Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future at CMA's Annual Celebration

The Columbus Medical Association’s 2025 Annual Celebration was an evening filled with gratitude, reflection, and anticipation of a bright future. Held at the Columbus Museum of Art on Thursday, October 23, the event brought together physicians, students, and community partners to honor those who shaped the organization’s past and to celebrate the next generation leading its future. 

CEO of the CMA and affiliates Tracy Davidson opened the evening looking back to 1869, when pioneering Columbus physicians laid the foundation for what would become today’s Columbus Medical Association. From those early days, when the nation was rebuilding after the Civil War and The Ohio State University’s medical school was just beginning, to today’s network of affiliates advancing health and leadership across Central Ohio, the CMA’s story has always been rooted in physician leadership and community service. 

In keeping with the evening’s theme, the celebration recognized physicians marking 50 years in medicine, as well as several individuals whose advocacy, service, and innovation continue to advance health care in our region. Read more about this year’s honorees here.

Throughout the program, speakers reflected on how the CMA and its affiliates have evolved to meet the changing needs of medicine—through the creation of programs like Physicians CareConnection, Made for Medicine, and the Physicians Leadership Academy. These efforts demonstrate the organization’s enduring commitment to physician well-being, mentorship, and equitable access to care. 

CMA Board President Kanny Grewal, MD, remarked, “Just like medicine itself over the last 150 years, the role of medical societies and has certainly changed. It’s our challenge as an organization to change with medicine, and these honorees show how our association is doing just that.” 

As the evening drew to a close, Tracy Davidson offered a reminder of why this work matters—and a call to action for the future. 

“Our story is rooted in physician resiliency, innovation, problem solving, and caring deeply about our local community,” she said. “My question and my challenge, my bold ask to everyone here in the room is: what do we do next? How do we engage more physicians and physician allies in our work? How do we leave a legacy for the students of today, the patients of tomorrow, our families, and our neighbors?” 

The night’s reflections captured both the strength of CMA’s 156-year legacy and the promise of what’s to come. 

The CMA would like to thank our sponsors for the evening: 

Masterpiece Sponsors 

• CMA Foundation
• The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center 

Fine Arts Sponsors 

• MagMutual 
• The Doctors Company 

Gallery Sponsors 

• Nationwide Children’s Hospital 
  
• BMD LLC 
  
• Ohio Health 
• Porter Wright 
• Point Law 
• Mt. Carmel