Kosciusko physician selected as torch bearer for Olympics

Special to The Star Herald

Dr. Tim Alford, a family physician with Kosciusko Medical Clinic, has been selected by Coca-Cola as an Olympic torchbearer for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games to be held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Feb. 12-28.

"I'm humbled to have the opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame,"Alford, a doctor for over 25 years, said. "In carrying it, I honor the thousands of family doctors in the United States and across the world. They're the ones who carry the torch of wellness and prevention everyday as they care for their patients."

During his time as a rural doctor, he has worked to strengthen public education and wellness. Residing in a state that has the highest obesity rate in the United States, many of Alford's patients struggle with the chronic medical problems associated with obesity.

Alford encourages patients to exercise regularly as part of a healthy, active lifestyle. Furthermore, he takes to heart the importance of practicing what he preaches; he runs every morning at the local high school track. Averaging 30 miles per week for the past 32 years, Alford has totaled 48,000 miles, or two trips around the world.

Alford was selected to be an Olympic Torchbearer in recognition of his constant dedication to promote healthy, active lifestyles while simultaneously working to encourage civic engagement in his community.

Alford and his fellow Torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame through Calgary, Canada, Jan. 18-19, as it makes its way to Vancouver and the Opening Ceremony for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games on Feb. 12.

As a member of the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians and as the MAFP Foundation President, Alford helped establish a Rural Health Scholars Program that encourages high school and college students to consider becoming primary care physicians. The program also provides scholarships to students for their medical education.

While serving on his local school board, he worked to mandate physical education and revise nutritional standards within Mississippi's public schools. He also served as president of his local PTA.

In his local community, Alford was chairman of his county's Habitat for Humanity program and also served as founding chairman of his local Education Foundation. Habitat for Humanity built three houses during his tenure. He maintains a wildlife sanctuary and habitat on his farm. Additionally, he is a member of First United Methodist Church in Kosciusko where he serves on the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee.

On the state level, Alford recently was voted president-elect of the Mississippi State Medical Association. Nationally, he served for many years on the AAFP's Commission on Legislation, including two years as chair.

The Olympic Torch Relay, presented in part by Coca-Cola, will last for 106 days, cover more than 27,000 miles and link together more than 1,000 communities and places of interest throughout Canada.

Alford graduated with a bachelor's degree from Millsaps College in Jackson in 1978 and earned his doctorate at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in 1983. He completed his family medicine residency at the Columbus Medical Center in Columbus, Ga. in 1986. Alford is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and holds the AAFP Degree of Fellow, an earned degree awarded to family physicians for distinguished service and continuing medical education.

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