Christopher R. Morris, MD, a board certified rheumatologist with more than 25 years’ experience, is in private practice in Kingsport, Tennessee at Arthritis Associates. Additionally, he has served as a clinical educator for internal medicine residents at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Norton Community Hospital in Norton, Virginia, and Johnston Memorial Hospital, in Abingdon, Virginia.

A native of Springfield, Illinois, Dr. Morris received his undergraduate degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, and received his medical degree from the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. He completed his Internship and Residency at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, and Rheumatology fellowship at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.

Dr. Morris is an active member of the Southern Medical Association (SMA) and currently serves as the Chair of the Education Committee. He previously has served as an SMA Councilor for the state of Tennessee, as well as a member of several of the Association's Education Design Groups. Additionally, Dr. Morris has served on 5 Committees for the American College of Rheumatology, currently serving on the Government Affairs Committee, which advocates for the specialty of Rheumatology, as well asfor the patients with arthritic diseases.

In her own words,

I am an Otolaryngologist practicing general ENT and allergy for the past 30 years in Marksville, Louisiana after finishing my residency at Tulane Medical Center in 1988. I graduated from University of Alabama Medical School cum laude in 1983. Also, I completed a fellowship in Otolaryngic Allergy in 1992. I am proud to serve the needs of a semirural small town community and take care of adults and children with ear, nose, and throat problems who would have to travel many miles for their care.

Practicing in a small community was very new to me when I first came here. I grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana and was educated in the public and parochial schools there. Living in a smaller community remained a challenge for me in adjustment, but I have come to realize that this environment is perfect for me. I get to know my patients and their families, and their extended families, and relatives, which engages me in their lives, both as a medical doctor, friend and mentor. It is truly the best of both worlds and I have come to treasure my practice as a small town doctor in this community.

I joined the SMA in 1984, while I was a resident and I have been a member ever since. I enjoyed the collegiality as well as the learning experience. It is a big organization with a small town atmosphere in that we are emboldened to learn from the experts in a spirit of congeniality and relaxed learning experience. It is an organization where everyone has equal time, every question has equal value, and everyone has the right to understand the concepts that are being presented. No question or thirst for knowledge is too little and everyone is included in the quest for medical knowledge and skills in the healing arts.