Speaker Spotlight: Catherine Moring, PhD, RD, BC-ADM, CDCES

Dr. Moring is a registered and licensed dietitian, is board certified in advanced diabetes management, and is a certified diabetes care and education specialist and master certified health education specialist. She has a master’s degree in Health Promotion and a doctorate in Health and Kinesiology.

She is the founder and executive director of a hospital and community Wellness Center in the Mississippi Delta. She is also the co-founder of and program coordinator for Diabetes Solutions, a virtual and accredited Diabetes and Nutrition Coaching Program serving most of North Mississippi. She is also a founder and the project director for the Mississippi Diabetes Network.

Topic: Optimizing Nutrition for Chronic Disease Management and Hormonal Balance

Fall Conference Information

Attendees To Date

Dr. Carlos Latorre Appointed to MSBML

The Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians is proud to recognize Dr. Carlos Latorre of Vicksburg on his recent appointment by Governor Tate Reeves to the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure. Dr. Latorre will fill the seat left vacant after the passing of longtime board member Dr. Tom Joiner in July 2025. His appointment will go before the Senate for confirmation during the 2026 legislative session.

A board-certified family physician and Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Dr. Latorre has dedicated his career to serving patients and strengthening primary care in Mississippi. He currently practices at the Hattiesburg Clinic Hypertension Center.

Also serving as Speaker of the MSMA House of Delegates and AMA Alternate Delegate, this year he represented Hattiesburg Clinic at the 2025 American Medical Association Joy in Medicine meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. At that meeting, Hattiesburg Clinic was honored with Bronze recognition for its commitment to reducing physician burnout and promoting physician well-being—an achievement that reflects the power of leadership and innovation in Mississippi medicine.

Congratulations Hattiesburg Clinic!

Dr. Robert Smith Recognized For His Medical Contributions

MAFP Life Member and MAFP 2018 Humanitarian Award Winner, Robert Smith, MD, ABFM, FAAFP, DHL, was recently recognized at a special luncheon in his honor. The MAFP was proud to contribute as a sponsor to this luncheon in an effort to help establish the Dr. Robert Smith Scholarship fund for Medical Students.

Dr. Robert Smith has dedicated his career to advancing equitable healthcare and shaping future generations of medical professionals. As a pivotal leader in the medical civil rights movement, his work with the Medical Committee for Human Rights and later with community-based health systems created lasting impact for underserved populations around the world.

In addition to his lifelong contributions to medicine and advocacy, Dr. Smith served as Centennial President of the Mississippi Medical and Surgical Association (2000–2001). During his presidency, he led the effort to preserve our organization’s history by compiling a documented record of MMSA—ensuring that our founding principles, challenges, and accomplishments will continue to guide and inspire for years to come.

You can read more about Dr. Smith here.

FAMILY MEDICINE WEEK Is Next Week!

The American Academy of Family Physicians recognizes September 29-October 4, 2025, as Family Medicine Week, and the celebration continues during Primary Care Week Oct. 5-11. These annual observances provide an opportunity to honor family physicians for their work and highlight their role as trusted messengers. This year’s theme is, “You're their trusted source. Every patient, every stage, every day.”

Want to be featured?

Email Blake Butler at publicawareness@msafp.org.

Email guidelines: Send a photo of you with a response to the following:

1) Why I Chose Family Medicine

2) Why Your Community Should View You As Their Trusted Medical Source

Submissions will be accepted through next Thursday, October 2nd!

Changes To CLIA Fees & Certificates

What’s Changing with CLIA Fees & Certificates?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is improving the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) program by switching to electronic fee coupons and CLIA certificates. Laboratories have until March 1, 2026, to switch to CMS email notifications and begin receiving electronic CLIA fee coupons and certificates. With this switch, CMS is moving to a completely electronic system. After this date, paper fee coupons and CLIA certificates will no longer be available.

Find out the benefits and how to go paperless by clicking here.

South Central Regional Medical Center Seeks Program Director

South Central Regional Medical Center (SCRMC) is seeking a full-time, board-certified Family Medicine physician to serve as Program Director for its future Family Medicine Residency Program, set to launch in 2027.

This is a unique leadership opportunity to shape the future of family medicine education in a thriving, supportive healthcare environment while living in one of Mississippi’s most charming towns, Magee, MS.

Full Job Description Here

Complete the Survey - Get Access to 2023 Key Learnings!

Thank you to those who have taken the AAFP’s Know Your Worth Survey to fuel an update of the AAFP’s Career Benchmark Dashboard. Mississippi is leading medium chapters with 9.84% of active members responding!

We’ve surpassed the minimum goal and are only 51 responses from reaching 20% of active membership.

Please take 10 minutes to fill out the AAFP Career Benchmark Survey Below! Physicians who complete the survey will get a downloadable summary of key learnings from the 2023 survey as a thank you.

After the success of the first-ever AAFP Career Benchmark Dashboard, we’re excited to round out the data with new insights and the latest numbers to arm our members with the knowledge they need to make smart career moves.

Help compile data that will provide a robust picture of modern compensation for family physicians. Any family physician can take the anonymous survey through November 3, 2025. The more data received, the better the insights. Help MISSISSIPPI stay on top!

Take the Survey

Click HERE to get access to all the links above.