Dr. Richard Leggett to Serve as Chair of the Education Committee

The Southern Medical Association (SMA) is pleased to announce that Richard Leggett, MD, will serve as Chair of the Association’s Education Committee. Dr. Leggett will assume the role on November 7, 2026, during SMA’s Annual Scientific Assembly in Houston, Texas.

Dr. Leggett is a psychiatrist and member of the core faculty of the General Psychiatry Residency Program at LewisGale Medical Center in Salem, Virginia. He previously served two terms as Medical Director and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at LewisGale and spent much of his career in private practice in Roanoke, Virginia.

A graduate of Hampden-Sydney College and the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Dr. Leggett completed his general psychiatry residency at the University of South Carolina, where he served as Assistant Chief Resident during his final year of training.

Dr. Leggett’s connection with SMA dates back to residency, when he participated in the Association’s annual abstract competition in the Neurology/Psychiatry section. He joined the SMA Education Committee in 2018 and has served as Vice Chair since 2024.

As Chair, Dr. Leggett looks forward to continuing the Committee’s work to develop high-quality continuing medical education while supporting educational opportunities that engage physicians throughout their careers.

“The strength of the Education Committee lies not only in the individual excellence of its members, but also in the tremendous support provided by SMA staff,” Dr. Leggett said. “Together, we can continue to set a high standard for the educational programs SMA develops and endorses while fostering interest and involvement among the next generation of physicians.”