Three Vicksburg doctors are in leadership roles with the Mississippi State Medical Association.

Dr. Randy Easterling has been named president-elect of the MSMA board; and Dr. Daniel Edney has been named to a three-year term on the board, said press releases from River Region Health System, where the two are employed. Dr. Lee Giffin is speaker of the house of delegates, according to the MSMA Web site.

Easterling, a family medicine and addiction specialist, has been practicing in Vicksburg for 21 years. His office is located at the Street Clinic on McAuley Drive. Easterling received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi. He and his wife, Janie, have two children. His term as MSMA president will begin in 2009.

“It is certainly an honor my colleagues have given me this responsibility, and it will be my purpose to work with the State Medical Association to make sure all Mississippians get quality health care,” Easterling said.

Other capacities in which Easterling has served include being appointed by former Lt. Gov. Amy Tucker to represent Mississippi physicians on the tort claims board and by Gov. Haley Barbour to a six year term on the Board of Medical Licensure in 2006. He was president of the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians and is chairman of the Mississippi Medical Political Action Committee.

Edney, also a Street Clinic doctor, has been practicing there for 17 years. He attended undergraduate school at William Carey College, now called William Carey University, and received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi. Edney and his wife, Lori, have three children.

“The reason I feel led to serve is to support the motto that we are physicians who care for Mississippi,” Edney said. “By serving in these positions we help to protect our patients and the profession.”

Giffin practices at Mission Primary Care Clinic on Mission 66. He was unavailable to comment on his MSMA position.

The MSMA is a physician organization that serves as an advocate for its members, their patients and public health. The association promotes ethical, educational and clinical standards. It was founded in 1856.