PINE BLUFF – State Volunteer Mutual Insurance Company (SVMIC) recently completed a planned leadership transition within its Board of Directors. Dr. Hugh Francis of Memphis, Tenn., succeeds Dr. Paul McNabb of Nashville, Tenn., as Chair of the Board. Dr. Francis has previously served as Vice Chair of the Board since 2006.

Dr. John O. Lytle of Pine Bluff, Ark., steps into the role of Vice Chair. Lytle was elected to the Board in 2006 and most recently served as Secretary. In addition, he has served on SVMIC’s Arkansas Advisory Committee since its inception in 2003. Lytle’s Vice Chair appointment marks the first time an Arkansas-based doctor has assumed this role. Lytle’s election reinforces SVMIC’s strong position as the longest tenured writer of medical professional liability   insurance in Arkansas, having written their first Arkansas policy 26 years ago.

The new slate of Board officers also includes Dr. Katrina M. Hood of Lexington, Ky., as Secretary and Dr. Matthew L. Perkins of Smyrna, Tenn., as Treasurer. Hood has been a Board member since 2009 and is the first female doctor to be an officer of the Board; Perkins has been a member since 2008.