Since the mid-1820s, physicians have come together to establish high standards for the practice of medicine to ensure patients receive quality care. As a result of these early physician leaders, the first Medical Practice Act passed in 1823, just four years after Alabama became a state.
From humble beginnings in 1847, MASA became the first statewide medical organization in Alabama. Officially chartered in 1873 under the leadership of Jerome Cochran, MD, MASA grew to include all Alabama counties by 1888.
Since then, MASA has continued to grow in number and strength hailing leaders including Douglas L. Cannon, MD; Seale Harris, MD; Samuel Buford Word, MD; Kenneth Yohn, MD, and many others.
Our current generation of physicians has seen MASA lead many victories for physicians and their patients with the passage of the Medical Practice Liability Act (1987) and the Prompt Pay Act (2003).
Just as MASA has been here for the generations of physicians who have come before us, you can count on MASA to continue the tradition of advocating for physicians and their patients for generations to come.