James Patrick Murphy, MD, MMM, DFASAM
Candidate for Regional Director
Region X - Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Virgin Islands
James Patrick Murphy, MD, MMM, DFASAM is currently ASAM’s Region X Director. Originally, he was elected the region’s Alternate Director in 2021. Two years later in 2023, when Director Dr. Stephen Taylor was elected ASAM President-Elect, Dr. Murphy ascended to the role of Region X Director for the remaining two years of Dr. Taylor’s term. Dr. Murphy was born and raised in Louisville, KY, where he currently practices pain management and addiction medicine. He is as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He also serves on the board of the Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition and the board of the Greater Louisville Medical Society Foundation. Dr. Murphy is board-certified in in Pain Medicine, Addiction Medicine, and Anesthesiology. His Pain Management fellowship was at Rochester, Minnesota’s Mayo Clinic, where he also served on the faculty of the Mayo Medical School. Dr. Murphy has also earned a Master of Medical Management degree from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business.
Over the years, Dr. Murphy has created educational programs recognized by the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure and the Federation of State Medical Boards. Nationwide, he has given presentations in concert with government regulators, law enforcement, physician groups, and various community organizations. His work has been featured in a diversity of media ranging from medical journals, magazines and newspapers to television, Internet sites, and social media. In recognition of his advocacy for universal access to quality healthcare, Dr. Murphy was awarded the prestigious Mayday Fellowship in Washington, DC. A former Commander in United States Navy, Dr. Murphy served as a Naval Flight Surgeon and deployed with his air wing on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. His overseas volunteering has included numerous surgical missions as an anesthesiologist with the Operation Smile.
Candidate Questionnaire Responses
1. What have been your greatest contributions to ASAM or to the field of addiction medicine over the last 10 years?
I have the privilege of representing ASAM on the AMA’s Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force. Originally, I was ASAM’s voice on the AMA’s Pain Care Task Force at its inception in 2018.
Later in 2021, the Pain Care Task Force was expanded and rebranded as the AMA’s Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force. Thus, for the past six years it has been my honor, privilege and pleasure to be ASAM’s voice on this highly respected and very influential group consisting of delegates from the entire spectrum of specialties encompassed by the AMA. Our work products and recommendations have been published in various media and in particular in the AMA Journal of Ethics.
During the same time frame, I served as the President-Elect, President, and Immediate Past President of the Kentucky Society of Addiction Medicine, encompassing the very challenging years of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
2. How would your election to the ASAM Board of Directors benefit ASAM and the field of addiction medicine?
I have been on ASAM’s board for only two years, but in this time I have become familiar with ASAM leadership at the central and state levels. These two years have prepared me and I am ready and excited about the opportunities right on the horizon. I have been on the bylaws committee, assisted in finalizing numerous ASAM policies, and have gotten to know many of the members and leaders of our Region’s state chapters. I have a very good working relationship with AMA leadership and advocacy.
And I am currently spearheading an effort to revamp Kentucky’s outdated buprenorphine regulations – an effort that I hope to extend to other states in our region as well. If chosen by our members to continue as Region X Director, I will bring energy, enthusiasm, resolve, and experience to the job.