2026 KMA Annual Meeting Included Meet the Mandates Education Sessions
Kentucky physicians gathered in Louisville in August for the 2026 KMA Annual Meeting, where members celebrated another year of accomplishments, recognized outstanding physician leaders, and looked ahead to a future focused on supporting those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.
Centered around the theme “Kentucky Physicians: At the Heart of Impact,” this year’s meeting highlighted the many ways physicians improve the health of Kentuckians—not only through exceptional patient care, but also through advocacy, education, leadership, and service. The weekend also marked the culmination of President Jiapeng Huang, M.D., Ph.D.’s successful Small STEPS, Big Impact initiative while ushering in a new chapter under incoming KMA President Christine Ko, M.D., whose presidential theme, Your KMA, will focus on caring for Kentucky’s physicians as they continue caring for their communities.
During the House of Delegates, members installed Christine Ko, M.D., a Lexington internal medicine physician, as the 176th President of the KMA. Members also elected Ishmael Stevens, M.D., of Ashland, as President-Elect, along with 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.
In her installation address, Dr. Ko reflected on the tremendous impact of outgoing President Dr. Huang’s leadership before introducing a vision centered on supporting physicians throughout every stage of their careers.
“For two years, we asked physicians to help Kentuckians take better care of themselves,” she told attendees. “Now, it’s our turn to take better care of our physicians.”
That philosophy serves as the foundation for Your KMA, a year-long initiative built around the message “Physicians Caring for Kentucky. KMA Caring for YOU.” The initiative seeks to elevate and expand the many resources KMA offers while strengthening physicians’ connection to one another and to organized medicine.
Throughout the coming year, Your KMA will focus on five pillars: Caring for Your Health, Caring for Your Voice, Caring for Your Growth, Caring for Your Future, and Caring for Each Other. Together, these areas are designed to address many of the challenges physicians face today, from wellness and advocacy to leadership development, financial planning, mentorship, and professional connection.
Dr. Ko also shared how participating in the Kentucky Physicians Leadership Institute (KPLI) transformed 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,” she said. “That experience changed the trajectory of my professional life, and it is one of the reasons I stand before you today.”
Educational programming throughout the meeting highlighted KMA’s continued commitment to providing timely, practical learning opportunities for physicians.
Among the featured offerings were KMA’s “Meet the Mandates” sessions, designed to help physicians complete all required continuing medical education credits before the conclusion of the current three-year reporting cycle. The meeting also featured sessions on physician wellness, leadership, and other topics aimed at helping physicians navigate today’s increasingly complex healthcare environment.
More information about the 2026 KMA Annual Meeting, as well as a photo gallery from the weekend, is available at kyma.org.
KMA members are asked to save the dates for the 2027 Annual Meeting, which will be held Aug. 21-22 at the historic Seelbach Hotel in downtown Louisville.