College of Emergency Physicians from 2009-2010.