The Michigan State Medical Society this weekend will formally welcome James Grant, M.D., Class of 1987, as the new president of the society.

Dr. Grant is the chair of anesthesiology at Beaumont Health System and practices anesthesiology with American Anesthesiology of Michigan.

He will take office May 3 following his election last year by the Michigan State Medical Society's House of Delegates. During the annual House of Delegates Meeting in Dearborn, he will deliver his inaugural speech, focusing on the importance of physician leadership across Michigan that empowers patients, ensuring patients always come first in health care.

"In these times of tremendous change in health care, physicians have to take the lead to ensure the needs and well-being of Michigan patients remains the focus of our health care system," Dr. Grant said. "I am humbled and honored to represent the 15,000 physician members of the Michigan State Medical Society who work every day from the exam room to the operating suite and from Lansing to Washington, D.C., to put Michigan patients first."

In his speech to delegates, Dr. Grant will discuss the importance of physician leadership in the battle to keep patients at the heart of a rapidly changing state and federal health care system.

In addition to his role with MSMS, Dr. Grant is the treasurer of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the vice chair of Michigan's delegation to the American Medical Association and a former chair of both the Board of Directors of the Michigan State Medical Society and the Michigan Board of Medicine.

The Michigan State Medical mission is to promote a health care environment that supports physicians in caring for and enhancing the health of Michigan residents through science, quality and ethics in the practice of medicine.