Dr. Roland Gray is the retiring Medical Director of the Tennessee Medical Foundation. He has worked in a service-oriented role alongside SVMIC for 20 years. In 1997, he began traveling and working with SVMIC's Risk Education seminars in Tennessee, educating attendees on the importance of their own health.

"I became a policyholder in 1978 when I returned to Tennessee to practice," said Gray. "In the early years, when nobody could get coverage, we all really appreciated the early work SVMIC did. At that time, the leaders in the state realized the importance of having a mutual company rather than a company owned by stockholders."

"My experience with SVMIC has allowed me to stay abreast of the changes in medicine and to pass on these changes and coping mechanisms for other physicians in the state. With SVMIC, I have learned the importance of proper communication and how to deal with the stressors of medicine. SVMIC fills in the gaps - learning empathic listening, proper communication and how many lawsuits result from lack of communication. SVMIC has been a partner with me in the workshops I've given and the research and work I've done with more than 2,000 physicians in the state," he said. "It's been a pleasure for me to work with SVMIC," he added, "because we're on the same page - we both want to do what we can to help the physicians with whatever difficulties we're having. They're concerned about the physicians."

Gray has some pearls of wisdom for SVMIC as the company grows with the changing medical landscape. "Keep up with the changes in medicine. It is very different than when I started my career 40 years ago. I don't know what it will be like in 10 years, 20 years, but it will be different. Stay on top of the changes and continue to provide services to physicians and keep that your primary mission as a mutual company. Continue to provide services and help physicians cope with the changes."