For Barbara Trautman of Tennessee, the 2005-2006 election cycle was the pinnacle of years of dedication efforts on behalf of doctors and patients. Barbara is a longtime member of the Independent Medicine’s Political Action Committee of Tennessee (IMPACT) and Tennessee Medical Association (TMA) Alliance.
As Vice President for the Legislation for the TMA Alliance, Barbara was an aggressive advocate for TMA’s efforts to achieve medical liability reform in Tennessee. With her support and assistance, the TMA Alliance implemented a major MLR fundraising campaign which has brought in close to $750,000 of their $1 million goal. In early 2006, Barbara also coordinated an aggressive plan launched by the TMA Alliance to bring physicians and their families, staff, patients, and members of the medical community to attend Physicians’ Tuesday visits at the State Capitol, to lobby for the medical liability reform bill. Barbara was also a key grassroots leader in Shelby County in the 2006 elections, helping to generate over 80,000 “get-out-the-vote” phone calls for pro-medicine Republican candidates. As the volunteer coordinator of the “get-out-the-vote” calls for State Senate candidate Paul Stanley, US Senate candidate Bob Corker, and US Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, Barbara’s dedication and drive were evident, and all three candidates celebrated victory on election night.
Mrs. Trautman resides in Germantown, Tennessee with her husband, Robert J. Trautman, Jr., M.D., a board certified dermatologist. The couple has two sons, Lucas, a resident physician in psychiatry, and Ben, a college student pursuing a degree in hotel management. From 1990 to 1991, Barbara served as President of the Memphis & Shelby County Medical Society Alliance; in 2001, she was elected and served as President of the Tennessee Medical Association Alliance from 2001 to 2002.
Four outstanding nominees were considered by the AMPAC Board of Directors for the national award. In addition to Mrs. Trautman, state winners and national nominees for the 2007 Belle Chenault Award included Peggy Farmer of Florida, Sue Anne Addy of Michigan, and Maureen Priestner of Texas.
Content provided by: AMA in Washington