ATLANTA — The American Medical Association (AMA) presented Michael Cates, executive vice president of The Memphis Medical Society, with the Medical Executive Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is given by the AMA to honor a medical association executive who has contributed substantially to the goals and ideals of the medical profession.

"The AMA is honored to present Mr. Cates with the Medical Executive Lifetime Achievement Award to recognize his indelible impact on the medical community during his four decades of leadership and stewardship," said AMA President Steven J. Stack, M.D. "He has been a reliable guide and counselor to physicians, and his selfless dedication embodies the best in medical executive leadership."

Cates has epitomized service to the medical profession with his long and distinguished career of service to organized medicine with stellar performances as a chief executive officer at county medical societies in North Carolina and Tennessee. He was executive director of the Mecklenburg County Medical Society until 1985 when he became executive vice president of The Memphis Medical Society.

In Memphis, Cates has helped establish the Midsouth chapter of the Medical Group Management Association, served on the Dean's Advisory Committee for the University of Memphis School of Public Health, and served on the board of the Common Table Health Alliance, an organization dedicated to improving health and well-being in Memphis.

A leader within the ranks of medical association executives, Cates has served as president of the Tennessee Society of Association Executives, a board member to the American Association of Medical Society Executives, and as a medical executive advisor to AMA leadership.

Cates earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C.

The award was presented to Cates during the opening session of the 2015 AMA Interim Meeting in Atlanta.