Tina L. Tanner, MD FAAFP

Personal Statement

Advocacy through servant leadership is embodied in the words “inspire,” “create” and “lead,” and is my personal true north. In all interactions we have, we leave an imprint. I hope I leave behind inspiration, creative environments where ideas and relationships grow, and leadership that is inclusive, supportive and guided by compassion. 

While my journey started in poverty and abuse, it was shaped by individuals demonstrating these attributes, revealing the power of one. I was inspired to follow a dream that seemed unattainable — becoming a family physician, compelled to create a better world for those without a voice as I had once been, and called to lead as others had led before me. It would be my honor to represent you on the AAFP Board of Directors.

Biography 

Tina L. Tanner, MD, FAAFP, is a family physician in Muskegon, Michigan, at Trinity Health - Northside, where she also serves as primary care medical director for Trinity Health Medical Group for Muskegon and Ottawa counties. As medical director, Dr. Tanner advocates for 12 clinics with over 100 physicians and NPPs. She started practicing in West Michigan 22 years ago, when she joined a private practice rural health center providing full-spectrum family medicine with OB in a 12-bed critical access hospital. She has also practiced at FQHCs and now in a multispecialty medical group. 

Dr. Tanner was the first in her family to go to college, completing her B.S. at Western Michigan University. She matriculated with her MD from Michigan State University, completing the rural medicine program and went on to complete residency in Saginaw, Michigan. 

In 1992 Dr. Tanner started her service with the Michigan AFP Board as leader of the MSU FMIG. Since then, she has served on every committee and in every leadership position. On the committee for Health of the Public, she helped launch Michigan’s immunization registry. As chair of the Advocacy committee, she expanded the state legislative day by partnering with the Michigan Academy of Osteopathic Family Physicians, doubling attendance. She led a comprehensive review and revision of the bylaws and organizational policies, downsizing the board from 26 to 19 while increasing the diversity represented as president-elect. Defending Michigan again NP independent practice occupied her presidential year, culminating in success built upon years of advocacy work at the state capital. She currently leads the MAFP PAC and has served on the MAFP Foundation Board. 

Dr. Tanner’s AAFP leadership started as delegate for the Women’s and LGBTQ+ constituencies at NCCL, and she was elected as Women’s co-convener in 2017-18. She has served as a constituency delegate and MAFP alternate and delegate to the Congress of Delegates. Dr. Tanner expanded her advocacy efforts by serving on the Commission on Federal and State Policy.

Dr. Tanner was honored to be appointed to serve the State of Michigan through the M-CEITA board, pharmacy and therapeutic committee, and advisor for foster care reform.